Cleaning and preparing adult beetles (Coleoptera) for light and scanning electron microscopy

Abstract

The coleopterist Arnett (1947) concluded in a techniques paper that 'As with any attempt to outline technique, this is little more than a sketch of some of the points to be considered. Each technician must work out the details for himself.... Do not let the technique become the end, but rather carefully prepared material which will serve the best advantage of the worker in carrying out his research should be the end.' I concur but add that unless entomological techniques are documented, others have to reinvent the wheel, rather than refine it. Here I provide a summary of what is published and document the details that I have worked out for others to use as a starting point.