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Home » Forums » General Discussion

Possible collection pest?

Hi,

I have a smaller (like half the size of a cornell drawer) wooden box that I use for transporting stuff around that i need ID'ed or labelled and such before they go into the cornell drawers. Its the kind that doesn't have foam in the bottom to stick pins into, but rather a soft sort of plaster material that leaves a hole when you pull the pin from it. I'm pretty sure they're from bioquip, or a similar company. Hopefully you know what I'm referring to. Anyway, I noticed some tiny insects in it the other day. They looked like maybe springtails, but I wasn't quick enough to get one, as they quickly hid themselves in the pin holes, which gives you an idea how small they were. Definitely 0.5mm or smaller, light colored, with elongated bodies. I figured I'd just put the box, pinned insects and all, into the freezer to kill the little buggers, just in case they were infesting my specimens. I'm wondering if anyone has experienced this, if they are indeed springtails, and if they are harming my specimens or feeding on something else (the boxes are really old). Also, should overnight in the freezer suffice, or should I extend their arctic holiday.

Thanks!!

Marc
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Contributed by Marc DiGirolomo on 6 January, 2013 - 9:56am

possibly booklice
Booklice Psocodea (like Liposcelis)often get into bug collections as well as finding stored grain products in houses. They would probably be damaging specimens. Booklice have not gotten into my collection (stored similarly to yours), but I have used the freezer method on Dermestids (Anthrenus sp). I put some larvae and adults in a petri dish in our freezer overnight at 0 F degrees and they were alive the next day. After a week, all were dead but I didn't test eggs. Don't know about booklice or springtails.
… Rick Buss, 6 January, 2013 - 10:33am login or register to post comments

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