longhorn collection

Thank you

Thanks for all these informations! I haven't decided yet if I prefer to put the antennaes backward for its safety or in a natural position for the trophy.

… Louis-Philippe Gélinas, 24 June, 2017 - 4:15pm

personal or practical

My personal preference is to make all the beetles look natural and impressive. I have mounted some of those phenomenal Cerambycids with antennae many times the body length with them outstretched to awe the observer. Practically speaking though, most collectors arrange the antennae along the body, sometimes completely surrounding the beetle multiple times, and the legs folded in to minimize the space occupied by the specimen. Not so great to look at, but it takes longer before you need to buy another storage cabinet.

… Rick Buss, 22 June, 2017 - 7:29am

minimize the footprint, protect the specimen

my own primary consideration is to give the specimen the best chance to survive shipping via mail without bracing and such
this is also why i prefer card-mounting to point-mounting in many cases

… v belov, 24 June, 2017 - 3:45pm

Often comes down to wish for "trophy/esthetic" vs "scientific"

collection. Latter decision requires that all appendages be tucked in to prevent damage during the frequent handling needed for study.

… Peter W. Messer, 22 June, 2017 - 9:21am

sure- take care with handling

The science is often expedited by mounting that allows good observation of all appendages and full visibility of the specimen underside. Scientific study may involve careful handling of a specimen with its appendages exposed. Lots of the specimens at the museums where I work have damage especially after genitalia examination, and all the pieces are retained.

… Rick Buss, 22 June, 2017 - 9:46am

sure - appendages tucked not too tightly

beneath specimen still allows 98% chance of seeing ventral diagnostic parts in my experience. The taxonomist does not need to see the entire venter unobstructed. A rare part that needs to be slightly moved in a hurry is accomplished with brush tip soaked in a relaxing fluid (full strength ammonia cheapest). Antennae are at greatest risk so I always try to have them alongside thorax when mounting fresh specimens.

… Peter W. Messer, 22 June, 2017 - 11:42am

Spreading for images

Your approach is fine for an expert such as yourself who will be performing the ID personally, and then sticking the bug away in a repository. As a non-expert, my habit is to post images of a specimen on BG which show as many key features as possible (which I may not know about beforehand) with a minimal number of images. The goal is to eventually show all features needed to key it, with follow-up images if necessary. Placing the antennae alongside the body for protection and compactness is fine for cerambycids. However, spreading the legs wide offers the best chance for leg and ventral features to be seen, such as here:

As an added benefit afterwards, this serves an educational function in that other non-experts may see for themselves what the key is describing in words.

… Edward L. Ruden, 25 June, 2017 - 10:22am