Introduction to Specimen Preservation with Mickey Alice Kwapis: Sunset Moths

Learn how to spread and dry your own sunset moth specimen to keep. Using a rehydrated specimen ready to spread, each student will be guided through the process of flexing, posing, pinning, and drying their own moth specimen. This incredible insect, native to Madagascar, is a day-flying moth with structural colors that catch the light to appear as an iridescent rainbow. You will leave with your finished pinned specimen ready to dry at home, as well as a spreading board and tool set to keep for use with future projects. The week following the workshop, students will receive an email containing a digital guide to the entire spreading process, from a dried or freshly deceased specimen to completion.

No experience necessary; ages 12 and younger must be accompanied by a calm adult who can assist where needed. One specimen and tool set are provided per ticket purchased, so if the adult wishes to participate with their own specimen set, an additional ticket should be purchased.

Class registration fees include admission to the Whatcom Museum, one specimen and tool kit, and supplementary reading materials to learn how to repeat the process with more specimens at home.

Mickey will also be teaching a forest scorpion specimen preservation workshop on March 14.