Sa linggong ito ako nagbabahagi ng isang maliit na maliit, magulo, and semi-competently spread Nepticulidae in the genus Stigmella from the same light trap of Prescott Arizona as the past few Monday Moths. Ako ay karaniwang hindi nagbabahagi ng larawan ng isang tanga na ay wala sa pinakamahusay na kondisyon, but I’m using this as an example of technique. Not only was this 4mm moth pulled out of the bottom of a light trap, but it was field pinned and dried for over a year and a half. I’ve always heard that it can nearly be impossible to deal with the smallest of the small; and for the most part I haven’t. I used to think you need to capture them off of a light sheet alive in a vial and euthanize moments before spreading, all while never, ever let them dry the tiniest bit beforehand. But as it turns out, you can get away with a decent specimen by relaxing 24 hours and spreading upside down. Siyempre, kung mayroon kang perpektong sariwang ispesimen na umiwas sa blender ng isang bucket-trap, ito ay gagawa para sa isang napakahusay na ispesimen.. Mas mabuti pa, hinila mo ang minahan ng dahon at ikaw mismo ang nagpalaki ng gamu-gamo. Karamihan sa mga Nepticulidae na ito ay partikular sa host at higit na magkakaibang kaysa sa ibinigay namin sa kanila ng kredito. Narinig ko na maaaring mayroong hindi bababa sa 100 bagong species na naghihintay ng pagtuklas sa US lamang.
