My guide to simple caterpillar inflation.

1.take an aluminum can,a small one is best since it heats up faster...cut a bigger hole in the can but not too big(just expand the hole that is used to drink).a scalpel or small scissors would be best for this. 2.take a small jar and fill it with oil(denatured alcohol or diesel will also work),make the wick by rolling a piece of cotton into a string. 3.place the can on two bricks,one on the front and one on the back side,put stones or some sort of weight inside where the bricks are located.so the can doesn't roll off the bricks. 4.find a wheat straw,the longer the better,you may also collect different sizes for different sized caterpillars.you'll see what they are for later. 5.get a caterpillar,they may be caught by beat netting or sweeping bushes,catch a caterpillar,then kill it in alcohol. 6.make a small incision on the back of the caterpillar,more specifically,enlarge the anal vent by cutting it with small scissors or a scalpel. 7.put a caterpillar on a towel and start pressing it till the organs start coming out,use spade tipped forceps to get the organs out,when you get all the organs out proceed to the next step 8.while you leave the caterpillar on the towel for a bit,ignite the small oil stove and put it under the aluminum can. 9.put a straw in the caterpillars vent(put it inside the caterpillars body,about to the half of the body),and lightly blow till the caterpillar acquires a natural shape.now keep lightly blowing so the caterpillar retains it's natural shape.do this for up to 10 minutes max,(this is for big caterpillars,small ones would need 6 minutes at most) 10.when the caterpillar is dry,mark the date and location,way of catching...etc on a piece of thick card with ink,fade proof one is best.now carefully pin the caterpillar with a thin pin(no.2 at most as not to destroy the body of the caterpillar),pin on the back of the right side near the anal prolegs,you can also card it or put a thin wire coated in glue in the caterpillars vent,then bend the wire down with pliers and attach it to cork then pin the cork.

I really recommend you try this although freeze drying then pinning is an option too.

submitted by /u/Comrade_Entomologist
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source https://www.reddit.com/r/Entomology/comments/oylmla/my_guide_to_simple_caterpillar_inflation/