This is the tutorial that got me started:
http://www.masscic.org/howto/how-to-preserve-your-cicadas-pinning
I'm trying to upload some pictures for you, but I can't seem to upload an attachment at the moment. I don't know if it's with the editor here, or if I've just forgotten how to add an attachment...
Anyway, read that tutorial. It has the type of pins you need and shows how to make foam boards for spreading wings on cicadas and moths.
For insects, be prepared to use a multitude of pins to get the legs, antennae, and mouth parts all positioned correctly before letting them dry.
And, here's a quick and dirty way to make a relaxing jar:
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/ythfacts/4h/unit2/hotm&urj.htm
I've got my own method which I think is better, but, like I said, I'm having difficulty in uploading my images, today.
Cheers
P.S. - When it comes to gluing, I prefer the clear elmer's glue.
Update:
Okay, I've finally got the attachments to work. Here we go:
This is my setup for pinning wings:
I've cut rectangles out in the centers and dropped them slightly below the foam to create a recessed area for the body of the moth, cicada, dragonfly, or whatever I want to mount spread winged.
The skewers you see on the left side go all the way through to the dropped rectangles to keep them from sliding up and down in the recessed cutouts.
The geometric markings you see are angles I use to align the wings. I started marking angles after a few specimens had their wings unevenly spread and I didn't notice it until I removed the specimens and was going to put them in shadow boxes. Now, I don't have any problems with uneven wings.
The white strips you see are strips of foam core poster board. I use the strips to hold the wings in place and push two pins through them, careful not to stick a pin through a wing.
Alright, now onto the next photo:
This is a softer piece of flexible foam which I use for delicate work. But, that's not important. What is important is the mounting of the male Lucanus beetle. Here, let me zoom in for you:
Ignoring all the dust (hey, it's been sitting around since Spring and I'm still working on a shadow box for it. A soft paintbrush will clean it up nicely), take note of all of the pins I used to position everything just the way I wanted it. You'll need LOTS of pins for positioning. I use cheap ones bought at Walmart for positioning.
The expensive pins you get from scientific supply houses are the ones you push completely through the specimen. Note that my main pin is pushed through the elytra and not the mesonotum or thorax. Some say this is a no-no, but I don't like the look of a pin through the mesonotum--especially when the mesonotum contains detail I want to keep intact.
Okay, it looks like I need to start another comment to add more attachments.
