Before After Bee Washing

You probably have this problem. You get a specimen in, but it covered in gunk and its hairs are all matted. What do you do? Well, I think we have finally figured it out. Here is a specimen of Bombus rufocinctus caught by the state of Pennsylvania in some kind of dry trap, covered in moth scales and gook. Then, it gets a new look at the USGS BEEauty salon. Method is below. Photos by Greta ForbesProcess Pull tags off specimen Drop specimen into centrifuge tube or vial with HOT water with high concentration of dish soap Shake for about a minute...more if super goopy and matted Dump into hand Wash under hot running water Put on paper towel to pull off water Drop in Tube of acetone Shake for around 30 seconds Drop on paper towel and blot off excess Acetone IMMEDIATELY take to a station that allows you to blow compressed air on specimen We use a latex hose that connects the lab's compressed air nozzle on a lab bench and then connects to the extracted top of a lab wash bottle...the type with a long tube that goes through the cap into the bottle.....attach the latex tube using a binder clamp or it will slip off Turn on air a SMALL amount Use your the wash bottle nozzle to blow air on specimen Note: If you blow air directly from compressed air fitting the wings will shred Blow until hairs are dry and separated