Setting board

A setting board is usually made of wood and is longer than it is wide. Running along the centre of the wood and in a direction parallel to the longest dimension of the board is a groove. Winged insects are pinned so that their body is within the groove. This allows the wings to be extended across the board on either side of the body. The wings are then held in position by pinning strips of paper across the wings (the wings themselves are not pinned).

Once the specimen has dried out the pins and paper can be removed. The specimen can then be removed from the board and moved to a storage cabinet where it can be kept indefinitely.

An illustration of moths positioned on a setting board.

Other names for (or types of) Setting board include:

• Spreading board

Related terms

• Entomologist
• Naphthalene
• Pinning stage
• Relaxing box

Related groups of terms

• Equipment

Related pages on this web site

• Preparing/Maintaining a Collection of Butterflies & Moths

See other words beginning with S