There's an article I was just made aware of yesterday (https://academic.oup.com/ae/article/61/3/149/2194575) that says Lysol is a good removal tool. I haven't tried it myself, but it certainly seems like a possible (and easy!) solution. 

James (Jim) Walker, M.S.

Assistant Curator | UMSP, Entomology | insectcollection.umn.edu

1980 Folwell Ave, 219 Hodson Hall, St. Paul, MN 55108

University of Minnesota | umn.edu

j[log in to unmask] | 612-301-2238

On Tue, May 1, 2018 at 5:14 PM, Johnson, Paul <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Plain household ammonia works well. Soaking a specimen will also loosen appendages for repositioning. I use an ammonia soak for genitalia dissection softening, too. 

Lysol spray works well, too, and is good if you have a box or drawer of specimens to treat.

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From: Entomological Collections Network Listserve <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Alan Mudge <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 1, 2018 11:57:07 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: moldy specimens

 

I have found a 50:50 solution of plain ammonia and water to be a good all purpose cleaner and have not had any problems with discoloration etc.

I don't have much experience with them but would an ultrasonic cleaner be useful in this case?

-Alan-

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From: "Andy Deans" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, May 1, 2018 8:26:33 AM
Subject: moldy specimens

Hi all,
We received a recent donation of old beetles that are covered in mold (or mould if you like):
https://flic.kr/p/25CSMCf
I was hesitant to accept them, given their condition, but the donation came with $$$ and the specimens appear to otherwise be in great shape.

Can anyone recommend a treatment? I considered removing the mold mechanically with a fine brush. That would be labor intensive, but the collection is relatively small (about two USNM drawers).

Thankful for any help,
Andy

Frost Entomological Museum
Penn State