Collecting and preserving chalcid wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)

Summary The most profitable ways of collecting chalcids are discussed, namely by sweeping, suction sampler, beating, pyrethrum spray, rearing, Malaise traps, yellow pan traps, suction traps, pitfall traps and extraction from leaf litter or grass tussocks. Methods of preserving chalcids are also outlined, with particular emphasis on storing all unmounted material dry rather than in alcohol. The techniques of sweeping, card mounting specimens and slide preparation are described in detail.