Slide mounted entomological specimens often require the aid of contrast techniques to improve the clarity of morphological characteristics. Methods can involve the use of techniques such as Phase contrast, Dark field or differential interference contrast microscopy (DIC), however where an entomologist may only have access to simple brightfield microscopy chemical staining of the specimen may be used to improve contrast. For whole mounts of entomological specimens, a single stain, occasionally two, are often used, in comparison to histological sections that often employ multiple stains in complex protocols.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWith the discovery of Ctenolepisma longicaudata by Goddard et al. (2016) and the record of Ctenolepisma lineata as a possible introduced pest by Notton (2018), as well as the changes to the higher classification reported by Barnard (2011), the current number of UK Lepismatidae (silverfish and firebrats) that an entomologist might encounter has doubled. Therefore, the most recent checklist (Kloet Hicks 1964) is in need of revision.
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