I am NOT an expert but I have a few dried butterflies (that died
naturally). 

There is a direction to the scales on a butterfly's wings.  If you try
pressurized air I would make sure you are blowing with the scales, not
against them.  Also, the most fragile part of the butterfly seems to be
the legs--they drop off quite easily, so it is best not to touch them if
you can help it.

Kim Elmore

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Evelyn Ayre
Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 7:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] dusting delicate dried butterflies

Does anyone know if it's possible to clean dust off dried butterfly
specimens?  We have some Blue Morphos that look more greyish that
turquoise.  What about using a can of pressurized air (like
photographers use for dusting negatives)?  Or would it be better to just
replace them altogether?

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