Over the last few months, I have been using a pair of fine tipped brass-handled dissecting needles made by Boyd Barr. They are firmly established as my go-to implements for dissecting smaller flies. So far they have proved very effective for dissecting Hilara, Lonchaeidae, Chloropidae and Pipunculidae. Compared with the average Dipterist’s usual arrangement of a fine micropin pushed into the end of a matchstick or similar, the needles appear somewhat too robust for fine work, but in practice they are every bit as accurate as the smallest of micropins (size A for instance). However, because the needles are robust, they do not flex like a micropin tends to, so they are far more effective for tearing apart genitalia. For instance, with Lonchaeidae, separating the tiny aedeagus from the rest of the genitalia can be a delicate and challenging task if using micropins. The challenge still remains, when using Boyd’s dissecting needles, but the separation is always more easily achieved.
The weight and length of the needles provide a good balanced feel in the hand, further improving the process of dissection. I thoroughly recommend these instruments. Boyd will fabricate dissecting needles to order. Click on the photo below to view the complete needles.
