They can be relaxed by keeping them in a damp atmosphere (like a lepidopterist's relaxing box) overnight or for a few days (but expect to lose a few to mould).
If you try to pin them without relaxing them, they're likely to split and lose most of their legs. Otherwise, just card point them - done carefully, most of the necessary features will still be visible.
I would use a jar with chopped laurel leaves, the HCN vapour prevents the growth of mould and specimens are usually ready for pinning after a day or so. This may not be useful if you do not have a laurel bush nearby or if the leaves have become old and no longer need poisons to protect them, use the greenest and most tender leaves, preferably collected earlier in the year.
Yes, 10 points !!! N. quadrifaria it is. It is the only Nephrotoma with the dark seam right across the wing.
John K
Yes, you can see the club-shaped inner clasper which contrasts with the bent one of oleracea. That just obtains in Britain. In Europe things get more complicated.
John K
Of course it is now I look closely - what a basic mistake to make. Thanks for the advice.
Sorry Vanessa, no photos have appeared. This seems to happen quite often. As I don't take photos I'm afraid I can't help with the problem. Perhaps someone who has successfully posted pictures in the past can give us chapter and verse on how to do it, and tell us why it so often seems to fail.
Oh no! Thanks for letting me know, Howard. I can see the photos clearly my end...but will try a different way now...
Hopefully these have worked now. Just to add that someone on inaturalist has suggested it might be a Dolichopodidae Chrysotus species...
Looks like Hymenoptera. Hind wings coveed by fore wings. Try soaking in acetone, where you can brush off the funhus with a paint brush.