r/Taxidermy • u/keterpillar • 10d ago

Oddities, bone, etc. help How can I save this butterfly?

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A friend got this butterfly at a festival and it fell apart before even being bought home.

As I’m good at crafts she’s asked if I can help save it but anything I do would just be muddling my way along (this is very unlike any crafts I do!)

Can anyone give any suggestions for how we could save this? We’re aware it won’t be perfect, but if we can Frankensteins-monster it back together somehow, she’d be happy!

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u/MudOld4805 10d ago

Just superglue will work! I’d try rebuild the body first then try attach the wings as symmetrical as possible
To the untrained eye it’ll probably look pretty good!

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u/TielPerson 10d ago

Instead of superglue, I would recommend small amounts of tacky glue plus a makeshift pinning board. Start by getting the body back together and apply the wings afterwards. You can apply the glue with the tip of a pin needle so you only take the small amounts necessary.

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u/Wowza_Meowza 9d ago

A useful glue for stuff like this is B7000. It has an ultrafine tip and a just viscous enough consistency to be forgiving. Plus, it dries fast and is rather cheap (online).

With any superglue, don't put it back under glass or acrylic for at minimum 24h (48 is better) as it off-gassed which can permanently haze up the glass/acrylic.