Use of Potassium Hydroxide

[AntoniScott]

I've been successful in preparing whole mount insects for the majority of insects that have brown exoskeletons like ants and some beetles. The problem arises when I try to make whole mounts of black exoskeleton insects, even black flies.
Usually, I immerse the insect in a strong solition of potassium hydroxide for varied times until I decide that the exoskelton has been softened and bleached to the point that woud make a good mount. Black beetles do not bleach well, or at all, in the potassium hydroxide. However they do predictably disintegrate.
I was wondering if anyone knows how to prepare black exoskeleton insects for slide preparations.

[MicroBob]

Hi Antoni,
no practical experience here but you might use Hoyers mix or clove oil to mount your insects.

Bob

[Greg Howald]

Sodium hypochlorite ?