The Pin Down 2026
We are looking for volunteers and members of our planning committee!
The Pin Down was created to encourage entomologists to showcase their specimen mounting skills at one of the largest entomological meetings in the world. Thanks to the planning of Tom Sheehan, Laissa Cavallini, and Carmela Buono , the Pin Down 2025 was a great success with 19 participants pinning/mounting 10 specimens in 30 minutes. There was such a great reception for our first year, so for 2026, we plan on continuing the event and making it bigger and better! We have opened the call for planning committee members to help ensure a competition that is enjoyable for all.
If you are looking to:
- sourcing and sorting specimens
- preparing supplies
- arranging prize donations
- advertising the event
- managing participants
- coordinating judges
- hosting the event
- coordinate some day-of volunteers to help with set up
AND you plan to attend the 2026 Entomological Society of America Meeting in Columbus, OH, please reach out and join our Planning Committee! Send an email to [email protected].
If you are attending the meeting and would like to volunteer before, during, or after the event, send an email to [email protected].
Let’s make 2026 an even better event!
Put your arthropod mounting skills to the test!
Each contestant will have 30 minutes to mount 10 arthropods using the “proper” method, as instructed in Triplehorn and Johnson’s Introduction to the Study of Insects. Methods may include (but are not limited to) pinning, pointing, wing spreading, and proper labels. Contestants will be judged on the validity of the mounting method, the observability of key features, and aesthetics.
Registration limited to the first 20 attendants, and we will open up a “stand-by” list for any last minute cancelations at the meeting.
Congrats to our 2025 winners!!! 1st Place: Megan Asche; 2nd Place: Connor Graham; 3rd Place: Martha Drake; Honorable Mention: Stephanie Hathaway
