| 1 | Butterfly | Danaus plexippus | Body: approximately 25–30 mm; wingspan: approximately 85–105 mm | Large patterned wings create strong visual impact and work well in pendants, paperweights, trays, and display blocks. | Wings should be symmetrical, free from crushed scales, and clearly visible through resin without excessive yellowing or bubbles. | Check wing alignment, even resin coverage, smooth polishing, rounded corners, and the absence of exposed wing fragments. | Request documented lawful sourcing; verify fully cured, low-odor resin, stable colorants, and no sharp edges or loose parts. | High: broad decorative appeal and many possible product formats. | 9.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Dragonfly | Anax junius | Body: approximately 50–75 mm; wingspan: approximately 75–100 mm | Transparent wings and a long body produce a distinctive three-dimensional appearance in clear resin. | Wings should remain intact and flat, with visible venation and minimal cloudiness around the body. | Inspect the wing-to-body position, resin depth, edge finishing, and whether the long abdomen is centered rather than bent. | Confirm the specimen is legally sourced and that the finished item has no protruding wing edges, uncured resin, or strong residual odor. | High: premium appearance and strong suitability for gift and nature-themed collections. | 9.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Stag Beetle | Lucanus cervus | Approximately 25–75 mm, depending on sex and population | Glossy dark body and prominent mandibles provide depth, contrast, and a collectible appearance. | Mandibles, legs, and antennae should be complete; the shell should retain a natural sheen without opaque resin patches. | Check careful positioning of delicate legs, sufficient resin thickness around the mandibles, and polish quality on all visible faces. | Confirm legal collection documentation where required and test that the item has no sharp mandible tips or exposed biological material. | High: suitable for collectors and premium natural-history displays. | 9.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Honey Bee | Apis mellifera | Approximately 10–15 mm | Recognizable body markings and compact proportions make it suitable for small accessories and educational products. | Yellow-and-black banding should remain distinct; wings, legs, and antennae should be visible and undamaged. | Look for centered placement, consistent resin thickness, clean drilling for jewelry components, and no visible dust inclusions. | Confirm the specimen is free of loose hairs, mites, pesticides, and uncured resin; check hardware for nickel and lead compliance when applicable. | High: familiar subject with efficient use of resin and strong gift-market recognition. | 8.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Ladybird Beetle | Coccinella septempunctata | Approximately 5–8 mm | Bright red wing covers and contrasting black spots remain attractive in small, colorful resin products. | Wing covers should be evenly colored, with clearly defined spots and no visible cracking or discoloration. | Check that the small specimen is not floating awkwardly, that the resin is bubble-free around the body, and that edges are smoothly finished. | Verify fully cured resin and secure mounting components; avoid products with detachable small parts intended for young children. | High: compact, colorful, and economical for earrings, charms, magnets, and small displays. | 8.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Praying Mantis | Mantis religiosa | Approximately 40–75 mm | The elongated body and folded forelegs create an easily recognizable, sculptural presentation. | Forelegs, antennae, and abdomen should be intact; the natural green or brown coloration should not appear excessively faded. | Inspect support around the abdomen and legs, alignment within the mold, resin depth, and the finish of large flat surfaces. | Check for legal sourcing, stable resin curing, smooth edges, and adequate packaging to protect fragile legs during transport. | Medium-high: distinctive display piece, but more delicate and packaging-sensitive than compact beetles. | 8.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Cicada | Magicicada septendecim | Body: approximately 25–35 mm; wingspan: approximately 65–85 mm | Veined wings and a robust body create a detailed natural-history appearance in larger blocks and plaques. | Wing veins should be visible, the body should be evenly colored, and the specimen should not show mold damage or excessive brittleness. | Check wing placement, resin clarity over the thorax, absence of trapped dust, and consistent thickness across broad surfaces. | Verify lawful sourcing and full encapsulation; inspect for sharp wing tips, odor, surface tackiness, and heat-related deformation. | Medium-high: attractive for educational and collector-oriented products, with moderate breakage risk. | 8.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Grasshopper | Schistocerca americana | Approximately 30–45 mm | Long hind legs, antennae, and textured wings provide visible structure and a naturalistic silhouette. | Legs should be complete and evenly positioned; wings should not be folded into cloudy areas or pressed against the mold wall. | Assess internal support, balanced placement, polished edges, and whether the resin fully surrounds the long legs and antennae. | Confirm the item is free from exposed pointed parts and that packaging protects thin appendages during bulk shipment. | Medium-high: good educational value, but requires careful handling and protective packaging. | 8.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Stick Insect | Carausius morosus | Approximately 50–75 mm | Its slender body and camouflage form create a distinctive specimen for larger rectangular blocks and educational displays. | Legs and antennae should be straight and complete, with a natural brown or green tone and minimal breakage. | Check whether the mold provides enough resin support, whether the insect is centered, and whether long appendages remain fully encapsulated. | Inspect for sharp protrusions, brittle sections, uncured resin, and packaging strength; confirm lawful and traceable sourcing. | Medium: visually interesting but more vulnerable to breakage and higher material use. | 7.9 / 10 |
| 10 | Black Garden Ant | Lasius niger | Approximately 3–5 mm | Small size allows efficient batch production, layered compositions, jewelry inserts, and miniature educational samples. | Body segments, legs, and antennae should be distinguishable; the specimen should not disappear in tinted or cloudy resin. | Check scale consistency, accurate positioning, bubble control, surface polishing, and secure attachment of small hardware. | Use fully cured, non-tacky resin and secure all components; apply age warnings where small parts may present a choking hazard. | Medium: cost-effective for volume orders, but requires careful photography and quality control because of its small scale. | 7.7 / 10 |
