Twelve procedures that simulate methods of filed-collecting and preserving moths are compared for their ability to preserve nucleic acids for subsequent molecular studies, as assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis and Polymerase Chain Reaction amplification of single-and multi-copy nuclear gene sequences. Continuous storage in 100% ethanol freezing of live moths at$-85^{circ}$. Storage in 100% ethanol at $0^{circ}$ and at $21^{circ}$ gave no noticeable difference.