Author Archives: cyclone1981

Now that there seems to be more activity in butterfly sightings I will be continuing to post sightings on the website even after close of this semester. in fact, I will be attempting to post additional sightings during my vacation out-of-state. I am confident that more sightings and posts will take place prior to coolerContinue reading “BAMONA – Citizen Science Project”

The recent stretch of dry weather has certainly brought out the frequency and abundance of butterflies. Yesterday on a walk we spotted multiple Eastern Tiger Swallowtails (Papilio glaucus). This is a very distinctive butterfly, think ‘bright yellow monarch’ it flutters in a similar fashion to the monarch and is the same relative size. Because ofContinue reading “Eastern Tiger Swallowtail”

Pollinators and Biological Control Agents Butterflies and some moths serve two very important purposes, they provide pollination ‘services’ for flowering plants of many species as well as serving as a control agent of harmful pests.  As a pollinator of plants they are instrumental in the propagation of a wide variety of plants including fruits, vegetableContinue reading “Issues Facing Butterfly Habitat”

I was able to capture two additional butterflies one a cream/white variegated and a yellow of similar sizes. I was unable to identify the species but will submit to the BAMONA website. It was a successful weekend with much more activity than expected it was incredibly warm both Saturday and Sunday with heat indices reachingContinue reading “Two additional sightings”

The Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) project is an ambitious effort to collect and provide access to quality-controlled data about butterflies and moths for the continent of North America from Panama to Canada.  The project is hosted by the Butterfly and Moth information Network and is directed by Kelly Lotts and Thomas Naberhaus.Continue reading “History of the BAMONA Website”

A couple of observations regarding the use of the website, I have noticed it takes quite a few days – weeks to “approve” a sighting once posted.  I currently have six postings of various moths awaiting identification/confirmation.  As part of my graduate coursework we have studied the fact that more taxonomists are needed in allContinue reading “Using the Website”

During the past four weeks I have been observing and “attempting” to gather butterflies and moths for the Citizen Project. While out and about, I feel I pay more attention to the environment available for butterflies in the area.  Of course, home owners like to plant flowers and shrubs and certainly like the occasional butterflyContinue reading “Public Participation”

One of the major threats that affect the Lepidoptera Order is the over use of pesticides especially in the agricultural industry so prevalent here in Iowa.  This is not the forum to discuss the use of those pesticides but rather the effects that they may have on pollinator species.  Of course, may people understand thatContinue reading “Moth Sighting”

I will be photographing butterflies, moths and caterpillars (as you have seen in earlier posts) in order to post on the website ButterfliesandMoths.org.  This is a governmental citizen project (formerly operated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)) to assist in sighting of the Order of Lepidoptera which includes Butterflies and Moths.  “The BAMONA project aimsContinue reading “Citizen Project Introduction”

I have posted my second separate sighting of a butterfly and excellent example of an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). It is distinguished by its bright yellow coloring which lies in direct contrast to the green background of the foliage and trees. While I was not able to collect a photo I am hopeful IContinue reading “Second sighting”