Seeing any butterflies outside? If so, how about snapping a photo and jotting down the location?
That's the request of well-known entomologist John Acorn.
He's on a mission to count the number of known butterfly species in Alberta. Why? Well, who would base new research on information gathered more than 100 years ago and not verified since?
It's thought that there are about 173 butterfly species in this province, said Acorn, but that number is predominantly derived from what was found in butterfly collections in the 1800s. The majority of those species are seen during most butterfly seasons (March to October), but some haven't been spotted in a century.
That might have to do with changes in climate. Or with parasites and disease. Or with the fact that no one's actually looked to confirm a long-ago reported sighting. So, before theories about changes in butterfly population, range and active dates can be tested, we need to know what we have. Which is problematic, since the lifespan of most adult butterflies is about two weeks.
"As a butterfly researcher, I would have to be everywhere at once," said Acorn.
However, by collecting the observations of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of ordinary Albertans who see butterflies in their backyards, parks or campgrounds, oodles of data can be amassed.
"The more data you get, the more you see patterns," said Acorn, noting that detailed graphs of bird migration patterns across North America were constructed with documentation made by birdwatchers sent to a Cornell University database.
Butterfly observers now have their own database. Ebutterfly is located in Montreal, but citizen scientists can upload photos, descriptions, drawings and locations of butterflies to its online site. To assist with searching, there's a Facebook site for discussing your finds and the Alberta Lepidopterists' Guild sends out a monthly list of which butterflies are likely out that month.
Butterfly watching is an easy family activity, said Acorn. Butterflies are active by day, and many sit still long enough to have their photos snapped by phone camera. There are good field guides to help amateurs identify species and for more tips, including how to upload observations, and how to use benign butterfly nets, see ebutterfly's YouTube channel. If you plan to look for butterflies while vacationing, the southwestern corner of Alberta has the most diverse array of species, due to its various elevations and generally warm climate.
In this, the Butterfly Roundup's first year, Acorn expects many common species to be identified. He anticipates the search for rarer species will ramp up next year. No doubt the Clodius Parnassian, with its translucent wings bearing four red dots, will be a coveted "get."
"All the books will tell you it's rare but found in the Waterton area of the province, yet nobody has seen one," said Acorn. "So is that thing hanging around or was it ever there in the first place?"
That's the request of well-known entomologist John Acorn.
He's on a mission to count the number of known butterfly species in Alberta. Why? Well, who would base new research on information gathered more than 100 years ago and not verified since?
It's thought that there are about 173 butterfly species in this province, said Acorn, but that number is predominantly derived from what was found in butterfly collections in the 1800s. The majority of those species are seen during most butterfly seasons (March to October), but some haven't been spotted in a century.
That might have to do with changes in climate. Or with parasites and disease. Or with the fact that no one's actually looked to confirm a long-ago reported sighting. So, before theories about changes in butterfly population, range and active dates can be tested, we need to know what we have. Which is problematic, since the lifespan of most adult butterflies is about two weeks.
"As a butterfly researcher, I would have to be everywhere at once," said Acorn.
However, by collecting the observations of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of ordinary Albertans who see butterflies in their backyards, parks or campgrounds, oodles of data can be amassed.
"The more data you get, the more you see patterns," said Acorn, noting that detailed graphs of bird migration patterns across North America were constructed with documentation made by birdwatchers sent to a Cornell University database.
Butterfly observers now have their own database. Ebutterfly is located in Montreal, but citizen scientists can upload photos, descriptions, drawings and locations of butterflies to its online site. To assist with searching, there's a Facebook site for discussing your finds and the Alberta Lepidopterists' Guild sends out a monthly list of which butterflies are likely out that month.
Butterfly watching is an easy family activity, said Acorn. Butterflies are active by day, and many sit still long enough to have their photos snapped by phone camera. There are good field guides to help amateurs identify species and for more tips, including how to upload observations, and how to use benign butterfly nets, see ebutterfly's YouTube channel. If you plan to look for butterflies while vacationing, the southwestern corner of Alberta has the most diverse array of species, due to its various elevations and generally warm climate.
In this, the Butterfly Roundup's first year, Acorn expects many common species to be identified. He anticipates the search for rarer species will ramp up next year. No doubt the Clodius Parnassian, with its translucent wings bearing four red dots, will be a coveted "get."
"All the books will tell you it's rare but found in the Waterton area of the province, yet nobody has seen one," said Acorn. "So is that thing hanging around or was it ever there in the first place?"