Butterfly and moth distributions are changing, for a variety of reasons. What we know about butterfly and moth distributions today is due not to the people that study them, but to the people who have bothered to tell anyone. For many of our species, we have poor knowledge on their distributions, particularly for our moths, because of this lack of data.

A common problem that many amateurs (meaning one who loves) have is not in the desire to share their records and experiences, but in where to divulge this information. Who do we give our records to so that they may be used to further build on our knowledge of these species?

Introducing the new and improved Butterflies and Moths of North America website (www.butterfliesandmoths.org, so simple!). This site allows you to make an account and submit your photographs. Many of us have had experience with photographing butterflies (or trying to), and have learned that it takes a lot of patience and practice, more than some of us can afford. However, the moths that visit your local light sources (such as your porch light) are often at rest and easy to photograph.

When you wish to submit a sighting, you will be required to enter the date on which you photographed the butterfly or moth, as well as what the specimen is of (moth, butterfly, larvae) and the specimen type (sighting[for coordinators], photograph [the most common type], specimen), and what county the record was taken. You will also have to mark the location of the sighting on a map.

If you are uncomfortable with placing a sighting above your house, the closest street intersection will do. However, remember that researchers are looking at habitat as well, and the roadsides are likely to consist of different habitat than that in which the butterfly or moth was found.

Don’t know what the name of the species that you photographed? No problem. When you submit your photographs, it is the job of the state coordinator to identify the species in the photograph and place it in the appropriate records. Some- times, particularly with the smaller moth species, the coordinators cannot identify it, but it will be made available to other coordinators who may have more experience with that group. Of course, you can help the coordinators by taking notes about the individual photographed, such as plant or habitat associations. Remember to record the time of day that it was found as well.

So take a look and consider participating. You can help increase our knowledge of our Lepidoptera fauna daily. The more we know about a species, the better able we are to conserve it. And you can’t protect a species without knowing where it is.

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