non-target trap kills

[Mark Walker]

Jonathan Sylvestre wrote:


> Killing for eating is essential...   Killing without knowing, is not a
> good
> thing, but acceptable. But killing by choice, its inacceptable.
> 
> If you use a poison trap to catch one or two species, its completly
> stupid.
> In that case, you will kill lots of insects for nothing. You should use a
> poison trap if you need a great number of species. Also, if you kill a
> great
> number of insect for science, for a study.... maybe for help insects in
> future, its ok.
> 
> When we drive a car, we kill lots of insects. But we don't drive the car
> FOR
> kill insects, we drive for travel. IM asking myself how much insect are
> killed by road in one year on the earth.... How many butterflies... :
>  We can't stop driving car, of course, but I think we should reduce our
> car
> use. It will reduce insect road killing and also air pollution...
> 
Well, Jonathan, I just don't agree.  First of all, the argument that
ignorance provides excuse is pretty weak.  It's just plain irresponsible to
do things without first thinking about all of the implications.  If a human
behavior is potentially destructive to the environment, regardless of the
motive, then that behavior should be reconsidered.  At a minimum, it should
be correctly classified.

Now don't get me wrong - I don't have a problem with driving my car.  I know
that there is going to be a price for that, but I've weighed out the impact
that I have on the insect fauna, and I'm comfortable with where I stand.  My
problem is with people who haven't carefully considered what sort of impact
they have on the environment, but then take exception to my selectively
killing insects merely for the pleasure of it.  It's the old pot and kettle
syndrome.

I don't trap for moths, simply because I prefer the activities associated
with chasing bugs with a net, so I can't really speak to the main issue.
But I will say, as I've said many times before here, that I will defend my
hobby in the face of environmental criticism until _they_ drag me away
kicking and screaming (o.k., that wouldn't be a very appropriate way to
behave, now would it?).  One can (and should) put forth the effort to
provide scientific data - since while out hunting, every observation has
scientific value - but the fact that I am not directly affiliated with some
institution should not prohibit me from interacting (sometimes intrusively)
with my environment.

Uh oh, I think we've just regurgitated the always popular collecting
debate...

I'm outta here...

Mark Walker
Mission Viejo, CA