IDing by net/release.

[Clay Taylor]

All -

    Actually, there is a way to catch and release butterflies with minimal
damage to the bug. When I lead a field trip for beginners, they have LOTS of
trouble seeing the field marks that experienced "watchers" easily see.  One
of the aids that I use in IDs for beginners is catch-and-release using a
CD-jewel case to hold the insect.

    Prepare a CD case for the field by removing the plastic inset that holds
the CD disc, and cut away the recessed circular area that holds the disc in
place.  The remaining portion of the insert is replaced in the case, to fill
up the opening by the hinged side.   Once you capture an insect (not just
for leps), open the CD case an inch or so, and slide it into your net toward
the specimen.  With practice, you can shepherd the bug into the case in just
a few seconds without ever touching it.  Now shut the case, making sure that
legs and antennae aren't caught in the case edges.

    Now the subject is relatively immobile in the case, and can be inspected
from all sides, compared to field guides, photographed, sketched, etc., and
passed among multiple observers.  When you are done with it, just open the
case, and virtually all of the subjects fly away unmolested.  Of course,
there are pitfalls - the aforementioned legs and antennae, and don't hold it
in the direct sunlight for too long, or the greenhouse effect will cook it.

    When I want to show the participants of my field trip a new species, I
will catch it, pop it into a CD case, and we can examine it in detail.
After that, if we encounter more individuals of the same species, I make the
participants observe it free-flying, and remind them of the things we saw
from the first, captured individual.

    While most anti-netters are usually a bit put-off by the initial
capture, the use of the CD case goes a long way toward calming their fears
of injury by netting and handling.


Clay Taylor
Moodus, CT


----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Gatrelle" <gatrelle at tils-ttr.org>
To: "Leps-l" <Leps-l at lists.yale.edu>; "Carolina Leps"
<carolinaleps at duke.edu>
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2001 11:22 PM
Subject: IDing by net/release.


> I am not in favor of the netting/release of specimens for identification
> purposes by the general public.  Butterflies, specifically the small and
> tiny ones,  are delicate creatures. They need their legs and antennae as
> much as they do their wings. One of my pet peeves is when I see non
> collectors net specimens for identification and then release them. Here is
> why.
>
> Experienced collectors are very familiar with the damage that can easily
> occur to a specimen while in the net. Most collectors want specimens that
> are as fresh and perfect as possible - this includes having both antennae
> and legs intact. More and more collectors are also rearing specimens which
> necessitates that the legs and antennae are undamaged on captured females
> to insure that the sensory capability and mobility needed to oviposit is
> undamaged/unhindered. What does this mean?  Collectors become very adept
at
> being able to handle a specimen in the net without damaging it. However,
> some collectors can never do this simply because they are not gifted with
> the delicate dexterity (of a micro surgeon) to do this.
>
> Non collectors are almost always unaware of leg net damage. I have often
> seen non-collectors net specimens only to release them without an
antennae,
> and worst of all, without forelegs. Hairstreaks, blues, coppers,
skippers -
> anything small will loose a leg or two very easily. A slightly smudged
> wings matters little upon release. But the loss of legs is a death
> sentence - if not to the individual to (if a female) its ability to
"taste"
> and detect host plant chemicals that prompt oviposition.
>
> It is also irritating to me to see (or hear of) a non collector net a
> specimen examine it and then when it is "released" comment on how "tame"
> the individual is because it either hangs around on the persons hand or
> flies only a short distance (invariably downward) and immediately lands.
> Specimens do this not because they are 'tame" but because they are
severely
> traumatized or injured - in shock - like a human in a car wreck. (Some
> specimens will stay on a hand to sip sweat or just "take a break". They
> never remain due to some "bonding" with the human.)
>
> As a butterfly collector it would not in inaccurate to call me a butterfly
> hunter. Hunters of all "game" indeed kill their quarry. But all hunters I
> know of are very sensitive to the "suffering" of the hunted. Butterfly
> hunters are no exception, we cringe to see crippled and maimed specimens.
> Rather than let them suffer we will "put them out of their misery".  I was
> once with some non collectors in the field. One netted a specimen to ID
it.
> Upon its release I could tell it had been badly injured - they though it
> was tame. I quietly returned to the area and killed the poor thing. It
only
> had one leg and one forewing was out of "joint" and under the hindwing -
> couldn't fly and couldn't walk.
>
> If one is going to kill Lepidoptera - just do it. If not, leave them alone
> unless you really know what you are doing. People who want to net and
> release specimens need to first learn how this is properly accomplished
> from a true expert at this. (Remember, many will never be able to do this
> as they lack the "touch" to do it.)
>
> Ron
>
>
>
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