Chris: Re: IDing by net/release.

[Bill Cornelius]

Chris:
tell me about the friendly butterfly syndrome, is this a convenient phrase or is
there a cause & effect?
Bill

"Chris J. Durden" wrote:

> I have used a similar method for the last 25 years. Coax the netted lep
> into a ziploc baggie. Pass the baggie round the group for close examination
> with magnifying glass. Last one lets it go.
>  I have used this method in protected areas with ranger approval, even
> at Santa Ana NWLR in the old days.
>  The early baggies were pretty clean, but manufacturing has now gone
> careless and some baggies have a lot of plasticiser left. I always choose
> the brand and batch carefully by sniff test, both for lep use, and for
> storage of human food. I have found that using a smelly bag on a lep will
> produce the "friendly butterfly" syndrome - one that is torpid and does not
> want to leave. I do not have this cute problem with clean bags.
> ....................Chris Durden
>
> At 06:06 PM 6/1/2001 -0400, you wrote:
> >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
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > > For subscription and related information about LEPS-L visit:
> > >
> > > http://www.peabody.yale.edu/other/lepsl
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > For subscription and related information about LEPS-L visit:
> >
> > http://www.peabody.yale.edu/other/lepsl
> >
> 
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>
>  For subscription and related information about LEPS-L visit:
>
>  http://www.peabody.yale.edu/other/lepsl
> 


 
 ------------------------------------------------------------ 

   For subscription and related information about LEPS-L visit:

   http://www.peabody.yale.edu/other/lepsl