Butterfly Names (multicaudaua)

[Hank & Priscilla Brodkin]

Ron Gatrelle wrote:
> 
> The following is in reference to a question about the correct "Latin"
> spelling of Papilio (Pterourus) multicaudata, Kirby 1884.
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Hank & Priscilla Brodkin" <hankb at theriver.com>
> >
> 
> **Snip**
> 
> ...However I find it hard to believe that when  the original list was made
> with folks such as Jeff Glassberg, PaulOpler, Brian Cassie, Guy Tudor, and
> Harold (did I get the first name right?) 

(snip)

> >From Ron Gatrelle.
>     I'm not trying to be picky here but I find the phrase "original list"
> interesting for several reasons. Not the least of which is that the NABA
> list it refers to is far from the original North American check listS. It
> will qualify as an "original" for those who only know about leps via NABA,
> I suppose. 

(snip)

Ron - 
First of all let me thank you for your historical perspective and the
use of gender in scientific names.

I am sorry at my imprecise choice of words which do seem to imply that
the NABA list is the original North American Butterfly checklist.  Of
course it isn't and I realise that.
We are using the NABA list for several reasons.  First of all we are
members of NABA and appreciate that they are trying to standardise
butterfly names in North America so that rank amateurs like us can know
what species is being referred to. Our book is slanted to the butterfly
watcher - most of whom come from the world of bird watchers (who
probably now outnumber collectors) who are used to standardised common
names in the books they use.
This being said - we believe in knowing scientific names also.  And one
of our biggest bones with NABA is that while they use scientific names
with common names for plants, they refuse to use them for butterflies in
thier publications.
A scientific name tells me the relation of the butterfly I am observing
with any other butterfly - a piece of information which is invaluable in
understanding what I am observing.
But you know all of this.
Thanks again for your reply - very interesting.

-- 
	             Hank & Priscilla Brodkin
	          Carr Canyon, Cochise County, AZ
             SouthEast Arizona Butterfly Association
          http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabasa/home.html
         "Butterflies of Arizona - a Photographic Guide" 
    by Bob Stewart, Priscilla and Hank Brodkin - due August 2001
          http://pages.zdnet.com/hbrodkin/butterfliesofarizona/

 
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