Alva Review-Courier -

The USGS wants you to send them dead moths and butterflies. Citizens in six mid-U.S. states are being asked to mail in deceased butterflies, moths and skippers to help U.S. Geological Survey scientists establish a Lepidoptera Research Collection (LRC). The pilot study for this citizen science invitation includes six states: Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.

These specimens will help USGS scientists identify contaminants and environmental factors that may be contributing to the decline of insect populations. Citizen participation will ensure enough specimens throughout the nation are available to answer research questions.

The DEADline is Nov. 1.

"There are some questions that can't effectively be answered without help from a lot of people. It's what makes citizen science so special and valuable," said Julie Dietze, USGS scientist-in-charge of the effort. "Collections like this one are important because they have the potential to provide scientists now, and 20 years from now, access to specimens. Without the specimens it will be far more difficult to answer questions related to contaminants and environmental health."

The citizen science pilot began in April of 2023 and based on the response and number of specimens received so far, the collection efforts may continue beyond November into 2024. The LRC will be made available to all scientists within the USGS to conduct research. States included in the pilot study were selected based on at least one of three factors:

• Locality relative to the migration pathway of the Monarch butterfly

• Presence of Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs

• Locality relative to the Corn Belt. 

The USGS Environmental Organic Chemistry (EOC) unit, located at the USGS Kansas Water Science Center, will specifically be looking at the occurrence of antibiotics, pesticides, hormones, and mycotoxins in Lepidoptera. 

Collection Requirements

• Insects must already be dead and may not be collected alive.

• Insects must be larger than 2 inches (equivalent to two quarters side by side).

• The USGS does not accept specimens that are protected under the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Endangered Species Act or listed as threatened or endangered under state law. In these six states, the only protected species is the Mitchell's satyr butterfly found in Alabama.

Collection Instructions

• Put dead butterflies, moths and/or skippers inside a resealable plastic bag. It is okay to combine and send damaged or not fully intact specimens.

• Freeze if not shipped within three days to aid in preservation.

• Place specimens inside sealed envelope with proper postage affixed and place in USPS mailbox addressed to: USGS LRC, 1217 Biltmore Drive, Lawrence, KS 66049. It is not necessary to include a return address.

To learn more about the USGS LRC and insect research currently underway go to:

https://www.usgs.gov/programs/environmental-health-program/science