Hey Tim, we're the same age so I figured id pop in and give some of my thoughts. Collecting wise, the easiest way to get permits in SA is to have a university endorsement. So my suggestion is find where you want to go based on permit requirements, then find a research institute, station or park rang...

Man, that's great! You survived a foreign country. Would love to see some photos from CR. For sure! Spent 50 days in Brazil, ca,e back to the US just long enough to spread them before I left for CR. Currently I'm in the process of building some 100 drawers. Pictures of my finds can be seen on my in...

I don't see how this is worth it unless you get a collecting permit while you are under their employment, and CR is one of the toughest countries around. I just got back two days ago from a 5 month collecting trip in Costa Rica. Permits are very easy to get and they take about a month from start to...

Just commenting on the first reference to “tungstate injections” As someone who wrote their thesis on the topic of wing development signaling, tungstate is mainly effective for nymphalids and certain groups of butterflies. It’s less toxic than other compounds and easily accessible. This makes it a g...

Hi! I visited both Osaka and Kyoto and was able to do some good collecting. I’ve also been able to connect with some local collectors who aided me in finding the best places to collect. You can also check my blog post about my collecting trip in Japan! https://edtomology.wixsite.com/edtomology/post/...

Picture this: My recurring nightmare is like a comedy sketch. I'm sprinting through the steamy jungles of South America, feeling like a butterfly-catching champion. I finally net what seems to be an elusive arctiidae wasp mimic moth. With trembling excitement, I plunge my hand into the net, only to ...

Chuck wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 3:04 pm Did you find Papilio scamander to be common?

Not at all. It was a hit or miss species for me. They really only appeared on the warmest days and usually right after 1-2 pm.

adamcotton wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 7:06 pm Are there Sataspes-like Sphingids in S America, or do these come from Asia? If so, are they tagalica, infernalis or another species?

Adam.

Hi Adam,

These are Sataspes infernalis. I’ve got a nice collection of Sataspes and other similar diurnal sphingidae I’ll be posting soon!

Ed

I’ll take the opportunity to add here that if anyone has any day moths. Asian zyngaena, Hemaris, Sataspes, South/Central American Wasp Moths, Alleopos, Epicopeia, Hemileuca etc. I would be open to exchanges! I have American, central/South American, Asian and African material available! Email: edtomo...

[/quote] By the way - any chance you collected Microceris variicolor in the cerrado? that bug is another childhood dream... https://butterfliesofamerica.com/L/microceris_variicolor.htm [/quote] I collected a pile of skippers with the intent of trading them with a fellow collector. Still have some le...

I didn't see a lot of photos or a species list, are you going to publish those? Yes Chuck, I definitely plan to have a more comprehensive list once I actually spread and catalog my specimens. Currently most of them are papered. ATM I’m building new drawers as all mine are filled to the brim. I’m al...

You guys are thinking too complex. I just tagged along with someone who already had permits and then got an indefinite specimen loan.

Hey everyone, I've been MIA for a while, but I'm back now, and I wanted to share why. I recently returned from an incredible collecting trip in Brazil, searching for the most beautiful fluttering jewels - butterflies! If you're interested in hearing more about my adventure and the amazing butterflie...

https://edtomology.wixsite.com/edtomology/post/template-how-to-write-a-tips-blog-post NEW BLOG POST! DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT HERE SO FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL! The Butterfly Whisperer's Handbook: Pinning with Precision and Care If you're passionate about entomology and want to preserve the bea...

i assume the risk would be small given the chitin and scales themselves have no DNA that would be left as a residue. I guess there’s always a chance though.

I was under the impression they are asking for already dead insects since those are the ones killed by pesticides/contaminants. A tiger swallowtail flapping along would most likely not be affected by the pesticides they’re looking for. To me it sounds like there is not enough information to judge th...

Am I the only one that permathrin treats my insect drawers?

Chuck wrote: ↑Fri Jul 07, 2023 12:53 pm I always assumed the below to be a deformity, not a gynandromorph.

The dwarf wing merged spot’s between the marginal and submarginal wing spots are interesting though.

I always assumed the below to be a deformity, not a gynandromorph. https://i2.lensdump.com/i/JQcBj0.jpeg Wing color, pattern and other traits to me indicate they the right forewing is simply a deformity or dwarf wing. Possibly not fully expanded. As you can see from my specimen the male and female ...