Volunteers needed for annual butterfly count

By Jennifer Stewart
Ag Communications
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Volunteers are needed to assist in the annual Tippecanoe County Butterfly Count from 1-4:30 p.m. on July 15 at the Lilly Tippecanoe Laboratories Wildlife Habitat Area in Lafayette.

The event's purpose is to promote greater public interest and awareness of the environment, butterflies and entomology, said Mike Mullis, outreach coordinator for the Purdue University Department of Entomology.

In addition, the collected data will be submitted to the North American Butterfly Association for its annual report, which highlights habitat changes and geographical distribution of butterfly species as a way to gauge the health of the environment.

"Numbers of butterflies, as well as diversity, are a good indication of the health of the environment in a given area, because most caterpillars are dependent on a narrow range of host plants," Mullis said. "The diversity of butterflies is a good indication of plant diversity in a given area - a broad mix of plants equals a broad mix of butterflies."

Lilly, in conjunction with the Purdue University Department of Entomology, will sponsor the event.

What makes the event unique, said Mullis, is that the count takes place in a developing wildlife habitat area.

"As Lilly continues to make improvements throughout the year, continued monitoring of the population should reflect these changes," he said.

Beginning at 1 p.m. a butterfly identification training session will be held for volunteers, followed by the actual count from 2-4:30 p.m. Once the count is complete, volunteers will turn in data and participate in a picnic.

No prior experience is necessary to participate. Volunteers should arrive at the wildlife habitat area by 1 p.m. for training. Parking will be available next to the baseball facility south of the Lilly main entrance at 1650 Lilly Road. A rain date has been set for July 16 at the same time.

For information, contact Mike Mullis in the Department of Entomology at (765) 494-0997, mmullis@purdue.edu

Writer: Jennifer Stewart, (765) 494-8402, jsstewar@purdue.edu

Source: Mike Mullis, (765) 494-0997, mmullis@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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