The Moths of North America and Butterflies of North America Web sites are works in progress. Additional families are being added as funds and time permit, and ranges of species that are already covered in the resources are being expanded as new county records are established. Although the authors are not affiliated with Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, the Center is cooperating with them by serving the resources on the Web.
The public can make a valuable contribution to this effort by helping to establish new county records for the species that are presently included in Moths of North America and Butterflies of North America. If you find a species in a county beyond its confirmed range, as shown in the species distribution map, there is a good chance that you can advance our knowledge by reporting your discovery. However, new county records can only be established after your identification has been confirmed by an expert. This is a necessary step in the process because many species of moths and butterflies are easily confused with other species. Verification requires either a clear photograph that shows the scientifically-accepted diagnostic features of the species or an actual specimen.
New county records, unless for an immediately recognizable species, are based on museum specimens, authoritative monographs or other publications, or records from recognized experts. The authors will accept new county records as long as they have been confirmed by a recognized expert or are accompanied by a voucher specimen or a recognizable photograph. To have your records confirmed by a local expert, we suggest contacting the nearest university or college's entomology department or a member of The Lepidopterists' Society. If you are reporting a new butterfly record, check the list of State Butterfly Coordinators to see if your state has a coordinator who can verify your record.
Voucher specimens should be deposited in any institutional [college, university, museum] collection. If none is available specimens may be sent to Gillette Museum of Entomology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523. Make sure they are packaged properly. If in doubt, write the Gillette Museum for instructions. Voucher photos may be sent to Dr. Paul A. Opler, P.O Box 2227, Loveland, CO 80539.
Although the staff at Northern Prairie are always delighted to hear that our Web site has helped you identify a moth or butterfly, please do not report possible range extensions to us in anticipation that we will add your discovery to the appropriate resource. We merely serve the changes that the authors make after careful consideration of validated material that they receive from various sources, including professional lepidopterists and the public. Even if your sighting, as verified by an expert, turns out to be a new county record, expect it to be many months before the record actually appears on the Web site. This is an unfortunate but unavoidable situation, resulting from the enormity of this project.