I do hope all is well. Now that we have discussed a few of the foundational aspects and considerations for a Citizen Science Project, specifically Caterpillars Count!, let's get into the "fun" stuff, the science. This will be the first installment of many in which we start taking a closer look at the "raw" field data. However, as with any good project, a wise scientist always ensures that he/she keeps a meticulous journal. Let's take a moment to ponder a few things about our participation journal as well as what I needed to do obtain that data.
1) Did you have to do any training before you could participate?
Yes. It was a 3 part process. Note, I would like to commend the project developers with the ease of training and application for the layperson.
Three part series:
1 - Review the Arthropod ID guide (Arthropod ID guide) and Dichotomous key (Dichotomous key)
2 - Take the Arthropod Photo ID quiz (Arthropod Photo ID quiz)
3 - Virtual Survey Game (Virtual Survey Game)
*It's that easy: 1, 2, 3. Note: It is extremely important to print out both the guide and key. Keep a copy in your field bag or backpack.
2) Experiences thus far in the project
This project has opened my eyes much more to the world around me. I felt that I was quite observant prior to with a healthy love of the natural world. However, this project has moved both of those up several notches. I would always tell people to "stop and smell the roses" to the world around them, as there is so much happening right in front of their noses. Nonetheless, it is quite different when one begins to slow things a bit more and look even closer for minute details on an arthropod. I would happily say that this project has fanned the proverbial flames of interest thus far. On that note, the following section contains the sample data points for 5 days, morning and evening. I have also included a several pictures and videos from the project as well as few random observational ones.
Day 1
Site 1
Time: 15:36
Position: 36.014N, -79.318W
Temp: 99.5
Barometric pressure: 29.81
Humidity: 40%
Survey Cluster: 60 leaves
Notes: unidentified fungus, "leaf bug," and unidentified eggs. No arthropods noted.
Site 2
Time: 15:45
Position: N 36.020, -79.35
Temp: 99.5
Barometric pressure: 29.81
Humidity: 40%
Survey cluster: 20 leaves
Notes: Positive sighting, cluster of 20 daddy long leg spiders. No sign of any other arthropod.
Day 2
Site 1
Time: 0930
Temp: 83
Barometric Pressure: 29.57
Humidity: 70%
Notes: same cluster of eggs on leaf 32, no change in hatching, comparison with picture taken on day 1; no sign or evidence of any arthropod.
Site 2
Time: 0940
Temp: 83
Barometric Pressure: 29.57
Humidity: 70%
Notes: 8 daddy long legs (harvestman spiders); noted what appears to be female
Site 3
Time: 1021
Position: N36 1' 17.34", W79 21' 34.38"
Temp: 90
Barometric Pressure: 29.53
Humidity: 70%
Notes: site 3 has no canopy cover; several sections of what appears to be either monarch caterpillar feces; noted slug (gastropod vs arthropod); noted new spider (needs identification); noted 2 snails (gastropods); ***PLEASE NOTE THE SNAILS ARE ONLY EATING THE JAPANESE HOP, INVASIVE SPECIES.
Day 3
Site 1
Time: 1303
Temp: 82.3
Barometric Pressure: 29.58
Humidity: 80%
Notes: No changes. No evidence of arthropods.
Site 2
Time: 1308
Temp: 82.3
Barometric Pressure: 29.58
Humidity: 80%
Notes: less activity with Huntsmen spiders, only 4 females noted, 2 males.
Site 3
Time: 1330
Temp: 89
Barometric Pressure: 29.56
Humidity: 69%
Notes: no evidence of arthropods; no evidence of snail activity; no feces noted today.
Day 4
Site 1
Time: 1445
Temp: 87
Barometric Pressure: 29.53
Humidity: 68%
Notes: no evidence or sign of arthropods; no changes in egg activity
Site 2
Time: 1453
Temp: 87
Barometric Pressure: 29.53
Humidity: 68%
Notes: significant increase in Huntsmen spider activity, 13 noted; no other sign of arthropods
Site 3
Time: 1509
Temp: 89
Barometric Pressure: 29.50
Humidity: 64%
Notes: noted return of feces on leaf; noted Japanese knotweed; noted Japanese Hop; noted new spider, species not identified to date.
Site 4 *(new site established)
Position: N 36 2' 9.93", W 79 21' 16.30"
Time: 1547
Temp: 92F
Barometric Pressure: 29.48
Humidity: 56%
Notes: Positive arthropod activity, 4 June beetles eating white flower
Day 5
Site 1
Time: 1022
Temp: 86F
Barometric Pressure: 29.55
Humidity: 65%
Notes: No sign or evidence of arthropods; no changes in egg activity; no changes in fungal growth
Site 2
Time: 1030
Temp: 86F
Barometric Pressure: 29.55
Humidity: 65%
Notes: 8 Huntsmen spiders, dormant, no activity; no other sign or evidence of arthropod activity.
Site 3
Time: 1045
Temp: 84F
Barometric Pressure: 29.55
Humidity: 69%
Notes: 2 snails (gastropods) have returned today, maintaining activity on Japanese Hop; no other sign or evidence of arthropod activity
Site 4
Time: 1648
Temp: 92F
Barometric Pressure: 29.47
Humidity: 57%
Notes: All flowers have been completely eaten by June beetles, 1 remaining June beetle
*This includes the 5 day representative data.
3) Is this a project that I'm considering staying with after the course ends?
Yes. I want to continue providing data for the larger phenology project. In addition, I have engaged with the main researchers about expanding community involvement. Furthermore, I am working on a new research project with a fellow entomologist at the USDA regarding the snails and the Japanese Hop.
This concludes the first chapter in this series concerning the Caterpillars Count! citizen science project.
I do hope everyone enjoyed it. Let's also hope that it has sparked your brain and inspired you to go out to the Haw River Trail.
Cheers,
Waterboy1981
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