Hobbies And Interests
Tags
Butterfly tags are printed on polypropylene sheets using waterproof ink. There is an adhesive on the back of each tag specifically created to stick to butterfly wings without harming them. The tags are round and small, with a diameter of 9 millimeters. The tags are attached to a backing that allows them to be peeled off quickly. Each tag has a code printed on it that has three numbers and three letters, and the codes are organized in groups of 25 numbers. The phone number and e-mail address of the group that distributed the tags is also printed on them. There are 25 tags per sheet. The tags can be purchased in kits containing between 25 and 500 tags.
Capture
The butterflies are captured for tagging purposes using butterfly nets. Butterfly nets can be made or bought, and it is important to have a quality net to avoid damaging the butterfly. It is best to approach a butterfly slowly and quietly from behind when it is feeding on a flower and sweep the net forward, closing the net bag over the top of the handle. The butterfly should be in the deep part of the net with its wings closed.
Application
The tag is applied to the butterfly by reaching into the bag and grasping the end of the wings with the thumb and forefinger. With the other hand, the thorax of the butterfly is grasped with the thumb and forefinger, and the butterfly is removed from the net. the tag is removed from the sheet and placed on the discal cell of the butterfly. The discal cell is located on the underside of the wing, and it is shaped like a mitten. The tags are placed here because this location will not harm the butterfly or prevent it from flying. The tag should be pressed firmly into the discal cell on both sides of the butterfly for 2 seconds. The information from the tag needs to be recorded on a data sheet, and then the butterfly should be released.
Reporting
Reporting the tagging information is just as important as tagging the butterflies. The information is used to track environmental influences, survival rates and migration routes of the butterflies. Data sheets should be turned in to the group who is compiling the identifying information with the tag codes, location of tagging, date of tagging, and name and address of the tagger. Some taggers never turn in their data sheets, causing the organization to spend time tracking them down when one of their tagged butterflies is recovered.