As I tend to take photos of anything that moves or grows, a large collection of various butterflies has come to exist. OK, let’s make this hobby somewhat useful. The least I can do is upload these photos to iNaturalist.
Butterflies monitoring was obvious opportunity – it’s quite simple to create yourself a project there. I created new area of interest along the borders of my village, focusing on Lepidoptera, and here we go with local biodiversity mapping! And just like this, I became a citizen scientist.
Most of the animals I observe are attracted to the light on my house, nothing special (2x SMD LED light source – 1020 lm, 4000 K)
I take a photo or two, check the weather, temperature, humidity and Moon phase and visibility, send it with GPS coordinates to iNaturalist. Easy as that.
From Random Photos to Real Data
So the goal now is to create a detailed, long-term record of the local butterfly and moth populations. This isn’t just about collecting pretty pictures; it’s about building a dataset that can reveal long-term population trends, seasonal cycles, and the overall health of our local ecosystem. Every observation, uploaded to iNaturalist, contributes to a larger scientific picture.
Key Findings: What the Moths Are Telling Us
After years of intermittent observation and a recent surge in systematic nightly monitoring (thanks to finally finishing the house reconstruction!), the results are nothing short of spectacular. The data proves that even a seemingly ordinary Central Bohemian landscape is a hotspot of biodiversity.
The Crown Jewels: Discoveries from the Czech Red List
The most significant outcome of this project is the confirmed presence of 5 species listed on the Czech Red List of Threatened Species. Finding them here isn’t just a win for a local naturalist; it’s a critical data point for national conservation efforts.
Spurge hawk-moth
(Hyles euphorbiae)
Status: EN (Endangered)
An exceptionally valuable find. This beautiful hawk-moth is a specialist whose caterpillars feed on spurge (Euphorbia). Its presence is a direct indicator of healthy, undisturbed patches of dry grassland or field margins in the area.
Scarce swallowtail
(Iphiclides podalirius)
Status: VU (Vulnerable)
A magnificent swallowtail that confirms the importance of the “messier” parts of our landscape – the overgrown orchards, thorny blackthorn hedgerows, and unmanaged gardens that serve as its nursery.
Four-spotted footman
(Lithosia quadra)
Status: NT (Near Threatened)
The caterpillars of this moth feed on tree-growing lichens, making it a bioindicator for good air quality and the presence of mature trees.
Beautiful plume (Amblyptilia acanthadactyla)
Status: NT (Near Threatened)
A tiny plume moth whose threatened status highlights that every species, no matter how small or overlooked, matters. Its discovery underscores the need for detailed observation.
Cinnabar moth
(Tyria jacobaeae)
Status: NT (Near Threatened)
This distinctively colored moth is tied to the presence of ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), often found in meadows and ruderal areas. Another piece of the habitat puzzle.
A Thriving Community: Over 210 Species Logged
To date, the project has documented over 210 unique verified species from 25 different families. The sheer diversity, from the giant hawk-moths (Sphingidae) and chunky eggars (Lasiocampidae) to the tiniest plume moths (Pterophoridae) and grass-veneers (Crambidae), paints a vivid picture of a complex and functioning ecosystem.
Latest observations:
