Insects Code of Conduct

[Imaginos]

http://www.benhs.org.uk/code.html

I'd encourage anyone with an interest in insects & other invertebrates to read the above code of conduct published by the British Entomological & Natural History Society (BENHS). Although many of the points are not applicable to the casual observer but I would like to draw particular attention to some points:
1.2, Individuals of readily identified species, particularly butterflies, should not be killed, nor removed from the wild, unless required as voucher specimens or for scientific or educational study. If they are not needed for such purposes, they should be examined while alive and then released near the place of capture.
1.3 If the accumulation of scientific data is not a specific aim, consideration should be given to photography as an alternative to collecting, especially for macrolepidoptera.
1.12, The future value of every collection should be safeguarded. The owner's will should provide for the appointment of a scientific executor, who can offer the collection to a learned society or a museum.

2.3, Newly discovered localities for rare species should be reported to the appropriate conservation organisations, records centres and organisers of recording schemes (see 5.2).

3.1, The catch in a trap should be released after being examined, except for any specimens that must be killed for voucher purposes or for an ecological or other scientific study. The release should be made in the same locality, but away from the immediate trap site. The catch should preferably be kept in cool shady conditions and then released at dusk. If this is not possible, it should be released in long grass, or other cover; not on lawns or other exposed surfaces.
Anaesthetics are harmful and should not be used
3.5, Traps and lights should be sited with care so as not to annoy or confuse other people or to waste police time

4.1, Always seek permission from the landowner or occupier before collecting on private land. Obtain appropriate permit(s) for access and/or collecting on any site controlled by a conservation body, such as a county wildlife trust, local authority, the national conservation agency, Forest Enterprise or National Trust. (Collecting on a Site of Special Scientific Interest requires permission both from the owner and from the local office of the appropriate national conservation agency.)

5.2, Species lists, together with any other data, should always be lodged with the relevant county and national recording schemes4. If possible, the data should be entered on a database compatible with the National Biodiversity Network

and all of section 6: Collecting - Protecting the Environment

Thanks

[Tursiops]

Please forgive my ignorance, but what does "voucher purposes/specimens" mean?
T

[Imaginos]

Originally Posted by Tursiops

Please forgive my ignorance, but what does "voucher purposes/specimens" mean?
T

You're forgiven

The need for accurate identification of species in order to generate records which can be used with confidence is paramount. Species which are unusual for the area, which are rare in terms of their Red Data Book status, or which are first records for the County (and/or Vice County) should be supported by voucher specimens to enable them to be checked and re-checked by differing experts over time - this also encourages and enables re-identification when our knowledge of a species taxonomy results in that species being split into more than one species.

In short a voucher specimen is one taken so that identification can be confimed by others.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Imaginos

You're forgiven

The need for accurate identification of species in order to generate records which can be used with confidence is paramount. Species which are unusual for the area, which are rare in terms of their Red Data Book status, or which are first records for the County (and/or Vice County) should be supported by voucher specimens to enable them to be checked and re-checked by differing experts over time - this also encourages and enables re-identification when our knowledge of a species taxonomy results in that species being split into more than one species.

In short a voucher specimen is one taken so that identification can be confimed by others.

If everytime a rare species is spotted it is killed to act as a token, it will stay rare! Like bird ringing, it builds up useful information, but I'm not sure if it is necessary all the time. I'm sure it's just a hobby for some!

[Imaginos]

Originally Posted by Alan

If everytime a rare species is spotted it is killed to act as a token, it will stay rare! Like bird ringing, it builds up useful information, but I'm not sure if it is necessary all the time. I'm sure it's just a hobby for some!

Very true, as I stated most of this code is for those few entomologists who are able to make these sort of judgements, the beginner should steer clear of collecting until they are sure that a) they are going to keep up their research & make it worthwhile and b) they are sure that any collections they make will be kept with some degree of care.
Most insects that can properly identified in the field can also be proven with photographs, however groups such as the Diptera and Hemiptera usually need (dead) specimens for proper identification and some will need dissection. Thus the need for vouchers.
For those of you worried about killing insects for study, take a look at the front of your car, then multiply the number of dead insects by the number of cars on the road-scientific investigation is a drop in the ocean compared with other dangers.

[Alan]

So all them white-van-men racing about are in fact Entomologists researching!

[wildone]

Reading the title of this thread, I thought, "But insects don't have a code of conduct, if they want to bite you they do" Odd how the brain works, or in my case doesn't. LOL

[Imaginos]

Originally Posted by wildone

Reading the title of this thread, I thought, "But insects don't have a code of conduct, if they want to bite you they do" Odd how the brain works, or in my case doesn't. LOL

Tee hee, it could well be read like that, more my poor grammar than anything else methinks.

[nightshade]

When I was a child people collected birds eggs,if they had had access to digital cameras
they could have photographed them and left them undisturbed,what I am getting around to
is that no one really needs to kill butterflys or moths with the superb recording facility that
digital cameras offer
Make a digital collection, let the real ones go, or there could be a day when there are no real ones left.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by nightshade

When I was a child people collected birds eggs,if they had had access to digital cameras
they could have photographed them and left them undisturbed,what I am getting around to
is that no one really needs to kill butterflys or moths with the superb recording facility that
digital cameras offer
Make a digital collection, let the real ones go, or there could be a day when there are no real ones left.

Yeah, take photos, cut them out, and pin these to your display case! I hope it catches on