Techniques for Studying Tiger Beetles - Field Notes and Data Collection

Keeping Field Notes and Databases  [MAIN MENU]

Our current knowledge of the biology and ecology of tiger beetles is in great part due to the field notes, databases, and articles prepared by cicindelophiles.

When studying insects it is not simply a matter of swinging a net and catching some insects, or clicking the shutter of a camera, and then going home. The serious insect investigator does more than this. It is very important to keep notes on the environmental conditions under which the insects were seen, along with records of any behavior you observed. You shouldn't rely on your memory for an accurate accounting of all your insect studies. Instead, take time to record your observations and other accomplishments as they happen. The importance of keeping records cannot be overemphasized. Where can you expect to find certain insects again? When? Under what weather conditions? What plant was it feeding on, or pollinating? Such details often escape memory alone and will be lost altogether if not written down. Your records (field notebook, photographs, recordings, maps, and specimen labels) will serve you well in this respect.

Every good field observer keeps a notebook or journal. This is one of the most important ways of preserving your observations. You must train yourself to write everything down. Some observers write everything down while they are in the field. Others take notes and then write a full account of their observations as soon as they return to their home, office, or laboratory. The method you choose will depend on the complexity of the insect activity and your ability to recall facts.

You can use any type of looseleaf notebook to record your field observations. Your records should include at least the following information: date (month, day and year), starting and ending times, location (state, county, nearest city and specific location), environmental conditions (day or night, temperature, cloud cover, wind, and host plant or animal), results and observations (species being observed, detailed account of your observations of insect activity), and observers (list all names).  You may want to include a sketch map of the area.

Not all observations are best recorded as words. Some observations are better recorded as photographs. You've no doubt heard the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Well, there is a lot of truth to this old saying, because many insect activities are best captured for later study with photographs. You can use photographs to document insect activity , habitats, and environmental conditions, to reveal details of structure or coloration, and to record your investigations and activities.  Photographing tiger beetles can also be an alternative to collecting and killing them.

Digital cameras make it possible to record images on disk for later use.  The images can be edited in many ways (enlarged, reduced, cropped, rotated ...) and then easily included in software applications (multimedia and other programs), newsletters, journals, and e-mail correspondence.

The availability of relatively inexpensive, but sophisticated, video camcorders has even made it possible to record tiger beetles in the act of being themselves!

Don't keep your observations about tiger beetles a secret! Share the results of your observations with others by writing notes and articles to be printed in an insect publication like INSECT WORLD , Y.E.S. QUARTERLY (click here for information on these publications), or CICINDELA.

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This educational resource was prepared by the Young Entomologists Society, 6907 West Grand River Ave., Lansing MI 48906-9131, phone/fax 517-886-0630, e-mail YESbugs@aol.com.  Support minibeast youth education - join Y.E.S. today!