Butterfly survey
Butterflies are good pollinators. Photo: M Bulbert © Australian Museum.
This method measures the activity of an insect pollinator. Butterflies are specialist nectar feeders. Nectar is a sweet fluid produced by flowers to attract pollinators. When feeding, butterflies will often transfer pollen from plant to plant - becoming pollinators. Butterflies unlike many insects, lend themselves to being counted in the field without the need for specialist equipment. Most are large, conspicuous and relatively easy to identify.
What you will need
- Identification chart
- Pencils and data sheets for recording link to datasheet
Method
- Describe your site.
- Record the number of different butterflies observed in a pre-determined time.
- Record your methodology. For example, I walked along the riverbank for 30 minutes.
Tips
- You will find that some species will be large, colourful and easy to see. There will also be some species that are more difficult to detect so keep a careful eye out for the smaller, less colourful ones.
- Avoid windy and overcast days. Conduct your butterfly surveys on sunny warm days - between the hours of 10.00 am and 3.00 pm. Butterflies are most active at this time of the day.
- These surveys are easiest to do with two people - one to be constantly looking for butterflies the other recording information.
