Abstract
New advancements in camera trap technology have led to wide-spread use in animal monitoring. In this study we tested whether modern self-contained camera traps could be used to identify small lepidopterans such as the frosted elfin (Callophrys irus). A vast majority of photographed lepidopterans, 76/81 (93.83%), were identifiable to family when moving relatively slowly across the camera’s field of view. Although no C. irus were observed, we were able to identify several species of lepidopterans including those of similar size as C. irus. We find that modern camera traps are adequate to sample small lepidopterans and may open new avenues to survey for small rare species such as C. irus over larger areas than typically possible with small field crews and short flight seasons.
Highlights
Camera traps are widely used in animal monitoring (O’Connell et al 2011; Kobayashi et al 2019) and have been used successfully in monitoring butterflies and other pollinators (Steen & Aase 2011; Edwards et al 2015; Georgian et al 2015; Hobbhahn et al 2017; Phon et al 2017; van der Kroft et al 2019)
We sought to assess how well we could detect and identify flower-visiting butterflies in a Sandhill community using the latest generation of affordable, over-the-counter trailcams
The Munson Hills Unit (MHU) is composed of a sandhill community dominated by longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) with occasional oaks (Quercus spp.) and an understory composed of a mixture of wiregrass (Aristida stricta), bluestems (Andropogon spp.), Received 13 August 2019, accepted 26 December 2019 *Corresponding author: d.mcelveen@comcast.net blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), huckleberries (Gaylussacia spp.) and forbs
Summary
Camera traps are widely used in animal monitoring (O’Connell et al 2011; Kobayashi et al 2019) and have been used successfully in monitoring butterflies and other pollinators (Steen & Aase 2011; Edwards et al 2015; Georgian et al 2015; Hobbhahn et al 2017; Phon et al 2017; van der Kroft et al 2019). The cameras provide a useful means of monitoring butterfly activity when constraints to the use of human observers exist. Often these camera set-ups are expensive and cumbersome, limiting their utility. This technology is not new to butterfly research, the use of cameras for monitoring butterflies in Sandhill communities is relatively understudied. Recent advances in technology have led to less-expensive, self-contained “trailcam” cameras. We sought to assess how well we could detect and identify flower-visiting butterflies in a Sandhill community using the latest generation of affordable, over-the-counter trailcams
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