LAWRENCE, Kan. (KAKE) - The U.S. Geological Survey is asking people in six states, including Kansas, to mail in deceased butterflies, moths and skippers to aid in a study researching the decline of insect populations.

Donations are asked to be mailed in a resealable plastic bag inside of a sealed envelope and sent to USGS LRC 1217, Biltmore Drive, Lawrence, KS 66049. Any species may be sent, the USGS said in a press release. 

"There are some questions that can't effectively be answered without help from a lot of people. It's what makes citizen science so special and valuable,” said Julie Dietze, USGS scientist-in-charge of the effort. "Collections like this one are important because they have the potential to provide scientists now, and 20 years from now, access to specimens. Without the specimens it will be far more difficult to answer questions related to contaminants and environmental health."

Donations will be accepting through November 1, 2023. 

Citizens in Alabama, Georgia, Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma are also being asked to help in this study. 

 

(USGS LRC)
(USGS LRC)