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Collection of lepidoptera at Moose Lake Provincial Park in 2006

Description

Three factors were considered in selecting Moose Lake Provincial Park as a study area for collecting Lepidoptera in 2005. There is a wide diversity of habitats within the park. There was a lack of... More ≫

Description

Three factors were considered in selecting Moose Lake Provincial Park as a study area for collecting Lepidoptera in 2005. There is a wide diversity of habitats within the park. There was a lack of literature on Lepidoptera for the park. And the park is close to the Saskatchewan border. These three factors show clearly why there was a need to study Lepidoptera in the park, and why the odds of finding new species for the Province of Alberta would be likely. In 2006, the same factors were in play and results were much better. In 2005 many common species were collected that were also observed in 2006. Efforts were made to avoid collecting these same species. In 2006, 5 butterflies and 202 moth species were collected. Of the Lepidoptera collected, approximately ten need further analysis for complete identification. It is highly likely that two or more of these specimens will be identified as new species for the Province of Alberta. I would be very interested in seeing someone continue...

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Lepidoptera of Big Knife Provincial Park, 2001-2011

Description

Provincial Parks and other areas where natural vegetation is protected are of great value as the flora and fauna present in them is typical of what was in Alberta before widespread agricultural... More ≫

Description

Provincial Parks and other areas where natural vegetation is protected are of great value as the flora and fauna present in them is typical of what was in Alberta before widespread agricultural activities replaced them with flora and fauna that was reduced in numbers and made up of species that were associated with cultivated grains and hay crops. As a result, many of Alberta's "rare and endangered" species are now found only, or mainly, in such protected areas. There is still much to be learned about the distribution and status of lepidopteran (moth and butterfly) species in south-central Alberta. Baseline studies of this sort provide information that helps characterize the species associated with various ecoregions, in the present case Aspen Parkland; determine the status designations (abundant, common, rare, endangered) of various species; show the effects of grazing on species composition and abundance; and allow the examination of many other parameters, including phenology, dry...

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