mpenn
New Member
Posts: 17
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Post by mpenn on Mar 29, 2016 15:04:32 GMT -8
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Post by wingedwishes on Mar 29, 2016 20:09:09 GMT -8
For my 8 year old daughter and myself, our business of framed insects has been increasing over the years. We have more customers. I think the article is not entirely correct. My children know Latin names and are talented with a net. Imparting the love of a hobby is the job of a hobbyist and entomologists have not done well in that.
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Post by exoticimports on Mar 30, 2016 5:24:59 GMT -8
He forgot cable TV and, at least in USA, family time has turned into a mad addiction to the children's participation in athletics.
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Post by 58chevy on Mar 30, 2016 10:19:33 GMT -8
Very good article, Mike. Thanks for sharing. The situation in the USA is not as grim as in the UK, but collectors are often unjustly seen as villains these days (especially by the North American Butterfly Association). Destruction of habitat by land development and large-scale farming, along with unrestricted use of pesticides, are the culprits in the decline of butterfly populations. Collecting has little or no effect. I am not the least bit ashamed of participating in a lifelong hobby that I have enjoyed and learned from since I was a kid.
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Post by nomad on Mar 30, 2016 10:57:40 GMT -8
There are certainly not many people with nets in the UK today, Butterfly Conservation is massive here. Collecting in Britain is seen as outdated through the rise of photography. All the rare butterflies here occur on National Trust Land or in Nature reserves where you cannot collect. There has been a widespread huge decline in the UK butterflies and many rare moth species through habitat loss and the use of pesticides. Most home grown collectors like me, are content to collect what our forefathers called exotics or if they are into British moths, they breed a series.
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Post by Paul K on Mar 30, 2016 17:42:33 GMT -8
Peter, just wonder ...is fishing in UK still popular activity or is it "a bad behaviour " in the eyes of conservationists also.
PS
Sorry to say, but it must be boring to live in UK.
I still enjoy taking net and hike in nearby city park or woods.
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Post by nomad on Mar 30, 2016 21:18:06 GMT -8
Ha ha. No fishing is still permitted here with a permit but in the 19th century we had three thousand nets now very few. Paul carry on enjoying yourself roaming Asia with your net. If you are British and want to swing a net without hassle you can pop over to our friends in France but many European Countries are following the Brits in banning collecting over large areas, such as parts of Germany, Holland and especially Switzerland.
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Post by Paul K on Mar 30, 2016 21:54:38 GMT -8
Ironically one can go fishing in provincial park in Canada (with license easy to buy in any department store- 30-40$ per year), but can not catch butterfly or moth ( can kill as many mosquitos and flies as possibly can though ). I just don't see a difference. What is wrong with all those conservationists and ridiculous laws ?
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Post by laurie1 on Mar 30, 2016 22:29:25 GMT -8
There's no question it's dying out. I'm soon to hang up my net and retire from risking my neck. And I'm one of the die-hard, most indefatigable collectors you will ever come across. It's just too hard. But like everything, things come and go. While having a butterfly collection may soon be an oddity, at some point in the future there will be a renaissance with those with extra deep pockets eagerly seeking to acquire rarities and admire the beauty that has engulfed, encapsulated, enthralled (and possessed!) many of us. So keep acquiring, enjoying and ensuring the safety of what matters most!
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 31, 2016 7:16:20 GMT -8
Well, I think the health of Insectnet, Collector's Secret and entomological facebook groups clearly shows amateur entomology is in very good shape ! Internet gives our passion a new bounce and a way to seduce a lot of young entomologists. Insect trade has never been so florishing at Worldwide level. Insect fairs in Europe are FULL. We see more and more Chinese buyers on ebay, and I can tell you, it will make a LOT of new buyers in the future. Personnally, I am convinced amateur entomology has a great future, thanks to internet. + I would add it becomes "trendy" again. Conversationists and legislation are indeed an issue but let's work on it with our entomological associations. No fatality there. Personnally I think the renaissance is now. Sorry to be optimistic  |
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Post by nomad on Mar 31, 2016 11:25:38 GMT -8
That will be a sad day when a collector such as Laurie hangs up his net for the last time.  |
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Post by exoticimports on Mar 31, 2016 12:14:39 GMT -8
Remember that there used to be bird collectors too. Good luck with that one today!
Chuck
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Post by jshuey on Mar 31, 2016 13:13:34 GMT -8
I don't see this in the US. When you go to lep soc meetings and regional meetings, there are always a handful of "kids". When I started collecting, other than Alexander B Klots - I didn't know that anyone else ever carried a net (I didn't know Klots, just had his book). I was in college before I met fellow collectors.
j
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Post by Paul K on Mar 31, 2016 21:59:02 GMT -8
That will be a sad day when a collector such as Laurie hangs up his net for the last time. I think that is impossible really. The net is our arm extension and it is permanently attached. Personally I have to take my net on the last journey , I am sure there are many new leps to collect |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 22:38:59 GMT -8
A lot of nature lovers seem to have a negative disposition toward technology, but we are on the verge of a paradigm shift. Here's a thought experiment. When was the last time you actually touched the butterflies in your collection? They're either viewed behind glass or if you're lucky, you might have an insect land on you in the field or an observatory. For leps, it's 99% visual stimulation that gives us the thrill. In my opinion, simulating these creatures in virtual reality is a better option. A top of the line VR headset is only a couple of hundred dollars, and you have entire worlds to explore at your fingertips. No red tape for collecting, saving up for expeditions that may or may not yield results, importing/exporting hassle, etc.
If you were faced with bushwhacking your way through a mosquito infested jungle to maybe have a successful adventure or sit on your couch and be guaranteed an experience, what would you choose?
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