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Post by beetlehorn on Jan 19, 2019 10:52:36 GMT -8
I have collected insects, especially Lepidoptera since I was a boy. I'm sure many of you collectors out there have been doing it for a long time now as well. One question that crossed my mind is.......why? What is it about collecting that drives us to pursue the activity so passionately? We don't gain anything nutritionally from it, and monetarily the cost outweighs any profit we would gain. Then there is the time involved in collecting, mounting, and storing insects, which actually uses up space in our homes or apartments. So what does is it for you to either go collecting, or buy and trade bugs for a collection? We are a species that puts value on something such as this that is practically non-essential for our daily survival, yet we go after it like it is a prize to be won. I have my reasons, but am interested in what others have to say on this matter.
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Post by bichos on Jan 19, 2019 12:40:01 GMT -8
I recommend you not do a psychoanalysis on this, it makes us look very silly indeed.
I collect most when I'm at my worst. But brings out the best in me.
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Post by LEPMAN on Jan 19, 2019 13:28:36 GMT -8
I recommend you not do a psychoanalysis on this, it makes us look very silly indeed. I collect most when I'm at my worst. But brings out the best in me. To avoid seeming silly or crazy I think the best answer would be: We strive to further our knowledge and accomplishments in our scientific endeavors. |
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Post by Paul K on Jan 19, 2019 15:54:15 GMT -8
I am sorry to say but you are all wrong! We were preprogrammed to be insect collectors that is why we started early in our childhood and we can't stop it until we are dead  . And if you don't believe it here is the proof: My wife is saying it is in our instinct: when I see something flying by I instantly following it without thinking to check what is it. Similar to dog chasing cat. |
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Post by LEPMAN on Jan 19, 2019 19:01:21 GMT -8
I am sorry to say but you are all wrong! We were preprogrammed to be insect collectors that is why we started early in our childhood and we can't stop it until we are dead . And if you don't believe it here is the proof: My wife is saying it is in our instinct: when I see something flying by I instantly following it without thinking to check what is it. Similar to dog chasing cat. Funny that my relatives and friends think the same about me, everywhere there are flowers my eyes latch looking for them hummer moths. If there’s a “huajiao” tree I’m searching for papilio larva. If a leaf falls I automatically have to make sure it’s a leaf and not a bug. Not to mention my previous experiences of spotting butterflies or moths at the dead of night resting on illuminated walls while in a moving vehicle. As you said we are genetically encoded butterfly finders, now although our eyes are good at tracking I’m sure all of us could use a genetic edit to the misrarespeciesosis gene that taunts me and many others on our collecting adventures! |
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Post by miguel on Jan 20, 2019 7:11:17 GMT -8
For me collecting is an excuse to be outdoors as long as I can,other reason is that while I´m collecting I can to speak loud with myself and not to think that I´m going crazy.
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Post by exoticimports on Jan 20, 2019 8:27:55 GMT -8
Being goal oriented, I can't just hike. Add a purpose and it changes the activity.
I like to see what's around. I don't mean finding the local mall, or looking at birds. Be it fish or insects or amphibians, I like to know what's in my environment. Insect collecting is a study in that. It has purpose.
When the day comes that I do retire, none of my professional accomplishments will matter- they will be outdated, decommissioned, long forgotten. I'll still have the insects, and they likely will outlast me, while providing a resource to other researchers.
Aside from a few valuable baseball cards, collecting athletic stuff is a financial waste. And it's just memorbilia, it has no scientific value. Attending sporting events may be fun for some, but when you pass on it's all history and useless. I'd rather be chasing bugs.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2019 9:13:35 GMT -8
I love being outside.......netting, lighting, etc. looking for what comes before me. Honestly.....it is a bit about the desire “to have”. Rather than spending time or money on things merely bought, it's like a challenge whether it be in rearing, mounting, waiting at lights, sugaring, or just plain walking in the field taking in nature. Having something one hunted for means more than something merely purchased. Yes, the scientific part is a facet, but the memories and learned skills play a larger part imo.. Then there is the preserved beauty and satisfaction of knowing “I did that” when opening a drawer and seeing nice series or even that one dream bug that jumps out at you bc it is so unusual, rare, or whatever. I sold off the vast majority of my purchased bugs years ago as I’m focusing more on the “me” part of the hobby. I still have many drawers of foreign stuff bc they are gorgeous, but the most treasured material comes from what I collected or from what a friend gave me. Collecting things for monetary reasons just don’t do it and will be sold .......profit or keep going. Collecting insects personally far outweighs the other for me and money is not really a factor at all.
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Post by beetlehorn on Jan 24, 2019 1:24:36 GMT -8
I appreciate all of the responses. This question regarding our reasons for collecting is a deeply personal, self analyzing venture into one's motives and personality. For me collecting has a sense of purpose that satisfies the need to know, and acquire a piece of the natural world. Preserving even a common butterfly that displays and represents the species' characteristics just seems to have a meaning that goes beyond acquiring some material posession such as a new watch or other man made gadget. Then there is the encounter with a species I have never actually seen other than in a book. The excitement of actually finding it and pursuing it is burned into a memory that lasts a lifetime. Having a nicely curated collection with data labels also gives the collector a sense of pride and accomplishment that is rarely attained otherwise. I have purchased and/or traded specimens as well as captured and reared specimens. I must say that even the purchased specimens that I have personally mounted and displayed in my collection are cherished because they are of special interest to me, otherwise I would never have acquired them. Also being able to post images of specimens, and collections on forums such as this one, gives a collector the opportunity to share with and educate other fellow collectors and naturalists of what we have uncovered and preserved. I know I have gained a great deal of knowledge from this forum, not only in terms of unknown-to me insects, but also in collecting techniques and equipment.
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 24, 2019 22:30:30 GMT -8
When I first saw this question posed I immediately took out pen and paper and started writing my thoughts down. I did not want to read any of the posts first as I wanted clarity in my thoughts and I wanted it to come from the heart (as this has been a lifelong passion). I'll read the other posts once mine is posted. I'm sure some of my thoughts may mirror others feelings. Good question !
I think there are some people in this life that are just "born" naturalists. From an early age a few of us just seem to have an inordinate fondness for nature. Whether your interest involves insects, flowers, birds or other creatures it just captivates you at every turn. The "collecting" side of our innate interest in nature seems only natural -- in time. As we ourselves grow we see and learn of the cycles of life and the changing of the seasons. Nothing stays around or lives forever. Life or presence as we see it is fleeting... What is here today may not be seen again next year or for a long time.
As we grow in our passion for our subject the sheer variety and wonder of it makes some of us want to capture, identify, and finally covet the beauty and strangeness of all this life. Seeing it in books is all very nice but, having a small piece of it for yourself to pull out and admire at your leisure or to clear your mind is gratifying personally. I have always found that when I involve myself with my collection or simply admire the "goods" of my labor it gives me solace or "peace of mind". It makes life's other matters mute for a time.
Collecting I feel also "grounds" people or gives them stability in life to really care about something that they can control. For entomology enthusiasts that care is reflected in our growing knowledge, organization, and pursuit of all the things which walk, crawl, or fly. Sometimes, our pursuit can take us to far off lands where we may experiance a different piece of this big world and maybe come away with some things we will especially treasure.
In time, we learn to share or disseminate our acquired knowledge in the books or papers we may write; or with the friends we make within the hobby. Lastly, I feel a certain pride or accomplishment seems to go along with ownership of a collection. Many of us pour ourselves into it and reflect much upon all that we have seen or encountered. Our collections, are in a way something akin to a "personal" diary. It may be un-written in a book but, to each of us it is vivid and full of lifelong memories of many a fine day well spent...
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Post by trehopr1 on Jan 25, 2019 11:42:55 GMT -8
I too very much cherish the specimens I have purchased or traded for over the years. I may not have the "personal" attachment with them that I have with my self collected stuff; however their glorious beauty or strangeness far.....................surpasses anything that I have ever found or could hope to collect ! !
My personal captures are NICE in so far as they are the best I've ever been able to come up with here in my home state. However, my exotic material is "hands down" on another level in it's beauty. I could never be satisfied just collecting the mostly common trash that I have available to me !
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