About collecting info

[Fernando]

I have seen that you have a special interest in something you call "collecting info" when you buy deadstock. What exactly does it consist in, and why is it that important?

PS: sorry for making questions whose answers may be obvious for you.

[Chris Grinter]

Check out what I've written about labels, it might give you some idea of the level of data I require on my specimens: skepticalmoth.southernfriedscience.com/techniques/labeling-your-specimens/

Chris

[Fernando]

Thanks for the reply, I see now what I should put in the collecting info. But anyway, I still can't quite understand why it is so valuable for you. I mean, I've been reading some threads in this forum and some people say that an specimen, without its collecting info, is totally useless!

Another question: if the specimen was reared by myself, what should I put in the collecting info?

PS: By the way, very interesting site you have.

[bobw]

A specimen without data is of no use whatsoever in a proper scientific collection, whereas the quality of the specimen, as long as it's recognisable, is of no importance at all. Most collections will end up in museums after their owners' death and this information is essential to any future researchers working on the collection.

As a minimum the data should contain the exact location where the specimen was caught including altitude, the date of capture and the name of the collector. GPS co-ordinates are also extremely useful.

If the specimen is reared the data should be for the parent female, whether it was paired with a captive bred or wild male, the number of generations in captivity and the date of emergence. It can also be useful to know where it was reared.

Bob

[Fernando]

I see! So I was mixing up regular collectors with scientific collectors. For the former, the most important is the quality of the specimens, whereas the later care almost exclusively about collecting info, as long as the specimen is recognizable. Am I right?

Thanks a lot for the help!

[prillbug2]

data example:
IL: Peoria County.
West Lamarsh Creek area.
Map coordinates, or GPS
21-June-1987. sweeping foliage.
Leg. Jeff Prill

In Illinois, I don't necessarily use elevation, because there really isn't much variation. I either use a geological map, or GPs for coordinates, depending on what I have with me. Anywhere else, there is a quite radical change about how I write the date down, and it sometimes goes to three or four labels.
If I forgot to write it down correctly, I don't keep the specimen. It's scientifically useless and gets thrown out.
Jeff Prill

[bobw]

Mar 23, 2011 6:55:40 GMT -8 Fernando said:

I see! So I was mixing up regular collectors with scientific collectors. For the former, the most important is the quality of the specimens, whereas the later care almost exclusively about collecting info, as long as the specimen is recognizable. Am I right?

Maybe that's a bit excessive, everyone likes to have good quality specimens, but the quality's not as important as the data. I would always buy 4 A- pairs of something rather than 1 A+ pair so that I can get a series, and like Jeff, if a specimen has data I don't think I can trust, or no data, I throw it out.

Any collection without good data is of no value to anyone apart from the person who compiled it.

Bob

[Fernando]

Yeah, I got the idea Thank you all for your replies!

[saturniidave]

Well Bob and Jeff, if you want to throw specimens out without good data throw them my way! It does seem a waste when there are beginners out there who would be glad of such 'spare' specimens.
Fernando, I can't afford a GPS so I use Google Earth to find exactly where I collected and get the co-ordinates from there. It gives you the altitude too.
Dave

[mikelock34]

A collection has untold value to anyone who can appreciate it regardless of whether the specimens have collecting data or not. It all depends upon your perspective. Some people appreciate things for different reasons. No collecting data whatsoever is necessary for you to appreciate it if you have no interest in the data.

[lordpandarus]

Data is a non issue to me. I still write it down on a computer spreadsheet file of my collection but I don't care if nothing is written on the envelope.And half the time I can't read exactly what it says. Quality of the specimen is far far more important to me.


It's like saying if I got a dream species like a perfect Kallima jacksoni, I'd consider useless and toss it because it had no data

[panzerman]

Personally, I like the specimen to be at least AI, 99% of my stuff is AI, really rare ssp. I will consider AI-/A-

Data, is also extremely important, since I collect all ssp., forms, M+F. I have 240+ ssp. of parnassius apollo, all AI M+F, so data is VERY IMPORTANT. Esp. for extinct material, where you want the original old data labels as proof of their pedigree.

John

[boghaunter1]

WARNING...MY own opinion only...no personal offence meant to any other forum members/thin-skinned individuals need not read: Provenance (data labels in case of insects for serious collectors only) is very important in whatever items you choose to collect. Without additional data (provenance/history) many collectable items are worth far less money (antiques, art, furniture, coins, stamps, sports cards, comics, etc. etc. - date, location of manufacture, craftsmen names are very important). If you are going to spend big bucks for fancy bugs in the 1st place wouldn't you like to know what & where they are from? I've put parts of my bug collection on public display many times in the past & am constantly asked about specific "pretty"bugs - what, where & when collected. The provenance of any item is often more interesting than the actual item itself & when paired together with the item is what all "serious " collectors want + increases value...let's face it every collector gets old & must dispose of his collection either to an institution (Data required) or by breakup & sale to other collectors (again data required for the majority of serious collectors). Stamp/pretty, big bug only, appreciation collectors can certainly do as they like , but it doesn't take much extra effort to include a little data to increase scientific value & true appreciation of what you are actually looking at.

One thing that really burns me is seeing, for example on Ebay, nice specimens of really rare insects, poorly/really disgracefully mounted up by rank, inexperienced craftpeople (can't call them collectors!), with zero data & sold for wall ornaments & nothing more. At least give these magnificent insects their proper due... some data & proper mounting...too much to ask for some of nature's most exquisite creations - I think not!

John K.

[prillbug2]

But then, after my trip to Belize, I decided that it's better to go there yourself and collect. You can be down in Central America in about 4 to 5 hours. Plus if you take a notebook, you can record the data as backup, to what you've written on the envelope. A good gps, and a guide is all that is needed. I've simply decided that I won't buy very much anymore, and would rather do it myself in the field, again.
Jeff Prill

[mikelock34]

I too prefer to travel, but I purchase many specimens too. I have traveled to thirty-four countries so far, but I do not claim that other collections have any less value than mine because the person who built the collection purchased his specimens. Again, each individual's appreciation of his collection is his own. I do not think that another person has a collection with less "worth" than mine if he enjoys his collection for reasons inconsistent with why I enjoy my collection. If I am standing there with a ridiculously beautiful Agrias in my hand, I do not necessarily need to know exactly where it was collected or when to have an enjoyment of the specimen. I do understand completely the value of good collecting data. though.