A citizen science project between the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, the University of Arkansas and YOU!
Butterflies, birds, flowers and a wide variety of animals and plants come in a spectacular range of colors and shapes. One of the main goals of biology is understanding why this variation exists, and how changes in color and shape influence behavior, such as feeding, resting and predator avoidance.
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks has teamed up with University of Arkansas professor Dr. Erica Westerman and the Northwest Arkansas community to study whether butterfly wing pattern (color & size) can be used to predict butterfly behavior; particularly what flowers they visit, what time of day they are active and what weather conditions they fly in. Dr. Westerman has deployed temperature and light sensors around the gardens, and we have compiled a checklist of butterfly wing patterns and behaviors.
The data you collect will be compiled with that of other garden visitors and UARK researchers. Your data will help scientists address questions concerning animal behavior, diversity, and NWA pollinator community health.
Staying home? You can still participate! Just click below to fill out the “at home” butterfly data form.
At home collection form
For more information or to learn more about Dr. Westerman’s research, visit her website.