Webb intrigues residents at Botanical Garden
Webb, a lepidopterist, teaches residents to turn their sightings into scientific records.
Despite creepers and crawlers being, well, creepy and crawly, a group of residents had immense fun learning about them from Peter Webb.
The Botanical Society organised an insect workshop at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden last Sunday with a presentation by Webb. Although interested in insects, spiders, birds and reptiles in general, Webb is a lepidopterist – a specialist in the field of butterfly and moth studies. He explains that there are around 697 species of butterflies in South Africa and that the print underneath their wings is like their fingerprint.
Being an expert insect photographer as well, Webb showed off some of the photos he had taken over the years in his field work.
“My message here today is that it doesn’t take a scientist to make a scientific record of a sighting, and your interest in insects or birds or whatever species of animal can mean so much more than just a photo to show off to your friends.
“I want you to turn your sightings into photographs and into scientific records. I encourage it, and I’ll show you how.”
Webb didn’t disappoint. After a discussion about his experiences while surveying areas like the Irene veld and Namibian desert, Webb guided a walk in the Garden. He caught different insects with a net, showing how easy it is and how any enthusiast can do it. After identifying them he set them free.
Taking a photo of a scarce ranger butterfly by chance was his introduction to insect photography and he explains what he uses to capture these moments.
“The more you’re out there, the more observant you’ll become,” he says, emphasising that the general public spends more time outside than scientists who write academic papers on such subjects. He ended his presentation by suggesting persons and websites to which enthusiasts could submit their photographs for identification and perhaps publication.
Organisers John and Ella Roberts encourage all nature lover to get involved with the Botanical Society of South Africa. They can be reached on 021 797 2090 or via email at info@botanicalsociety.org.za.
Where to submit your insect/ spider photos:
• Spiders: Share your photos with Ansie Dippenaar, a researcher at the University of Cape Town, via email at dippenaar@arc.agric.za.
• Share your photos of insects or spiders on iSpot at www.ispot.org.za. Volunteers at iSpot can identify your sighting.
• The South Africa National Biodiversity Institute runs a Bee Project and is in need of photos of bees pollinating crops. For more information contact Sanbi on 086 100 1278 or via email at sisulugarden@sanbi.org.za.
