Biography:
I am a lifelong naturalist, and have always loved nature and all its flora and fauna. I took a special interest in 'bugs' from a young age (thanks to my dad), and have been collecting and studying insects for just over 25 years, with primary focus on
Lepidoptera and
Vespidae. I've specifically been researching and studying moths for 17 years. My original insect collection that I amassed in the mid 80s, was destroyed in a watery disaster with only few survivors. So in recent years, along with collecting specimens for my collection and cataloging regional lepidoptera, I have also taken an interest in photographing insects as well. It’s a passion I hope to instill in my little girls when they get a little older.
I do not have any formal university training in entomology, but I have educated myself over many years with many, many books and entomology textbooks. I have served in the capacity of entomologist, aiding in insect identification and management for a couple of local pest control agencies in past years. In regard to Lepidoptera I have raised numerous species, conducted a 2 year study of
Symmerista for diagnostic larval characteristics, assisted in (collection/ID) a study of
Catocala pheromones, amongst other endeavors. I also have moderate experience with examining moth genitalia under magnification for identification purposes, and have created genitalia slides of various Noctuids and Notodontids.
I'm currently the state coordinator for moth data of Alabama & Tennessee on the
BAMONA project.
Over the years I’ve collected and studied insects in TN, NC, GA, FL, and my current home in Alabama. I hope to use my decades of experience and independent learning to contribute as much as I can to this site, and I look forward to continued learning from others here as well.
