As the summer goes on, we see more and more butterflies fluttering around. Unfortunately, sometimes we see them dead in the yard or sidewalk. Some Kansas scientists want you send them the dead butterflies…really! As butterfly and moth populations decline worldwide, scientists at the U. S. Geological Survey are asking residents of Kansas and five other states to mail in the dead insects. Researchers want to test the dead butterflies to see what effect pesticides and antibiotics are having on them, especially in area of high agriculture use, like in Kansas. They say chemicals can contaminate butterflies when they fly through a garden recently treated, getting the spray on their wings, or they could feed from a plant that took antibiotics through water.
Any butterflies and moths that residents submit should be at least two inches and must already be dead when collected. Submissions can be made through November 1st. Place them in a sealed plastic bag and send them to USGS LRG, 1217 Biltmore Drive, Lawrence, Kansas. You can see more information on KOFO’s Facebook page.
