We appear to have a wonderful abundance to members to ID birds and wildflowers (from what I see). But when it comes to members identifying some insects, and moths, we seem to be low in numbers. Not at all a complaint. Just wishing more would join to fill out the ranks.

I think this is beyond any of our control other than recommending moth enthusiasts/experts to join the iNat community. Of course there are other factors such as where they are from, how willing they are to join, how busy they are etc. Personally I am proud to be a moth-er but I am just an enthusiast…

Agree. There are not so many in Nocuidae, but there are common species that need observation of the genitalia to make a firm ID. Given the limitations of the site, probably Genus level is fine for these species. Oh, I should also mention that (at least for moths) Bugguide generally mentions that asp…

I’m working on what a lot of iNatters and amateurs do (alluded to here by others): be the identifiers you wish to see find a need, start to study, pay it forward : ) Give me a decade and I’ll have just scratched the surface of tortricidae but it’ll happen. Many of the sites top identifiers are f…

If I knew of a species I could identify with confidence, I’d certainly help. As it is, when I go through unknowns I give insects a certain priority (as well as vertebrates, but not many vertebrates stay in the unknowns for long). When I first started on iNaturalist, I thought one thing for sure I c…

[image] barbetsmith: I wonder if the same could exist for some of these insects - features visible even in cell phone photos that we just don’t realize are diagnostic yet, because relatively little attention and energy (compared to birds or butterflies) has been devoted to trying to identify the…

I chime in when I have time to help with ID’s of moths in Louisiana. Now that I have a lot of experience, I never ID to species level or confirm ID’s to that level unless I am very familiar with that Genus. On my own observations I use the same general rule except that if I am pretty confident I may…

I love observing the moths. Big fan of Moth Photographers Group and Bug Guide for trying to figure out ID’s… Sometimes that can be overwhelming. I like to ID Moth leps for my county and surrounding area. Things can change as you get away from your normal area. I tell my cohorts to just ID what …

Gee Rich I find plants very poorly represented based on my unconfirmed inputs. Birds are over-represented for sure. There are a number of moth experts with INAT accounts and extensive lists on their pages, I know Sue tries to help after dealing with her own massive input. Perhaps the problem is that…

I just started to observe insects a few weeks ago. And it feels like a whole new world to learn about. :) I use SEEK so this gives me a start for the ID. I read much about insects in the last weeks as a cause of my observations and I really enjoy this new field of experiences. Every day, I learn…

I have noticed that some of the regulars that used to ID moths, spiders, and in general, insects, have not been on, or IDing much anymore - or at least that seems to be true for my area - Houston/Texas/Gulf Coast. For myself, I have been chastised for “guessing” on a species, or not fully engrossin…

Needed: more people to help ID moths and other insects

Nature Talk

Topic		Replies	Views
Need for more moth identifiers? General	123	3016	August 2, 2024
What is the Best Way to Learn a Species? Nature Talk question , taxonomy	46	4287	October 17, 2019
Is there any groups on iNat that with only a few or even no expert (or regionally no) to help? General	40	2277	March 5, 2023
New to iNaturalist and trying to help with identifications General question , identification	106	5456	August 22, 2023
Some ID Statistics General	60	1714	May 30, 2026

Needed: more people to help ID moths and other insects

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