# \#ethics **URL:** https://forum.inaturalist.org/tag/ethics/40.md [Latest](https://forum.inaturalist.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.inaturalist.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.inaturalist.org/tags.md) --- ## [Ethics of using flash/flashlights for nocturnal insects?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/ethics-of-using-flash-flashlights-for-nocturnal-insects/78157)
**Author:** [@sheeegoul](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/sheeegoul)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2026, 2:35pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/ethics-of-using-flash-flashlights-for-nocturnal-insects/78157 "2026-05-06T14:35:22Z")
Hi everyone! This is my first post here. I would like to ask the community’s opinion on the ethics of using a flash or a flashlight when photographing moths and other nocturnal insects. My process is simple: I don’t use… --- ## [Opinion on using sounds on your phone to attract animals?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/opinion-on-using-sounds-on-your-phone-to-attract-animals/73640)
**Author:** [@awitchemogurl](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/awitchemogurl)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 6:57am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/opinion-on-using-sounds-on-your-phone-to-attract-animals/73640 "2026-02-06T06:57:26Z")
What are your opinions on using specific sounds, audios, or music to attract animals? Personally I don’t think its a good idea considering it can attract other animals that aren’t harmless. edit: and scare away other wil… --- ## [Question about the ethics/etiquette of using observations to track plantlife for collection](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/question-about-the-ethics-etiquette-of-using-observations-to-track-plantlife-for-collection/71053)
**Author:** [@tstwizby](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tstwizby)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2025, 9:59pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/question-about-the-ethics-etiquette-of-using-observations-to-track-plantlife-for-collection/71053 "2025-10-05T21:59:37Z")
As a hobbyist papermaker, I’m currently trying to find a place near me where I can collect the alga Codium fragile. I was recommended iNaturalist as a resource for this by a friend, and while it certainly seems like it w… --- ## [Killing an Invasive to Save Natives](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/killing-an-invasive-to-save-natives/55655)
**Author:** [@onefishyboi](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/onefishyboi)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 11:19am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/killing-an-invasive-to-save-natives/55655 "2024-12-09T11:19:19Z")
I was recently fishing a lake in a nearby national park and caught a brook trout. According to the parks fishing regulations, they “advise” (not require) that all brook trout be killed due to them being a threat to nativ… --- ## [When talking about nature puts it in danger](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/when-talking-about-nature-puts-it-in-danger/55572)
**Author:** [@jasonhernandez74](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jasonhernandez74)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2024, 3:09am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/when-talking-about-nature-puts-it-in-danger/55572 "2024-09-22T03:09:51Z")
Continuing the discussion from Wildlife Sightings: Share or Stay Quiet?: Aside from poaching, there is another herp-related ethical issue. Today I mentioned my copperhead sighting to someone in casual conversation. Th… --- ## [How much disturbance is "okay"?](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-much-disturbance-is-okay/51773)
**Author:** [@jasonhernandez74](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jasonhernandez74)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2024, 6:05pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-much-disturbance-is-okay/51773 "2024-06-12T18:05:55Z")
This post is motivated by my observation today of what I believe is a Dogbane Saucrobotys Moth (Saucrobotys futilalis). As can be seen in the observation, the first picture is of a leaf roll, and the next two pictures ar… --- ## [Adding a Category: Biodiversity & Ecology Ethics](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/adding-a-category-biodiversity-ecology-ethics/4614)
**Author:** [@akilee](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/akilee)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 6:48am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/adding-a-category-biodiversity-ecology-ethics/4614 "2023-12-01T06:48:08Z")
Hi, I have been searching in this forum for a category about ecology & biodiversity ethics. I work in this area, and I am also part of the Citizen Science Association workgroup on ethics. Among other themes, we are work… --- ## [What to do about a vase of florist flowers posted as an observation](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-to-do-about-a-vase-of-florist-flowers-posted-as-an-observation/35818)
**Author:** [@annmgrant](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/annmgrant)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2022, 1:57am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-to-do-about-a-vase-of-florist-flowers-posted-as-an-observation/35818 "2022-09-23T01:57:32Z")
I came across a vase of flowers posted as an observation of Eustoma grandiflora (aka exaltatum). I guess it is a prank. Is there anything that can be done about this? --- ## ["Ecofacts" and growing out of acquisitiveness](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/ecofacts-and-growing-out-of-acquisitiveness/32439)
**Author:** [@jasonhernandez74](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jasonhernandez74)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2022, 1:19pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/ecofacts-and-growing-out-of-acquisitiveness/32439 "2022-06-09T13:19:27Z")
The current threads about pet parrots and shell collections really speak to something I have been thinking about lately. On my recent visit to Polynesia, I noticed that coral reef material is often used as road fill, and… --- ## [Greta Thunberg's Rain Frog](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/greta-thunbergs-rain-frog/29208)
**Author:** [@jasonhernandez74](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jasonhernandez74)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2022, 9:48pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/greta-thunbergs-rain-frog/29208 "2022-02-19T21:48:04Z")
I saw this story on Mongabay: In Panama, a tiny rainfrog named after Greta Thunberg endures (mongabay.com) Well, it’s a nice gesture, and I can potentially see some conservation benefit in that Greta Thunberg has a fan… --- ## [Considerations for maggots in compost bin](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/considerations-for-maggots-in-compost-bin/29022)
**Author:** [@wildwestnature](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/wildwestnature)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2022, 8:37pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/considerations-for-maggots-in-compost-bin/29022 "2022-01-18T20:37:14Z")
Our community began an organics composting program, and we participate. We put our compostables in paper bags. At first, the proliferation of maggots (which we presume to be fly larvae) was off-putting due to being socia… --- ## [Create a tutorial and/or Code of Conduct on ethics of exploring wild places for iNaturalist users](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/create-a-tutorial-and-or-code-of-conduct-on-ethics-of-exploring-wild-places-for-inaturalist-users/18506)
**Author:** [@yerbasanta](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/yerbasanta)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/create-a-tutorial-and-or-code-of-conduct-on-ethics-of-exploring-wild-places-for-inaturalist-users/18506 "2020-12-10T20:22:25Z")
I searched through posts on the general and requests subforums and could not find a similar request, but based on some discussions I’ve participated in here, as well as general observations and news items described in th… --- ## ["Should Cats be Culled to Stop Extinctions?"](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/should-cats-be-culled-to-stop-extinctions/1628)
**Author:** [@KitKestrel](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/KitKestrel)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2020, 11:26pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/should-cats-be-culled-to-stop-extinctions/1628 "2020-09-25T23:26:00Z")
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47721807 A BBC article today with this (prob intentionally inflamatory/provocative) title raises interesting questions. Of course, those of you in NZ have been wrestling wit… --- ## [Research and ethical questions in arthropod experience of "pain"](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/research-and-ethical-questions-in-arthropod-experience-of-pain/12834)
**Author:** [@coniontises](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/coniontises)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2020, 11:14am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/research-and-ethical-questions-in-arthropod-experience-of-pain/12834 "2020-05-31T11:14:39Z")
Pedant time: arthropod consciousness has not been disproven; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336069068\_Ethics\_in\_entomology --- ## [Ethical behaviour when observing and photographing animals](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/ethical-behaviour-when-observing-and-photographing-animals/5368)
**Author:** [@guapa](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/guapa)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2019, 8:34pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/ethical-behaviour-when-observing-and-photographing-animals/5368 "2019-09-24T20:34:11Z")
Hi everyone, I’d like to raise a question about iNaturalist’s stance on encouraging members of the public to photograph/video and take audio recordings of animals in an ethical manner. I’ve searched the forum for topics… --- ## [Off-trail observations](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/off-trail-observations/1621)
**Author:** [@kuyeda](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/kuyeda)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2019, 5:27pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/off-trail-observations/1621 "2019-03-31T17:27:36Z")
I’m curious to hear if anyone has thoughts on posting iNat observations that are clearly off established trails. Even when I have official permission to be off the trail, I wonder if having a marker displayed in a closed…