Caterpillars Count!

Caterpillars Count!

About Caterpillars Count!

Caterpillars Count! is an engaging and vital project that relies on citizen scientists like you to gather crucial data about caterpillars and other insects. By conducting surveys of the plants and trees in your local environment, you can contribute to a broader understanding of these essential organisms within our ecosystems.

Why Survey Caterpillars?

Caterpillars play a critical role in our ecosystem. They serve as a primary food source for birds and other wildlife, making them integral to maintaining the balance of nature. Additionally, some caterpillars have significant economic and environmental impacts on our forests and crops. Studying caterpillars can also provide valuable insights into how climate change is affecting various ecosystems globally.

How Your Observations Can Help

Your participation in Caterpillars Count! can help researchers answer several key questions:

• Geographic Variability: Understand how the abundance of caterpillars and other insects varies from rural countryside to major urban areas.
• Global Patterns: Track the distribution and abundance of caterpillars across broad geographic gradients around the world.
• Seasonal Trends: Observe how the abundance of caterpillars changes as seasons transition from spring to summer.
• Year-to-Year Fluctuations: Monitor how seasonal variations in caterpillar abundance differ from year to year.

What You Can Do

By submitting your observations, you not only contribute to scientific research but also gain access to visualizations of the data collected by yourself and other participants. This interactive experience allows you to see the impact of your efforts in real-time.

Get Involved Today!

Visit caterpillarscount.unc.edu to learn more about this exciting project and start contributing to our understanding of caterpillars and their role in our ecosystems today!