SNS WEBWATCH

 

UKmoths

http://www.ukmoths.force9.co.uk/

’UKMoths’ is a moth picture web site run by Ian Kimber. Over 1000 species out of the 2400 plus British moth species are shown on the site and the site continues to grow in coverage. Although most of the pictures are of adult moths there is a growing proportion of larval pictures. What may be of particular interest is that the high quality photographs are of live moths in their natural resting positions, in contrast to most of the current identification books, this may help make identification easier for beginning moth recorders. Pictures can be accessed by systematic list, thumbnail pictures or using a search facility. As is mentioned in the site’s identification disclaimer care should be taken when identifying moths where species coverage is partial. Rating: five stars and bound to get better!

Tony Prichard

 

Water Beetle World

http://www.zo.utexas.edu/faculty/sjasper/beetles/index.htm    ....

This site is a good example of the way the Internet is able to provide a means for naturalists with specialised interests to communicate with each other with an ease that was hitherto impossible. Sharon Jasper of the University of Texas at Austin runs the site for aquatic coleopterists across the world. In truth she describes it as an Internet Newsletter rather than a website, which partly explains the small criticisms I shall mention later on.

In essence this is a newsroom where activities can be shared and publications announced. Although it is open on a worldwide basis there is a strong presence of European and US workers.

Of particular note is the lists of aquatic beetle workers, with brief biographies and e-mail addresses giving the opportunity for amateurs to contact more knowledgeable authorities, should the need arise.

Also useful is the yearly bibliographies Sharon collects. The 2001 list contains details of over 100 papers, and the cumulative bibliography (downloadable) would occupy a daunting 800 pages if printed! Combining the downloaded file with the search facility in any word processor gives a powerful tool for finding species, family or habitat specific information sources.

Interested coleopterists can use the site to request help, post news, post photos for others to view. All the usual elements of a web site are there, such as a links page. However the site design lets it down somewhat as it tends to be made up of over-large pages with no form of navigation bar. Very variable font sizes and styles also detract from the appearance. However I appreciate how hard a task it is to run a website and hold down a full time post and the effort Sharon has made for her fellow workers is to be applauded.

This site has perhaps an over specialised appeal for the general naturalist but is well worth a look, if only to see how the Internet can be used to further Natural History.

Adrian Chalkley

 

The Waterflea

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ucfagls/index.htm

If you remember waterfleas from biology classes at school, or have a pond where you have delighted in looking at them dancing through the water in the summer sunlight, then you will find plenty of natural history facts about these fascinating creatures on Gavin Simpson’s website.

Although it will give a good introduction to the interested amateur the content of the site allows you to learn enough so that, if sufficiently intrigued, you can veer towards your own investigations and even start identification by following the links he provides.

This site is less specialised than Water Beetle World and has a slicker, more uniform design with easy to use navigation buttons. However the main criticism is that some buttons do not work, the content of the site being planned but not yet provided. Unfortunately, despite the wonderful photo on the index page, the gallery of photos is yet to be provided with any images. This is a key omission since without it the site is much less use to the amateur interested in investigating their own pond and perhaps identifying genera.

All in all though it remains a good starting point for amateur naturalists and if your interest is roused, following the links provided will bring up a great deal of further information. When the site is complete it will fill a gap in a subject dear to my own heart, which is badly in need of up to date and easily accessed reference material.

Adrian Chalkley