Contributions of Citizen Science Data to Butterflies of the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Author

Akane Jazmyn Benitez, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

7-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Frank Dirrigl

Second Advisor

Christopher Vitek

Third Advisor

Matthew Terry

Abstract

Citizen science-provided insect data inherently exhibits variability in accuracy. In the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), butterfly occurrence reporting is predominantly reliant on citizen science contributions. My research compared fieldwork conducted monthly over a year to occurrence records submitted by visitors at the National Butterfly Center and in Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas. I hypothesized that butterfly occurrences at the Center would be maximized during the fall and minimized during winter and summer months. My research findings revealed that butterfly taxa richness is contingent upon the following factors: 1) the impact of citizen science submitting reports, and 2) monthly butterfly activity influenced by weather conditions. The outcomes of my project provide valuable butterfly information, standardized protocols, and taxa checklists to enhance citizen science data.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Akane Jazmyn Benitez. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3275323881

Recommended Citation

Benitez, A. J. (2025). Contributions of Citizen Science Data to Butterflies of the Lower Rio Grande Valley [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1777