There are now a multitude of apps available to assist ecologists in the field. In the first of Inside Ecology’s App Roundup series, we focus on butterflies…
Butterflies of Britain and Ireland By NatureGuides Ltd.
This comprehensive field guide covers all 61 regularly occurring British & Irish butterfly species. Each species entry is illustrated with superb artwork by Richard Lewington and depicts each stage of the life-cycle: adults (including variation between broods, sexes and forms), larvae/caterpillars, pupae and eggs. Photographs, charts showing flight times, detailed maps and specially commissioned text ensure this app will provide every butterfly watcher with all the information they could need.
A proportion of each sale of this app is donated to Butterfly Conservation, the charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths and their habitats – www.butterfly-conservation.org
Compatible with iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch.
iRecord Butterflies By Natural Apptitude
The iRecord Butterflies app helps you to identify the butterflies that you see, but also uses your sightings to help save butterflies.
Sightings are stored within the “iRecord” website and passed onto the “Butterflies for the New Millennium” national recording scheme run by the charity Butterfly Conservation, with support from the Biological Records Centre. This long-running scheme has gathered millions of butterfly sightings that provide vital information about how the fortunes of butterflies have changed over the decades. Sightings will be used to understand the causes of decline and to inform conservation work on the ground to help threatened species.
Compatible with Android, iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch.
Butterfly Id – The British Identification Guide to Butterflies By Mullen & Pohland GbR
A stunning guide to all butterflies recorded in the British Isles. All native species, migrants and occasional accidental introductions are covered.
Butterfly Id will help you quickly and easily identify species. For the enthusiast there is anatomical, ecological and taxonomic information too.
Butterfly Id can be used to keep a log of your sightings making it easy to build a record of all the butterflies you’ve seen. Butterfly Id has been created by professional published ecologists, and uses images selected with the specific aim of aiding identification.
The app does not need an internet connection, all content is downloaded when the app is purchased.
Compatible with iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch.
Butterfly ID Britain: A Guide to British Butterflies and Day-flying Moths from iSpiny By Spiny Software Ltd
All British butterflies plus the most common day-flying moths are here in this app. The information on each species includes a variety of photos showing males, females, upper and undersides and any variations, plus a distribution map and notes on appearance, habitat, favourite nectar source, distribution and rarity status.
Extensive record keeping features are included, with iCloud syncing to keep your data safe. Note the location, time and date of the sighting, make notes, view your records on a map or as a list, and download as an Excel file. You can even add your own photos to the app.
The app also includes a photo-based Butterfly Finder to help identify mystery butterflies using a combination of filters including details of appearance, location, altitude and date.
Compatible with iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch.
Butterfly Id – British Isles By Sunbird Images
A stunning guide to all butterflies recorded in the British Isles. All native species, migrants and occasional accidental introductions are covered. Butterfly Id will help you quickly and easily identify species. It does not need an internet connection, all the information for butterflies is downloaded when the app is purchased. For the enthusiast there is anatomical, ecological and taxonomic information too.
Butterfly Id can be used to keep a log of your sightings making it easy to build a record of all the butterflies you’ve seen. The app has been created by professional published ecologists, and uses images of butterflies selected with the specific aim of aiding identification.
Compatible with Android devices.
British Butterflies By Nature Apps UK
This app covers all of the 59 native and migrant butterflies found in Britain and Northern Ireland. The app includes the following features: detailed information on each butterfly, photos of each butterfly, search function which allows you to search by Name, Latin Name or the Main Colour of the butterfly, a favourites section where you can save and go back to your favourite butterflies, and families list which splits the 59 butterflies into the correct families.
Requires no internet access and so can be used offline.
Compatible with Android devices.
Butterflies of Britain Ireland By Pinnacle Apps Ltd
A comprehensive field reference guide covering all butterfly species that are found in Britain, Ireland and mainland Europe. The guide contains fantastic photos and information for all butterflies.
Features include: detailed information on each butterfly listed, many detailed photos for each butterfly, search facility where you can search by common or latin butterfly name, favourites section where you can store favourite butterflies to look at later and a family Screen where butterflies are split down into their respective families
The app works completely offline with no need for an internet connection.
Compatible with Android devices.
What has your experience been of using these apps in the field? Do you use any other butterfly apps not listed above? Let us know in the comments box.
