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Post by kentuckymothman on Jul 10, 2018 9:51:31 GMT -8
So is it too late to get in the action?
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Post by exoticimports on Jul 10, 2018 12:27:09 GMT -8
Right now we have enough participants. Inevitably people will drop out so when the time comes we can bring on new members
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Post by mothman27 on Jul 10, 2018 13:30:09 GMT -8
I put a word in earlier that I would also love to be part of this when/if the opportunity arises. Thanks
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Post by kentuckymothman on Jul 11, 2018 3:18:23 GMT -8
Right now we have enough participants. Inevitably people will drop out so when the time comes we can bring on new members Ok, thanks
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Post by LEPMAN on Jul 11, 2018 3:35:21 GMT -8
How many more members there wanting to participate in this? If there is enough interest another box could be started. I have quite a few Chinese and Asian insects along with some specimens from South America, all personally collected with exact data.
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Post by joee30 on Jul 16, 2018 20:34:25 GMT -8
I received the box on Saturday and got some goodies. Am going to ship it of either Friday or Saturday depending on my Schedule, but by Saturday at the latest. Got some cool Citheronia, a couple of Delias, A Baltimore Checkerspot, and some fritillaries. I put some goodies in for the ones I took in return, and hopefully this will make someone else as happy as I am.
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Post by exoticimports on Jul 17, 2018 2:58:23 GMT -8
I received the box on Saturday and got some goodies. Am going to ship it of either Friday or Saturday depending on my Schedule, but by Saturday at the latest. Got some cool Citheronia, a couple of Delias, A Baltimore Checkerspot, and some fritillaries. I put some goodies in for the ones I took in return, and hopefully this will make someone else as happy as I am. Glad you enjoyed the swap. Isn’t this fun? It’s not stuff one might typically buy but a neat selection for free. Can’t wait to see what shows up once it gets back around to me.
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Post by joee30 on Jul 30, 2018 11:16:57 GMT -8
It was sent to Beetlehorn, which should be sending it to Mikeh soon. Thanks for this opportunity, and hope it happens again next year.
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Post by coloradeo on Aug 1, 2018 20:12:57 GMT -8
Agreed thanks much! Hoping we just keep it rotating... love to see a round 2!
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 10, 2018 5:30:38 GMT -8
Hi all,
So far reports are favorable, participants are finding some good material to exchange.
The Swap Box should be returning to me within the next month, completing the second cycle. I'm going to change the circulation so we get some more variety.
NEW PARTICIPANT REQUESTS: Mothman27 18Duroe KentuckyMothMan
You three had requested to participate. If you are still interested, post here and I'll contact you for pertinent information. You will be added for Round 3.
Others who might like to participate- post here, and as space frees up you may be added; waiting to hear from the three above first.
Thanks,
Chuck
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Post by mothman27 on Nov 10, 2018 5:42:41 GMT -8
I'm still interested. Thanks!
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Post by LEPMAN on Nov 10, 2018 10:55:37 GMT -8
Look forward to participating in this! Hope to hear from you soon!
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Post by exoticimports on Jan 5, 2019 7:37:35 GMT -8
Lepidoptera Swap Box Round 3 starts today!
18duroe joined the group.
We had some hiccups in round 2: possible dermestid infestation in some specimens, unlabeled specimens, and unfortunately a lot of specimens went MIA.
That said, I've thoroughly enjoyed the program, gaining a number of species from out west and south that I won't capture myself. And, some are quite rare. So thanks guys!
Enjoy Round 3.
If anyone else is interested in joining for Round 4, post here and then send me a PM with your name, address, email, and phone number. Sorry, USA residents only.
Chuck
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Post by mothman27 on Jan 5, 2019 9:43:35 GMT -8
Lepidoptera Swap Box Round 3 starts today! 18duroe joined the group. We had some hiccups in round 2: possible dermestid infestation in some specimens, unlabeled specimens, and unfortunately a lot of specimens went MIA. That said, I've thoroughly enjoyed the program, gaining a number of species from out west and south that I won't capture myself. And, some are quite rare. So thanks guys! Enjoy Round 3. If anyone else is interested in joining for Round 4, post here and then send me a PM with your name, address, email, and phone number. Sorry, USA residents only. Chuck Am I added?
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Post by exoticimports on Jan 5, 2022 5:52:12 GMT -8
Lepidoptera research often includes the exchange of specimens. And, while everyone is familiar with recording and publishing taxonomy and such, and may not think much about exchange, it too should be documented, and thus the following.
In the 1970s, Young Entomologists Society (YES) ran a rotating Swap Box program for several years. I and Coloradeo (Eric) participated. This box, IIRC, disappeared in Israel and the program ceased.
The concept though is, on paper, a great idea: swap excess specimens with other researchers. Take specimens out, put specimens in, send to the next guy.
From 2018 to 2021 the Lepidoptera Swap Box (LSB) operated amongst approximately 10 Lep researchers, all in USA. Though all participants were Insectnet members, LSB was not associated with Insectnet.com.
Now to document experiences: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
The Good:
1. Up to 10 specimens could be taken by each member on each rotation. That's ten "free" specimens.
2. I obtained species/ location specimens that are rare, and generally unobtainable. I presume others did as well.
3. The LSB made 6 rotations in approximately 3 years, so everyone received it approximately every six months.
4. The cost per specimen, if one took ten specimens, was under $2 each. Participation was free, however mailing the LSB on cost approximately $20.
The Bad and Ugly: How hard could this be? Ten members, all Lep researchers, all on the same forum. But as we were to discover, it's not quite so simple.
1. It was quite common that I received some of my specimens back at the end of a rotation (not all members did.) This was shocking, as some were quite rare. That said, I also learned that a number of our local species are ubiquitous and common throughout most of the country- my bad, and my learning experience.
2. We relied on ethics, which didn't always work. Somebody was contributing common, junk, and data-less specimens. That had to be addressed. One thing we had to do was require all specimens be identified to the contributor.
3. Somebody was removing WAY more than 10 specimens and not replacing them. Effectively, stealing. We had to add another layer of bureaucracy with an incoming and outgoing count sheet.
4. Then one of the members failed to forward the box on for six months. As the coordinator, I fielded numerous complaints. And, I had to contact said member repeatedly, and repeatedly got promises to send it "tomorrow." EVENTUALLY after six months the box was sent on. Unfortunately that member had to be dropped.
5. (as if #4 wasn't enough) the next rotation suffered similar. A member failed to send the box on for quite some time; to further complicate matters, member also lost both the protective tupperware container and shipping box.
6. Then USPS lost the Swap Box. And doesn't care. It's gone, along with some 100 wonderful specimens.
7. Throughout it all, some members wouldn't notify on the group email when the package was received, then sent. I cannot fathom why. Further, I had expected more email exchange on the observations and content. Now, one member did comment that perhaps members don't want to tick off subsequent recipient to know what they missed out on; ok perhaps. But 95% of the email communications involved "where's the box?"
From my perspective, as coordinator, I'd expected this wonderful, highly beneficial program to enjoy seamless participation. But instead, it was one problem after another. And, with the exception of the loss by USPS, the problems were caused by members whom I'd fully expected to be ethical and reliable. That is not to say none were- quite the contrary, some members contributed fabulous material, and more than their fair share. But again, we have a tiny subset of Lep researchers, all members here, so it was a frustration and disappointment that all could not abide by unwritten rules of common sense and ethics, or even the rules of the LSB program.
Thus, we now have two experiments (here and the old YES) with Swap Boxes. Ultimately, both demised thanks to the postal carrier(s). Was the LSB a failure? Certainly, it exposed some unfortunate behaviors, but I think the benefits outweighed the challenges. Other members have expressed interest in a re-start; I'm inclined personally to take a break.
Chuck
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