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01 July 2024

Wanted: Butterflies in Hamburg - Who's in?

Hand mit Handy, das orangenen Schmetterling fotografiert
Everyone can take part in the challenge with the "ObsIdentify" app.
Research Museum of Nature Hamburg Knowledge transfer

We don't have to travel far to find rare species. There are many places in Hamburg where we can find rare or even endangered animals. Even in densely populated areas like Hamburg, there is a lack of constant biomonitoring to find out more precisely which species can be found here. Help our butterfly expert Karina Brandão to shed some light on this blind spot: From 1 July to 30 September 2024, we will be looking for six species together using the mobile app "OBSIDENTIFY".

Biomonitoring is an activity carried out by biologists to count species over a certain period of time. These numbers then determine how common they are in the area and whether a species is categorised as endangered if they are very rare. As these surveys are time-consuming and costly, even our researchers sometimes need help - this time from all Hamburg residents - no matter how old or young - with a smartphone or a parent who can contribute one.

From 1 July to 30 September 2024, anyone and everyone can go on the hunt in the Hanseatic city with their smartphone and use the "OBSIDENTIFY" app to photograph six species. We only want to photograph the animals and document their presence, not disturb or even harm them. All the data collected will then help us to better assess the occurrence of the six butterflies in Hamburg. We show which species we are looking for in our picture gallery. There are also maps showing where these beautiful insects have been found so far. The data is then collated and used by Karina Brandão for further investigations and species identification.

Simply download the app here and keep collecting data to support the research. If you manage to take a particularly great snapshot, we would also be delighted if you share the find with us directly via Instagram or Facebook. Use the hashtag #GesuchteSchmetterlinge and tag us in the post with @museumdernatur.hamburg. Particularly active observers will also have the chance to get an exclusive guided tour of the butterfly collection at the Museum der Natur Hamburg - it's worth it several times over.

 

Quick guide to taking part:

  • Download the "ObsIdentify" app via the APPLE APP STORE or GOOGLE PLAY.
  • Create an account.
  • Under Challenges you will find "Wanted: Butterflies in Hamburg - Who's taking part?" including instructions.
  • Take photos of the six butterfly species in Hamburg and have them identified by the app.
  • The app assigns your find to the challenge.
Großer Schillerfalter
Large Schiller butterfly (Apatura iris): This butterfly is mainly found in forests and lives at altitudes of up to 1,200 metres. Even if it doesn't live that high up in Hamburg, it is mainly found on the willow (Salix caprea), which can also be found in the Hanseatic city.
Großer Schillerfalter
Large Schiller butterfly (Apatura iris): This butterfly is mainly found in forests and lives at altitudes of up to 1,200 metres. Even if it doesn't live that high up in Hamburg, it is mainly found on the willow (Salix caprea), which can also be found in the Hanseatic city.
Kaisermantel
Emperor Cloak (Argynnis paphia): It can be found in clearings in open woodland areas - especially with alder or beech trees. It also occurs at altitudes of up to 1,200 metres. Pay particular attention to clearings with violets, meadowsweet or thistles. They love the nectar of thistle heads, blackberry blossoms, scabious or double-spiked inflorescences of the wood angelica.
Kaisermantel
Emperor Cloak (Argynnis paphia): It can be found in clearings in open woodland areas - especially with alder or beech trees. It also occurs at altitudes of up to 1,200 metres. Pay particular attention to clearings with violets, meadowsweet or thistles. They love the nectar of thistle heads, blackberry blossoms, scabious or double-spiked inflorescences of the wood angelica.
Faulbaum-Bläuling
Sloth blue (Celastrina argiolus): We find it in damp to semi-dry habitats such as dry grassland, heathland, parks or gardens. If you have loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) near ponds, redcurrants (Ribes), buckthorn (Rhamnus), dwarf broom (Chamaecytisus), lupins (Lupinus), blueberries (Vaccinium), vetches (Vicia), dogwood (Cornus), apple trees (Malus), Prunus, bird knotweed (Polygonum), oaks (Quercus), strawberry plants (Arbutus) and deciduous trees (Frangula) could be found right here. Various types of clover such as red clover are also to his taste.
Faulbaum-Bläuling
Sloth blue (Celastrina argiolus): We find it in damp to semi-dry habitats such as dry grassland, heathland, parks or gardens. If you have loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) near ponds, redcurrants (Ribes), buckthorn (Rhamnus), dwarf broom (Chamaecytisus), lupins (Lupinus), blueberries (Vaccinium), vetches (Vicia), dogwood (Cornus), apple trees (Malus), Prunus, bird knotweed (Polygonum), oaks (Quercus), strawberry plants (Arbutus) and deciduous trees (Frangula) could be found right here. Various types of clover such as red clover are also to his taste.
Schwalbenschwanz
Swallowtail (Papilio machaon): Alongside the sail butterfly, it is the largest and most conspicuous butterfly in German-speaking countries. It likes sunny, open areas with lean grassland or dry meadows. If you grow carrots, dill and fennel, you might even find it in your garden.
Schwalbenschwanz
Swallowtail (Papilio machaon): Alongside the sail butterfly, it is the largest and most conspicuous butterfly in German-speaking countries. It likes sunny, open areas with lean grassland or dry meadows. If you grow carrots, dill and fennel, you might even find it in your garden.
Braunfleckiger Perlmuttfalter
Brown-spotted Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene): In Hamburg, it is considered "threatened with extinction". Nevertheless, it can be found on various species of violets in wet meadows, moorland or damp, open areas in forests and dry meadows.
Braunfleckiger Perlmuttfalter
Brown-spotted Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene): In Hamburg, it is considered "threatened with extinction". Nevertheless, it can be found on various species of violets in wet meadows, moorland or damp, open areas in forests and dry meadows.
Sechsfleck Widderchen
Six-spotted damselfly (Zygaena filipendulae): It can be found in various open habitats in Hamburg - for example in meadows, moors or dry grassland. Pay particular attention to plants such as the common hornwort, the water primrose or the five-leaved broom.
Sechsfleck Widderchen
Six-spotted damselfly (Zygaena filipendulae): It can be found in various open habitats in Hamburg - for example in meadows, moors or dry grassland. Pay particular attention to plants such as the common hornwort, the water primrose or the five-leaved broom.
Großer Schillerfalter
Large Schiller butterfly (Apatura iris): This butterfly is mainly found in forests and lives at altitudes of up to 1,200 metres. Even if it doesn't live that high up in Hamburg, it is mainly found on the willow (Salix caprea), which can also be found in the Hanseatic city.
Großer Schillerfalter
Large Schiller butterfly (Apatura iris): This butterfly is mainly found in forests and lives at altitudes of up to 1,200 metres. Even if it doesn't live that high up in Hamburg, it is mainly found on the willow (Salix caprea), which can also be found in the Hanseatic city.
Kaisermantel
Emperor Cloak (Argynnis paphia): It can be found in clearings in open woodland areas - especially with alder or beech trees. It also occurs at altitudes of up to 1,200 metres. Pay particular attention to clearings with violets, meadowsweet or thistles. They love the nectar of thistle heads, blackberry blossoms, scabious or double-spiked inflorescences of the wood angelica.
Kaisermantel
Emperor Cloak (Argynnis paphia): It can be found in clearings in open woodland areas - especially with alder or beech trees. It also occurs at altitudes of up to 1,200 metres. Pay particular attention to clearings with violets, meadowsweet or thistles. They love the nectar of thistle heads, blackberry blossoms, scabious or double-spiked inflorescences of the wood angelica.
Faulbaum-Bläuling
Sloth blue (Celastrina argiolus): We find it in damp to semi-dry habitats such as dry grassland, heathland, parks or gardens. If you have loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) near ponds, redcurrants (Ribes), buckthorn (Rhamnus), dwarf broom (Chamaecytisus), lupins (Lupinus), blueberries (Vaccinium), vetches (Vicia), dogwood (Cornus), apple trees (Malus), Prunus, bird knotweed (Polygonum), oaks (Quercus), strawberry plants (Arbutus) and deciduous trees (Frangula) could be found right here. Various types of clover such as red clover are also to his taste.
Faulbaum-Bläuling
Sloth blue (Celastrina argiolus): We find it in damp to semi-dry habitats such as dry grassland, heathland, parks or gardens. If you have loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) near ponds, redcurrants (Ribes), buckthorn (Rhamnus), dwarf broom (Chamaecytisus), lupins (Lupinus), blueberries (Vaccinium), vetches (Vicia), dogwood (Cornus), apple trees (Malus), Prunus, bird knotweed (Polygonum), oaks (Quercus), strawberry plants (Arbutus) and deciduous trees (Frangula) could be found right here. Various types of clover such as red clover are also to his taste.
Schwalbenschwanz
Swallowtail (Papilio machaon): Alongside the sail butterfly, it is the largest and most conspicuous butterfly in German-speaking countries. It likes sunny, open areas with lean grassland or dry meadows. If you grow carrots, dill and fennel, you might even find it in your garden.
Schwalbenschwanz
Swallowtail (Papilio machaon): Alongside the sail butterfly, it is the largest and most conspicuous butterfly in German-speaking countries. It likes sunny, open areas with lean grassland or dry meadows. If you grow carrots, dill and fennel, you might even find it in your garden.
Braunfleckiger Perlmuttfalter
Brown-spotted Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene): In Hamburg, it is considered "threatened with extinction". Nevertheless, it can be found on various species of violets in wet meadows, moorland or damp, open areas in forests and dry meadows.
Braunfleckiger Perlmuttfalter
Brown-spotted Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene): In Hamburg, it is considered "threatened with extinction". Nevertheless, it can be found on various species of violets in wet meadows, moorland or damp, open areas in forests and dry meadows.
Sechsfleck Widderchen
Six-spotted damselfly (Zygaena filipendulae): It can be found in various open habitats in Hamburg - for example in meadows, moors or dry grassland. Pay particular attention to plants such as the common hornwort, the water primrose or the five-leaved broom.
Sechsfleck Widderchen
Six-spotted damselfly (Zygaena filipendulae): It can be found in various open habitats in Hamburg - for example in meadows, moors or dry grassland. Pay particular attention to plants such as the common hornwort, the water primrose or the five-leaved broom.
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