I have always been interested in arthropods, not just because they serve as food for birds, but because of their amazing diversity and the functions they serve in ecosystems. I had pursued a doctoral minor in Entomology at the University of Missouri and, after I transferred to the University of New Mexico, I had devoted a large portion of my doctoral dissertation to sampling arthropods in native and exotic riparian woodlands along the Rio Grande. I used sweep nets and a small, portable malaise trap of my own unique design and make. After graduate school, my interest in arthropods continued as I pursued my career in ornithology, conservation, and management. When my little girl was born, she was immediately and enthusiastically drawn to butterflies, and so we began to study these fascinating multi-colored pollinators together. We have learned so much about New Mexico’s butterflies and we continue to discover something new every time we venture out our door.

Endangered Sacramento Checkerspot Butterfly

The family volunteered to help the USFWS survey for and capture (for captive breeding) Sacramento Checkerspots near Cloudcroft, NM. We discovered a new population and captured 1 male!

Learn More:

Butterfly Counts, Fritillary Genetics, Chryxus Arctic Surveys and so much more

Brooke and I love helping Steve Cary, New Mexico Butterfly expert, survey for and collect butterflies (e.g., fritillaries from various locations for genetic analysis needed to answer taxonomic questions).

Some Links to Learn More:

Sapsuckers and Sap Sippers

In the summer of 2020, my family and I discovered some sap wells in willow along the Rio Cebolla, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico. These sap sells were being maintained by a family of Red-naped Sapsuckers. To our amazement, the sap wells provided yummy food not only for the birds but for butterflies too (and flies and squirrels). Over the remaining summer months, we returned regularly to document which species of butterflies used the wells. One great find was that all the “punctuation” butterflies in New Mexico used the wells: Hoary Comma, Green Comma, Satyr Comma, and Question Mark. To learn more, see **She-Bear, Dorothea, and the Loafers – Pajarito Environmental Education Center (peecnature.org)**. We returned to the wells on 16 May 2021, but the wells were dry and no sapsuckers were to be found. We will continue monitoring the area this summer.

Brooke Featured as a NM Naturalist

Brooke was selected as the first Junior Naturalist to be featured on the PEEC blog **New Mexico** **Naturalist: Brooke Harper – Pajarito Environmental Education Center (peecnature.org)**!

BROOKE’S BRACELETS FOR BUTTERFLIES

Brooke’s Bracelets for Butterflies

Launched on 5 February 2021, Western Monarch Day

Most who know my six year old daughter Brooke know that she is all about butterflies and that her favorite butterfly is the Monarch. And guess what? 5 February was Western Monarch Day. That made it the perfect day to launch "Brooke's Bracelets for Butterflies." Brooke asked folks to please donate $15 or more to programs that benefit the Monarch (such as Western Monarch Recovery Fund and https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=b335b6). She then sent out to each donor beautiful handmade spiral bracelets that she had made especially for them. Brooke’s goal was to raise $500. By 15 February, 28 donors had donated a total of $1,195 to organizations that work to protect Monarchs — more than double her goal — and, by early March, all the donors had received their beautiful bracelets (a total of 36 bracelets).

These 3 beautiful bracelets handmade by Brooke were sent to a donor in California who donated $200

Brooke made these bracelets for a butterfly lover that requested bracelets woven in the colors of the Monarch caterpillar and adult