EXCITING NEW RESOURCE - Virginia Web-based Atlas of Rare Butterflies, Skippers, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies - PLEASE SHARE WIDELY

The Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation’s, Division of Natural Heritage has just completed a web-based Atlas of Rare Butterflies, Skippers, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies of Virginia. Developed with funds provided by the VA Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries through a state wildlife grant from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this new resource allows the public to quickly access current and accurate information about these rare species in Virginia. One can search a database by species or common name and get a summary of its state and national conservation status ranks, as well as a list of counties where the species has been observed in Virginia. Likewise, one can search by locality name for a list of the rare species observed there. The Atlas also includes a printable factsheet for each species, which includes information about the species’ ecology and life history; identifying characteristics; photographs; population trends and potential threats; a county level distribution map, images, and more. Check it out at http://www.vararespecies.org/