Insect biogeography is poorly documented globally, particularly in the tropics. Recent intensive research in tropical Asia, combined with increasingly available records from citizen science, provides an opportunity to map the distributions of tropical Asian butterflies. We compiled a dataset of 730,190 occurrences of 3,752 tropical Asian butterfly species by aggregating records from GBIF (651,285 records), published literature (27,217), published databases (37,695), and unpublished data (13,993). Here, we present this dataset and single-species distribution maps of 1,576 species. Using these maps, along with records of the 2,176 remaining species, we identified areas of limited sampling (e.g., Myanmar and New Guinea) and predicted areas of high diversity (Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo). This dataset can be leveraged for a range of studies on Asian and tropical butterflies, including 1) species biogeography, 2) sampling prioritization to fill gaps, 3) biodiversity hotspot mapping, and 4) conservation evaluation and planning. We encourage the continued development of this dataset and the associated code as a tool for the conservation of tropical Asian insects.

• MeSH
• Biodiversity MeSH
• Butterflies * MeSH
• Animal Distribution * MeSH
• Tropical Climate MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Dataset MeSH
• Geographicals
• Asia MeSH
• Malaysia MeSH

Effective conservation of migratory species relies on habitat protection throughout their annual cycle. Although protected areas (PAs) play a central role in conservation, their effectiveness at conserving habitats across the annual cycle of migratory species has rarely been assessed. We developed seasonal ecological niche models for 418 migratory butterfly species across their global distribution to assess whether they were adequately represented in the PAs across their full annual cycle. PA coverage was inadequate in at least one season for 84% of migratory butterflies, adequate for only 17% of species in one season, and inadequate for 45% of species in all seasons. There was marked geographic variation in PA coverage: 77% of species met representation targets in Sri Lanka, for example, but only 32% met targets in Italy. Our results suggest that coordinated efforts across multiple countries will be needed to develop international networks of PAs that cover the full annual cycle of migratory insects and that conservation measures, in addition to the establishment and maintenance of PAs, are likely to be needed to effectively conserve these species.

Cobertura del área protegida del ciclo anual completo de las mariposas migratorias Resumen La conservación eficaz de las especies migratorias depende de la protección de los hábitats a lo largo de su ciclo anual. Aunque las áreas protegidas (AP) desempeñan un papel fundamental en la conservación, pocas veces se evalúa su eficacia para conservar los hábitats a lo largo del ciclo anual de las especies migratorias. Desarrollamos modelos de nicho ecológico estacional para 418 especies de mariposas migratorias a lo largo de su distribución global para evaluar si estaban adecuadamente representadas en las AP a lo largo de todo su ciclo anual. La cobertura de las áreas protegidas era inadecuada en al menos una estación para el 84% de las mariposas migratorias, adecuada para el 17% de las especies en una estación e inadecuada para el 45% de las especies en todas las estaciones. La cobertura de las zonas protegidas varía considerablemente según la zona geográfica: El 77% de las especies cumplieron los objetivos de representación en Sri Lanka, por ejemplo, pero sólo el 32% cumplieron los objetivos en Italia. Nuestros resultados sugieren que serán necesarios esfuerzos coordinados entre múltiples países para desarrollar redes internacionales de AP que cubran el ciclo anual completo de los insectos migratorios y que es probable que se necesiten medidas de conservación, además del establecimiento y mantenimiento de áreas protegidas, para la conservación eficaz de estas especies.

• Keywords
• Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Marco Mundial de Biodiversidad Kunming‐Montreal, conservación de insectos, conservation planning, insect conservation, mariposas migratorias, migratory butterflies, planeación de la conservación, protected area, área protegida,
• MeSH
• Models, Biological MeSH
• Ecosystem * MeSH
• Animal Migration * MeSH
• Butterflies * physiology   MeSH
• Seasons MeSH
• Conservation of Natural Resources * methods   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The widespread sharing of information on the Internet has given rise to ecological studies that use data from digital sources including digitized museum records and social media posts. Most of these studies have focused on understanding species occurrences and distributions. In this essay, we argue that data from digital sources also offer many opportunities to study animal behavior including long-term and large-scale comparisons within and between species. Following Nikko Tinbergen's classical roadmap for behavioral investigation, we show how using videos, photos, text, and audio posted on social media and other digital platforms can shed new light on known behaviors, particularly in a changing world, and lead to the discovery of new ones.

• MeSH
• Behavior, Animal * physiology   MeSH
• Internet MeSH
• Social Media * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Emerging technologies are increasingly employed in environmental citizen science projects. This integration offers benefits and opportunities for scientists and participants alike. Citizen science can support large-scale, long-term monitoring of species occurrences, behaviour and interactions. At the same time, technologies can foster participant engagement, regardless of pre-existing taxonomic expertise or experience, and permit new types of data to be collected. Yet, technologies may also create challenges by potentially increasing financial costs, necessitating technological expertise or demanding training of participants. Technology could also reduce people's direct involvement and engagement with nature. In this perspective, we discuss how current technologies have spurred an increase in citizen science projects and how the implementation of emerging technologies in citizen science may enhance scientific impact and public engagement. We show how technology can act as (i) a facilitator of current citizen science and monitoring efforts, (ii) an enabler of new research opportunities, and (iii) a transformer of science, policy and public participation, but could also become (iv) an inhibitor of participation, equity and scientific rigour. Technology is developing fast and promises to provide many exciting opportunities for citizen science and insect monitoring, but while we seize these opportunities, we must remain vigilant against potential risks. This article is part of the theme issue 'Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring'.

• Keywords
• artificial intelligence, biodiversity monitoring, community science, insects, novel technologies, public participation in scientific research,
• MeSH
• Insecta * MeSH
• Environmental Monitoring methods   MeSH
• Citizen Science * methods   MeSH
• Community Participation methods   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH