Invertebrates
Our Programs: Invertebrates
Invertebrate Zoology is responsible for developing and maintaining information on
the distribution, natural history, conservation status and habitat requirements of
invertebrates of conservation concern in Wyoming. Information collected from field
research projects, and review of existing literature and museum resources are entered
into the WYNDD database. We work with state and federal agencies to collect information
that enhances our understanding of the abundance, distribution and status of Wyoming
invertebrates.
Program highlights
- Collected information on invertebrates that are petitioned or listed under the US
Endangered Species Act (ESA) in Wyoming, including:
- Regal Fritillary (Argynnis idalia) butterflies
- Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
- Iowa Skipper (Atrytone arogos iowa)
- Large Marble (Euchloe ausonides)
- Western Bumble Bee (Bombus occidentalis)
- Suckley's Cuckoo Bumble Bee (Bombus suckleyi)
- American Bumble Bee (Bombus pensylvanicus)
- Narrow-foot Hygrotus Diving Beetle (Hygrotus diversipes)
- Glacier Forestfly (Zapada glacier)
- More than 225,000 observation records representing over 5,300 invertebrate taxa have
been uploaded into WYNDD’s central database.
Expertise
- Experience working with aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates in diverse ecosystems
with assorted invertebrate taxa, including mollusks, pollinators, aquatic insects
and crustaceans
- Expertise in the identification of:
- Aquatic invertebrates
- Butterflies
- Bees
- Beetles
- Aquatic and terrestrial snails
- Mussels
- Water quality analysis
- Bioassessment using aquatic invertebrates
- Nutrient cycling
- Food web dynamics
- Plant-pollinator interactions
- Pollination networks
- Invasive species ecology
- Statistics
2024 Program Focus
- Add invertebrate observations to the WYNDD database
- Learn more about the abundance, distribution and habitat requirements of invertebrates
of management concern
- Develop species expertise for Wyoming bees
- Continue research projects that further our knowledge of invertebrates of management
concern
- Conduct surveys that monitor invertebrates and gather information on lesser-known
taxa
- Collect information that aids land management decisions in Wyoming
