..fixed.., thanks for the links. These lists use categories; the beginner may not know which category to use (many butterfly names do not include the category white, sulphur, etc. in the common name), and then they have to look through every list.

This may serve as a form of "forced learning"; by looking though all the lists more names may stick in your head other than the one you were looking for.

And a common name cannot be "standardized"! The SC-NABN list is strictly scientific-ordered, the common names are alphabetically random. Most people would not know to look for Monarch under "DANAIDS".

And the NABA list has "scientized" many common names, one example being the Juniper Hairstreak: Several species are listed as "Juniper Hairstreak variety ..." (the original common name follows the variety). It's uncommon phrasing for common names. In NABA's defense (as Robert Pyle points out), they drew the line at calling one comma butterfly "question mark comma".

Wow, this is getting scary for an old guy like me. I hope I am not going to be one of those old dogs who find it hard to learn new tricks. I have already found myself in the middle of a post when I had to abandon it because I realized I didn't know the scientific name or what gets capitalized and what doesn't. I can only say that I will try as hard as I can and please be patient. Murray

Don't worry, Murray; the whole point is to communicate. We all know the common names for most common species, and if not -- Google is your friend!

Post boldly!
Jeff

By all means, post any way you want to, Murray!! We're here to talk, learn, have fun, learn, chat, learn.... :)

Post boldly is right!!

PA

..although our shiny new FAQ look-up list may be faster than Googling in many cases.

Murray, your forum style is "Grandfathered in", no problem!

Okay Guys the new "bold me"! I will take you at your word. But it will be fun getting acquainted with some of the scientific names. At least on the forum you don't have to pronounce them. Many years ago I was a docent at the Butterfly World at Marine World here in my town. It was interesting learning some of the names but I never felt sure of myself. Some of them I still remember but don't think I can still spell. I will have to look for my list. Do you know what the large black-veined white butterfly was. I think it was something like Philathria dido or something like that. It was very large and flew like it was too big. Murray

I've said "friTILLary" all my life. Only recently did I come into contact with other lepidoptrists who told me that I sound British; they call them FRIHtillaries. Go figure.

Jeff

You know I don't think I know how to pronounce most of ones that are not common my area. I know what they are but I have never heard them spoken. Latin names... never heard one pronounced before and been able to remembered it.

So the ideal look-up list would allow you to click a link or hover over each entry to hear an audio file with the spoken names, but first NABA would have to standardize the pronounciations!