This summer the Department of Biology and the Title V program are supporting several students conducting summer research. Three of these students are working to improve our knowledge of the wildlife at Firebase Libby, a 160-acre property in central Callahan County owned by McMurry University.

Rebecca Blankenship
Rebecca is working with Dr. TJ Boyle to survey the beetles at Firebase Libby. Rebecca has established 20 pitfall cups scattered in a grid pattern throughout the wooded portion of the property. Each week she opens the pitfalls for one night. She spends the rest of the week identifying and preserving the beetles and other insects that fall into her traps. Thus far Rebecca has identified 20 beetle species

Daniel Ice
Daniel is working with Dr. TJ Boyle to survey the butterflies and moths at Firebase Libby. Each week Daniel walks four transect lines with his butterfly net through the grassy area of the property to collect all the butterflies and moths he can. He also opportunistically nets through the wooded areas as well. Finally, on Tuesday evenings Daniel and Rebecca set out light traps that use ultraviolet light to attract insects so researchers can collect them. The light traps are active for a couple of hours and the students pick out the moths and beetles that are attracted to the lights. Thus far Daniel has identified 32 species of butterfly or moth.