The National Butterfly Monitoring Scheme in Israel was established in 2009 as a citizen science initiative, with the goal of creating a scientific database of butterfly observations to collect and document data on the state of butterflies in Israel. Butterflies are nature’s “thermometer”—a clear ecological indicator due to their complete dependence on plants and insects and their quick response to environmental change.
Butterfly monitoring in the field offers a rewarding experience of observation and identification, combined with meaningful and impactful action through the collection of valuable scientific data. Thanks to mobile apps and digital tools, butterfly monitors today can focus on enjoying nature while contributing their observations to a shared database—with real-time access to expert guidance and identification support. Butterfly monitoring has become a powerful tool worldwide for empowering the public to protect both butterflies and broader biodiversity.
Butterflies are nature’s “thermometer”—a clear ecological indicator due to their complete dependence on plants and insects and their quick response to environmental change. Systematic, repeated monitoring of butterflies is one of the most effective scientific tools for diagnosing ecosystem health, analyzing trends, and generating actionable recommendations to prevent human-driven damage—damage that contributes to the extinction of vital plant and animal life.
This is a national citizen-science project based on dedicated volunteers. Originally launched by the Israel Lepidopterists’ Society (ILS), the program has grown into a network of regional monitoring communities across Israel. These communities, along with many independent volunteers, enthusiastically observe, count, and track butterfly populations using shared protocols and apps. Their contributions enrich the scientific record and strengthen efforts to protect these species.
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Thanks to the wide reach of volunteers and butterfly monitoring communities, and to the unique information management system developed to support the project, a rich scientific database of butterfly observations has been built over the years. These achievements, representing the best of citizen science, have earned the monitoring program national recognition and even generous support to help position it as a financially independent entity.
With the establishment of the information system at the Israel Center for Citizen Science, the butterfly monitoring data—originally recorded and managed by Israel Pe’er from the project’s first day—was transferred into the new system.
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The monitoring program collaborates closely and over the long term with the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History and HaMaarag (Israel’s National Ecosystem Assessment Program) on research and publications, as well as with nature conservation agencies in Israel such as the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. Behind every observation reported via the app and sent through the information system to researchers are decades of sweat, knowledge, and life’s work contributed by Israel’s leading butterfly experts, data managers, scientists, and citizen science activists.
The vast amount of data collected in the butterfly monitoring databases continues to serve researchers and inform many studies and scientific papers. Nature surveys conducted by various organizations also make use of the data stored in the butterfly databases. The butterfly analysis for the Red Book chapter, led by HaMaarag, drew upon all three pillars of this citizen science initiative: butterfly experts, the scientific team, and high-quality data. For the 2023 State of Nature report, a record number of over a quarter-million butterfly observations were submitted.
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Butterflies are nature’s “thermometer” and are considered a clear ecological indicator due to their complete dependence on plants and insects, as well as their acute sensitivity and rapid response to environmental changes. Repeated and systematic butterfly monitoring (via counting) is one of the most effective scientific diagnostic tools for studying and assessing the state of nature, drawing conclusions, and developing recommendations for action to prevent human-caused damage that leads to the extinction of species critical to our ecosystems and livelihoods.
Today, butterfly monitoring is conducted in dozens of countries around the world with public participation—not only because butterflies are easy to observe, learn about, and identify, but also because of their beauty. The knowledge accumulated through butterfly monitoring is a powerful tool in the hands of the public to protect butterflies and nature.
Sporadic Monitoring: Nature and butterfly enthusiasts from all over Israel submit daily observation reports through a dedicated website (“The Butterflies I Saw”) and mobile app (“I Saw a Butterfly”).
Rare Species Surveys: In 2009, 14 butterfly species were declared protected natural values in Israel. The monitoring program conducts annual surveys focusing on species at risk of extinction, with hundreds of volunteers participating.
A study on population trends of the rare butterflies Levantine Vernal Copper and Levantine Silverline, and the environmental factors affecting them.
The 41st conference of the Israeli Lepidopterists’ Society was held in September 2024. During the event, findings from the National Butterfly Monitoring Scheme in Israel (BMS-IL),…
