Butterfly Biologist-Turned-Science Writer: An Interview with Dr. Helene Engler
Lauren Jonik: Butterflies are such exquisite creatures. What exactly does the work of a butterfly biologist entail? Dr. Helene Engler: The methods depend on your questions. I use a butterfly net to catch them and track them. I also catch butterflies between my two fingers at the base of their wings so I don’t hurt them. I use a permanent marker to mark their wings, but not all species are sturdy enough for this. One can study local populations in…