Use of scientific names

[Painted Jezebel]

I think I may have inadverantly damaged this site by using scientific names during my recent visit. Please do not stop using the local names. Scientific names could very easily put off newbies, not only are they very long, but also very difficult for the Oriental tongue (like Oriental languages are for the Western tongue). I am slowly learning your local names, but it takes time for someone who has only ever used the scientific ones!

Please continue to use local names in the field and on this site, but just add the scientific name when posting (you need never say the scientific names, unless you are in talking with someone from overseas).

Apologies.

[Cigaritis wong]

Agreed. Looks too "cheem" (our way of saying difficult to understand). I feel that whenever possible, try to use common names as the thread title, and use the latin name in the thread content if one desires to.

[kaleshs2002in]

my suggestion would be to Quote the Common name of the butterfly concerned followed by the valid Scientific Name preferably in italics.
May be u can change the order of common/scientific names.

This practice will help u in long run,and while interacting with people in other parts of the world ...who probably kno nothing about the common name of a particular species u r talking about.for example 'ur' Orange awlet is not 'Our' local orange awlet in India..so the naming of the species which u r refering is improtant if it is Burara jaina/etelka etc.

I usually follow this method for eg
The Maculate lancer Salanoemia sala.
this is good for both lay and the scientifics..!

And those who are particluarly considering the scientific names only should keep in mind the new/amatures who may b not benefitted by the message u r conveying.

But some species doesnt really have common names!!!

cheers!
Kalesh

[Commander]

my suggestion would be to Quote the Common name of the butterfly concerned followed by the valid Scientific Name preferably in italics.
May be u can change the order of common/scientific names.

This is what I often do already, as with some others here. But as you've mentioned, the confusion often occurs when we communicate with enthusiasts outside the Singapore/Malaysia region.


I usually follow this method for eg
The Maculate lancer Salanoemia sala.
this is good for both lay and the scientifics..!

Any reason why the lancer is in small lettering instead of capitalised? Shouldn't it be Maculate Lancer? :thinking:


And those who are particluarly considering the scientific names only should keep in mind the new/amatures who may b not benefitted by the message u r conveying.

But some species doesnt really have common names!

Very true. A lot of birders continue to use common names, but there appears to be less confusion amongst the agreed common names across the globe.

[kaleshs2002in]

Any reason why the lancer is in small lettering instead of capitalised? Shouldn't it be Maculate Lancer? :thinking:

yep it should have been...!
...a ..Typological error!