January 2021 Challenge summary
Our second Monthly Challenge is complete, in the last month of 2020 we all contributed a massive effort. The numbers will only go up as people may upload observations in the next few weeks. As of writing, we have contributed
Observations 5, 084
Species 1, 507
Identifiers 402
Observers 40 (16 with 50 observations or more)
For the latest results check the January Challenge-Updated Stats
Check out how this compares to the December results here
This month Greg Tasney (AKA @gregtasney) shows us why he observes so much #biodiversity, he often takes a night walk through his tiny yard in inner metro Brisbane. While his wife thinks he is a bit of a weirdo but who would have thought Greg would find this Four-barred swordtail (Protographium leosthenes) roosting on one of our Richmond Birdwing vines (Pararistolochia prevents). Illustrated in the amazing photographers below © Greg Tasney, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA), the four-barred swordtail, is a medium-sized Australia butterfly similar to the more widespread five-barred (or chain) swordtail (Graphium aristeus)
Greg is an avid naturalist however he has only observed this butterfly once. while possibly not a rare species it defiantly has a low observation count on iNaturalist and the Atlas of Living Australia 
The endangered Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus funereus observed by @marionmackenzie on the Fleurieu Peninsula
A couple of observations this month that may be of interest:
This month also highlighted the potential role Citizen Science can play in monitoring introduced species with the first record of introduced species Phyllonorycter messaniella Oak (Leafminer) in S.A by Mike AKA @streglystendec, below left. There have been 2 other observations on iNaturalist in Victoria, and a third in Alas of living Australia in Tasmania
There was also the second record in S.A. (and first record of a winged specimen) of (Giant Willow Aphid, above right) by Mike AKA @streglystendec, . Its one of the largest aphids in the world and no males have been recorded in this species. Female aphids are able to reproduce without males and give birth to live young that are genetically identical. A handy skill to have.
For more information;
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/insect-pests-and-plant-diseases/giant-willow-aphid
https://nzacfactsheets.landcareresearch.co.nz/factsheet/InterestingInsects/Giant-willow-aphid---Tuberolachnus-salignus.html
https://influentialpoints.com/Gallery/Tuberolachnus_salignus.htm
This month a spent quite some time on the St Kilda Mangroves project we had a great turn out and looks like we collected some great data. I have not had a chance to clean it up but will work on that in the next couple of weeks as I have time. In the meantime if you are up along the coast and want to do something different check out the plant health projects and make a contribution
Projects St Kilda Survey-Saltmarsh
St Kilda Survey-Mangrove Trees
