Join the High Park Caterpillar Survey

Beginners are welcome!

Reasons to join:

  • See numerous species up close
  • Learn about caterpillar ecology & natural history
  • Observe other organisms that fluoresce
  • Meet like-minded nature enthusiasts
  • Contribute to citizen science
  • Regular participants receive a High Park caterpillar poster

Read the FAQs for more information.

UV caterpillars Oregon Cycnia caterpillars fluorescing on a dogbane plant.

Check out this post for a sense of how a night session typically goes.

Session Times

The season runs from May to October.

  • May to July - 9:15 PM - midnight
  • Aug to Oct - start and end times get earlier as days get shorter

You need to be

  • 18 years of age or older
  • available to do evening sessions (see session times above)
  • able to walk up to 4 km per session on paved & unpaved surfaces (most sessions are 1-3 km)