The Value of Citizen Science in Increasing Our Knowledge of Under-Sampled Biodiversity: An Overview of Public Documentation of Auchenorrhyncha and the Hoppers of North Carolina

Due to the increasing popularity of websites specializing in nature documentation, there has been a surge number people enthusiastic about observing and documenting over past 2 decades. These citizen scientists are recording biodiversity on unprecedented temporal spatial scales, rendering data tremendous value scientific community. In this study, we investigate role science knowledge global through examination notable contributions understanding insect suborder Auchenorrhyncha, also known as true hoppers, North America. We have compiled comprehensive summary contributions—published unpublished—to hopper diversity, finding fifty previously unpublished country state records well dozens undescribed potentially species. compare those published literature specimen collections United States Canada, illuminating fact that copious afforded by underutilized. introduce website Hoppers Carolina , revolutionary new benchmark for tracking disseminating from literature, incorporating science. Finally, provide series recommendations both entomological community platforms how best approach, utilize, increase quality sightings general public.