About Us

The International Lepidoptera Survey (TILS) is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit scientific organization under Section 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). TILS was founded in 1998 by the late Ronald Gatrelle and Scott Massey both of Goose Creek, South Carolina
and Harry Pavulaan of Herndon, Virginia.

Purpose: TILS is devoted to the worldwide collection of Lepidoptera for the purpose of scientific discovery, determination, and documentation, without which there can be no taxon specific conservation of Lepidoptera.

Motto: As a world community, we can not protect that which we do not know.

Current Board Members (2013): Harry Pavulaan (VA), Norbert Kondla (BC, CAN), Ken Davenport (CA), and Todd Stout (UT).

The Taxonomic Report

The Taxonomic Report (TTR) is the main scientific publication of The International Lepidoptera Survey (TILS). TILS-TTR is currently on hiatus but formerly was published at the rate of 8-10 issues a year. Subscription / dues are usually $45 US for USA and Canada, $55 US for overseas subscribers. At the end of each Volume year, subscribers receive that year's volume on a read-only compact disc for archiving and reproduction for personal use (i.e. a (subscribed) museum or university may make as many copies as needed in whatever format desired). Non-members may receive individual issues in print any time for $10 per issue. Individual issues on CDR to non-members are $25 per issue post paid. Subscriptions and individual issue orders should be made payable to TILS and checks mailed to: Harry Pavulaan, TILS Editor, P.O. Box 1124, Herndon, VA 20172.

Articles for publication are sought. They may deal with any area of taxonomic research on Lepidoptera. Before sending a manuscript, simply contact Harry Pavulaan at the above address to set up discussion on how to best handle your research for publication. Include your e-mail address when writing.

TILS Newsletter

The International Lepidoptera Survey Newsletter is published occasionally. It deals with non-technical lepidopteran studies and events of interest to members. It is an electronic publication (no paper issue) reproduced in its entirety on this web site.

Lepidoptera Collections

The TILS collection of type specimens was transferred to the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity of the Florida Museum of Natural History after Ron Gatrelle's passing. We encourage Lepidoptera collectors to consider donating their personal collections here upon retirement or death so that the specimens can be preserved and be available to future researchers.

Donations

Donations are greatly needed to support and further our efforts to discover and protect butterflies worldwide. All donations are US tax deductible. Please help generously. Donations should be mailed to: Harry Pavulaan, TILS Treasurer, P.O. Box 1124, Herndon, VA 20172. Checks should be made payable to: TILS. Please indicate if you need a receipt.