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Nancy Lowe
All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory Illustrations

Click illustrations to enlarge.

All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) researchers use microscopes to find new species of living things under logs and in alpine springs. To convey the significance and excitement of their findings, Discover Life in America (DLIA) turns to art.

Naturalist artist Nancy Lowe paints caddis flies, slime molds, and tiny moths with watercolors to show as much detail as the scientists get in their labs. Bristles, claws, fangs, filaments - she paints them all as a no-see-um might see them.

A major emphasis of DLIA, from its beginning, has been public education and outreach. Lowe's watercolors, professional photographs, and giant scans give a three-dimensional quality to images of flowers and insects. They have been displayed at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, Atlanta's Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and have been used in area programs and publications.

The Great Smoky Mountains Association also has plans to produce note cards and posters which celebrate some of the species documented by the ATBI.

You can contact Nancy at bugart@bellsouth.net.

Adranes lecontei Brendel

  • The caddisfly (Neophylax kolodskii) is an aquatic insect and is one of the species new to science discovered by the ATBI.
  • 211 caddisfly species are known to inhabit the Park, including seven belonging to Neophylax.
  • This species is named in honor of Park Ranger Joseph D. Kolodski, who died tragically defending the natural resources and visitors of the park. Joe has been honored many times by his friends and colleagues since his death. This tribute honors his commitment and sacrifice.
  • This species is know only in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, from the type locality: Sams Creek, Starkey Creek, and Shut-In Prong.

Neophylax kolodskii

Ligdia

Ashmidrib gall

Physarum viride

Polyphemus coccoon

Allacma sp.

Acalypta

Diachaea

Conopholis