Even though the Society supports conservation principles in the practical sense, it does encourage the building of scientific collections. Texas The Lepidopterists' Society affirms that collecting Lepidoptera is one of many legitimate activities enabling professional and avocational lepidopterists to further the scientifically sound and progressive study of Lepidoptera and education about Lepidoptera as well as encouraging interaction between professional and avocational lepidopterists. The foregoing Statement of The Lepidopterists' Society is accompanied by the following Collecting Guidelines. The Guidelines elucidate the manner in which collecting should be conducted. Practitioners are encouraged to adopt these Guidelines and to use the Guidelines for the instruction of others.
Lepidopterans are an important component of biological diversity.
0.2 Lepidoptera are conspicuous and scientifically well known, thus they are frequently used as indicator groups for conservation programs. 1.2 To document regional diversity, frequency, and variability of species, and as voucher material for published records. 1.3 To document faunal representation in environments undergoing or threatened with alteration by humans or natural forces. 1.4 To participate in development of regional checklists and institutional reference collections. 1.5 To complement a planned research endeavor.