iOS version of Adalia

After several months of hassle with technicalities, tax forms, and other miscellaneous nonsense, my secret resource on American ladybugs/birds/beetles is finally out on the app store. This is at this time currently the only current resource detailing the nearly 500 ladybug species in North America, besides Robert Gordon's text heavy publication from the 1900s.

It is currently on the app store for iOS devices (Apple iPhone). So far it covers only adults. But if it sells at least a few copies, and is worth my time, I will make work on adding larva and pupa to this guide too.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/adalia-field-guide-to-ladybugs/id1121061924?mt=8

If you find bugs, and I don't mean ladybugs, let me know so I can hide my shame!

Posted on 12 June, 2016 06:28 by silversea_starsong silversea_starsong

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Jovial Sigil Lady Beetle (Hyperaspis jovialis)

Date

June 2, 2016 11:18 AM PDT

Description

On telegraphweed. Found him just after musing on how cool my last Hyperaspis was. It flew immediately as I noticed it, but I was able to track it in flight and catch it.

Photos / Sounds

What

Kidney-spotted Fairy Lady Beetle (Psyllobora renifer)

Date

June 4, 2016 11:15 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

Date

June 4, 2016

Description

3 swept from telegraphweed. Postcoxal appears to be pullus type.

The species options are ardelio, aridus, luctuosus, martini, solidus, and humboldti. Male genitalia is required to progress further.

Comments

Congratulations! I would gladly down load it, enjoy it, and support your efforts... but I have android ☹

Posted by kimssight almost 8 years ago

It could easily transfer to android but just submitting on that system costs at least $100. Tis expensive.

Posted by silversea_starsong almost 8 years ago

Wow: Good luck with you app and endeavor. I am impressed with not only your incredible knowledge of on r biodiversity but your initiative in learning about and developing an app.

Posted by kimssight almost 8 years ago

I don't get outside more than once a month because my parents are not interested in the same hobby -- that's given me a lot of computer time over the years!

Posted by silversea_starsong almost 8 years ago

good luck! I bought a copy this morning.

Posted by geosherman almost 8 years ago

Thanks all!

Posted by silversea_starsong almost 8 years ago

So just a note with iOS, the app store completely revolves around reviews. So if anyone does buy it, reviews are much appreciated! If you are typing a review I recommend selecting all the text and copying it before pressing submit. There are a number of annoying errors that can occur and wipe everything you typed.

Posted by silversea_starsong almost 8 years ago

Messed around with it a bit. Works much better than I expected. I really do like putting keys into that format. Usually when I work through a key I have to spend a huge amount of time searching for anatomical terms. This was way easier since it showed clear pictures of what it wanted.

At first I just browsed the list of sketches because I am used to glancing through pictures being easier than keys. It was pretty clear that

When you decide between keys, there is a normal key and a sigil key. That is sort of confusing for someone who just wants to figure out what kind of ladybug they have. At a minimum a star should be put after Sigil key to draw attention to the note on the bottom. Maybe reword the note to make it clear that you should only go on to Sigil key if the normal key says this is a likely genus.

Posted by glmory over 7 years ago

Thanks for this. This was exactly my goal of the guide, something that people could just pick up and navigate whether its a professional entomologist or my 10 year old brother. Identification of ladybugs is greatly hidden within difficult to understand publications lacking colour images. That makes it quite daunting for anyone trying to ID anything. I also wanted it to be a resource for me personally...so yes, I put a lot of time and effort into it.

I spent a lot of time working out how I wanted to do the "Sigil" key. Originally there were going to be multiple key types but it didn't really make sense and it has left a somewhat awkward situation of the "complete key" and a little one on the side, for the sigil species. I will take this into account for the next update.

If there are any other suggestions you may have, let me know. The downside of this is that I didn't find anyone really interested in testing it around, so i had to use my judgement alone which isn't always the best answer!.

Posted by silversea_starsong over 7 years ago

Looks like the app is now gone from app store? Is this temporary? I have the app and suggested it to others, but someone just pointed out it was missing from store. Thanks.

Posted by kpmcfarland almost 5 years ago

@kpmcfarland The app remains on the store for a year at a time until I renew the certificate. I'm just waiting until I have the money to put it back up again. There will be a new version in future which will smooth the experience considerably.

Posted by silversea_starsong almost 5 years ago

Any update on this? I was going to check it out, but it's not there. For what it's worth, I'm an iOS developer. If you'd like to collaborate, we could use my certificate. I'm a bit curious how the app works. My first idea for something like this would be a Kindle book (or similar) rather than an app. So maybe I'm missing the point of having it be an app.

Posted by victorengel almost 3 years ago

The purpose of it being an app was mainly having more flexible functionality. With a book you are limited to text for the most part, but with this approach I could have any sort of interactive buttons, coding, and stored memory that was useful for the user experience. It also allowed me to make a visual "build your own ladybug" ID key where you could select features to match what you saw.

It also helped that my familiarity was with game development software, and so that made it easier for me to work on.

PS. it has not been available for a couple years, it cost too much to keep on the store for the few people who downloaded it.

Posted by silversea_starsong almost 3 years ago

Yeah, I wish it was still available! I had it at one time and somehow when I switched phones it got lost. A web version one day would be cool!

Posted by kpmcfarland almost 3 years ago

I need to redo the illustrations for higher resolution. That's probably the biggest roadblock at this point for a new version.

Posted by silversea_starsong almost 3 years ago

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