CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

 

9TH BUTTERFLY WATCHING MEETING

NOVEMBER 25–29, 2026

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

The purpose of the 9th Butterfly Watching Meeting (9th EOB) is to bring together people interested in the observation and study of butterflies and moths, with an emphasis on records of living organisms and their relationships with the environment, promoting citizen science, the democratization of knowledge, scientific inclusion, and the recognition of initiatives focused on environmental education, research, and the conservation of Lepidoptera, flora, and other organisms associated with them.

The 9th EOB also aims to foster opportunities for the production and dissemination of scientific publications that, without compromising quality, present the results of studies—or selected aspects of those studies—in an objective and accessible manner capable of reaching audiences beyond the professional scientific community.

1. GENERAL ORGANIZATION

1.1. The theme of the 9th EOB is: Natural Resource Conservation and Citizen Science.

1.2. All activities and all participants of the 9th EOB must be aligned with the Ten Principles of Citizen Science, published by the European Citizen Science Association in 2015, and must comply with Brazilian legislation applicable to the activities carried out, the content presented, and the works submitted to the event.

1.3. The structure of the 9th EOB will consist of different types of activities, as defined by the organizers, and may include:

a. talks and/or courses;
b. butterfly and/or moth observation activities;
c. scientific publications;
d. working groups.

1.4. After the 9th EOB, the Proceedings of the 9th Butterfly Watching Meeting will be published and may include, among other content:

a. a list of the talks and/or courses held;
b. a list of the activities carried out and the names of their respective proposing coordinators;
c. approved scientific articles;
d. the results of the working groups held during the event;
e. acknowledgment of the event’s supporters, sponsors, and other collaborators.

The Proceedings will be published digitally, in accordance with applicable legislation and standards, and made openly accessible by Comfauna Livros, with access also available through the official website of the 9th EOB.

1.5. The organization of the 9th EOB will be supported by coordinators and/or committees, whose composition may be published on the event’s official website.

1.6. The following participants enrolled in the official 9th EOB project dedicated to nature observation activities may receive a Diploma of Honor issued by the Instituto Biogeográfico and signed by one or more members of the organization:

a. the participant who records the greatest number of Lepidoptera species among their observations made during the period established for the event;

b. the Activity Coordinator who demonstrates, during their in-person activity, the participation of the largest number of people enrolled in the official 9th EOB project on iNaturalist and who have published in the project at least one observation made on the date, at the location, and during the period in which the activity was held.

1.6.1. The organizers of the 9th EOB may participate in the activities but will not compete for the awards provided for in this Call.

1.6.2. Other awards may be granted to participants at the discretion of the organizers.

1.6.3. Awards may be modified or canceled by the organizers when circumstances make their presentation unfeasible or compromise the application of the established criteria.

1.7. Individuals interested in volunteering as members of the 9th EOB Scientific Committee may apply through the form provided by the organizers.

Members of the Scientific Committee may participate in one or more activities related to article evaluation, including human review of AI-assisted screening and/or direct human review of submissions, according to their experience, availability, and the guidelines provided by the organizers.

Application does not imply automatic selection for the Scientific Committee. The organizers may consider the applicant’s experience, previous involvement in citizen science, areas of expertise, availability, and the compatibility of their work with the principles and rules of the 9th EOB.

1.8. All organizers, coordinators, speakers, and members of the 9th EOB Scientific Committee will serve on a voluntary basis.

2. TALKS

2.1. All talks will be held online and are expected to last one hour.

2.2. Participation as an audience member in the live broadcasts of the talks will be open, voluntary, and free of charge. Participants are only requested to subscribe to the Terra das Borboletas channel, through which the broadcasts will be held.

2.3. All speakers will participate on a voluntary basis.

2.4. The 9th EOB will feature talks by invited speakers and may include talks selected from proposals submitted by interested individuals, according to the criteria established in this Call and the availability of the program.

2.5. Interested individuals may submit talk proposals, which will be evaluated by the 9th EOB organizers for compatibility with the event’s scope, theme, and principles, as well as program availability. Approved talks will be announced through the event’s official channels, and their titles, descriptions, and speakers’ names will be included in the Proceedings.

2.6. Proposals for talks related to scientific articles submitted to the 9th EOB and other proposals aligned with the scope of the event will be accepted.

Proposals will not be accepted if they promote, teach, or primarily focus on the in situ application of methods intended to actively attract Lepidoptera for sampling, capture, or handling purposes, including the installation of light sources specifically to attract moths and the use of attractants associated with traps.

Proposals that promote or teach in situ practices involving trapping, catching, capture, collection, handling, transport, storage, or killing of Lepidoptera, as well as the carrying or use of insect nets or other equipment intended for such purposes, will also not be accepted.

For the purposes of this Call, observing and recording Lepidoptera that are spontaneously attracted to structures or light sources already present in the environment will not be considered the use of an active attraction method.

2.7. Approved speakers will receive, through the contact method provided upon registration, the information necessary for their participation, including the date, time, and access links for the broadcast.

Speakers must confirm receipt of communications from the organizers when requested. Absence or delay that prevents the talk from taking place, without prior communication or justification, may result in cancellation of the activity and its exclusion from the event’s final materials.

2.8. Speakers who submit a request by the last day of the event will receive, free of charge, a digital statement of voluntary participation in the 9th EOB, issued by the Instituto Biogeográfico and signed by one or more members of the organization, containing the relevant information about the activity carried out.

2.9. Talk proposals must be submitted by completing the official form and following the instructions provided therein:
https://forms.gle/4nxH5dL3rXMAW1KYA.

2.10. The selection of submitted talk proposals will be carried out by the organizers of the 9th EOB according to the following criteria:

a. up to 2 (two) proposals submitted by interested individuals may be selected, unless the organizers decide to increase this number due to program availability;

b. the categories of participants admitted under this Call may submit talk proposals;

c. the proposal’s compatibility with the theme, scope, principles, and rules of the 9th EOB will be evaluated;

d. the applicant must demonstrate experience related to the subject of the talk and activities compatible with the principles and rules of the 9th EOB;

e. the organizers may decide not to select any of the submitted proposals if they do not meet the criteria established in this Call or if there is no availability in the program.

3. BUTTERFLY AND MOTH OBSERVATION ACTIVITIES

3.1. Butterfly and moth observation activities associated with the 9th EOB will take place from November 25 to 29, 2026, beginning at 12:00 a.m. on November 25 and ending at 11:59 p.m. on November 29, 2026.

3.2. Any interested person may participate in the official 9th EOB project on iNaturalist by joining the project and complying with its inclusion criteria:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/9o-encontro-de-observacao-de-borboletas-9th-meeting-of-butterfly-watching.

3.3. Activities may be carried out individually or in groups. Group activities may be coordinated by an individual or institution through the designation of an Activity Coordinator who is responsible for the activity, is at least 18 years old, has experience in nature observation, and whose work is compatible with the Ten Principles of Citizen Science and the rules of the 9th EOB.

3.4. Participation in a group activity implies awareness that group photographs may be taken for documentation and promotion of the 9th EOB. The use of identifiable images of participants in the Proceedings and other promotional materials must comply with applicable Brazilian legislation and any required authorizations.

3.5. Applications to coordinate activities must be submitted by completing the following form:
https://forms.gle/cHw2R7q4pTW4caxX7.

3.6. Activity Coordinators must inform participants about the characteristics and conditions of their activity and provide information about joining the official 9th EOB project on iNaturalist. Only participants enrolled in the official project will be eligible for awards associated with the observations included in it.

3.7. The name of the Activity Coordinator, the location, date, start and end times, and total number of participants may be included in 9th EOB promotional materials and in the Proceedings.

3.8. Activities carried out in situ that involve trapping, catching, capture, collection, handling, transport, storage, or killing of Lepidoptera, as well as the carrying or use of insect nets or other equipment intended for such purposes, will not be accepted as activities associated with the 9th EOB.

Activities using methods intended to actively attract Lepidoptera for sampling, capture, or handling purposes will also not be accepted, including the installation of light sources specifically to attract moths and the use of attractants associated with traps.

For the purposes of this Call, observing and recording Lepidoptera that are spontaneously attracted to structures or light sources already present in the environment will not be considered the use of an active attraction method.

The materials and equipment referred to in this item will not be permitted in 9th EOB activities, even for the purpose of demonstrating methods that are incompatible with the event’s rules.

Under ex situ conditions, activities involving the killing of animals will not be permitted.

3.9. A participant who identifies a possible violation of item 3.8 in an activity or content presented as associated with the 9th EOB may report the matter to the organizers at ibiogeografico@gmail.com, preferably providing links or other information that allows the matter to be verified.

3.10. A participant who violates item 3.8 may be removed from the official 9th EOB project on iNaturalist and excluded from the event’s records, awards, and other content after the organizers verify the occurrence.

3.11. An activity or Activity Coordinator that violates item 3.8 may be excluded from the activities and materials of the 9th EOB after the organizers verify the occurrence.

4. SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

4.1. For the purposes of the rules governing the submission of scientific articles to the 9th EOB, the following categories of participants are recognized:

a. Citizen scientist: a person who produces or contributes to the production of scientific knowledge voluntarily and independently of any professional or academic affiliation that determines their activities in the field related to the submitted work. The person may have academic qualifications, provided that their participation in the research presented does not result from paid professional, academic, or institutional activities related to the work.

b. Professional scientist: a person who, from undergraduate education through later stages of training and professional activity, receives or has received remuneration, a scholarship, institutional affiliation, or another form of professional or academic support to carry out activities related to the submitted work, or whose participation in the research results from an affiliation with an educational or research institution in the field related to the work.

4.2. The 9th EOB will accept two types of scientific articles:

a. Lepidoptera Record Scientific Article;
b. Traditional Scientific Article.

The submission requirements, applicable fees, and other procedures for each type are established in this Call.

4.3. LEPIDOPTERA RECORD SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE

4.3.1. The Lepidoptera Record Scientific Article category is open to the categories of participants defined in item 4.1 and is intended for the dissemination of biodiversity records of particular relevance.

4.3.2. Records of butterflies, moths, and other organisms directly associated with them, such as plants, predators, parasitoids, and other organisms related to the interactions recorded, may be submitted at any stage of development and under in situ or ex situ conditions, provided that their relevance is properly presented and justified.

4.3.3. The record must be accompanied by a photograph and information associated with the observation, as requested in the submission form.

It is recommended that records published on citizen science platforms be made available within 7 (seven) days of the declared observation date. The proximity between the observation date and the publication date contributes to the traceability and temporal reliability of the record and also facilitates closer monitoring, including in real time, of phenomena observed in nature.

For the purpose of determining priority among records published on citizen science platforms, the publication date of the record, rather than only the declared observation date, will be considered.

4.3.4. Works whose data were produced through any form of capture, especially when followed by the intentional killing of Lepidoptera for the purpose of obtaining, producing, or supplementing the data presented, will not be accepted in this category.

This restriction does not prevent the submission of records of individuals found dead from natural, unknown, or author-independent causes, nor of mortality resulting from ecological interactions or accidental events, provided that the circumstances of the record are transparently presented.

The observation or photographic recording of an organism found dead does not authorize its catching, collection, removal, transport, storage, or any other activity subject to applicable legislation and authorizations.

4.3.5. Works that promote or teach practices involving the handling of dead Lepidoptera, including entomological preparation or mounting techniques, will not be accepted.

4.3.6. Submissions must be made by completing the official form:
https://forms.gle/P7fYqQjP3H3P29Va8.

4.4. TRADITIONAL SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE

4.4.1. The Traditional Scientific Article category is open to the categories of participants defined in item 4.1 and includes works related to the scope of the 9th EOB, submitted as a Word file and prepared according to the following specifications:

a. A4 page size, portrait orientation;

b. Times New Roman, 12-point font, single spacing, and justified text;

c. top and left margins of 3 cm and bottom and right margins of 2 cm;

d. article title in bold, centered, and 14-point font. Section headings in the body of the text, such as Introduction, Objectives, Methodology, Results and Discussion, and Conclusions, must be presented in 12-point bold font;

e. the name of the author and, where applicable, coauthors below the title and centered, in the following format: SURNAME, given name. Where there is more than one author, names must be separated by semicolons;

f. the position, role, and/or institutional affiliation of each author or coauthor below the authors’ names and centered;

g. an abstract in a single justified paragraph of up to 300 words. Articles consisting of lists may include an abstract of up to 500 words;

h. three to five keywords, in alphabetical order, beginning with lowercase letters and separated by semicolons. Keywords must be different from the words used in the article title;

i. the suggested, but not mandatory, structure of the article is: Introduction; Objective(s); Methodology; Results and Discussion; Conclusion/Conclusions; References;

j. references must follow ABNT NBR 6023 and be presented in 10-point font;

k. the complete article, including all its elements, must not exceed 3 (three) pages, except in cases expressly provided for in this Call. Tables used exclusively to identify and acknowledge the authorship of data or records used in the work will not count toward the three-page maximum;

l. graphs, photographs, figures, and other visual representations relevant to the work will be permitted, provided that they comply with the rules on authorship, integrity, and image use established in this Call. These elements must be referred to in the text before they appear, numbered, and accompanied by a title or caption in 10-point font, with quality suitable for publication;

m. for butterfly nomenclature (Papilionoidea), Butterflies of America (BoA) will be adopted as the reference; for plants, Flora e Funga do Brasil will be adopted as the reference. Works by citizen scientists may, where relevant to the dataset analyzed, use the nomenclature adopted by iNaturalist, provided that this criterion is stated in the work.

4.4.2. Authors must use the template file provided by the 9th EOB, inserting the article content without changing the formatting settings established in the template and in this Call.

4.4.3. Traditional scientific articles may be submitted in Portuguese, English, or Spanish and must relate to citizen science, Lepidoptera observation, and/or other topics covered by the scope of the 9th EOB, in one of the following categories:

a. scientific research;
b. practices or experiences;
c. case reports.

4.4.4. Approved articles may be translated into English and published in future editions of the 9th EOB Proceedings.

4.4.5. For the purposes of submission and organization of scientific articles in the Proceedings, the areas of knowledge covered by the 9th EOB are:

a. biology and/or ecology of pollinators;
b. Lepidoptera observation and/or citizen science;
c. environmental education;
d. botany for Lepidoptera;
e. in situ, ex situ, or integrated conservation.

Works submitted in any of these areas must be related to Lepidoptera or to the scope of the 9th EOB.

4.4.6. SPECIES LIST ARTICLES

4.4.6.1. Articles presenting species lists may adopt a simplified structure consisting of:

a. an abstract of up to 500 words containing the information necessary to understand the objective, data universe, sources, criteria, and profile of the list;

b. list or lists;

c. references.

4.4.6.2. Lists may be formatted in one or more columns and may exceed the 3 (three)-page limit established for other articles.

4.4.6.3. The article title must contain the word “list” or “lists.”

4.4.6.4. Authors must clearly define the data universe, sources, and criteria used to compile the list and determine the priority of records.

For each species listed, the author of the earliest record located according to the universe, sources, and criteria defined in the work must be identified.

When priority among records published on citizen science platforms is at issue, the publication date of the record on the platform will be considered.

4.4.6.5. Species list articles whose primary data—understood in this Call as data obtained directly for the purpose of carrying out the research presented—were produced through the collection of Lepidoptera will not be accepted.

This restriction does not prevent the use, as references, consultation sources, contextualization, comparison, or discussion, of data from studies conducted using different methodologies, including the collection of Lepidoptera, provided that such data have been previously published.

4.4.7. The article file must be sent in Word format to ibiogeografico@gmail.com, with the subject line “SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE – [NAME OF FIRST AUTHOR]”, accompanied by proof of payment of the submission fee(s) provided for in this Call.

4.5. ORIGINALITY, AUTHORSHIP, AND INTEGRITY OF SUBMISSIONS

4.5.1. By submitting an article to the 9th EOB, the authors declare that the work is an original and unpublished scientific contribution, complies with the rules of this Call, and does not violate applicable Brazilian legislation, third-party rights, ethical principles, or the Ten Principles of Citizen Science.

4.5.2. The requirement that the work be unpublished does not prevent the use in the article of biodiversity records previously published on citizen science platforms, provided that the submitted work presents its own scientific contribution and content that goes beyond the information already made available in the original records.

4.5.3. Authors are responsible for the accuracy, origin, integrity, and proper presentation of the data, information, images, and other content used in the work.

4.5.4. The use of data, records, photographs, or other content produced by third parties must respect authorship, corresponding rights, and the rules established in this Call.

4.5.5. When data or records from third parties published on citizen science platforms, social media, or other sources are used, the respective authors and the sources through which the content was accessed must be identified in accordance with applicable standards.

4.5.6. Each person’s inclusion as an author of the article must correspond to an effective contribution to the work. The use of data, records, images, or other contributions from third parties does not, by itself, imply the automatic inclusion of those persons as coauthors, but requires appropriate acknowledgment of their contributions and authorship of the content used.

4.5.7. Photographs and other images produced by third parties may only be used when their authorship is properly identified and when express authorization for their use in the publication has been obtained, whenever such authorization is required.

4.5.8. Authors must keep available the documents, authorizations, permits, and other materials necessary to demonstrate the lawful conduct of the activities and the proper use of the content presented in the article, where applicable.

4.6. SUBMISSION AND AUTHOR RESPONSIBILITY

4.6.1. There is no limit to the number of articles each author may submit.

4.6.2. Only articles for which the applicable submission fees for all authors and coauthors have been demonstrably paid will be forwarded for evaluation, except in cases of fee exemption provided for in this Call.

4.6.3. During the evaluation process, communication from the Scientific Committee and/or the General Coordination of the 9th EOB will be conducted with the first author, who will be responsible for sharing the information and resolving, together with the other authors, all matters related to the article.

4.6.4. Authors must respond, within the deadlines established by the organizers, to requests for clarification, correction, or revision necessary for the continuation of the evaluation process.

4.7. REVIEW PRIOR TO SUBMISSION

4.7.1. Authors are advised to carefully review their article before submission.

4.7.2. Authors may, if they wish, use an artificial intelligence tool of their choice to assist in reviewing the work before submission.

The review may include, among other aspects:

a. compliance with the rules of this Call;
b. spelling, grammar, agreement, and punctuation;
c. clarity, cohesion, and organization of the text;
d. possible contradictions or internal inconsistencies;
e. correspondence between citations and references;
f. other aspects the authors consider relevant.

4.7.3. The use of artificial intelligence for pre-submission review is optional and is not a requirement for submission or approval of the article.

4.7.4. Authors must critically evaluate all suggestions received and must not automatically accept changes proposed by artificial intelligence tools, which may produce errors, alter the meaning of the text, or introduce inappropriate information.

Responsibility for the submitted version remains entirely with the authors.

4.8. ARTICLE EVALUATION PROCESS

4.8.1. All articles submitted to the 9th EOB that meet the requirements for referral to evaluation will receive at least two reviews:

a. an initial AI-assisted screening conducted according to a standardized protocol and mandatorily subjected to human validation;

b. a direct human review of the article.

Authors will receive the reports resulting from both reviews, except where the evaluation process is interrupted or the article is disqualified before all stages are completed, as provided for in this Call.

4.8.2. The initial AI-assisted screening will be conducted according to a standardized protocol previously defined by the organizers of the 9th EOB and made publicly available for the information of authors and reviewers.

4.8.3. The initial screening will be limited to the criteria established in the protocol and may cover, among other aspects:

a. compliance with the rules and requirements of this Call;

b. possible issues related to authorship, acknowledgment of data sources, use of information, images, or other third-party content, and the integrity of the work;

c. scientific coherence and internal consistency of the text;

d. textual quality and clarity, including spelling, grammar, agreement, punctuation, cohesion, and writing problems that may hinder comprehension;

e. correspondence between citations and references and identification of aspects requiring clarification or verification;

f. other criteria expressly established in the publicly available screening protocol.

4.8.4. Artificial intelligence will not decide whether an article is accepted or rejected. Its role will be to assist in the initial and standardized identification of aspects requiring attention.

4.8.5. The raw results of the AI-assisted screening will not be sent to the authors. The screening will be mandatorily analyzed by a human reviewer, who will be responsible for comparing the findings with the article and confirming, correcting, excluding, or supplementing them. The report resulting from this human analysis will constitute the article’s first review.

4.8.6. After human validation of the AI-assisted screening, the article will proceed to direct human review, conducted according to criteria complementary to those used in the screening.

4.8.7. Once both reviews have been completed, the respective reports will be sent jointly to the first author, except in situations where the evaluation process must be interrupted or the article disqualified before completion of both reviews, as provided for in this Call.

4.8.8. The reviewers responsible for the two reviews will perform complementary functions. The first review will be based on human analysis of the results of the AI-assisted screening and the criteria established in the corresponding protocol. The second review will be conducted directly on the article and will not be limited to the criteria used in the screening.

4.8.9. When the initial screening identifies an issue that, after human validation, prevents the regular continuation of the evaluation process, the organizers may, before referring the article for the second review:

a. request clarifications or documents necessary for the continuation of the evaluation;

b. request correction of an inadequacy that constitutes a necessary condition for the continuation of the evaluation;

c. interrupt the evaluation process or disqualify the article in the cases provided for in this Call.

4.8.10. The reports sent to the authors may contain recommendations, requests for clarification, mandatory corrections, and suggestions for improvement.

Corrections and adjustments expressly identified as necessary for continuation of the evaluation or approval of the article must be addressed by the authors. Suggestions for improvement may be considered by the authors, who will retain responsibility for decisions concerning the content of the work.

4.8.11. Approval of the article for publication in the Proceedings will depend on completion of the evaluation process and compliance with the requirements established in this Call and with requests for adjustments considered necessary by the Scientific Committee and/or the General Coordination of the 9th EOB.

4.8.12. The use of artificial intelligence in the evaluation process will be transparent and carried out in accordance with the conditions communicated to authors. Procedures will be adopted to protect the confidentiality of manuscripts, unpublished data, and authors’ rights.

4.9. CORRECTIONS, INTERRUPTION OF EVALUATION, AND DISQUALIFICATION

4.9.1. Identification of an issue during the initial screening or human review will not automatically result in disqualification of the article when the inadequacy can be corrected without compromising the integrity of the work.

In such cases, authors may be given the opportunity to clarify, correct, or revise the article within the deadline established by the organizers.

4.9.2. When a correction or adjustment is considered necessary for continuation of the evaluation process, compliance with the request will be mandatory.

The article may be disqualified when the authors:

a. fail to respond to the request within the established deadline without justification accepted by the organizers;

b. return the article without making a correction expressly identified as necessary;

c. refuse to provide clarifications, documents, or information necessary for the evaluation;

d. refuse to properly acknowledge the authorship or origin of data, records, photographs, or other content used in the work.

4.9.3. The correction of formal or editorial issues may not be used to alter or conceal the origin of data, replace information for the purpose of circumventing the rules of this Call, or substantially modify the declared methodology after its compliance has been questioned.

Substantial changes made during the evaluation process must be disclosed and justified by the authors and may result in a new evaluation or interruption of the process.

4.9.4. Works may be disqualified without a prior opportunity for correction when they contain elements indicating:

a. fabrication, falsification, or improper manipulation of data or information;

b. plagiarism or other improper appropriation of third-party content;

c. deliberate concealment of the authorship or origin of data, records, images, or other relevant contributions;

d. misleading presentation of authorship, author participation, or the origin of results;

e. deliberate alteration or omission of information for the purpose of circumventing the rules of this Call;

f. primary data produced through practices expressly excluded from the scope of the 9th EOB;

g. other serious situations incompatible with applicable Brazilian legislation, third-party rights, ethical principles, the Ten Principles of Citizen Science, or the fundamental rules of the 9th EOB.

4.9.5. Identification of a possible irregularity by artificial intelligence will not, by itself, result in disqualification. Any decision to interrupt the evaluation or disqualify an article will be made by the persons responsible for the evaluation process after analyzing the manuscript and the available information.

4.9.6. The organizers may request clarification from the authors before making a decision when they consider it necessary.

4.9.7. Disqualification will terminate the article’s evaluation process within the 9th EOB.

4.9.8. No appeal may be filed against a decision to disqualify or not approve an article within the scope of the 9th EOB.

The absence of an appeal procedure does not prevent the organizers from requesting or receiving clarifications from the authors during the evaluation process when they consider such clarification necessary for decision-making.

4.10. USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BY AUTHORS

4.10.1. Authors may use artificial intelligence tools to support the preparation and review of their works, provided that such use is critical, responsible, and compatible with the rules of this Call.

4.10.2. Artificial intelligence may be used, among other purposes, for:

a. spelling, grammar, and textual review;

b. identification of problems involving clarity, cohesion, organization, and internal consistency;

c. assistance in organizing ideas and structuring the text;

d. translation and language improvement;

e. assistance with data analysis, provided that the method used is appropriate and the results are verified by the authors;

f. other supporting activities that do not transfer scientific and authorial responsibility for the work to the tool.

4.10.3. Artificial intelligence may not be listed as an author or coauthor of the article. Full responsibility for the submitted content remains with the human authors.

4.10.4. Authors must critically verify all content produced or suggested by artificial intelligence tools. The use of such tools does not exempt authors from responsibility for errors, false or inaccurate information, nonexistent references, inappropriate interpretations, improper changes to the meaning of the text, or other flaws present in the work.

4.10.5. Artificial intelligence may not be used to fabricate, falsify, alter, or conceal data, results, sources, references, authorship, contributions, or other information relevant to the evaluation of the work.

4.10.6. Bibliographic references suggested by artificial intelligence tools must be verified by the authors directly through reliable sources before being included in the article. An artificial intelligence tool should not be cited as the source of scientific information that can be attributed to an identifiable original source.

4.10.7. The use of artificial intelligence does not replace acknowledgment of the authorship and origin of data, records, images, ideas, and other third-party content used in the work.

4.10.8. The use of artificial intelligence to generate, edit, or modify images must be clearly disclosed when it may affect the scientific, documentary, or informational interpretation of the image.

Images generated or modified by artificial intelligence will not be accepted when presented in a manner that could cause them to be mistaken for documentary records of real organisms, phenomena, locations, results, or situations.

The use of artificial intelligence for technical adjustments to documentary images may not alter characteristics relevant to their scientific interpretation or create elements that did not exist in the original record.

4.10.9. The use of artificial intelligence as an accessibility and inclusion resource is permitted and encouraged when it contributes to broader participation by authors, facilitates communication, overcomes language barriers, supports people with disabilities or different communication needs, and promotes access to scientific production.

4.10.10. When artificial intelligence has played a significant role in the production of the work beyond language corrections, textual review, or other routine forms of assistance, authors must briefly and transparently disclose the tool used and the purpose for which it was used.

4.10.11. The use of artificial intelligence will not, by itself, be considered grounds for disqualification. The manner in which the tool was used, transparency where required, the integrity of the work, and the authors’ responsibility for the submitted content will be evaluated.

5. WORKING GROUPS

5.1. The 9th EOB may organize one or more Working Groups (WGs) intended for discussion and collaborative development of proposals, documents, principles, recommendations, or other outcomes related to the scope of the event.

5.2. The themes, objectives, forms of participation, schedules, and other guidelines for each Working Group will be announced by the organizers of the 9th EOB.

5.3. Working Groups may carry out activities before, during, and/or after the main period of the 9th EOB, according to the needs and objectives of each proposal.

5.4. Participation in Working Groups will be voluntary and subject to the specific rules announced for each group.

5.5. The results of the Working Groups may be presented during the 9th EOB and/or published in the Proceedings or other materials related to the event, with due acknowledgment of the persons who contributed to their development.

5.6. The form of acknowledgment of contributions and, where applicable, attribution of authorship of documents produced will be defined according to the nature and effective participation of each person in the work carried out.

6. REGISTRATION AND SUBMISSIONS

6.1. For ease of access, registration and submission links for the 9th EOB are listed below:

a. Participation in the official 9th EOB project on iNaturalist:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/9o-encontro-de-observacao-de-borboletas-9th-meeting-of-butterfly-watching — registration open until the end of the event;

b. Activity Coordination:
https://forms.gle/cHw2R7q4pTW4caxX7 — applications open until November 24, 2026;

c. Scientific Committee:
https://forms.gle/FFpgNkZMtpf1yEbY7 — applications open until November 24, 2026;

d. Talk proposals:
https://forms.gle/4nxH5dL3rXMAW1KYA — submissions open until August 20, 2026;

e. Lepidoptera Record Scientific Article:
https://forms.gle/P7fYqQjP3H3P29Va8 — submissions open until October 31, 2026;

f. Traditional Scientific Article: submission according to the instructions in item 4.4.7 — submissions open until October 31, 2026;

g. Requests for statements and certificates:
https://forms.gle/1GW3ctPkq36HXHxy5 — see the deadlines and conditions established in item 8.9.

7. DEADLINES

7.1. Talk proposals may be submitted until August 20, 2026.

7.2. Scientific articles may be submitted until October 31, 2026.

7.3. Applications for Activity Coordination and from individuals interested in joining the Scientific Committee may be submitted until November 24, 2026, the day before the 9th EOB activities begin.

7.4. Participants may join the official 9th EOB project on iNaturalist until the end of the event.

7.5. When clarifications, corrections, or adjustments are requested during the article evaluation process, authors must respond within the deadline established by the Scientific Committee, which will not be less than 3 (three) calendar days from the date the request is sent to the first author.

7.6. Failure to meet the established response deadline without justification accepted by the organizers may result in interruption of the evaluation process or disqualification of the article, in accordance with the rules of this Call.

7.7. The organizers may extend the deadlines established in this Call when deemed necessary, with notice provided through the official channels of the 9th EOB.

8. FEES

8.1. Participation in online talks and various 9th EOB activities will be free of charge. Fees may be charged for the submission of scientific articles and, exceptionally, for participation in specific activities, such as courses and activities involving admission fees, access to the location, transportation, materials, services, or other expenses necessary for their implementation.

Any fees related to specific activities will be communicated to interested participants in advance.

8.2. For each article submitted, each author and coauthor must pay the fee corresponding to their category, except in cases of fee exemption provided for in this Call.

8.3. Participation by the same person as an author or coauthor in more than one article requires payment of the corresponding fee for each article submitted.

8.4. Scientific article submission fees are:

a. Citizen scientist: R$ 30.00 (thirty Brazilian reais), per author or coauthor, for each article submitted;

b. Professional scientist: R$ 110.00 (one hundred and ten Brazilian reais), per author or coauthor, for each article submitted;

c. Exemptions for authors and coauthors: speakers, members of the Scientific Committee, Activity Coordinators, supporters, and sponsors will be entitled to exemption from submission fees for up to 3 (three) articles.

8.5. When an article has authors or coauthors belonging to different categories, each person must pay the fee corresponding to their own category, subject to the applicable exemptions.

8.6. Proof of payment of the fees applicable to authors and coauthors must be submitted together with the article, in accordance with the instructions in this Call.

8.7. Payment must be made via PIX to: 57.222.711/0001-28 (Instituto Biogeográfico).

8.8. Submission fees are intended to contribute to the costs of organization, evaluation, editing, and publication related to the 9th EOB and its Proceedings.

8.9. ISSUANCE OF STATEMENTS AND CERTIFICATES

8.9.1. Statements or certificates will not be issued without payment of the corresponding fee, except in the following cases:

a. certificates or diplomas related to awards;

b. certificates for delivering talks;

c. certificates of participation in the Scientific Committee;

d. certificates of Activity Coordination.

Free issuance of the documents listed above depends on a request submitted through the form indicated in item 8.9.2 by the last day of the event. After this deadline, issuance will be subject to the fees established in item 8.9.3.

8.9.2. Statements and certificates must be requested by completing and submitting the following form:
https://forms.gle/1GW3ctPkq36HXHxy5

8.9.3. Fees for issuing statements and certificates are:

a. R$ 50.00 (fifty Brazilian reais) for requests submitted by November 30, 2026;

b. R$ 100.00 (one hundred Brazilian reais) for requests submitted between December 1 and 7, 2026;

c. R$ 200.00 (two hundred Brazilian reais) for requests submitted on or after December 8, 2026;

d. R$ 20.00 (twenty Brazilian reais) for a simple statement of participation requested by the end of the event.

8.9.4. The organizers may publish a list of statements and certificates issued, including the respective participants’ names and, where applicable, the abstracts, descriptions, and activities associated with them.

8.10. PARTNERSHIPS AND SUPPORT

8.10.1. Partnerships may be established with civil society organizations, public agencies, companies, educational institutions, and other organizations or initiatives whose objectives are compatible with those of the 9th EOB.

8.10.2. Those interested in establishing a partnership with or supporting the 9th EOB must send a proposal and a JPEG file of their logo to ibiogeografico@gmail.com.

8.10.3. The logos of partners and supporters may be displayed in the Proceedings, broadcasts, website, and other materials and communication channels of the 9th EOB.

8.10.4. The Instituto Biogeográfico is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nature conservation and the democratization of knowledge. Donations of any amount are welcome and may be made via PIX to: 57.222.711/0001-28 (Instituto Biogeográfico).

8.11. SPONSORSHIP

8.11.1. The sponsorship fee for the 9th EOB is R$ 200.00 (two hundred Brazilian reais).

8.11.2. Sponsors must send a sponsorship proposal, a JPEG file of their logo, and proof of payment of the sponsorship fee to ibiogeografico@gmail.com.

8.11.3. The sponsorship fee must be paid via PIX to: 57.222.711/0001-28 (Instituto Biogeográfico).

8.12. RECEIPTS

8.12.1. Payment receipts will be issued upon request sent to ibiogeografico@gmail.com, accompanied by the corresponding proof of payment.

9. OTHER PROVISIONS

9.1. Participants are responsible for the truthfulness and accuracy of the information provided in registrations, submissions, and other communications related to the 9th EOB.

9.2. Persons under 18 years of age may participate in in-person activities of the 9th EOB only when accompanied by their legal guardian.

9.3. A preliminary version of the Proceedings may be made available during or after the event for review by the authors. Any requests for corrections must be submitted to the organizers within the deadline and through the method announced for this purpose.

9.4. Participation in the 9th EOB implies awareness of and agreement with the rules applicable to the type of participation or activity in which the participant is involved.

9.5. The organizers may make amendments to this Call when necessary for the proper conduct of the 9th EOB. Amendments will be announced through the event’s official channels and identified in the Call itself with the date of the amendment.

9.6. Omissions and situations not provided for in this Call will be reviewed and decided by the General Coordination and/or the Organizing Committee of the 9th EOB, according to the nature of the matter.

9.7. Questions regarding this Call may be sent to ibiogeografico@gmail.com.

9.8. The initiatives responsible for organizing the event are: Instituto Biogeográfico, Terra das Borboletas, and Comfauna Livros.

9.9. The official event website is: https://eoborboletas.blogspot.com.