This project generates a lot of data, and in the past, data have been submitted in a variety of formats, which has greatly complicated and delayed their integration into the database. In order to streamline this process, please follow a few simple rules and use the standard data sheet to report data. The standard data sheet should be an Excel-compatible spreadsheet with the following column headings, in order:
- Name. The name or names of collectors should be recorded in this column.
- Latitude. Latitude North should be included in decimal (dd.dddd°) format only, WGS 84 map datum. Most GPS units can easily be set to display this format. Degrees, minutes, and seconds format (dd°mm’ss”) or decimal minute format (dd°mm.mmm’) are difficult for computers to parse.
- Longitude. Longitude West should be included in decimal (dd.dddd°) format only, WGS 84 map datum. Most GPS units can easily be set to display this format. Degrees, minutes, and seconds format (dd°mm’ss”) or decimal minute format (dd°mm.mmm’) are difficult for computers to parse. Note that Longitude West does not have a negative sign for any location in North America.
- Elevation. Elevation should be given in meters (m).
- Date. Dates should be recorded in dd/mm/yyyy format.
- Time. Local time should be recorded using a 24-hour clock.
- Temperature. Temperature should be given in Fahrenheit (°F).
- Species. Use full species epithets (skip the genus name, Magicicada) when reporting species identities. Do not use abbreviations (-decim, -decula, etc.), and use “unknown” when the species is not known or when you are recording a negative record.
- Density. Use the four categories defined in Appendix 1 to record density.
- State. States should be given as 2-letter postal state abbreviations.
- Locality. A brief description of the locality.
- Notes. Any notes about the collection site, the cicadas there, etc.,