Using Mobile Mapper
1. Download Mobile Mapper

Mobile Mapper is available for Android and iOS (Apple) devices. To download Mobile Mapper, use the following links:

Google Play

iTunes Store

2. Configure Mobile Mapper

When you first run Mobile Mapper, you will be prompted to configure Mobile Mapper. If you already had the app installed for use with other projects, click on "Settings", and then "Add New Project". Use the following settings to use Mobile Mapper with Insects of Iowa

E-Mail / Username: Your e-mail address
API Key: Your name
Configuration URL: http://insectsofiowa.org/mobile
3. Create a New Record

Location: Press New Record once the application is opened. The application will automatically grab your longitude and latitude close to your current position. Once it has loaded your position press "Continue".

Note: If the app was previously opened, please return to this screen and allow ample time for the coordinates to reset or it will use your last location.

Taxon: This takes you to the next screen which allows users to "browse taxa" or "search taxa". Browsing taxa allows you to select the species from organized groups. Searching taxa allows the user to search by common or scientific name. Recently used species will appear on this screen for convenience.

Voucher: This allows you to take a picture at the moment of observation or upload an image taken previously. Once you choose "Take Picture" your camera phone loads up, take the picture, and it automatically uploads the picture to the record you are entering. Alternatively you can browse for a previously taken photo in your library.

Additional Information: This screen allows you to enter additional notes about the observation. "Public Notes" are viewable by visitors to the website. Any information you would like to share with Insects of Iowa that you do not want to be made public, may be entered into "Private Notes".

Review: This screen shows you all the information about the record before saving it. Please review all areas to make sure they are correct to the best of your knowledge. Once reviewed press "Save Record". Once the record is saved it will show up in the "Pending Records" option from the home screen.

Note: your record will not be submitted to Insects of Iowa without syncing it in the following step.

4. Submit Your Records

Click "Pending Records" from the home page to access all of your saved observations. Make sure the information is accurate. If it is not, you may edit the record to correct it. Press "Sync Records" to begin uploading the records to Insects of Iowa

Note: If your mobile device is allowed to enter an idle state it may disrupt the communication and result in only a partial upload of your records or an error message. To avoid this, observe the app and do not allow your phone to idle.

Once your records are uploaded they will disappear from the pending screen. They will be added to Insects of Iowa once the administrator has verified them.