internal model check

Forecast validation

Did the predicted next 10 help us anticipate species that were new at a tracked source? This is the scorecard, not a count of moths or observations.

Network forecast evidence

Targets found shows how many predicted targets were first recorded during sheet-compatible hours in the following two weeks. Target coverage shows how many of those first-time records had been predicted. The repeated number is the overlap between those two groups. Results combine tracked sources and repeated 14-night tests; use the table below for Kingfisher Hollow alone.

Historical four-way backtest

Imagine writing a ranked ten-species prediction list on a past Monday, then checking what became newly recorded during sheet-compatible hours over the following 14 nights. We repeat that test across the network. Sheet-time is the production order; the other three show what changes when that filter or host evidence is removed. These are forecast results, not moth or observation totals.

Sheet-time production order

Keeps the seasonal order but moves a species behind neutral candidates when at least four pre-checkpoint timed records exist and half or fewer fall from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. 72 windows with no species-level activity during sheet-compatible hours were not scored.

targets found
17%
511 targets predicted across all stations; 86 found for the first time during sheet-compatible hours in the following two weeks
target coverage
7%
1186 species first recorded at sheet-compatible hours in that period; 86 were predicted on the target list
evidence
53 tests
340 active sheet-time nights across 14-night test windows
typical useful rank
#5
where a matching species sat in its original target list

Seasonal-only baseline

Ranks targets using only the frozen seasonal station-record evidence available at each checkpoint. 72 windows with no species-level activity during sheet-compatible hours were not scored.

targets found
17%
511 targets predicted across all stations; 86 found for the first time during sheet-compatible hours in the following two weeks
target coverage
7%
1186 species first recorded at sheet-compatible hours in that period; 86 were predicted on the target list
evidence
53 tests
340 active sheet-time nights across 14-night test windows
typical useful rank
#5
where a matching species sat in its original target list

Host-only ranking

Uses the same seasonal candidate pool, but ranks it only by documented shared-host strength. Targets without a host match trail at the end. 72 windows with no species-level activity during sheet-compatible hours were not scored.

targets found
7%
511 targets predicted across all stations; 35 found for the first time during sheet-compatible hours in the following two weeks
target coverage
3%
1186 species first recorded at sheet-compatible hours in that period; 35 were predicted on the target list
evidence
53 tests
340 active sheet-time nights across 14-night test windows
typical useful rank
#5
where a matching species sat in its original target list

Seasonal + host evidence

Uses the same checkpoint, target pool, and outcome window, with comprehensive host evidence used only to change ranking. 72 windows with no species-level activity during sheet-compatible hours were not scored.

targets found
9%
511 targets predicted across all stations; 48 found for the first time during sheet-compatible hours in the following two weeks
target coverage
4%
1186 species first recorded at sheet-compatible hours in that period; 48 were predicted on the target list
evidence
53 tests
340 active sheet-time nights across 14-night test windows
typical useful rank
#4.5
where a matching species sat in its original target list

By station

Use this table for one station, such as Kingfisher Hollow. Stations with few moth nights have less evidence.

StationHistorical sheet-timeHistorical seasonal-onlyHistorical host-onlyHistorical seasonal + hostHistorical sheet-time nights
Kingfisher Hollow 26 / 140 (19%) 26 / 140 (19%) 11 / 140 (8%) 16 / 140 (11%) 112
Bosque Neimi 0 / 20 (0%) 0 / 20 (0%) 0 / 20 (0%) 0 / 20 (0%) 2
Dombroskie Homestead 4 / 121 (3%) 4 / 121 (3%) 3 / 121 (2%) 5 / 121 (4%) 99
Monkey Run 29 / 110 (26%) 29 / 110 (26%) 13 / 110 (12%) 16 / 110 (15%) 92
Dove Dr 20 / 70 (29%) 20 / 70 (29%) 6 / 70 (9%) 8 / 70 (11%) 25
Second St not enough evidence not enough evidence not enough evidence not enough evidence 0
Durfee Hill not enough evidence not enough evidence not enough evidence not enough evidence 0
Ringwood Rd 5 / 20 (25%) 5 / 20 (25%) 2 / 20 (10%) 2 / 20 (10%) 2
Woodlawn 2 / 30 (7%) 2 / 30 (7%) 0 / 30 (0%) 1 / 30 (3%) 8

Method notes

Historical four-way backtest: fourteen overlapping Monday checkpoints freeze the tracked-source records uploaded by local noon, then rebuild all four ten-species rankings from that same information. The next fourteen nights are the outcome period; only species new to that source and timestamped from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. count as outcomes. Sheet-time is the production order: it preserves the seasonal ranking, but moves a species behind neutral candidates when at least four timed pre-checkpoint records exist and half or fewer were observed in that interval. Seasonal-only shows the unadjusted order. The host-only list uses host-association strength after the seasonal candidate pool is set; the combined list adds host evidence to the seasonal ranking. Exact shared host plants are weighted above broader genus overlap; no ranking can use observations uploaded after the checkpoint. Uploaded records do not consistently identify survey method, so sheet-compatible hours are a conservative timing proxy, not proof that an individual moth was physically present on a sheet.