Queensland’s insect enthusiasts are turning their cameras into scientific tools, aiding researchers in the study of bug populations through a national citizen science initiative. The project, known as Bug Hunt, is a collaborative effort by the Invasive Species Council and Invertebrates Australia, aiming to document critters across the country using the online platform iNaturalist.
Participants from all over Australia contribute by uploading pictures and observations, creating a comprehensive database that scientists can use to monitor native species and detect invasive pests. Elle Irvine, who began photographing insects in her Brisbane backyard in 2020, joined Bug Hunt to contribute to the understanding of Australian invertebrates.
“Because my interest started because of photography, I predominantly wander around looking for insects that I might find interesting to photograph,” Irvine explained. “In the course of doing that, I might run across 50 other insects that I don’t really want to spend 20 minutes taking photos of, but I can take one photo and upload it as I go.”
Engaging the Community
Irvine believes the project is an excellent way to engage people with the insect world. “There’s a lot of people who are really interested in the wildlife around them, but for the most part, people don’t know what to do,” she said. “Everybody can take pictures and that grows people’s understanding. This gives them a really great way to get more information and to get involved as a community.”
Alison Mellor, co-lead of the Bug Hunt project at Invertebrates Australia, emphasized the importance of having “eyes on the ground.” “Scientists can’t be in all places at all times, so we’re really relying on people just taking their phones and snapping some photographs of any bugs when they see them,” Mellor noted. “We’re really hoping to get a good picture of invertebrates all across Australia.”
Scientific Value and Enthusiasm
Queensland Museum’s senior insect curator, Chris Burwell, praised citizen science projects like Bug Hunt and iNaturalist as “incredible resources” for researchers. “It’s fantastic for tracking species where they occur throughout the year, whether they’re moving southwards due to a changing climate,” Dr. Burwell said. “As it’s getting warmer, we’re seeing more things coming into south-east Queensland that we haven’t seen before.”
“You’ve got a whole lot of willing people that want to go out into their back garden with a camera and record where things are, so the sheer number of records is amazing,” Dr. Burwell added.
Dr. Burwell, who describes himself as an “iNaturalist tragic” with over 14,000 observations logged, is passionate about anything that encourages people to engage with insects. “It’s just really fun to take a photo of something, put it up online, and then somebody comes back and tells you what you’ve got in your own yard,” he said.
Monitoring Invasive Species
Reece Pianta, advocacy director at the Invasive Species Council, highlighted Bug Hunt’s role in monitoring the spread of pests that threaten ecosystems. “In Queensland, we are a frontline for some invasive species like fire ants, yellow, crazy, and electric ants,” Pianta explained. “You could find something that shouldn’t be out there in nature and you could do your bit to help protect our native environment.”
“The holidays are a great time to get out there as a family, mapping out what’s out there and taking part as a citizen scientist,” Pianta suggested.
Bug Hunt organizers are also keen to gather photos of native species in Queensland, such as nesting bees, birdwing butterflies, and Christmas beetles.
Getting Started with Bug Hunting
For those interested in joining the ranks of citizen scientists, Elle Irvine advises starting small. “You don’t need to head to an exotic location, or the Botanic Gardens,” she said. “If you just start in your garden, you start to notice so many things when you’re already a little bit familiar with your surroundings.”
This development in citizen science not only enriches the scientific community’s understanding of insect populations but also fosters a greater appreciation for the natural world among everyday Australians. As Bug Hunt continues to grow, it promises to be an invaluable tool in both conservation efforts and the fight against invasive species.
