Students from seventeen schools across the State have become ‘insect investigators’, joining a new citizen science project from the South Australian Museum to document and learn about the insects in their area.
Project manager and Honorary Researcher at the Museum, Erinn Fagan-Jeffries said the Insect Investigators project would connect regional and remote school students with researchers to document their local insect biodiversity and discover new insects in their area.
Dr Fagan-Jeffries said participating schools were required to set up a Malaise trap, a tent-like structure that caught flying insects, and monitor their findings for a four-week period from 1 March.
“The specimens will be sorted, DNA barcoded and sent to expert scientists who will identify and research the insects to help build on the knowledge of Australia’s insect species,” Dr Fagan-Jeffries.
She said she had been overwhelmed by the level of interest from schools wanting to participate in the inaugural project, with nearly 200 schools applying for the 50 places.
“Over the next few weeks, Insect Investigator team members will be running workshops with the school students to inspire them to become junior entomologists for the year and help them prepare to set-up their insect trap in early March,” she said.
“We can’t wait to work with students to survey the insects at their school, and maybe even find some new species.
“Teachers can assist students to find insects and upload images of them to iNaturalist, an online citizen science portal with an engaged community of people who will help to identify the insects in the images.”
Further information on Insect Investigators can be accessed at this PS News link.
