Insect Investigators

Insect Investigators is a citizen science project that partnered with regional schools across South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia. Fifty regional schools surveyed their local insect biodiversity using a Malaise trap (a flight intercept trap) for four weeks in March 2022. The insect samples were then sorted and processed, and around 14,000 insect specimens were chosen to be DNA barcoded at the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics in Guelph, Canada. The insect specimens were returned to Australia and made available to taxonomists. Many schools have found undocumented species that they are working with taxonomists to scientifically name and describe. Insect Investigators provides resources for teachers to include entomology and taxonomy in the classroom and plans to continue working with school students to better understand and document insect diversity all over Australia. Insect Investigators received funding from the Australian Government and is a partnership between many organizations including the South Australian Museum, The University of Adelaide, the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Museum, Western Australian Gould League, Western Australian Museum, the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, South Australian Science Teachers Association, and Australian Entomological Supplies.