Insect Investigators

Uncovering Australia's Biodiversity Through Citizen Science

The Insect Investigators project was a citizen science initiative that ran from 2021 to 2023, connecting regional and remote school students with researchers to discover, document, and describe Australia's diverse invertebrate fauna. Through hands-on scientific research, the project fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of our nation’s unique biodiversity.

Schools participated in 2022, setting up insect traps and working alongside scientists to identify species—some of which were previously unknown to science. The project was led by the South Australian Museum, with contributions from the Queensland Museum, Western Australian Museum, University of Adelaide, and the University of the Sunshine Coast, alongside support from the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board of South Australia and the Western Australian Gould League.

SASTA was involved throughout the project, with our Executive Officer, Kate Dilger, contributing to the school engagement team, supporting teachers and students as they participated in real-world scientific research.

Although the initial project has concluded, efforts are underway to secure funding for a future iteration of Insect Investigators.

About the Project

Insect Investigators aimed to bridge the gap between scientific research and education by involving students directly in authentic scientific processes.

Participating schools set up Malaise traps—tent-like structures that passively collect flying insects such as wasps and flies—for several months. The collected specimens were then sent to partnering museums and universities, where taxonomists and researchers analyzed them.

Students gained hands-on experience with species identification, DNA barcoding and the role of taxonomy in understanding ecosystems.

Key Objectives:

• Engagement: Involve students in real-world scientific research, sparking an interest in entomology and biodiversity.
• Education: Provide hands-on learning experiences that align with curriculum standards.
• Discovery: Contribute to the documentation of Australia’s invertebrate species, including the identification of potential new species.

Project Highlights

• Broad Participation: 50 regional and remote schools across South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia took part.
• Scientific Discoveries: Students contributed to the documentation of thousands of insects, including species new to science.
• Educational Impact: The project inspired junior entomologists, strengthened students’ understanding of biodiversity, and demonstrated the power of citizen science.