Photography addict takes 14,000 snaps of insects for a bug hunt
Queensland insect enthusiasts are snapping photos of their backyard bugs to help researchers monitor native and invasive species.
Queensland insect enthusiasts are using their cameras to help researchers study bug populations, as part of a national citizen science project.
Bug Hunt, developed by the Invasive Species Council and Invertebrates Australia, is a new program that seeks to create a nation-wide catalogue of critters using the online platform iNaturalist.
The project gathers pictures and observations from thousands of participants to create a database for scientists to monitor native species and identify invasive pests.
Your own backyard can be the best place to start looking for insects, Ms Irvine says. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)
Elle Irvine began photographing insects in her Brisbane backyard in 2020 and joined Bug Hunt to help build a bigger picture of Australian invertebrates.
"Because my interest started because of photography, I predominantly wander around looking for insects that I might find interesting to photograph," she said.
"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."
She said the project is a great way to get people excited about insects.
A baby iridescent jumping spider captured with a macro lens. (Supplied: Elle Irvine)
"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."
Invertebrates Australia Bug Hunt project co-lead Alison Mellor said Bug Hunt aims to get as many "eyes on the ground" as possible.
Bug Hunt co-lead Alison Mellor says the project aims to get more "eyes on the ground." (Image: Supplied)
"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," she said.
"We're really hoping to get a good picture of invertebrates all across Australia."