Get involved in BugWise

Get involved in BugWise

The BugWise program encourages everyone to learn and study invertebrates. Australian Museum scientists have developed new ways to monitor invertebrate populations and you can help test them. Find out more about how you can get involved and what you can do to help the environment.

How to get involved

Find out more about how to become involved in the BugWise program.

Butterfly survey

This method measures the activity of an insect pollinator. Butterflies are specialist nectar feeders.

Grid-paper decay rate survey

Paper is a product derived from plants. This method uses paper to simulate naturally occurring organic material such as leaf litter.

Seed removal rate survey

Natural recruitment of seedlings can be dependent upon the rate of seed dispersal. This method measures the activity of seed dispersers in an area.

Leaf damage survey

The success of seedling growth is very dependent upon their exposure to these activities. Too much herbivory can lead to seedling death. By monitoring damage levels it is hoped we can deal with herbivore pressure before it is too late.

Invertebrate burrow survey

Monitoring the number of burrows in the soil can be a way to detect changes in soil health. Recording features of these burrows can also provide information about the diversity of burrowing invertebrates that live in the soil.

Web building spider survey

There is also an association between the number of webs and the number of spiders. This method provides an easy way to measure the numbers and diversity of spiders that build webs to catch their prey.

Become a BugWise photographer

Use your skills and be a photographer for BugWise.

Trapping the emerald furrow bee in the Hunter and surrounding region

Volunteers will help in the survey to find out how far a new exotic bee has spread.

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