A National Search to Uncover Biodiversity
Discover the incredible insect biodiversity living in schoolyards, parks, and backyards across Canada. Starting in 2026, BugQuest invites schools and communities to collect insects using simple, standardized methods and identify them through DNA barcoding.
By taking part, participants help reveal species that often go unnoticed and contribute to Canada’s largest ever insect survey.
Help us "DNA barcode 'em all!"
Who can participate?
- Schools: Elementary, middle, and high schools across Canada.
- Community sites: Parks, farms, gardens, zoos, camps, and other outdoor spaces.
- Other groups: Universities, museums, and citizen science programs are also welcome!
Why participate?
What you’ll get:
- Access to all required equipment (insect trap, preservative, collection bottles) plus free shipping and analysis — a total in-kind value of $1,000!
- Learning resources for your community or classroom
- Reports for 2026 sampling will be provided in early 2027
- Includes list and photographs of species found
- Comparisons with other sites across the country
Why it matters:
- Help map Canada’s insect diversity
- Support conservation and long-term biodiversity monitoring
- Engage students and communities in hands-on, real-world science
How does it work?
Apply online — we’ll review all submissions before selecting sampling sites.
Receive your Quest kit — includes insect trap, bottles, preservative, and shipping materials.
Set up trap and collect samples weekly starting in Spring through Fall 2026.
Ship bug samples back using provided labels and prepaid shipping.
Get your results! — a biodiversity report showing what species were found at your site.
- Let us know if you are interested in multiple seasons of sampling.
Join the Quest!
- Community Sites (parks, farms, zoos, gardens, etc.):
- Set up a Malaise trap and collect weekly samples between May to October 2026 (or as long as possible depending on weather/location).
- Schools:
- Deploy a trap and collect in Fall 2026 and again in Spring 2027.
What You'll Discover
- A detailed site biodiversity report with species lists, images, and comparisons with other sites and previous surveys.
- A chance to contribute to a nation-wide quest to barcode all Canadian bugs.
- Educational materials on insects, biodiversity, and DNA barcoding.