Why should we care about
Bug Biodiversity?
Biodiversity supports all life on Earth, and bugs are some of the most diverse and important members of every healthy ecosystem. Their role goes far beyond the parks and wild spaces we explore – biodiversity helps clean the air we breathe, keeps the water we drink safe, supports food production, and maintains natural resources that power our world.
What is a
Malaise Trap?
A Malaise trap is a scientific tool used to catch flying insects, often for biodiversity surveys. Invented in 1934 by Swedish entomologist René Malaise, it looks like a black and white tent with a mesh panel running down the middle.
What is
DNA barcoding?
A DNA barcode works like a genetic fingerprint for a species. Scientists read a short, standard segment of DNA – the ‘barcode’ – and compare it to a database to figure out which species it came from. There’s a lot more to it than that, though!
