The Quest has begun!
BugQuest sites are at capacity for the 2026 sampling season.
Apply to join the waitlist for 2027!
Applications will be reviewed to ensure a balanced and representative network across Canada. Whether you’re a teacher, park manager, farmer, or nature enthusiast, your school or community site can help build Canada’s largest national insect biodiversity baseline.
Applications full – Apply to join the waitlist!
Contact bugquest.canada@gmail.com for more info
Late applications will be considered for BugQuest in 2027.
Timeline
Learn locally. Contribute nationally.
Join the BugQuest community!
Why participate?
Discover the insects in your neighbourhood and take part in real science!
What you’ll get:
- A ready-to-use BugQuest Kit at no cost (valued at ~$1,000)
- Free DNA sequencing, data analysis, and shipping
- Engaging learning materials for community groups and classrooms on insects, biodiversity, and DNA barcoding
- A detailed site report with species lists, images, and comparisons with other sites across Canada
Why it matters:
- Contribute to a nationwide quest to barcode all bugs in Canada
- Support conservation and long-term biodiversity monitoring
- Engage students and communities in hands-on, real-world science
How else can I contribute?
Whether you are awaiting the arrival of your QuestKit, could not sign up for a BugQuest trap, or are just an interested community member, there are still lots of ways you can support BugQuest and insect biodiversity!
Follow the Quest
Join the waitlist
Follow us on social media
Check out our educational resources (coming soon!)
If you are interested in seeing a trap in action, explore the BugQuest Map to find out if there is a public trap in your area*
*Not all traps are on public property. Be mindful of privacy, trespassing, hours of operation, and/or admission fees that may apply to the location of different traps. If you are uncertain about these things, reach out to the site (if possible) or the BugQuest Team for more information.
Everyday Actions
Plant native species in your garden to provide a home and food source for local insects
Avoid disturbing leaf litter – this is an important habitat and overwintering site for many species
Join community science programs like iNaturalist
Participate in a local BioBlitz, such as The Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Big Backyard BioBlitz, to help monitor local species
what is considered a
Community site?
Community sites are public or educational spaces that attract visitors and could benefit from learning about their local insect biodiversity, from pollinators and pest species to indicators of ecosystem health.
These sites often have an interest in citizen science, conservation, or environmental education, and can use the data to better understand how insects shape their habitats.
Examples include:
- Provincial and national parks
- Conservation areas and nature reserves
- Botanical gardens
- Zoos and aquariums
- Family-friendly farms
- Outdoor education centres and camps
Any similar spaces that connect people with nature.
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.
Why Partipate?
Discover the insects in your neighbourhood — and take part in real science.
We want to invite communities to explore the insect biodiversity living right around them while contributing to real scientific research. By joining BugQuest, you contribute to a nationwide effort to better understand insect diversity, seasonal change, and ecosystem health across Canada.
What You'll Get
- A ready-to-use BugQuest Kit at no cost (valued at ~$1,000)
- DNA sequencing, data analysis, and shipping are also free
- Engaging learning materials for community groups and classrooms on insects, biodiversity, and DNA barcoding.
- Photos and names of the insects collected locally
- A view of how your site compares with others across Canada