COS 40-6 - Automated monitoring of nocturnal insects: building tools and user communities

Abstract: There is mounting evidence that populations of insects around the world are in sharp decline. Understanding trends in species and their drivers is key to knowing how to address them. Insect monitoring is key to this, and should be efficient, standardised, and frequently updated to guide conservation actions.

To address data challenge we have developed an autonomous camera trap for monitoring nocturnal insects, capable of running for long periods without intervention. This technology combines UV lights to attract moths with cameras to collect images. Images are stored locally and processed using AI-techniques.

We present the AMI-Trap, providing the technical specifications, capabilities and limitations. We will present results from deployments in temperate and tropical regions demonstrating the quality and quantity of data collected, and exploring the opportunities this tool provides for answering new research questions.

The AMI-Trap is one piece of a larger puzzle. To ensure, these technologies are accessible and impactful there are many other developments that are needed, from data storage and AI algorithms, to training and knowledge exchange. We will present a range of activities that are ongoing to build and support the growing network of researchers adopting automated methods for monitoring. Activities include workshops, webinars, field trips and online forums, and have been lead by UKCEH through the Easy-RIDER project.

Our work has taught us that to build automated monitoring tools for insects that are accessible and impactful for all ecologists requires global collaborations that are interdisciplinary. The rapid progress that has been made by such collaborations recently provides hope that large-scale practical applications of these tools are not far away.