WA Bug Barcode Blitz: A Two-Way Citizen Science Adventure in Regional WA.
Join us in the WA Bug Barcode Blitz 2024, dedicated to uncovering the rich invertebrate biodiversity of regional Western Australia. This project invites the community to collect and identify bugs and spiders using DNA technology, sharing stories of Indigenous and Western science.
Project Overview:
Our mission is to engage the public in helping to catalogue insect and arachnid species in WA’s varied landscapes. They will collect specimens for DNA barcoding to genetically identify species.
How It Works:
- Discover and Document Nature: Collect an insect or spider from the bush or backyard, in town or in country. Using the iNaturalist app, take a photo and upload it to our project. Attend the 4-hour live stream presentation in your town/city.
- Prepare and Process the Bug DNA: The most interesting 8 specimens will be DNA barcoded by you under the guidance of experts from Murdoch Uni's lab. All equipment supplied. Finally, package up your samples and post them to Perth for genetic sequencing.
- Decode DNA Data: Join the big reveal in a one-hour webinar a week later to analyze your emailed genetic barcode results! You may have discovered a brand-new species.
Why Participate?
- Contribute to Science: Help add to our database of WA’s insect and arachnid species, aiding conservation and research.
- Hands-on Learning: Gain practical experience in scientific methods, from field collection to lab analysis.
Get Involved:
Register your interest if you are a community member in regional WA. We will be announcing the 10 venues across the state taking part in the WA Barcoding Blitz 2024. Join us in this exciting journey to make a real impact on biodiversity conservation.
