Monitoring Biodiversity of Moths (Lepidoptera) Using Automated Camera Traps and Artificial Intelligence

The drastic decline in insect populations (‘insect decline’) is causing great concern for ecosystems worldwide. There is a lack of reliable and comprehensive assessments of insect populations to accurately monitor and understand these developments. The aim of the project is to develop a practical system for nationwide, automated monitoring of nocturnal insects to reliably document changes in population. It will utilize high-resolution, robust automatic camera traps to capture insects attracted by a UV lamp. Initially, the relatively well-known nocturnal butterflies with more than 1,100 species in Germany will be studied. The project will develop systems for data transmission, storage, and image annotation, as well as explore fundamental methodological questions, such as which insect groups are suitable for the method in principle.

In the first phase, the project focuses on the detailed elaboration of a concept and the preparation of a proposal for a second phase, which aims to implement the mentioned objectives. Additionally, the project will conduct initial scientific work to facilitate an effective and rapid transition to a possible second phase.

Video: Varis Malazezi