Interesting idea, the iNat app AI does NZ moths ok thanks to the heaps of reference images, but can't handle multiple things
29.08.2025 05:49
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Interesting idea, the iNat app AI does NZ moths ok thanks to the heaps of reference images, but can't handle multiple things
Tricky tortricids!
Yeah it gets stuck in a cycle, a few bad IDs and it thinks everything is a common earthworm. But if there are characters visible in photos and good identifiers then the model adapts well over time
It'll be the AI suggestion that does this, but it can be trained. The model for Lepidoptera in NZ is really good now, but it's been trained by identifying things. Same with millipedes. Once you correct it things improve a bit.
The Wellington, New Zealand entomology branch is looking for international speakers who would be interested to talk to enthusiast and professional entomologist a like. We got some amazing talkers off science Twitter, how's Bluesky going to compare???
Yeah fair, not a nice way to die. Can buy them over the counter here in NZ too
Is the term "nasty chemicals" helpful? 2nd generation rodenticides have been essential to many eradications of rodents, and it is possible to draw attention to their over availability/overuse without endangering other efforts overseas.
I think it can be overused in places right? But yeah an outright ban seems misguided!
Pretty bad news for some inverts too!
From 7 science agencies to 4. How long before we come full circle back to 1? Bring back #DSIR
A ngaio weevil on a ngaio leaf on Takapourewa, NZ
Do you want to make a huge impact on the conservation of a critically endangered species in 2025? Voting for the ngaio weevil in the NZ Bug of the Year shorturl.at/WOvMe will get it precious publicity + possibly funding to help find out what it needs to recover........Please share to save a species!
🐌🐜🕷MAY THE BEST BUG WIN 🐛🪰🦋
Voting for the 2025 New Zealand Bug of the Year competition AND submissions for the poetry contest are both live today!
Place your votes for the top three bugs you think deserve to win. It's pretty hard to pick just 3 for me honestly.
That dot in Northland!
Is the site up yet?
ngaio weevil
Entomological Society of NZ has its third celebration of invertebrates beginning today - I will be campaigning for the ngaio weevil, a large (30 mm) flightless weevil found on one island in Aotearoa/NZ bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz
Optimist: the cup is half full
Pessimist: the cup is half empty
Taxonomist: describes both cups as different species, an error which isn't picked up for 150 years.
Pint-sized crustacean named after New Zealand brewery to boost interest in marine life
So. Here it is. The ABSOLUTELY nuttiest study we have ever done in my 25+ years as a scientist working on mosquitoes
"Revisiting the paradigm of anhematophagy in male mosquitoes"
Let's dive into the paper
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
I'll email a copy through.
I've always wanted to quantify NZs research spend on Honey bees.
A big thanks to all those who contributed to our moth research project, paper #1 published!
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
If you need a copy to read reach out to me. More work to come, next up a comparison to historical records done in the late 19th, early 20th records!
Not seen the spider one before, what group forms bodies like that??
You'll be very proud, I signed up to Wikipedia to fix an annoying typo. Next, I'll be delving into references???! Who knows
Did enjoy the worm shots!
Saw dozens of your #boty2024 in Te Kopahou reserve, Wgtn. A real stronghold.
Nice no stress, got to make the most of summer :)
Nice were they taking photos or doing a bit of collecting? Hope you got a still warm night!
Kahukura is crowned Bug of the Year 2024! ❤️🎉🐛🧪
theconversation.com/nz-votes-the...
inaturalist.nz/taxa/205977-... is the ladybird for scale??
You can get a Masters/Post grad at Vic. But there are entry level positions and quite a bit can be learnt on the job too