Using digital macrophotography to measure biodiversity, identify insects, and enhance outreach and education

Abstract

Digital macrophotography holds potential as a valuable tool for observational studies and experiments in entomology and ecology. With advances in digital technology, high-resolution images can be acquired rapidly to capture fast-moving insects as they land for short periods of time. Macrophotography serves as an accurate and flexible method of observing and identifying insects with little disturbance. Using the sharp resolution from advanced macrophotography lenses in the field, verification of sight identifications can be obtained, and the images serve as a digital record of species presence. In a study conducted on factors affecting insect pollinator communities, digital macrophotography was introduced into a traditional transect-based observational method. Six sites were chosen to conduct thirty-minute observation walks along a 100 m transect. Rather than rely solely on sight identification, pollinators from three hymenopteran families and all butterflies were recorded digitally. We tested the efficiency of collecting species presence/absence data using the camera and found an average of 87.6% of the species present at a site using this method. Images were organized into a virtual collection that will be placed in an online database to offer information about pollinator conservation to the public and be used as a teaching tool in an entomology course and a workshop for local K-12 educators. Creating a digital collection promotes accuracy of identification, facilitates researchers' familiarity with the insects (especially undergraduates learning to identify insects), minimizes specimen collection, and allows outreach to the local community.