Big Success for Citizen Science Bug Hunt

Topic: Science

On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 6:40 am

On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 7:54 am

Australians are taking part in the Bug Hunt across the country.

Jess Ward-Jones liked looking for bugs when she was a kid.

Jess loves bugs, especially the velvet worm.

Jess liked looking at the small animals in nature when she was a kid.

Now, Jess helps people find bugs for the Bug Hunt Australia.

Jess has loved bugs for a long time.

People can join the Bug Hunt with just a phone and curiosity.

The Bug Hunt is led by the Invasive Species Council and Invertebrates Australia.

Over 1 million bug pictures have been sent in since October 2025.

Many people are excited about the Bug Hunt.

The project is easy and fun, and it helps a lot.

This is a Trichophthalma fly.

This is a harlequin beetle.

Kids are joining the Bug Hunt too.

People take pictures of bugs and send them to the iNaturalist app.

Experts look at the pictures and help with the research.

This is an orchard swallowtail.

The bug pictures help scientists learn more about the bugs.

Australia has many animals that haven't been discovered yet.

A six-year-old girl named Isabel likes the Bug Hunt.

Isabel likes exploring nature with her family.

Isabel and her family like to go to the park and look for bugs.

Isabel's mom says the Bug Hunt is a fun game for kids.

The Bug Hunt helps kids learn about nature.

Isabel likes cicadas.

Isabel's mom likes the Bug Hunt too.

Citizen science is important.

People have found invasive bugs like fire ants and crazy ants.

Last week, people found invasive honey bees in Brisbane.

Invasive bugs can hurt the environment.

People can help stop invasive bugs by being careful.

The red fire ant is a bad bug.

Invasive bugs have hurt many animals.

The Bug Hunt helps find invasive bugs.

Citizen scientists are important for finding invasive bugs.

Every bug picture helps scientists learn more.

See more news stories.

Promotion