Insects are vital indicators of ecosystem health and, like so many other species, are in worrying decline. 41% of insect species are currently threatened with extinction and it is likely that many will become extinct across the planet without us even knowing they ever existed.

Buzz Map is a new project run by Wellcome Connecting Science which aims to involve communities with otherwise limited access to science to help map the UK’s flying insect populations using DNA sequencing to identify species. Unless you are an expert, insects can be very difficult to identify accurately, but DNA sequencing can do this quickly and efficiently. The project aims to sequence species across 100 sites from 2023 – 2026 providing a picture of the number and abundance of species in a variety of habitats.

Collections will be made over a 24-hour period once a month for five years using a malaise trap. Samples will be plated up and sent to Cambridge for analysis. At Lackford Lakes, our team will be working with West Suffolk College students and our team of Young Wardens and volunteers who will help process the samples. At Carlton Marshes, there will be a mix of Young Wardens, East College students and local volunteers taking part. 

The aim is to help more people engage with science and learn more about insects and their vital roles in ecosystems. As well as species ID, the sequencing can reveal potential insect interactions with other species, such as pollination information, details on diet and identify any parasites living on them. 

We’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in taking part in this exciting new project. Please email engagement@suffolkwildlifetrust.org and let us know. 

Data will be returned after a few months’ worth of collecting, and we will keep you updated on the research findings. 

For more information on the UK project, visit www.sanger.ac.uk/collaboration/bioscan 

You can also find out about other sites in East Anglia taking part in the survey by following this link:

https://publicengagement.wellcomeconnectingscience.org/projects/buzz-map/