Science ambassador student and Bio Barcode founder Pauline Charman during the Bug Barcode Blitz 2024. Photo supplied by Murdoch Media.

Regional WA school students have made important contributions to biodiversity research, identifying insect species in their own backyards through a DNA sequencing project.

The work was done as part of the WA Bug Barcode Blitz 2024. The project connects students with biodiversity research, giving them the chance to sequence DNA and match their findings to known species. The strongest matches came from Leonora students, who identified a Pieris rapae (cabbage moth) and an Iridomyrex sanguineus (meat ant).

The project has already yielded other results, with sightings of redback spiders, bush cockroaches, and even a species of moth that hasn’t yet been classified.

Involvement opportunities ranged from simply collecting an insect or spider, using the iNaturalist App to take and upload a photo, to collaborating with Murdoch scientists to sequence the bugs’ DNA. There were also engagement opportunities for school and community groups.

DNA barcoding for biodiversity research, enables more accurate and efficient species identification than traditional methods while engaging school children in collecting live samples of different species as part of a citizen science initiative to aid in the discovery and documentation of the species.

Bio Barcode Australia founder Pauline Charman explained how the project involved remote communities, including Kalumbaru, Looma, Leonora, and Albany, giving people there the opportunity to share Indigenous knowledge about the invertebrates collected. Ms Charman also highlighted that it is thought that only 30% of invertebrate species in Australia have been identified.

Australian invertebrates face global biodiversity threats such as climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, and invasive species. According to Invertebrates Australia, although only about 480 species (0.6% of named invertebrates) are listed as threatened, many more are likely at risk of extinction.

“By incorporating citizen scientists, particularly in regional and indigenous communities, we are aiming to tap into local knowledge while advancing our understanding of biodiversity,” Ms Charman said.

However, the vast geography of Western Australia presents logistical challenges, with the team relying on portable equipment and community collaboration to carry out the work. Murdoch University’s Harry Butler Institute is one of the key collaborators in this initiative.

Bio Barcode founder Pauline Charman at the Harry Butler Institute, showcasing the DNA sequencing equipment. Photo Credit: Asia Ahmed

Murdoch University senior entomology professor Wei Xu highlighted the reliability and potential improvements of this technology.

“DNA barcoding is an invaluable tool, especially for detecting invasive insects before they become widespread,” Dr Xu explained. “It allows us to identify an entire species from just a small body part, which is crucial for quick detection and response.”

However, Dr Xu cautioned against relying solely on this technology. “While DNA barcoding is revolutionary, it must be used alongside traditional methods to avoid ambiguous results, particularly with species that are very similar in appearance.

“As AI technology advances, it will further refine our ability to identify species in science research accurately, but for now, expert analysis remains essential,” said Dr Xu.

According to a CSIRO 2021 report, managing Australia’s ecosystems is expensive and challenging due to the country’s large size, complexity, and high biodiversity.

According to the paper, eDNA (short for environmental DNA) technology offers a non-invasive, extremely accurate way to detect species, which may be a solution but as the report notes, most Australian species still lack DNA barcodes, and a large portion of the DNA barcode library is still unfinished, which limits the technology’s efficacy.

The initiative has sought to demystify DNA technologies, raise public awareness about biodiversity, and inspire the next generation through participation as citizen scientists.