Ask the Insect AI Image Collection Experts!
Stephan Peterse, Faunabit
The Netherlands
What made you interested in creating camera traps?
Lucky coincidence! Five years ago, I was working with hardware/software experts and got involved in the Naturalis project where I was introduced to Diopsis. That gave me a real purpose! combining hardware technology with nature protection, developing something that can be of real value to people and nature.
Why is this trap exciting? And Am I right calling it a trap?
Do you think it is just a trap to me? It is not just a trap of flying insects we try to develop broader abilities and that make it even more exciting. Actually, It is not a trap, it is a non-lethal method of capturing images of any flying insects
Where can we use it?
We are currently testing it in hot weather, but it can work anywhere.
Is it available commercially?
Yes, of course, at faunabit.eu or diopsis.eu
What made you interested in creating camera traps?
I was interested in plant-pollinators interactions. I have a botany background and I just wanted to find out more about plants, their pollinators and flower evolution!
Why is this trap exciting? Am I right calling it a camera trap?
PICT is cheap and easy to build. no previous electronics experience required! You can find the parts list in this paper (https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/2041-210X.13618).
Where can we use it?
Anywhere that insects live, flower patches, nests. From the Swiss Alps to Ecuador. Just do not use it underwater!
Is it available commercially?
PICT will go public soon regarding the software for now you can get in touch with: luca.pegoraro@wsl.ch
What made you interested in creating camera traps?
Taxonomic expertise is scarce at most geographic locations and it looks like it is going to be even more scarce in the future. Good resolution cameras such as the LEPMON camera light trap could be a possible solution to this lack of expertise in the future.
Why is this trap exciting? And Am I right calling it a trap?
It is most definitely a camera trap. It tries to solve limitations regarding the resolution of other cameras and record small insects. We think about small Moths as a starting point but this camera light trap can be used with other small insects aswell.
Where can we use it?
Anywhere you want to observe flying insects. We will test and adapt the system to different conditions, for example for usage in the rainforest or in the Mediterranean. We will start in Germany where we run the LEPMON project.
Is it available commercially?
This is the plan. For more information more info:Lepmon.de Dennis.boettger@uni-jena.de