Moth surveillance tools through the use of health-related trapping mechanisms
In the heart of New Zealand's natural landscape, a unique project is underway. The Ahi Pepe MothNet project is a collaborative effort aimed at collecting and identifying the country's native moths, involving institutions such as Forest & Bird, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research, and the New Zealand Association of Science [1].
At the core of this project are Heath moth traps, a specialized piece of equipment designed to monitor moths and other insects. These traps consist of fins, a funnel, a base, and a solar unit. As moths fly towards the light, they are deflected down the funnel and into the base. The base has a few egg cartons in the bottom, where moths instinctively crawl into the shadows and settle down [2].
The traps are equipped with a fluorescent bulb that emits actinic light, a type of UV light at the 420 nanometre range, to attract moths. Interestingly, a Kestrel weather station sits above the Heath moth trap, measuring various environmental factors such as altitude, air temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed, and wind direction every 10 minutes [3].
The project is not just about collecting data; it's also about engaging the community. The Ahi Pepe MothNet project offers hands-on experiences using scientific equipment to students and whānau, introducing them to scientific thinking and methodology and strengthening their connections with the environment [4].
The project is funded by multiple organizations, including Otago Science into Action, the Participatory Science Platform (PSP), the Curious Minds initiative, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepoti, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Te Tumu, University of Otago, Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Otago Museum, and New Zealand's Biological Heritage National Science Challenge [5].
Beyond Heath moth traps, the project employs various methods for monitoring moths, such as making tracking tunnels, moth collecting, rearing moths, pollinator counts, yellow pan traps, and pitfall traps. Four tracking tunnels circle each trap about 5 metres away from the light, allowing researchers to see what other creatures are out and about near the Heath moth trap, including native birds, reptiles, and invertebrates that may serve as food sources for the moths [6].
The Ahi Pepe MothNet project is part of the Otago pilot of the Participatory Science Platform (PSP), which was implemented as a pilot in three areas: South Auckland, Taranaki, and Otago [7]. For more detailed and updated information, checking official websites and social media channels of the mentioned partner institutions or the Ahi Pepe MothNet project itself would be advisable since the search results reference recent activities but contain limited specifics [1].
In essence, the Ahi Pepe MothNet project is a citizen science project designed to collect nationally significant information about New Zealand's native moths. Its ultimate goal is to find out about New Zealand's native moths, where they are found, and what their distributions can tell us about the country's changing natural environment [8].
[1] Ahi Pepe MothNet Project Website [2] Heath Moth Trap Design [3] Kestrel Weather Station [4] Ahi Pepe MothNet Project's Community Engagement [5] Funding for the Ahi Pepe MothNet Project [6] Tracking Tunnels in the Ahi Pepe MothNet Project [7] Participatory Science Platform (PSP) Otago Pilot [8] Ahi Pepe MothNet Project's Objectives
Through the Ahi Pepe MothNet project, individuals can explore environmental-science by engaging with online-education materials that explain various monitoring techniques, such as using Heath moth traps and tracking tunnels. This project also encourages learning about scientific thinking and methodology, as part of the education-and-self-development goals it offers to students and whānau.
