Monitoring insects: Insights from citizen science initiatives

Citizen science (CS) plays a crucial role in monitoring and conserving biodiversity by actively engaging the public in scientific research and data collection. To explore recent CS initiatives focused on insects globally, we conducted a structured search utilizing SciStarter and the EU-citizen.science platforms, which provide extensive databases of CS projects across various disciplines. Our analysis identified 88 projects specifically targeting insects, either as focal taxa or within broader biodiversity initiatives. Projects were analyzed based on their target taxon and participant tasks. Insect community monitoring emerged as the focus of 29 projects (33.0%), while pollinator-specific initiatives accounted for 16 projects (18.2%). Within the pollinator-focused projects, 9 were specifically dedicated to monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) (10.2%), and 8 projects centered on bees, including honey bees (Apis mellifera) and bumblebees (Bombus spp.) (9.1%). Other insect groups, such as moths and beetles, represented 11.4% of the projects, while dragonflies constituted 6.8%. Less than 5% of initiatives targeted taxa like caterpillars, ants, mosquitoes, and fireflies, indicating a limited emphasis on these groups. Participant tasks across the projects were categorized into three main areas: wildlife monitoring (tracking species populations and documenting seasonal changes), biodiversity documentation (mapping various species), and community engagement (involving citizens in conservation efforts through training and reporting observations). Multi-taxon approaches were widely adopted, with initiatives monitoring insects, arthropods, and freshwater macroinvertebrates, capturing broader biodiversity patterns. Notably, over 15 invasive species, including the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), were tracked to support early detection and mitigation efforts. Observations also revealed key ecological interactions, including pollinator–plant networks, caterpillar–foliage arthropod dynamics, and ant–habitat associations. However, a gap identified in many CS initiatives is the absence of an interdisciplinary approach, particularly in incorporating social dimensions, which limits collaboration among stakeholders and undermines the potential impact of conservation efforts.