University of Guelph Spearheads BugQuest Launch

The University of Guelph has unveiled BugQuest, a groundbreaking citizen science initiative designed to catalog insect biodiversity across Canada. Led by the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics (CBG) at the university, this project invites schools, community groups, parks, and other public spaces to participate in collecting flying insects using specialized traps. Launched in early 2026, BugQuest builds on the success of smaller-scale efforts and aims to deploy up to 1,000 malaise traps nationwide, marking one of the largest coordinated insect surveys in Canadian history.

Project lead Ross Stewart, a postdoctoral scholar at CBG, emphasizes the project's scale: aiming to shatter previous participation numbers from a pilot involving 68 schools. Participants receive free kits complete with traps, preservatives, and prepaid shipping, making entry accessible without prior expertise. Samples are analyzed using advanced DNA barcoding at the university's labs, with detailed biodiversity reports returned to sites, fostering a direct link between public involvement and scientific discovery.

The Urgent Need to Monitor Canada's Insects

Insects form the foundation of ecosystems, serving as pollinators, decomposers, and prey for countless species. Yet, Canada faces a biodiversity crisis, with insect populations declining sharply. Research indicates over 45 percent drop in insect numbers since the 1980s, while nearly 35 percent of studied bee species in Canada and the U.S. are at risk of extinction. Aerial insectivores, birds that feed on flying insects, have declined by 43 percent since the 1970s, signaling broader environmental stress from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change.

BugQuest addresses this knowledge gap by creating baseline data essential for tracking changes. In a country as vast as Canada, from boreal forests to urban schoolyards, uniform monitoring is challenging—but university-driven initiatives like this provide the infrastructure needed. The project's focus on public spaces ensures data reflects human-impacted environments, offering insights into urban biodiversity and land management effects on insect communities.

Centre for Biodiversity Genomics: A Hub of Innovation

At the heart of BugQuest is the University of Guelph's Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, home to the world's largest insect DNA library with over 20 million specimen records on the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD). CBG pioneers DNA barcoding—a technique that sequences a short genetic marker to identify species rapidly and accurately—generating millions of barcodes annually. This technology, refined through projects like BIOSCAN, an international arthropod monitoring effort, powers BugQuest's analysis.

The centre's work exemplifies how Canadian universities lead in genomics and ecology. With facilities producing over three million DNA barcodes and high-resolution images yearly, CBG equips researchers with tools to document life on Earth. BugQuest extends this expertise outward, training the next generation of scientists while engaging the public. For details on CBG's capabilities, visit their site at biodiversitygenomics.net.

Malaise Traps and DNA Barcoding Explained

Malaise traps, named after entomologist René Malaise, are tent-like passive collectors that intercept flying insects, funneling them into preservative-filled bottles. In BugQuest, participants erect the trap in shaded, vegetated areas away from high-traffic zones, swap bottles weekly, and store them chilled until bimonthly shipping.

Upon arrival at UofG, samples undergo metabarcoding: insects are bulk-processed, DNA extracted, amplified, and sequenced. Algorithms match sequences against BOLD's library, revealing species composition—even rare or undescribed ones. This step-by-step process democratizes taxonomy, previously lab-bound, allowing citizen data to fuel peer-reviewed research. Reports include species lists, abundance charts, and comparisons, turning raw collections into actionable insights.

Step-by-Step Guide to Joining BugQuest

Participation is straightforward and free, open to elementary through high schools, community gardens, zoos, First Nations communities, and more. Here's how:

• Apply online: Submit via the BugQuest portal, including site details and shipping info. Schools have until June 30, 2026; communities until April 30.
• Receive your kit: Trap, bottles, preservatives, instructions, and labels arrive promptly.
• Set up and collect: Install in spring/fall 2026 (region-dependent), check weekly, ship every two months.
• Analyze and report: CBG processes samples; expect personalized reports by early 2027.
• Explore data: Access national dashboards for broader trends.

Sign up at the official BugQuest website to contribute today.

Transforming Education Through Hands-On Science

For Canadian universities and colleges, citizen science like BugQuest bridges classroom theory with real-world application. At UofG, it integrates into entomology and genomics courses, offering students fieldwork, data analysis, and outreach experience. Schools nationwide incorporate trapping into curricula, teaching biodiversity, genetics, and ecology experientially.

Benefits extend to skill-building: participants learn scientific protocols, data ethics, and communication. Studies show such programs boost STEM interest, especially among underrepresented groups. In higher education, they prepare undergraduates for research assistantships and grad school, while fostering community-university partnerships vital for funding and impact.

Contributing to BIOSCAN and National Monitoring

BugQuest feeds into BIOSCAN, a global network using standardized traps for arthropod surveillance. Led by UofG, BIOSCAN creates baselines to detect shifts, aiding conservation policy. With 1,000 sites, BugQuest will generate unprecedented data on Canada's ~80,000 insect species, many poorly documented.

This dataset supports everything from invasive species tracking to climate impact assessment. For instance, regional comparisons reveal urbanization effects or agricultural practices on pollinators, informing sustainable farming via partners like Food From Thought. Learn more about BIOSCAN's scope at bioscan.life.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Challenges

Indigenous communities highlight cultural insect roles, from traditional knowledge to modern monitoring. Environmental groups praise public engagement amid declines, while policymakers value data for Species at Risk Act updates. Challenges include weather variability and urban permissions, addressed via flexible timelines and guides.

Experts like Stewart note: "Insects are faceless organisms we're illuminating," underscoring engagement's power. Universities mitigate logistics through CBG's infrastructure, ensuring high data quality.

Careers in Biodiversity and Genomics Research

BugQuest spotlights thriving fields at Canadian universities. Roles in entomology, genomics, and conservation abound: research assistants process samples, postdocs lead projects, faculty secure grants. UofG's programs train technicians in barcoding, opening doors to Genome Canada-funded roles or iBOL international positions.

With insect crises demanding experts, skills gained—fieldwork, bioinformatics, outreach—translate to lecturing, policy advising, or industry (ag biotech). Programs like this inspire students toward higher ed careers, blending passion with purpose.

Looking Ahead: Sustaining Momentum

Success could expand BugQuest annually, securing funding for long-term monitoring. Multi-year data will quantify declines, guide restorations, and model climate scenarios. UofG envisions a biosurveillance network rivaling weather systems, positioning Canadian higher education as biodiversity guardians.

By empowering citizens, BugQuest not only maps insects but cultivates stewardship, ensuring future generations inherit thriving ecosystems.

Photo by Andy Holmes on Unsplash