On May 31, 2025, researchers from the Agri-Environmental and Water Economics Research Institute (INAGEA), part of the Applied Zoology and Conservation (ZAP) group, participated in the II Balearic Entomology Conference, organized by the Botanical Garden-Balearic Museum of Natural Sciences (MUCBO). During the event, they presented two innovative studies focused on the study and conservation of insect biodiversity in the Balearic Islands, combining automated technologies and traditional methodologies.
BIOVIEW System: Automated Insect Monitoring in Natural Areas
The first study, titled “BIOVIEW System: Monitoring Insect Biodiversity in Balearic Natural Areas Using Automated Methods”, highlights the use of automated stations for real-time tracking of insect populations in eight protected natural areas across the archipelago.
These stations, equipped with cameras that capture images every 15 minutes (both of chromatic plates and the ground), allow for the analysis of key insect orders such as dipterans, hymenopterans, and coleopterans. The data, managed via a web platform, provide valuable insights into the state of local entomofauna without disturbing their habitat.
Integration of Conventional Techniques for a Comprehensive Approach
The second study, “Conventional Monitoring as Support for the BIOVIEW System”, emphasizes the importance of complementing technology with traditional sampling methods (such as Malaise traps and entomological nets), followed by morphological and molecular identification. This dual approach enhances data accuracy and supports the development of conservation strategies tailored to island ecosystems.
Commitment to Island Biodiversity
Both projects, developed in collaboration with the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) and other institutions, reflect INAGEA’s commitment to agri-environmental research and the preservation of fragile ecosystems. The findings lay the groundwork for future actions to combat insect decline, which plays a crucial role in ecological processes such as pollination and pest control.
