Monitoring insect populations

Insects are a key part of our ecosystem. They are pollinators, they deal with waste and they are food for a host of animals.

Given these benefits its important to monitor the extent and diversity of insect populations.

This week the team from the Mens (and womans) Shed completed six insect monitoring stations for WAI Wānaka. WAI Wānaka work to accelerate local action for our fresh water.

The stations will be placed along the shoreline of Lake Wānaka adjacent to boardwalk recently built by the Queenstown Lakes District Council. The stations have been designed to provide attractive homes for insects. Their number and diversity can then be easily monitored thus providing an insight into the health of the lakeside habitat.

Many such stations used elsewhere are plastic. Ours are built from recycled untreated timber. The project brings a double benefit – less waste to landfill as well as enabling the health of our insect population to be checked.