Researchers from the University of Canterbury and their partners have developed an app called Find-A-Pest to help New Zealanders fight against invasive pests. The app allows users to identify and report invasive plants, animals, and insects, helping to protect New Zealand’s environment.
The app is unique in New Zealand because it creates a database of pest information, which is used by multiple organisations, including the Ministry of Primary Industries, the Department of Conservation, regional councils, and primary industry groups.
Associate Professor Steve Pawson, who advises on the app, says it can also be used as an educational tool. The app uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify pests and provides information about their habitats, hosts, and distribution. A team of experts then confirms these identifications and provides feedback to users.
Find-A-Pest is a valuable resource for anyone interested in protecting the environment. By using the app, individuals can help detect pests early, supporting pest management efforts and minimising environmental damage.
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has played a significant role in developing Find-A-Pest since its launch in 2018. MPI Chief Biosecurity Officer Peter Thompson says the app is another tool in the biosecurity toolbox, encouraging more people to help protect the environment from invasive species.
Users don’t need to be pest experts themselves. AI helps identify the species, and an expert then cross-checks the identification. After feedback from users, the app has been updated to provide offline capabilities, immediate identification, a simple reporting process, and key information to educate users about pests in New Zealand.
“We’re incredibly excited about this update,” says Associate Professor Pawson. “Our team has worked tirelessly to incorporate feedback from our users and deliver an even better experience. We believe these changes will make Find-A-Pest more engaging, intuitive, and useful for everyone.”
The app can be downloaded from the Find a Pest website.
