A new mobile app, Find-A-Pest, is helping New Zealanders combat invasive pests. The app uses artificial intelligence to identify harmful weeds, pest animals, and diseases. It was developed with funding from the BioHeritage National Science Challenge and recently updated to make it easier to identify and report pests that threaten New Zealand’s unique species and ecosystems.
Find-A-Pest covers all types of pests found on land and in water, including mammals, birds, insects, fungi, and pathogens. According to Project Manager Abigail Evans, the app helps to build a database of information about pests and their spread, contributing to New Zealand’s biosecurity intelligence. The data collected can assist various organizations in controlling and managing invasive pests.
Users of the app can help detect pests early, reducing environmental damage. Steve Pawson, Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury, who led the development of Find-A-Pest, says the app is not only a tool for environmental protection but also an educational resource. It uses artificial intelligence to identify pests, provide information on their location and growth, and a team of experts confirms the identifications and provides feedback to users.
The app, first launched in 2018, makes it easier to report and identify potential pest species. Pawson explains that Find-A-Pest is unique among pest reporting apps because it allows users to contribute to rapid identifications. He encourages New Zealanders to stay vigilant and report any weeds, pest animals, and diseases this summer.
Find-A-Pest is available for download on Google Play or the App Store.
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