Artificial intelligence is being harnessed by entomologists in Montreal to combat the alarming decline of insect populations. The Montreal Insectarium’s initiative, led by Maxim Larrivée, utilizes AI algorithms for image analysis to identify various insect species, aiming to gather significant biodiversity data rapidly. This effort highlights the crucial role insects play in ecosystems. The project currently focuses on moths and hopes to expand its capabilities for broader ecological applications, emphasizing the need for public engagement and awareness in conservation efforts.
Harnessing AI to Support Insect Conservation
What if artificial intelligence could serve as a vital ally in the battle to save insects? This innovative approach is being explored by a team of entomologists from Montreal, who are collaborating with engineers to document the alarming decline of insect populations worldwide and develop strategies to combat it.
The Initiative at the Montreal Insectarium
Within the expansive transparent dome of the Montreal Insectarium, a vibrant ecosystem thrives, filled with butterflies of every hue, chrysalises, ants, and praying mantises. This dynamic environment is where the groundbreaking initiative was born, spearheaded by the Insectarium’s director, Maxim Larrivée.
Larrivée emphasizes the urgency of the situation, stating, “Compared to all the mass extinctions we have witnessed throughout history, the current crisis affecting insects is occurring at an astonishing rate—one thousand times faster.” This rapid decline poses challenges for researchers striving to monitor and implement effective conservation measures.
Despite understanding the primary threats to insect populations—such as habitat destruction, pesticide use, and climate change—there remains a significant lack of data on the true extent of this crisis. The Antenna project seeks to address this gap by utilizing AI-driven algorithms to identify various insect species through image analysis.
Powered by solar stations strategically placed in Canada’s northern regions and the lush tropical forests of Panama, the system captures images of insects every ten seconds, drawn in by ultraviolet light. Researchers predict that this innovative technology could potentially double the volume of biodiversity data collected over the past century and a half within just two to five years.
The ultimate goal of this endeavor is to generate “decision-making tools for governments and ecologists,” enabling them to identify and implement effective conservation strategies aimed at restoring biodiversity.
The Importance of Insects in Biodiversity
Insects, though often overlooked, constitute half of the planet’s biodiversity and are indispensable to the ecosystem. They perform critical functions such as pollination, composting organic waste into fertilizer, and serving as a foundational element of the food chain for numerous animals.
“This represents a significant advancement in the realm of biodiversity observation,” asserts David Rolnick, a researcher at Mila, Quebec’s leading artificial intelligence institute. Currently, the project is in its testing phase and focuses exclusively on moths, a diverse group comprising over 160,000 species that are visually distinctive and crucial to ecological balance.
Rolnick envisions a future where the platform allows contributions from the public while also training the AI to recognize new insect species. Although scientists have documented over a million insect species, estimates suggest that there could be ten times as many yet to be identified.
“We believe that 90% of insect species remain undiscovered,” Rolnick explains. In just one week, a station set up in the Panamanian jungle identified “three hundred new species,” highlighting the vast potential for discovery that lies ahead.
Beyond terrestrial insects, researchers hope to expand the use of this technology to identify new species in the deep sea and detect harmful pests in agriculture.
At the Insectarium in Montreal, this cutting-edge technology is already being employed for educational purposes. Visitors can snap photos of butterflies in a vivarium and use an app to learn about their species.
For Camille Clément, a tourist from France, the fusion of artificial intelligence and ecology signifies a positive step forward, provided it is approached with caution. Meanwhile, Julie Jodoin, director of Space for Life—a collective of five museums in Montreal, including the Insectarium—asserts, “Without understanding nature, we cannot expect citizens to modify their behaviors.”