First record of the mosquito Aedes (Downsiomyia) shehzadae (Diptera: Culicidae) in Australia: A unique discovery aided by citizen science

First record of the Zebra Grasshopper Zebratula (Acrididae: Catantopini) in Queensland, Australia

Australia's grasshopper fauna is among the most distinctive in the world, and yet the majority of species remain undescribed, and there is still much to learn even about relatively well-documented genera and species. Here I present the first record of the genus Zebratula, the Zebra Grasshoppers, in Chillagoe (Queensland), representing a range extension of almost 900 km. Additionally, I comment on the specific identity of this specimen and the likelihood that it represents an undescribed species, as well as discuss the importance of Chillagoe as a biodiversity hotspot.

Citizen Science Mosquito Surveillance by Ad Hoc Observation Using the iNaturalist Platform

Citizen science mosquito surveillance has been growing in recent years due to both increasing concern about mosquito-borne disease and the increasing popularity of citizen science projects globally. Health authorities are recognising the potential importance of citizen science to expanding or enhancing traditional surveillance programs. Different programs have shown success in engaging communities to monitor species of medical importance through low-cost methods. The Mozzie Monitors project was established on iNaturalist—an open citizen science platform that allows participants to upload photos (i.e., observers) and assist identification (i.e., identifiers). This article describes the likelihood of citizen scientists submitting photos of mosquitoes, assesses user submission behaviour, and evaluates public health utility from these citizen science-derived data. From October 2018 to July 2021, the Mozzie Monitors project on iNaturalist received 2118 observations of 57 different species of mosquitoes across Australia. The number of observers in the system increased over time with more than 500 observers and 180 identifiers being active in the project since its establishment. Data showed species bias with large-bodied and colourful mosquitoes being over-represented. Analyses also indicate regional differentiation of mosquito fauna per state, seasonality of activity, and ecological information about mosquitoes. The iNaturalist citizen science platform also allows connectedness, facilitated communication and collaboration between overall users and expert entomologists, of value to medical entomology and mosquito management.