A barcoding buzz
Little things that run the world
Photography: David Levene
21 June 2023
Insects pollinate plants, cycle nutrients, clean up waste, disperse seeds, maintain soil structure and fertility, and are a major food source for a whole range of other creatures. With approximately 1.4 billion insects for every person on Earth, insects really do run the world.
This week is insect week – a chance to appreciate these tiny critters. Here at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, researchers are involved in large-scale projects that aim to revolutionise how we monitor and understand global biodiversity – starting with insects. Using DNA barcoding, they are setting up systems to monitor species and ecosystems quickly, accurately and worldwide. The work is part of project BIOSCAN. Fast and precise identification of species means researchers can gain valuable insights into ecosystem dynamics, species distributions, and population trends. This information is crucial for making informed conservation decisions, managing natural resources, and mitigating the impacts of environmental changes.
But some of their work is starting closer to home, working with schools and local communities to monitor insect biodiversity across Cambridgeshire and Essex.
Exploring insects
Last year, a team from the Sanger Institute went to R A Butler Academy primary school in Essex – one of five schools that took part in the BIOSCAN project.
Students set up Malaise traps in the school grounds to catch flying insects. The students monitored the trap, and examined the catch with hand lenses and microscopes. Back at the Sanger Institute, the team decanted the insects into single ethanol filled wells in 96 well plates, ready for high throughput, non-destructive, DNA extraction.
The class got to have a good look at the creatures along the way.
Image credit: David Levene
Image credit: David Levene
Exploring insects
Last year, a team from the Sanger Institute went to R A Butler Academy primary school in Essex – one of five schools that took part in the BIOSCAN project.
Students set up Malaise traps in the school grounds to catch flying insects. The students monitored the trap, and examined the catch with hand lenses and microscopes. Back at the Sanger Institute, the team decanted the insects into single ethanol filled wells in 96 well plates, ready for high throughput, non-destructive, DNA extraction.
The class got to have a good look at the creatures along the way.
Art and science
As well as finding the insects, the children also learnt how to draw them.
Image credit: David Levene
Image credit: David Levene
Art and science
As well as collecting insects, the children also learnt how to draw them.
Fairy wasps
Across the five schools, over 2,000 insects were collected for BIOSCAN.
Four of the five schools found fairy wasps, from the Mymaridae family. These are tiny, feathery-winged parasitoid wasps, which lay their eggs inside the eggs of other insects. Many species are used to control insect pests in agriculture and horticulture.
The Mymaridae family includes the smallest known insects – including the world’s smallest measuring just 0.139 mm, and the smallest known flying insect, at just 0.15 mm long. Most species are less than 1mm long – smaller than the tip of a sewing needle.
Image credit: David Levene
Image credit: David Levene
Fairy wasps
Across the five schools, over 2,000 insects were collected for BIOSCAN.
Four of the five schools found fairy wasps, from the Mymaridae family. These are tiny, feathery-winged parasitoid wasps, which lay their eggs inside the eggs of other insects. Many species are used to control insect pests in agriculture and horticulture.
The Mymaridae family includes the smallest known insects – including the world’s smallest measuring just 0.139 mm, and the smallest known flying insect, at just 0.15 mm long. Most species are less than 1mm long – smaller than the tip of a sewing needle.
New partners
Following on from the work in schools, BIOSCAN researchers have partnered with four nature reserves and a zoo in East Anglia. Local volunteers will take part in collecting and plating insects for BIOSCAN in a project called Buzz Map.
Staff from Wellcome Connecting Science will run sessions with visitors that explore DNA, genomics and conservation science.
Image credit: David Levene
Image credit: David Levene
New partners
Following on from the work in schools, BIOSCAN researchers have partnered with four nature reserves and a zoo in East Anglia. Local volunteers will take part in collecting and plating insects for BIOSCAN in a project called Buzz Map.
Staff from Wellcome Connecting Science will run sessions with visitors to explore DNA, genomics and conservation science.
Insect futures
By harnessing the power of DNA barcoding and high-throughput sequencing, BIOSCAN aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of global biodiversity. The project will pave the way for more effective conservation strategies and a deeper appreciation of the natural world.
Image credit: David Levene
Image credit: David Levene
Insect futures
By harnessing the power of DNA barcoding and high-throughput sequencing, BIOSCAN aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of global biodiversity. The project will pave the way for more effective conservation strategies and a deeper appreciation of the natural world.
“Insect decline is obvious even to people who don’t work on them, and we need really efficient ways of monitoring insect diversity and abundance to be able to ensure we are making the right changes to reverse decline. This is what BIOSCAN is setting out to do and it’s great to have new partners involved in the project to contribute to this important work.”
Dr Mara Lawniczak,
Senior Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute
Image credit: David Levene
Image credit: David Levene
“Insect decline is obvious even to people who don’t work on them, and we need really efficient ways of monitoring insect diversity and abundance to be able to ensure we are making the right changes to reverse decline. This is what BIOSCAN is setting out to do and it’s great to have new partners involved in the project to contribute to this important work.”
Dr Mara Lawniczak
Senior Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute
