Photo: Alison Mellor
Become a bug detective today
Step into the hidden world just beyond your doorstep! With only your phone and a curious eye, you can join thousands of Australians uncovering the extraordinary invertebrates that live in our gardens, parks and schoolyards.
Each photo you upload to Bug Hunt Australia on iNaturalist adds to vital knowledge – helping protect lesser-known but critical species and detect invasive species before they spread.
By taking part, you become part of a national movement of everyday people contributing to real science and wildlife protection. Bug Hunt is a national citizen-science initiative led by the Invasive Species Council and Invertebrates Australia.
No special expertise is needed – just a phone and some curiosity!
Taking part is easy– and fun!
Spend a few minutes or make it your daily mission – each snap you share on iNaturalist helps protect Australia’s wildlife.
Look:
Head into your backyard, local park or schoolyard and look closely.
Snap
Take photos of any invertebrates you spot on your adventures, from butterflies and bees, to spiders, worms and snails.
Discover:
Submit your photos to Bug Hunt Australia on iNaturalist and learn more about your discovery!
How to take part
Download the iNaturalist app onto your phone or iPad, or visit inaturalist.org on your desktop computer or laptop.
Create a free account.
Join the Bug Hunt Australia project, in the ‘Projects’ tab
Upload your bug photos, make sure the date and location are included.
Take a guess at what you found, no need to know the species, if it looks like a snail, just write snail, if it looks like a beetle, just write beetle.
The iNaturalist community will help identify what you’ve found!
Subscribe here for updates on the project and chances to win buggy prizes
Download the iNaturalist app onto your phone or iPad, or visit inaturalist.org on your desktop computer or laptop.
Create a free account.
Join the Bug Hunt Australia project, in the ‘Projects’ tab
Upload your bug photos, make sure the date and location are included.
Take a guess at what you found, no need to know the species, if it looks like a snail, just write snail, if it looks like a beetle, just write beetle.
The iNaturalist community will help identify what you’ve found!
Subscribe here for updates on the project and chances to win buggy prizes
Bring the Bug Hunt into your classroom with fun, ready-to-go lesson plans. Engage students with hands-on activities that spark curiosity about nature. Perfect for schools, libraries, and community groups. Inspire the next generation of bug detectives!
Find out more >
Bring the Bug Hunt into your classroom with fun, ready-to-go lesson plans. Engage students with hands-on activities that spark curiosity about nature. Perfect for schools, libraries, and community groups. Inspire the next generation of bug detectives!
Find out more >
Bugs in My Backyard Week
16 - 22 November 2026
Be part of creating the second springtime snapshot of bugs across Australia!
During Bugs in My Backyard Week on November 16 – 22, we’re encouraging families, schools and nature lovers across Australia to head outside and uncover the wild, wonderful creatures that keep our world humming.
Bugs In My Backyard Week 2025 saw over 40,000 observations of insects, spiders, snails and worms submitted by more than 5,000 iNaturalist users from across Australia. Be part of making Bugs In My Backyard Week 2026 even bigger!
Every photo you share helps protect native wildlife and spot invasive species early – one bug at a time.
Credit: debtaylor142 | iNaturalist
Bug Hunt News
Register for Bug Hunt Australia today!
You’ll get exclusive tips, fun bug facts and handy resources to power your backyard discoveries.
Telling us your suburb and postcode means we can send you info about bugs in your patch!
By registering for Bug Hunt Australia, you agree to receive updates from our friendly program partners, the Invasive Species Council, Invertebrates Australia and Australian Geographic.
