West Coast Big Bug Hunt

This is a Grey District Youth Trust Initiative to get you and and about in the summer and explore our native wildlife! The West Coast has a huge amount of unique wildlife just waiting to be found!

This summer the focus is on BUGS, and every week there will be a different type of BUG that will be found. The person that finds the most different species of that type of bug each week will go into the draw to win prizes.

To particiapte in the West Coast Big Bug Hunt, you will need to download the inaturalist app or use their website here:

Your Home · iNaturalist NZ - You can also RSVP on this event to let us know and others that you are competing! 

iNaturalist allows you to take a photo of the bug you find and then upload it to the iNaturalist website. Once uploaded you put in the basic information about where and when you found the bug, then scientists from around NZ will identify the bug for you. When you upload pictures of your bugs they will appear in the West Coast Big Bug Hunt Project, which can be found here: West Coast Big Bug Hunt · iNaturalist NZ - You can use this to see who has found the most bugs and what different bugs are found. 

REMEMBER only bugs found on the West Coast and bugs found that match the Weekly bug will count towards the Big Bug Hunt!

PLEASE remember to not hurt the bugs you find, you can pick them up carefully if you need a clearer photo but remember to put them back carefully where you found them.

Here is a list of the weeks:

Week 1 - 25th November - 4th December - Moths and Butterflies

Week 2 - 6th December - 11th December - Grasshoppers and Crickets

Week 3 - 12th December - 18th December - Beetles

Week 4 - 19th December - 25th December - Aquatic Insects

Week 5 - 26th December - 1st January - Slugs, Snails, Worms

Week 6 - 2nd January - 8th January - True Bugs

Week 7 - 9th January - 15th January - Bees, ants, wasps

Week 8 - 16th January - 22nd January - Stick Insects and Praying Mantis

Week 9 - 23rd January - 29th January - Spiders

Week 10 - 30th January - 5th February - Cockroaches and Earwigs

Week 11 - 6th February - 12th February - Flies

Week 12 - 13th February - 19th February - Dragonflies and Damselflies

Week 13 - 20th February - 26th February - Centipedes and Millipedes

Week 14 - 27th February - 5th March - ALL BUGS!

If you have any questions or issues please let us know!!

HAPPY HUNTING!