D3559: Introducing BugBox, a software platform for AI-assisted arthropod bioinventories

Entomologists need new technologies that aid in the collection and processing of large datasets to adequately address large-scale environmental and societal issues, such as climate change and agricultural policies. Ecdysis Foundation has developed a software platform called BugBox, which uses machine-learning (ML) technology to rapidly classify arthropods into morphotaxa. This platform is capable of handling batches of hundreds or even thousands of images at a time, taking an average of 1.5 seconds to classify each image with a continually growing database of morphotaxa. The user interface organizes specimen images into experiments and individual samples; then calculates an array of biodiversity indices on a per-sample or per-site basis, which it exports in a ready-for-analysis spreadsheet format. Ecdysis is seeking other collaborators to contribute to the development of BugBox’s morphotaxon database and participate in beta testing to improve the platform for all scientists.