As spring returns to Norway, researchers are setting up this year’s insect traps across the country. Using metabarcoding to monitor insect populations, Norway is the first country in Europe to implement this methodology in a Government led program. The same methodology could be applied across Europe for cost-effective monitoring of the neglected majority of insect species.

1.9 billion invertebrates and 800 million seeds. That’s the number of stowaways arriving to Norway via garden plants every year. The costs could be sky high.

The biomass of insects in Norway has decreased over the last four years. Weather has had an impact on insects who prefer cold and snow rich winters to thrive.

DNA analyses are becoming an increasingly important method in research and nature management. To meet an increased demand from government and industry, the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) today opened NINAGEN, a national centre for conservation and biodiversity genetics in Trondheim.