Wings, Bees, and Barcodes: Citizen Scientists Support Pollinator Genomics in Cyprus

By Luisa Schlude Marins

About the hotspot
Cyprus is a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot with a rich and distinctive invertebrate fauna, including butterflies, moths, and wild bees. Many pollinator species on the island are endemic, making them particularly important for ecosystem functioning and conservation. Pollinators are essential for maintaining natural habitats and supporting agriculture, yet their populations are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Limited taxonomic expertise among the general public has constrained large-scale monitoring efforts.

Some of the species spotted during the bioblitz.

About the Activity

In April 2024, the Cyprus University of Technology hosted two complementary citizen science events as part of the CYBIOGEN project: a Pollinator Identification Workshop and a field-based Pollinator Monitoring Activity.

The events brought together 18 participants, including representatives from the Department of Agriculture, the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, the Cyprus Beekeeping Association, and environmental NGOs such as BirdLife Cyprus and the Laona Foundation, alongside amateur naturalists and university students and researchers.

The day began with an introduction to the Biodiversity Genomics Europe project and the goals of the BGE Bioblitz in Cyprus. During the identification workshop, participants learned to recognize local pollinators using specimens, microscopes, taxonomic keys, and illustrated guides, while also exploring how genomics can support faster and more accurate species identification.

The monitoring activity focused on field observation and sampling. Participants practiced standard survey methods using hand nets and uploaded their records to a dedicated iNaturalist project. Despite cloudy conditions limiting insect activity, attendees gained valuable hands-on experience. All sampled insects were identified and released.

Together, the events fostered collaboration among researchers, stakeholders, and citizen scientists, with participants expressing strong interest in continued involvement.

Snapshots of the citizen science activities organized in Cyprus.

Looking ahead
These activities mark an important first step toward building citizen science–based pollinator monitoring in Cyprus, where very few people currently have pollinator identification expertise. By combining traditional approaches with biodiversity genomics, CYBIOGEN is helping strengthen local capacity and support long-term conservation of pollinators and their ecosystems.

Photo credits: Michael Papacharalamboui

This initiative was funded through Biodiversity Genomics Europe (BGE), a project funded by the European Union’s Horizon Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Framework Programme: