Digital technology helping in the fight against invasives

Digital technology is helping the kiwifruit industry – and every New Zealander - join the fight against invasive pests, with the free Find-A-Pest app.

What makes the app unique is that it creates a database of pest information that is used to support biosecurity knowledge and efforts across multiple organisations, including Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), the Department of Conservation (DOC), regional councils, and primary industry groups like KVH.

The app uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help identify pests and provides the user with information on the pests’ habitats, hosts, and distribution. When a report is made, a team of experts then confirm identifications and send feedback to users.

There are also factsheets and a list of pests specific to the kiwifruit industry within the app that cover pests that are already established in kiwifruit - this helps you to keep a watchful eye on your surroundings and look for likely threats – as well as exotic unwanted pests, such as the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB).

The app is designed to be used in unison with reporting to KVH (0800 665 825 or [email protected]) – don’t ever hesitate to contact us if you’re ever worried that what you’ve found is a new-to-New Zealand pest or if you’re unsure of what to do next.

You can download Find-A-Pest for free onto your phone from the Apple and Google app stores.