Aplicativo como ferramenta para identificação de hexapoda

Abstract

The development of an application to assist in the identification of insects and other hexapods provides a solution to make this process more accessible to non-experts. The complexity of dichotomous keys and the lack of access to identification tools, such as glossaries, scientific articles, and technical books, pose challenges to the task. The proposed application utilizes a virtual dichotomous key with texts and images to facilitate the identification of insects and other hexapods, allowing users to identify up to 29 orders and three suborders. The app also provides additional information on the morphological characteristics, ecology, geographical distribution, and associated environmental impacts for each order, along with an image database, facilitating confirmation of the identification. These supplementary details make the application a comprehensive and valuable tool not only for identification but also for supporting the development of conservation strategies and sustainable management. However, it is important to note that the app provides information only up to the order level for Hexapoda, which is a crucial but insufficient step for species-level identification. The application was developed using Flutter, a free user interface toolkit developed by Google that allows for the creation of cross-platform applications from a single codebase. This tool expedites development and reduces the cost and complexity of production for different platforms. The development process involved meticulous preliminary research, selection of an appropriate identification key, and obtaining authorization for content usage. Tools such as LucidChart, Android Studio, Notepad++, Canva, and GitHub were employed, and devices such as personal computers, smartphones, and tablets were used for testing. The app's code was built based on the dichotomous key using LucidChart and Excel for text organization. The app's structure comprises three main screens: the home screen, the keying screen, and the order information screen. With the availability of this application, an increase in interest and participation in insect and hexapod identification is expected, contributing to the understanding of biodiversity and associated ecological processes, and promoting global wildlife conservation in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).