Melbourne Insect Species Records from 2014-2015 Surveys

Insect Records in the City of Melbourne documents individual species findings from the Little Things that Run the City Project. The data was gathered by a postdoctoral researcher at RMIT through surveys in city parks and gardens, starting in October 2014 with primary collection between January and March 2015. Species were sorted and identified from April to September 2015, forming the raw data for a report published in late 2016.

Use Cases

• Analyze insect biodiversity across Melbourne parks and gardens using survey location and date data.
• Study genus-level distribution patterns where species names are unavailable, using genus information and identification notes.
• Investigate temporal trends in insect presence by linking survey dates to specific park locations.
• Exclude or flag records lacking full species classification by filtering on the identification notes column denoting 'species 1, 2, or 3'.

Strengths

• Data originates from a structured scientific project conducted by a postdoctoral researcher at RMIT.
• Surveys provide temporal specificity, conducted between October 2014 and March 2015 with identification completed by September 2015.
• Explicit documentation of data limitations, such as records with genus-level identification only, aids in proper interpretation.

Limitations

• All records lack a formal species name, limiting taxonomic precision for ecological analysis.
• Some records have incomplete classification, with genus information accompanied by a numbered placeholder (e.g., 'species 1') in identification notes.
• The dataset represents presence records, not population counts, restricting abundance-based studies.

Provenance

Source

City of Melbourne and RMIT, via data_gov_au.

Collection Method

Surveys of insects in parks and gardens within the City of Melbourne, followed by sorting and identification by researchers.

Time Range

Project started October 2014; main surveys January March 2015; identification April September 2015.

Freshness

Data reflects 2014 2015 surveys; last platform update was 2026-03-20.

Geography

Parks and gardens in the City of Melbourne, Australia.