Mosquito Identification Guide¶

Learn how to effectively use CulicidaeLab's AI-powered mosquito identification feature to get accurate species identification results.

How It Works¶

CulicidaeLab uses advanced machine learning technology to identify mosquito species from photographs. The app analyzes visual features like body patterns, wing structure, and size proportions to determine the most likely species.

The AI Model¶

Technology: PyTorch Lite neural network optimized for mobile devices
Training Data: Thousands of mosquito images from scientific collections
Accuracy: Over 90% accuracy for the most common disease-vector species
Processing: All analysis happens on your device - no internet required for identification

Taking Effective Photos¶

The quality of your photo directly impacts identification accuracy. Follow these guidelines for best results:

Lighting Conditions¶

Natural Light: Use bright, natural daylight when possible
Avoid Flash: Flash can create harsh shadows and overexpose details
Even Lighting: Ensure the mosquito is evenly lit without strong shadows
Avoid Backlighting: Don't photograph with bright light behind the mosquito

Camera Distance and Focus¶

Close-up: Get as close as possible while maintaining focus
Fill the Frame: The mosquito should occupy most of the image
Sharp Focus: Ensure the mosquito is in sharp focus, especially the body and wings
Steady Hands: Hold the camera steady or use a tripod for sharp images

Mosquito Positioning¶

Dorsal View: Top-down view showing the back and wings is ideal
Full Body: Include the entire mosquito from head to abdomen
Wings Spread: If possible, capture with wings spread for better identification
Avoid Partial Views: Don't crop off important body parts

Background and Composition¶

Plain Background: Use a simple, contrasting background
Avoid Clutter: Remove distracting objects from the frame
Contrast: Ensure good contrast between the mosquito and background
Stable Surface: Place the mosquito on a stable, flat surface if possible

Using the Identification Feature¶

Step-by-Step Process¶

Open Classification Tab
Tap the camera icon (📷) in the bottom navigation
You'll see the classification screen with action buttons
Capture or Select Image
Camera: Tap the camera button to take a new photo
Gallery: Tap the gallery button to select an existing image
Tips: Follow the photo guidelines above for best results
Review Your Image
The selected image will appear on screen
Check that the mosquito is clearly visible and in focus
Tap "Analyze" to start the identification process
Wait for Analysis
The AI model will process your image (usually 1-3 seconds)
A progress indicator shows the analysis is in progress
Processing happens entirely on your device
Review Results
Species name (scientific and common names)
Confidence score (percentage)
Processing time
Associated disease information## U nderstanding Results

Confidence Scores¶

The confidence score indicates how certain the AI model is about the identification:

90-100%: Very High Confidence - Highly reliable identification
70-89%: High Confidence - Reliable identification with good certainty
50-69%: Moderate Confidence - Reasonable identification, consider additional verification
Below 50%: Low Confidence - Uncertain identification, may need better photo

Species Information¶

Each identification result includes:

Scientific Name: The official taxonomic name (e.g., "Aedes aegypti")
Common Name: The widely used common name (e.g., "Yellow Fever Mosquito")
Description: Physical characteristics and identifying features
Habitat: Where this species typically lives and breeds
Distribution: Geographic regions where the species is found

Disease Risk Information¶

For species that transmit diseases, you'll see:

Disease List: Diseases this species can transmit
Risk Level: Visual indicators of disease transmission potential
Prevention Tips: How to protect yourself from this species
Medical Information: Symptoms and treatment information for associated diseases

Improving Accuracy¶

When Results Seem Incorrect¶

If the identification doesn't seem right:

Check Photo Quality: Ensure your photo meets the guidelines above
Try Different Angles: Take additional photos from different perspectives
Better Lighting: Retake the photo with improved lighting conditions
Compare Features: Use the species gallery to compare visual features
Consult Experts: For critical identifications, consult with entomologists

Multiple Photos¶

For best results, consider taking several photos: - Different angles (top, side, close-up) - Various lighting conditions - Multiple specimens if available - Compare results across photos

Challenging Scenarios¶

Some situations make identification more difficult:

Damaged Specimens - Missing body parts reduce accuracy - Try to capture undamaged areas clearly - Focus on remaining identifying features

Similar Species - Some species look very similar - Pay attention to confidence scores - Use additional identifying features from the gallery - Consider geographic location

Poor Photo Conditions - Blurry images significantly reduce accuracy - Dark or overexposed photos are problematic - Motion blur from moving mosquitoes - Retake photos when conditions improve

Best Practices¶

For Researchers and Citizen Scientists¶

Documentation - Record location, date, and time of collection - Note environmental conditions - Take multiple photos of each specimen - Keep detailed field notes

Quality Control - Always review confidence scores - Cross-reference with species gallery information - Verify geographic distribution matches your location - Consider seasonal activity patterns

Data Contribution - Submit high-quality observations to the research database - Include accurate location information - Add relevant notes about behavior or habitat - Contribute to scientific understanding

For Public Health Awareness¶

Disease Prevention Focus - Pay special attention to disease-vector species - Learn to recognize dangerous species in your area - Understand seasonal activity patterns - Know when to seek medical attention

Community Education - Share knowledge with family and community - Report unusual species or activity patterns - Support local mosquito control efforts - Promote awareness of mosquito-borne diseases

Troubleshooting Common Issues¶

App Performance¶

Slow Processing: Ensure sufficient device memory is available
App Crashes: Restart the app and try with a smaller image
Model Not Loading: Check that you have sufficient storage space

Photo Issues¶

Blurry Results: Use better lighting and steady hands
No Detection: Ensure the mosquito is clearly visible in the frame
Wrong Species: Try different angles and lighting conditions

Technical Problems¶

Camera Not Working: Check camera permissions in device settings
Gallery Access: Verify photo library permissions
Storage Issues: Free up device storage space

For additional help, see our Troubleshooting Guide or contact support.

Advanced Tips¶

Professional Use¶

Use macro lenses for detailed close-up photography
Consider using a microscope with camera attachment
Maintain consistent lighting setups for multiple specimens
Document metadata for scientific publications

Field Work¶

Carry a portable light source for consistent illumination
Use a white background card for better contrast
Take photos immediately after collection for best quality
Consider environmental factors that affect mosquito appearance

Remember: CulicidaeLab is a powerful tool for mosquito identification, but it works best when combined with good photography techniques and scientific knowledge. The more you practice, the better your results will become!