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Have you ever come across a curious insect and wondered what species it was? With the advancement of technology, this task has become much simpler. Today, you can use your cell phone to identify insects with the help of apps that analyze images in real time or photos from your gallery. And the best part: many of them are free and accessible for both Android and iOS.
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In this blog post, you will learn about two free apps that make it easier to identify insects. They are useful tools for the curious, students, teachers and even environmental professionals. Find out how these apps work and why they are worth using.
Why use an app to identify insects?
Insects are everywhere. There are millions of species with very varied characteristics. It is not always easy to distinguish one from another, especially when it comes to uncommon species.
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This is where identification apps come in. They use artificial intelligence and databases with thousands of records to visually recognize the insect in question. They then offer suggestions based on the image analyzed. These apps help learn more about biodiversity, avoid confusion with dangerous species and stimulate curiosity about the natural world.
Using these tools turns your phone into an educational and practical resource. And you don’t need any technical knowledge to get started: just take pictures and wait for the results.
Seek by iNaturalist: Real-time observation with a focus on learning
O Search by iNaturalist is a free app created by a scientific initiative that brings together nature observers from all over the world. It works as a bridge between technology and biology, making the identification process accessible and even fun.
When you open the app, you can point your phone's camera at the insect. Seek detects the image in real time and suggests possible names for the species. The clearer the image, the more accurate the result will be.
The app also offers an achievements and missions section that encourages users to explore the environment and record new species. The history of discoveries is automatically saved, creating a kind of interactive nature diary.
Seek Highlights:
- It works without the need for registration
- Provides real-time suggestions based on live image
- Provides detailed information about each species
- Keeps a history of species already identified
- It also recognizes plants, birds, reptiles and other animals
As an intuitive and educational app, Seek is an excellent option for families with children, for school activities and for those who want to learn more about the natural world while walking through parks, gardens or trails.
Picture Insect: Direct identification based on saved photos
O Picture Insect is another free app available for Android and iOS, aimed especially at those who want to identify insects from previously taken photos. Instead of using the live camera, it analyzes images from the cell phone gallery.
The process is simple: you take a photo of the insect, open the app and select the image. In a few seconds, the system returns with the probable identification of the species. In addition, the app provides a complete description of the insect, including its behavior, habitat and whether it poses any risk to human or pet health.
This app is ideal for those who prefer a more practical and direct method, without having to point the camera live. It also works well for identifying insects that you have seen previously and had time to photograph more calmly.
Featured Features:
- Quick recognition from gallery photos
- Detailed information on behavior, habitat and risks
- Simple interface, aimed at beginner users
- History with the identified species
- Free and available in Portuguese
If you've found a strange insect in your garden, at home or while walking, this app could be the ideal tool to quickly resolve your issue.
Which of the two applications is more worthwhile?
Both apps are effective and free, but they cater to different profiles.
O Search by iNaturalist It is best suited for those who want to explore the environment in real time, learning along the way. The proposal is educational, and the user experience is quite interactive.
Already the Picture Insect It is ideal for those who prefer to identify someone later, based on a previously taken photo. It is a practical and direct solution that prioritizes agility and simplicity.
You can even use both: one for immediate observations and another for more detailed analyses with stored images.
Tips for accurate identification
To ensure more reliable results, it is worth following some simple recommendations when taking the photo:
- Use good lighting, preferably natural light
- Keep the focus of the image on the insect's body
- Avoid shadows and backgrounds with lots of elements
- Take your time taking the photo, trying to capture details such as wings, legs and antennae.
- Use your phone's macro mode if available
With a clear, well-composed image, the chances of obtaining an accurate identification increase significantly.
Conclusion
Free apps like Seek and the Picture Insect show how technology can bring people closer to nature. They make it easier to identify insects, promote learning, and turn everyday experiences — like finding an insect in the garden — into moments of discovery and knowledge.
In addition to being useful, these apps encourage conscious observation of the environment, which contributes to a more attentive relationship with the biodiversity around us.
If you are curious, passionate about biology or just want to better understand what you see around you, it is worth trying. Download the apps, explore your surroundings and discover the diversity of insects that exist right around you.
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