Dec
2018
10.12.2018
I've just uploaded version 1.1 of our neural network, which came out of training last night. With this, the Automatic image recognition works much better with variable species. For example, Harmonia axyridis is now usually correctly identified. For species with a marked sexual dimorphism, the correct gender is now often correctly assigned and shown in the overview – if the corresponding photos are available. Furthermore, to lower the workload of our admin team, I have activated an AI-based "bug filter" for true bugs (Heteroptera) in the inquiry module. It can recognize 18 common bug species and notifies the user correspondingly. It is rather sensitive at the moment. Therefore, I would like to ask our frequent users for feedback if the bug filter incorrectly recognizes beetle species as true bugs.
17 Like
01.12.2018
Dear visitors of kerbtier.de, I have just uploaded a brand-new module, which kept me busy for the last four months: With the new Automatic image recognition, artificial intelligence and deep learning has arrived on kerbtier.de. The new module analyzes uploaded beetle photos and provides an overview of species classified as similar by the neural network. Version 1.0 of the kerbtier-AI is based on the convolutional neural network Inception V3, re-trained on my GeForce GTX 1080 Ti GPU with approx. 125.000 photos of 930 common species of the German beetle fauna. As programming environment, I used Python 3.6 and TensorFlow 1.10.0. Naturally, the results are not an expert ID – that will remain the domain of our Inquiry module. But apart from a few smaller difficulties with variable species (e.g. Harmonia axyridis), the new image recognition works already quite well. I wish all users lots of fun with this new functionality and look forward to your feedback.
36 Like
Nov
2018
30.11.2018
The faunistic database just increased to 108,697 records, the number of contributors to 1,850. Thanks to all who contributed their faunistic records in this update cycle.
4 Like
01.11.2018
The faunistic database just increased to 107,132 records, the number of contributors to 1,847. Thanks to all who contributed their faunistic records in this update cycle.
7 Like
Oct
2018
01.10.2018
The faunistic database just increased to 106,336 records, the number of contributors to 1,832. Thanks to all who contributed their faunistic records in this update cycle.
15 Like
Sep
2018
01.09.2018
The faunistic database just increased to 105,037 records, the number of contributors to 1,805. Thanks to all who contributed their faunistic records in this update cycle.
13 Like
Aug
2018
15.08.2018
Dear colleagues, dear visitors of kerbtier.de, Johannes Lückmann asked me to publish his updated request for collaboration in monitoring the expansion of the blister beetle Stenoria analis (Schaum, 1859) (Coleoptera: Meloidae) in Germany and in the neighbouring countries.
11 Like
Jul
2018
31.07.2018
The faunistic database just increased to 103,888 records, the number of contributors to 1,762. Thanks to all who contributed their faunistic records in this update cycle.
7 Like
22.07.2018
I've just uploaded the gallery update with 52 new species from 18 families (thereof two for the first time on kerbtier.de). The number of species available on kerbtier.de increases to 2,642. I wish all visitors a pleasant stay on kerbtier.de!
33 Like
Jun
2018
30.06.2018
The faunistic database just increased to 101,689 records, the number of contributors to 1,690. Thanks to all who contributed their faunistic records in this update cycle.
11 Like
23.06.2018
I've just implemented an improvement proposal of my co-admin Hannes (Thanks!): If a species from an inquiry is recorded for the first time for the map sheet, it is signaled in all inquiry view and search modules with the symbol . This feature becomes effective from inquiry ID #102000 upwards, but not retroactive for earlier inquiries. Always remember: Records of seemingly "routine species" are valuable, too. In this way, together we can complete the distribution maps of the German beetle species step by step.
37 Like
05.06.2018
Dear users, recently I've received feedback on several occasions, that there is a problem gathering map sheet numbers with our inline map module. Especially users with smaller displays and/or lower screen resolution were affected, as a part of the inline map module exceeded the visible browser canvas and became unusable. Therefore, I have shrunk the inline map module slightly to accommodate smaller screens, while keeping all functionality otherwise unchanged. Thanks to all users for their valuable feedback!
8 Like
01.06.2018
The faunistic database just increased to 99,186 records, the number of contributors to 1,598. Thanks to all who contributed their faunistic records in this update cycle.
15 Like
May
2018
01.05.2018
The faunistic database just increased to 96,370 records, the number of contributors to 1,529. Thanks to all who contributed their faunistic records in this update cycle.
23 Like
Mar
2018
30.03.2018
The faunistic database just increased to 93,431 records, the number of contributors to 1,500. Thanks to all who contributed their faunistic records in this update cycle.
9 Like
17.03.2018
I have just published two new book reviews, namely for "Die Laufkäfer Baden-Württembergs" by J. Trautner and the new volume "Die Blattkäfer Baden-Württembergs" by J. Rheinheimer and M. Hassler. I highly recommend both works to all users of kerbtier.de!
30 Like
Feb
2018
28.02.2018
The faunistic database just increased to 92,992 records, the number of contributors to 1,491. Thanks to all who contributed their faunistic records in this update cycle.
3 Like
Jan
2018
28.01.2018
The faunistic database just increased to 92,130 records, the number of contributors to 1,480. Thanks to all who contributed their faunistic records in this update cycle.
6 Like
15.01.2018
Yesterday, I migrated our phenograms from low-quality GIF to high-res scalable vector graphics (SVG). However, my initial implementation caused problems in IE11 and Edge browsers, which I have just resolved. I apologize for the inconvenience!
9 Like
02.01.2018
I have just created a dashboard for the users of our ID forum, which allows a convenient overview of the own recordings and requests for ID as well as those of other users. Thanks to my co-admin Fabian, who brought up the idea. I have built it into the module "Search answers" (there the new view mode: dashboard). Just try it out with the dashboard for Rüsselkäferin!
68 Like
01.01.2018
I wish all visitors of kerbtier.de a happy and prosperous New Year 2018 and lots of fun with the beetle hobby!

New Year 2018

As a fresh start into the New Year I just uploaded a new topic page on the blister beetle Stenoria analis, written and beautifully illustrated by our user Hans Bahmer (thanks!).

Furthermore, the faunistic database just increased to 91,830 records, the number of contributors to 1,470. Thanks to all who contributed their faunistic records in this update cycle.
46 Like