The "Midnight Chorus" (Acoustic Insect Monitoring)
Original Mission created by RENSIC.
Submit Your Research MissionMission Overview: Acoustic Ecosystem Monitoring
It’s like "Shazam for nature." Users are often surprised to learn that different species of crickets change their chirp speed based on the exact temperature—a phenomenon known as Dolbear's Law. By analyzing the frequency and tempo of these nocturnal choruses, we can map micro-climates and detect subtle shifts in local temperatures that traditional weather stations might miss. This mission turns "background noise" into a high-value climate data point.
Furthermore, tracking the presence or absence of specific indicator species (like certain cicadas or katydids) helps ecologists monitor biodiversity and the health of local ecosystems in real-time, providing early warnings for habitat degradation or climate-driven migration.
The Goal: Recording nocturnal insect sounds (crickets, cicadas, grasshoppers) to track ecosystem health and temperature-driven migration patterns.
The Task: At dusk or after dark, place your phone on a flat surface outdoors for 2 minutes. Record the audio "profile" of the area using a Spectrogram app.
The Data: A screenshot of the spectrogram reading showing the frequency profile of the insect chorus, cryptographically verified to ensure authenticity and location accuracy.
Mandatory Tools First
In order to participate in Missions, you will need at least one of these two apps for all missions. Other specialized tools may be required by the Mission:
ProofMode
A lightweight app that turns your phone into a secure evidence-gathering device by automatically adding cryptographic signatures and metadata.
proofmode.orgSpectroid / Spectrum Analyzer
An audio spectrogram analyzer that provides a visual representation of the frequency spectrum of audio over time, perfect for identifying insect chirp frequencies.
When you download the apps, this is what you need to do before you use them:
- Spectrogram App: Ensure microphone permissions are granted to record audio frequencies.
- ProofMode: Ensure it is running in the background to sign your screenshots and location data.
Open Source Forensic Tools (Digital & Network Analysis):
Audacity
An open-source, cross-platform audio software for multi-track recording and editing. Essential for analyzing the acoustic signatures of insect calls captured during the mission.
audacityteam.orgQGIS
A free and open-source geographic information system (GIS) application. Required for visualizing and analyzing the GPS-tagged heat map of "Acoustic Profiles."
qgis.orgImportant Note: Recommended Lighting
Use a red light flashlight if possible. Red light is less disruptive to nocturnal insects and helps maintain a natural environment during data collection.
For additional operational resources, consult the Tools and Testing, Ethical Testing Guide, Verification Guide, and Smart Contracts pages.
The "Acoustic Ecosystem" Methodology
Directive MC-01: Acoustic Ecosystem Profiling
To accurately map the nocturnal insect activity and correlate it with local temperatures, we must capture a clean, 2-minute acoustic profile of the environment.
Phase 1: Location & Baseline Setup
Navigate outdoors at dusk or after dark. Find a quiet area away from immediate artificial noise sources (like AC units, loud traffic, or direct human conversation).
Critical App Setup Requirements
To create verifiable evidence, configure your data collection apps in this specific order:
- First, set up ProofMode: Ensure it is running in the background to cryptographically sign all screenshots and media captured during the session.
- Next, open your Spectrogram App: Have your audio analyzer ready to record the frequency spectrum.
Phase 2: The 2-Minute Reading
This phase captures the core acoustic data mapping the insect chorus.
- The Action: Place your phone on a flat surface outdoors. Start the Spectrogram app and let it record the ambient insect chorus for exactly 2 minutes.
- The Capture: Take a clear screenshot of the Spectrogram reading showing the frequency profile of the insect sounds.
- The Data Output: A ProofMode-verified screenshot representing the acoustic profile of that specific location and time.
Milestones
This mission is structured in three progressive milestones to map the acoustic ecosystem across various environments.
Milestone 1: Initial Data Collection
$150Goal: Gather the first wave of baseline acoustic profiles.
- Reward the first 30 users for submitting verified 2-minute spectrogram screenshots.
Milestone 2: Frequency Analysis & Species Mapping
$450Goal: Compile the data into a comprehensive species map.
- Fund an entomologist/data scientist to analyze the frequencies and map species distribution.
Milestone 3: Climate Correlation Report
$800Goal: Publish findings correlating chirp frequencies with local temperature anomalies.
- Draft and distribute a formal report on the impact of climate shifts on nocturnal insect behavior.
Mission Downloads
The following files are pre-configured specifically for The "Midnight Chorus" (Acoustic Insect Monitoring). Citizen Researchers can use these templates to compile legally verifiable, corroborating evidence for submission to environmental authorities or research institutions.
Submission Requirements
Citizen Researchers are required to submit these two files (completely filled out; the .json is pre-filled with Mission-specific metadata) alongside the raw evidence Spectrogram screenshot (signed by ProofMode) for full review, validation, and payment.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Follow this step-by-step checklist to ensure your acoustic recordings are accurate and forensically valid.
1 Preparation & App Setup
- Timing: Conduct the mission at dusk or after dark when nocturnal insect activity is highest.
- App Readiness: Ensure ProofMode and your Spectrogram/Audio Recording app are installed and functioning.
- ProofMode Activation: Open ProofMode and ensure it is running in the background to capture metadata.
2 The Acoustic Recording
- Positioning: Place your phone on a flat, stable surface outdoors (e.g., a porch railing, a rock, or the ground). Do not hold it in your hand to avoid handling noise.
- Silence: Remain completely silent and still during the recording. Do not talk, walk, or make any noise that could interfere with the insect sounds.
- Recording: Open your Spectrogram app and start recording. Let it run for a full 2 minutes to capture a representative sample of the acoustic environment.
3 Data Capture
- Screenshot: While the spectrogram is actively displaying the frequency profile of the insect chorus, take a clear screenshot. Ensure the frequency scale (Hz or kHz) is visible.
4 Verification & Submission
- Metadata: Fill out the provided Evidence Metadata JSON file with your specific mission details (location description, approximate temperature if known).
- Upload: Upload the ProofMode zip file (containing the spectrogram screenshot) and the completed JSON metadata file to the RENSIC portal.
Mission Budget Breakdown
Total Funding Necessary: $150
The money will be used for the Rewards. Payout $5 for a verified "Acoustic Profile" submission (total 30 tasks) via PayPal.
Mission Timeline
Mission Created
The "Midnight Chorus" initialized. Initial funding round opened.
Data Collection Phase
Users capture 2-minute acoustic profiles at dusk.
Acoustic Ecosystem Analysis
Data is aggregated to create the Acoustic Ecosystem Map.
Activity Log
Mission started. Awaiting first submissions.
Audit Results
Results will be populated as verified data is collected.
How do you want to participate?
This is a Live Mission and needs 30 people to do a quick test (takes a few minutes; see Overview and Protocol tabs). We'll pay $5 via PayPal - no catch - to the first 30 people who send their results to our email info@rensic.com.
Minimum contribution: $10.00
This mission is currently in manual funding phase. All contributions are tracked publicly. Full platform automation launching Q3 2026.
NOTE: All transactions are securely processed and tracked for Escrow services.
Milestone 1 is Fully Funded! Any new contributions will be applied directly toward the next Milestone.