Moustic Réunion: An illustrated interactive dichotomous identification key for mosquito species of La Réunion Island, implemented as an Android application

Abstract

README.pdf Moustic Réunion: An illustrated interactive dichotomous identification key for mosquito species of La Réunion Island, implemented as an Android application Frédéric Lardeux and Philippe Boussès 1. Abstract Moustic Réunion is an Android application designed to assist in the identification of mosquito species based on morphological traits. The application combines interactive keys, annotated images, and offline functionality to support research, surveillance, and educational purposes in medical entomology. 2. Introduction Accurate mosquito identification is critical for entomological surveillance and vector-borne disease control. Moustic Réunion is a digital dichotomous identification key of the mosquitoes of La Reunion Island, for both adult females and larvae, and was developed using Flipabit (Flipabit LLC, 2025)and based on the identification keys of Boussès, Dehecq, and Fontenille (2021) which provides the foundational morphological data and images for species identification. Moustic Réunion provides a digital solution, integrating curated identification resources in a user-friendly mobile format. 3. Application Features Interactive morphological identification key Visual support with annotated images of mosquito traits Offline use compatible with Android devices Lightweight and easy-to-install APK 4. Installation and Usage 1. Download the APK file: Moustic_Reunion.apk, from Zenodo repository or from Github (https://fredlardeux.github.io/entomo_tools/) 2. Transfer to an Android device, 3. Enable installation from unknown sources, 4. Launch the application and follow identification steps. 5. Scientific Content The application incorporates validated entomological data: Identification keys, Annotated images, Taxonomic descriptions. All scientific content is curated by P. Boussès. Accuracy depends on the quality of specimens and correct user input. 6. Limitations Identification is based solely on morphology, Results should be validated by expert entomologists when used in research or operational contexts, Accuracy may vary with specimen preservation and lighting conditions. 7. Authors and Contribution Author Role Frédéric Lardeux Software development, APK packaging Philippe Boussès Scientific content : images, keys, descriptions 8. Citation When referencing this tool in publications, please cite this document: Lardeux, F. and Boussès, P. 2026. Moustic Reunion (version 1.0), an illustrated interactive dichotomous identification key for mosquito species of La Réunion Island, implemented as an Android application. (Software: Lardeux F., Scientific content: Boussès P.). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19097950 9. License Software (code, APK): MIT License — Frédéric Lardeux Scientific content (images, keys, datasets): CC-BY 4.0 — Philippe Boussès For more details, see the licenc.txt file in the repository 10. References Boussès, P., Dehecq, J. S., & Fontenille, D. (2021). Les moustiques de l'ïle de la Réunion. Montpellier: IRD. Flipabit LLC. (2025). Flipabit app builder (Version 2.5). Retrieved from https://flipabit.dev/