Apparatus and method of mosquito identification

A system for identifying the species of an arthropod, comprising:

• an apparatus for generating digital images of more than one specimen comprising:
• an imaging device configured to capture image data;
• at least one light source for illuminating an optical field of view of the imaging device;
• a housing for enclosing the imaging device and the at least one light source, wherein the housing includes an opening that forms a slot configured to receive a specimen tray;
• wherein the tray includes one or more wells, each wells being configured to hold at least one specimen, the tray including first and second transparent planar surfaces extending parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction from a first end of the tray to a second end of the tray and also extending in a lateral direction from a first side of the tray to a second side of the tray,
• wherein the housing and the tray further include a mechanical system having at least one detent and at least one indent for locking the tray into a fixed position aligned with the optical field of view upon insertion of the tray into the slot;
• and
• wherein the housing, the imaging device, the optical field of the view, the at least one light source, and the tray are configured to capture image data corresponding to at least a subgroup of the wells when the tray is locked into the fixed position without having to adjust any focus or lighting parameters;
• a server connected to said apparatus via the Internet, the server including a processor and memory for analyzing the image data to identify at least one of the species, sex, life stage, age, physical condition, and the population origins of the specimen.