AbstractRemote automated surveillance of insect abundance and diversity is poised to revolutionize insect decline studies. The study reveals spectral analysis of thin‐film wing interference signals (WISs) can discriminate free‐flying insects beyond what can be accomplished by machine vision. Detectable by photonic sensors, WISs are robust indicators enabling species and sex identification. The first quantitative survey of insect wing thickness and modulation through shortwave‐infrared hyperspectral imaging of 600 wings from 30 hover fly species is presented. Fringy spectral reflectance of WIS can be explained by four optical parameters, including membrane thickness. Using a Naïve Bayes Classifier with five parameters that can be retrieved remotely, 91% is achieved accuracy in identification of species and sexes. WIS‐based surveillance is therefore a potent tool for remote insect identification and surveillance.