Moths Matter! - Workshop/Forum

Brisbane's Big Butterfly Count is proud to invite you to our workshop/forum "Moths Matter!! on Saturday, 22nd August 2022, 8:00am to 1:00pm.

Our event is inspired by the recent publishing of Australian Moths. A Natural History, edited by Roger L. Kitching. We are delighted to have the initiator of the project, Emeritus Professor Roger Kitching, and contributing authors share their expertise at our event. It will give us a unique opportunity to learn about our nightly lepidoptera which outnumber butterflies 50 times. They are effective and highly important pollinators, form a vital part of the food web, and they are excellent indicators of environmental health.

PROGRAM:

Emeritus Professor Roger L. Kitching, Australian Moths: a poorly known Fauna demanding Attention

Roger Kitching will reference the recent publication of Australian Moth. A Natural History. He will highlight a few of the spectacular life histories known and how these fit into the intricacies of Australian ecosystems. He’ll talk about the gaps in our knowledge and where and how amateur enthusiasts and other citizen scientists can play a major role in enriching our knowledge going forward.

Emeritus Professor Myron P.  Zalucki, Moths as Pests in Australia with details of a very hairy one, Ochrogaster lunifer

An overview of moths as pests, both endemic and imported, in Australia.  Followed by a detailed expose of a species of medical and veterinary importance, the processionary caterpillar or bunny tail moth, Ochrogaster lunifer.

Peter Hendry, The Fascinating Hawkmoths (Sphingidae)

An introduction to and overview of the moth family with a special focus on Australian species. The presentation will include the life history, will cover a series of SEQ species noting their host plants, and will provide information on how to separate some of the more difficult species.

Dr Jessa H. Thurman, The Giant Wood Moth, Endoxyla cinereus

The presentation will focus on the world’s heaviest recorded moth and its complex roles as an ecosystem engineer, as a cultural resource and as forestry pest. It’ll include the multiyear development inside eucalypt trunks and elaborate on its ecological significance based on its boring habits, abundance and large geographic range.

Associate Professor Donald P.A.  Sands, Micro-Lepidoptera: Conservation Priorities and Recovery Actions

Focus on moth with a wingspan of less than 12mm and their importance in ecosystem conservation. Don’s talk will concentrate on the importance of their interactions with plants, and will recognise the conservation significance of ‘obligatory pollinators’ and their reciprocal roles for conservation of threatened species of plants. Examples of micro-lepidoptera will be briefly discussed.

Moderator: Dr Kathy Ebert, entomologist with QM and UQ

Location: St Andrew’s Parish Hall, 89 Fairley St, Indooroopilly (5min walk from Indooroopilly station)

Fee: $20.00 (concessions/students $10)

It's a jam packed event. Of course, we'll have a morning tea waiting for you during the event, and lunch snacks after its conclusion.

Please note, booking is essential.

If you have any questions, please contact Jutta Godwin on 0407 583 441.