Summary:
From our backyards to global ecosystems, insect populations are declining. What does it mean and what can we do about it?
Many insect populations around the world are in steep decline, with serious implications for ecosystems, food production and human wellbeing. While the health of Tasmania’s insect populations remains largely unmeasured, the same pressures driving global losses, including climate change, habitat disruption and industrial agriculture, are already at play here.
Discover the science behind the so‑called insect apocalypse: what’s happening to insect populations, why it matters, and how we can respond. Bringing together leading Tasmanian experts in entomology, ecology and biodiversity, this conversation spans current research, species knowledge, and the real‑world challenges of conservation and land management.
Whether we swat them, study them or simply marvel at them, insects shape our food systems, environments and imaginations. Understanding their decline isn’t just about saving insects. It’s about safeguarding the intricate web of life that sustains us all.
Presenter(s):
- Doctor Jonathan Finch, Lecturer in Entomology, University of Tasmania
- Associate Professor Sue Baker, ARC Future Fellow, Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania
- Doctor Simon Grove, Senior Curator Invertebrate Zoology, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
- Doctor Cathy Byrne, Senior Curator of Zoology, Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts
Pre-event refreshments:
Head to the venue early and enjoy complimentary refreshments from 5.30pm.
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