The Australian Entomological Society is offering $2,000 in small grants for short-term entomology-related research projects by members of at least two years’ standing, with applications due 31 March 2026: buff.ly/xLd7HjH
Newly published in Austral Entomology: Rendall et al. (2026) investigate the biology of Blakistonia aurea, revealing regional differences in female burrow morphology, a protracted reproductive cycle and the first detailed account of mating in an Australian idiopid.
Newly published in Austral Entomology: Volp et al. experimentally disentangle oviposition preference & larval survival of three noctuid pests on capsicum, revealing strong host utilisation by Spodoptera litura and fruit-associated persistence of Spodoptera frugiperda.
huh. how odd how close it looks to a juvenile. I have only seen winged species, but they are definitely a good sign I am in a relatively pristine biodiversity hotspot. I will have to lookout for wingless species!
It's with great sadness that the Australian Entomological Society acknowledges the passing of Dr Bill Humphreys. A tireless researcher, with over 400 peer-reviewed publications & a pioneer in Western Australian subterranean biodiversity, His expertise will be greatly missed. Vale Dr Bill Humphreys.
Newly published in Austral Entomology: Pires et al. demonstrate that hydrological permanence and landscape encroachment jointly structure β-diversity in low-order Pampa streams, with implications for predicting Odonata responses to climate-driven flow alteration & land-use change.
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Newly published in Austral Entomology: Thresher & Suter demonstrate that the baetid mayflies Cloeon tasmaniae Tillyard and C. paradieniense Suter show extensive morphological and genetic overlap, leading to the recognition of C. paradieniense as a junior synonym of C. tasmaniae.
Newly published in Austral Entomology: Schutze et al. review over 870 Australian scale insect records to refine the list of non-native species, and outline the biosecurity implications of sustaining an accurate and up-to-date introduced species checklist.
As of the 13/02/26, the Mount Donna Buang wingless stonefly (Riekoperla darlingtoni), has been listed as critically endangered, with a habitat range of 1km2. New nominations are due on the 31st of March. Contact the AES conservation committee if you wish nominate a species for listing.
Host a Invertebrates Australia bug lantern and help scientists understand the Bogong moth’s vital migration: Invertebrates Australia provides training, equipment, and support, with expressions of interest due by February 22.
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Newly published in Austral Entomology; Liu, Slater-Baker, & Polaszek present new species of Miracinae from Australia and Papua New Guinea, along with a comprehensive key to Mirax species worldwide.
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In Austral Entomology, Rossito, Pinho, & Andrade introduce four new species of Sycorax from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, enhancing our understanding of this genus in the Neotropical region.
Want to help provide advice for the future of NSW national parks?
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service are seeking community members to apply to join regional advisory committees across the state.
Applications are now open. To learn more, visit: buff.ly/ob7ZiIK
DPIRD is offering a 12-month full-time Laboratory Technician (Molecular Biology) position in Perth, contributing to biosecurity by supporting molecular diagnostics for disease and pest identification.
Salary: $76,912 - $82,464 pa.
Closing Date: 2026-02-17
To apply visit: buff.ly/T9Vg9gQ
A newly published study in Austral Entomology by Szczepański & Dobosz describes a new subgenus Neocaledomachus and species Promachus insolitus from New Caledonia.
Newly published in Austral Entomology: Campos & Tonon describes a new genus, Annelotrypa, and its species Annelotrypa xerophila, marking the first record of Neometrypini (Orthoptera: Oecanthidae) in the Caatinga biome of Brazil.
Host a Invertebrates Australia bug lantern and help scientists understand the Bogong moth’s vital migration: Invertebrates Australia provides training, equipment, and support, with expressions of interest due by February 22.
buff.ly/WENmzuq
The AES is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Margaret Williams. Margaret was a highly knowledgeable entomologist, with several species having been named in her honour, including Asteliachoccus margaretae.
She will be greatly missed.
Vale Margaret Williams.
🔎 Newly published in Austral Entomology: McClelland et al. shows that Bush Blitz surveys have identified nine species of Acizzia on hop bush (Dodonaea), eight of which are new to science!
🌳 💧 Newly published in Austral Entomology: Nanni et al. demonstrate that forestry and water management strongly influence ground-dwelling beetle communities in Argentine wetlands.
🐝 Recently published in Austral Entomology: Alvarez et al. report the first Argentine record of an Australian Hylaeus bee and describe its nesting behaviour, plant use and associated parasitoids.
🍎 Recently published in Austral Entomology: Clarke et al. show that tropical fruit flies can pause reproduction seasonally in a manner not explained by temperature alone.
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📙 Recently published in Austral Entomology: Zilberman, Rocha and Moreno describe a new termitophilous rove beetle species from Australia and document an unexpected termite host association.
📖 Recently published in Austral Entomology, Rodrigues, Mello and de Carvalho present a comprehensive revision of the Australasian fly genus Zygaenula, including a new species and updated keys and distributions.
📑 Recently published in Austral Entomology: Paul, Herberstein and Khan report high rates of coinfection by water mites and gregarines in Australian bluetail damselflies and demonstrate differing impacts on host condition.
Former Perth curator Mark Harvey is one of the few people on Earth to have described 1,000 new species, many of them arachnids. Colleagues say his legacy is ‘unquantifiable’:
📚 Recently published in Austral Entomology: Moreno, Montanhini and Zilberman introduce Daimophyllon gen. nov., a distinctive new genus of Brazilian Athetini rove beetles, with the description of two new species.
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And with the final tour wrapped up, that concludes the 5th Combined Australian and New Zealand Entomological Societies Conference.
Thank you to everyone who made the journey, our colleagues from the ESNZ, & to all our AES members who make these conferences possible.
See you all at Conference 2026!
And that’s a wrap for presentations at the 5th Combined Australian and New Zealand Entomological Societies Conference. Thank you to everyone who took the time to put together such an amazing range of talks. Which ones did you find the most interesting?
Tomorrow: tours and workshops!
