Invitation to Attend

It is our pleasure and great privilege to invite you to Hobart from the 25th to 28th November in 2012 for the 43rd AGM and Scientific Congress of the Australian Entomological Society and the 2012 Conference of the Australasian Arachnological Society.

We invite you to Hobart to not only take advantage of the scientific program and conference's networking opportunities, but to indulge in what Tasmania does best: the fine foods, exciting wines, cultural experiences and, of course, our natural environment.

On behalf of the Organising Committee, we look forward to welcoming you to Hobart in 2012.

Geoff Allen & Catherine Byrne
Conference Co-Convenors

1. The pseudoscorpion Neopseudogarypus scutellatus Morris, 1948 (family Pseudogarypsidae) is endemic to Tasmania, and the only Australian member of the family.

2. Hoplogonus simsoni is one of three protected stag beetle species restricted to undisturbed wet sclerophyll forest in NE Tasmania.

3. Rainbowia sp. (spider mite) on Acacia dealbata. Adult erythraeid mites are predatory on small inverts and eggs, larvae are often parasitic on invertebrates (e.g. certain species of Rainbowia are parasitic on psyllids).

4.Myrmecia forficata (inchman) feeding on a flowering Corymbia ficifolia.

5. Paropsisterna sp. (leaf beatle). Undescribed Tasmanian species which has recently invaded Ireland.

6. New Tasmanian species of Tingidae and Miridae (lace bugs and plant bugs).

7. Tettigarcta tomentosa (Tasmanian hairy cicada). Small relictual (mostly extinct) family of primitive silent cicadas, containing a single genus Tettigarcta with two extant species, one in southern Australia (Tettigarcta crinita), and the other in Tasmania (Tettigarcta tomentosa).

8. Xanthagrion erythtoneurum (red & blue Damsel).

9. Forficula auricularia (European earwig). Female brooding eggs.

10. Melangyna sp. (hoverfly). Visiting hedge mustard (Sysymbrium officinale). . Adults feed on nectar and pollen and are important pollinators, larvae are predators of soft bodied insects (e.g. aphids).

11. Opiliones (harvestman).

12. Acripeza reticulata (mountain katydid) Usually found at high to moderate elevations. This is a female exhibiting the striking defence posture and warning colours of the species. 

13. Ruth Mollison collecting Trichoptera (caddis flies) in the natural semi-alpine grass-land of the Vale of Belvoir.

14. Dirce aesiodora (pencil pine moth). Endemic alpine species. Feeds on Athrotaxis cupressoides (pencil pine) (Cupressaceae) and A. selaginoides (King Billy pine).

15. Plesanemma altafucata. Endemic species. Feeds on Eucalyptus spp.

16. Oreixenica ptunarra (Ptunarra brown butterfly). Threatened species. Restricted to native grasslands.

Further information and photo credits (PDF).

Who will attend?

Delegates will include university and other tertiary professionals, staff from governmental departments and research organisations and private sector entomologists. The conferences have traditionally enjoyed strong representation from entomology students.

Conference Committee

• Geoff Allen, University of Tasmania
• Catherine Byrne, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
• Jamie Davies, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tasmania
• David de Little, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

• Jane Elek, Forestry Tasmania
• Lynette Forster, University of Tasmania
• Peter McQuillan, University of Tasmania
• Karen Richards, Forest Practices Authority, Tasmania
• Paul Walker, University of Tasmania

Australian Entomological Society

The Australian Entomological Society aims to advance and disseminate entomological knowledge in all its aspects, particularly but not exclusively, in relation to the Australian fauna. The Society publishes a journal, a news bulletin and a series of miscellaneous publications, organises scientific meetings, awards research grants to members, awards prizes to students for papers or essays on entomological topics and awards  prizes for taxonomic illustrations and photographs of insects or allied forms.

If you would like more information or would like to join the AES, visit the Society's web site at: www.austentsoc.org.au.

Australasian Arachnological Society

The Australasian Arachnological Society aims to promote interest in the ecology, behaviour and taxonomy of arachnids in the Australasian region, loosely defined as Australia, New Zealand, South-east Asia, Oceania and the Pacific Islands.

If you would like to more information or would like to join the AAS, visit the Society's web site at: www.australasian-arachnology.org.