wings an introduction to tasmania’s winged insects theme: natural resources and ecosystem services

Wingsan introduction to

Tasmania’s winged insects

Theme: Natural resources and ecosystem services

WingsWings Aims of research

• knowledge and understanding of Tasmania’s insects• pest management • sustainable farming • improved biodiversity

Locations and timeframes Tasmania-wide 2004-2007

Methods• photograph living insects in their natural habitat• literature review• input from relevant entomologists nationwide

Tasmanian Insects Tasmania has around 10,000 insect species Most insects have a lifecycle of 1 year The adult or winged phase of an insect lasts from a few hours to a few months Many beneficial insects require nectar as adults – maintaining or planting understorey plants that produce nectar will improve guest-pest ratios Insects have specific habitat and food requirements – facilitating the requirements of predatory insects will improve guest-pest ratios Many insects remain undescribed (there are very few entomologists in Tasmania) Wings provides a good overview of commonly occurring insects in Tasmania, many of which are also found in eastern Australia or Australia-wide Wings enables readers to access additional information about

Tasmania’s insects on the web

Which insects are found in Wings?

AntsBees

BeetlesBugs

ButterfliesCicadasCrickets

DamselfliesDragonflies

FliesGrasshoppersHanging Flies

KatydidsLacewings

MothsPraying Mantids

Wasps and SawfliesWeevils

600 photographs

350 insects

Where can you purchase Wings?

Most bookstores in Tasmania, some information centres, newsagencies, museum shopsOr

• direct through the publisher

Riffles Pty Ltd378 Buckland RoadBuckland Tas 7190

Email: edaley@riffles.com.auTel: (03) 6257 5112; 0407886313

RRP $49.95 (soft covers) $55.00 (hard covers)

# Hard covers only available from Riffles

funded by Elizabeth Daley and Riffles Pty Ltd