Insect Art: Celebrating 50 years of Australian Entomological Research The WABA Committee and President of the Australian Entomological Society Dr David Yeates (Director, Australian National Insect Collection – ANIC) are proud to present a unique art exhibition featuring important Australian insects to honour significant contributors to Australian entomology including: Ian Mackerras (1898–1980) Diptera: Spotted Swamp Fly Pelecorhynchus nigripennis Ian Common (1917 – 2006) Lepidoptera: undescribed primitive moth from Kangaroo Island, South Australia John Lawrence (1934 – ) Coleoptera: Rainbow Stag Beetle Phalacrognathus muelleri Ebbe Nielsen (1950 – 2001) Lepidoptera: Bentwing Swift Moth Zelotypia stacyi David Rentz (1942 – ) Orthoptera: Cooloola Monster Cooloola ziljan Doug Waterhouse (1916 – 2000) Odonata: Rockmaster damselfly Diphlebia sp. Many of the exhibited artworks are the result of collaboration with ANIC staff over the last six months. Together they form a beautiful collection of original artworks inspired by the dramatic characteristics and colours of Australia’s spectacular insects. WABA artists present watercolour, pencil and acrylic paintings as well as ceramic and mixed medium sculpture. All works will be for sale. The exhibition will also offer prints and cards based on the original artworks. Wildlife and Botanical Artists (WABA) Established over 14 years ago, WABA is a friendly network of professional and emerging wildlife and botanical artists, based in Canberra, Australia. As a group, WABA has a shared interest in flora and fauna as an important source of inspiration for art and seeks to build bridges between art and science, recognizing that properly valuing our natural environment is key to the growth and sustainability of society. Both art and science must play a part in engaging the broader community. The WABA website includes an artist gallery displaying works by members. For anyone interested in sponsoring WABA or commissioning worksplease contact: Julia Landford, Founding President - 0414 342 839; Glenda Shelley, Vice-President – 0422 405 658; or visit WABA’s website at: www.waba.net.au Stacey Thalden (USA) Momentary Rest: Spotted Swamp Fly (Pelecorhynchus nigripennis). Acrylic paint and Prismacolor pencil. Photo by Brian MClernon Photography. ©S.THALDEN2014 AES 2014 – ‘Celebrating the next 50 years of Australian Entomology’ i Welcome On behalf of the Organising Committee I would like to welcome you to the 2014 Australian Entomological Society Conference. This Conference celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Society, and the Organising Committee has developed a number of special events and presentations to celebrate this important milestone. In particular, the Organising Committee has worked closely with the Wildlife and Botanical Artists Inc. to launch a special exhibition of insect inspired art at the conference. We have chosen to hold the conference in the iconic crucible of Australian science, the Shine Dome, a heritage listed Canberra landmark that is about the same vintage as our Society. With recent civic redevelopment, the Shine Dome now sits adjacent to a vibrant hotel and retail district in New Acton, and is within walking distance of the Australian National University, the National Film and Sound Archive and the National Museum. We hope you will enjoy this celebration of the achievements of Australian entomology over the past half century in our national capital. David Yeates President of the Society and Chair of the Organising Committee Organising Committee David Yeates (CSIRO National Research Collections Australia) (Chair) David Rowell (Research School of Biology, ANU) Ian Naumann (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Saul Cunningham (CSIRO Land and Water Flagship) Alice Wells (Australian Biological Resources Study) Symposium Conveners Phylogenomics – a peek over the horizon Chemical ecology: explaining Australian at big data & emerging methods insect-plant and insect-insect interactions Karen Meusemann and David Yeates: Martin Steinbauer: La Trobe University, CSIRO National Research Collections Melbourne, VIC Australia, Canberra, ACT Ecosystem services delivered by insects Information processing in insects and other invertebrates Jocken Zeil: The Australian National Saul Cunningham: CSIRO Land and Water University, Canberra, ACT Flagship, Canberra, ACT How have molecular data supported, Biological control in the Asia-Pacific enhanced or overturned existing ideas in Region: highlights from the last 50 years insect systematics and biogeography and emerging issues for the future Matt Krosch and Peter Cranston: Centre for Bill Palmer and Andy Sheppard: Biosecurity Water in the Minerals Industry (UQ), Brisbane, Queensland, Brisbane, QLD; CSIRO QLD; Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Biosecurity Flagship, Canberra, ACT Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT Insects as tools in forensic investigations James Wallman: University of Wollongong, Australian beetle systematics: a NSW symposium honouring the contributions of John F. Lawrence on his 80th birthday Adam Slipinski and Rolf Oberprieler: CSIRO National Research Collections Australia, ACT Sally Brown Conference Connections - PO Box 108 Kenmore QLD 4069 Australia Telephone +61 7 3201 2808 Fax +61 7 3201 2809 - Mobile 0407 178 200 AES 2014 – ‘Celebrating the next 50 years of Australian Entomology’ ii GENERAL INFORMATION SOCIAL FUNCTIONS Sunday 28 September: Welcome Reception 17:00 – 19:00 - Shine Dome, with wines supplied by Lerida Estate Including the opening of The Wildlife and Botanical Artists Inc. Insect Art exhibition Monday 29 September Poster session in the Shine Dome. Drinks and 'nibbles' will be served Tuesday 30 September: Conference Dinner at Old Parliament House 18:30 - 22:30. Coaches depart from the Shine Dome and return to University House, QT Canberra and Peppers Gallery Hotel. The REGISTRATION DESK in the Shine Dome will be staffed as follows: Sunday 28 September from 15:00 Monday – Wednesday from 08:00 INTERNET: Internet access will be available at the Shine Dome Sunday - Wednesday. SPEAKERS ASSISTANCE: Speakers, please ensure that you take your USB to the Speakers Assistance Desk (beside the registration desk) well before your session so that your presentation can be loaded and checked during morning tea or lunchtime prior to your presentation. Please do not leave this until the last moment. NAME BADGES: Delegates are requested to wear their name badges at all times during the conference. The committee can be identified by their yellow name badges. The Board of Directors members will have green name badges. MESSAGES: During conference hours: Secretariat Telephone: 0419 025 256 (Jenny Marsden) Please check the notice board by the Registration Desk regularly for messages. TAXI SERVICE: 13 22 27 Things to do in Canberra: Floriade 13 Sept - 12 October http://www.floriadeaustralia.com National Film and Sound Archive http://www.nfsa.gov.au National Museum of Australia http://www.nma.gov.au Australian National University http://www.anu.edu.au Dining in Canberra http://www.outincanberra.com.au/section/dining Local restaurants, dining options and other attractions of new the Acton Precinct can be found here http://www.newacton.com.au/eat/drink INSURANCE: the Australian Entomological Society does not accept responsibility for personal accidents, theft and/or damage to the property of conference delegates or accompanying persons. AES 2014 – ‘Celebrating the next 50 years of Australian Entomology’ iii Shine Dome Map AES 2014 – ‘Celebrating the next 50 years of Australian Entomology’ iv Biographies – Plenary Speakers Professor May Berenbaum Dr. May Berenbaum has had an unparalleled impact on the environmental sciences through a rare combination of path-breaking scientific discovery and influential public engagement. Berenbaum’s research transformed the field of chemical ecology with discoveries that provided a genetic basis for the theory of coevolution. Her investigations have encompassed elegant ecological experiments, elucidated proximate physiological mechanisms, included chemical and genetic analyses, and clearly showed the evolutionary consequences of an “arms war” that exists between plants and insect herbivores. Her research has also provided a clear paradigm for understanding the evolution of insect resistance to insecticides. Her work gives a vivid example of how studies in the basic realm of chemical ecology can inform agricultural practices. Berenbaum has also had a major impact on the environmental sciences through her public engagement work. She is the leading public intellectual for information on insects in the country. She has taken leadership roles in dealing with major insect-related problems that confront us: insects and GM crops, pollinator declines, invasive species, pesticides and resistance, and insect conservation. Her preeminent status in this realm derives in part from her extensive service to the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences. Berenbaum’s writing for the public is prolific and highly acclaimed. Berenbaum has written a torrent of lively magazine articles, columns, and three books about insects. Berenbaum is also a very popular and innovative teacher, for which she was recognized by ESA. Berenbaum is a person of remarkable scientific accomplishment, boundless energy, brilliant creativity, and passionate dedication to public understanding of science. She is also inspirational up close as a charismatic, warm, and accessible