Christmas Beetles And The Fight to Protect Australia’s Forgotten Invertebrates
Associate Professor Tanya Latty has spent her life captivated by the wonders of insects. From her childhood days chasing critters to her current role at the University of Sydney, Tanya’s passion for ecology and conservation has defined her career. Yet, her path to entomology wasn’t straightforward.
Tanya initially planned to become a vet, only to discover she has a severe allergy to furry animals
She initially planned to become a vet, only to discover a severe allergy to furry animals and a fascination with invertebrate zoology during her undergraduate studies. This newfound interest opened her eyes to the immense diversity of invertebrates, propelling her into graduate research on mountain pine beetles in Canada.
After earning her PhD, Tanya’s journey took her to Australia, where she secured a postdoctoral position. Her early research included studying bumblebees, slime moulds, and ants. This interdisciplinary work explored how natural systems solve complex problems and inspired collaborations with mathematicians and computer scientists to develop bio-inspired optimisation algorithms.
Bushfires destroy habitats
The devastating 2019-2020 bushfires marked a turning point in Tanya’s career. Witnessing the extensive destruction of habitats, she and her colleagues co-founded Invertebrates Australia, an organisation dedicated to protecting Australia’s invertebrate biodiversity. Tanya highlighted the bushfires’ impact on velvet worms, an ancient species she had been studying. Their entire habitat range was severely burned, leaving populations on the brink of collapse. This experience underscored the vulnerability of countless other species that lack dedicated monitoring.
Among Tanya’s notable initiatives is the Christmas Beetle Project, which emerged in response to widespread concern about the apparent disappearance of these iconic beetles. Historically, swarms of iridescent Christmas beetles were a hallmark of Australian summers, yet their numbers have dwindled dramatically. With no long-term data to confirm these declines, Tanya turned to citizen science. Through the iNaturalist platform, thousands of Australians have submitted sightings, helping to map beetle distributions and rediscover rare species.
Tanya’s efforts extend beyond research. She actively engages the public, encouraging children and adults to explore the natural world through platforms like Seek and iNaturalist. Her organisation offers kids’ memberships, newsletters, and educational resources, fostering a new generation of entomologists.
“Invertebrates form the backbone of ecosystems, providing essential services like pollination and soil aeration.”
The Mission of Invertebrates Australia
The mission of Invertebrates Australia is daunting but critical. While vertebrates often dominate conservation narratives, Tanya reminds us that invertebrates form the backbone of ecosystems, providing essential services like pollination and soil aeration. By raising awareness and building partnerships with farmers and citizen scientists, Tanya hopes to secure a future where these species can thrive.
From velvet worms to Christmas beetles, Tanya’s work showcases the resilience and beauty of invertebrates. Her research and advocacy serve as a call to action, reminding us of the intricate connections that sustain life on Earth.
You can listen to the full conversation with Associate Professor Tanya Latty, on the Citizen Science Show Podcast
