The evolutionary story of the Australian moths and butterflies
Dr Cathy Byrne
Thursday 22 January, 10.30am
Royal Society Room, TMAG
The Lepidoptera — the moths and butterflies — is one of the largest groups of animals in the world, numbering over 180,000 species. In Australia, the lepidopteran fauna has undergone a remarkable evolution from moist-climate Gondwanan stock to mostly species well-adapted to an arid environment. Australian butterflies, although a beautiful and conspicuous part of the Lepidoptera, are greatly outnumbered by their moth cousins.
In this talk TMAG’s Senior Curator of Zoology Dr Cathy Byrne will present what defines a lepidopteran, the enormous diversity in our moths and butterflies, and the fascinating evolutionary story of the Australian Lepidoptera.
This is a FREE event and you are welcome to bring non-member friends.
