What caterpillar is that?

Dr Peter McQuillan will provide an overview of how characteristics of caterpillars and similar looking larvae are being incorporated into a tool for identification, under the direction of Dr. Peter McQuillan and Jan Forrest OAM.  Following on from the success of the BCSA’s book “Caterpillars, moths and their plants of southern Australia” , a new website and phone app. is being developed, to feature around 300 species and over 600 images of caterpillars and their adult butterflies and moths. A number of supporting fact sheets will be produced. Peter will provide an overview of how this website is being planned to enable users to identify ‘their’ caterpillar through a process of elimination by checking characteristics such as colour, spots, stripes, movement, feeding, habit etc.

This is an end of year event with a supper of finger foods, platters and non-alcoholic drinks afterwards, so a small fee is being charged to cover our costs.   Please scroll down to make a booking, and perhaps buy a book too.

Please note that meeting strict adherence to COVID-19 restrictions is important.
If you have not received a designated job to help organize the meeting you will not be admitted to the Hall until 6.15 pm.
Please sign in and provide your contact details (for insurance) and please use hand sanitizer.

UPDATE:  We will not be able to offer virtual attendance using ZOOM .  The event will be filmed and viewable online in due course.

About Dr Peter McQuillan:

Dr Peter McQuillan grew up in Adelaide and was a regular visitor to the South Australian Museum entomology section from a young age. He was always passionate about insects, including micro-moths,

After graduating in agricultural science from the University of Adelaide, he followed a career of entomology in Tasmania, and, until recently, was a Senior Lecturer in Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Tasmania, teaching biogeography and environmental studies.

Peter’s research interests include pollination and herbivory, invasive species management, and the distribution of insects. He is especially interested in invertebrates as indicators of environmental change. His studies have involved moths, beetles and ants, and he has made a substantial contribution to the conservation and systematics of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. He is a strong advocate for the conservation of invertebrate communities and their function.

In 2019, he was senior author of the BCSA-produced book ‘Caterpillars, moths, and their plants of southern Australia’.

Public talks schedule

If an advertised speaker is not available, we will try to provide an alternative speaker of similar interest.

The views of presenters are their personal views. The BCSA does not necessarily endorse any views expressed.