Dr Penelope Mills1

1The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia

Biography:

Completed my Honours and PhD on the biology, taxonomy, systematics and evolution of several species’ groups within the gall-inducing scale insect genus Apiomorpha (Coccomorpha: Eriococcidae). Research assistant on the systematics of gall-inducing thrips and post-PhD research on a biocontrol project of an introduced pest from the Mediterranean: the giant pine scale (Marchalina hellenica). Have served as Councillor (since 2012) and Secretary (2019-present) on the Entomological Society of Queensland Council.

Abstract:

The study of rare insect species' life histories is crucial for understanding their ecology, implementing effective conservation strategies and studying them under laboratory conditions for projects such as non-target species testing for biocontrol. However, obtaining comprehensive data on these species remains challenging due to limited resources and availability of specimens. This includes species which spend most of their lifecycle hidden from researchers, such as root-feeding or overwintering scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha). This includes Callipappus (a genus of ''marsupial'' scale insects) and the giant snowball scale insect Monophlebulus. Citizen science data offers a promising avenue for collecting large-scale data on rare insects, leveraging the power of public participation in scientific research. I will explore the efficacy of using citizen science data to document the life history of rare insects to further our understanding of their ecology and improve efficiency of field work on these scale insects.