Insects are the most abundant and diverse organisms on earth, and their success can be attributed to skilful reproduction. In every corner of our city, six-legged sex is taking place. In your garden, male dragonflies flush other males’ sperm from females, then plug her to prevent further sex (think chastity belts). Scorpion flies present females with nuptial gifts of tasty spiders, distracting her during sneaky sex. And for some insects, bigger is definitely better! From foreplay to execution, insects are the sexual masters of our city. Michelle Harvey is back to excite and entertain with the importance of insect sex to the biodiversity of our urban jungle.

BIO

Associate Professor Michelle Harvey is the course director for Forensic Science at Deakin University. Specialising in the study of the humble blowfly, she teaches in the field of forensic biology, particularly human decomposition and the estimation of time since death based on maggots. Her research further extends to the importance of blowflies in flystrike and in the debridement of necrotic wounds on humans, as well as analysing how we can better understand the much maligned but highly important blowfly. She has studied, and worked in the UK, South Africa and the US, including time spent at human decomposition research facilities.

6:00 PM @Church of Bang Bang Boogaloo, Heape Court, Melbourne VIC 3000

Entrance over 18  |  The venue is wheelchair accessible.