Western Australia is home to a variety of fascinating and ancient creepy crawlies, such as centipedes, spiders and scorpions. Are they dangerous? When should we be concerned, and when should we be delighted to have them in our neighbourhood?
As part of the Western Australian Museum’s second year of the Harry Butler: In the Wild West lecture series, the Museum’s Head of Department of Terrestrial Zoology, Dr Mark Harvey will present a talk on Creepy crawlies at 6.30pm on Tuesday 9 August, 2011.
Dr Harvey said the Western Australian landscape is one of the most ancient in the world, and is now home to a wide variety of plants and animals.
“Amongst the least known animal groups are many species that bring fear and dread into people's minds such as trap-door spiders, giant centipedes, white-tailed spiders, scorpions, and the red-back spider,” Dr Harvey said.
“Encountering these creepy crawlies in the bush or in our homes can be a challenging and sometimes frightening prospect.”
During his talk, Dr Harvey will distinguish the truly dangerous from the harmless, highlighting that whilst many may appear dangerous, they seldom bite or sting humans. Some common myths and internet stories are also dispelled.
“For example, the tale that a new type of dangerous spider is moving into Western Australia is revealed as an elaborate hoax,” he said.
Some of these creepy crawlies have lived on earth for hundreds of millions of years, with little change and play a helpful role in our lives.
Dr Harvey is a world-renowned authority in the study of arachnids (spiders and their relatives) and has served as a member of many international, national and state committees and as President or Vice-President of several scientific societies. His most recent appointment has been as a member of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature which advises the scientific community on how scientific names can be used.
The Harry Butler lecture series: In the Wild West, presented in partnership with Chevron Australia, showcases the work of Museum scientists, curators and associates in the areas of natural and social sciences.
This is the first time the series has been presented to the Onslow community. The opportunity to take this successful series to the North West of WA and acknowledge the importance of conserving ecosystems, is made possible by our partners Chevron.
LECTURE: Creepy crawlies
WHEN: 6.30pm Tuesday 9 August, 2011
WHERE: Onslow Shire Hall
Second Avenue, Onslow.
Venue information: (08) 9184 6001 Tanya Worth or Jane Hathaway – between 9:00am and 4.00pm.
BOOKINGS www.museum.wa.gov.au/inthewildwest COST: Gold coin donation
Flora Perrella, Western Australian Museum T: 9212 3856 M: 0424027646
