Towards an Agenda for Insect Conservation in Australia

The need for comprehensive, effective, and well-constructed insect conservation is central to the future of Australia’s unique insect fauna, together with communicating the urgency and importance of this endeavour. The history of development of insect conservation demonstrates increasing concerns and promotion of an increasing taxonomic variety of insects as targets, but also the limitations flowing from a small number of species listed formally for priority treatment and limited logistic support. Several attempts have been made to design and promote more effective representation amongst the large fauna and that can achieve and harmonise the needs of single-species and complex local ecosystems. Each such ecosystem may support unique endemic taxa. Seeking species representative of all major bioregions is one such option. Needs for a broader synthesis to agree and unify a path to conserving Australia’s insect fauna incorporate specifying objectives and priorities, practical measures for conservation, and a range of educational and policy adaptations. A point-form agenda of possible needs and activities is designed to promote discussion over how progress might best be made to safeguard insect life in Australia.