LATE UPDATE! Dr Roger Farrow ‘How Insect pollinators have driven the evolution of flower structure and function in the Angiosperms’

Roger will trace the origins of insect pollinators among the gymnosperms and through the rise of the flowering plants to their diversity at the present day, and how the pollinators have affected the diversity of flower structure and function among modern plant families.

Abstract

Biography

Dr Roger Farrow is a retired entomologist from CSIRO with a life-long passion for the natural history of insects and their interactions with plants.  After retiring he joined the Native Plant Society to improve his knowledge of Australia’s flora and subsequently led members on field trips to different parts of the country as well as on walks in the local area.  Observing insects always took place on these trips and this culminated in his guide to the Insects of South-eastern Australia, published in 2016 by CSIRO, and winner of the Whitley Book Award for best illustrated guide.  In 2018 he persuaded local orchid experts Jean Egan and Tony Wood to produce a field guide to the orchids of the Southern Tablelands (2020) that was also co-authored by Roger and Tobias Hayashi (self-published in 2020). It has already sold out. The interactions between insects and flowers have always been a passion, especially those involving the lesser-known pollinators among the beetles and flies. Roger has led walks in ANBG to show our guides the great diversity of pollinators in the Gardens. 

Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November in the Gardens’ Theatrette. Talks last for 1 hour. Admission is by gold coins donation. The Friends use the ‘gold’ coins donations received at each activity to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. Please note: unless otherwise indicated, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette.

The talks are in line with COVID-19 guidelines which can change rapidly.

Bookings are essential.  Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BYPQV. Bookings can be made from the Friday before the talk until Wednesday night before the talk.

The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. A donation to the Friends for the use of this material will be gratefully accepted. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au