Dr Peter Caley ‘Identifying drivers of decline of the bogong moth (Agrotis infusa) – a call out to Caughley’

Dr Peter Caley, of CSIRO, will explore which of the numerous putative drivers are consistent with the observations of the decline of the famous Bogong moth.

Abstract
Bogong moth populations are in decline. Following a big decrease in numbers after European colonisation expanded across their breeding range, a subsequent decline from about 1980 has been followed by a dramatic drought-induced crash from 2017--2019. It appears that something has fundamentally changed in the environment, such that it no longer supports the abundance of bogong moths that it once did. Caughley's declining population paradigm provides a systematic, scientific approach to diagnosing the proximal factor(s) driving the decline, and hence knowledge for reversing such declines. This talk explores which of the numerous putative drivers are consistent with the observations.

Biography
Dr Peter Caley is a research scientist with CSIRO Data61. He has a background in applying quantitative methods to address contemporary problems in the environmental, agricultural and health sciences. He has an ongoing research interest in the dynamics of animal populations, with recent examples including inferring trends in the abundance of waterbird populations, flying foxes, and bogong moths. 

Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/CGTIH

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

It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly.  Bookings can be made from the Friday before the talk until Wednesday night before the talk or until seating limits are reached. 

The Booking Link is:  https://www.trybooking.com/CGTIH

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. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au

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