CLUB MEETING:
Date & Time: 7 pm, Friday 5 June 2026
Speaker: Dr Penelope Mills, Entomologist and Scale Insect Expert. From an early age Penny was fascinated by insects, and was involved in several research projects during her final year of undergraduate study at UQ. Her Honours and PhD theses focused on the biology, taxonomy, systematics and evolution of several species-groups within the gall-inducing scale insect genus Apiomorpha (Coccomorpha: Eriococcidae).
Title: Australia’s Fascinating Gall-inducing Scale Insects
Summary: Scale insects are plant parasites related to aphids and belong to the order of true bugs (Hemiptera). Many of the species in Australia induce galls: abnormal growths found on plants due to an irritant that causes an immune response from the plant. Australia is home to a high number (c. 10%) of the world’s known gall-inducing scale insect fauna. In this talk Dr Penny Wills will focus on several of the main genera present in Australia, especially those that occur in the Toowoomba region.
Summary: Scale insects are plant parasites related to aphids and belong to the order of true bugs (Hemiptera). Many of the species in Australia induce galls: abnormal growths found on plants due to an irritant that causes an immune response from the plant. Australia is home to a high number (c. 10%) of the world’s known gall-inducing scale insect fauna. In this talk Dr Penny Wills will focus on several of the main genera present in Australia, especially those that occur in the Toowoomba region.
Venue: St. Anthony’s Community Centre, Memory Street, Toowoomba. The speaker's presentation is followed by official business and supper.
CLUB OUTING:
Date: Sunday 07 June 2026 – Kearney south and upper reach of Hodgson Creek, Toowoomba
Meeting Time: 8.30 am
Where: at the end of Kearney Street
Description:
This excursion in south Toowoomba will take us along the upper reach of Hodgson Creek show-casing recent housing expansion south of Kearney Springs and the TRC’s management of new parks and gardens.
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| Carly Hibberd Park Trails Photo: Toowoomba Region website |
Activities: From our meeting place we will walk to the Carly Hibberd Park and along the creek before returning to our parked cars for morning tea. Our walk will then take us further west along Hodgson Creek before returning back to our cars for lunch. There will be an opportunity to walk part of Kearney Street to note the extensive TRC native plantings.
Come along and enjoy the walk and talk with friends.
Level of Fitness: This is all easy walking (Grade 1) with mild undulations.
Facilities: toilet facilities at Carly Hibbard Park
What to Bring: Bring morning tea, lunch, a chair, water and sun protection.
All welcome.
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