As part of her Honours thesis for the Bachelor’s at the University of Queensland under Dr. David Yeates, Narelle Power trapped therevid specimens using eleven Malaise traps based in three separate and differing habitats: coastal heath, sclerophyll forest and rainforest. This study revealed that there is a very diverse fauna of Therevidae in the region southeast Queensland. Over 1,000 Therevidae belonging to 15 genera and 52 species were collected throughout a 54 week period. This survey collected a number of closely related species of the genus,Ectinorhynchus, which were the focus of a taxonomic study that included the description of 4 described and 4 undescribed species.

Individual abundance varied across the three sites with 47.5% of specimens collected from sclerophyll forest, coastal heath accounted for 39.2% of the total therevids, and the rainforest site just 13.3%. Individual species appear to be spatially restricted, with site species diversity related to the heterogeneity of the environment.

The majority of therevid species were represented by few individuals, with ten represented by less than 3 individuals. The results of an analysis of seasonal abundance were the most significant findings of the study. Most specimens and all species were taken in spring (September-November). Therefore the most effective sampling for this family in southeastern Queensland should be conducted in spring.

Ms. Power’s thesis work represents one of the most extensive and intensive quantitative surveys of Therevidae yet conducted. We now have a much greater knowledge of the form of the therevid bioscape in southeastern Queensland. Narelle is in the process of converting her thesis to a manuscript for publication in the Australian Journal of Entomology.