Abbey Throssell’s scientific contributions

The Miena jewel beetle Castiarina insculpta (Carter, 1934) is classified as endangered on the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and has been infrequently recorded since its re-discovery in 2004. Multiple searches during February 2013 resulted in observations of large numbers of live individuals of the species at several sites on Tasmania's Central Plateau. These finds resulted in a moderate range extension, recognition of Ozothamnus hookeri Sond. as the species' host plant, and increased life history knowledge of the beetle. Only further searching will determine whether the species was unusually abundant in 2012−13, or whether it had been overlooked in previous years.

In March 2010, the Tasmanian Field Naturalists Club (TFNC) undertook a fauna and flora survey of the Peter Murrell reserves with the overall objective of: (1) providing the land manager, the Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS), with information that would assist with the management and understanding of the reserves; and (2) to provide club members with the opportunity to participate in a range of monitoring activities. The Peter Murrell reserves were chosen for survey for several reasons: the PWS was planning to undertake management burns in the reserves; they are close to Hobart with easy access; they provide habitat for a number of species that would be adversely impacted should the European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) become widely established in Tasmania; and they are also becoming increasing isolated through urban development with unknown impacts on its wildlife. Biodiversity monitoring within the reserves will focus, at least initially, on areas subject to management burns primarily for the purpose of fuel reduction.