Love is in the air… or is it underground, under bark, or nestled in leaf litter? Join us for an eye-opening Wild Conversations session where we dive into the curious and captivating world of beetles—nature's most diverse and ecologically essential group of creatures.
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Why Beetles?
With over 400,000 known species (and likely many more still undiscovered), beetles make up one of the most diverse lineages on Earth. From jewel beetles that shimmer like gems to dung beetles that recycle waste with quiet efficiency, these tiny creatures play mighty roles in keeping ecosystems balanced and resilient.
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What's Love Got to Do With It?
Mating behaviours in beetles are as varied as their forms—featuring everything from chemical seduction and acoustic courtship to dramatic battles over mates. Their sex lives offer more than evolutionary intrigue—they reflect the complex interactions between species, climate, habitat, and more. Understanding how and why beetles love can reveal important clues about the pressures they face in our changing world.
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Why It Matters:
Beetles are ecological linchpins. They pollinate flowers, decompose organic matter, cycle nutrients, and control pest populations. As bioindicators, the presence—or absence—of beetles can signal the health of an ecosystem. When beetle diversity declines, it often points to deeper problems like habitat degradation, pollution, or climate change.
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What You'll Discover:
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How beetle diversity underpins ecosystem services
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The weird and wonderful mating rituals of beetles
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Why insect declines are a red flag for planetary health
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What their presence (or disappearance) tells us about our environment
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Whether you're a bug enthusiast, conservationist, or just beetle-curious, this session will leave you with a deeper appreciation of the intricate and unseen stories unfolding underfoot.
Come for the sex lives, stay for the science. Let’s talk beetles—and what their lives reveal about ours.
All you need is love...?
The fascinating diversity, ecology and sex lives of beetles!
Date: Thursday, 19 June 2025
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Location: Strangers Lounge, #02-38D, 195 Pearl's Hill Terrace
Entry Fee: Min. $5 donated to Our Wild Neighbours
More information on them can be found at www.ourwildneighbours.sg
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Register Here ​
Sean Yap, Research Fellow, LAPIS Lab, CNCS
Sean thinks himself a generalist, but has a major soft spot for traditionally "uncharismatic" animals, particularly insects and other "creepy"-crawlies. He has a love-frustate relationship with beetles - their staggering diversity is infinitely interesting but the work is neverending. His PhD thesis examined the ecology and reproductive evolution of dung beetles in the region, where he learned the interesting and important roles that these little saikang warriors play. Currently, his research focuses on using new technologies for rapid and less invasive monitoring of biodiversity.
James Khoo, Managing Director, The Curious Pangolin
James Khoo is the managing director of The Curious Pangolin, a film and biodiversity consultancy. His work is centered on soil-based agriculture and its interaction with insects and other arthropods. He also collaborates with farmers and educators to raise awareness about insects.