Join Julia Kasper, Te Papa’s Lead Curator Invertebrates, for a fascinating look at these little critters that might make some of us shudder, but which are all an integral part of nature.
This walk is part of the Autumn guided walk series brought to you by the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust. You might also be interested in the April Discovering the insect life of Ōtari event.
Green soldier fly (Beris sp.)
Family: Stratiomyidae
Insects in the Diptera order of insects are often regarded with disgust, but flies play an important role in pollination and in helping rotting material to decompose. Green soldier flies are important native pollinators. Their larvae can be found in rotting vegetation.
Image from Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, CC BY 4.0
Location: Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, 160 Wilton Road, Wilton, Wellington.
For more information and to buy tickets: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/the-flies-of-aotearoa-and-the-spiders-who-love-them/wellington.
Related content
For more on insects, see these key articles:
- What’s so special about insects?
- Insect taxonomy
- Aquatic insect life
- Insects – physical characteristics
- Label the insect – activity
- All about insects – PLD webinar
- Insects, spiders and animal ethics – video
Our article Living World – Insects, provides links to the wide range of Science Learning Hub resources for teachers related to insects in the Living World strand of the New Zealand Curriculum.
Visit our We love bugs! Pinterest board for links to more resources and community activities.
