Join IA Founder, Dr Jess Marsh, on this webinar next week with Green Adelaide. She will be discussing the ecosystem services inverts provide, the threats they face, and how we can help. Register for free at:

Did you know Australia is home to many unique orchid species that attract pollinators by deceit and disguise? Find out more about these awesome orchids at: #protectourpollinators #ozinverts #ozpollinators #orchid

Porosus means 'with holes' referring to the distinctive, deep pigmented punctures on the wings of the beetle (known as the elytra). This species can be found across Eastern Australia. There's still time to submit your observations to our #ChristmasBeetleCount. Videos: Hauke Koch

Murray River Crayfish are considered a keystone species, meaning it plays a disproportionately large role in the ecosystem. So returning it to the river may have even greater ecological benefits.

As the Aussie summer continues, there are lots of things you can do to help our marine inverts - from avoiding plastic, to submitting photos for citizen science projects. Find helpful links to resources, citizen science projects and more on our website:

Another species of interest during our #ChristmasBeetleCount is Anoplognathus vietor. Before our project this species was only known from one location (Windorah). We would love people to keep an eye out in interior Queensland. Image credit: bpjohnstone

We asked one of our founders, Dr Jess Marsh, about her favourite invertebrate. "It is so difficult to pick, I have so many! Near the top of my list is a species I have been surveying – the Kangaroo Island Assassin Spider." Check out this poem about them:

While it's up for debate as to whether this species is technically a Christmas Beetle, these are believed to be the first two records of the species since 1973, so keep those #ChristmasBeetleCount observations coming! Image credits: ross_coupland & jessicaraintree

Invertebrates are popular as pets, but it's important to research before you buy! Illegal poaching is on the rise, and has a massive impact on wild ecosystems. Read more at: #ozinverts #pets #poaching

A big congratulations to the whole creative team behind 'What on Earth?!' This six episode series is designed to inspire wonder in our natural world and we encourage everyone to watch it on Instagram. Plus the other star is our Aussie Christmas Beetle!

Josh is an Analytics Officer for IA and his favourite invert is a polychaete worm! "People can help them by using water wisely, to maintain healthy water quality in these ecosystems. Remember: the chemicals and products we use often end up in our rivers, estuaries & seas!" #worm

Next month, Dr Jess Marsh will be leading a webinar on the fascinating lives of invertebrates, and why they are critical to our planet's future. We thank @GreenAdelaideSA for inviting Jess to speak and spreading the word about inverts! Sign up now at:

If you live in Queensland (or are visiting) there are several species we are on the lookout for as part of our #ChristmasBeetleCount; there are NO live images of either! Please upload any sightings to iNaturalist. Find out how at: Image credit:Hauke Koch

Like on land, biodiversity in coral reefs is dominated by small inverts (like tiny crustaceans, snails and worms) that live hidden away in the coral reef structure. IA team member and researcher, Dr. Kenny Wolfe, has found dead coral 'rubble' is more alive than first thought!

We're running a Christmas Beetle drawing competition! We've already received some amazing submissions, like these from Imogen (10yrs) and Heidi (6yrs). If you'd like to join the fun, please send your drawings of Christmas Beetles to: contact@invertsau.org by the 27th of January

The bugs are back! A Real Bug's Life: Series 2 is available on @DisneyPlus from today! And this season, some Aussie inverts are featured in the episode Tiny Heroes Down Under, which captures some truly amazing footage of our #ozinverts. Check it out now! #ARealBugsLife @natgeo

The future of the Kangaroo Island Assassin Spider is unfortunately hanging in the balance. Help support our work by sharing this post, becoming a supporter, or making a donation to our projects: #endangered #ozinverts

New Australian research has shown how darkling beetles have evolved over the last 150 million years, successfully adapting to – and thriving – in a range of diverse and harsh environments #research #science #ozinverts

Chris Andersen took this amazing photo of a juvenile Boobook Owl eating a Christmas beetle. Inverts are a vital part of the food chain, so if you love our Aussie birds and mammals, we need to protect not only them, but their food sources.Join our #ChristmasBeetleCount this summer

If you live near Miranda in NSW, you might like to head along to this Christmas Beetle night next week! Hear from experts and look for these beetles (and other creatures) all in the name of #citizenscience