In Melbourne, nature is never far. Did you know we share this garden city of ours with more than 1,500 different insect species?
From 1 to 7 March 2026, we ran our Insect BioBlitz to help discover all the local critters who call Melbourne home. We encouraged participants to take a moment, step outside and look closer at the world around them. This included Melbourne’s parks and gardens, or what’s hidden in their own backyard.
For the BioBlitz and beyond, City of Melbourne, Fed Square and Heartscapes have come together to create Insects of Melbourne – your pocket-sized guide to the colourful and curious insects that call Melbourne home. Use this guide to identify insects you spot around the city while you’re out and about.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Insect BioBlitz.
Insect enthusiasts came in full force to the Insects of Melbourne launch on Saturday 28 February – a collaborative initiative between City of Melbourne, Fed Square and Heartscapes. Over 500 people made a beeline to The Edge at Fed Square to listen to inspiring talks, visit insect stalls, take a tour of Fed Square’s Test Garden, and receive a copy of our new Insects of Melbourne guide.
Our Insect BioBlitz then kicked off on Sunday 1 March for one week until Saturday 7 March. We partnered with insect experts, academics, researchers, not-for-profits, and community groups to deliver 11 free events across the city. The events were abuzz with energy, with over 250 people coming along. From a kids activity with our Park Rangers, to guided walks and interactive workshops, there was something for everyone.
We encouraged the community to get involved with citizen science by recording and sharing all their insect observations on iNaturalist throughout the BioBlitz week. In the lead up, we helped bring keen insect observers up to speed by running an introductory training session on iNaturalist, with entomologist Dr Luis Mata sharing useful tips for navigating the platform and making high-quality insect observations. Throughout the BioBlitz, over 80 ‘observers’ helped document the local critters they spotted throughout Melbourne, gathering important data and engaging with our city’s local critters.
Explore all the insect observations that community recorded on iNaturalist across the one-week Insect BioBlitz.
Common insects spotted included the Wingless Grasshopper (Phaulacridium vittatum), Lesser Grass Blue (Zinia otis), Honeybrown Beetle (Ecnolagria grandis) Eucalyptus Tip-wilter Bug (Amorbus atomarius), Chequered Cuckoo Bee (Thyreus caeruleopunctatus) and introduced European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) – all of which can be found in our new Insects of Melbourne guide.
With so many observations to peruse, we’ve brought an experienced entomologist on board to help us identify and verify some of the species. Follow this page for more updates on what we find.
Congratulations to our 3 winners of the iNaturalist photo competition!
We received an incredible array of high-quality submissions capturing insects and different species from all angles. It was a tough decision for our judging panel, but our winners stood out from the swarm with their sharp photography skills, dedication to detail, and ability to showcase our local critters at their best. Explore the full gallery of submissions under the 'Photo competition' tab below.
Online iNaturalist training (Gardens for Wildlife Melbourne)
Join us for an online introductory session to using iNaturalist - a free data collection platform to help you record and share your nature observations.
Hear from ecologist, entomologist and science communicator Dr Luis Mata who will take you through what iNaturalist is, how to use the platform, and tips for making high-quality observations with a focus on insects.
This training session took place online (Microsoft Teams)
Insects of Melbourne – launch event
Join us for the launch of Insects of Melbourne – your pocket-sized guide to the colourful and curious insects calling Melbourne home.
Learn from insect experts, take a tour of the Test Garden and grab your free copy of the new Insects of Melbourne guide.
The Edge, Fed Square, Swanston Street and Flinders Street, Melbourne 3000
BugBlitz for kids
We’re kicking off our Insect BioBlitz with a BugBlitz for kids!
Join our Park Rangers to become insect explorers and discover the hidden world of insects.
Most suitable for children aged 6 to 11 years old. Guardians must be in attendance.
Trin Warren Tam-Boore Wetlands, Royal Park, Parkville 3052
Compost Critters - Kensington Compost Hub
Ever wondered what critters are hidden in your compost and garden?
Join us at Kensington Compost Hub with entomologist Dr Ian Smith for an interactive workshop learn all about this.
You'll get to explore the compost hub and get a demonstration of how to look and sample for insects in your compost and garden. Use microscopes and hand lens to identify insects that you find. Learn about beneficial insects, the importance of insects in decomposition, and record your insect observations using iNaturalist.
Kensington Town Hall, 30/34 Bellair St, Kensington VIC 3031
Westgate Park BioBlitz
Join us at Westgate Park for a morning insect BioBlitz.
As part of a guided walk, hear from Mars Reid from Westgate Biodiversity: Bili Nursery & Landcare and ecologist Dr Julian Brown from the University of Melbourne.
Learn about the plants that make up Westgate Park, the common pollinator-plant interactions you might see, and where and how to look for pollinators.
Westgate Park, 93-125 Todd Road, Port Melbourne 3207
Lunchtime BioBlitz – St Martins Melbourne Pollinator Corridor Site
Join us for a lunchtime BioBlitz with Emma Cutting, founder of Heartscapes and the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor Project.
Using iNaturalist, we’ll go on an insect hunt to record insects in the new indigenous garden at St Martins Youth Arts Centre. You’ll also get to hear about the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor Project and how you can help our local critters.
Car park of St Martins Youth Arts Centre, 28 St Martins Lane, South Yarra 3141
Lunchtime BioBlitz - Southbank Community Gardens
Join us for a lunchtime BioBlitz to visit Southbank’s local community gardens.
As part of a guided walk, you'll get to explore two community gardens - Southbank Sustainability Communal Garden and Melbourne Square Community Garden. Discover and document insects you spot using iNaturalist. Hear from the community champions who are taking care of the gardens. Learn about what is being grown and harvested and how you can be involved.
Boyd Community Hub, 207 City Road, Southbank VIC 3006
Native Bee Hotel Workshop with Clancy The Bee Man
Join us for a workshop to learn how to make native bee hotels with Clancy, The Bee Man.
Learn about Melbourne's local bees, the importance our our native pollinators, how you can help and build your own native bee hotel to take home.
Kensington Neighbourhood Centre, 18 Anthony Street, Kensington VIC 3031
Insects at night
Join us at Royal Park for a night time BioBlitz with entomologist Dr Luis Mata.
Get up and close to the insects that come alive at night! Discover and document the insects you find using iNaturalist and make an important contribution to help us better understand the insects in the park.
Australian Native Garden, Royal Park, Parkville 3052
Lunchtime BioBlitz – Pollinators and plants in the city
Ever wondered how insects move across the city?
Join City of Melbourne’s Senior Urban Forester Dr. Freya Thomas, on a lunchtime BioBlitz walk through the CBD.
You’ll get to learn how to look for and survey pollinators, important pollinator and plant interactions, and how these critters move across our city landscape.
Melbourne Visitor Hub, 90-130 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000
Royal Park BioBlitz with Invertebrates Australia
Join us at Royal Park for an insect BioBlitz with Invertebrates Australia.
Take a guided walk through the park and hear from insect expert Kate Pearce.
Using iNaturalist, we’ll go on an insect hunt to record insects along the way. You’ll also get to hear about Invertebrates Australia, the work they’re doing, and how you can help our local critters.
Australian Native Garden, Royal Park, Parkville 3052
Project Cultivate BioBlitz – Melbourne General Cemetery
Join us at the iconic Melbourne General Cemetery for a morning insect BioBlitz.
As part of a guided walk, you’ll get to explore the cemetery’s new native grasslands as part of 'Project Cultivate’. Hear all about what’s been planted by Helen Tuton, Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust Horticulture Assets Manager, and record insects you spot along the walk using iNaturalist.
Melbourne General Cemetery, Macpherson Street entrance, Parkville 3052
Compost Critters - Kathleen Syme Library Garden
Ever wondered what critters are hidden in your compost and garden?
Join us at Kathleen Syme Library with entomologist Dr Ian Smith for an interactive workshop to learn all about this.
You'll get to explore the library garden and get a demonstration of how to look and sample for insects in your compost and garden. Use microscopes and hand lens to identify insects you find. Learn about beneficial insects, the importance of insects in decomposition, and record your insect observations using iNaturalist.
Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre, 251 Faraday Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Record and share the insects you find using the iNaturalist platform.
Learn more about how to use the tool below.
iNaturalist is free and simple to use:
Our City of Melbourne Libraries staff can help you learn how to use iNaturalist.
Book a free, one-on-one, in person appointment for digital assistance. You can book online or call 9658 9500 to make a time.
Explore all the iNaturalist insect observations that were recorded across the one-week BioBlitz.
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners
The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.
We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.
