The CENTRAL VICTORIAN REGIONAL INSECT COLLECTION (C.V.R.I.C) is responsible for the administration of several areas of activity and research:

THE COLLECTIONS
The Central Victorian Regional Insect Collection was established around 1956 by biology students from La Trobe University in Bendigo and totals around 200,000 specimens.

The majority of specimens were sampled during environmental assessment projects throughout Central Victoria with many specimens being new and undescribed to science. Many specimens were also collected and donated by members of the public. Due to the redevelopment and planned demolition of the La-Trobe University Bendigo Applied Science Buildings in 2021, this unique and valuable collection was scheduled to be discarded. Its scientific value was far too great to allow this to occur. Fortunately, this unique collection was saved and relocated to its new location and is currently undergoing curation and further development.

What makes the C.V.R.I.C Collection so valuable is that it now represents the only specific collection of the entomological fauna for the Central Victorian Region in existance. The only other collection that existed was the former Insectarium of Victoria Collection which was sadly lost due to neglect by its new owners. In order to catalogue and database the C.V.R.I.C collection, and to utilize its full potential in future climatic change studies, all specimens are being digitized and cataloged. Once completed, the C.V.R.I.C Collections will help make a positive contribution in addressing climate change and monitoring species decline as well as making a major contribution towards the understanding and conservation of the insect fauna of the entire central Victorian region.

Many of the specimens held in the C.V.R.I.C collection are new and have never been named or described and include examples of insects collected during environmental surveys taken well over 50 years ago. As a result, the collection represents a unique opportunity to document climatic change in this region from an entomological perspective. The collection not only covers the Insect Fauna of the region, but also houses many other invertebrate groups such as spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes and many other orders forming a valuable resource of over 200,000 specimens.

Targeted Aims:

1. To firstly document the Hymenoptera (Ants and Wasps) held by the C.V.R.I.C. (The ant groups have now been completed).
There are still many undescribed species in Central Victoria and many specimans are represented in these collections. Taxonomic work and description of these currently undescribed species and publishing them in taxonomic journals and/or collaborating with other entomologists who are working on these groups to have them described will be a priority.
2. Database specimens in the collection to begin to define each species and where each species occurs.
3. Microscopic and Photographic documentation of each specimen held within every represented insect order in the collection.

NATIONAL INSECT EXPO ©
Each year, the C.V.R.I.C is responsible for the running of the National Entomology Insect Expo©, the largest event of its kind held in Australia. This is the main fundraising event for the C.V.R.I.C and greatly assists in the collections upkeep and expansion. Our first event held in July 2022 at the Buffalo Stadium in Woodend saw over 6000 visitors attend over the three days of the expo and 32 national exhibitors helped to highlight the entire science of entomology to the general public. In 2023, the National Insect Expo© doubled the amount of exhibitors to 60 and the event even managed to attract international exhibitors from Wellington, New Zealand.
The Expo will again be held at the Buffalo Indoor Sports Stadium in Woodend, Victoria on October 4 -6 and is expected to attract close to 7000 visitors over the three days of this important event.

For more information regarding the National Entomology Insect Expo, how to book tickets or become an exhibitor, visit our Expo Link or contact our office on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COURSES AND EDUCATION
The C.V.R.I.C conducts extensive and specialised courses for students and the general public in order to promote and enhance the entomological knowledge of the region as well as promoting the conservation values that these animals represent. More detailed information regarding these programs are available on our Courses Page.


STAFF

  Dr Bert Candusio

 Dr Bert Candusio holds the positions of Managing Director of the C.V.R.I.C and Collections Curator.
Bert has been describing, studying and documenting the insect and invertebrate fauna of Central Victoria for close to 40 years and is recognised for his extensive knowledge on the subject. Formally Trained at the C.S.I.R.O Division of Entomology in Canberra in 1992, he held the position of Assistant Curator of the National Museum of Victoria Entomology Department and was later granted an Honorary Research Ass ociate tenure at La Trobe University Bendigo. He has been associated with La Trobe University as a Lecturer for many years and has consulted for numerous organisations including Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Tokyo's Tama Park Insectarium. He has authored submissions towards the establishment of the Box-Ironbark National Park Systems within the State of Victoria and also served with the City of Greater Bendigo Environmental Advisory Committee and the Macedon Ranges Hanging Rock Reserve Committee of Management.

  Dr Jenny Shield
 
 Dr Jenny Shield is the C.V.R.I.C Chief Research Biologist and is an Honorary Research Associate of Latrobe University Bendigo. She has held the position as La Trobe University, Pharmacy and Applied Science Adjunct Lecturer from 1997 to the present. Jenny has been documenting the Invertebrate Fauna of the region since the early 1990's and has a particular interest in the Arachnid Fauna of the region. She has published extensivly on the Spiders of Central Victoria and in particular the fauna of the Box Ironbark Ecosystem. She is currently documenting and describing the Zodariidae (Ant Mimicking Spiders) of the region and how they relate to the Formicidae (Ant) fauna represented and held in the C.V.R.I.C collections.

Ms Kylie McGenniskin

 Kylie is the C.V.R.I.C National Course Marketing Manager and is responsible for all course marketing and enrolments to potential students and members of the public. Kylie has extensive experience in entomological methodology, specimen preparation, exhibition interpretation and sales. She holds a Bachelor of Conservation Biology and Ecology Degree from La-Trobe University, has studied Natural History Illustration at the University of Newcastle and holds numerous other Certificates including First Aid (Cert II Equivalent), and has extensive Customer Service experience working with the La-Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary. 

  Ms Aimee Leatham
 
 Ms Aimee Leatham is the Central Victorian Regional Insect Collections Media Manager and is responsible for all the C.V.R.I.C websites and extensive Invertebrates Forum pages. She is also our News Liason Officer responsible for all Media requests. Aimee holds a Double Major Degree in Applied Science - Biomedical and Environmental Science La Trobe University and also holds Diplomas in Psycology and Ornithology. She also has qualifications in Workplace Safety and Health, Sustainable Development and Captive Animal Management. In 2013, she worked on the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect captive breeding program in order to help save this species from extinction.

 Ms Amber Glyn-Jones
 
 Ms Amber Glyn-Jones is the C.V.R.I.C Data Entry Officer and plays a vital role in compiling the vast taxonomic lists needed for documentation of species and specimens held at the Central Victorian Regional Insect Collection. Amber has added literally thousands of individual Menu Items into the C.V.R.I.C Database Software as well as adding all of the required Classification Hierarchy Classes for all Insect Orders!!. She is also an extensive writer, has an uncanny fluency of the English Language and may actually be a contender for the title of fastest and most accurate typist in the country!

Ms Valencia Lovell

 Ms Valencia Lovell is the C.V.R.I.C / National Entomology Insect Expo Staff Manager and assists in co-ordinating our volunteers for our yearly fundraising expo event. Valencia has years of experience in small business and finance and uses these skills to help make the National Expo flow smoothly each year.