91ÌÒÉ«

What made you decide to participate in a scientific expedition to Australia?

I've been involved in entomology for years, particularly flies, including those of forensic importance. They're a fascinating group of insects, among other things, crucial for forensic research. I'm collaborating with a team of experts from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, who specialise in flies, which are crucial for this type of analysis. Together, we're conducting research on the morphology of these insects' larvae.

When an opportunity to participate in another research expedition to Australia – a remote, exotic country full of scientific challenges arouse – I couldn't turn it down. I managed to secure funding, and the expedition itself offered a chance to expand my knowledge of the Calliphoridae family in one of the most fascinating natural regions in the world.

What was the main goal of the expedition?

Our task was to collect research material: larvae and adults of flies inhabiting the tropical northeastern part of Australia. This area is incredibly diverse, rich in endemic species, yet surprisingly poorly understood. Unlike Europe, where many insect specialists study insects, Australia has few such specialists, so any material collected is valuable for local and global science.

What was the daily fieldwork like?

The expedition took two intense weeks. Each day began very early – the closer to noon, the higher the temperature and the lower the insect activity. Travel to the sites took one to two hours, and the locations themselves often required traversing challenging terrain.

After returning from the forest, the work didn't end. Sample preparation awaited us: sorting the material, sedating the insects, puncturing them with pins and preserving some specimens for genetic analysis. Evenings were spent on the tedious preparation that is the foundation of reliable entomological work.

What proved to be the biggest challenge?

Before the trip, I was most afraid of encounters with local predators – enormous snakes, spiders and crocodiles. However, it quickly became clear that it's mostly your imagination that creates dramatic scenarios.

However, the tropical weather was the real challenge. The high humidity and heat meant I was soaking wet after just a few minutes of work. Additionally, there was the constant brushing against sharp leaves, numerous insect bites and minor cuts, all of which are common in such an environment. This physical aspect of the expedition proved more demanding than I expected.

What surprised you most?

Australia surprised me most of all with its... peace and quiet. Few people, few buildings and in some places people still use telephone booths and read paper newspapers. I felt as if time moved slower there. In terms of nature, what surprised me most was the lack of flowering plants teeming with insects. In European forests and meadows, this is a natural sight. In the Australian rainforest, the dense vegetation makes insects almost invisible. You had to use special techniques and have a lot of patience to find them.

What are you most satisfied with?

The greatest experience was being in one of the oldest tropical forests in the world – older even than the Amazon. The forest there is approximately 180 million years old, and its atmosphere –the sounds, smells and plant density – is impossible to capture in any photo or video.

The high endemicity of the local fauna and flora also made a huge impression on me. The opportunity to see organisms found only there and nowhere else in the world is an experience that will stay with you forever.

What emotions did you experience during the expedition and after returning?

I was filled with enormous enthusiasm and satisfaction. The expedition was not only a scientific challenge but also a personal experience. I pushed myself beyond my limits, gained experience that is difficult to obtain anywhere else and returned with a head full of plans. I would like to share what I learned and develop the research I have begun.

What are your future research plans?

Australia is vast and incredibly diverse. I'd like to return there to conduct research in other parts of the country. I'm also interested in neighbouring regions, such as Tasmania, New Guinea and New Zealand – places equally fascinating and important for research on insect diversity.

These are ambitious plans but they are precisely the ones that provide the most energy for work.

 

Source and photos: dr hab. Agnieszka SoszyÅ„ska, Associate Professor at the 91ÌÒÉ« (Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, 91ÌÒÉ«)
Edit and graphics: Mateusz Kowalski (Promotion Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, 91ÌÒÉ«)