A trailblazing entomologist and her cave cricket legacy

In this talk, Dr Perry Beasley-Hall introduces cave ecosystems and how Aola Richards’ remarkable – and at times, rather unusual – research has shaped our understanding of their unique biodiversity.

Also speaking on the revival of Richards’ work using modern-day molecular techniques and what this has taught us about Australia’s cave cricket fauna. The Aola Richards Sydney Insect Hub was established this year to support excellence in insect research, but its remarkable story began overseas almost 100 years ago.

Dr Aola Richards (1927-2021) was a pioneering entomologist and the first woman in New Zealand to be awarded a PhD in biological science. Richards was interested in caves – specifically, the diversity of cave insects. Far from being devoid of life, caves can act as ‘time capsules’ that preserve ancient species otherwise unable to thrive above ground.