Jewel beetle Castiarina at the Iluka foreshore.
Marjorie Apthorpe.
Camera IconJewel beetle Castiarina at the Iluka foreshore. Marjorie Apthorpe. Credit: Supplied/Marjorie Apthorpe.

Coastal fauna doing just fine

Tyler BrownJoondalup Times

The Friends of North Ocean Reef – Iluka Foreshore group received partial funding from the City of Joondalup to conduct the project, which found 271 animal species without backbones, as well as 13 species of reptiles.

Carried out by biologist David Knowles, of Spineless Wonders, it was the first survey of invertebrate animal life in the Ocean Reef and Iluka coastal bush reserve.

Marjorie Apthorpe, of the Friends group, said the survey would contribute to knowledge of the bushland in the City and hoped it would “stimulate interest in conserving our biodiversity”.

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“These rich faunas make up 98 per cent of species of animals living in bushland, with birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs making up the remaining 2 per cent,” she said.

“The 98 per cent of animals found on our coastline include moths, beetles, ants, native bees, wasps, flies, praying mantis, stick insects, hoppers and dragonflies amongst the insects.

“A variety of other animal classes were also recorded, including the small, brilliantly coloured peacock spider.

“These animals are part of the food chain that supports the rich reptile and birdlife of the foreshore bushland.

“Many are important pollinators, enabling the plants to set seed and reproduce.

“Without these insects, bushland would cease to exist.”

Dr Apthorpe said the survey report provided a photographic inventory of the species found and a list that includes the ecological role of the animal in the environment.