Kate Umbers

European stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) eating a butterfly with black-and-orange warning colours. Stanislav Harvancik

September 25, 2025

Warn, hide or stand out? How colour in the animal world is a battle for survival

Iliana Medina, The University of Melbourne; Alice Exnerova, Charles University; Amanda M Franklin, La Trobe University; Kate Umbers, Western Sydney University, and William Allen, Swansea University

A global experiment has helped explain why some animals use stealthy patterns to hide from predators, while others use warning colours to avoid being eaten.

Atlas Moth (Attacus wardi) Garry Sankowsky/flickr

June 18, 2025

Saving species starts at home: how you can help Australia’s 1,000 threatened invertebrates

Kate Umbers, Western Sydney University; Kenny Wolfe, University of Sydney; Megan Head, Australian National University; Shawan Chowdhury, Monash University, and Tanya Latty, University of Sydney

Every week, one or two species of Australian invertebrate go extinct. Many species on the brink live in cities – where we can help.

STEKLO, Shutterstock

August 23, 2024

Here’s why more Australian scientists should team up with authors on books about animals

Euan Ritchie, Deakin University and Kate Umbers, Western Sydney University

Engaging and scientifically accurate children’s books on Australian animals are sorely lacking. Fostering more collaboration between authors and scientists can enrich children’s literature.

Kate Umbers/Invertebrates Australia

August 14, 2023

Trapped: Australia’s extraordinary alpine insects are being marooned on mountaintops as the world warms

Kate Umbers, Western Sydney University; Jaana Dielenberg, Charles Darwin University, and Matthew Shanks, Indigenous Knowledge

Invertebrates underpin Earth’s ecosystems – so if their numbers decline, the ecological damage will be felt far and wide.

Computer scientist and Computing Education Specialist Dr Nicky Ringland meets with Burwood Girls students. Nicky Ringland

March 9, 2018

Take it from us: here’s what we need in an ambassador for women in science

Amy L Heffernan, The University of Melbourne; Kate Umbers, Western Sydney University, and Sanam Mustafa, University of Adelaide

An ambassador needs to do more than just encourage young girls to enter STEMM, the role must address structural and cultural issues that push women out of the pipeline mid-career.

play4smee/Flickr

November 5, 2017

Five reasons not to spray the bugs in your garden this summer

Lizzy Lowe, Macquarie University; Cameron Webb, University of Sydney, and Kate Umbers, Western Sydney University

If warmer weather is your sign to reach for the pesticide, think again. From better soil to your own army of beneficial bugs, here are five reasons to put down the insect spray.

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