Conservation of Australian plant-dwelling invertebrates in a changing climate

Anthropogenically induced global climate change is an insidious threat to biota in extensive regions of the world. When plant‐dwelling insects are recognised as potentially threatened, a common misconception is that conserving the host plant will indirectly protect all dependent insect species reliant on that plant. The level of threat posed by climate change will also determine the urgency and cost of the management actions required. Reintroductions are translocations of organisms back within their original range and, for plantdwelling insects, reintroductions could encompass two strategies. Given that even widespread insect species are displaying negative impacts from a warming climate, it is unrealistic to expect that most plant‐dwelling insects will survive if the habitat and host plant species are present. Within Australia, appointing state and federal conservation entomologists would assist with coordinating the identification, prioritisation and management of plant‐dwelling insects that are threatened by multiple disturbances, including climate change and habitat fragmentation.