I have a broad range of interests, starting out studying marine biology at the University of Western Australia before moving on to more terrestrial pursuits, completing a Masters of Science at the University of Bern, Switzerland, looking at habitat selection in birds, followed by a PhD at UWA and Kings Park and Botanic Garden on the conservation and landscape ecology of a rare orchid and its pollinator. I started at JCU following a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship at the Max Planck Insititute of Animal Behavior in Germany, and a postdoctoral position at the University of Bern, Switzerland, where I further developed my interests in the mechanisms and consequences of insect migration. 

My research focuses on the movement ecology, particularly migration, of insects and the influence of migratory species on ecosystems. I also maintain a parallel research program on the factors limiting the distribution of rare plants, particularly orchids. My research spans a range of fields such as community ecology, plant ecology, animal behaviour, global change ecology, and conservation biology. I approach my research using a broad range of methods combining field and laboratory techniques, using traditional ecological survey methods and behavioural experiments, coupled with modern techniques and quantitative approaches, such as radio-telemetry and remote sensing using radar. My research has significant implications for understanding the responses of plant and animal populations to landscape and environmental change, and the influence of migratory species (both invasive and beneficial) on the structure and function of ecological communities. 

Teaching

• AG1007: Introduction to Plants and Animals for Veterinary Science (Level 1; TSV)
• BS1007: Introduction to Biodiversity (Level 1; TSV)
• BZ3235: Biological Invasions (Level 3; CNS & TSV)
• BZ3745: Tropical Entomology (Level 3; CNS & TSV)
• BZ5235: Biological Invasions (Level 5; CNS & TSV)
• BZ5650: Australian Land Plants: Recognition, Evolution and Diversity (Level 5; TSV)
• BZ5745: Tropical Entomology (Level 5; CNS & TSV)

Experience

• 2022 to present - Lecturer, Zoology and Ecology, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2022 to present - Visiting Researcher, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (Germany)
• 2021 to 2022 - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (Germany)
• 2019 to 2022 - Visiting Researcher, University of Konstanz (Germany)
• 2016 to 2022 - Adjunct Research Fellow, The University of Western Australia (Australia)
• 2019 to 2021 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (Germany)
• 2013 to 2019 - Postdoctoral Researcher / Group Leader, University of Bern (Switzerland)
• 2009 to 2013 - PhD, The University of Western Australia / Kings Park and Botanic Garden (Australia)
• 2006 to 2008 - MSc Animal Ecology and Conservation, University of Bern (Switzerland)
• 2003 to 2006 - Consultant Botanist/Zoologist, Private Companies (Australia)
• 2000 to 2003 - BSc (Zoology/Marine Biology), The University of Western Australia (Australia)

Research Disciplines

• Ecology (3103)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Terrestrial systems and management (1806)

Awards

• 2023 - JCU Inclusive Practice Award
• 2013 - Perth Zoo Prize for Conservation Research

Fellowships

• 2019 to 2021 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (European Commission)

Memberships

• 2016 to 2018 - Member of the British Ecological Society Grant Review College

Other

• 2020 - Associate Editor, Insect Conservation and Diversity

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Dyer A, Ryser R, Brose U, Amyntas A, Bodnar N, Boy T, Bucher S, Cesarz S, Eisenhauer N, Gebler A, Hines J, Kyba C, Menz M, Rackwitz K, Shatwell T, Terlau J and Hirt M (2023) Insect communities under skyglow: diffuse night-time illuminance induces spatio-temporal shifts in movement and predation. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 378 (1892).
• Reiter N, Wicks M, Pollard G, Brown G, Menz M and Bohman B (2023) Improving conservation and translocation success of an endangered orchid, Caladenia xanthochila (Orchidaceae), through understanding pollination. Plant Ecology, 224 (8). pp. 715-727
• Menz M, Scacco M, Burki-Spycher H, Williams H, Reynolds D, Chapman J and Wikelski M (2022) Individual tracking reveals long-distance flight-path control in a nocturnally migrating moth. Science, 377 (6607). pp. 764-768
• Prendergast K, Tomlinson S, Dixon K, Bateman P and Menz M (2022) Urban native vegetation remnants support more diverse native bee communities than residential gardens in Australia's southwest biodiversity hotspot. Biological Conservation, 265.
• Reiter N and Menz M (2022) Optimising conservation translocations of threatened Caladenia (Orchidaceae) by identifying adult microsite and germination niche. Australian Journal of Botany, 70 (3). pp. 231-247
• van Klink R, August T, Bas Y, Bodesheim P, Bonn A, Fossoy F, Hoye T, Jongejans E, Menz M, Miraldo A, Roslin T, Roy H, Ruczynski I, Schigel D, Schaffler L, Sheard J, Svenningsen C, Tschan G, Waldchen J, Zizka V, Astrom J and Bowler D (2022) Emerging technologies revolutionise insect ecology and monitoring. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 37 (10). pp. 872-885
• Dreyer D, Frost B, Mouritsen H, Lefèvre A, Menz M and Warrant E (2021) A guide for using flight simulators to study the sensory basis of long-distance migration in insects. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 15.
• Knoblauch A, Thoma M and Menz M (2021) Autumn southward migration of dragonflies along the Baltic coast and the influence of weather on flight behaviour. Animal Behaviour, 176. pp. 99-109
• Massy R, Hawkes W, Doyle T, Troscianko J, Menz M, Roberts N, Chapman J and Wotton K (2021) Hoverflies use a time-compensated sun compass to orientate during autumn migration. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B, Biological Sciences, 288 (1959).
• Didham R, Basset. Y, Collins C, Leather S, Littlewood N, Menz M, Müller J, Packer L, Saunders M, Schönrogge K, Stewart A, Yanoviak S and Hassall C (2020) Interpreting insect declines: seven challenges and a way forward. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 13 (2). pp. 103-114
• Doyle T, Hawkes W, Massy R, Powney G, Menz M and Wotton K (2020) Pollination by hoverflies in the Anthropocene: pollination by hoverflies. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 287 (1927).
• Gao B, Wotton K, Hawkes W, Menz M, Reynolds D, Zhai B, Hu G and Chapman J (2020) Adaptive strategies of high-flying migratory hoverflies in response to wind currents: Flight behaviour of migrant hoverflies. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 287 (1928).

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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 32+ research outputs authored by Dr Myles Menz from 2016 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Sounds of invertebrates of Australia: a primarly analysis of insect calls in the East side of Australia. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Small frogs with big problems: Ecology and conservation of threatened mountaintop Nursery Frogs (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Rearing methodology and Pesticide Toxicity study of the Mite Predator ladybird, Stethorus fenestralis (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) (Masters , Secondary Advisor/AM)
• Can parental care and breeding microhabitat protect montane nursery frogs from rising temperatures? (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Virus spillover and impacts of honey bee viruses on Australian stingless bee (tetragonula spp) (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.