Meet Olive the Bug Girl – the sci-fi-inspired online star teaching learners about native insects, biodiversity and conservation.

On Thursday 29th October, DeadlyScience is hosting a webinar with Yirritja actress Merranda Thatcher and Olive the Bug Girl Creator and Director Lilli Corrias-Smith.

Merranda plays Olive in the online series What On Earth?!, which brings Australian invertebrates into the spotlight. Together, Merranda and Lilli will use storytelling to explore how we can all care for Country and learn from how First Nations peoples read insects as cultural indicators of Country.

It’s a chance for learners to look more closely at the bugs around them and discover what these small creatures can tell us about the places we share.

Webinar Details
Date | Thursday 29th October, 2026
Time | 10:00am AEDT
Location | Free online via Zoom
Register | Click here to register

Can’t join us live? Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording afterwards.

More about Olive The Bug Girl
Olive the Bug Girl brings Australian insects into the spotlight with a fun sci-fi twist. Played by Yirritja actress Merranda Thatcher, Olive stars in the online series What On Earth?!, created and directed by Lilli Corrias-Smith. Merranda also plays Olive’s alien fan.

Through stories about Australian invertebrates, the series explores biodiversity, conservation and how insects can signal seasonal changes on Country. Olive has also helped raise awareness of citizen science projects, including efforts to track native Christmas beetles.

What On Earth?! was nominated for a Webby Award in the Sustainability and Environment social category. You can follow Olive’s adventures on Instagram and TikTok at @olivethebuggirl