This expedition was an undergraduate scientific venture aimed at studying fungi and cockroaches—two understudied groups in one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions. The team travelled from London to Port Moresby, where they were hosted by Dr. Mike Hopkins at the University of Papua New Guinea. An initial visit to Varirata National Park introduced them to PNG’s rich ecosystems, including pitcher plants, ant plants, and the Raggiana bird‑of‑paradise.
Their primary research base was the Wau Ecology Institute (WEI), located in an area affected by extensive deforestation, mining erosion, and agricultural encroachment. Mount Kaindi—historically significant for entomological research—had been severely degraded by squatters and farming, whereas Mount Missim remained comparatively intact and was considered for World Heritage status. During fieldwork, the team documented notable species, including a painted ring‑tail possum, a potentially new Extatosoma stick insect, and a unique sub‑aquatic cockroach of the genus Stictolampra, the first such species recorded in the Australasian region.
WEI’s regrown secondary forest produced numerous insect finds, though fungal diversity was richer on excursions to Kaindi and Missim. Interviews with local villagers were conducted to document traditional uses of fungi. Later stages of the expedition took the group to Lae, Goroka, and Mount Wilhelm where they reached the summit after a demanding ascent from Lake Piunde. At Laing Island, they collaborated with Belgian mycologists and discovered a new pest cockroach species. The final days were spent at “Camp bilong Martin” near the Ramu River, where additional specimens were collected before returning to Port Moresby. Overall, the expedition yielded significant biological findings and highlighted urgent conservation concerns across the country.