#bugfriends

The Amber Lady

@theamberlady.bsky.social

2 months ago

Small roach nymph on a hand

Small Chorisoneura texensis roach nymph, dorsal view

Chorisoneura texensis roach nymph cleaning one antenna

Chorisoneura texensis, lateral view

Making pine needle baskets with gathered needles from the yard sometimes means unexpected visitors.

This is a Chorisoneura texensis roach. They don't infest and they're often found when I harvest pine needles or yaupon for tea

#insects #roach #cute #bugfriends

Fern Lovebond

@fernlove.bond

5 months ago

This and the post being responded to are the kind of wholesome I really needed tonight.

#Entomology #BugFriends #Wholesome

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

7 months ago

Mrs C D in profile, gold and brown body, wings outstretched as is usual with dragonflies

Look at those big brown eyes. Wings outstretched and slightly tilted own. The tip of the left wings are bent back just a little but not enough to affect her ability to fly.

In this shot she looks as if she's standing on her head, gold and brown body straight up.

250725 OM1ii 90mm +x2 ext Millennium Fields York First Dragonfly to pose for me this year, Mrs Common Darter #odonata #inverts #naturelovers #insectmacrophotography #aurelians #york #bugsky #bugfriends #uknaturalists

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

8 months ago

The Gatekeeper, Pyronia Tithonus has 17-25mm wingspan. It brown and yellow/gold. In this example the yellow/gold areas are off white, the edges of the wings brown as usual.

I am not sure what this very old butterfly is but possibly a faded Ringlet. A few years ago I found an equally faded Purple Hairstreak in the same area.

050725 OM1ii Walmgate Stray York. What I think is an aberrant form of Gatekeeper, instead of orange & brown the wings are off white and brown. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #entomology #inverts #uknaturalists #aurelians #wildlifephotography #OMSystem #bugfriends

Fossil and Fabric Co.

@fossilandfabricco.bsky.social

8 months ago

Shout out to all of my moth appreciating friends out there!
This magnetic bookmark is flat too-so it won't ruin the pages of your books like button magnets!
Available here: fossilandfabricco.etsy.com/listing/4320...

#moth #mothbookmark #insects #bugs #book #magneticbookmark #entomology #bugfriends

M L Clark

@mlclark.bsky.social

8 months ago

This cuckoo wasp is a glorious shiny green, and joined me for a tinto today.

Technically a parasite, because of how it relies on other species to nurture its young, wasps can be very useful predators for protecting human crops from other insects.

I stepped out to check on the kid's new business on the street, and met this gorgeous cuckoo wasp. I tried to tell this goofball that smoking is very bad for your health, but some animals (and humans) are very stubborn. 😬 #BugFriends #NatureBreak

Luxomancer 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

@luxomancer.bsky.social

9 months ago

A vertical photo of a gree leaf shaped treehopper above a brown and mottled black stinkbug as they both hangout on the stem of a goldenrod plant.

#BugFriends. The treehopper Acanalonia servillei and the stinkbug Euschistus obscurus hanging out on some Goldenrod (Solidago).

#fujifilm X-S10, #Laowa 65mm #Macro

#MacroPhotography
#photography
#Invertebrates
#insects
#Hemiptera
#Bugs!

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

9 months ago

2 Meadow Brown today

7 Large Skippers

Just one Speckled Wood today

2 Small Tortoiseshell, this one proving that not only Purple Emperors like to dine on waste...

080625 Walmgate Stray York @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts #entomology #aurelians #lepidoptera #uknaturalists #bugfriends

💐Eve💐

@awhimsicaleve.bsky.social

9 months ago

If you are ever mean to me just know I have friends in low places. 🐌🐛🐜🐝🪲🐞🦗🕷🪰🪱

#bugs #bugfriends #goodluck #whimsy #whimsical #enchanted #enchanting #ethereal #witch #naturewitch #witchlife #memes

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

9 months ago

Just one Large Skipper

The first Meadow Browns of the season, 2 seen

August 2019 I saw, for the very first time, Brown Argus butterflies on MIllennium Fields, near the river Ouse. I saw 8 that day and every year since then, in a very restricted area where Dovesfoot Cranesbill, the larval food plant grew, I'd see no more than 6. Last summer, that area was overgrown with tall dense grasses, and I didn't see any second brood. I was extremely anxious, had we lost this tiny, precious butterfly?

A local nature reserve had done a lot of remedial work through Autumn and early winter, clearing areas and sowing locally sourced wildflower seeds. But I couldn't find the "baby food" - until about 10 days ago, small clumps in the cleared areas. My last sightings of the Brown Argus was at the end of first brood season when on several occasions I saw activity which made me hopeful for a 2nd. Spring has been anxious, I've visited and searched, to no avail. But today, Tildi wanted to go walkies to Millennium Fields and I'm so glad she did, 2 of these precious little butterflies in one of the cleared areas. They have survived.

020625 Millennium Fields Tildi decided walkies & I'm so very glad she did! @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #entomology #inverts #uknaturalists #york #bugsky #wildlifephotography #aurelians #bugfriends

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

9 months ago

Small golden butterfly feeding on Red Clover, wings extended, proboscis probing deeply in the flower

From the side wings folded together body visible as are the distinctive patterns on the wings.

Now the wings are partially open and the patterns more clearly seen

Houston, we have lift off! The butterfly has just lifted off from the flower, right wing almost fully open and visible. There is a tiny amount of nectar at the tip of the curved and extended proboscis

260525 OM1ii Walmgate Stray York. One of 3 Large Skippers seen between heavy rain showers today. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #aurelians #inverts #naturelovers #naturephotography #ukwildlife #bugfriends #uknaturalists

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

9 months ago

Seen from above, the steely grey body is segmented, has little dark tufts, orange spots and 3 of its 6 black legs are visible

The face. Pointed "chin" is yellow, above that a blck line, then more yellow. The eyes are not clear, maybe foliage debris. First pair of legs visible

Lateral view. Body raised from the leaf by the 6 legs and the tail. The segments very clearly visible as are the orange spots. Head to the left, tail to the right.

190525 my gdn I think a 7 Spot Ladybird larva happy to pose for pictures. #wildlife #uknaturalists #naturephotography #bugsky #bugfriends #ukwildlife #ladybird #aurelians #naturelovers

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

9 months ago

In this image the butterfly is facing me as it feeds on Red Clover. The antennae are extended outwards and the dark tips with the tiny hook are visible. Wings are folded together

Seen from the left side, pale yellow wings again folded together and teh proboscis is curved, feeding deep in the clover

Again from the side but this time the wing markings are faintly visible

Wings open here and the pale wing markings clearly visible

180525 Walmgate Stray @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social Large Skipper, seen 17 May previous earliest 11 June! #inverts #nature #naturephotography #York,Yorkshire #bugsky #uknaturalists #aurelians #bugfriends 12-18mm OCHLODES VENATUS

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

10 months ago

050525 Walmgate Stray York. OM1ii 90mm lens +x2 ext The nameless pretty little black and yellow insect. I'm sure someone can give it a name, please. #york #nature #wildlifephotography #inverts #aurelians #bugsky #bugfriends #uknaturalists #naturelovers #ukwildlife

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

10 months ago

Flower stem covered in the white shed skins of Aphids

A gathering of green Aphids

More green Aphids with some shed skins to the top right of the stem

A deep red Aquilegia flower with several shed Aphid skins. The Aphids will provide food for many insects which in turn will become food for birds

030525/040525 OM1ii it used to be an Aquilegia and now it's an Aphid nursery. #inverts #nature #wildlifephotography #bugsky #uknaturalists #naturelovers #aurelians #bugmacrophotography #bugfriends

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

10 months ago

Bronze shieldbug or Woundwort. Not sure which name is correct. EYSACORIS FABRICII 5-8mm red eyes bronze coloured head saw several today, the first of the year

I have no idea what this beautiful insect is but have found a possible name RHOPALUS SUBRUFUS 7-8mm red head, eyes and thorax

legs are red near the body then white with dark spots the edge of the abdomen has dark and white banding. It looks as if it has 4 eyes, 2 quite large with smaller ones attached close to the head. Extremely beautiful, the only one of these insects I have ever seen and would appreciate with grateful thanks, any and all information offered.

220425 My York jungle #insects #bugsky #wildlifephotography #bugfriends #entomology #aurelians #bugmacrophotography #naturephotography

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

10 months ago

A curled buddleia leaf with white fuzzy something, no idea what but it looks as if the white is holding the leaf in its folded position and the upper part of the leaf has dark edges. Maybe a cocoon or nursery?

In this image there are 3 aphids and 2 exoskeletons with more of the white fuzz seen in the first image, which makes me think more nursery than cocoon.

A very tiny green insect, no idea what and apologies for a very poor image. A left leg is visible near the head which has a white eye.

Seen on Walmgate Stray on walkies, a Dandelion with several small brown insects. As again, I don't know what they are. Don't think they are pollen beetles

220425 My York jungle & Walmgate Stray @dandelionappre1.bsky.social #entomology #insects #bugsky #bugfriends #wildlifephotography #york #ukwildlife #inverts #uknaturalists #aurelians

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

10 months ago

Mrs Brimstone number 4 or perhaps a return of the one that visited a week ago. Her wings are a delicate pale green but there are some grey marks which Mrs B2 also had. She's just withdrawn the ovipositor from the leaf

2 Brimstone eggs. The one on the left is fresh, pale green, just laid today. The one on the right is orange so at least one week old. I expect the larva to emerge over the weekend. Eggs are 1.3mm high pointed at the top and have vertical ridges down their length

There are 5 eggs in this shot. It's not at all unusual for Mrs Brimstone to lay eggs on leaves which already have eggs. At the front of the leaf are 3 eggs, 2 a week old and a newly laid one and just behind the leaf edge are the tops of 2 more pale green newly laid eggs.

This egg is 8 days old and is now very orange, the tip slightly lighter, turning grey. The caterpillar will be quite well developed now. There are 2 busy weekends ahead as there are now about 45 eggs, most ready quite soon and at least 15 for end of month

170425 OM1ii Mrs B 4 visited today. The grey marks on her right wing make me think it's Mrs B 2 (12th) returned. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #entomology #inverts #lepidoptera #aurelians #uknaturalists #york #bugfriends #naturelovers #ukwildlife

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

11 months ago

Gonepteryx rhamni The female Brimstone butterfly has a wingspan of 60-74mm and the wings are a very distinctive shape, almost leaf like. She's a very pale green. She lays her eggs on Buckthorn or in this case, Alder Buckthorn and she's rather selective. In this shot she has just finished laying an egg and if you look closely you can see a pale green shape on the underside of the leaf bud.

She's just taken off and there's a torn area at the bottom of the upper right wing which will not affect her ability to fly in any way.

The wings are in the downward beat and the pale abdomen is visible, as are the extended antennae

Wings fully open in flight and the yellow spots about centre of the lower wings are visible.

100425 Mrs Brimstone came to my York garden and left me 6 precious eggs. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #ukbutterflies #entomology #inverts #bugsky #bugfriends #uknaturalists #aurelians #OMSystem #wildlifephotography #york

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

11 months ago

Orange Tip male. Anthocharis cardamines 18-25mm. A small white butterfly, single brood, flies April, May and occasionally early June. Male emerges first, establishes and guards his territory while waiting for the females. The male cannot be mistaken for any other British butterfly as his upper wing tips are indeed, bright orange with a narrow black border at the very end. There is also a tiny black dot at the leading edge where the orange and white meet. Female markings exactly the same other than colours, her wing tips are grey. The underwings are mottled and provide remarkable camouflage, especially when the female is ovipositing on Garlic Mustard, Cuckoo flower, Honesty for example.

Caught in flight, under wing and orange upper wing visible, legs extended and proboscis curved after feeding on the purple nameless flower.

Flight again, this time the wings are more or less horizontal, orange tio, black border and dot visible and the white reaching the body. There is the faintist trace of the underwing pattern on the lower wing

070425 My Favrit Fella, Mr Orange Tip in my York garden today. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #ukbutterflies #inverts #bugsky #uknaturalists #york #bugfriends #lepidoptera #aurelians #OMSystem #UKwildlife
Pro cap setting, one day I'll get it right!

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

11 months ago

Brown argus Aricia agestis wingspan 25mm Brown as its name suggests but in the right light there is a distinct blue sheen on the body and wings. Has adapted to feed on Dovesfoot cranesbill as well as Common rock rose. I saw 8 of these tiny butterflies on Millennium Fields in August 2019, the first time ever at this site. Every year since then 5 or 6. This image is of the first sighting in 2024, 16 April.

Every day, at least once, I visited their tiny area and was encouraged to see courtship displays. I didn't see any mating last year but had in 2023. The raised abdomen usually means the female is not interested in the male or perhaps she has already mated - that was my hope as I saw this display several times.

A very fresh butterfly. The blue sheen is not visible but the distinctive orange heart shapes along the wing edge are, as it the thin white border and the marks at the top of the upper wing

12 June 2024, the last Brown Argus I saw showing the beautifully patterned under wing

310325 Brown Argus @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #inverts #butterflies #nature #aurelians #entomology #ukbutterlies #bugsky #uknaturalists #bugmacrophotography #bugfriends #york Millennium Fields, York.

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

11 months ago

A Peacock butterfly

Small Tortoiseshell butterfly

A White, but as always my remaining grey cell has problems deciding whether it's large or small. Please help!

Astonished to see a female Orange Tip before the males appear. The earliest I've ever see one and the first time I've seen Mrs before my Favrit Fella. We'll go out again every day next week with the longer lens in search of them in their usual haunts.

300325 Walmgate Stray. Apologies for very poor distant shots. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #ukwildlife #uknaturalists #york #aurelians #bugfriends #lepidoptera #insects #inverts #bugsky #wildlifephotography

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

11 months ago

My first butterfly photograph of 2025, one of 2 Commas. Polygonia c-album wingspan 50-64mm. Cannot be mistaken for any other butterfly with its orange jagged wings covered in darker spots. The under wing is is brown, with green spots along the edges and shows the white mark like a comma which gives it its name. It is believed by many that a butterfly is the soul of a departed loved one and I dedicate this one to Steve Relf.

Peacock. Inachis io. wingspan 60mm. Underwing dark, upper wings dark red with distinctive "eyes". The leading edge of the upper wings is a glorious mix of gold and black and there are markings the abdomen which look like scattered gold dust.

Small Tortoiseshell. Aglais urticae. Wingspan 42mm. Upper wingsprimarily orange with yellow and black markings. Underwings are brown. Used to be extremely common, sadly less so now.

260325 OM1ii my first butterfly photos of the year. #ukbutterflies @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #uknaturalists #York #bugfriends #ukwildlife #entomology #aurelians #lepidoptera today I saw 4 of UK's 5 hibernating species. Also 4 male Brimstone @celastrina59.bsky.social

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

1 year ago

A yellow Daffodil with several tiny Pollen Beetles.

A Bumble Bee on the Daffodil flower shedding pollen behind itself as it lands.

The |Bee is crawling out of the Daffodil leaving a trail of pollen behind itself. Its back is also covered in pollen.

The Bee is just taking off from the Daffodil, wings wide open, head covere din pollen and shedding even more as it starts to fly. There is a ting Pollen Beetles just visible inside the curve of the Daffodil's trumpet.

090325 The importance of BEEING Daffodil. #inverts #invertebrates #entomology #bugsky #wildlifephotography #york #aurelians #bugfriends #naturalists #OMSystem 90mm+x2 extender

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

1 year ago

At least 11 7 Spot Ladybirds on a fence post wrapped in Ivy. At bottom left there is also the head of an Orange Ladybird but I'm not sure if it's a Harlequin. The 7 Spot is the most common of Britain's Ladybirds, red with 7 black spots.

This I think, is a Pine Ladybird, very tiny. It's black with red marks, head is also black.

060325 OM1ii A lovely Loveliness of 7 Spot Ladybirds and I think a Pine. #entomology #ukwildlife #inverts #invertebrates #uknaturalists #wildlifephotography #york #aurelians #bugfriends #ladybirds

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

1 year ago

Things don't always go to plan. This is a newly eclosed (hatched, emerged) Peacock butterfly. The right wings are still soft and not fully inflated. The left are both badly crumpled, never properly inflated so the butterfly was never able to fly. I left it on an easy access food source.

This is a close up of the face, chest and part of the upper wing. The eye i sbrown and there are reddish hairlike scales along the back. The upper wing is mostly red with dark areas but the leading edge is an intricate black and gold pattern.

A macro shot of the edge of the lower wing. There is a dark grey border then a darker line surrounding a blue area. Then the colour schange to pink, red and white. Above this multi coloured area is a predominently red area with a central white long oval.

The Peacock's "eye" The dark border and to the left the eye, lower edge is black, then a semi circle of blue, the other semi circle is yellow and white. The centre is dark rusty red with tiny white patches. Seen up close it's very intricate and extremely beautiful

020325 OM1 Peacock butterfly @bcyorkshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social #ukbutterflies #entomology #ukwildlife #bugmacrophotography #OMSystem #naturalists #bugfriends #york,yorkshire #inverts #invertebrates

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

1 year ago

Very tight crop of a mass of Vapourer moth eggs. In this shot, centrally, there is a first instar larva (caterpillar) attempting to climb out of the egg shell. It's actually stuck, was unable to crawl out but fortunately I was able to gently help it out (Once a midwife always a midwife???)

Again a very tight crop. In this shot upper left facing down towards the centre, is a first instar caterpillar, the light coloured hairy looking spikes which cover the body are visible. The head is black. There is another caterpillar with head and upper part of the body visible as it emerges from the egg. Centre, one third down from the top.

This shot shows the cocoon on which the female laid her mass of eggs, most of which are empty, a few have the tiny black heads of the larvae showing and there are also a few caterpillars crawling over the empty egg shells

6 Vapourer caterpillars, 4 first instar (from the Latin "Instar" meaning stage of development) The first instar are light brown but the 2 second instar already have the beautiful array of bristles and tufts which make them so attractive. I think of them as brightly coloured shaving brushes and dramatic eyebrows

059225 Baby Vapourers #ukbutterflies #entomology @savebutterflies.bsky.social #muchadoaboutmothing #teammoth #inverts #invertebrates @bcyorkshire.bsky.social #aurelians #gardenmothscheme #bugmacrophotography #york #bugfriends Different dates and cameras

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

1 year ago

This photo was taken in April 2012 on Walmgate Stray, York, which had been a stronghold for Orange Tips. Sadly as with most lepidoptera numbers are decreasing. I revisited this couple 22 hours later and they had obviously fallen asleep...

Another in April 2012 on Walmgate Stray. She's saying no means no, but it COULD mean I'll think about it. Eventually he got the message and went back to patrolling his territory hoping another girl would pass by and fall for his charms! It's very obvious in this shot why this butterfly is called Orange Tips as the tips of HIS wings are indeed bright orange. The female has the same marking, but smaller and grey. In flight she can be mistaken for Large, Small or Green Veined Whites, but when she settles the markings are distinct.

This shot clearly shows the distinctive camouflage colouration of the underwing. It looks green but is in fact a combination of yellow and black scales. This is particularly useful for the female as she is less active than the flighty male and helps conceal her on her preferred larval food plants including Cuckoo flower and Garlic Mustard. Mrs OT tests the suitability of the plant by tasting with her feet. She lays just one egg per plant as the caterpillars are cannibalistic in early instars. I understand she is able to detect previously laid eggs by sight and smell. The eyes are a beautiful green too and the tips of the antennae are white. Altogether exquisitely beautiful butterflies, he very flashy and she quietly elegant. It won't be long now before he starts flying, establishing his territory, waiting for the girls who eclose about 2 weeks after the males. Flight period April and May, single brood.

270125 My Favrit Fella & his lovely Lady. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social #ukbutterflies #entomology #ukwildlife #savebutterflies #inverts #invertebrates #uknaturalists #york #aurelians #bugmacrophotography #bugfriends #bugsky #wildlifephotography

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

1 year ago

Male Broad Bodied Chaser. About 43cms long. Body as in the name is broader than those of most dragonflies and is a beautiful delicate blue with yellow spots at the edges. 4 wings kept open at rest with dark brown areas at attachment to the body. Flies May to August and lives in ponds and streams. This male is perched on the leaf of a water plant and to its side is another leaf on which are several exuvia, the shed skins of odonata.

The Golden Girl, female Broad Bodied Chaser, a gorgeous golden yellow. This photo is about 9 years old, taken on walkies on Walmgate Stray in York. I saw her as we started walking and about 2 hours later she was in the same place. Her wings are outstretched to the sides as with all Dragonflies, Damselflies fold their wings back along their bodies when they rest. Wings are transparent with a beautiful delicate pattern of veins. At the tip of the leading edge of each wing is a short dark patch.

Another shot of Mr BBC, perhaps showing the pattern of the wing veins slightly more clearly. A Damselfy is just appearing at the bottom right.

Mrs BBC in ovipositing flight with her reflection in the pond. Sometimes she just drops the eggs, but mostly carefully places them on a plant under the water surface.

260125 Mr & Mrs Broad Bodied Chaser. #entomology #odonata #dragonflies #ukwildlife #inverts #invertebrates #bugsky #uknaturalists #wildlifephotography #aurelians #bugfriends #dragonflies #York All old shots and I think most with the trusty Panasonic FZ1K

Jesika5555

@jesika5555.bsky.social

1 year ago

Light brown apple moth still on the mailbox today so I carefully transferred it to the Primrose patch, flowering since September. Naturally it didn't settle where I wanted it to, where it would have been easier for my unbendable body, but at least a few shots in a nicer setting than a mail box. By evening it had disappeared and hopefully is safe, there's plenty of food around in my jungle for a tiny moth.

The empty seed head of a Mallow flower, intricate lacy patterns. This is stacked using the 60mm macro lens, only about 4 images sadly and f6.1. It sort of works...

210125 OM1 #moths #teammoths #ukbutterflies #entomology #ukwildlife #savebutterflies #gardenmothscheme #inverts #invertebrates #bugsky #uknaturalists #wildlifephotography #aurelians #bugmacrophotography #OMSystem #bugfriends #flower #fauna #macro