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Cynipid

@cynipid.bsky.social

420 followers 1.1K following 140 posts

Crystal aka Fairy Gall-Mother Entomologist, artist, and cat lover

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Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · Jan 8

I'm an artist that incorporates insect themes and products. Some of my favorite media are stained glass, oak galls (for jewelry and dying), and wasp paper. Here's some of my more recent stained glass works.

Two stained glass tortoise beetles. The one on the left is the species Plagiometriona phoebe and the right is Ischnicodia annulus.

A stained glass dobsonfly. Left is backlit by a window with plants in the background. Right is against a white wall.

A stained glass parasitic wasp from the family Perlampidae. It is metallic with a blue metasoma and a multicolored mesosoma.

A stained glass Baues wasp (the cutest wasp in the world) on a black velvet background.

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Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 1d

I have a new addition to my collection of earrings based on the forms of insect antennae. I started with serrate; then I did pectinate. The latter were my favorite and recently broke so I am recarving them and also did this lamellate set (bottom pair). Loving them!

Three sets of wooden earrings carved from oak. The top set are hoop-shaped with the bottom outer edge with projecting teeth like a serrated knife. The middle set has extensions hanging downwards that give it a comb-like appearance. The bottom has overlapping rounded plates hanging downwards.

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Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 3d

I'll talk to Chuck Harp... He might be able to find a source for more leaves and if it's for the Lep Soc I know he'll be persistent. He could probably also bring them to the meeting since he's generally involved with the planning/set-up

Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 3d

I'm always up for people sending pressed leaves for their own bookmark.

Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 3d

If you have a source/supplier then I can definitely do my part to create the bookmarks. I'm thinking that this type of bookmark might be more of a limited quantity type of thing unless I happen to find a lab that regularly discards leaves with serpentine mines that is willing to partner with me.

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Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 3d

The wasp paper bookmarks are easier for higher volumes. Anything with leaf mines is completely dependent on suppliers (1) existing, (2) being willing/able to collect the leaves, and (3) the insects need to exist on properties where we can obtain permission to collect.

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Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 4d

Thank you! The other side has more mines. I tend to get distracted from reading and end up staring at the leafmines instead.

Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 4d

The label said red creek.

Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 4d

I'm interested in acquiring zigzag feeding damage on leaves for similar projects so let me know if anyone knows of a good source!

Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 4d

Trying out an alternative to the usual black tassel that I attach to my bookmarks. I love the color contrast compared to my leafminer bookmark. I absolutely adore this bookmark and I hope to eventually make more. Good, serpentine leaf mines are sometimes hard to find in high concentrations.

A hand holding a bookmark. The bookmark is mostly green since it is made using leaves that have leaf mines from insects. There is a thin leather cord attached to the top of the bookmark and it holds a teardrop-shaped piece of jasper.

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Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 8d

Finished a gold version of the chrysomelid beetle. I need to make the back covers but otherwise I'm done with these two. Tortoise beetles will be next.

Two small embroidery hoops with colorful embroidered beetles on black fabric. The left one is gold with yellow, orange, and red. The one on the right is silver with three shades of teal.

Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 10d

Much better! Kept the leaves, got rid of distracting ribbons and twigs.

A collage of 4 photos with a buff-colored cat sitting in a basket with pink pumpkins in the foreground and fake oak leaves in the background. The cat is looking at the photographer in the top left and bottom right photos. The to right shows the cat chewing on the background. Bottom left shows the cat looking anywhere except at the camera.

Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 11d

He despises the pumpkins that we grew in his honor so I need the wreath to keep him sitting amongst them. However, he refuses to NOT chew on the wreath so I give up for now on trying to get a cute photo for the vet clinic's annual calendar. We will do this every year for the rest of his life.

A buff-colored kitty crouched behind a wreath that is surrounded by pink pumpkins. The background is a work wall and trim with wood floors. The wreath is made of oak leaves in autumn colors and is adorned with things like brass-colored acorns, pine cones, and ribbons. The naughty little kitty is chewing on one of the ribbons and is therefore making an odd face.

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Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 13d

Another of my cats realizes the TV is a source of distraction and likes to scratch at the surface when he wants to get our attention. The others have not cared for TVs.

Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 13d

One is very sensitive to when the music in shows builds in intensity. Another has a boyfriend (the squirrel thing from the movie "Ice Age") that she adores and kisses on the screen. She also has a favorite series intro (Versailles) that she is consistently mesmerized by.

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Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 15d

This blanket was my attempt at making forensic Entomology appropriate for decorating your home in a way that is... socially acceptable.

Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 15d

I'm loving the aesthetics of cats and Entomology-themed blankets. Makes me want to curl up with a warm cup of tea and cuddle with this wee-beasty.

A gray and white cat lounging on a beige recliner that has a woven blanket draped over the back. The cat looks entirely way too satisfied with himself as he leans against the arm of the chair under the warm glow of a lamp on the side table.

The blanket has illustrations of the posterior spiracles of the main groups of forensically important flies (Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae).

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Reposted by Cynipid

Ryan St Laurent @ryanstlaurent.bsky.social · 19d

FYI: Despite recent info suggesting otherwise, my lab at CU Boulder is in fact accepting grad students fall 2026! Reach out if interested in insect systematics, phylogenetics, life history, insect-plant interactions.

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Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · 19d

I completed a little embroidered chrysomelid. It turned out so cute! I created a tortoise beetle design that I will try out later.

Fall always makes me want to do fiber arts. I still have a new king-sized quilt in the works so there's hefty competition for my creative energy this year.

An embroidery hoop with a black piece of fabric that has a beetle embroidered with patterns in silver, black, and various shades of teal.

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Reposted by Cynipid

Anna Frances Probert @afprobert.bsky.social · Aug 15

Opportunity: Arthropod Taxonomic Specialists (10 positions) at the University of Guelph 🪰🐝🪲🕷️🦂

Arthropod Taxonomic Specialists (10 positions) | Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

graduatestudies.uoguelph.ca

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Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · Jul 17

My stained glass storage just upped its game. The sheets are stored in old insect cabinets that are turned on their sides. My newest addition are the retired specimen boxes for housing Odonata specimens that I use for my scrap glass pieces. #stainedglass

The bottom of the photo shows wood cabinets with tall but thin openings filled with sheets of glass standing upright. Above the wood cabinets is a black metal shelf with 3 rows of brown boxes. The boxes are 4x5x16 inches deep and have a small black label on the front indicating the color of scrap glass inside.

Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · Jul 15

Interacted with several individuals that were surrendered at the animal shelter when I was working in animal husbandry. I'm apparently allergic to them in some way 😭. I had red swollen rashes wherever they touched my skin. Problematic when you generally lift them with their torso along your forearm

Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · Jul 13

A very cool wooden yoke. I have many ideas for this piece.

A wood pole with metal on one side and the metal forms loops with hooks at either end. There are picture frames all around it.

Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · Jul 13

HIS COMING WAS FORETOLD!!!
Found this petroglyph-like cat etching in stone and also received this photo of my cat from my husband.

A slab of red stone with most of the face etched away leaving a shape that looks like a fat cat.

My gray and white cat laying on a desk-top, belly-up with his hind legs stretched out behind him. Part of his chest is in the sunlight shining in through the window.

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Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · Jul 13

I have a winner here. It was a tough choice. The one on the right was too short so I would have had to make a base for it. The green metal one is actually perfect. I'm going to go with that.

On the front of the white table is a green/black metal candle holder and to the right of that a gray metal candle holder that is bars bent into ornate shapes. Behind them is a collection of brass, black wire, yellow, and teal containers.

Cynipid @cynipid.bsky.social · Jul 13

🫢...😯...😍😍😍😍. I love that someone felt that they needed to put a bible next to it.

A piece of driftwood leaning against a fur coat. The piece of driftwood has an unhappy face carved into it. There is a bible placed near the base of the driftwood.