Erica McAlister
@flygirlnhm.bsky.social
Dipterist, Entomologist, presenter, author, museum lover
Principal Curator, Flies and fleas, Natural History Museum, London, UK
Principal Curator, Flies and fleas, Natural History Museum, London, UK
Day 14 #InsectAdvent & Christmas cards are being sent/ received
Can you imagine having to write a card to this soldierfly - Parastratiosphecomyia stratiosphecomyioides. It has the longest name in the Animal Kingdom. Luckily the address is short..
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Can you imagine having to write a card to this soldierfly - Parastratiosphecomyia stratiosphecomyioides. It has the longest name in the Animal Kingdom. Luckily the address is short..
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Day 14 #InsectAdvent & Christmas cards are being sent/ received
Can you imagine having to write a card to this soldierfly - Parastratiosphecomyia stratiosphecomyioides. It has the longest name in the Animal Kingdom. Luckily the address is short..
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Can you imagine having to write a card to this soldierfly - Parastratiosphecomyia stratiosphecomyioides. It has the longest name in the Animal Kingdom. Luckily the address is short..
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Reposted by Erica McAlister
When I was 17yo I did an independent project at school in Leatherhead on #insects and their mouthparts.
I didn’t like sport but was left with the keys to the biology lab, prep room and a large Zeiss photomicroscope.
I would spend hours working on specimens and then wet-printing the photographs.
I didn’t like sport but was left with the keys to the biology lab, prep room and a large Zeiss photomicroscope.
I would spend hours working on specimens and then wet-printing the photographs.
December 14, 2025 at 6:18 PM
When I was 17yo I did an independent project at school in Leatherhead on #insects and their mouthparts.
I didn’t like sport but was left with the keys to the biology lab, prep room and a large Zeiss photomicroscope.
I would spend hours working on specimens and then wet-printing the photographs.
I didn’t like sport but was left with the keys to the biology lab, prep room and a large Zeiss photomicroscope.
I would spend hours working on specimens and then wet-printing the photographs.
Day 13 #InsectAdvent & have you decorated the tree yet?
What about this tree? This in fact the hairy whorls of a male Chaoborid or Phantom midge’s antennae. Packed full of sensors, this ‘tree’ is more than a mere decoration
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
What about this tree? This in fact the hairy whorls of a male Chaoborid or Phantom midge’s antennae. Packed full of sensors, this ‘tree’ is more than a mere decoration
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Day 13 #InsectAdvent & have you decorated the tree yet?
What about this tree? This in fact the hairy whorls of a male Chaoborid or Phantom midge’s antennae. Packed full of sensors, this ‘tree’ is more than a mere decoration
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
What about this tree? This in fact the hairy whorls of a male Chaoborid or Phantom midge’s antennae. Packed full of sensors, this ‘tree’ is more than a mere decoration
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Day 12!!! Of #InsectAdvent
Day 11 of #InsectAdvent - its Saturday night so XMAS PARTY (maybe romance..)
Lets put on some perfume. This female Megaselia (Phoridae) releases from her dorsal abdominal glands, a fragrance so strong the males just have to immerse themselves in it
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Lets put on some perfume. This female Megaselia (Phoridae) releases from her dorsal abdominal glands, a fragrance so strong the males just have to immerse themselves in it
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 13, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Day 12!!! Of #InsectAdvent
Day 11 of #InsectAdvent - its Saturday night so XMAS PARTY (maybe romance..)
Lets put on some perfume. This female Megaselia (Phoridae) releases from her dorsal abdominal glands, a fragrance so strong the males just have to immerse themselves in it
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Lets put on some perfume. This female Megaselia (Phoridae) releases from her dorsal abdominal glands, a fragrance so strong the males just have to immerse themselves in it
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 13, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Day 11 of #InsectAdvent - its Saturday night so XMAS PARTY (maybe romance..)
Lets put on some perfume. This female Megaselia (Phoridae) releases from her dorsal abdominal glands, a fragrance so strong the males just have to immerse themselves in it
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Lets put on some perfume. This female Megaselia (Phoridae) releases from her dorsal abdominal glands, a fragrance so strong the males just have to immerse themselves in it
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Day 11 of #InsectAdvent & one of my favs
Cephenemyia trompe aka The reindeer nose botfly
If you are a reindeer & this is your view be prepared to have eggs squirted into your nostrils! Mothers track hosts over long distances before firing her eggs
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Cephenemyia trompe aka The reindeer nose botfly
If you are a reindeer & this is your view be prepared to have eggs squirted into your nostrils! Mothers track hosts over long distances before firing her eggs
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Day 11 of #InsectAdvent & one of my favs
Cephenemyia trompe aka The reindeer nose botfly
If you are a reindeer & this is your view be prepared to have eggs squirted into your nostrils! Mothers track hosts over long distances before firing her eggs
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Cephenemyia trompe aka The reindeer nose botfly
If you are a reindeer & this is your view be prepared to have eggs squirted into your nostrils! Mothers track hosts over long distances before firing her eggs
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Reposted by Erica McAlister
Wow... and I thought male Hairy-footed Flower-bees had it all sown up in the feathery-leg department...
Magnificent!
Magnificent!
Day 10 of #InsectAdvent & the Christmas flirting has ramped up
This male Robberfly, Pegesimallus teratodes, has striking, feather-like scales on its hind legs, likely used for female attraction during courtship. (& cleaning the dance floor)
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
This male Robberfly, Pegesimallus teratodes, has striking, feather-like scales on its hind legs, likely used for female attraction during courtship. (& cleaning the dance floor)
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Wow... and I thought male Hairy-footed Flower-bees had it all sown up in the feathery-leg department...
Magnificent!
Magnificent!
Reposted by Erica McAlister
Ladies if he doesn’t show up in feathered boots he’s just not putting in the effort for you.
Day 10 of #InsectAdvent & the Christmas flirting has ramped up
This male Robberfly, Pegesimallus teratodes, has striking, feather-like scales on its hind legs, likely used for female attraction during courtship. (& cleaning the dance floor)
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
This male Robberfly, Pegesimallus teratodes, has striking, feather-like scales on its hind legs, likely used for female attraction during courtship. (& cleaning the dance floor)
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Ladies if he doesn’t show up in feathered boots he’s just not putting in the effort for you.
Day 10 of #InsectAdvent & the Christmas flirting has ramped up
This male Robberfly, Pegesimallus teratodes, has striking, feather-like scales on its hind legs, likely used for female attraction during courtship. (& cleaning the dance floor)
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
This male Robberfly, Pegesimallus teratodes, has striking, feather-like scales on its hind legs, likely used for female attraction during courtship. (& cleaning the dance floor)
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Day 10 of #InsectAdvent & the Christmas flirting has ramped up
This male Robberfly, Pegesimallus teratodes, has striking, feather-like scales on its hind legs, likely used for female attraction during courtship. (& cleaning the dance floor)
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
This male Robberfly, Pegesimallus teratodes, has striking, feather-like scales on its hind legs, likely used for female attraction during courtship. (& cleaning the dance floor)
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Day 10 of #InsectAdvent & we are wrapping the presents
What about this bling covering - The genus Formosia (Tachinidae) have some of the most striking bodies. Its not for showing off but to hide in the mottled forest light (hiding as we do under a tree) their 'presence'
@royentsoc.bsky.social
What about this bling covering - The genus Formosia (Tachinidae) have some of the most striking bodies. Its not for showing off but to hide in the mottled forest light (hiding as we do under a tree) their 'presence'
@royentsoc.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Day 10 of #InsectAdvent & we are wrapping the presents
What about this bling covering - The genus Formosia (Tachinidae) have some of the most striking bodies. Its not for showing off but to hide in the mottled forest light (hiding as we do under a tree) their 'presence'
@royentsoc.bsky.social
What about this bling covering - The genus Formosia (Tachinidae) have some of the most striking bodies. Its not for showing off but to hide in the mottled forest light (hiding as we do under a tree) their 'presence'
@royentsoc.bsky.social
Day 9 of #InsectAdvent and our thoughts turn to a Christmas vacation.
And where best to go than Christmas Island where we can find Syritta maritima - one of the compost hoverflies whose larvae (the munching maggots) will recycle our leftovers
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
And where best to go than Christmas Island where we can find Syritta maritima - one of the compost hoverflies whose larvae (the munching maggots) will recycle our leftovers
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Day 9 of #InsectAdvent and our thoughts turn to a Christmas vacation.
And where best to go than Christmas Island where we can find Syritta maritima - one of the compost hoverflies whose larvae (the munching maggots) will recycle our leftovers
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
And where best to go than Christmas Island where we can find Syritta maritima - one of the compost hoverflies whose larvae (the munching maggots) will recycle our leftovers
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Reposted by Erica McAlister
Here's just three of the incredible science speakers who will be taking the stage at Nine Lessons for the Dec 18th edition alongside @robinince.bsky.social and co. Dr Julia Shaw, @anjanakhatwa.bsky.social & @flygirlnhm.bsky.social. Last remaining tickets at www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/nin...
December 9, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Here's just three of the incredible science speakers who will be taking the stage at Nine Lessons for the Dec 18th edition alongside @robinince.bsky.social and co. Dr Julia Shaw, @anjanakhatwa.bsky.social & @flygirlnhm.bsky.social. Last remaining tickets at www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/nin...
Day 8 of #InsectAdvent
Want to attract the opposite sex but fed up being bashed on the dancefloor? This male fly, Deuterophlebia sp., never lands but dances over fast-flowing rivers, guarding it for a receptive lady, using its really long antennae to make/guard his space
@royentsoc.bsky.social
Want to attract the opposite sex but fed up being bashed on the dancefloor? This male fly, Deuterophlebia sp., never lands but dances over fast-flowing rivers, guarding it for a receptive lady, using its really long antennae to make/guard his space
@royentsoc.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Day 8 of #InsectAdvent
Want to attract the opposite sex but fed up being bashed on the dancefloor? This male fly, Deuterophlebia sp., never lands but dances over fast-flowing rivers, guarding it for a receptive lady, using its really long antennae to make/guard his space
@royentsoc.bsky.social
Want to attract the opposite sex but fed up being bashed on the dancefloor? This male fly, Deuterophlebia sp., never lands but dances over fast-flowing rivers, guarding it for a receptive lady, using its really long antennae to make/guard his space
@royentsoc.bsky.social
Day 7 of #InsectAdvent
There’s always the one team member that gets legless.
And so did this mosquito. Luckily for us this specimen was identified as Aedes macintoshi - an absolute youngster having only been described in 1985!
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
There’s always the one team member that gets legless.
And so did this mosquito. Luckily for us this specimen was identified as Aedes macintoshi - an absolute youngster having only been described in 1985!
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Day 7 of #InsectAdvent
There’s always the one team member that gets legless.
And so did this mosquito. Luckily for us this specimen was identified as Aedes macintoshi - an absolute youngster having only been described in 1985!
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
There’s always the one team member that gets legless.
And so did this mosquito. Luckily for us this specimen was identified as Aedes macintoshi - an absolute youngster having only been described in 1985!
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Day 6 of #InsectAdvent
Done all your prep for you Xmas party? Decorations up, food organised and your outfit looking amazing. Then relax like this Bombylius discolor - sitting down in its finest waiting for the action to start…
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Done all your prep for you Xmas party? Decorations up, food organised and your outfit looking amazing. Then relax like this Bombylius discolor - sitting down in its finest waiting for the action to start…
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 6, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Day 6 of #InsectAdvent
Done all your prep for you Xmas party? Decorations up, food organised and your outfit looking amazing. Then relax like this Bombylius discolor - sitting down in its finest waiting for the action to start…
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Done all your prep for you Xmas party? Decorations up, food organised and your outfit looking amazing. Then relax like this Bombylius discolor - sitting down in its finest waiting for the action to start…
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Reposted by Erica McAlister
December 5, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Day 5 of #InsectAdvent
The imbiber. The one that’s always finishing every last drop of wine
Rhingia campestris - the Heineken fly so called as it refreshes the parts other insects cannot reach..cheers
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
The imbiber. The one that’s always finishing every last drop of wine
Rhingia campestris - the Heineken fly so called as it refreshes the parts other insects cannot reach..cheers
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Day 5 of #InsectAdvent
The imbiber. The one that’s always finishing every last drop of wine
Rhingia campestris - the Heineken fly so called as it refreshes the parts other insects cannot reach..cheers
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
The imbiber. The one that’s always finishing every last drop of wine
Rhingia campestris - the Heineken fly so called as it refreshes the parts other insects cannot reach..cheers
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
For #FlyFriday or #Flyday why not a new podcast with me talking flies with Paul McGuinness on #WildLives (ignore the one of the worlds experts - many better than me!!) #bbcwildlife
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
Why flies matter, with Dr Erica McAlister
Podcast Episode · Wild Lives · 05/12/2025 · 50m
podcasts.apple.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:39 PM
For #FlyFriday or #Flyday why not a new podcast with me talking flies with Paul McGuinness on #WildLives (ignore the one of the worlds experts - many better than me!!) #bbcwildlife
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
Day 4 of #InsectAdvent
Have you been to the office party, wearing your finest & then spilt food on it?
You need a personal hoover-meet Braula coeca (bee-louse or bee-rider). Found on bees, they feed on the food passed between the bees. Food may have to be sacrificed but your image won't be
Have you been to the office party, wearing your finest & then spilt food on it?
You need a personal hoover-meet Braula coeca (bee-louse or bee-rider). Found on bees, they feed on the food passed between the bees. Food may have to be sacrificed but your image won't be
December 4, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Day 4 of #InsectAdvent
Have you been to the office party, wearing your finest & then spilt food on it?
You need a personal hoover-meet Braula coeca (bee-louse or bee-rider). Found on bees, they feed on the food passed between the bees. Food may have to be sacrificed but your image won't be
Have you been to the office party, wearing your finest & then spilt food on it?
You need a personal hoover-meet Braula coeca (bee-louse or bee-rider). Found on bees, they feed on the food passed between the bees. Food may have to be sacrificed but your image won't be
Day 3 of #InsectAdvent
For our Nativity themed posts what about a specimen from Natal (Portuguese for Christmas) that comes equipped with the best drinking straw!
Prosoeca ganglbaueri (Nemestrinidae) could even steal your drink from across the room
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
For our Nativity themed posts what about a specimen from Natal (Portuguese for Christmas) that comes equipped with the best drinking straw!
Prosoeca ganglbaueri (Nemestrinidae) could even steal your drink from across the room
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Day 3 of #InsectAdvent
For our Nativity themed posts what about a specimen from Natal (Portuguese for Christmas) that comes equipped with the best drinking straw!
Prosoeca ganglbaueri (Nemestrinidae) could even steal your drink from across the room
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
For our Nativity themed posts what about a specimen from Natal (Portuguese for Christmas) that comes equipped with the best drinking straw!
Prosoeca ganglbaueri (Nemestrinidae) could even steal your drink from across the room
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Reposted by Erica McAlister
And some excellent bee flies: www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/bee...
Meet the bee-fly: The cute bee mimic with a dark side | Natural History Museum
Meet one of the most fascinating species in your local park or garden.
www.nhm.ac.uk
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
And some excellent bee flies: www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/bee...
Reposted by Erica McAlister
Finally if you want more fly chat from @flygirlnhm.bsky.social there's a longer talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmvc... and/or you can buy one of her wonderful books! www.nhmshop.co.uk/metamorphosi... OR www.nhbs.com/the-secret-l... OR www.nhbs.com/the-inside-o...
The Inside Out of Flies | Live Talk with NHM Scientist
YouTube video by Natural History Museum
www.youtube.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Finally if you want more fly chat from @flygirlnhm.bsky.social there's a longer talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmvc... and/or you can buy one of her wonderful books! www.nhmshop.co.uk/metamorphosi... OR www.nhbs.com/the-secret-l... OR www.nhbs.com/the-inside-o...
Its day 2 of #InsectAdvent
I think that this little fly ate too many mince pies! Welcome to Platyna hastata - whose bum maybe as wide as they are long!
Soldierflies or Stratiomyidae are some of the most eye-catching of the flies.
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
I think that this little fly ate too many mince pies! Welcome to Platyna hastata - whose bum maybe as wide as they are long!
Soldierflies or Stratiomyidae are some of the most eye-catching of the flies.
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Its day 2 of #InsectAdvent
I think that this little fly ate too many mince pies! Welcome to Platyna hastata - whose bum maybe as wide as they are long!
Soldierflies or Stratiomyidae are some of the most eye-catching of the flies.
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
I think that this little fly ate too many mince pies! Welcome to Platyna hastata - whose bum maybe as wide as they are long!
Soldierflies or Stratiomyidae are some of the most eye-catching of the flies.
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Potato-print Christmas Card production line has begun….
December 1, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Potato-print Christmas Card production line has begun….
For #InsectAdvent, I present a head as hairy as that of Santa Claus himself.
This gorgeous beardy-wierdy belongs to the beefly NHMUK016433577_Trichophthalma_porteri_PT (& soon to be available on the @nhm-london.bsky.social data portal)
#digitisation #diptera
This gorgeous beardy-wierdy belongs to the beefly NHMUK016433577_Trichophthalma_porteri_PT (& soon to be available on the @nhm-london.bsky.social data portal)
#digitisation #diptera
December 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
For #InsectAdvent, I present a head as hairy as that of Santa Claus himself.
This gorgeous beardy-wierdy belongs to the beefly NHMUK016433577_Trichophthalma_porteri_PT (& soon to be available on the @nhm-london.bsky.social data portal)
#digitisation #diptera
This gorgeous beardy-wierdy belongs to the beefly NHMUK016433577_Trichophthalma_porteri_PT (& soon to be available on the @nhm-london.bsky.social data portal)
#digitisation #diptera