Jamie C. Weir
@jamiecweir.bsky.social
British evolutionary biologist and entomologist. Lepidoptera | Phenology | Adaptive Colouration | Polymorphism | History of Science | Palaeontology
Twitter: @Jamie_C_Weir Website: www.jamiecweir.com
Twitter: @Jamie_C_Weir Website: www.jamiecweir.com
Pinned
Jamie C. Weir
@jamiecweir.bsky.social
· Apr 9
We’re thrilled to announce the recipients of our 2025 Medals and Awards. We’ll be spotlighting each of our amazing awardees from across science, conservation and the arts over the coming days. www.linnean.org/news...
Please like, share and join us in congratulating them all!
Please like, share and join us in congratulating them all!
It's an incredible honour to be awarded the John C. Marsden medal from the @linneansociety.bsky.social for my PhD research on phenology, moths... and some very hungry caterpillars 🌳🐛
Thanks to all my friends and mentors at @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social, but especially @allyphillimore.bsky.social!
Thanks to all my friends and mentors at @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social, but especially @allyphillimore.bsky.social!
1/2. In or around #Edinburgh?... 🏰
There's still time to sign up for our annual @linneansociety.bsky.social lecture, hosted by @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social.
**Thurs 27th, 6-8pm**
Sign up now, for free, in person or online! 👇
tinyurl.com/edin-linnsoc...
... or scroll for more info 🧵👇
There's still time to sign up for our annual @linneansociety.bsky.social lecture, hosted by @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social.
**Thurs 27th, 6-8pm**
Sign up now, for free, in person or online! 👇
tinyurl.com/edin-linnsoc...
... or scroll for more info 🧵👇
Busy ‘bout the Tree of Life: genome sequencing of biodiversity
As extinction accelerates, scientists race to decode the DNA of life - unlocking secrets that could help save our planet’s biodiversity.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 11:58 AM
1/2. In or around #Edinburgh?... 🏰
There's still time to sign up for our annual @linneansociety.bsky.social lecture, hosted by @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social.
**Thurs 27th, 6-8pm**
Sign up now, for free, in person or online! 👇
tinyurl.com/edin-linnsoc...
... or scroll for more info 🧵👇
There's still time to sign up for our annual @linneansociety.bsky.social lecture, hosted by @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social.
**Thurs 27th, 6-8pm**
Sign up now, for free, in person or online! 👇
tinyurl.com/edin-linnsoc...
... or scroll for more info 🧵👇
Had a great time today presenting a poster about my PhD work 🐛 at the @linneansociety.bsky.social symposium on biological resilience. Some excellent talks in wonderful surroundings - so much food for thought with Darwin looking on - and all topped off with a fishy keynote @trishschulte.bsky.social 🐠
November 20, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Had a great time today presenting a poster about my PhD work 🐛 at the @linneansociety.bsky.social symposium on biological resilience. Some excellent talks in wonderful surroundings - so much food for thought with Darwin looking on - and all topped off with a fishy keynote @trishschulte.bsky.social 🐠
Reposted by Jamie C. Weir
As extinction accelerates, scientists race to decode the DNA of life - unlocking secrets that could help save our planet’s biodiversity.
Join Mark Blaxter, leader of the Sanger Institute’s Tree of Life programme, as he explains the genome sequencing of biodiversity.
📆 Nov 27 6pm
buff.ly/nq2Gf04
Join Mark Blaxter, leader of the Sanger Institute’s Tree of Life programme, as he explains the genome sequencing of biodiversity.
📆 Nov 27 6pm
buff.ly/nq2Gf04
November 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
As extinction accelerates, scientists race to decode the DNA of life - unlocking secrets that could help save our planet’s biodiversity.
Join Mark Blaxter, leader of the Sanger Institute’s Tree of Life programme, as he explains the genome sequencing of biodiversity.
📆 Nov 27 6pm
buff.ly/nq2Gf04
Join Mark Blaxter, leader of the Sanger Institute’s Tree of Life programme, as he explains the genome sequencing of biodiversity.
📆 Nov 27 6pm
buff.ly/nq2Gf04
Reposted by Jamie C. Weir
Mammal colouration is typically drab, and iridescence virtually unheard of, except in the most unlikely place: blind, subterranean golden moles. Here, researchers quantitatively confirm iridescence in 14 mammal species: royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/... #JRSocInterface #evolution
November 15, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Mammal colouration is typically drab, and iridescence virtually unheard of, except in the most unlikely place: blind, subterranean golden moles. Here, researchers quantitatively confirm iridescence in 14 mammal species: royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/... #JRSocInterface #evolution
Reposted by Jamie C. Weir
“Andrews adds that researchers adapting the task to other species would need to think carefully about what constitutes strong evidence: Dogs, for instance, might consider scent to be a stronger source of evidence than visual cues.”
#scicomm
www.science.org/content/arti...
🧪 🐵 🦊
#scicomm
www.science.org/content/arti...
🧪 🐵 🦊
New evidence? No problem. Chimps can weigh conflicting clues, just like humans
Study is first to suggest our closest relatives think about their own thoughts
www.science.org
October 31, 2025 at 10:33 AM
“Andrews adds that researchers adapting the task to other species would need to think carefully about what constitutes strong evidence: Dogs, for instance, might consider scent to be a stronger source of evidence than visual cues.”
#scicomm
www.science.org/content/arti...
🧪 🐵 🦊
#scicomm
www.science.org/content/arti...
🧪 🐵 🦊
In my **new paper**, out now in Folia Primatologica, I shed light on the nocturnal feeding habits of the Southern Lesser Bushbaby (Galago moholi), documenting observations and experiments made during fieldwork in South Africa.
tinyurl.com/bushbaby-diet
...Scroll for more #bushbaby pics 👀👇
🧵 1/8
tinyurl.com/bushbaby-diet
...Scroll for more #bushbaby pics 👀👇
🧵 1/8
October 28, 2025 at 11:54 AM
In my **new paper**, out now in Folia Primatologica, I shed light on the nocturnal feeding habits of the Southern Lesser Bushbaby (Galago moholi), documenting observations and experiments made during fieldwork in South Africa.
tinyurl.com/bushbaby-diet
...Scroll for more #bushbaby pics 👀👇
🧵 1/8
tinyurl.com/bushbaby-diet
...Scroll for more #bushbaby pics 👀👇
🧵 1/8
Reposted by Jamie C. Weir
many thanks to @soerinegerlich.bsky.social for leading this study into phenological limits in Arctic communities. For me this collaboration was a real eye-opener into the potential for species to reach limits to their ability to respond plastically. Who knows what the consequences will be.
As #climatechange becomes more extreme, organisms may no longer keep track in their phenology or seasonal activity e.g flowering, swarming or egg laying. @soerinegerlich.bsky.social led our study showing this is real for highly sensitive #arctic #arthropods royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
Keeping up with climate change: have Arctic arthropods reached their phenological limits? | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Many arthropods show earlier seasonal activity with warming, but these responses cannot continue indefinitely. Identifying such phenological thresholds is crucial for understanding limits to climate tracking and species persistence, but few studies test ...
royalsocietypublishing.org
July 29, 2025 at 4:33 PM
many thanks to @soerinegerlich.bsky.social for leading this study into phenological limits in Arctic communities. For me this collaboration was a real eye-opener into the potential for species to reach limits to their ability to respond plastically. Who knows what the consequences will be.
Hot on the heels of receiving the @linneansociety.bsky.social's Marsden Medal, very pleased to announce that my PhD thesis also came in as runner up for the @royentsoc.bsky.social's Alfred Russel Wallace Award! 🌿🐛
Thanks to @eastbio.bsky.social and my supervisor @allyphillimore.bsky.social
1/2 👇
Thanks to @eastbio.bsky.social and my supervisor @allyphillimore.bsky.social
1/2 👇
September 9, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Hot on the heels of receiving the @linneansociety.bsky.social's Marsden Medal, very pleased to announce that my PhD thesis also came in as runner up for the @royentsoc.bsky.social's Alfred Russel Wallace Award! 🌿🐛
Thanks to @eastbio.bsky.social and my supervisor @allyphillimore.bsky.social
1/2 👇
Thanks to @eastbio.bsky.social and my supervisor @allyphillimore.bsky.social
1/2 👇
Reposted by Jamie C. Weir
Look who turned up in the moth trap this morning...
We've been expecting a Jersey Tiger for a while, being located just north of its current range. What stunning moths they are!
#mothsmatter #teammoth
We've been expecting a Jersey Tiger for a while, being located just north of its current range. What stunning moths they are!
#mothsmatter #teammoth
July 20, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Look who turned up in the moth trap this morning...
We've been expecting a Jersey Tiger for a while, being located just north of its current range. What stunning moths they are!
#mothsmatter #teammoth
We've been expecting a Jersey Tiger for a while, being located just north of its current range. What stunning moths they are!
#mothsmatter #teammoth
Reposted by Jamie C. Weir
3. Hear the fantastic talk from this year's John C. Marsden Medal Winner, @jamiecweir.bsky.social gave us on timing and spring-feeding caterpillars. #insectweek www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7mh...
Is Timing Everything and How Can Spring-feeding Caterpillars Get it Right? | Jamie Weir
YouTube video by Linnean Society
www.youtube.com
June 23, 2025 at 2:58 PM
3. Hear the fantastic talk from this year's John C. Marsden Medal Winner, @jamiecweir.bsky.social gave us on timing and spring-feeding caterpillars. #insectweek www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7mh...
It was a real delight to go down to Burlington House the other week, to tour the @linneansociety.bsky.social collections and receive this year's John C. Marsden medal, for the best biology PhD thesis in the UK.
It was, and remains, a tremendous honour.
Interested in my thesis? 👇
It was, and remains, a tremendous honour.
Interested in my thesis? 👇
June 13, 2025 at 11:16 AM
It was a real delight to go down to Burlington House the other week, to tour the @linneansociety.bsky.social collections and receive this year's John C. Marsden medal, for the best biology PhD thesis in the UK.
It was, and remains, a tremendous honour.
Interested in my thesis? 👇
It was, and remains, a tremendous honour.
Interested in my thesis? 👇
Employing one of my lesser-used mugs today!
Lord Palmerston not looking impressed by my work...
History enthusiasts: any thoughts on who might be the most important British prime minister of the nineteenth century?
Lord Palmerston not looking impressed by my work...
History enthusiasts: any thoughts on who might be the most important British prime minister of the nineteenth century?
May 31, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Employing one of my lesser-used mugs today!
Lord Palmerston not looking impressed by my work...
History enthusiasts: any thoughts on who might be the most important British prime minister of the nineteenth century?
Lord Palmerston not looking impressed by my work...
History enthusiasts: any thoughts on who might be the most important British prime minister of the nineteenth century?
Some highlights from the last few warm nights here in the central belt of Scotland...
A pair of puss moths, ermines, and several poplar hawks.
Poplars sit with hindwings resting *in front* of the forewings, breaking up the classic moth outline and giving them a more ragged, leaf-life appearance 🦋🌿
A pair of puss moths, ermines, and several poplar hawks.
Poplars sit with hindwings resting *in front* of the forewings, breaking up the classic moth outline and giving them a more ragged, leaf-life appearance 🦋🌿
May 15, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Some highlights from the last few warm nights here in the central belt of Scotland...
A pair of puss moths, ermines, and several poplar hawks.
Poplars sit with hindwings resting *in front* of the forewings, breaking up the classic moth outline and giving them a more ragged, leaf-life appearance 🦋🌿
A pair of puss moths, ermines, and several poplar hawks.
Poplars sit with hindwings resting *in front* of the forewings, breaking up the classic moth outline and giving them a more ragged, leaf-life appearance 🦋🌿
Although species vary in their #phenological response to #climate change, some food-chains and webs are surprisingly resilient...
On the anniversary of my @globalchangebio.bsky.social paper with @allyphillimore.bsky.social, I wanted to revisit some of the key ideas 👇
tinyurl.com/BufferCater
🧵1/6
On the anniversary of my @globalchangebio.bsky.social paper with @allyphillimore.bsky.social, I wanted to revisit some of the key ideas 👇
tinyurl.com/BufferCater
🧵1/6
May 14, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Although species vary in their #phenological response to #climate change, some food-chains and webs are surprisingly resilient...
On the anniversary of my @globalchangebio.bsky.social paper with @allyphillimore.bsky.social, I wanted to revisit some of the key ideas 👇
tinyurl.com/BufferCater
🧵1/6
On the anniversary of my @globalchangebio.bsky.social paper with @allyphillimore.bsky.social, I wanted to revisit some of the key ideas 👇
tinyurl.com/BufferCater
🧵1/6
Reposted by Jamie C. Weir
Birch twigs adorned with colourful feathers are a traditional Swedish Easter decoration, brightening up the dinner table.
Illustration by J. Terrier from 'Faune de la Senegambie' by Alphonse Trémeau de Rochebrune, 1883-1884.
www.magnoliabox.com/...
Illustration by J. Terrier from 'Faune de la Senegambie' by Alphonse Trémeau de Rochebrune, 1883-1884.
www.magnoliabox.com/...
April 20, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Birch twigs adorned with colourful feathers are a traditional Swedish Easter decoration, brightening up the dinner table.
Illustration by J. Terrier from 'Faune de la Senegambie' by Alphonse Trémeau de Rochebrune, 1883-1884.
www.magnoliabox.com/...
Illustration by J. Terrier from 'Faune de la Senegambie' by Alphonse Trémeau de Rochebrune, 1883-1884.
www.magnoliabox.com/...
It's an incredible honour to be awarded the John C. Marsden medal from the @linneansociety.bsky.social for my PhD research on phenology, moths... and some very hungry caterpillars 🌳🐛
Thanks to all my friends and mentors at @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social, but especially @allyphillimore.bsky.social!
Thanks to all my friends and mentors at @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social, but especially @allyphillimore.bsky.social!
We’re thrilled to announce the recipients of our 2025 Medals and Awards. We’ll be spotlighting each of our amazing awardees from across science, conservation and the arts over the coming days. www.linnean.org/news...
Please like, share and join us in congratulating them all!
Please like, share and join us in congratulating them all!
April 9, 2025 at 11:04 AM
It's an incredible honour to be awarded the John C. Marsden medal from the @linneansociety.bsky.social for my PhD research on phenology, moths... and some very hungry caterpillars 🌳🐛
Thanks to all my friends and mentors at @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social, but especially @allyphillimore.bsky.social!
Thanks to all my friends and mentors at @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social, but especially @allyphillimore.bsky.social!
Reposted by Jamie C. Weir
This is Macrocillix maia & he's a moth who mimics bird poo. But he's taken it to the next level, he's also mimicking flies feeding on the bird poo, right down to the shimmer of their wings!
I have wanted to see one for so long, but never thought I would! In Trus Madi entomology camp in Borneo.
1/2
I have wanted to see one for so long, but never thought I would! In Trus Madi entomology camp in Borneo.
1/2
March 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
This is Macrocillix maia & he's a moth who mimics bird poo. But he's taken it to the next level, he's also mimicking flies feeding on the bird poo, right down to the shimmer of their wings!
I have wanted to see one for so long, but never thought I would! In Trus Madi entomology camp in Borneo.
1/2
I have wanted to see one for so long, but never thought I would! In Trus Madi entomology camp in Borneo.
1/2
Very pleased to be back at the @savebutterflies.bsky.social Scotland spring meeting in Perth, this time talking about my PhD work on #phenology, #ecology, and #trophic #mismatch.
As always, the winter #moth will be headlining... (but will be put in its place) 🦋
As always, the winter #moth will be headlining... (but will be put in its place) 🦋
March 22, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Very pleased to be back at the @savebutterflies.bsky.social Scotland spring meeting in Perth, this time talking about my PhD work on #phenology, #ecology, and #trophic #mismatch.
As always, the winter #moth will be headlining... (but will be put in its place) 🦋
As always, the winter #moth will be headlining... (but will be put in its place) 🦋
Reposted by Jamie C. Weir
Look I have zero excuses for this, but the idea popped into my head and now it's in your head, sorry
March 20, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Look I have zero excuses for this, but the idea popped into my head and now it's in your head, sorry
Excited to report that our collaborative paper laying out the key priorities for entomological research is now among the 10 most-cited publications in #RESInsectConsDiv for 2023. #TopCitedArticle
Do have a read 👇 (and keep citing 😉)
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
1/2 🧵
Do have a read 👇 (and keep citing 😉)
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
1/2 🧵
Grand challenges in entomology: Priorities for action in the coming decades
We present a set of grand challenges for entomology in the 21st Century, identified by members of the UK's Royal Entomological Society (RES), using a participatory prioritisation approach. The 61 pr...
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
March 19, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Excited to report that our collaborative paper laying out the key priorities for entomological research is now among the 10 most-cited publications in #RESInsectConsDiv for 2023. #TopCitedArticle
Do have a read 👇 (and keep citing 😉)
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
1/2 🧵
Do have a read 👇 (and keep citing 😉)
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
1/2 🧵
Was a great pleasure to go through to Glasgow last week and talk to the Paisley Natural History Society about animal camouflage, including some of my own work on moths 🦋🐛
A lovely, friendly society that I would recommend to anyone local interested in nature!
paisleynaturalhistorysociety.org.uk
A lovely, friendly society that I would recommend to anyone local interested in nature!
paisleynaturalhistorysociety.org.uk
January 15, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Was a great pleasure to go through to Glasgow last week and talk to the Paisley Natural History Society about animal camouflage, including some of my own work on moths 🦋🐛
A lovely, friendly society that I would recommend to anyone local interested in nature!
paisleynaturalhistorysociety.org.uk
A lovely, friendly society that I would recommend to anyone local interested in nature!
paisleynaturalhistorysociety.org.uk
Reposted by Jamie C. Weir
Did you know that on Christmas Day, it is perfectly acceptable to raise a glass and remember the dinosaurs
In the "Cosmic Calendar", a way to visualise the entire history of the universe by compressing it into a calendar year, the first dinosaur would appear on December 25th (at approx midday)
1/3
In the "Cosmic Calendar", a way to visualise the entire history of the universe by compressing it into a calendar year, the first dinosaur would appear on December 25th (at approx midday)
1/3
December 20, 2024 at 2:10 PM
Did you know that on Christmas Day, it is perfectly acceptable to raise a glass and remember the dinosaurs
In the "Cosmic Calendar", a way to visualise the entire history of the universe by compressing it into a calendar year, the first dinosaur would appear on December 25th (at approx midday)
1/3
In the "Cosmic Calendar", a way to visualise the entire history of the universe by compressing it into a calendar year, the first dinosaur would appear on December 25th (at approx midday)
1/3
Reposted by Jamie C. Weir
Hundreds of male Winter Moths Opheroptera brumata flying in the woods just after dark this evening. The flightless females are more difficult to spot except when they are mating. Buckfast, Devon
December 20, 2024 at 7:10 PM
Hundreds of male Winter Moths Opheroptera brumata flying in the woods just after dark this evening. The flightless females are more difficult to spot except when they are mating. Buckfast, Devon
The hazards of being an entomologist
You're easily distracted by smaller things 🐜
...and I had no idea we were being watched 🐘
You're easily distracted by smaller things 🐜
...and I had no idea we were being watched 🐘
December 20, 2024 at 11:11 AM
The hazards of being an entomologist
You're easily distracted by smaller things 🐜
...and I had no idea we were being watched 🐘
You're easily distracted by smaller things 🐜
...and I had no idea we were being watched 🐘