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kitenet.bsky.social
Martin Harvey
@kitenet.bsky.social
1.7K followers 530 following 630 posts
Mostly insects and biological recording, UK-based (he/him)
https://linktr.ee/kitenet
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Martin Harvey
vannabartlett.bsky.social
Latest NNNS Transactions arrived today. Fabulous article on urban aphids. It's amazing the number of species @norwichbirder.bsky.social finds on his way to and from work. If only we took the time to stop and stare, there are amazing invertebrates to see just about anywhere.
The cover of the latest Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society with a photo of Purple Broomrape on the cover on a cliff top with blue sea beyond. Double page spread of Transactions with photographs and information on several species of urban aphids. Double page spread of Transactions with photographs and information on several species of urban aphids.
February 13, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
sewbrec.org.uk
Indicia (inc SEWBReCORD) is offline for scheduled maintenance this evening:

UKCEH will be carrying out maintenance on its IT infrastructure, unfortunately this means that iRecord and other Indicia systems are likely to be offline at the following times:

Friday 13 February 2026
16:30 – 18:30
February 13, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
ynuorg.bsky.social
Join us for this year's YNU Conference on Saturday 21st March at The Priory Street Centre, York: 'Recording Yorkshire's natural history - beyond ‘The State of Yorkshire's Nature’ report'. Purchase your tickets here: www.ynu.org.uk/join-the-ynu... or contact [email protected].
February 13, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
ukceh.bsky.social
😍 Great to see some lichen love from April Windle of the @britishlichensociety.org.uk, plus our own Bill Bealey explaining how our LicheN app is used for measuring sensitivity to nitrogen pollution

Featured on BBC News ⤵️

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 🧪
How lichen hold the secret to a breath of fresh air
An app uses lichen to help monitor air quality in places like the New Forest.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
savebutterflies.bsky.social
On this day in 1809, Charles Darwin, author of 'On the Origin of Species', was born

The humble Peppered Moth is one of the best-known examples of evolution by natural selection, Darwin's great discovery, and is often referred to as 'Darwin's moth'. 💡

#DarwinDay #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
February 12, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
naturebureau.bsky.social
Just 3 days left to get your hands on a copy of our new guide to #FliesofBritainandIreland at the pre-pub price bit.ly/4dqQI8Z – delivery expected to us by 21 Feb 2026 @rdimond.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @gailashton.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
donnag.bsky.social
From Chris Borkent: Fellow Dipterists/systematists/ecologists: Agri./Agri-Food Canada plans to eliminate the Diptera Unit at the Canadian National Collection of Insects. Dr. Art Borkent has prepared an open letter to support keeping the unit open. To sign, please read & follow the instructions here.
Fellow Dipterists / systematists / ecologists, if you have not yet heard, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada is planning to eliminate the Diptera Unit at the Canadian National Collection of Insects, supposedly for financial reasons. The open letter below has been prepared by Dr. Art Borkent. If you agree with the letter, and would like to add your name in support, please follow the directions below. Message is as follows: ********************* The following is an “Open Letter” that will be presented to the Canadian press by a Member of Parliament, Ms. Elizabeth May. If you can support this petition, please send your name, full affiliation and address (including country) to Art Borkent’s email: artborkent@telus.net Your name will be added to a supporting list that will likely never be seen publicly but needs to be noted by our member of parliament. Please consider helping to stop the removal of the Diptera Unit in Ottawa, Canada. Please remember that we are writing this for the press – someone gave advice that it should be written at about the level of an intelligent 14 year old. If any of you are members of another society of specialized Dipterists or otherwise, please feel free to send this on to your other colleagues. I am hoping to have this submitted to Elizabeth May with all the signatures by Friday, Feb. 13. Time is of the essence. best wishes, Art Borkent and David Grimaldi (Message too long for alt-text): the text of the first page of an open letter to support keeping the Diptera Unit open at the Canadian National Collection of Insects and Nematodes. (Message too long for alt-text): the text of the second page of an open letter to support keeping the Diptera Unit open at the Canadian National Collection of Insects and Nematodes. A sampling of output from the Diptera Unit at the CNC
February 11, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
soilscholar.bsky.social
My paper with @andypurvisnhm.bsky.social @dralanjones.bsky.social et al. on our Earthworm Watch 🪱 #citizenscience project @nhm-london.bsky.social & @earthwatcheurope.bsky.social is out! We examined motivations of those who did, and importantly, those who didn't, take part doi.org/10.1186/s128...
Who watches the worms? Motivation and (non-)participation in a contributory citizen science project - BMC Ecology and Evolution
BMC Ecology and Evolution - Citizen science projects rely on public participation to generate data and promote engagement with science. However, little is known about the motivations of individuals...
doi.org
February 11, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
manusaunders.bsky.social
On this day that supports inclusive futures for women and girls in science, let's not forget all the women that were sidelined, ignored, or forced out of science because they:
- had children
- prioritised family/caring
- did science differently
- questioned boundaries & norms
- fought the patriarchy
February 11, 2026 at 9:39 AM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
liamolds.bsky.social
Pleasantly surprised to spot this newly emerged male Black Oil Beetle (Meloe proscarabaeus) when walking near Blackmill, Bridgend, today.

I think this is my earliest Black Oil Beetle record!

You can tell he is newly emerged as his abdomen hasn't yet expanded to the typical oil beetle shape.
February 8, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
dipteristsforum.bsky.social
As requested by many, here's the link to our YouTube channel with the recordings from the excellent Dipterist Day 2025 in Cambridge youtube.com/playlist?lis...
@davebriceflies.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @lancefly.bsky.social @naturebureau.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social Please share 🙏
Dipterists Day 2025 - YouTube
Recordings of talks from Dipterists Day 2025, held at the University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge on Saturday 15th November.
youtube.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
ajcann.bsky.social
Leafhoppers & Allies: identification, ecology and recording - Alan Stewart
Thursday 19/02/2026, 19:30, online via Zoom
Book here: www.naturespot.org/node/262956
#Bugs #Hemiptera #VC55 #Auchenorrhyncha
Please share!
Green Leaf-hopper, Cicadella viridis. Male left, female right.
February 8, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
lesevanshill.bsky.social
MapMate Users!

The MapMate Taxa Library is no longer supports updates via patches. Updates are now available via a new, downloadable TaxaLibrary.MDB file. This file is containing the latest updates is now available to download from mapmate.info/taxalibrary..... #MapMate
MapMate Info
mapmate.info
February 8, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
lesevanshill.bsky.social
Martin Townsend and I are drafting an article for the Ent. Record about Paranthrene tabaniformis D(usky Clearwing), including its rediscovery at Tubney, Berkshire. Literature searches since Marc Botham’s article have only come up with Colin Plant’s follow-up and 2 pieces by David >>> #MothsMatter
February 8, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
miketoms.bsky.social
A totally unexpected year tick! This Hairy-footed Flower Bee was buzzing around the lounge. It is usually Chocolate Mining Bees that we see inside thanks to our shallow foundations. My earliest ever record. 08.02.2026. Norfolk, England.
Hairy-footed Flower Bee photographed on a windowsill.
February 8, 2026 at 10:10 AM
kitenet.bsky.social
Copy arrived this week and it is fabulous, opens up a whole new world of interest. Absolutely in awe of author Martin Drake for putting it all together. It's pricey, shame the publishers couldn't have found a way of subsidising it more, but it contains priceless expertise and years of hard work.
lancefly.bsky.social Nigel Jones @lancefly.bsky.social · 14d
Excellent! It's here and available to order from RES/CABI; the eagerly anticipated volume - years in the making - British Dolichopodidae. Really looking forward to having this sat on my desk. A colossal achievement by Martin.
A cover of a new handbook for identifying flies in Britain. The Dolichopodidae family.
February 7, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
chrismothman.bsky.social
Just reposted on my own website my two recent Beth Chatto blogs about the Gardens' outreach sites and the insects they support
www.chrisgibsonwildlife.co.uk/beth-chatto-...
Beth Chatto Outreach Sites: insects of the Meanwhile Garden & Chattowood | Chris Gibson Wildlife
www.chrisgibsonwildlife.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
ento-ea.bsky.social
Did you know? Insects eat plants as medicine. #OpenAccess
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Pharmacophagy in insects: Ecological and evolutionary perspectives on the non‐nutritional use of plant specialized metabolites
Insects interact with plants not only for nutrition but also to actively seek plant specialized metabolites (PSMs) for chemical defense, reproduction, and self-medication—a behavior known as pharmaco...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
February 7, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
andydouglas1967.bsky.social
Ordered last June, arrived Tuesday, finished last night. A book I needed years ago. Absolutely terrific and if you’re early in your naturalist phase an essential read I would say. One that won’t go on the shelf but to reread and dip into, especially the section on different groups.
February 7, 2026 at 11:46 AM
kitenet.bsky.social
Hi @britishbugs.bsky.social @rockwolf74.bsky.social @willgeorge.bsky.social what do you make of this Trigonotylus sp.? From Culbin Sands (coast nr Inverness), a long way north for caelestialium, + 2nd antennal segment is noticeably longer than 3rd, so it's probably ruficornis despite stripes?
Close up of true bug from side showing base of antennae Close up of true bug from its other side showing base of antennae Close up of true bug from above showing base of antennae
February 6, 2026 at 11:54 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
teamneyedc.bsky.social
At NEYEDC we're interested in all aspects of natural history, including finding out about past fieldtrips and finds, which is why it was nice to stumble across a lovely hand drawn map from a @ynuorg.bsky.social conchological excursion to Brandesburton in 1969 - spot the all important lunch stop!🥪
February 6, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
histoftech.bsky.social
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.

Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
clydesidewild.bsky.social
I collected a few Alder catkins from along the canal at Cadder, on Monday. Several micro-moth species caterpillars feed inside these and this morning one catkin proved to be tenanted (see ejected frass). The only species i've ever reared thru by this process tho is Argyresthia goedartella.
#teammoth
February 5, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
willgeorge.bsky.social
A new species added to the Bedfordshire bug slides, with the lacebug Catoplatus fabricii, a rather lovely creature brilliantly found and photographed by @markgurn.bsky.social last year. See all the slides here www.flickr.com/photos/runne...
A slide showing information about the lacebug Catoplatus fabricii. There is an image of the species (a small brown bug with mesh like structures at the edge of the abdomen. The text on the slide reads A medium sized species of lacebug which is strongly associated with Ox-eye Daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare. The thorax is rather narrow behind the head, and lacks the meshes on the margins found in other lacebugs. The third antennal segment is the same width as the fourth. A very scarce species in Bedfordshire, with only one recent record. Should be looked for where Ox-eye Daisies are found, especially in dry, sunny situations on calcareous soils. Adults over-winter in moss close to the host plant.
February 5, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Reposted by Martin Harvey
savebutterflies.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone who came along to our annual UK Moth Recorders' Meeting last weekend!

All the brilliant talks from the day are now available to watch back on our YouTube channel. Grab a cuppa and catch up here 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiZE...

#UKMRM #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
UK Moth Recorders' Meeting 2026
YouTube video by Butterfly Conservation
www.youtube.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:32 PM