David W. Williams
@vc40orthops.bsky.social
Amateur entomologist, naturalist & photographer. Shropshire County Recorder & national iRecord verifier for Orthopteroid insects. Author of 'Orthoptera and Dermaptera' & co-author of 'Micro Ladybirds of Britain and Ireland' FSC Publications AIDGAP Guides.
Reposted by David W. Williams
Back to France (I wish!!), I was really pleased to see one of my favourite treehoppers, Stictocephala bisonia! Alas, I only got this shot before it pinged off into the oblivion, and I didn't manage to find another...! #Membracidae #Hemiptera #Treehopper #France
November 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Back to France (I wish!!), I was really pleased to see one of my favourite treehoppers, Stictocephala bisonia! Alas, I only got this shot before it pinged off into the oblivion, and I didn't manage to find another...! #Membracidae #Hemiptera #Treehopper #France
Reposted by David W. Williams
After a two year hiatus, @vc40orthops.bsky.social and I were really pleased to finally find another Willow Ladybird (Scymnus limbatus) using our refugia yesterday. 🥰 New for my #LadybirdYearList #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
November 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
After a two year hiatus, @vc40orthops.bsky.social and I were really pleased to finally find another Willow Ladybird (Scymnus limbatus) using our refugia yesterday. 🥰 New for my #LadybirdYearList #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
Reposted by David W. Williams
More from today’s mooch in east Shropshire! Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), R. chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird) with R. litura (Meadow Ladybird), Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird) and Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird), amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
November 23, 2025 at 6:54 PM
More from today’s mooch in east Shropshire! Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), R. chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird) with R. litura (Meadow Ladybird), Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird) and Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird), amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
Reposted by David W. Williams
A good mooch in east Shropshire today, finding Myrrha 18-guttata (18-spot Ladybird), Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh Ladybird), Anatis ocellata (Eyed Ladybird) and Hippodamia variegata (Adonis Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
November 23, 2025 at 6:40 PM
A good mooch in east Shropshire today, finding Myrrha 18-guttata (18-spot Ladybird), Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh Ladybird), Anatis ocellata (Eyed Ladybird) and Hippodamia variegata (Adonis Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
It has taken over two years for @vc40ladybirds.bsky.social & I to attract another Willow Ladybird (Scymnus limbatus), an extremely small & elusive species, to the refugia we designed in an attempt to learn more about them. It has been a long wait but we found one yesterday, plus an Anthocorid bug
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
It has taken over two years for @vc40ladybirds.bsky.social & I to attract another Willow Ladybird (Scymnus limbatus), an extremely small & elusive species, to the refugia we designed in an attempt to learn more about them. It has been a long wait but we found one yesterday, plus an Anthocorid bug
Reposted by David W. Williams
A sign of how seriously weird our weather has been this year - Hawthorn flowering in late November with berries also on the tree.
November 23, 2025 at 10:39 AM
A sign of how seriously weird our weather has been this year - Hawthorn flowering in late November with berries also on the tree.
Reposted by David W. Williams
Good day's birding in Porthmadog with 5+ Jack Snipe, 110 Snipe, 40 Knot & 37 Sanderling (briefly), 17 Dunlin, Barwit, 8 Blackwit, 6 Turnstone, 790 Oystercatcher, 8 R-b Merganser, 3 Goosander, Blackcap, 60 Shoveler, Shag, Rock Pipit and an annoying poss Little Stint with the Knot. #ukbirding 🪶
November 23, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Good day's birding in Porthmadog with 5+ Jack Snipe, 110 Snipe, 40 Knot & 37 Sanderling (briefly), 17 Dunlin, Barwit, 8 Blackwit, 6 Turnstone, 790 Oystercatcher, 8 R-b Merganser, 3 Goosander, Blackcap, 60 Shoveler, Shag, Rock Pipit and an annoying poss Little Stint with the Knot. #ukbirding 🪶
Reposted by David W. Williams
It would be nice to see some government action on this actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk/end-peat-sal...
Sign the petition to end peat sales!
No more delays: Let's get peat out of gardens once and for all. The time for uncertainty has ended.
actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 10:13 AM
It would be nice to see some government action on this actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk/end-peat-sal...
Reposted by David W. Williams
Reposted by David W. Williams
Two Neobisium carcinoides pseudoscorpions from John's Hill, Co. Carlow this week.
November 21, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Two Neobisium carcinoides pseudoscorpions from John's Hill, Co. Carlow this week.
Reposted by David W. Williams
A chilly but gloriously sunny mooch this pm in Shropshire, finding lots of Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy LB) with a Harley, Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked LB), Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly LB) and most pleased to find Coccidula scutellata (Spotted Marsh LB) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
November 21, 2025 at 6:22 PM
A chilly but gloriously sunny mooch this pm in Shropshire, finding lots of Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy LB) with a Harley, Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked LB), Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly LB) and most pleased to find Coccidula scutellata (Spotted Marsh LB) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
Reposted by David W. Williams
2-spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) on a headstone in Kildavin, Co. Carlow today.
November 20, 2025 at 9:33 PM
2-spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) on a headstone in Kildavin, Co. Carlow today.
Reposted by David W. Williams
A highlight of the annual teaching calendar is the ladybird survey in Sleephillock Cemetery, Montrose. Orange Ladybirds dominated this week, as usual, but variety came from single figures of 2-spot, 7-spot, 10-spot, Cream-spot and Harlequin.
@ukladybirds.bsky.social
@srucnews.bsky.social
@ukladybirds.bsky.social
@srucnews.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 9:09 PM
A highlight of the annual teaching calendar is the ladybird survey in Sleephillock Cemetery, Montrose. Orange Ladybirds dominated this week, as usual, but variety came from single figures of 2-spot, 7-spot, 10-spot, Cream-spot and Harlequin.
@ukladybirds.bsky.social
@srucnews.bsky.social
@ukladybirds.bsky.social
@srucnews.bsky.social
Reposted by David W. Williams
SOUND ON.
Instead of a photo, here's a short video from Borneo. Normally I don't condone handling of wildlife, but something was obviously stuck beneath our truck. You might say we were a bit surprised about what our guide pulled out...
Instead of a photo, here's a short video from Borneo. Normally I don't condone handling of wildlife, but something was obviously stuck beneath our truck. You might say we were a bit surprised about what our guide pulled out...
November 20, 2025 at 2:20 PM
SOUND ON.
Instead of a photo, here's a short video from Borneo. Normally I don't condone handling of wildlife, but something was obviously stuck beneath our truck. You might say we were a bit surprised about what our guide pulled out...
Instead of a photo, here's a short video from Borneo. Normally I don't condone handling of wildlife, but something was obviously stuck beneath our truck. You might say we were a bit surprised about what our guide pulled out...
Reposted by David W. Williams
--pigment on their eyes & mandibles. Why? My guess is, if you think about it, a transparent eye can't trap light, so to be useful it needs pigment. As for mandibles, they need to be tough enough to bite food (one here is already nibbling its empty eggshell) and melanin hardens (sclerotizes) them.
November 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
--pigment on their eyes & mandibles. Why? My guess is, if you think about it, a transparent eye can't trap light, so to be useful it needs pigment. As for mandibles, they need to be tough enough to bite food (one here is already nibbling its empty eggshell) and melanin hardens (sclerotizes) them.
Reposted by David W. Williams
#Bugsky 🐙🌿 Who wants another baby earwig update? Everyone? Thought so. The babies are now two days old and slightly darker than when they hatched. Mama is guarding them and will stay on the job until their second molt. Btw, in the earlier post, the newly-hatched babies only had--
November 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
#Bugsky 🐙🌿 Who wants another baby earwig update? Everyone? Thought so. The babies are now two days old and slightly darker than when they hatched. Mama is guarding them and will stay on the job until their second molt. Btw, in the earlier post, the newly-hatched babies only had--
Reposted by David W. Williams
These railings alongside the River Ely look clean & empty but, if you look more closely, you'll find the undersides are covered in thick green lichen &, feeding there, tens of Ramshorn bagworms (Luffia lapidella) in their lichen-covered casings. I even found what looks like empty pupae. #TeamMoth
November 20, 2025 at 5:35 PM
These railings alongside the River Ely look clean & empty but, if you look more closely, you'll find the undersides are covered in thick green lichen &, feeding there, tens of Ramshorn bagworms (Luffia lapidella) in their lichen-covered casings. I even found what looks like empty pupae. #TeamMoth
Reposted by David W. Williams
The Prickly Stick-insect in its native land of New Zealand. It's been established on Scilly for many years, having been accidentally imported on plants going into the Abbey Gardens on Tresco.
This gorgeous creature is the prickly stick insect (Acanthoxyla prasina), one of New Zealand's 23 species of stick insect.
Huge thanks to @morganemerien.bsky.social for pointing this out on a recent University of Canterbury field trip - it's great fun teaching entomology!
#Invertebrate 🧪
Huge thanks to @morganemerien.bsky.social for pointing this out on a recent University of Canterbury field trip - it's great fun teaching entomology!
#Invertebrate 🧪
November 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
The Prickly Stick-insect in its native land of New Zealand. It's been established on Scilly for many years, having been accidentally imported on plants going into the Abbey Gardens on Tresco.
Reposted by David W. Williams
Am I allowed a bit more shameless self-publicity? Available for pre-order! 💚
@pelagic.bsky.social
pelagicpublishing.com/products/the...
@pelagic.bsky.social
pelagicpublishing.com/products/the...
The Biological Recording Handbook
Biological recording is the discipline of writing down natural history observations of a correctly identified species, in a specific location, on a specific date, by a named individual. Simple enough,...
pelagicpublishing.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Am I allowed a bit more shameless self-publicity? Available for pre-order! 💚
@pelagic.bsky.social
pelagicpublishing.com/products/the...
@pelagic.bsky.social
pelagicpublishing.com/products/the...
Reposted by David W. Williams
Our AIDGAP sale is back! 🌿
Save up to 25% on selected identification guides and atlases — from plant galls to wasps, perfect for autumn and winter learning.
Shop now: buff.ly/IRByfaa
Save up to 25% on selected identification guides and atlases — from plant galls to wasps, perfect for autumn and winter learning.
Shop now: buff.ly/IRByfaa
November 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Our AIDGAP sale is back! 🌿
Save up to 25% on selected identification guides and atlases — from plant galls to wasps, perfect for autumn and winter learning.
Shop now: buff.ly/IRByfaa
Save up to 25% on selected identification guides and atlases — from plant galls to wasps, perfect for autumn and winter learning.
Shop now: buff.ly/IRByfaa
Reposted by David W. Williams
#Bugsky 🐙🌿 Earwig Egg Update! Yesterday I took a photo of earwig eggs, and when I lifted the rock today, they were hatching. The new babies are transparent except for their compound eyes and mandibles; those were the orange spots you could see on the eggs yesterday. Check out this cropped photo--
November 18, 2025 at 6:35 PM
#Bugsky 🐙🌿 Earwig Egg Update! Yesterday I took a photo of earwig eggs, and when I lifted the rock today, they were hatching. The new babies are transparent except for their compound eyes and mandibles; those were the orange spots you could see on the eggs yesterday. Check out this cropped photo--
Reposted by David W. Williams
I believe this is Tetrix subulata, Slender Groundhopper, seen 06/09/25 Tameside Nature Reserve, Tamworth #Tetrigidae
November 19, 2025 at 2:51 PM
I believe this is Tetrix subulata, Slender Groundhopper, seen 06/09/25 Tameside Nature Reserve, Tamworth #Tetrigidae
Reposted by David W. Williams
A lovely Nephus redtenbacheri (Red-patched Ladybird) from lunchtime today. Been a while since I last saw one! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
November 17, 2025 at 3:32 PM
A lovely Nephus redtenbacheri (Red-patched Ladybird) from lunchtime today. Been a while since I last saw one! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
Reposted by David W. Williams
A rather nippy mooch yesterday in SE Shropshire, finding Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird), Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), lots of R. chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird) and Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird), amongst others. #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
November 17, 2025 at 11:07 AM
A rather nippy mooch yesterday in SE Shropshire, finding Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird), Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), lots of R. chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird) and Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird), amongst others. #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird
Reposted by David W. Williams
Always love finding Ledra aurita (Eared Leafhopper) nymphs! From SE Shropshire yesterday. #Homoptera #Leafhopper #Shropshire
November 17, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Always love finding Ledra aurita (Eared Leafhopper) nymphs! From SE Shropshire yesterday. #Homoptera #Leafhopper #Shropshire