Rachel Walters
@rachelvw.bsky.social
Masters student studying tick-borne diseases in South Tx 🌵🌊 Hobby entomologist 🪲🐞
Reposted by Rachel Walters
July 24, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Rachel Walters
This includes avian influenza research FYI
Trump cuts would scrap USGS biological research arm
Scientists are lobbying Congress and others to save the almost $300 million program, which pays for a wide array of work and supports research centers.
www.eenews.net
June 10, 2025 at 1:58 AM
This includes avian influenza research FYI
Reposted by Rachel Walters
A breezy night saw a halving of numbers to 55 of 28 in SW Hants last night.
Still managed 4 NFY: Common Emerald (x2), Pine Carpet & Large Yellow Underwing shown (plus the 2nd Common Swift of the year), but a Mottled Beauty made a bolt for it pre-pic!
#teammoth
Still managed 4 NFY: Common Emerald (x2), Pine Carpet & Large Yellow Underwing shown (plus the 2nd Common Swift of the year), but a Mottled Beauty made a bolt for it pre-pic!
#teammoth
June 10, 2025 at 5:06 AM
A breezy night saw a halving of numbers to 55 of 28 in SW Hants last night.
Still managed 4 NFY: Common Emerald (x2), Pine Carpet & Large Yellow Underwing shown (plus the 2nd Common Swift of the year), but a Mottled Beauty made a bolt for it pre-pic!
#teammoth
Still managed 4 NFY: Common Emerald (x2), Pine Carpet & Large Yellow Underwing shown (plus the 2nd Common Swift of the year), but a Mottled Beauty made a bolt for it pre-pic!
#teammoth
Reposted by Rachel Walters
This is so stupid and upsetting and to pivot to shameless self-promotion, my latest podcast episode about veterinary parasitology discusses the proper uses of ivermectin.
open.spotify.com/episode/6ahj...
open.spotify.com/episode/6ahj...
June 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
This is so stupid and upsetting and to pivot to shameless self-promotion, my latest podcast episode about veterinary parasitology discusses the proper uses of ivermectin.
open.spotify.com/episode/6ahj...
open.spotify.com/episode/6ahj...
Reposted by Rachel Walters
Deploying Marines to LA isn’t normal. It’s a gross abuse of power similar to what we see from dictators around the world, setting the stage for martial law or full-on authoritarianism.
June 9, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Deploying Marines to LA isn’t normal. It’s a gross abuse of power similar to what we see from dictators around the world, setting the stage for martial law or full-on authoritarianism.
Reposted by Rachel Walters
An update from the team on the uncertain future of our program and the impact of NSF budget cuts. Please share and reach out 🦠
June 2, 2025 at 12:08 PM
An update from the team on the uncertain future of our program and the impact of NSF budget cuts. Please share and reach out 🦠
Reposted by Rachel Walters
A cute bumble bee visiting an onion bloom. Captures from the garden 🥹
June 1, 2025 at 12:43 PM
A cute bumble bee visiting an onion bloom. Captures from the garden 🥹
Reposted by Rachel Walters
Mother Gaia to celebrate Pride Month tonight after sunset
June 1, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Mother Gaia to celebrate Pride Month tonight after sunset
Reposted by Rachel Walters
Lobster, Ghost, Large Nutmeg and Foxglove Pug from a busy light trap last night.
June 1, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Lobster, Ghost, Large Nutmeg and Foxglove Pug from a busy light trap last night.
Reposted by Rachel Walters
Reposted by Rachel Walters
Pluto never gave up:)
June 1, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Pluto never gave up:)
Reposted by Rachel Walters
Bird's-nest & Greater Butterfly Orchids on NYMNP. #WildflowerHour Numbers of most other species well down.
June 1, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Bird's-nest & Greater Butterfly Orchids on NYMNP. #WildflowerHour Numbers of most other species well down.
Reposted by Rachel Walters
A small genetic change makes the bacterium that caused the plague less fatal but possibly more transmissible
https://go.nature.com/3SXLV70
https://go.nature.com/3SXLV70
Black Death bacterium has become less lethal after genetic tweak
Nature - Reducing the number of copies of one gene in the pathogen could also make it more transmissible.
go.nature.com
June 1, 2025 at 6:25 PM
A small genetic change makes the bacterium that caused the plague less fatal but possibly more transmissible
https://go.nature.com/3SXLV70
https://go.nature.com/3SXLV70
Reposted by Rachel Walters
Also at Martin Down, 14 Anania fuscalis (surprising numbers for a species I've not seen there in previous visits in the last 3 years), Yellow-tail & Mullein caterpillars and 3 Marsh Fritillaries (not really ideal butterflying weather though)
#teammoth
#teammoth
June 1, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Also at Martin Down, 14 Anania fuscalis (surprising numbers for a species I've not seen there in previous visits in the last 3 years), Yellow-tail & Mullein caterpillars and 3 Marsh Fritillaries (not really ideal butterflying weather though)
#teammoth
#teammoth
Reposted by Rachel Walters
June is the start of baby season! In Alberta, most females will have given birth by the end of June, but many give birth earlier, especially warm seasons (like this year!) - anyone with bats in buildings should leave them be until September if any specific management is planned. 🦇
🦇 June is here!
Female bats usually give birth to a single baby, called a pup, which they feed on their milk. Young bats are very small (less than an inch) and pink with little to no fur. They will soon grow a thin, slightly grey fur.
Female bats usually give birth to a single baby, called a pup, which they feed on their milk. Young bats are very small (less than an inch) and pink with little to no fur. They will soon grow a thin, slightly grey fur.
June 2, 2025 at 12:17 AM
June is the start of baby season! In Alberta, most females will have given birth by the end of June, but many give birth earlier, especially warm seasons (like this year!) - anyone with bats in buildings should leave them be until September if any specific management is planned. 🦇
Reposted by Rachel Walters
(2/2) So when a bunch of virologists are gravely concerned about bird flu causing another pandemic AND point out some glaring issues with our ability handle it... maybe it behooves us to review their plan, address those gaps, and start working on preparedness?
www.gavi.org/vaccineswork...
www.gavi.org/vaccineswork...
Prepare for a bird flu pandemic now, virologists urge
Leading virologists from 40 countries warn of critical gaps in pandemic preparedness and outline a plan for readying the world.
www.gavi.org
May 20, 2025 at 11:26 PM
(2/2) So when a bunch of virologists are gravely concerned about bird flu causing another pandemic AND point out some glaring issues with our ability handle it... maybe it behooves us to review their plan, address those gaps, and start working on preparedness?
www.gavi.org/vaccineswork...
www.gavi.org/vaccineswork...
Reposted by Rachel Walters
Blimey!!
Firstly apologies for an impending long thread of variable photos!
Ended the night here in SW Hants with 194 (inc 28 "pale Coleophora sp") of 72 (inc aggs) with 24 (!!) NFY (exc aggs), inc Dwarf Pug NFM.
Also here Portland Ribbon Wave, Silver-ground Carpet & Buff Ermine
#teammoth
1/7
Firstly apologies for an impending long thread of variable photos!
Ended the night here in SW Hants with 194 (inc 28 "pale Coleophora sp") of 72 (inc aggs) with 24 (!!) NFY (exc aggs), inc Dwarf Pug NFM.
Also here Portland Ribbon Wave, Silver-ground Carpet & Buff Ermine
#teammoth
1/7
May 21, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Blimey!!
Firstly apologies for an impending long thread of variable photos!
Ended the night here in SW Hants with 194 (inc 28 "pale Coleophora sp") of 72 (inc aggs) with 24 (!!) NFY (exc aggs), inc Dwarf Pug NFM.
Also here Portland Ribbon Wave, Silver-ground Carpet & Buff Ermine
#teammoth
1/7
Firstly apologies for an impending long thread of variable photos!
Ended the night here in SW Hants with 194 (inc 28 "pale Coleophora sp") of 72 (inc aggs) with 24 (!!) NFY (exc aggs), inc Dwarf Pug NFM.
Also here Portland Ribbon Wave, Silver-ground Carpet & Buff Ermine
#teammoth
1/7
Reposted by Rachel Walters
Not all ticks bite humans. Of the 700 species of hard ticks and 200 species of soft ticks found throughout the world, only a few are known to bite and transmit disease to humans.
LEARN MORE: www.lymedisease.org/types-of-tic... #LymeDiseaseAwarenessMonth
LEARN MORE: www.lymedisease.org/types-of-tic... #LymeDiseaseAwarenessMonth
May 22, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Not all ticks bite humans. Of the 700 species of hard ticks and 200 species of soft ticks found throughout the world, only a few are known to bite and transmit disease to humans.
LEARN MORE: www.lymedisease.org/types-of-tic... #LymeDiseaseAwarenessMonth
LEARN MORE: www.lymedisease.org/types-of-tic... #LymeDiseaseAwarenessMonth
Reposted by Rachel Walters
If you develop the symptoms of Lyme disease seek treatment immediately. Unfortunately, diagnostic testing is unreliable in the early stages of infection. Early treatment should be based upon symptoms.
LEARN MORE: www.lymedisease.org/lyme-basics/... #LymeDiseaseAwarenessMonth
LEARN MORE: www.lymedisease.org/lyme-basics/... #LymeDiseaseAwarenessMonth
May 22, 2025 at 1:39 PM
If you develop the symptoms of Lyme disease seek treatment immediately. Unfortunately, diagnostic testing is unreliable in the early stages of infection. Early treatment should be based upon symptoms.
LEARN MORE: www.lymedisease.org/lyme-basics/... #LymeDiseaseAwarenessMonth
LEARN MORE: www.lymedisease.org/lyme-basics/... #LymeDiseaseAwarenessMonth
Reposted by Rachel Walters
🚨 A new rule would let career scientists like NSF/NIH program officers be replaced by political appointees
Already 14,000+ public comments, deadline is Friday
📣 Comments can be short. Courts consider them—and scientists with NSF/NIH experience are especially impactful
Speak up! shorturl.at/WKuBj
Already 14,000+ public comments, deadline is Friday
📣 Comments can be short. Courts consider them—and scientists with NSF/NIH experience are especially impactful
Speak up! shorturl.at/WKuBj
May 21, 2025 at 5:39 PM
🚨 A new rule would let career scientists like NSF/NIH program officers be replaced by political appointees
Already 14,000+ public comments, deadline is Friday
📣 Comments can be short. Courts consider them—and scientists with NSF/NIH experience are especially impactful
Speak up! shorturl.at/WKuBj
Already 14,000+ public comments, deadline is Friday
📣 Comments can be short. Courts consider them—and scientists with NSF/NIH experience are especially impactful
Speak up! shorturl.at/WKuBj
Reposted by Rachel Walters
3/ Seriously though -
The Lavender Scare ruined lives and careers—quietly, cruelly, and with the full force of the U.S. government.
It’s not ancient history. It’s a warning.
🏳️🌈 Read up: time.com/5922679/lave...
The Lavender Scare ruined lives and careers—quietly, cruelly, and with the full force of the U.S. government.
It’s not ancient history. It’s a warning.
🏳️🌈 Read up: time.com/5922679/lave...
The Anti-Gay 'Lavender Scare' Is Rarely Taught in Schools
Under President Eisenhower, the investigation, interrogation and removal of gay men and lesbians from the federal government became policy
time.com
May 22, 2025 at 4:59 PM
3/ Seriously though -
The Lavender Scare ruined lives and careers—quietly, cruelly, and with the full force of the U.S. government.
It’s not ancient history. It’s a warning.
🏳️🌈 Read up: time.com/5922679/lave...
The Lavender Scare ruined lives and careers—quietly, cruelly, and with the full force of the U.S. government.
It’s not ancient history. It’s a warning.
🏳️🌈 Read up: time.com/5922679/lave...
Reposted by Rachel Walters
Sunset on Lake Superior
May 20, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Sunset on Lake Superior
Some ento collection pics #entomology #bugs
May 20, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Some ento collection pics #entomology #bugs
Reposted by Rachel Walters
Despite only 1½hrs sleep at most on Saturday night was keen to trap last night after 8 off. Reward was 32/23 inc 5 NFY: Privet Hawkmoth, Pine Hawkmoth, Light Emerald & Brussels Lace (x2 and pretty early) shown here.
#teammoth
1/2
#teammoth
1/2
May 19, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Despite only 1½hrs sleep at most on Saturday night was keen to trap last night after 8 off. Reward was 32/23 inc 5 NFY: Privet Hawkmoth, Pine Hawkmoth, Light Emerald & Brussels Lace (x2 and pretty early) shown here.
#teammoth
1/2
#teammoth
1/2
Reposted by Rachel Walters
Our semi-wild woodland #garden was looking wonderful this weekend 🌿☀️🪻🍃🌼🌳 #wildgarden #gardenrewilding #woodlandgarden
May 19, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Our semi-wild woodland #garden was looking wonderful this weekend 🌿☀️🪻🍃🌼🌳 #wildgarden #gardenrewilding #woodlandgarden