DB
@arnoldtortoise.bsky.social
Amateur naturalist - parasitic wasps (and other tiny insects) specialising in UK Trichogrammatidae and Mymaridae. All posts are my own finds, and all are found in Sussex (unless otherwise stated). Born at 317.68ppm.
It must have been the moon ... (as Siobhan Wilson sang) 29.7.2026, 9.09pm.
Interesting behaviour. This Volucella zonaria perched in several positions around the air-brick and watched wasps flying in and out (there is a wasps' nest in there). After about ten minutes of watching, the hoverfly crawled in through one of the holes. #hoverfly #wasps #behaviour
A handsome 0.22mm long Megaphragma noyesi parasitoid wasp of the Trichogrammatidae found at Castle Water of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve this morning. First of the year, and quite a relief to find one (because I can still see it)! #wasp #Trichogrammatidae #RyeHarbour
This makes more sense than the drivel spouted by that ego-driven pub bore who caused the by-election. #VoteBinface
Count Binface@countbinface.bsky.social · last wk.Here it is. My manifesto for the 2026 Clacton By-Election. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Join me, clean up Clacton and let's make 13th August Bin Day! #VoteBinface #VoteyMcVoteface #YesWeTinCan
@punkt-ch.bsky.social My MP02 is only working intermittently. It was bought from you on 5th January, hence is 6 months old. I have tried a factory reset but the problem continues. There is no way to contact you via your new website. Please help.
Thought this Lithops pseudotruncatella was too small to flower as it is only 17mm across. Was surprised to see the bud emerge, and then this beautiful flower. It is only one of two plants in the collection that has a small crevice (except for seedlings). #Lithops
A feather on the path at Rye Harbour this morning. Anyone know what species?
A very handsome Birch Shieldbug that was in the bathroom this morning. Photographed after relocation to the garden birch tree. #Shieldbug
Eupatoria is a valuable foodplant for many species, it is thronged at the moment. There are many Painted Ladies joining all the other insects making the most of the feast. #butterfly #PaintedLady
A beautiful Tortoise Bug - Eurygaster testudinaria found in the shower room this morning and relocated to the garden. #shieldbug
At last, a decent micro wasp! A beautiful female Mymaromma anomalum wasp found in Brede High Woods this morning. This wonderful wasp has fringed and netted wings on stalks, bellows at the back of its head, and a two-part petiole. Evolution went off at a tangent here! #wasp #Mymarommatidae #HighWeald
Saw this dragonfly had crash landed on the sea when swimming this morning. It was barely alive. Carefully brought it to safety, but it didn't survive, alas. Presume it to be a Southern Hawker on migration.
Another Lithops pseudotruncatella has come into bloom. This plant is 13 years old, and a tall version of the norm. #Lithops
Another of the 2013 sown Lithops pseudotruncatella has come into bloom. This one is 40mm across. #Lithops
Never quite know who will be roaming around the house when I wake in the morning. This one was happy to have the window opened for a swift leap into the unknown. #FieldGrasshopper #Orthoptera
After a very long and protracted moult Lithops julii ssp. Fullergreen has split and doubled. It was sown on 1.3.2024 and each is now 15mm across. #Lithops
A gorgeous little Green Shieldbug nymph on the head of a Corncockle in the garden this afternoon.
Today’s the day! My lovely son-in-law Carl & I will be running the Out of the Blue 10k this evening in support of suicide prevention & mental health awareness charities – particularly the amazing Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team. Any donations would be gratefully received: gvwhl.com/DURHP Thank you ❤️❤️
Harvestman that has taken up residence indoors to escape the bonkers weather. @megabunus.bsky.social
A very handsome Dimple-clawed Chthonid (Ephippiochthonius tetrachelatus) rampaging through the garden this afternoon. Any day with a Pseudoscorpion is a good day. #Pseudoscorpion
