A fun couple of days working on by-catch including lots of Trichoptera (Caddis Flies) a few Neuroptera (Lacewings), one chunky Megaloptera (Alder Fly) and a couple of Plecoptera (Stoneflies). More records for the client, beyond Diptera. A close up of Agrypnia varia below dipteraid.co.uk/projects/

Calling ecologists! Diptera backlog? Need ID work done before next season? Planning lots of diptera work next year? We can help! Please contact me for Diptera ID, full species lists and conservation status etc, see dipteraid.co.uk/projects/ Please share Conicera tibialis (Phoridae) for interest.

20 years ago today was my first day at the @nhm-london.bsky.social. It’s been packed with learning, travelling, listening, curating, researching and shouting about the wonder of flies & the collection Thanks to everyone who made my double-decades amazing 🤘🪰🦟🤓

For #flyfriday - paratypes of Machimus cowini - the Manx robberfly seen here in the Manx Museum entomology collections The Manx robberfly was 1st discovered on the Isle of Man in the 1940s but has since been found else where but not ‘across’ (eg UK) as they say here. @dipteristsforum.bsky.social

If it hasn’t been published it has effectively not been done - a Classic Prof Simon leather quote highlighting the value of communicating the science once it has been done A celebration at @harperadamsuni.bsky.social for the new building opened in hour of the great man @royentsoc.bsky.social

Fly Research & Conservation Virtual Symposium 21 Oct 2026 | 10:00 - 13:00 | Tickets £1 - £30 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1981718540... Featuring the brilliant minds of: @flygirlnhm.bsky.social Erica McAlister @denisewawman.bsky.social Denise Wawman Ian McGowan Meghan Barrett @biologicalrecording.co.uk

Fly Research and Conservation Virtual Symposium

Join us during Insect Week to explore some of the latest research and conservation projects about true flies (Diptera).

eventbrite.co.uk

No butter just #flies... these Marmalade Hoverflies were visiting Devil's Bit Scabious flowers @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social Ryton Wood Meadows. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social #WebsWild....

I’ve just given a talk to a group of Girl Guides to talk about the new #Entomology badge I was talking about food security ‘Does anyone eat salmon here?’ The reply was ‘only smoked’ Yes, it was Surrey

Such a great image! You don't have to love them but it's hard not to appreciate their uniqueness.

Matt Bertone@bertonemyia.bsky.social · 4w ago

Well this certainly is a beautiful little mosquito 😍 I know people hate them, but they can be very nice to look at when they're not attacking you 😂 These were not attacking 🙏 Looks like an Anopheles, perhaps A. quadrimaculatus. @mosquitolab.bsky.social can you confirm? #Culicidae Johnston Co., NC

Check out this absolute unit of a Robberfly - an undescribed/identified Bactria species from Vietnam. Amazing @dipterists.bsky.social @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @royentsoc.bsky.social

Well #Ento26 thank you Excellent @royentsoc.bsky.social in Cardiff. @corriemoreau.bsky.social gave an excellent plenary - excellent scientist & communicator 200 years of the Entomology club - entomology then, now & in the future Then banquet with a Welsh choir! (There may have been pubs after)

What a Woman - Professor Yamni Novak - I love it.. #maggots #Ento26 @royentsoc.bsky.social #entofashion

I’m sitting in the @royentsoc.bsky.social AGM at #Ento26 and I’ve been mentally sidetracked by this caterpillar and its similarity to my own physical state..I should probably get a hair cut at some point this year…

What a start to #Ento26 Maggot therapy for the plenary with Professor Yamni Novak - what a start! I love it..

I’m about to board a train to Cardiff for @royentsoc.bsky.social #Ento2026 So who is attending? Any maggot masses? Fly frenzies? Here comes a bee-rider to join the fun 🪰😎🤘

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09... Rentokil are being bullies - please support Pestival and stop a company that profits on killing insects from killing this celebration of them @telegraph.co.uk

Pest controllers accused of trying to kill off festival celebrating insects

Rentokil seeks to strip company of trademark after using word ‘Pestival’ on a van during a marketing stunt

telegraph.co.uk

Locust blowflies (Stomorhina lunata) in the garden again for the 5th year running so think they must be breeding nearby (only a couple of other Northants records). Present since the 31st July with this male along with a female on the 7th August. @suillia.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social

Researching old Entomology books for an upcoming talk in the @nhmlibraryarchives.bsky.social From 1823, a series of pamphlets (all together here) by Christian F Vogels ‘Schmetterlings-Cabinet für Kinder’ or Butterflies for children was published. 200 years old & still wow @royentsoc.bsky.social

Bats and bat-flies Last night I tagged along to collect Nycteribiids from Daubenton’s bats. Great to see these dipteran weirdoes - flies with no wings, no eyes & giving birth to live young. 😎🪰 @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @royentsoc.bsky.social

The recording scheme has received more records of Hornet Robberfly in 2026 than in any previous year, and they are still coming in! More records doesn't prove that there are more flies, it might also be more recorders, but I'm taking it as a very positive sign for this species

Erica McAlister@flygirlnhm.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The lovely @wildkatdahl.bsky.social & I went looking for Asilus crabroniformis (hornet robberfly) & weren’t disappointed - 20 including 4 mating pairs!! (Last image Kats 😎). A fab Sussex bottom Perfect habitat - chalk with dung @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social

I can't believe this London-based landowner is putting the iconic Glenelg to Skye ferry at risk. Support the local community - not millionaire financiers - and save the world famous Glenelg to Skye ferry by joining me and signing the petition today: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...

Save the Glenelg - Skye ferry!

This ten minute crossing is famous around the world - and is believed to be the last turntable style ferry anywhere. It's an iconic part of Skye's history, but it's under threat thanks to a wealthy la...

you.38degrees.org.uk

The lovely @wildkatdahl.bsky.social & I went looking for Asilus crabroniformis (hornet robberfly) & weren’t disappointed - 20 including 4 mating pairs!! (Last image Kats 😎). A fab Sussex bottom Perfect habitat - chalk with dung @dipteristsforum.bsky.social @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social

I think Eriocera spinosa might be the funniest tipulid, as a practical joke played on preparators

🪰🐝🦟‘If only people knew’: the fascinating lives of flies. Great article @flygirlnhm.bsky.social ! www.theguardian.com/environment/...

‘If only people knew’: the fascinating lives of flies

Most people associate the insects with filth, but they are vital to the food cycle and sometimes even pretty

theguardian.com

It will surprise approx. nobody in my family that I've managed to write a blog about flies. Since joining the Sanger Institute I've become bug-obsessed. @flygirlnhm.bsky.social @petrathepostdoc.bsky.social this one's for you two!

Wellcome Sanger Institute@sangerinstitute.bsky.social · 2mo ago

You swat them away, but more come to replace them – flies are survival experts. Read our latest blog to hear from our experts on why these two-winged wonders are worth studying. 🪰 https://sangerinstitute.blog/2026/08/20/six-facts-about-midges-and-gnats/

Want to hear me talk about Motivational Maggots? Fundamentally-important Flies? or Inspirational Instars? Then come along on September 29 2026 for a @groundlevel.bsky.social event to talk gardens & climate resilience www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ground-lev...

Ground Level Presents: Gardening for Climate Resilience

An evening of expert talks and discussion exploring resilient planting, wildlife gardening and adapting to a changing climate.

eventbrite.co.uk

Great piece by @flygirlnhm.bsky.social on the huge value and beauty of flies for #InvertebrateOfTheYear Last day to vote. ❎ www.theguardian.com/environment/...

‘If only people knew’: the fascinating lives of flies

Most people associate the insects with filth, but they are vital to the food cycle and sometimes even pretty

theguardian.com

Drawings based on specimens I collected during my costa rica trip! Featuring Ropalomeridae, Richardiidae, and Tabanidae #flyschool2026 #art #entomology

Heads up folks Some Tabanidae that were sampled from the Canopy Tower at the Soltis Center, Costa Rica These images show both differences in eye patterns & antennal branching. Sadly the eye patterns disappear as they desicate so images are important #FlySchool2026 @dipteracourse.bsky.social

Check out this extraordinary female Eucelatoria sp (Tachinidae). She possess a sharp piercer that she tucks up underneath her when not being deployed, for oviposition - you can see her ovipositor nestled in this penetrating sheath! Badass lady! @dipteracourse.bsky.social #FlySchool2026