I've been asked a few times this summer why the wasps all seem to be on the small side (I assumed lack of prey, plus heat stress meaning producing workers ASAP to minimum size thresholds). Great article from @waspwoman.bsky.social going into detail on this: theconversation.com/where-have-a...

Where have all the wasps gone this summer?

And why you should let them share your picnic ham and jam.

theconversation.com

A quick reminder that it's easy to submit records of your #dragonfly & #damselfly sightings online. We recommend irecord which has a special form for easy entry of multiple odonata sightings at the same spot. Your local dragonfly recorder will see it & if you include a photo they can help with ID.

Time for a 15-minute butterfly break⏱️🌿 Butterfly Conservation’s annual #BigButterflyCount is well underway, and you can play your part in ensuring there is a future for butterflies and moths. Download the free Big Butterfly Count app & ID chart and get out for the count today!

Big Butterfly Count

Research shows that counting butterflies can reduce anxiety by almost 10%, while also enhancing mental wellbeing. A win-win for us and for nature!

bigbutterflycount.org

Still time to do a 15 minute Big Butterfly Count. You can do as many as you like until 9 August. Details bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org @savebutterflies.bsky.social @kentwildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social

Looking for insect-themed activities this #InsectWeek? 🪰 Explore our free learning resources packed with ideas for families, schools and nature lovers 🔽

Free Insect Week Education Resources

buff.ly

Okay, UKsters, the media is useless re: extreme heat, so let’s do this. I’m from Southern California, spent the last ten years living outside Seattle, which has a similar climate to Scotland, where I am now. Here’s what I know. 1. Heat exhaustion and sickness are no fucking joke. Do not tempt them.

Begging news outlets to stop illustrating deadly heat waves with happy beach fun 🏖️😎 and life-saving vaccines with terrifying needle assaults 💉😭. Especially on social media (where many/most people get their news) the photo is the most prominent part of the story; these choices undermine it completely

Bianca Nogrady@biancanogrady.bsky.social · last mo.

FFS I thought we'd moved past the ignorance of illustrating stories about deadly heatwaves with photos of people frolicking at the beach/in lakes/in fountains. Heatwaves are the deadliest agents of climate change. They kill nearly half a million people each year, and that's only going to increase.

Disappointed that I've had to reschedule a session this week (since I really haven't sorted out enough things for National Insect Week, bah), but 35+ degree predicted temps (+SSRIs and their fun 'even worse at Hot' side effect) means I am genuinely conderned I will melt.

It’s #InsectWeek! Join the @royentsoc.bsky.social at one of their fantastic 5 City Hubs for 2026, featuring hands-on science and insect discovery. Watch this space for more from @pomscheme.bsky.social later in the week!

Royal Entomological Society@royentsoc.bsky.social · last mo.

🐝 This year, with thanks to generous funding from @biggive.bsky.social & @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk, #InsectWeek is expanding across 5 City Hubs, bringing free insect-themed activities directly into local communities. Wherever you are, there may be an Insect Week City Hub nearby! 🔽

Signed - just *maybe* if enough people sign, something might be done about this transphobic piece of nonsense. Petition: Disapprove the draft Equality Act 2010 guidance laid on 21 May 2026 petition.parliament.uk/petitions/77...

Petition: Disapprove the draft Equality Act 2010 guidance laid on 21 May 2026

I want the House of Commons to disapprove the Equality Act 2010: Draft Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations, 2026 laid on 21 May 2026.

petition.parliament.uk

Discover the insects on your doorstep 🦋 From wildlife walks to museum activities and family workshops, there are insect events taking place across the country. Looking for something to do this #InsectWeek? Find an event near you 🔽

🦋 Discover the fascinating insects living right on your doorstep

Celebrate the species that sustain life on Earth this Insect Week

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Vaccines save lives. This is the FIRST time that ZERO cervical-cancer deaths have been recorded for this age group, and it’s thanks to the introduction of a vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV). Yes, you read that correctly. ZERO.

Cervical cancer deaths for vaccinated young women fall to zero in England: study

The HPV vaccine for cervical cancer has reduced the risk of dying from the disease before the age of 30 in England to almost zero, the first study of its kind showed Thursday.

ctvnews.ca

Woo, first of the Scarlet Tigers spotted for this year! The caterpillars have been feasting on all the green alkanet, and adults starting to appear 🥰

Using generative AI for imagery is **directly harmful** to artists, graphic designers, photographers etc. This isn't a vague moral argument: this is just normal, standard theft, except at a completely new scale and social acceptability. We need to reverse that. www.instagram.com/reel/DY2L2-g...

One for Bluepals here in the UK: have your say on which animals should be on our banknotes. On the topic of finding joy in small things, imagine booting Churchill off the money and replacing him with a puffin ♥️ www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/he...

Help us celebrate the UK’s wildlife

Tell us which animals you would like to see on our next series of banknotes by 3 July 2026

bankofengland.co.uk

Happy Pride Month besties! 🌈💚 💖 4 upcoming Queer Ecology Walks, link in thread. 🤩 including a collab hike with @nataliareagan.bsky.social! My Pride hike THIS Friday 6/5 is almost sold out, so jump on it friends! 👯 #pridemonth #queerecology #lgbtq #gaypride #natureisqueer

Nottingham! I'm doing a Meanderer's bug hunt walk on the eve of #NationalInsectWeek; followed by a shared meal (and chat about how invertebrates helped produce the ingredients), and a bug badges art session with Ameila Daiz to round off with some #EntoFashion. www.meanderers.org/event-detail...

Yes rain, GET IN (my water butts)

🌿 Show us your pond 🌿 PondWatch is back! Whether you’ve just created a pond, are building one, or have wildlife sightings from an established pond, we’d love to hear from you. Share your photos & stories with us! british-dragonflies.org.uk/get-involved... #PondWatch #Dragonflies #WildlifeGarden

NOT trying to get a tan is very similar.

Amanda@pandamoanimum.bsky.social · last yr.

Trying to get a tan in the hot weather.

NORMALISE PARASOLS

I mustn't let May go by without a nod to my 2009 article on the discovery, during the 19th century, of same-sex copulation among Maybugs (also known as Maybeetles, cockchafers, doodlebugs). Do look out for them at it in your garden! 🌈🌳 #histsci #histbio 🗃️ www.euppublishing.com/doi/abs/10.3...

Okay and just to piggyback on this, as a person with both chronic and occasionally acute disabilities, one of which got me a radar key from the NHS- you can just buy them online for a tenner. You should not need to be doing this, I hate that you are put in this position, but if you need one, lmk.

Max Morris@maxmorris.bsky.social · 3mo ago

I know many will be harmed by today's exclusionary EHRC guidance. Until we get the law changed (shame on this Labour government for not doing so), I can only share practical advice. I've been using disabled toilets for years, a community that stands in solidarity with trans people's right to access.

I hate pricing things. Imposter syndrome full on battling with so many other bits of psyche; numbers become unreal and overblown so fast :(

Would you like some whimsy? We're sharing introductions to each of the rats in our Rat Trail by artist/maker Fong Scott. Watch now on our YouTube playlist! www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Maybe we should all get shirts that say “Scientists DO want you to know! AMA” 😂

Dr. Adeene Denton@spacewhalerider.com · 3mo ago

"Scientists don't want you to know-" Buddy there are so many things I, as a scientist, want you to know and the only thing stopping me from writing more papers and posts about it and then starting a podcast to tell you even MORE things is that I am limited by hours in the day

A distinctive bum! #earwigs

Pay-as-you-feel Q&A webinar next tuesday - focusing on how to provide food / resources for garden birds without supplementary feeding. I'll be talking about bugs ofc; also POV of someone who'd only forget to clean feeders, so gardens for 'em instead! learn.wildlifegardenproject.com/talks/feedth...

Learn How to Help Your Garden Birds | Wildlife Garden Project

Join our live Q&A to learn how to feed and support garden birds safely and naturally. Get expert tips on plants, seeds, and creating bird-friendly gardens.

learn.wildlifegardenproject.com

I'll be out on Saturday 25th April too, either near the Central Library or the Wild About #Sneinton event (based near the King Billy pub); chatting all things #CityNatureChallenge and about @inaturalist.bsky.social in general (and seeing what bugs are out & about too). Look for a garish bug shirt!

I'm doing a few free events for #Nottingham City Nature Challenge this weekend too! Bioblitz at the Nottingham Victoria Embankment Memorial Garden, where we shall enjoy sunshine and find ALL THE THINGS. 24th April 2026. 13.30 - 15.00. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/city-natur... #CityNatureChallenge