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Andy Birkey

@andybirkey.com
2.5K followers 1.2K following 875 posts

Writer of History, but with Bugs | Cultural entomologist | Bugs × history × horror × culture | Field biologist | Artist/photographer | Queer | Denver

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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 01/10/2026
The La Junta, Colorado, Tarantula Festival was good fun. There was a pet parade, another parade, the education pavilion, a makers market. This town both celebrates and protects the Texas Brown Tarantula, and has a good time doing it. And it's a charming town.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 29/09/2026
Male Texas brown tarantulas spend September and October wandering southeastern Colorado looking for mates. We went looking for them and found so much more: grand views, archaeology and paleontology, a quaint small town celebrating their tarantula neighbors, and new friends. More pics to come!
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 22/09/2026
Trying out the near-infra red photography at Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge.
A huge white cloud hovers over a lone tree on a hill in this black and white photoA row of trees at the top of a hill with fluffy clouds behindA lone tree on a hill with fluffy cloudsBright white could frame a mountain range with a trail leading into the distance.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 22/09/2026
Some bugs from the weekend at Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge. I love that place! The ant trapped in sunflower sap reminded me of insects trapped in amber. Just surreal.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 16/09/2026
Sea otters were a common, delightful sight as we moved through Alaska's passages. Look at this guy smiling for the camera! I mean, he was probably yawning or something, but... Still, it's fun to see. They were chomping on everything: starfish, fish, crustaceans. One of my favorite moments!
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 15/09/2026
Glacier Bay National Park. It's a hard one to check off the bucket list since it's closed much of the year for ice or wildlife protection. We made it to the John Hopkins Glacier. In the third photo, you can see the tiny kayakers at the glacier's base. It really gives a sense of scale.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 13/09/2026
Brandi Carlile at Red Rocks on Friday night. Dolly Parton covers. Duets. Radiohead covers. Alanis covers (Alanis joined her ON STAGE last night!) All her hits. Requests from the audience. Pure Brandi charisma. I need to go all three nights next year. THE most talented performer I've ever seen live.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 12/09/2026
Juneau, Alaska, was a great first stop. I hiked the Gold Flume Trail, an old rail line turned into a boardwalk through the rainforest. Between the stunning views, the accessible hiking, the indigenous culture, and gorgeous views, I'm almost ready to move to Juneau! Almost. haha
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 05/09/2026
Internet has been spotty but I’m in Alaska! So far Juneau hasn’t disappointed.
A small waterfall in the woodsJuneau at dusk. City lights with harbor in the foreground and mountain in the background Ocean view with mountains and pine treesOcean view with snow capped mountains and pine trees
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 29/08/2026
I've been experimenting with near-infrared photography this summer, and hoping to bring it to an upcoming trip to Alaska. In high school, I did a lot of IR film photography, which doesn't really exist anymore. But the digital version isn't bad! Black skies and white trees kinda work.
A black and white surreal photo of a walkway with railingA black and white surreal photo of a storm over a tree-lined lakeA black and white surreal photo of a walkway with benches and railingA black and white surreal photo of prairie with scattered tree and a storm on the horizon
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 27/08/2026
Glamour shots for this little guy. It visited my moth light this morning, which really just means I set up a praying mantis buffet by bringing all the bugs to him. I believe it's our native Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina)
A small brown praying mantis on a white sheet with arms tucked in. A small brown praying mantis on a white sheet with arms tucked in. A small brown praying mantis on a white sheet with arms tucked in. A small brown praying mantis on a white sheet with arms tucked in.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 21/08/2026
Moths! We set up a moth light in the Rawah wilderness and found some cool critters. My best guesses on species in the alt text.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 14/08/2026
A family of Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) came up to say hi on our morning walk while camping in the Rawah wilderness. An amazing trip! So many creatures all around.
A gray chicken-like bird sitting on a logA gray chicken-like bird sitting on a logA gray chicken-like bird walking through grass with yellow flowers. A baby dusky grouse with mottled brown feathers walking through gravel and pinecones.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 11/08/2026
Wilderness camping in Colorado means sometimes a moose comes lumbering through your camp. There were two of these guys. I grabbed my phone in time to catch the second one. Scary and amazing and wonderful all at the same time. Rawah Wilderness Area.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 01/07/2026
I still know how to screenshot, Ian
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 23/06/2026
A lot of lady beetle species diversity on a scale-infested Russian crabapple tree down the street. Twice-stabbed lady beetle is a lifer for me, and the lateral sigil lady beetle was a repeat on the same tree from last year. It's actually the only place I've ever seen that species. #invertebrates
Lateral Sigil Lady Beetle
Hyperaspis lateralis. A black beetle with a red bar and two red spotsTwice-stabbed Lady Beetle
Chilocorus stigma. A black beetle with two red spots. LeConte's Giant Lady Beetle
Anatis lecontei. An orange beetle.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 18/06/2026
Yesterday, I wondered when I'd break an 8-minute mile and today was the day! 7:49! And I'm almost under 25 minutes for the 5K. I blame much better weather today and a very good night's sleep. Now, to get that 5K under 25 mins, and that mile under 7:30.
A handsome man running down the sidewalk. He's wearing glasses and a  backwards hatA screenshot that says "Best Efforts: 400m, 1:52, 7:31/mile, new best of all time!, 1/2 mile, 3:51, 7:42/mi, new best of all time! 1k, 4:47, 7:42/mi, new best of all time! 1 mile, 7:49, 7:49/mi, new best of all time! 2 mile, 15:54, 7:57/mi, new best of all time! 5k, 25:02, 8:03/mi, new  best of all time!
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 17/06/2026
I hit a new PR for my mile. 8:03! Cracking into the 7-minutes should happen here pretty quickly. It was windy and 80 degrees by 7am, and the extreme dry air was hell on my throat and nose. No PR for the 5k, but considering the weather, I'm happy with that mile time!
A handsome man with glasses and backwards hat and a shirt that reads "The Goonies"A screenshot that says "Best Efforts: 400m, 1:57, 7:51/mile, new best of all time!, 1/2 mile, 3:58, 7:56/mi, new best of all time! 1k, 5:57, 7:58/mi, new best of all time! 1 mile, 8:03, 8:03/mi, new best of all time! 2 mile, 16:34, 8:17/mi, new 2nd best of all time! 5k, 26:15, 8:27/mi, new 2nd best of all time!
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 15/06/2026
A lady beetle, possibly Hyperaspis gemma, at Palmer Park in El Paso County on Saturday. The heart-shaped elytra spots on the rear seem to match with H. gemma, but tiny lady beetles are a mess to ID. It's a new species for me, no matter what it turns out to be! If H. gemma, new for CO too. #inverts
The underside of a lady beetle perched on a pine needle. A black lady beetle with white spots on a pine needle. A black lady beetle with white spots on a pine needle. A black lady beetle with white spots on a pine needle.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 11/06/2026
Lots of moths at the moth light this week. None of these are new species to me but they are some of my favorites. Ids in alt text.
A large brown moth with sharp cream colored lines. White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineataA tan moth with wide wings and intricate cream zigzag lines. Soft-lined Wave Scopula inductata.A dark gray moth with mottled markings. Orbiculate Quaker
Ulolonche orbiculataA light gray moth with white and dark gray markings. Brother Moth
Raphia frater
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 10/06/2026
Today's run: best mile since high school! 8:13. And 5k is now under 26 minutes. I was struggling to get below 10 minute mile in January, so things are picking up quickly. losing 17 lbs of beer belly didn't hurt!
A handsome man smiling cheesily with the sunrise in the background. A set of data that says best efforts. Stats include: 400m, 2:01, 8:07/m. New 2nd best of all time. 1/2 mile. 4:05, 8:10/m. New best of all time. 1K. 5:04. 8:09/m. New best of all time. 1 mile. 8:13. 8:13/m. New best of all time. 2 mile 16:34. 8:17m. 5k. 25:43. 8:17/m. New best of all time.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 07/06/2026
An awesome day getting tattooed for charity at the Tats for Tails fundraiser for the Denver Animal Shelter. So many cute dogs!
An arm with a tattoo of a jar with firefliesA handsome man in sunglasses cuddling a brown puppyA white adorable pitbull with his tongue out. A handsome man with a red bandage on his arm and a shirt that says "the goonies"
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 04/06/2026
This year has been my year of running. And today I had a good one! My 5K is at 27 minutes, and for the first time in a long time (30 years), my mile is under 9 minutes. This is largely due to training daily and giving up nicotine and alcohol.
Handsome man in a hat runningA read out from Strava with Best Efforts: 400m 2:07. 1/2 mile 4:18, 1K 5:22, 1 mile 8:41, 2 mile 17:31. 5K 27:26
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 31/05/2026
Some critters from the moth light this weekend so far. The Indomitable Graphic Moth (Melipotis indomita) is a new one for me. Id's in the alt text. #moths #invertebrates
Indomitable Graphic Moth (Melipotis indomita) a striking moth with bold black and white band halfway down the brownish gray wings, Bent-winged Owlet (Bleptina caradrinalis) a small tan moth with two dark spots on each wing. Genus Hesperocorixa, a member of the water boatmen, a greenish gray insect with big eyes and legs like oars. A very cute bug!Brother Moth (Raphia frater), a gray moth with intricate dark gray patterns on both wings.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 27/05/2026
Some moths at the moth light this morning. Excited for warmer weather to see what new species pop up. The Linden Bark Borer is a new one for me, and also an introduced species in this area. IDs in alt text. #moths #invertebrates
Civil Rustic Moth - Caradrina montana. Light brown moth with grey specksCivil Rustic Moth - Caradrina montana. A tan moth with four dark spots. Linden Bark Borer Moth - Chrysoclista linneella. A small, feathery moth with orange body and dark gray spots and borders. Fruit-tree Leafroller Moth - Archips argyrospila. A yellowish moth with some rust colored patches.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 26/05/2026
Another Bolder Boulder weekend is finished. I beat my 2025 time by 16 minutes (!) and almost did a 10k in under an hour. Very, very surprised and happy with these results! And it's always a treat to spend a weekend in Boulder.
A screenshot of running stats: Splits: 1. 9:27, 2. 10:03, 3. 10:01, 4: 9:32, 5: 9:24 6. 9:10. Running stats: 6.36 miles. Avg pace: 9:38. Time; 1:01:12, Calories: 679, Elevation Gain 241ft, Avg heart rte: 145, Cadence; 157Two very attractive men on an overlook of Boulder, colorado. A man with a beard holding a beer.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 20/05/2026
Some moths from the moth light this week (despite the much-needed rain!). Bird dropping moths (the third image) are a neat genus having evolved to look like bird poop so they don't become bird poop. IDs in the alt text!
Belted Grass-Veneer (Euchromius ocellea) is a tan moth with two light yellow lines and jewel spots at the rear of the wings. Bogus Yucca Moth (Genus Prodoxus) a solid white moth with a few faint black spots. Prairie Bird-dropping Moth (Ponometia binocula) A white moth with brown smudges resembling bird poop.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 15/05/2026
A great hike up Flaggstaff Mountain near Boulder this week. Always a great place to see Julie Orangetips which are difficult to photograph. Very flighty little things.
A nerd in a hat with glasses and a beard. Two Lumix camera straps around this neck. Pine trees and rock formations in the background. The nerd is me. A green butterfly (Western Green Hairstreak) on a purple legume flower. A white butterfly with orange wing tips (Julie Orangetip) on a dandelion flowerA large dark red lady beetle (LeConte's Giant Lady Beetle) on a leaf with white woolly adelgids.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 13/05/2026
It’s Miller (Moth) Time! This morning, I had the first miller moth of the season at the moth light. The annual migration is here. I recently wrote about the cultural aspects of the annual swarms across Colorado’s Front Range. #invertebrates #moths andybirkey.substack.com/p/the-annual...
An oblong brown mottled mothA neon sign that reads "it's miller time"
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 04/05/2026
Some moths at the light last night. Probably the last for a few days as 6 inches of snow is about do blanket the yard. IDs in alt text. #invertebrates #mothmonday #moths
Dusky Raisin Moth, Ephestiodes gilvescentella. A small, slim gray mottled moth. Sooty-winged Chalcoela Moth, Chalcoela iphitalis. A reddish brown moth with a silvery patch in the center of both wings. Orbiculate Quaker, Ulolonche orbiculata. A gray moth with intricate mottling on each wing. Charlotte's Tiger Moth, Apantesis carlotta. a black and cream colored moth with cream stripes that form an X on each wing with a right angle at the tail end.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 29/04/2026
Moths have been less frequent over the last week as the weather here in Aurora, Colo., has become cool and damp (this is a very, very good thing). Tentative IDs in the alt text. #invertebrates.
Ruddy Quaker Moth Trichopolia oviduca. A reddish-brown moth with lighter brown squiggles on the wings. Four-spotted Moth Tyta luctuosa. A brown moth with two white spots showing on the forewing. Narrow-winged Midget Moth Tarache augustipennis. A dark brown, norrow shaped moth with bright white patches all along the wings. Nutmeg Moth Anarta trifolii. A brown moth with mottling of various shades of brown.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 15/04/2026
Moths have slowed at the moth light with cooler nights than we had during the heat wave, but these are two new species for the yard in Aurora.
Narrow-winged Midget Moth (Tarache augustipennis) a greay moth with white patches on the edges of the wings. Striped Eucosma Moth (Eucosma clavana) a small elongated brown moth with a single white stripe
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 10/04/2026
I'm watching a bunch of bug horror movies for a project I'm working on, and I HAVE to share this no-budget gem. Proboscis (2000) was filmed in Minnesota about a giant mosquito. There's an evil corporation called Scrote-tech. Some guy eats poisonous mushrooms and proceeds to fart much of the movie.
Film poster with a giant mosquito and a frightened woman that reads "When Ranger Bob talks, the animals listen... Except one! Non-stop action and hilarity"
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 09/04/2026
It has arrived. Now, I just need more moths.
A book with the title Moths of Western North America, by Seabrooke Leckie.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 28/03/2026
Huge crowds at Denver Summit! No score approaching halftime
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 26/03/2026
More moths at the moth light yesterday, including this female and male Half-wing Moth (Phigalia titea). I didn't know it got its common name because the female is flightless (?) and has greatly reduced wings. I wasn't even sure it was a moth when it appeared at the light. #invertebrates #moths
A gray mottled moth which has very tiny wings and a robust body. A mottled gray and black moth with large wings.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 25/03/2026
This is probably my most sold nature photo: The endangered Rusty-patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis). This one was at Crosby Farm Park in St. Paul, MN. I've seen this species in St. Paul and in Peoria, IL. SE Minnesota and N Illinois are the two places this species still occurs in good numbers.
A bumblebee with a reddish patch on the upper abdomen feeding on monarda.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 24/03/2026
I think the Mississippi River bluffs from Minneapolis to Dubuque are an underappreciated landscape. This is right where Iowa and Minnesota meet near New Albin. Taken in May 2019 during the 2019 Mississippi River flood.
A stormy sky above green forested bluffs and layers of green islands and trees, with flood water in the foreground.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 22/03/2026
First tiger beetles of the year at Pronghorn Natural Area, Arapahoe County, Colorado. It's not uncommon for these to emerge in early March, so this isn't unusual despite the extreme temperatures we're having lately. #invertebrates
A dark brown beetle with cream colored markings on bare soil. Twelve-spotted Tiger Beetle - Cicindela duodecimguttataPurple Tiger Beetle - Cicindela purpurea. A green beetle and a brown beetle mating on bare soil. Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle - Cicindela tranquebarica. A brown beetle with cream colored markings on bare soil.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 21/03/2026
Moths at the moth light! First moths of the season last night. My best guesses in the alt text. 3/20/26, Aurora. Colo. #invertebrates #moths
Half-wing Moth (Phigalia titea): A grey butterfly with dark markings and wide wings. Speckled Green Fruitworm Moth (Orthosia hibisci): A brown moth with subtle markings. Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth (Spodoptera ornithogalli): A small brown moth with bold cream-colored markingsSpeckled Green Fruitworm Moth (Orthosia hibisci): A brown moth with subtle markings.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 19/03/2026
I set up the moth light for the first time this year because of the warm weather, and while there were no moths, there were plenty of arthropods. My best guesses in the comments on each photo. All from my yard in Aurora (Arapahoe County). #invertebrates
North American Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris) is a type of seed-feeding bug with long legs and a mottled appearance. Apple Twig Borer (Amphicerus bicaudatus) a brown fuzzy beetle. A very, very tiny, possibly Cat-faced Orbweaver Araneus gemmoides. A spider with dark markings on its abdomen. 
Megalosphyinae fly, a small fly with medium sized wings.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 19/03/2026
Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton) along US Highway 61 in Houston County, Minnesota. I'd gotten a call that morning that my dad was dying; I was making the drive home to Peoria. I'd pulled over to phone mom, and it landed on this rock in front of me. Strong memories in this photo.
A bold orange and black butterfly perched on a moss-covered rock.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 18/03/2026
Dew-covered spider webs in Grand Marais, MN, from a few springs ago.
A spiderweb with dew drops enhancing the silk. Rocks with bright yellow lichen in the background. A spiderweb with dew drops enhancing the silk.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 17/03/2026
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, from when I used to live nearby. I miss water; we don't have much in the high desert.
A wood duck is swimming on the water.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 15/03/2026
I am STILL going through photos from Costa Rica last year, and these are some hummingbirds we saw at the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
A bright green Coppery-headed Emerald (Microchera cupreiceps) sitting on a branch facing right. A Lesser Violetear Colibri cyanotus hummingbird approaching a hummingbird feeder. Three hummingbirds at a feeder. Species from right to left: Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula, Green Hermit Phaethornis guy, and Coppery-headed Emerald Microchera cupreicepsThe mottled green Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula) is sitting on a branch with its beak pointing left.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 18/02/2026
People in Colorado sleep on the eastern plains, but they can be quite dramatic (and species rich!). This is Pronghorn Natural Area just east of Aurora. It's a great place to watch storms rolling off the foothills.
The sun shining through clouds above a short grass prairie. A field of sunflowers and a stormy skyA storm rages above a trail through the prairie. Rolling storm clouds, a trail, and an old windmill.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 18/02/2026
I just finished this excellent book. If you ever wondered why humans are so afraid and disgusted by insects, this is a fascinating read. It starts with Lockwood's own experiences as an entomologist and his developing a fear of insects.
Book cover with a giant grasshopper. Text states: Jeffrey A Lockwood. The Infested Mind: Why humans fear, loathe, and love insects.
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 17/02/2026
One of my favorite observations from 2025. Brachiacantha illustris, a species of spurleg lady beetles. Mine was the first on inaturalist! This one was feeding on aphids on yucca at about 8K ft. Aside from a few species, lady beetles are extremely understudied insects.
A black and orange lady beetle on a plant stemA black and orange lady beetle on a plant stem with a ton of aphids crawling near itA black and orange lady beetle on a plant stem. It has blue green eyes. A black and orange lady beetle on a plant stem
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 14/02/2026
Coccinella difficilis, Satellite Lady Beetle. Uncommon species of the intermountain West. Originally ID'd this one as C. septempunctata. Oops! I saw several of this species at the Cherryvale wetlands in Boulder, CO, in 2022. I've also seen this species at Crested Butte. Just 5 Colorado sightings.
A red and black lady beetle on a willow leafA red and black lady beetle on a willow leaf
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Andy Birkey @andybirkey.com · 12/02/2026
Yo, check this one out. Probably Trychopeplus laciniatus, a stick insect that evolved to mimic moss. Found it in the cloud forest in Monteverde, Costa Rica.
A cryptic walking stick that is camouflaged to look like mossA cryptic walking stick that is camouflaged to look like moss
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