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David Basham

@farminvertsuk.bsky.social
336 followers 40 following 36 posts

Surveying and baselining inverts in the farmed environment. Bees, wasps, ants and flies amongst my favourite groups.

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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
If anyone tries to convince you that farmers are biodiversity bad guys.. This picture was sent to me today from a really pleased senior member of that community, amazed at the quantity of mining bees in his field edges this year, after we started having a proper look last year.
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
A silly post but have you noticed a difference in bee flightiness and difficulty of capture depending on what you're wearing? I struggled more than normal to get close to things yesterday. Jazzy blue shirt to blame? @vannabartlett.bsky.social @dustygedge.bsky.social @timstrudwick.bsky.social
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Andrena dilemma. Not a species many will have heard of. Taken last week in inland Suffolk with features of scotica and/or summer brood trimmerana. Alongside spring trimmerana and scotica. Interesting specimen.
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Over-wintering critters. Managed uncut, ungrazed area on meadow on left. Cut and sheep-grazed main meadow on right, 10m from 1st site. 30 seconds sweep netting yesterday. 150 plays 20.
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Good time of the year to check old Yarrow seed heads for Coleophora argentula larval cases. Around 4 found in 5 mins of looking in High Suffolk this afternoon.
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Lots of B. terrestris queens, a B. pratorum queen, a couple of Commas and a Small Tortoiseshell on early Salix and Prunus blossom in High Suffolk today. Probably 3 or 4 male Brimstone about along the ditches and hedgerows.
Small Tortoiseshell butterfly
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
First male Anthophora plumipes, some Bombus terrestris and a B. pratorum queen in Christchurch Park in Ipswich this afternoon. Quite a lot of Crocus flowering with some early Prunus out or nearly out. 🌞☀️
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Bristly Oxtongue still hanging on in Suffolk yesterday for #wildflowerhour
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
What appears to be Rhinocyllus conicus from Suffolk farmland last week. If confirmed as that in due course it's a large, but short-rostrumed, weevil that feeds on Cirsium and Carduus, amongst others, thistles and was introduced to N. America as a thistle-biocontrol agent, with predictable results.
Rhinocyllus conicus from Suffolk farmland in late November 2024.
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
My #BlackFlyDay offering. Scenopinus fenestralis from off the lounge window in June this year. Domestic #IPM in action.
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
#wildflowerhour in Ipswich today 24-11-24. Managed an urban #thewinter10 with Dandelion, Yarrow, Daisy, Shepherd's Purse, Hedgerow Cranesbill, Wood Avens, Red Deadnettle, Chickweed, Black Nightshade, Dog Violet.
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Well it is #Flyday Here's one of my highlights this year. The Xylomyid, Solva marginata or Drab Wood-soldierfly, which I was lucky enough to be shown along a sunny riverside hedge by farmer, Graham Denny, at Stonham in Mid-Suffolk in July. Lovely picture by Rab King. #soldierflies #FlyFriday
Solva marginata
Drab Wood-soldierfly
In Stonham, Mid-Suffolk in July 2024.
Picture by Rab King 2024
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Only just above freezing today in Ipswich but some #streetweeds still flowering in sheltered spots. In this case Black Nightshade - Solanum nigrum I think. @bsbibotany.bsky.social
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Phytomyza agromyzina mine I think on Cornus last week in north Suffolk. #Agromyzidae #Leafminers #Diptera #Flies
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Spear Thistle still going on field corner in Suffolk last week. Queen Bombus terrestris taking opportunity to top up on fuel. #wildflowerhour
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Can anybody confirm Hyposinga pygmaea for this one swept off wheat stubble last week in North Suffolk? #arachnida #spiders not usually my thing but I'm starting to look at a few. More pictures and measurements available if needed in due course.
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social Lovely day at BENHS HQ yesterday with Marc, Matt & Chris + students studying #Tachinidae #diptera Highlights include going through several batches of Tachina magnicornis and confirming a wider distribution than known up to now & looking at some of the newer UK arrivals.
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
A late, or early, B. terrestris queen waiting for the sun to come out in North Suffolk this morning. #bumblebee #bee
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
December Moths are lovely moths. This one hadn't quite made it into the trap so was sporting some natty dew drops.
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David Basham @farminvertsuk.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
Stenamma westwoodii male from North Suffolk at the end of October. Thanks to Andrew Jarman and Mike Fox for confirming the ID.
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