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Gary W Hartley

@garybugsyou.bsky.social
207 followers 279 following 302 posts

Reporter and editor: Bugs, biodiversity, farming etc. 2026 FRONTIERS Fellow. Some of my work: gwhartley.com Also retired daft poetry guy, #lufc realist, weird film fan and half-hearted groundhopper. gary at gwhartley dot com

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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Self Portrait with Brassica #farm #art
Shadow of photographer on field of young crops
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Given I'm out with the @smnstuttgart.bsky.social state insect monitoring project as part of @frontiersmedia.bsky.social, it's pretty appropriate I've encountered this gargantuan ant nuptial flight. It's always #flyingantday somewhere. #bugsky #nature #wildlife
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
One of the most utilised #pollinator hotels I've ever seen, on the hills above Lake Constance. #beesky #bugsky #Germany
Bee hotel in Sipplingen Highly used tubes in bee hotelWell-used drilled holes in bee hotel
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Here, have a Sunday buzzard. Sipplingen, Germany. #birdsky #wildlife
Buzzard hovers under trees
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Last week I went to a state public outreach event about Tapinoma magnum, an ant on the move in Germany. Coming from the UK I expected angst & pitchforks, but it was all very reasonable. #Insects and #politics don't seem natural bedfellows - but maybe they should be. @frontiersmedia.bsky.social
Scientists, politicians and the public Scientists, politicians and the publicScientists, politicians and the publicScientists, politicians and the public
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Reposted by Gary W Hartley
Grist @grist.org · 23/09/2026
Why scientists want your photos of wildlife eating lunch
dlvr.it
Why scientists want your photos of wildlife eating lunch
With a new platform called Who Eats Whom, citizen scientists reveal the fascinating, sometimes shocking interactions between species.
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Reposted by Gary W Hartley
404 Media @404media.co · 22/09/2026
OpenAI has thousands and thousands of contractors helping improve the company's AI models. Multiple contractors have been fired for using AI to train the AI.
404media.co
People Training OpenAI’s AI Fired for Using AI to Train the AI
OpenAI has thousands and thousands of contractors helping improve the company's AI models. Multiple contractors have been fired for using AI to train the AI.
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Farming Future Food @farmingfuturefood.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
An Australian study has shown that if you incentivise protecting native #plants in soil #carbon schemes, the benefits broaden. farmingfuturefood.com/paying-more-... #farming #agsky #biodiversity
farmingfuturefood.com
Paying more for nature could increase benefits from carbon farming - Farming Future Food
Research shows a 10% carbon-credit premium could quadruple biodiversity benefits without reducing carbon storage or returns for farmers.
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Ricardo J Pereira @biodiversitysmns.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
It has been a pleasure to host @garybugsyou.bsky.social in @smnstuttgart.bsky.social and discussing how new ecological 🗺️and genomic 🧬 methods together with citizen scientists 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 help society respond to invasive species impacting biodiversity 🌱 and human wellbeing 🌆. @kombiota.bsky.social
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Wild Card @wildcard.land · 17/09/2026
Loving @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social calls within this article as well as the statement that ‘access to nature is not a ‘nice to have’ it is a necessity’ www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Access-to-nature crisis ‘on par with that of Victorian Britain’s filthy air’
Research finds many in England lack proximity to green and blue spaces as Labour urged to speed up manifesto pledge
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The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation @xercessociety.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Every year we make the case for keeping leaves, branches, & plant stems in your yard. Bugs need them for shelter! That’s not to say you can’t tidy up: rake leaves into garden beds, around trees, or just in a pile out of the way. All we ask is that you #LeaveTheLeaves! 🍂🐝 xerces.org/blog/leave-t...
xerces.org
Leave the Leaves!
One of the most valuable ways to support pollinators and other invertebrates is to provide them with the shelter they need to survive the winter. Thankfully, all you need to do is do less yard work.
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Anthropocene Magazine @anthropocenemag.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Scientists made an ultra-black wool. And it turns saltwater into drinking water. The natural biodegradable material, which costs less than $1 for a piece the size of a sheet of paper, could provide an purification for vulnerable communities. www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=242…
anthropocenemagazine.org
Scientists made an ultra-black wool. And it turns saltwater into drinking water
The natural biodegradable material, which costs less than $1 for a piece the size of a sheet of paper, could provide an purification for vulnerable communities.
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FRONTIERS - Science Journalism Residency Programme @frontiersmedia.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Much is said about the negative impact of introduced species on natives, but in #ecology, there are also winners of disruption. I've been told that the ant-loving silverfish Atelura formicaria is turning up in Tapinoma magnum nests in Germany. Will look into this further... #nature #climate #news
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FRONTIERS - Science Journalism Residency Programme @frontiersmedia.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
To end the penultimate day of my Bluesky takeover, here's me again (@garybugsyou.bsky.social ), talking about the advantages of being a journalist in residence at a museum like @smnstuttgart.bsky.social #journalism #residency #frontiers2026 #scicomm
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Joshua Seigal - 'YAPPING AWAY' out now! @joshuaseigal.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Just added my new, FREE digital pamphlet (for adults) to the NielsenIQ book database, meaning it should filter out to libraries and institutions across the world. No real need to do this, it's just a pride thing. I'm proud of the book. Read it here, if you like: archive.org/details/the-... #BookSky
archive.org
The Relationship Expert
Joshua Seigal is best known as a children's poet. The Relationship Expert is his debut pamphlet for adults. His main website is www.joshuaseigal.co.uk
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FRONTIERS - Science Journalism Residency Programme @frontiersmedia.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
We've made it to Thursday in my (@garybugsyou.bsky.social) takeover! I'll be sharing some thoughts from the @smnstuttgart.bsky.social team on translating genomic data into more global insights, as well some papers I've read and introduced invertebrates you might not have heard about. #scicomm
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Ah, man. Nostalgia for the Light is an incredible film. Sticks with you hard. #filmsky
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FRONTIERS - Science Journalism Residency Programme @frontiersmedia.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
As promised, here's a bit of me, @garybugsyou.bsky.social, your takeover host, chatting about what brought me to @smnstuttgart.bsky.social and what I've been up to since getting here. Thanks to Yannik from the museum comms team for the nice lighting and framing. #frontiers2026 #journalism #scicomm
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FRONTIERS - Science Journalism Residency Programme @frontiersmedia.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
One of the 'risks' of being a resident journalist at a #museum like @smnstuttgart.bsky.social is that there are so many interesting projects going on that tangents are inevitable. Just been learning more about the diversity of cave beetles - a scientific frontier in itself! #beetles #bugsky
Museum collection box of cave beetles
An in-progress beetle phylogeny Map of karst cave systems in Pyrenees
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FRONTIERS - Science Journalism Residency Programme @frontiersmedia.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
It's Day 3 of the @garybugsyou.bsky.social takeover! I'm going to share some clips from the team here at @smnstuttgart.bsky.social, who are probing for genomic insights on travelling #invertebrates, and hopefully some chat from me (if I manage to clip the video today) #frontiers2026 #scicomm
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Run into the newsroom and yell "SCOOP!" at the top of your voice #news #crying #media
Headline about a footballer posting an emoji
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FRONTIERS - Science Journalism Residency Programme @frontiersmedia.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The Tapinoma Project here @smnstuttgart.bsky.social uses genomics and machine learning to shed new light on the ant Tapinoma magnum. Public observations have been the bedrock of the work. I spoke to Dr Amelie Höcherl about the role of Germany's amateur #naturalists. #wildlife #insects #scicomm
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FRONTIERS - Science Journalism Residency Programme @frontiersmedia.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Let's start the second day of my (@garybugsyou.bsky.social) Bluesky takeover with a mini-film I made about a low-tech contribution to the complex issue of managing introduced ant colonies, put to good use in #Karlsruhe youtu.be/gcON6OWC1C0 #bugsky #solutionsjournalism #cities
youtu.be
Gary Hartley - Science and Nature Stories - YouTube
Could a simple trap help manage an invasive ant in Germany's superc...
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FRONTIERS - Science Journalism Residency Programme @frontiersmedia.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
As we're at @smnstuttgart.bsky.social, the home of efforts using citizen science and #genomics to track a newly arrived ant, let's start with the ant. Here's Tapinoma magnum, doing one of the things that makes it difficult to manage - moving its brood when disturbed. #biodiversity #scicomm #ants
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Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart @smnstuttgart.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Sometimes they even make it clear who survived. @garybugsyou.bsky.social
An Egyptian goose is perched on a dinosaur model
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FRONTIERS - Science Journalism Residency Programme @frontiersmedia.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
This week, we’re handing over the FRONTIERS Bluesky account to Gary Hartley! Follow along as he shares more about his residency at the Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart, and what he’s been exploring along the way. @garybugsyou.bsky.social @smnstuttgart.bsky.social
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Geese hanging out with their ancestor at @smnstuttgart.bsky.social this morning. #birdsky #dinosaurs #nature
Egyptian geese with dinosaur model outside museum
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For Love of Insects @forloveofinsects.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Steenrode heidelibel | Moustached darter (Sympetrum vulgatum), vrouw | female #mijendel #libelle #dragonfly #odonata #insectphotography
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Coming to you live from The Big One (Stuttgart Kickers v SG Barockstadt Fulda Lehnerz, if that needed clarification) #groundhopping #thefootball
Gazi Station, Stuttgart on matchday
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
This story comes complete with a bit of video I did on gulls in Scarborough, with a narration style described by a friend as 'sardonic Calendar'. youtu.be/zG_aWfnDTMc?... #birds #Yorkshire #wildlife
youtu.be
An 'Urban Gull Strategy' on the North Yorkshire coast aims to improve human-seabird relations
YouTube video by Gary Hartley - Science and Nature Stories
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Gulls, ants and living with wildlife's 'antisocial' side. Started this, for @timsmedley.bsky.social's The New Climate, in Scarborough & finished in Stuttgart. Sets the scene for my @frontiersmedia.bsky.social residency with @smnstuttgart.bsky.social medium.com/the-new-clim... #cities #scicomm
medium.com
‘Proactive Coexistence?’: When Wildlife and Humans Collide
An urban seabird problem in northern England and an invasive ant in Germany point to the same uncomfortable question: how do we respond…
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A novel note from my @frontiersmedia.bsky.social trip to Karlsruhe yesterday was that the dark blue graffiti on the city's electrical boxes by the local football club's #ultras may be making them warmer and more attractive to invasive #ants in the spring. #antsky #fanculture #streetart #scicomm
Electrical box in Karlsruhe, Germany, painted in local football Karlsruher SC colours
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I'm visiting (and helping disturb, for science) the largest known supercolony of Tapinoma magnum 🐜🐜🐜 in Germany today. Have been forewarned to expect significant pushback from the little ones. All in a day's work at @frontiersmedia.bsky.social. Stay tuned for the fun. #bugsky #scicomm #ants
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Human borders mean nothing to non-native species, so I've got in the spirit and hopped over from @smnstuttgart.bsky.social to Winterthur in Switzerland to explore how they're monitoring and managing a very urban ant. @frontiersmedia.bsky.social #cities #nature #bugsky
Frontiers fellow, journalist Gary Hartley, at Winterthur station
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Here, add a brown argus to your Sunday. (Backnang, Baden-Württemberg) #buttersky #bugsky #wildlife
Brown argus butterfly on dry grass stalk
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Dr Manu Saunders FRES @manusaunders.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
New blog: If you don't use genAI to artificially enhance your research outputs, why aren't you encouraged to claim the originality and integrity of your work? #AcademicSky ecologyisnotadirtyword.com/2026/09/04/s...
ecologyisnotadirtyword.com
Scholarship, authorship and genAI: claim your work!
A common argument for ‘ethical’ use of GenAI in academic research and practice is that it’s okay to use these tools to write the final product that you claim authorship for, i.e. drafting, editing …
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Naturepenis 1, Nationalgalerie Deutschland. (Metal, spraypaint, organic materials) #art #badgraffiti #Germany
Picture of a sign for a nature monument, showing an eagle but with a classic graffiti cock and balls spraypainted on
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
My first look at a new arrival in Germany, the Asian needle ant. As yet, the jury's out on if it's equipped for a bigger push into Europe. I'm covering @smnstuttgart.bsky.social work on invertebrate movements as part of @frontiersmedia.bsky.social youtu.be/k2Ow0VvaVAU?... #bugsky #climatechange
youtu.be
Germany's newest ant arrival: The Asian needle ant in Stuttgart
YouTube video by Gary Hartley - Science and Nature
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The Baffler @thebaffler.com · 04/09/2026
“Herders in the nation have collectively and sustainably raised livestock for hundreds of years, but the discourse around overgrazing has overlooked their particular needs and challenges.” thebaffler.com/latest/nomad...
thebaffler.com
Nomad, Inc. | Diana Kruzman
In Mongolia, the government’s solution to desertification is privatization.
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Marina Mueller 🇨🇦 @marinamueller935.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Damselfly on a pond snail, hitching a ride!
Damselfly, facing left, is standing on a pond snail. There is a lot of aquatic vegetation visible beneath the surface of the water.
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Apparently if you read enough papers about non-native species in a day, a gaggle of Egyptian geese and a nutria will immediately rock up when you take a post-work stroll to show you how it's done. The magic of @frontiersmedia.bsky.social #Stuttgart #wildlife #nature #ecosky
Egyptian geese at Max-Eyth-See in StuttgartNutria, South American aquatic rodent at Max-Eyth-See in StuttgartEgyptian goose assesses nutria
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Joshua Seigal - 'YAPPING AWAY' out now! @joshuaseigal.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I would be so grateful if everyone who sees this could give it a repost. Due to some unforeseen expenses, finances are tough, but I really do have a lot of positive stuff to offer. Website: www.joshuaseigal.co.uk Sending huge love to all @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social #BackToSchool #EduSky
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Insects need to stop being so perfect I feel like I'm in a simulation. (Hornet-mimic hoverfly, Stuttgart) #bugsky #nature
Hornet mimic hoverfly on beige street furniture
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
It's quite easy to think about ecosystems for @frontiersmedia.bsky.social when @smnstuttgart.bsky.social is an urban ecosystem in itself. Kudos to the #botany department. #museums #plantsky
Plants are everywhere at Stuttgart Natural History MuseumPlants are everywhere at Stuttgart Natural History Museum
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Sam Andrews @oceanoculus.com · 01/09/2026
"Significant changes." "Substantial impacts." "Considerable variation." These phrases show up constantly in ocean communication, and they're almost always less useful than they seem. Image: A fisher in seagrass (Bali). Credit: Ben Jones / Ocean Image Bank
A fisher stands in seagrass. The image is a split view so you can see the seagrass below the water and the fisher above
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Day 1 of my journalism residency at @smnstuttgart.bsky.social with @frontiersmedia.bsky.social. Already had some great conversations about how you communicate the importance of tiny creatures when the massive dinosaurs hog the headlines. #museums #bugsky #frontiers2026
Frontiers journalist in residence outside the Stuttgart Natural History Museum
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
London is cringe. Pass it on. #home #work #marketing #cringesky
Office door decal saying "welcome home. Oops, we meant welcome to work."
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Gary W Hartley @garybugsyou.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Returned to something of a pet subject of mine: a highly endangered, weird, electrosensitive cave amphibian. Scientists are proposing that olms are nine, rather than just the one species. What's in a name? Quite a lot, actually. medium.com/science-spec... #nature #herpsky #scicomm
medium.com
How One Cave Dragon Became Nine
Long thought to be a single species, the olm, a legendary cave-dwelling amphibian, may actually be nine distinct species — with major…
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Stuart Spray @stuartspray.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A construction firm has been prosecuted for the death of 100 bats. But the carnage I witnessed deserved more than a £17,000 fine My latest for @endsreport.com @batconservation.bsky.social @chrisgpackham.bsky.social @mammalsocietyyouth.bsky.social @batcon.org www.endsreport.com/article/1967...
endsreport.com
A construction firm has been prosecuted for the death of 100 bats. But the carnage I witnessed deserved more than a £17,000 fine
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