iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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VC40Ladybirds 🐞 @vc40ladybirds.bsky.social · 6h

And finally, from Paddock Wood last Thursday, the 'four Rs', Rhyzobius litura (Meadow Ladybird), R. chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird), R. lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird) and R. forestieri (Forestier's Ladybird) #Coccinellidae #Kent #MicroLadybird

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Two photos of Nigma Walckenaeri spiders from the garden yesterday. The male was beaten from an hydrangea plant in the border of the garden, and the female was found under her web on the garden metal fence. #Arachnids #UKSpiders

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Tegwyn @arachnoteg.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Dysdera, the woodlouse spiders. #Aractober. Also know as the Baked Bean spider 😁D.erythrina and D.crocata, the one you will most likely come across. The large chelicerae and bright orange/red colour make them very distinctive. @britishspiders.bsky.social

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

That’s great thank you for that. I will of course be using the British Arachnological society I Record form.

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I found this little spider in the garden yesterday, which I am guessing is either Ero tuberculata or Ero aphana. There were actually two of them but one escaped me. If I iRecord the record what should I put it in as? @britishspiders.bsky.social

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Vanna Bartlett @vannabartlett.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

A grand 4 pseud day yesterday with @jeremybartlett.bsky.social on our little 24 mile cycle ride south of Norwich. Cheiridium museorum was found in the 3 churches we visited while Ephippiochthonius tetrachelatus was found at 1 church. 2 other species found at roadside locations. Details in ALT.

Cheiridum museorum: a tiny reddish-brown pseudoscorpion with a roundish, flattened body and fairly slender claws. It is on a pale piece of wood.

Ephippiochthonius tetrachelatus: a brownish coloured pseudoscorpion with long slender claws that are pale reddish colour. It is sitting facing left on a piece of wood covered in bits of cobweb.

Chthonius ischnocheles: a brownish pseudoscorpion with a dark head, large chelicerae and long, slender pale reddish claws. It is sitting head down on a piece of pale grey concrete. Two of these were found under bits of concrete rubble found at the edge of a roadside woodland.

Chernes cimicoides: a dark, reddish-brown pseudoscorpion with large robust claws on a piece of wood. It has a matt/granular appearance. Its body and pedipalps are covered in short, blunt hairs (called setae). This one was found under the loose bark of a large bough that had fallen from a mature roadside Oak tree.

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

An astonishing count of 43 Nigma walckenaeri this afternoon from this ivy growing along this wall in Swindon Wiltshire. It stretched for about 100 metres long and we counted only what we could see up to head height. Lots of empty webs too. @britishspiders.bsky.social #spiders #Irecord

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Would any one know what this might be please and who it belongs to. Found on the underside of a roof tile in the garden on the ground.

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Answers on a postcard please. Any ideas what this might be and who it might belong to? Found on the underside of a rock whilst looking for Harvestmen in Portland Dorset back in July.

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Vanna Bartlett @vannabartlett.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Beautifully marked Dicranopalpus caudatus female. Collected as an immature back in July, managed to rear her through 2 moults to adult. Females hard to tell from D. ramosus but this has characters that indicate caudatus. Was hoping for a male to confirm via gen det. She's now off round the garden.🙂

A long legged harvestman sitting on a grey-green tree trunk with its legs splayed out to the sides. The harvestman is pale grey with a striking dark brown dorsal stripe running down its back from behind the eyes. Its long pedipalps have a tuning fork appearance from the long apophysis on the patella.

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

The really rather splendid ruins of Okehampton castle in Devon. #Castles #Devon #EnglishHeritage

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Whilst visiting the church of Saint Andrew in Moretonhampstead Devon I came across these gorgeous stone carvings inside the church. No indication of where they came from what they depict or any of their history. They were just leaning up against the wall inside the church. Fascinating.

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

This week I have mostly been in Devon being a tourist and exploring the local towns and villages near Dartmoor. I have also found time to look for and find a few of these beauties. #Harvestmen #Devon

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

A very pale but very gorgeous female Dicranopalpus Harvestman sat on the side of a tree at the Cotswold Sculpture park Gloucestershire. Just to the right of it was this very simple sculpture of an owl having a tussle with an earth worm. #Harvestmen

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Thank you Vanna. Before I upload to IRecord could you give me your thoughts on the species in the left photo please as I thought it could be Phalangium Opilio but Obs ID and other on line platforms are saying it’s Opilio canestrinii ?

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Visited Avebury yesterday and had a lovely walk around the stone circle. Also visited the local church and found these beauties, which I think are Leiobunum rotundum but I am open to any suggestions before I upload to IRecord.

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Thank you Crystal, I have just looked this up and found out that this church has a number of these on its exterior, although I think the one I photographed is the best preserved and easiest to see.

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Does anybody have any idea what this might be on the wall of saint Leonard’s church in Eynsham Oxfordshire? It’s on the outside of the church on a stone pillar. #Eynsham

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

The Large White had its best year on record in last year’s #BigButterflyCount with a whopping 396,510 records 🥇 Will it be number 1 again this year? Find out by taking part in the Big Butterfly Count from tomorrow! Count yourself in 👉 butrfli.es/3SVFepj

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Jeremy Bartlett @jeremybartlett.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

My latest blog post: Bastard-toadflax, Thesium humifusum. www.jeremybartlett.co.uk/2026/07/10/b...

Down Shieldbug, Canthophorus impressus. Both adults and the black and red nymphs feed on Bastard-toadflax.

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Jeremy Bartlett @jeremybartlett.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

This morning, keeping to shade as much as possible, @vannabartlett.bsky.social & I went to see Oak Ladybird (Scymnus auritus). Adult beetles & larvae, feeding on Oak Leaf Phylloxera (Phylloxera glabra) on an oak tree. Thanks to @norwichbirder.bsky.social for the tip-off. Vanna's pics. #Ladybirds

Adult Oak Ladybird (Scymnus auritus).

https://www.andrewjewels.com/oak

Phylloxera glabra including a winged one and a tiny Scymnus aurita larva.

https://www.naturespot.org/species/oak-leaf-phylloxera

Scymnus aurita larva.

https://www.andrewjewels.com/oak

Larvae and adult Oak Ladybird (Scymnus auritus).

https://www.andrewjewels.com/oak

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Vanna Bartlett @vannabartlett.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

A shortish cycle ride (27 miles) on Sunday with @jeremybartlett.bsky.social to a small local wood yielded some nice inverts. Large Skipper was the only butterfly out of 16 species seen that posed for a photo. More obliging were Chthonius ischnocheles & the ever-lovely Lacinius ephippiatus.

A concrete track with a raised kerb running alongside a dense bit of woodland in dappled sun with deep shade. A green bicycle is propped on the kerb.

Large Skipper butterfly sitting with its wings closed on a bramble leaf, facing right. The butterfly is quite small and pale tawny orange.

A pseudoscorpion on stone in sunshine, facing left. The pseudoscorpion has a dark brown head and a slightly lighter body. Its pincers are pale reddish.

A harvestman on a piece of wood in bright sunshine, head uppermost. The harvestman is pale greyish brown with a very dark rectangular 'saddle' down the middle of its back.

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

I chanced upon a rather beautiful and stunningly fresh Red Admiral today whilst out and about. When they are in this condition they really are to be marvelled at. #Butterflies

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Vanna Bartlett @vannabartlett.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Too hot to do much outside this week so catching up with some drawing work. These are proving rather tricky: 4 plates illustrating Norfolk harvestmen. T. H. Savory was correct when he said the study of harvestmen is a study of legs!

4 sheets of white A4 paper laid out on a table and overlapping each other slightly. Each page has at least 7 harvestmen drawn on it either in pencil or black ink in various stages of completeness. Only one sheet (2nd from left) has the fine details inked in. Most of the harvestmen have long legs and the drawings overlap and interweave.

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Lots of butterflies on the wing this morning including this rather worn but still beautiful and gorgeous clouded yellow. #IRecordbutterflies

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British Dragonfly Society @britishdragonflies.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

🔍 Species Spotlight: Four-spotted Chaser Named for the four dark spots on its wings, this distinctive dragonfly is a familiar sight around ponds and lakes throughout summer. Reaching it's peak flight season in June ☀️ Seen one this year?

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

A Red velvet mite with prey yesterday in Saint Leonards Churchyard Eynsham Oxfordshire. This mite is about 3mm long and is an Arachnid so belongs to the same family as spiders, Harvestmen and false scorpions. #Arachnids #iRecord #OMSystemsTG7

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Dr Rebecca Warren @drrjwarren.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Looks like they’re wearing snow-shoes!😀

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

I found this Darter yesterday whilst out walking a local lake, but I am struggling to decide if it’s a Common Darter or a Ruddy Darter. This is the only photo I have of it and it was taken at some distance so is heavily cropped. #irecorddragonflies @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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VC40Ladybirds 🐞 @vc40ladybirds.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

A good mooch this afternoon in north Shropshire, finding Myrrha 18-guttata (18-spot Ladybird), Scymnus auritus (Oak Ladybird), Stethorus pusillus (Dot Ladybird) and Clitostethus arcuatus (Horseshoe Ladybird) amongst others! #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

I have been out looking for Harvestmen this afternoon and found what I think is an immature Opilio canestrinii female, but I am open to suggestions and corrections from any experts out there please. #Harvestmen #Arachnid’s

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VC40Ladybirds 🐞 @vc40ladybirds.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

In Leominster on Sunday, I found several Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird) in a conifer, which was absolutely infested with mealybugs (I think!). Some of the twigs were white with them! #MicroLadybird #Coccinellidae #Herefordshire

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Lots of ladybird action in the garden yesterday with mainly seven spot and harlequin larvae active on the bushes. #ukladybirds

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The Oxford Nature Network @biodivoxford.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

🐌 We are excited to be working with colleagues to make The Nature Festival a reality. We have so many great events lined up; there's something for everyone. See you there! 🌳 thenaturefestival.org @ecioxford.bsky.social @morethanadodo.bsky.social @bbowt.bsky.social @naturerecovery.bsky.social

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Love is in the air 🩷 Common blue damselflies in cop today in North Wiltshire. #Damselflies

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

I was lucky to find my first Skipper of the year yesterday. A lovely Large Skipper which allowed me to get up quite close to it. #Irecordbutterflies

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BC Upper Thames @upperthames.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Grapholita pallifrontana is now on the wing in Oxfordshire. This lovely little moth is an Upper Thames priority species.

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BC Upper Thames @upperthames.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Large Skippers spotted today in Oxfordshire. Seems early!

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

A good number of Damselflies out today at Eynsham Oxfordshire. Mainly Azure Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly but there was also Beautiful Demoiselle and Banded Demoiselle on the wing too.

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Beautiful Demoiselle today on a stream near the River Thames at Eynsham Oxfordshire.

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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Were probably hoping for a better 'first ever in a mist-net at Portland' but we'll take this Hairy Dragonfly from the Crown Estate Field nets just now - still a good rare here although expected to increase

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

A few spider 🕷️ photos from the last couple of weekends. #Arachnids #spiders

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Martyn Roper @martynroper.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Just a few of the lovelies I found hiding underneath logs and rocks today in my local churchyard in Oxfordshire.

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John Walters @johnwalterswildife.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

A spiky-eyed harvestman Megabunus diadema which wandered out of some heather whilst I was watching an Andrena lapponica mining bee. Headland Warren, Dartmoor, Devon

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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

A Painted Lady tucked away in one of the Obs moth-traps this morning but the migrant moth tally didn't really hit the mark: 51 Diamond-backs, 12 Rusty-dot Pearl, 4 Small Mottled Willow, 2 Rush Veneer & 1 Silver Y; Willowherb Hawk zero.

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