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Reposted by Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates!

Irish Wildlife Trust @irishwildlifetrust.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Last night @microwild.bsky.social treated the Green Drinks gang to a talk on Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates 🕷️🪲🐛 Thanks to all who joined us! Join the IWT newsletter for updates on events & campaigns: mailchi.mp/iwt/newslett...

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Thanks, John. It was a lovely room of people...

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Another year or two and it could easily be in Blessington!

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

The males of Andrena clarkella don't sit still for long in the sunshine, so I had to grab one to show the camera.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

There was a huge amount of activity at one of my local nesting aggregations today. Andrena clarkella (pics 1 & 2) is one of the first mining bees to emerge each year. But look closely, and you might spot Nomada leucophthalma (pic 3), which is a brood parasite of A. clarkella.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Something new, big and never-before-seen is coming. Have you ever wanted to camp in a field with your family and spend a weekend learning about insects? Me too!!! Well, now you can... invertopia.ie Please share wide and far.

A screenshot of the invertopia.ie website showing a wolf spider image behind the text and graphics.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Argonemertes dendyi, a terrestrial proboscis worm from Australia, is now found across Europe. These worms capture and envenomate prey by ejecting a web-like structure from their mouths. Currently, it is in a stasis-like state, having built a cocoon to prevent drying out. Fascinating creatures! 🤯

Argonemertes dendyi, and the tip of a ball-point pen!

This specimen is encapsulated in a transparent cocoon to prevent it from drying out.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Spring is here for sure... Some finds from today and yesterday. Andrena clarkella (Clark's Mining Bee) Bombus lucorum agg. (White-tailed Bumblebee) Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly It's time for you to go out and explore!

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

I've been working on building this app over the last month or so. If you're interested in biological recording, you might like it. It does cost (€4.99 a month), but just enough to cover the server costs. Works on mobile and desktop. Would love to hear what you think? bionexus.pro

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

I had a fantastic experience yesterday, as I was invited to DeafVillageIreland.ie to talk to the deaf community members about Irish bees. I've never felt so welcome nor witnessed so much interest in my talks. Special thanks to Caroline (who also invited me) and Aoife for signing my talk.

Me signing my name for the community members of DeafVillageIreland.ie while the amazing Caroline O'Leary looks on.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Serendipity allowed me to catch the exact moment a tiny (1.5mm) Chthonius ischnocheles pseudoscorpion caught and ate a bark louse (Psocoptera). For some reason, I assumed it would use its palps (pincers) more, but it didn't. It just chomped away with its chelicerae (jaws).

A pseudoscorpion feasting on a bark louse

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Meet Artioposthia exulans This flatworm specimen was sent to me to photograph and share it with you all. A non-native visitor to this island, it seems to be located primarily in the south-west and most likely arrived on horticultural goods, once again, highlighting the importance of biosecurity.

Artioposthia exulans, a terrestrial flatworm

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

I was out surveying today, Blessington lakeside, and turned a stone only to find not one but two really scarce harvestmen (and you know I liove my harvestmen). The last time Mitostoma chrysomelas was recorded in the Republic of Ireland was way, way back in 1997. Isn't it a little stunner!!!?

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Don't forget, tonight you can join me for a 90-minute chat about Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates. Grab your ticket here while you can: inverts-2025.eventbrite.ie There are so many things to talk about, 116 slides' worth of things to be exact! 🙂

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Just one day before we settle down for a detailed yet accessible chat about Irish Bumblebees. There are still some places available if you'd like to get on board. Just follow the link to get your ticket... irish-bumblebees-2025.eventbrite.ie

irish-bumblebees-2025.eventbrite.ie

Irish Bumblebees for Beginners 2025 - The Magnificent Seven plus a few more

A 90-minute run through Ireland's most common Bumblebee species. Where do they live and nest? And how to identify them to species level.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Last chance to grab a ticket to this evening's webinar, The Weird & Wonderful World of Irish Wasps. I promise you some mind-blowing facts and anecdotes. irish-wasps-2025.eventbrite.ie

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

It's only 2mm long. You wouldn't even know you'd licked it. 🤣

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Yessssss! Plus, even though they have legs, they seem to float along.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

There's very little that matches the excitement of finding a pseudoscorpion for me. They are so few and far between that they always warrant a mini celebration. This stunning specimen is Chthonius ischnocheles (get your tongue around that!). Have you ever seen a pseudoscorpion? Let me know...

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

And the final webinar for the moment... this time it's Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates. This started out as a presentation to entomology students in Trinity. 🙂 Monday, September 15th @ 19:30 Grab your ticket here: inverts-2025.eventbrite.ie

inverts-2025.eventbrite.ie

Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates

Join us for an exploration of some of Ireland's tiny but mighty invertebrates!

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Monday, 8th September, will see me hosting a webinar on Irish Bumblebees for Beginners, showcasing the most common 7 bumblebees plus a few extra to boot. Learn about their lifestyles as well as how to identify them. Get your ticket here: irish-bumblebees-2025.eventbrite.ie

A hand drawn image of a bumblebee with some information

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

The Weird & Wonderful World of Irish Wasps Come join me for this webinar, next Monday, 1st September. Tickets are Pay What You Can: irish-wasps-2025.eventbrite.ie

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Thanks, Steph. And, can I just say that I have built two beetle boxes in microWild based on your thesis!!!

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

100% agree, and one thing I didn't mention is the potential for new species to carry diseases which they may be immune to, but which can affect other species or fauna, which is why biosecurity is so important.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

No. They are detrivores, like all the other woodlice in Ireland. There is plenty of dead leaves and rotting wood to go around. They aid in the decomposition and return of nutrients to the soil. Most likely, it hasn't spread more because our climate just isn't suitable, but that is changing...

https://www.gbif.org/species/2203739

A distribution chart showing A. nasatum's distribution in European countries.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

A really exciting find for me this weekend in my parents' front garden. Say hello to the Nosy Pill Woodlouse, Armadillidium nasatum. This is the first record of it in the wild in Ireland (i.e. outside of a garden centre). Keep an eye out for strange things; you never know what you'll find.

Armadillidium nasatum woodlouse from the side

Armadillidium nasatum woodlouse from the front, showing its raised 'snout'.

Armadillidium nasatum woodlouse - a dorsal view showing its colouration.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Every field surveyor's worst nightmare. This is an adult tick (Ixodes ricinus). Photo 1: Dormant Photo 2: It smelled my breath or felt the heat of my finger using special organs (Haller's Organ) on its forelegs and started to wake Photo 3: It tried to give me a hug 😬 Amazing creatures.

An adult sheep tick reaching out its legs in an attempt to latch on to a host

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

This is the tiniest little jumping spider I came across yesterday while surveying my parents' front garden. I know it's anthropomorphic, but jumping spiders always look a little worried to me. I want to help them, but I'm not quite sure how... 🙂

A 2mm long jumping spider sitting on a stone

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

This is the business end of a Brown Hawker Dragonfly. If you are a flying invertebrate, you do not want to see this up close. Dragonflies are exceptional on-the-wing hunters with a success rate that is unmatched in the animal kingdom.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

I know there are a few that look similar. But if it came off a Nettle then it might be this one... :)

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Last spider pic for a while, I promise... 👀 This beautiful Flower Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) was spotted hiding out on some Thistle flowers, waiting for an unsuspecting meal. We saw it eye up an Eristalis tenax (Drone Fly), but it opted out as the fly was quite large.

A white crab spider sitting on a thistle flower head

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

@collieennis.bsky.social and I went on a special adventure yesterday, including checking on a population of Cave Spiders (Meta menardi). Hunched over, walking down a smelly underground tunnel and trying desperately to avoid badger poo, I eventually got face-to-face with this stunning specimen.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

Just look at this beautiful Trochosa species spider, found under a granite rock, lakeside in Valleymount, West Wicklow. These are bigger than your average wolf spider!

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Join me this Monday for a 90-minute online session about one of my favorite topics: Irish Harvestmen. By the end, you'll distinguish between Nemastoma, Oligolophus, Phalangium and more. Tickets are Pay What You Can, and if you need a free ticket, just let me know. irish-harvestmen.eventbrite.ie

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

You might not tolerate them, but unfortunately it does seem as if they are here to stay. They are just everywhere, and you can see real deficits in other native arachnids where they are present.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

There are many ichneumon wasps that look very like this so it's always hard to tell but I believe this to be Ichneumon stramentor.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

@obeckett98.bsky.social I can't tell from the photos, can you? Barbut's or Bohemian?

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

This Saturday, I will be in Cork for an invertebrate walk at Fota House and Gardens organised by the Irish Bee Conservation Project. If it flies, walks, crawls, or slithers, I'll find it and tell you about it. I'm really looking forward to this. Some tickets still available at: bit.ly/fotabugs

bit.ly

Discover Insects and Invertebrates – with Brian Murray

Join us for a fun and educational day with Entomologist Brian Murray to explore the fascinating world of insects and invertebrates!

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

If I sweep the grass in the meadow with a net, it is absolutely overrun with bugs, true bugs, as well as other things. This is, I believe, a Marsh Damsel Bug (Nabis limbatus). Females lay eggs in grass blades.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

I'd say to leave them be, Claire. They will move plants if necessary and those guys look quite big already so they might just be ready to pop off and pupate. If there's no other ragwort around, they will use other plants.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

What's going on here, you 'mite' be asking yourself? (See what I did there?) This female Mitopus morio harvestman is suffering the attention of no less than nine parasitic mites. Each is sucking out her haemolymph for its own benefit.

A female Mitopus morio harvestman covered in parasitic mites.

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

It's rarely only moths we catch in the moth trap. Just yesterday we had a stonefly (Siphonoperla torrentium), a 10-spot ladybird, a Green Drake Mayfly, a Tipula species Cranefly, dozens of Caddisflies and thousands of midges!

a tiny green Siphonoperla torrentium stonefly

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Another beautiful moth taken from the light trap yesterday. This one is called a Barred Straw. These fly regularly at night from June to August, and the larvae feed on the Bedstraw family of wildflowers.

A Barred Straw Moth resting on an egg carton

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Not a ladybird I see very often, and noticeably smaller than the 7-spot ladybird it superficially resembles. This is the 11-spot ladybird (Coccinella undecimpunctata). Try saying that three times, fast! Like many other ladybirds, it feeds on aphids and is therefore beneficial to gardeners.

An 11-spot ladybird habitus from the side

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Another beautiful moth which camouflages itself as a small broken twig. Much smaller than the Buff Tip I shared with you last week, this Flame Moth turned up in the moth trap this morning. If you want an Order of insects that could absolutely absorb your entire life, you want moths. 🙂

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Ireland's Incredible Invertebrates! @microwild.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Insects and invertebrates can be so hardy at times. I took this Riband Wave moth from my moth trap this morning, and you can see that its left hind wing is almost cut in two. Perhaps it had a run-in with a bat or bird and somehow managed to survive. It didn't appear to have any problems flying.

A Riband Wave moth with its wings outspread, sitting on a twig. Its left hind wing is torn from the bottom almost to the top

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