iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

New project! A client plans to adopt a juvenile western chameleon gecko, and wants an enclosure built to go with it. As these are arboreal animals with a strong preference for thinner branches. Positioning and securing said branches is a very important step. #enclosure #enclosuredesign #vivarium

010

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Dug through the breeding bin and uncovered these lively Western Hercules beetle larvae. As this species can take up to 2 years to pupate. They will be retained for future breeding efforts. #beetle #insects #bugsky #herculesbeetle #westernherculesbeetle #dynastesgrantii #grub #larvae #eggs

041

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Testing out a new macro lens. #oliverthetoad was a very patient girl. Not budging with my camera less than an inch from her face. With cooler weather around the corner, you won't be seeing posts featuring her as often. As she'll be hibernating. Wouldn't it be nice to just skip winter like that?

111

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Given that frog eggs are fertilized externally. It might not be impossible for such matings to result in a clutch with multiple fathers. #frogsky #frogs #leaffrog #solomonislandleaffrog #cornuferguentheri #frogbreeding #frogbreeder

000

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

However, on more than one ocassion I have seen multiple male leaf frogs attempt to mate with a single female. Which looks rather humorous as all three frogs are stacked on top of each other when this occurs.

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

A male intent on piracy would not know where to find a freshly laid clutch, and even if he did, his digging to reveal them would expose the eggs to predators. Rendering his own efforts moot.

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

'Clutch Piracy' behavior occurs in a wide variety of frog species, but it is not specifically known to occur in Solomon Island Leaf Frogs. This is presumably because female SILFs bury their eggs.

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

As a result, among a clutch of frog eggs. Individual eggs can have different fathers. Making them half-siblings rather than full siblings.

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Most species of frog lay eggs which are fertilized externally. An unusual consequence of this is a behavior called 'Clutch Piracy'. In which male frogs seek out freshly laid clumps of eggs instead of females. Upon finding one. The male proceeds to grasp the eggs and fertilize them.

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

A rainbow of rainbows! These three beetles are retired breeders, and prime examples of the variety to be found in their species. Interested in having one? You're in luck. These ladies may be retired from breeding, but their larvae are still in stock and ready to ✈️. #rainbowstagbeetle #beetle

000

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

It's not what it looks like! It really isn't. These Chameleon Geckos aren't mating, because the one on top is female. She's trampling over her mate simply because there's somewhere she wants to be. He just happens to be in her way. #chameleongecko #chameleongeckos #gecko #geckosky #petgecko =

000

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

That being said, we still have Rainbow Stag Beetle Larvae ready to ✈️ Phalacrognathus muelleri of mixed-color parentage and growing well, Hatched 6/7/2026 DM for more info.

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Pardon the radio silence, life has been very busy between my day job and trying to find a car. Rest assured that all the critters are still doing well. There just hasn't been time and energy to spare on posting about them.

110

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Frogs & Toads have much in common. Both are such diverse groups that the line dividing the two can be a fuzzy one. Yet the contrast in feeding methods between African Green Toads and Solomon Island Leaf Frogs is dramatic indeed. #frogsky #amphibians #toad #africangreentoad #solomonislandleaffrog

010

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Refining care of froglets is the second step. Solomon Island Leaf Frog froglets hatch extremely tiny, and some losses occur despite my best efforts. Through research, trial, error, and careful modification of my rearing methods I hope to mitigate froglet loss. All of this of course. Will take time.

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

To that end. I am making efforts to try and rectify that, and have froglets for offer on a more regular basis. How do I plan do this? The expansion of my breeding group is the first step. Presently my trio of adults consists of two males and a female. Plus one juvenile

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Anyone with an interest in Solomon Island Leaf Frogs can attest that few raise these amazing amphibians. The sources that offer them only do so sporadically. Myself included.

110

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Caught one of the male Solomon Island Leaf Frogs perched right beneath the enclosure lid. This particular spot seems to be a favorite. #frogsky #frogs #leaffrog #solomonislandleaffrog #cornuferguentheri

000

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

In due time. Both specimens will be mounted and placed in display jars. Who knows- you might see them at an expo someday! #bugsky #insects #invertebrates #invertebrate #bugs #insecthobby #pinnedinsects #insectsofinstagram #insects #insectart #herculesbeetle #dragonfly

000

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

As for the second specimen. I was fortunate to find this dragonfly lying on its back. Deceased yet perfectly intact. A closer inspection revealed it was host to bright-red commensal mites. It was news to me that those hitchhikers could come in such bright colors!

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Working with him taught me an important lesson on how to preserve insects. Degreasing is a MUST for large specimens! Lest they lose their color and stink to high heaven.

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

The first of them. A male Western Hercules Beetle. Is one that was under my care not long ago. His kind are not known for long adult lifespans. They manage a mere 2-4 months in captivity, and even shorter in the wild. He in particular expired shortly after mating with a female.

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

These two insect specimens have one thing in common. They're both waiting for materials to complete their displays.

111

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

I've been corrected on this The size difference is because these stag beetles are of different larval instars. One happened to molt before its sibling.

000

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Beetle jelly; which is a pre-prepared mix of fruit and agar jelly

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Rainbow Stag Beetle Larvae ready to ✈️ Phalacrognathus muelleri of mixed-color parentage, Hatched 6/7/2026 DM for more info. #beetle #bugsky #stagbeetle #insects #beetlekeeping #beetlekeeper #invertebrates #rainbowstagbeetle #petinsect #petinsects #usbeetle #beetlekeeping

000

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

These Rainbow Stag Beetle grubs hatched on the same day. Yet one is significantly larger than the other. Why is that? It is simply because Stag Beetles can vary considerably in size. Some individuals have the potential to grow larger than their kin. #beetle #insectsofinstagram #stagbeetle #bugsky

142

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

The baby E. occidentalis is hitting all the key milestones. Saw it hunting fruit flies one day, and successfully shedding the next. #babygecko #hatchling #chameleongecko #chameleongeckos #gecko #geckosky #petgecko #newcaledoniangecko #eurydactylodes #eurydactylodesoccidentalis

000

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Compared to frogs and geckos. The enclosure needs for Stag, Rhino, and Hercules beetles are very simple. Enough soil to submerge their body in. A food bowl. Some pieces of bark or TP tube to cling into in case they fall onto their back- and they're all set! #rainbowstagbeetle #bugsky

101

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

New! Western Chameleon Gecko Care Guide. Having successfully bred this species at long last, I figured it was due time to add them to my growing catalogue. This document is a quick guide for prospective new owners of these lovely lizards, and is free to redistribute & reprint.

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

As a heads up, Northeast Bugs & Beasts will be busy through the coming week. Posts will continue as normal, but inquiries, messages, and comments may not receive responses right away.

000

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

All this is to say. When you think you know everything there is to know about a subject. Odds are something you missed is right around the corner. #frogsky #frogs #leaffrog #solomonislandleaffrog #cornuferguentheri

000

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

but the largest of them- Cornufer guppyi- grow to a whopping 10 inches from snout-to-vent! For reference, that is over twice as long as a Solomon Island Leaf Frog (3-4 inches). C. guppyi is so large that local people will hunt it as a source of food by tracking its calls.

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

As their distribution is scattered across a chain of islands. The cornufer genus vary greatly in color, pattern, and niche. Some are little and climb trees,

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Most of these species resemble the Solomon Island Leaf Frog only vaguely. Most share the sharply arched back, but lack the protrusions that give the leaf frog its distinct appearance.

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

But this assumption couldn't have been further from the truth! 'Cornufer' is a fairly broad genus with over 50 known species. Whose collective range stretches from Fiji to Papua New Guinea, and Peleng Island.

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

So much so, that for a long time I'd assumed them to be a monotypic species. An island endemic with no close relatives. (for those unaware 'monotypic' means a species which is the only one in its genus).

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Solomon Island Leaf Frogs are in many ways unique. Their striking, leaf-like appearance and skipping of the tadpole phase stand out.

110

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

011

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Hercules Beetles, such as this Western Hercules Beetle are famed for their strength and iconic twin horns. But did you know they can also rapidly change color? Their shells turn dark brown when wet, and a sandy beige when dry. This change can occur in a matter of minutes! #beetle #insects #bugsky

100

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

So much leaf litter makes it easy to lose track of where the frogs are. But seeing them engaged in natural behavior will always be worth that price. #frogsky #frogs #leaffrog #solomonislandleaffrog #cornuferguentheri

000

Northeast Bugs & Beasts @ne-bugs-and-beasts.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Rainbow Stag Beetle Larvae ready to ✈️ Phalacrognathus muelleri of mixed-color parentage, Hatched 6/7/2026 PM for details. Local pickup is preferred due to recent high temperature. #beetle #bugsky #stagbeetle #insects #beetlekeeping #beetlekeeper #invertebrates #rainbowstagbeetle

010