iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Théotime Colin

The Conversation AUNZ @aunz.theconversation.com · 18/08/2026

The honeybee-killing Varroa mite is marching across the country, as two experts explain.

theconversation.com

Australian beekeepers can’t tackle Varroa mite alone. Here’s how we can help

0156

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Australian beekeepers are facing a tough time, with spreading varroa mites adding to rising fuel and operating costs. My colleague Dr Casey Forster and I wrote about the challenges facing honeybees and the industry—and how we can help. theconversation.com/australian-b... #honeybees #australia

theconversation.com

Australian beekeepers can’t tackle Varroa mite alone. Here’s how we can help

The honeybee-killing Varroa mite is marching across the country, as two experts explain.

030

Reposted by Théotime Colin

Marc Anderson @wildambience.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

A cool Australian insect sound. Not a cricket, cicada or katydid - it's a male Common Whistling Moth (Hecatesia fenestrata)! They have special structures on the edge of their forewings to make these very unmothlike sounds while they buzz around in circles in to attract a mate! #wildoz #bioacoustics

25317

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Not all wasps have wings. Female Catocheilus flower wasps are parasites of ground beetle larvae and have lost the wings. They attract flying males with pheromones from exposed perches. Some orchids mimic them, tricking males for pollination. #orchids #entomology #macrophotography #ecology

Wingless female flower wasp perched upright on the tip of a thin twig, alert and elevated above the ground.

Close-up of a female flower wasp clinging to a twig edge, body raised, signaling to flying males.

Side view of a wingless female wasp gripping casuarina needles.

Female flower wasp standing tall, head close-up.

0133

Reposted by Théotime Colin

Marshal Hedin @mhedin.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

let me share a little story about a remarkable wasp that I encountered yesterday in our local deserts I stumbled across her, and scrambled to get a few crappy photos .... but then realized that she had a burrow, perhaps a better photo op was possible ?? here she is at her burrow entrance.

29672175

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

We developed a simple method to detect bee colony failure using a single temperature sensor per hive and that is not dependent on the season. Tested on 96 bee colonies from three apiaries. #honeybee #beeresearch #science #sensors #ecology www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

sciencedirect.com

Temperature as an early warning signal of honeybee colony failure

How to identify ecological systems at risk of failure is a central question of modern biology and agriculture. Due to human impacts and global change,…

071

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

We don't know much about these odd-looking Zasphinctus ants, except they seem to raid other ant nests, steal their larvae and eat them... Their narrow elongated bodies probably help them enter small galleries. #ants #myrmecology non #armyants #fourmis #science

2196

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Finally found a nest of Polyrhachis semiaurata, definitely one of the most beautiful ant species. It's really hard to take good photos of them because of their iridescence and general body shape. #ants #fourmis #myrmecology #entomology

1202

Reposted by Théotime Colin

Audrey Dussutour @docteur-drey.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Nous lançons "Chroniques Sauvages", une collection chez Tana dédiée au comportement animal 🐾 Dans le premier opus, Mathieu nous embarque dans le monde des insectes 🐝🪳et nous fait voyager de son rucher toulousain aux terres irradiées de Fukushima 😱 #Science #Ecologie

0199

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

A Velvet Worm. They can spit adhesive slime to capture a prey. Velvet worms have short, stubby legs called lobopods, that don't have joints. They have a really complex muscular system that allows them to move, partly by changing the pressure of the fluids inside their limbs.

150

Reposted by Théotime Colin

Daniel Kronauer @danielkronauer.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

(7/12) Megaponera has some amazing adaptations. Here’s a raiding party returning home. Note how the large workers carry the termites, and the small ones don’t? However, two of the large workers are carrying small workers instead. Megaponera rescues injured combatants and even disinfects the wounds.

0234

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Pony ants often have amazing metallic colours to help other animals like me remember how painful their sting is. It works just fine. This is Rhytidoponera confusa. #ants #fourmis #myrmecology #nature #wildlife

0423

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

The intricate cuticle of a Botany Bay Diamond Weevil is a complex blend of trying to be seen by other weevils, trying not to be seen by weevil-eaters, and preventing parasitic mites from attaching. #weevils #entomology #nature #bugs #macro

37514

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Epopostruma wardi, one of my favorite ant species because of the unusual triangular shape of their head. We don't know too much yet about their biology. #ants #fourmis #myrmecology #insects #bugs #nature #macro

The head of a queen of Epopostruma wardi

0386

Reposted by Théotime Colin

Dorothy Bishop @deevybee.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Wow, just wow. V different approach reveals numerous problems in Scientific Reports - cf deevybee.blogspot.com/2024/10/an-o... I do hope @springernature.bsky.social will start to publish reviewer reports and editor info as we suggested

deevybee.blogspot.com

An open letter regarding Scientific Reports

16th October 2024 to: Mr Chris Graf Research Integrity Director, Springer Nature and Chair Elect of the World Conference...

29650

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

Mayriella overbecki is one of the smallest ant species living in Australia (~2mm). They have large grooves on their heads, called antennal scrobes, to protect their antennae when in danger. #ants #macro #macrophotography #myrmecology #insects

0579

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

This Endoxyla encalypti moth got attracted and "trapped" by the lights of a train station. Light pollution is still a big issue. Took close-ups of the scales on the wings and moved the moth to a darker place. #moth #lepidoptera #macro #macrophotography #science #nature #entomology #insects #bugs

Close up on the scales of the wings of a moth

3212

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Probably the largest caterpillar I have found so far (Chelepteryx collesi or batwing moth), perfect for close-ups of the prolegs and their claws, and the spiracles that open up to the tracheal system of insects. #macro #nature #science #macrophotography #lepidoptera #entomology #insects #bugs

Close-up on the prolegs of a caterpillar.

2363

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

There are many non-honeybee insects that pollinate flowers, but not a lot of images showing it clearly. I got lucky to accidentally catch this beetle literally depositing pollen on a flower's pistil. #pollination #insects #bugs #photography #science #pollen

A beetle deposits pollen on the pistil of a flower.

A beetle deposits pollen grains on the pistils of a flower, close-up macro picture.

08118

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

A #honeybee from one of my research hives, which are currently packed with hive sensors to help me understand how temperature and humidity correlate with colony health. #bee #beekeeping #entomology #science #apiculture #macro #photography

A close-up of the head of a honeybee on a hive frame.

0276

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Anyone able to confirm Colobostruma elliotti for these minuscule #ants I found today south of Sydney, #Australia? There are barely any photos of this group, they are so small and hard to photograph. #myrmecology #entomology #antsofaustralia #ant #macro #macrophotography

24210

Reposted by Théotime Colin

Christoph Grüter @chrisleduck.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

🐝 We're currently advertising three PhD projects to study bees at Bristol University, UK. Two focus on foraging behaviour, ecology & nutrition, one on parasitic bees and their impact on indigenous stingless beekeeping in Peru. Feel free to share: www.socialinsect-research.com/opportunitie...

13323

Reposted by Théotime Colin

Ian Smith @ecologian.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Seems we have enough Australian Entomology / other insect people to start a starter pack. Who have I missed? go.bsky.app/8d9RtMC

3169

Reposted by Théotime Colin

Nash Turley @nashturley.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

what a beautiful bumble bee... oh wait, that's a fly! a robber fly that that is a predator of bees and wasp, so cool! www.inaturalist.org/observations...

fuzzy fly on in all white space (studio shot) from the side, black with yellow thorax, thick body shape very similar to bumble bee, can see a bit of a rounded proboscis sticking out of face

1627

Reposted by Théotime Colin

iBartomeus @ibartomeus.bsky.social · 19/10/2024

And another starter pack for bee people. Who am I missing here? go.bsky.app/3sLLXsG Happy to get the list growing and spread the word.

294716

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Time for an introduction? I am a honeybee researcher, interested in how colonies maintain nest homeostasis and in improving bee health. I have a background in ecology & entomology and have worked on invasive ants before switching to bees. In my spare time, I take bug pics, these are my bees:

4243

Théotime Colin @theotimecolin.bsky.social · 13/09/2024

Polyrhachis femorata #ants from Australia. They may not be the most colourful, but the fine sculpture of their cuticle is amazing. #myrmecology #macro #entomology #insects

0110