Andy Skinner
andyinsandy.bsky.social
Andy Skinner
@andyinsandy.bsky.social
Ecologist, beetles are my main passion. Bewitched, bothered (by its state!) and often bewildered by the natural world as a whole. All views my own
Is this a known association @britishbugs.bsky.social
Doh! Answered my own question. It appears to be a Dwarf Comfrey seed a patch of which I have growing by the front door next to where I've seen the bugs. Presumably able to feed on these in addition to forget-me-nots?
June 16, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Anyone able to suggest what this is? I've seen three Forget-me-not Shieldbugs struggling to walk in garden which on inspection have had one of these objects stuck to the underside. They are about 3mm long and fairly hard to touch. Not opened one up yet but wondering if parasitic egg case or seed?
June 16, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by Andy Skinner
@vc40orthops.bsky.social and I are pleased to announce the publication today of the “Micro ladybirds of Britain and Ireland”, in collaboration with the FSC: www.field-studies-council.org/shop/publica...
May 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Shout out to fellow #ToadPatrol. Anyone else seen a real noticeable affect on female numbers after the 2022 drought year. I've been concerned about dwindling female numbers on my Sandy, Beds patrol for few years and looking at data this evening there was a serious decline between 2022 and 2023
March 23, 2025 at 9:13 PM
And so it begins for another year......a small effort but it all adds up 🙂 #toadpatrol
February 20, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Reposted by Andy Skinner
We are the Coleopterists Society of Britain and Ireland!🐞, Our aim is to further beetle research, standardise and promote recording, and to develop and encourage public awareness and conservation of the 4,000+ species of beetles found on these islands.

Check us out: www.colsoc.org
Home | Coleopterists Society of Britain and Ireland
ColSoc is the Coleopterists Society of Britain and Ireland, dedicated to the study of the 4,000+ species of beetles found on these islands.
www.colsoc.org
January 14, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Reposted by Andy Skinner
"It’s not the first time we’ve heard newts being used as the scapegoat for development delays. But, let’s be clear, it’s simply not true."

Read our CEO @jeremybiggs.bsky.social' response to the Chancellor's speech on proposed planning reforms.

freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/are-new...
Are newts really holding up development? - Freshwater Habitats Trust
It’s not the first time newts have been used as a scapegoat for development delays. But it’s simply not true, says Jeremy Biggs.
freshwaterhabitats.org.uk
January 31, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Reposted by Andy Skinner
🦇 Nature vs Growth? The false choice threatening our future: www.bats.org.uk/news/2025/01... .

Should developers 'stop worrying about the bats and the newts'? They don't have to; pitting nature against development is dangerous, irresponsible and unnecessary.
Nature vs Growth? The false choice threatening our future - News - Bat Conservation Trust
Should developers 'stop worrying about the bats and the newts'? They don't have to; pitting nature against development is dangerous, irresponsible and unnecessary.
www.bats.org.uk
January 31, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Reposted by Andy Skinner
Today’s launch of the Land Use consultation is an important step. Land is a finite resource, and we have multiple demands on it for biodiversity, ecosystem services, food, timber, minerals, housing, energy and infrastructure. A strategic plan is essential if we are to reconcile these different uses.
January 31, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Reposted by Andy Skinner
By now, everyone’s probably aware that the Government’s speech-writers love taking cheap shots at newts. Here's what we think about this at Freshwater Habitats Trust! freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/news/are-new...
January 31, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Reposted by Andy Skinner
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual UK Moth Recorders' Meeting on Saturday

In case you missed it, all the brilliant talks from the day are now available to watch back on our YouTube channel! Grab a cuppa and catch up here 👉 youtube.com/watch?v=qLhn...

#UKMRM #MothsMatter
January 30, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Reposted by Andy Skinner
Environmental rules are vital to protect wildlife, but with intelligent planning it is perfectly possible to boost development & nature together🏘️

Government must stop demonising nature protection

Read more on our response to yesterday's speech from the Chancellor👇

www.wcl.org.uk/response-to-...
Response to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' speech on growth
Wildlife and Countryside Link reacts to today's speech from Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and nature being pitted against development
www.wcl.org.uk
January 30, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Reposted by Andy Skinner
Stop worrying about bats and newts? No Rachel Reeves MP – start worrying about the future of our economy if we tear down the nature it depends on.

Nature isn’t a blocker; it’s the foundation of growth.
January 29, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Andy Skinner
49,000 signatures for banning driven grouse shooting - thank you for your strong support. Plz sign & share petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...

Looking forward to 50,000 soon.
Petition: Ban driven grouse shooting
Chris Packham, Ruth Tingay and Mark Avery (Wild Justice) believe that driven grouse shooting is bad for people, the environment and wildlife. People; we think grouse shooting is economically insignifi...
petition.parliament.uk
January 23, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Reposted by Andy Skinner
Uh oh, invasive species alert! This is Two-spined Acaena, a South American plant which produces burs with hooks that snag on passing animals (or botanists!) to spread its seeds.
Unfortunately on the rise in central Scotland, where it can carpet woodland floors.
plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
January 21, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Reposted by Andy Skinner
Roll up roll up, join us at @morethanadodo.bsky.social on February 22, 2025 from 10:00 ! We’re bringing together a mount-Rushmore level crossover of beetle experts, enthusiasts and curious minds for a day of engaging talks + tours and discussions!🐞 #insects, #entomology, #bugs,🌍
January 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Anyone familiar with laboulbeniomycetes? Hazarding a guess at Helodiomyces elegans. From Dryops luridus on Anglesey, August 2024
January 18, 2025 at 4:01 PM