David Basham
@farminvertsuk.bsky.social
Surveying and baselining inverts in the farmed environment. Bees, wasps, ants and flies amongst my favourite groups.
If anyone tries to convince you that farmers are biodiversity bad guys.. This picture was sent to me today from a really pleased senior member of that community, amazed at the quantity of mining bees in his field edges this year, after we started having a proper look last year.
April 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
If anyone tries to convince you that farmers are biodiversity bad guys.. This picture was sent to me today from a really pleased senior member of that community, amazed at the quantity of mining bees in his field edges this year, after we started having a proper look last year.
A silly post but have you noticed a difference in bee flightiness and difficulty of capture depending on what you're wearing? I struggled more than normal to get close to things yesterday. Jazzy blue shirt to blame? @vannabartlett.bsky.social @dustygedge.bsky.social @timstrudwick.bsky.social
April 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM
A silly post but have you noticed a difference in bee flightiness and difficulty of capture depending on what you're wearing? I struggled more than normal to get close to things yesterday. Jazzy blue shirt to blame? @vannabartlett.bsky.social @dustygedge.bsky.social @timstrudwick.bsky.social
Andrena dilemma. Not a species many will have heard of. Taken last week in inland Suffolk with features of scotica and/or summer brood trimmerana. Alongside spring trimmerana and scotica. Interesting specimen.
April 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Andrena dilemma. Not a species many will have heard of. Taken last week in inland Suffolk with features of scotica and/or summer brood trimmerana. Alongside spring trimmerana and scotica. Interesting specimen.
Over-wintering critters. Managed uncut, ungrazed area on meadow on left. Cut and sheep-grazed main meadow on right, 10m from 1st site. 30 seconds sweep netting yesterday. 150 plays 20.
March 7, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Over-wintering critters. Managed uncut, ungrazed area on meadow on left. Cut and sheep-grazed main meadow on right, 10m from 1st site. 30 seconds sweep netting yesterday. 150 plays 20.
Good time of the year to check old Yarrow seed heads for Coleophora argentula larval cases. Around 4 found in 5 mins of looking in High Suffolk this afternoon.
March 6, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Good time of the year to check old Yarrow seed heads for Coleophora argentula larval cases. Around 4 found in 5 mins of looking in High Suffolk this afternoon.
Lots of B. terrestris queens, a B. pratorum queen, a couple of Commas and a Small Tortoiseshell on early Salix and Prunus blossom in High Suffolk today. Probably 3 or 4 male Brimstone about along the ditches and hedgerows.
March 6, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Lots of B. terrestris queens, a B. pratorum queen, a couple of Commas and a Small Tortoiseshell on early Salix and Prunus blossom in High Suffolk today. Probably 3 or 4 male Brimstone about along the ditches and hedgerows.
First male Anthophora plumipes, some Bombus terrestris and a B. pratorum queen in Christchurch Park in Ipswich this afternoon. Quite a lot of Crocus flowering with some early Prunus out or nearly out. 🌞☀️
March 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM
First male Anthophora plumipes, some Bombus terrestris and a B. pratorum queen in Christchurch Park in Ipswich this afternoon. Quite a lot of Crocus flowering with some early Prunus out or nearly out. 🌞☀️
Bristly Oxtongue still hanging on in Suffolk yesterday for #wildflowerhour
December 1, 2024 at 8:10 PM
Bristly Oxtongue still hanging on in Suffolk yesterday for #wildflowerhour
What appears to be Rhinocyllus conicus from Suffolk farmland last week. If confirmed as that in due course it's a large, but short-rostrumed, weevil that feeds on Cirsium and Carduus, amongst others, thistles and was introduced to N. America as a thistle-biocontrol agent, with predictable results.
December 1, 2024 at 5:42 PM
What appears to be Rhinocyllus conicus from Suffolk farmland last week. If confirmed as that in due course it's a large, but short-rostrumed, weevil that feeds on Cirsium and Carduus, amongst others, thistles and was introduced to N. America as a thistle-biocontrol agent, with predictable results.
My #BlackFlyDay offering. Scenopinus fenestralis from off the lounge window in June this year. Domestic #IPM in action.
November 29, 2024 at 6:38 PM
My #BlackFlyDay offering. Scenopinus fenestralis from off the lounge window in June this year. Domestic #IPM in action.
#wildflowerhour in Ipswich today 24-11-24. Managed an urban #thewinter10 with Dandelion, Yarrow, Daisy, Shepherd's Purse, Hedgerow Cranesbill, Wood Avens, Red Deadnettle, Chickweed, Black Nightshade, Dog Violet.
November 24, 2024 at 8:14 PM
#wildflowerhour in Ipswich today 24-11-24. Managed an urban #thewinter10 with Dandelion, Yarrow, Daisy, Shepherd's Purse, Hedgerow Cranesbill, Wood Avens, Red Deadnettle, Chickweed, Black Nightshade, Dog Violet.
Well it is #Flyday
Here's one of my highlights this year. The Xylomyid, Solva marginata or Drab Wood-soldierfly, which I was lucky enough to be shown along a sunny riverside hedge by farmer, Graham Denny, at Stonham in Mid-Suffolk in July. Lovely picture by Rab King.
#soldierflies
#FlyFriday
Here's one of my highlights this year. The Xylomyid, Solva marginata or Drab Wood-soldierfly, which I was lucky enough to be shown along a sunny riverside hedge by farmer, Graham Denny, at Stonham in Mid-Suffolk in July. Lovely picture by Rab King.
#soldierflies
#FlyFriday
November 22, 2024 at 7:22 PM
Well it is #Flyday
Here's one of my highlights this year. The Xylomyid, Solva marginata or Drab Wood-soldierfly, which I was lucky enough to be shown along a sunny riverside hedge by farmer, Graham Denny, at Stonham in Mid-Suffolk in July. Lovely picture by Rab King.
#soldierflies
#FlyFriday
Here's one of my highlights this year. The Xylomyid, Solva marginata or Drab Wood-soldierfly, which I was lucky enough to be shown along a sunny riverside hedge by farmer, Graham Denny, at Stonham in Mid-Suffolk in July. Lovely picture by Rab King.
#soldierflies
#FlyFriday
Only just above freezing today in Ipswich but some #streetweeds still flowering in sheltered spots. In this case Black Nightshade - Solanum nigrum I think.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
November 20, 2024 at 1:47 PM
Only just above freezing today in Ipswich but some #streetweeds still flowering in sheltered spots. In this case Black Nightshade - Solanum nigrum I think.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Phytomyza agromyzina mine I think on Cornus last week in north Suffolk.
#Agromyzidae
#Leafminers
#Diptera
#Flies
#Agromyzidae
#Leafminers
#Diptera
#Flies
November 18, 2024 at 7:53 PM
Phytomyza agromyzina mine I think on Cornus last week in north Suffolk.
#Agromyzidae
#Leafminers
#Diptera
#Flies
#Agromyzidae
#Leafminers
#Diptera
#Flies
Spear Thistle still going on field corner in Suffolk last week. Queen Bombus terrestris taking opportunity to top up on fuel.
#wildflowerhour
#wildflowerhour
November 17, 2024 at 8:55 PM
Spear Thistle still going on field corner in Suffolk last week. Queen Bombus terrestris taking opportunity to top up on fuel.
#wildflowerhour
#wildflowerhour
Can anybody confirm Hyposinga pygmaea for this one swept off wheat stubble last week in North Suffolk? #arachnida #spiders not usually my thing but I'm starting to look at a few. More pictures and measurements available if needed in due course.
November 17, 2024 at 7:27 PM
Can anybody confirm Hyposinga pygmaea for this one swept off wheat stubble last week in North Suffolk? #arachnida #spiders not usually my thing but I'm starting to look at a few. More pictures and measurements available if needed in due course.
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social
Lovely day at BENHS HQ yesterday with Marc, Matt & Chris + students studying #Tachinidae #diptera
Highlights include going through several batches of Tachina magnicornis and confirming a wider distribution than known up to now & looking at some of the newer UK arrivals.
Lovely day at BENHS HQ yesterday with Marc, Matt & Chris + students studying #Tachinidae #diptera
Highlights include going through several batches of Tachina magnicornis and confirming a wider distribution than known up to now & looking at some of the newer UK arrivals.
November 17, 2024 at 2:33 PM
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social
Lovely day at BENHS HQ yesterday with Marc, Matt & Chris + students studying #Tachinidae #diptera
Highlights include going through several batches of Tachina magnicornis and confirming a wider distribution than known up to now & looking at some of the newer UK arrivals.
Lovely day at BENHS HQ yesterday with Marc, Matt & Chris + students studying #Tachinidae #diptera
Highlights include going through several batches of Tachina magnicornis and confirming a wider distribution than known up to now & looking at some of the newer UK arrivals.
A late, or early, B. terrestris queen waiting for the sun to come out in North Suffolk this morning.
#bumblebee
#bee
#bumblebee
#bee
November 14, 2024 at 11:14 AM
A late, or early, B. terrestris queen waiting for the sun to come out in North Suffolk this morning.
#bumblebee
#bee
#bumblebee
#bee
December Moths are lovely moths. This one hadn't quite made it into the trap so was sporting some natty dew drops.
November 13, 2024 at 9:39 PM
December Moths are lovely moths. This one hadn't quite made it into the trap so was sporting some natty dew drops.
Stenamma westwoodii male from North Suffolk at the end of October. Thanks to Andrew Jarman and Mike Fox for confirming the ID.
November 13, 2024 at 9:13 PM
Stenamma westwoodii male from North Suffolk at the end of October. Thanks to Andrew Jarman and Mike Fox for confirming the ID.