Erica McAlister
@flygirlnhm.bsky.social
Dipterist, Entomologist, presenter, author, museum lover
Principal Curator, Flies and fleas, Natural History Museum, London, UK
Principal Curator, Flies and fleas, Natural History Museum, London, UK
Day 6 of #InsectAdvent
Done all your prep for you Xmas party? Decorations up, food organised and your outfit looking amazing. Then relax like this Bombylius discolor - sitting down in its finest waiting for the action to start…
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Done all your prep for you Xmas party? Decorations up, food organised and your outfit looking amazing. Then relax like this Bombylius discolor - sitting down in its finest waiting for the action to start…
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 6, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Day 6 of #InsectAdvent
Done all your prep for you Xmas party? Decorations up, food organised and your outfit looking amazing. Then relax like this Bombylius discolor - sitting down in its finest waiting for the action to start…
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Done all your prep for you Xmas party? Decorations up, food organised and your outfit looking amazing. Then relax like this Bombylius discolor - sitting down in its finest waiting for the action to start…
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Reposted by Erica McAlister
December 5, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Day 5 of #InsectAdvent
The imbiber. The one that’s always finishing every last drop of wine
Rhingia campestris - the Heineken fly so called as it refreshes the parts other insects cannot reach..cheers
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
The imbiber. The one that’s always finishing every last drop of wine
Rhingia campestris - the Heineken fly so called as it refreshes the parts other insects cannot reach..cheers
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Day 5 of #InsectAdvent
The imbiber. The one that’s always finishing every last drop of wine
Rhingia campestris - the Heineken fly so called as it refreshes the parts other insects cannot reach..cheers
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
The imbiber. The one that’s always finishing every last drop of wine
Rhingia campestris - the Heineken fly so called as it refreshes the parts other insects cannot reach..cheers
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
For #FlyFriday or #Flyday why not a new podcast with me talking flies with Paul McGuinness on #WildLives (ignore the one of the worlds experts - many better than me!!) #bbcwildlife
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
Why flies matter, with Dr Erica McAlister
Podcast Episode · Wild Lives · 05/12/2025 · 50m
podcasts.apple.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:39 PM
For #FlyFriday or #Flyday why not a new podcast with me talking flies with Paul McGuinness on #WildLives (ignore the one of the worlds experts - many better than me!!) #bbcwildlife
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
Day 4 of #InsectAdvent
Have you been to the office party, wearing your finest & then spilt food on it?
You need a personal hoover-meet Braula coeca (bee-louse or bee-rider). Found on bees, they feed on the food passed between the bees. Food may have to be sacrificed but your image won't be
Have you been to the office party, wearing your finest & then spilt food on it?
You need a personal hoover-meet Braula coeca (bee-louse or bee-rider). Found on bees, they feed on the food passed between the bees. Food may have to be sacrificed but your image won't be
December 4, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Day 4 of #InsectAdvent
Have you been to the office party, wearing your finest & then spilt food on it?
You need a personal hoover-meet Braula coeca (bee-louse or bee-rider). Found on bees, they feed on the food passed between the bees. Food may have to be sacrificed but your image won't be
Have you been to the office party, wearing your finest & then spilt food on it?
You need a personal hoover-meet Braula coeca (bee-louse or bee-rider). Found on bees, they feed on the food passed between the bees. Food may have to be sacrificed but your image won't be
Day 3 of #InsectAdvent
For our Nativity themed posts what about a specimen from Natal (Portuguese for Christmas) that comes equipped with the best drinking straw!
Prosoeca ganglbaueri (Nemestrinidae) could even steal your drink from across the room
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
For our Nativity themed posts what about a specimen from Natal (Portuguese for Christmas) that comes equipped with the best drinking straw!
Prosoeca ganglbaueri (Nemestrinidae) could even steal your drink from across the room
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Day 3 of #InsectAdvent
For our Nativity themed posts what about a specimen from Natal (Portuguese for Christmas) that comes equipped with the best drinking straw!
Prosoeca ganglbaueri (Nemestrinidae) could even steal your drink from across the room
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
For our Nativity themed posts what about a specimen from Natal (Portuguese for Christmas) that comes equipped with the best drinking straw!
Prosoeca ganglbaueri (Nemestrinidae) could even steal your drink from across the room
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Reposted by Erica McAlister
And some excellent bee flies: www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/bee...
Meet the bee-fly: The cute bee mimic with a dark side | Natural History Museum
Meet one of the most fascinating species in your local park or garden.
www.nhm.ac.uk
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
And some excellent bee flies: www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/bee...
Reposted by Erica McAlister
Finally if you want more fly chat from @flygirlnhm.bsky.social there's a longer talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmvc... and/or you can buy one of her wonderful books! www.nhmshop.co.uk/metamorphosi... OR www.nhbs.com/the-secret-l... OR www.nhbs.com/the-inside-o...
The Inside Out of Flies | Live Talk with NHM Scientist
YouTube video by Natural History Museum
www.youtube.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Finally if you want more fly chat from @flygirlnhm.bsky.social there's a longer talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmvc... and/or you can buy one of her wonderful books! www.nhmshop.co.uk/metamorphosi... OR www.nhbs.com/the-secret-l... OR www.nhbs.com/the-inside-o...
Its day 2 of #InsectAdvent
I think that this little fly ate too many mince pies! Welcome to Platyna hastata - whose bum maybe as wide as they are long!
Soldierflies or Stratiomyidae are some of the most eye-catching of the flies.
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
I think that this little fly ate too many mince pies! Welcome to Platyna hastata - whose bum maybe as wide as they are long!
Soldierflies or Stratiomyidae are some of the most eye-catching of the flies.
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Its day 2 of #InsectAdvent
I think that this little fly ate too many mince pies! Welcome to Platyna hastata - whose bum maybe as wide as they are long!
Soldierflies or Stratiomyidae are some of the most eye-catching of the flies.
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
I think that this little fly ate too many mince pies! Welcome to Platyna hastata - whose bum maybe as wide as they are long!
Soldierflies or Stratiomyidae are some of the most eye-catching of the flies.
@royentsoc.bsky.social @dipterists.bsky.social
Potato-print Christmas Card production line has begun….
December 1, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Potato-print Christmas Card production line has begun….
For #InsectAdvent, I present a head as hairy as that of Santa Claus himself.
This gorgeous beardy-wierdy belongs to the beefly NHMUK016433577_Trichophthalma_porteri_PT (& soon to be available on the @nhm-london.bsky.social data portal)
#digitisation #diptera
This gorgeous beardy-wierdy belongs to the beefly NHMUK016433577_Trichophthalma_porteri_PT (& soon to be available on the @nhm-london.bsky.social data portal)
#digitisation #diptera
December 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
For #InsectAdvent, I present a head as hairy as that of Santa Claus himself.
This gorgeous beardy-wierdy belongs to the beefly NHMUK016433577_Trichophthalma_porteri_PT (& soon to be available on the @nhm-london.bsky.social data portal)
#digitisation #diptera
This gorgeous beardy-wierdy belongs to the beefly NHMUK016433577_Trichophthalma_porteri_PT (& soon to be available on the @nhm-london.bsky.social data portal)
#digitisation #diptera
Just me and a lot of flies waiting for the train this morning. Off to teach on the @unirdgento.bsky.social course
Thank goodness for coffee…
#lecturing @royentsoc.bsky.social
Thank goodness for coffee…
#lecturing @royentsoc.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Just me and a lot of flies waiting for the train this morning. Off to teach on the @unirdgento.bsky.social course
Thank goodness for coffee…
#lecturing @royentsoc.bsky.social
Thank goodness for coffee…
#lecturing @royentsoc.bsky.social
It's cold in the UK (and other parts of the world ;))
So lets turn our thoughts to next summer & the return of FLY SCHOOL - yes the most amazing Dipterological training experience in the Costa Rican Forest (with canopy access) is BACK
Can't wait @dipteracourse.bsky.social
So lets turn our thoughts to next summer & the return of FLY SCHOOL - yes the most amazing Dipterological training experience in the Costa Rican Forest (with canopy access) is BACK
Can't wait @dipteracourse.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 11:03 AM
It's cold in the UK (and other parts of the world ;))
So lets turn our thoughts to next summer & the return of FLY SCHOOL - yes the most amazing Dipterological training experience in the Costa Rican Forest (with canopy access) is BACK
Can't wait @dipteracourse.bsky.social
So lets turn our thoughts to next summer & the return of FLY SCHOOL - yes the most amazing Dipterological training experience in the Costa Rican Forest (with canopy access) is BACK
Can't wait @dipteracourse.bsky.social
Imaging specimens for a digital loan: we take multiple images using a Canon EOS R5 & a MP-E 65mm lens
And then for the magic... These are spliced together using Helicon to produce amazing images
A gorgeous Nemestrinid is modelled the equipment
@nhm-london.bsky.social #digitisation
And then for the magic... These are spliced together using Helicon to produce amazing images
A gorgeous Nemestrinid is modelled the equipment
@nhm-london.bsky.social #digitisation
November 25, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Imaging specimens for a digital loan: we take multiple images using a Canon EOS R5 & a MP-E 65mm lens
And then for the magic... These are spliced together using Helicon to produce amazing images
A gorgeous Nemestrinid is modelled the equipment
@nhm-london.bsky.social #digitisation
And then for the magic... These are spliced together using Helicon to produce amazing images
A gorgeous Nemestrinid is modelled the equipment
@nhm-london.bsky.social #digitisation
Reposted by Erica McAlister
Exciting new episode today is SPIKY, featuring our first ever guest the incredible @flygirlnhm.bsky.social. Spoiler alert - there may be some flies! m.youtube.com/watch?v=8si6...
Our first guest brings a powderpuff with wings | The 'Perfect' Specimen Ep14
YouTube video by Natural History Museum
m.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Exciting new episode today is SPIKY, featuring our first ever guest the incredible @flygirlnhm.bsky.social. Spoiler alert - there may be some flies! m.youtube.com/watch?v=8si6...
Reposted by Erica McAlister
This was a lot of fun! We’re excited to start featuring some of our amazing colleagues starting with @flygirlnhm.bsky.social 🪰
Exciting new episode today is SPIKY, featuring our first ever guest the incredible @flygirlnhm.bsky.social. Spoiler alert - there may be some flies! m.youtube.com/watch?v=8si6...
Our first guest brings a powderpuff with wings | The 'Perfect' Specimen Ep14
YouTube video by Natural History Museum
m.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:53 PM
This was a lot of fun! We’re excited to start featuring some of our amazing colleagues starting with @flygirlnhm.bsky.social 🪰
Ahhh happy Sunday night everyone. The wonderful @nhcooper123.bsky.social and @joshlukedavis.com thought it wise to ask me to talk about my fav specimens…
Enjoy. @dipterists.bsky.social @royentsoc.bsky.social @amentsoc.bsky.social
Enjoy. @dipterists.bsky.social @royentsoc.bsky.social @amentsoc.bsky.social
Exciting new episode today is SPIKY, featuring our first ever guest the incredible @flygirlnhm.bsky.social. Spoiler alert - there may be some flies! m.youtube.com/watch?v=8si6...
Our first guest brings a powderpuff with wings | The 'Perfect' Specimen Ep14
YouTube video by Natural History Museum
m.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Ahhh happy Sunday night everyone. The wonderful @nhcooper123.bsky.social and @joshlukedavis.com thought it wise to ask me to talk about my fav specimens…
Enjoy. @dipterists.bsky.social @royentsoc.bsky.social @amentsoc.bsky.social
Enjoy. @dipterists.bsky.social @royentsoc.bsky.social @amentsoc.bsky.social
One of the exhibits on display at #DipteristsDay2025 was by Keith Porter, who since retiring from @naturalengland.bsky.social has turned his attention to Beeflies of the Med
He’s adapting pre-existing keys, adding images/diagrams etc & brought some beautiful specimens @dipteristsforum.bsky.social
He’s adapting pre-existing keys, adding images/diagrams etc & brought some beautiful specimens @dipteristsforum.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 12:49 PM
One of the exhibits on display at #DipteristsDay2025 was by Keith Porter, who since retiring from @naturalengland.bsky.social has turned his attention to Beeflies of the Med
He’s adapting pre-existing keys, adding images/diagrams etc & brought some beautiful specimens @dipteristsforum.bsky.social
He’s adapting pre-existing keys, adding images/diagrams etc & brought some beautiful specimens @dipteristsforum.bsky.social
Reposted by Erica McAlister
THIS IS TONIGHT! Grab a free ticket if you're around #Cambridge and are curious about what natural history #museums get up to.
Sedgwick Museum Lates: Behind the Scenes uncovered
Free, 18+ evening event.
Thursday 20th November, 6-9pm
Delve into our work behind the scenes. Featuring @jackdashby.bsky.social ‘in conversation’ as we discuss his book ‘Nature’s Memory, Behind The Scenes at the World’s Natural History Museums’.
Free, 18+ evening event.
Thursday 20th November, 6-9pm
Delve into our work behind the scenes. Featuring @jackdashby.bsky.social ‘in conversation’ as we discuss his book ‘Nature’s Memory, Behind The Scenes at the World’s Natural History Museums’.
November 20, 2025 at 7:51 AM
THIS IS TONIGHT! Grab a free ticket if you're around #Cambridge and are curious about what natural history #museums get up to.
Just say no to Peat. Bloody ridiculous that we are using it for our mostly imported ornamental plants (amongst other things)
Sign the petition asking the Government to finally end peat compost sales with legislation in 2026 - no more delays. It’s been a long and tiring road to get peat compost banned and we need your signatures and shares now more than ever to get it done. actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk/end-peat-sal...
Sign the petition to end peat sales!
No more delays: Let's get peat out of gardens once and for all. The time for uncertainty has ended.
actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Just say no to Peat. Bloody ridiculous that we are using it for our mostly imported ornamental plants (amongst other things)
Bad news for all species involved.
The EU-Mercosur trade deal will be a disaster for rainforests and other natural ecosystems in South America, as well as the climate. Every environmentalist should be fighting this.
share.google/FkOsGQPzuMDO...
share.google/FkOsGQPzuMDO...
IFJ probe 'undermines' EU-Mercosur trade deal, says IFA
The Irish Farmers' Association has said an investigation carried out by the Irish Farmers Journal in Brazil undermines arguments by the European Commission that the EU-Mercosur trade deal should be ap...
share.google
November 20, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Bad news for all species involved.
Reposted by Erica McAlister
Dr Erica McAlister with the 3 authors (Steven Falk, Gail Ashton & Rory Dimond) who gave a presentation for the
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social Dipterists Day in Cambridge about the #FliesofBritainandIreland. Due for publication late Jan/early Feb 2026 @gailashton.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social Dipterists Day in Cambridge about the #FliesofBritainandIreland. Due for publication late Jan/early Feb 2026 @gailashton.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Dr Erica McAlister with the 3 authors (Steven Falk, Gail Ashton & Rory Dimond) who gave a presentation for the
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social Dipterists Day in Cambridge about the #FliesofBritainandIreland. Due for publication late Jan/early Feb 2026 @gailashton.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social Dipterists Day in Cambridge about the #FliesofBritainandIreland. Due for publication late Jan/early Feb 2026 @gailashton.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social
The lovely Inez - @nhm-london.bsky.social - introduces Poll-A-Gen - a @nerc-eof.bsky.social funded insect pollinator genomics project working with museum & fresh specimens
Also helpfully given was how this sits in all the other genomics projects
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social #DipteristsDay2025
Also helpfully given was how this sits in all the other genomics projects
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social #DipteristsDay2025
November 17, 2025 at 10:13 AM
The lovely Inez - @nhm-london.bsky.social - introduces Poll-A-Gen - a @nerc-eof.bsky.social funded insect pollinator genomics project working with museum & fresh specimens
Also helpfully given was how this sits in all the other genomics projects
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social #DipteristsDay2025
Also helpfully given was how this sits in all the other genomics projects
@dipteristsforum.bsky.social #DipteristsDay2025