Frank Ashwood
@frankashwood.bsky.social
Soil ecologist & macrophotographer | Author-in-progress | He/Him | www.frankashwood.com
Pinned
I’ve been gaining some new followers recently, so it’s time for a reintroduction!
I’m a scientist & macrophotographer, fascinated by all the amazing creatures that live in the soil. I use my photos for SciComm to spread love for soil biodiversity, and I’m writing a book on the subject too! 🧪
I’m a scientist & macrophotographer, fascinated by all the amazing creatures that live in the soil. I use my photos for SciComm to spread love for soil biodiversity, and I’m writing a book on the subject too! 🧪
It's week 3 of fatherhood, and today I was granted special dispensation from shopping, housework, nappies & feeding, to do some macrophotography!
The highlight was this Oribatid mite (N. spinulosa) sporting long defensive spines, which I've nicknamed the Hellraiser mite!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
The highlight was this Oribatid mite (N. spinulosa) sporting long defensive spines, which I've nicknamed the Hellraiser mite!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
November 6, 2025 at 4:08 AM
It's week 3 of fatherhood, and today I was granted special dispensation from shopping, housework, nappies & feeding, to do some macrophotography!
The highlight was this Oribatid mite (N. spinulosa) sporting long defensive spines, which I've nicknamed the Hellraiser mite!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
The highlight was this Oribatid mite (N. spinulosa) sporting long defensive spines, which I've nicknamed the Hellraiser mite!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
Today, I had a lot of fun at my daugther's elementary school, where I talked about the importance of healthy soils and the beauty of soil organisms (which is easy if one has the fantastic photos of @frankashwood.bsky.social). Next generation of soil scientists is secured I hope 👨🔬👩🔬
November 3, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Today, I had a lot of fun at my daugther's elementary school, where I talked about the importance of healthy soils and the beauty of soil organisms (which is easy if one has the fantastic photos of @frankashwood.bsky.social). Next generation of soil scientists is secured I hope 👨🔬👩🔬
🎉 EXCITING BABY NEWS 🎉
I'm delighted to announce that I'm now a dad 🥰 We had a beautiful baby girl last Friday, named Elowyn. Mum and baby all doing really well, despite lack of sleep.
Instead of her photo (privacy), here's a cute baby springtail 😊
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #Parenthood
I'm delighted to announce that I'm now a dad 🥰 We had a beautiful baby girl last Friday, named Elowyn. Mum and baby all doing really well, despite lack of sleep.
Instead of her photo (privacy), here's a cute baby springtail 😊
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #Parenthood
October 22, 2025 at 10:48 PM
🎉 EXCITING BABY NEWS 🎉
I'm delighted to announce that I'm now a dad 🥰 We had a beautiful baby girl last Friday, named Elowyn. Mum and baby all doing really well, despite lack of sleep.
Instead of her photo (privacy), here's a cute baby springtail 😊
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #Parenthood
I'm delighted to announce that I'm now a dad 🥰 We had a beautiful baby girl last Friday, named Elowyn. Mum and baby all doing really well, despite lack of sleep.
Instead of her photo (privacy), here's a cute baby springtail 😊
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #Parenthood
Pleased to be part of this important letter led by @cmarin.bsky.social @thegsbi.bsky.social, calling for greater global action to protect soil biodiversity! A timely publication also because today is #WorldEarthwormDay 🌍🪱
.@cmarin.bsky.social and 127 co-authors present a global call to strengthen national #SoilBiodiversity action, in an #OpenLetter to policymakers at 27th meeting of the @unbiodiversity.bsky.social SBSTTA taking place in Panamá City this week.
📖 nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#SBSTTA27
📖 nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#SBSTTA27
October 21, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Pleased to be part of this important letter led by @cmarin.bsky.social @thegsbi.bsky.social, calling for greater global action to protect soil biodiversity! A timely publication also because today is #WorldEarthwormDay 🌍🪱
This tiny jumping spider refused to surrender its hard-earned meal when faced with a camera lens, impressive!
I finally managed to get out with the camera, now I'm on parental leave. We're still waiting for the little one to grace us with her presence, it could be any day now!
#Macrophotography 🧪
I finally managed to get out with the camera, now I'm on parental leave. We're still waiting for the little one to grace us with her presence, it could be any day now!
#Macrophotography 🧪
October 16, 2025 at 2:03 AM
This tiny jumping spider refused to surrender its hard-earned meal when faced with a camera lens, impressive!
I finally managed to get out with the camera, now I'm on parental leave. We're still waiting for the little one to grace us with her presence, it could be any day now!
#Macrophotography 🧪
I finally managed to get out with the camera, now I'm on parental leave. We're still waiting for the little one to grace us with her presence, it could be any day now!
#Macrophotography 🧪
My (slightly late) offering for day ten of #invertober (common earthworm) 🪱
Did you know earthworms have a special lip-like first head segment called a prostomium (meaning 'before the mouth')? They use it to sense and manipulate food, and move through soil!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Did you know earthworms have a special lip-like first head segment called a prostomium (meaning 'before the mouth')? They use it to sense and manipulate food, and move through soil!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
October 12, 2025 at 12:40 AM
My (slightly late) offering for day ten of #invertober (common earthworm) 🪱
Did you know earthworms have a special lip-like first head segment called a prostomium (meaning 'before the mouth')? They use it to sense and manipulate food, and move through soil!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Did you know earthworms have a special lip-like first head segment called a prostomium (meaning 'before the mouth')? They use it to sense and manipulate food, and move through soil!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
October 11, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
October 11, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
A new special issue on soil & litter invertebrates is calling for submissions at NZ J Zool under this fabulous editorial team. See below for details!
Are you researching the conservation, ecology or taxonomy of soil & litter invertebrates?
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
September 30, 2025 at 10:32 PM
A new special issue on soil & litter invertebrates is calling for submissions at NZ J Zool under this fabulous editorial team. See below for details!
Are you researching the conservation, ecology or taxonomy of soil & litter invertebrates?
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
September 24, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Are you researching the conservation, ecology or taxonomy of soil & litter invertebrates?
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Submit your paper to this Special Issue of NZ Journal of Zoology, edited by me, @carlosbarreto.bsky.social & @barnesecodiv.bsky.social!
More info: www.royalsociety.org.nz/news/nzjz-so...
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
📢 New publication out today in NZJE!
Vegetation-environment relationships in the regenerating shrubland of Remus Hill, Cass, in the eastern South Island high country 🌱
Lead author: Sarah Wyse (University of Canterbury)
@frankashwood.bsky.social
newzealandecology.org/nzje/3613
Vegetation-environment relationships in the regenerating shrubland of Remus Hill, Cass, in the eastern South Island high country 🌱
Lead author: Sarah Wyse (University of Canterbury)
@frankashwood.bsky.social
newzealandecology.org/nzje/3613
newzealandecology.org
September 16, 2025 at 12:49 AM
📢 New publication out today in NZJE!
Vegetation-environment relationships in the regenerating shrubland of Remus Hill, Cass, in the eastern South Island high country 🌱
Lead author: Sarah Wyse (University of Canterbury)
@frankashwood.bsky.social
newzealandecology.org/nzje/3613
Vegetation-environment relationships in the regenerating shrubland of Remus Hill, Cass, in the eastern South Island high country 🌱
Lead author: Sarah Wyse (University of Canterbury)
@frankashwood.bsky.social
newzealandecology.org/nzje/3613
I've been largely absent from social media lately, as I've got lot on at the moment... a draft book manuscript due in 2 weeks (Eeek!), and research work to complete before a brand new baby Ashwood arrives in 5 weeks (even more Eeek)!
Time is rather scarce right now!
🧪 #SoilBiodiversity #Fatherhood
Time is rather scarce right now!
🧪 #SoilBiodiversity #Fatherhood
September 14, 2025 at 5:49 AM
I've been largely absent from social media lately, as I've got lot on at the moment... a draft book manuscript due in 2 weeks (Eeek!), and research work to complete before a brand new baby Ashwood arrives in 5 weeks (even more Eeek)!
Time is rather scarce right now!
🧪 #SoilBiodiversity #Fatherhood
Time is rather scarce right now!
🧪 #SoilBiodiversity #Fatherhood
An alien creature traversing a distant world, or baby mite navigating the micro-fungi strewn surface of a decaying log? Arguably it's both!
Take a closer look at the life beneath your feet, and you'll discover a whole new world of dazzling complexity.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Take a closer look at the life beneath your feet, and you'll discover a whole new world of dazzling complexity.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
July 29, 2025 at 5:28 AM
An alien creature traversing a distant world, or baby mite navigating the micro-fungi strewn surface of a decaying log? Arguably it's both!
Take a closer look at the life beneath your feet, and you'll discover a whole new world of dazzling complexity.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Take a closer look at the life beneath your feet, and you'll discover a whole new world of dazzling complexity.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
They vary widely
July 21, 2025 at 8:54 AM
They vary widely
These are the beautiful spore-producing structures of plasmodial slime molds. Which is your favourite colour?
Originally considered Fungi, they are now classed as Ameobozoans - single celled organisms with thousands of nuclei... not animals or fungi but something else entirely!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Originally considered Fungi, they are now classed as Ameobozoans - single celled organisms with thousands of nuclei... not animals or fungi but something else entirely!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
July 21, 2025 at 7:42 AM
These are the beautiful spore-producing structures of plasmodial slime molds. Which is your favourite colour?
Originally considered Fungi, they are now classed as Ameobozoans - single celled organisms with thousands of nuclei... not animals or fungi but something else entirely!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Originally considered Fungi, they are now classed as Ameobozoans - single celled organisms with thousands of nuclei... not animals or fungi but something else entirely!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
This festival of waxy lumps is a baby biting midge, AKA a Forcipomyia larvae. Before they grow into bloodsuckers, they're surprisingly cute.
My good friend @mesofauna.bsky.social has a whole webpage dedicated to them - so go check that out! www.chaosofdelight.org/forcipomyia
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
My good friend @mesofauna.bsky.social has a whole webpage dedicated to them - so go check that out! www.chaosofdelight.org/forcipomyia
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
July 15, 2025 at 4:28 AM
This festival of waxy lumps is a baby biting midge, AKA a Forcipomyia larvae. Before they grow into bloodsuckers, they're surprisingly cute.
My good friend @mesofauna.bsky.social has a whole webpage dedicated to them - so go check that out! www.chaosofdelight.org/forcipomyia
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
My good friend @mesofauna.bsky.social has a whole webpage dedicated to them - so go check that out! www.chaosofdelight.org/forcipomyia
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
Send me records: I am excited to be taking on the role of national springtail recorder. I have huge shoes to fill, but I hope to continue the progress Peter Shaw made in understanding the taxonomy and biology of the UK's #springtails.
www.brc.ac.uk/scheme/colle...
www.brc.ac.uk/scheme/colle...
January 21, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Send me records: I am excited to be taking on the role of national springtail recorder. I have huge shoes to fill, but I hope to continue the progress Peter Shaw made in understanding the taxonomy and biology of the UK's #springtails.
www.brc.ac.uk/scheme/colle...
www.brc.ac.uk/scheme/colle...
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
This coming Tuesday lunchtime!
I’m looking forward to talking springtails, speciation, and cryptic diversity.
Sign up! ⬇️
I’m looking forward to talking springtails, speciation, and cryptic diversity.
Sign up! ⬇️
🔬 Coming soon: British Springtails – How Many Species Are There?
Join @jamesimcc.bsky.social to explore how genomes & citizen science are reshaping UK biodiversity.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1359900281...
@royentsoc.bsky.social @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social @nbntrust.bsky.social @britentsoc.bsky.social
Join @jamesimcc.bsky.social to explore how genomes & citizen science are reshaping UK biodiversity.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1359900281...
@royentsoc.bsky.social @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social @nbntrust.bsky.social @britentsoc.bsky.social
July 11, 2025 at 9:27 AM
This coming Tuesday lunchtime!
I’m looking forward to talking springtails, speciation, and cryptic diversity.
Sign up! ⬇️
I’m looking forward to talking springtails, speciation, and cryptic diversity.
Sign up! ⬇️
Yesterday we had earthworm cocoons, today I bring you springtail spermatophores!
Springtails, like many soil invertebrates, reproduce by a male leaving these structures (sperm-rich fluid on a stalk), which the female will sniff out and collect to fertilise her eggs. Romantic!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Springtails, like many soil invertebrates, reproduce by a male leaving these structures (sperm-rich fluid on a stalk), which the female will sniff out and collect to fertilise her eggs. Romantic!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
July 10, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Yesterday we had earthworm cocoons, today I bring you springtail spermatophores!
Springtails, like many soil invertebrates, reproduce by a male leaving these structures (sperm-rich fluid on a stalk), which the female will sniff out and collect to fertilise her eggs. Romantic!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Springtails, like many soil invertebrates, reproduce by a male leaving these structures (sperm-rich fluid on a stalk), which the female will sniff out and collect to fertilise her eggs. Romantic!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
Did someone bury a tiny lemon? Nope, this is an earthworm cocoon!
After mating, both earthworms will produce small cocoons like this, each containing a fertilised egg. Inside, a baby earthworm will grow, before hatching out the end like a tiny pink noodle!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
After mating, both earthworms will produce small cocoons like this, each containing a fertilised egg. Inside, a baby earthworm will grow, before hatching out the end like a tiny pink noodle!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
July 9, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Did someone bury a tiny lemon? Nope, this is an earthworm cocoon!
After mating, both earthworms will produce small cocoons like this, each containing a fertilised egg. Inside, a baby earthworm will grow, before hatching out the end like a tiny pink noodle!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
After mating, both earthworms will produce small cocoons like this, each containing a fertilised egg. Inside, a baby earthworm will grow, before hatching out the end like a tiny pink noodle!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography 🧪
Predatory flatworms are found in damp habitats, such as under logs. They have eversible tube-like throats, which externally digest their prey alive!
Here's one feeding on a land-hopper, a type of exclusively terrestrial shrimp found in the Southern Hemisphere.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography🧪
Here's one feeding on a land-hopper, a type of exclusively terrestrial shrimp found in the Southern Hemisphere.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography🧪
July 4, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Predatory flatworms are found in damp habitats, such as under logs. They have eversible tube-like throats, which externally digest their prey alive!
Here's one feeding on a land-hopper, a type of exclusively terrestrial shrimp found in the Southern Hemisphere.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography🧪
Here's one feeding on a land-hopper, a type of exclusively terrestrial shrimp found in the Southern Hemisphere.
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography🧪
I'm currently writing a book chapter about deep soil life, and I'm fully entranced by the diversity and adaptability of soil microfauna.
If you've got any amazing facts, which you think MUST be included - about things like bdelloids, nematodes, tardigrades etc., drop them in the comments below! 🧪
If you've got any amazing facts, which you think MUST be included - about things like bdelloids, nematodes, tardigrades etc., drop them in the comments below! 🧪
June 27, 2025 at 1:26 AM
I'm currently writing a book chapter about deep soil life, and I'm fully entranced by the diversity and adaptability of soil microfauna.
If you've got any amazing facts, which you think MUST be included - about things like bdelloids, nematodes, tardigrades etc., drop them in the comments below! 🧪
If you've got any amazing facts, which you think MUST be included - about things like bdelloids, nematodes, tardigrades etc., drop them in the comments below! 🧪
Like all arthropods, springtails need to shed their exoskeletons to grow - a process called 'ecdysis'.
I recently got very lucky to find a giant springtail that had just moulted! I don't know if anyone's ever photographed this before!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography #Invertebrate 🧪📸
I recently got very lucky to find a giant springtail that had just moulted! I don't know if anyone's ever photographed this before!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography #Invertebrate 🧪📸
June 26, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Like all arthropods, springtails need to shed their exoskeletons to grow - a process called 'ecdysis'.
I recently got very lucky to find a giant springtail that had just moulted! I don't know if anyone's ever photographed this before!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography #Invertebrate 🧪📸
I recently got very lucky to find a giant springtail that had just moulted! I don't know if anyone's ever photographed this before!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography #Invertebrate 🧪📸
Reposted by Frank Ashwood
"On not being a naturalist - but being one anyway". A more personal blog post than usual, reflecting on how I both don't, and do, fit in among my colleagues who study ecology and evolution. scientistseessquirre...
On not being a naturalist – but being one anyway
Note: longer post than usual. But also, both a bit different from my usual and (perhaps not coincidentally) one of my favourites of everything I’ve ever written – so please give it a shot. It’s thr…
scientistseessquirrel.wordpress.com
June 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
"On not being a naturalist - but being one anyway". A more personal blog post than usual, reflecting on how I both don't, and do, fit in among my colleagues who study ecology and evolution. scientistseessquirre...
I’m writing a popular science book about the incredible world of soil - lucky me!
Writing flat-out at the moment, so I’ve not been active on socials. A change is as good as a rest, so I’ve taken a writing retreat to tackle the next chapter!
I love Kaikōura, where the mountains fall into the sea 🧪
Writing flat-out at the moment, so I’ve not been active on socials. A change is as good as a rest, so I’ve taken a writing retreat to tackle the next chapter!
I love Kaikōura, where the mountains fall into the sea 🧪
June 12, 2025 at 6:35 AM
I’m writing a popular science book about the incredible world of soil - lucky me!
Writing flat-out at the moment, so I’ve not been active on socials. A change is as good as a rest, so I’ve taken a writing retreat to tackle the next chapter!
I love Kaikōura, where the mountains fall into the sea 🧪
Writing flat-out at the moment, so I’ve not been active on socials. A change is as good as a rest, so I’ve taken a writing retreat to tackle the next chapter!
I love Kaikōura, where the mountains fall into the sea 🧪