Brandon Claridge
@ichsofna.bsky.social
Ph.D. entomologist/ ichneumonid taxonomist/ founder of Claridge Traps. See ichsofna.org for AI/web tools to help with ichneumonid identifications in North America. Need Malaise traps or light sheets for insect collecting? Visit claridgetraps.com
Pinned
Brandon Claridge
@ichsofna.bsky.social
· Jan 20
Artificial intelligence has been almost criminally underused by insect taxonomists. See my ichneumon subfamily classifier for an example of how it can be done easily with museum specimens.
#entomology #ichneumonidae #artificialintelligence #taxonomy
#entomology #ichneumonidae #artificialintelligence #taxonomy
Reposted by Brandon Claridge
Another new species out! 🥳 Please welcome Sericopimpla kibalensis. 🧪
A genus earlier mainly known from tropical Asia and Australia, with just one African species. After our Ugandan collecting, there are now two.
In @zookeys.pensoft.net with @ilarisaaksjarvi.bsky.social, me, Emil, Kari, Simon.
A genus earlier mainly known from tropical Asia and Australia, with just one African species. After our Ugandan collecting, there are now two.
In @zookeys.pensoft.net with @ilarisaaksjarvi.bsky.social, me, Emil, Kari, Simon.
On the genus Sericopimpla Kriechbaumer, 1895 (Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae) in the Afrotropics, with the description of a new species
Sericopimpla Kriechbaumer, 1895 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae) is a moderately large Darwin wasp genus distributed mostly in the Paleotropics and Australasian region. Here, we describe a new ...
doi.org
February 10, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Another new species out! 🥳 Please welcome Sericopimpla kibalensis. 🧪
A genus earlier mainly known from tropical Asia and Australia, with just one African species. After our Ugandan collecting, there are now two.
In @zookeys.pensoft.net with @ilarisaaksjarvi.bsky.social, me, Emil, Kari, Simon.
A genus earlier mainly known from tropical Asia and Australia, with just one African species. After our Ugandan collecting, there are now two.
In @zookeys.pensoft.net with @ilarisaaksjarvi.bsky.social, me, Emil, Kari, Simon.
Reposted by Brandon Claridge
A long time in preparation, the 'big monograph' from my sabbatical last year is finally submitted. These beauties (and about ~350 more) will soon be known to the world!
February 9, 2026 at 1:55 PM
A long time in preparation, the 'big monograph' from my sabbatical last year is finally submitted. These beauties (and about ~350 more) will soon be known to the world!
I've added country species distribution data from Taxapad (still need to get data for a few subfamilies) to ichsofna.org. By clicking on a country/state you will get a list of all ichneumonids that occur there (up to 2016).
#trackerwasps #ichneumonidae #insect #taxonomy #biodiversity #entomology
#trackerwasps #ichneumonidae #insect #taxonomy #biodiversity #entomology
February 4, 2026 at 4:59 PM
I've added country species distribution data from Taxapad (still need to get data for a few subfamilies) to ichsofna.org. By clicking on a country/state you will get a list of all ichneumonids that occur there (up to 2016).
#trackerwasps #ichneumonidae #insect #taxonomy #biodiversity #entomology
#trackerwasps #ichneumonidae #insect #taxonomy #biodiversity #entomology
New #IONA feature! The choropleths on the genus page now not only show diversity per state/province, but when you click on one, it will show you the list of recorded species. ichsofna.org/Ichneumonina...
#wasps #JS #ichneumonidae #entomology #biodiversity #taxonomy
#wasps #JS #ichneumonidae #entomology #biodiversity #taxonomy
January 23, 2026 at 8:26 PM
New #IONA feature! The choropleths on the genus page now not only show diversity per state/province, but when you click on one, it will show you the list of recorded species. ichsofna.org/Ichneumonina...
#wasps #JS #ichneumonidae #entomology #biodiversity #taxonomy
#wasps #JS #ichneumonidae #entomology #biodiversity #taxonomy
Been adding a lot of new species to ichsofna.org. Here's a stunning species of as yet unidentified Glypta from Wyoming. It's no trivial task to ID these since there are 316 Glypta species in North America!
#insect #entomology #ichneumonidae #parasitoid
#insect #entomology #ichneumonidae #parasitoid
January 13, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Been adding a lot of new species to ichsofna.org. Here's a stunning species of as yet unidentified Glypta from Wyoming. It's no trivial task to ID these since there are 316 Glypta species in North America!
#insect #entomology #ichneumonidae #parasitoid
#insect #entomology #ichneumonidae #parasitoid
Reposted by Brandon Claridge
Yay, our new species is out! Only two Xanthephialtes species were known to exist from before, now we've added a third from Uganda.
Please welcome: Xanthephialtes iida sp. nov! 🧪🐣🥳 Named after Emil's wife.
In @zookeys.pensoft.net with @ilarisaaksjarvi.bsky.social, me, Emil, Kari, Simon.
Please welcome: Xanthephialtes iida sp. nov! 🧪🐣🥳 Named after Emil's wife.
In @zookeys.pensoft.net with @ilarisaaksjarvi.bsky.social, me, Emil, Kari, Simon.
Review of the genus Xanthephialtes Cameron (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), with re-definition of the genus and description of a new species from Uganda
Xanthephialtes Cameron, 1906 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae) is a small Afrotropical Darwin wasp genus with only two previously known species, for which we provide images of the holotypes. Her...
doi.org
January 5, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Yay, our new species is out! Only two Xanthephialtes species were known to exist from before, now we've added a third from Uganda.
Please welcome: Xanthephialtes iida sp. nov! 🧪🐣🥳 Named after Emil's wife.
In @zookeys.pensoft.net with @ilarisaaksjarvi.bsky.social, me, Emil, Kari, Simon.
Please welcome: Xanthephialtes iida sp. nov! 🧪🐣🥳 Named after Emil's wife.
In @zookeys.pensoft.net with @ilarisaaksjarvi.bsky.social, me, Emil, Kari, Simon.
Reposted by Brandon Claridge
Two interesting things in this paper:
Idiobionts* were caught more in the dry season, koinobionts not, which is what I'm starting to see in the Ugandan data too.
40 trap years of collecting gave only 10,000 wasps, wonder why so much less than in Uganda? 🤔
Idiobionts* were caught more in the dry season, koinobionts not, which is what I'm starting to see in the Ugandan data too.
40 trap years of collecting gave only 10,000 wasps, wonder why so much less than in Uganda? 🤔
Seasonal Variation of Idiobiont and Koinobiont Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) on Barro Colorado Island, Panamá
www.scielo.sa.cr
December 22, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Two interesting things in this paper:
Idiobionts* were caught more in the dry season, koinobionts not, which is what I'm starting to see in the Ugandan data too.
40 trap years of collecting gave only 10,000 wasps, wonder why so much less than in Uganda? 🤔
Idiobionts* were caught more in the dry season, koinobionts not, which is what I'm starting to see in the Ugandan data too.
40 trap years of collecting gave only 10,000 wasps, wonder why so much less than in Uganda? 🤔
Here are the figures for the two new Ctenichneumon species. How many differences can you spot??
#entomology #Ichneumonidae #parasitoid #insects #taxonomy #newspecies
#entomology #Ichneumonidae #parasitoid #insects #taxonomy #newspecies
November 13, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Here are the figures for the two new Ctenichneumon species. How many differences can you spot??
#entomology #Ichneumonidae #parasitoid #insects #taxonomy #newspecies
#entomology #Ichneumonidae #parasitoid #insects #taxonomy #newspecies
From website development to image classification apps, I've been interested in improving ID resources for a long time. I've been exploring using NotebookLM as an ID tool and am extremely impressed. Here's a test based on one of my publications:
#entomology #taxonomy #ichneumonidae #insects #ai
#entomology #taxonomy #ichneumonidae #insects #ai
November 9, 2025 at 6:27 PM
From website development to image classification apps, I've been interested in improving ID resources for a long time. I've been exploring using NotebookLM as an ID tool and am extremely impressed. Here's a test based on one of my publications:
#entomology #taxonomy #ichneumonidae #insects #ai
#entomology #taxonomy #ichneumonidae #insects #ai
Working on describing this couple of new Ctenichneumon species from the Huachuca Mountains in #Arizona. Too bad they are both singletons! Hopefully someone can find the males eventually.
#insect #newspecies #entomology #nature #photography #ichneumonidae #trackerwasp #wasp
#insect #newspecies #entomology #nature #photography #ichneumonidae #trackerwasp #wasp
October 29, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Working on describing this couple of new Ctenichneumon species from the Huachuca Mountains in #Arizona. Too bad they are both singletons! Hopefully someone can find the males eventually.
#insect #newspecies #entomology #nature #photography #ichneumonidae #trackerwasp #wasp
#insect #newspecies #entomology #nature #photography #ichneumonidae #trackerwasp #wasp
Added a few newly collected Ichneumon species to Ichneumonids of North America. Amazingly, I've found 31 different species based on females when records only show 4 for the state! Compare that with 57 species in Main, which is probably a fairly complete inventory.
#entomology #newspecies #taxonomy
#entomology #newspecies #taxonomy
October 17, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Added a few newly collected Ichneumon species to Ichneumonids of North America. Amazingly, I've found 31 different species based on females when records only show 4 for the state! Compare that with 57 species in Main, which is probably a fairly complete inventory.
#entomology #newspecies #taxonomy
#entomology #newspecies #taxonomy
Reposted by Brandon Claridge
My first pseudoscorpion observation was pure luck. Happen to see this wasp and took a shot. It was only later did I see what was hanging on the antenna.
On iNaturalist [ www.inaturalist.org/observations... ]
On iNaturalist [ www.inaturalist.org/observations... ]
October 8, 2025 at 12:17 PM
My first pseudoscorpion observation was pure luck. Happen to see this wasp and took a shot. It was only later did I see what was hanging on the antenna.
On iNaturalist [ www.inaturalist.org/observations... ]
On iNaturalist [ www.inaturalist.org/observations... ]
Very preliminary but below should be a #newspecies and the first record of the #ichneumonid genus Patroclus in the US! This newly collected singleton specimen is from central Utah but Patroclus is neotropical, getting as far north as Mexico.
#taxonomy #insects #wasps #Hymenoptera #parasitoid
#taxonomy #insects #wasps #Hymenoptera #parasitoid
October 6, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Very preliminary but below should be a #newspecies and the first record of the #ichneumonid genus Patroclus in the US! This newly collected singleton specimen is from central Utah but Patroclus is neotropical, getting as far north as Mexico.
#taxonomy #insects #wasps #Hymenoptera #parasitoid
#taxonomy #insects #wasps #Hymenoptera #parasitoid
I've only sorted and pinned a very small fraction of the ichneumonds collected by the 6-meter Malaise I have in central Utah. Among other discoveries is a new species of Tricholabus!
#Ichneumonidae #newpsecies #entomology #insects #Utah #taxonomy #wasps
#Ichneumonidae #newpsecies #entomology #insects #Utah #taxonomy #wasps
September 21, 2025 at 9:17 PM
I've only sorted and pinned a very small fraction of the ichneumonds collected by the 6-meter Malaise I have in central Utah. Among other discoveries is a new species of Tricholabus!
#Ichneumonidae #newpsecies #entomology #insects #Utah #taxonomy #wasps
#Ichneumonidae #newpsecies #entomology #insects #Utah #taxonomy #wasps
Reposted by Brandon Claridge
#FlyFriday
one of my favorite assassin flies - Sisyrnodytes subater Oldroyd, 1957 (Asilidae: Willistonininae, USNMENT00870084) - collected in north-western South Africa near Pella - more info here n2t.net/ark:/65665/3...
#asiloidflies
one of my favorite assassin flies - Sisyrnodytes subater Oldroyd, 1957 (Asilidae: Willistonininae, USNMENT00870084) - collected in north-western South Africa near Pella - more info here n2t.net/ark:/65665/3...
#asiloidflies
September 19, 2025 at 6:50 PM
#FlyFriday
one of my favorite assassin flies - Sisyrnodytes subater Oldroyd, 1957 (Asilidae: Willistonininae, USNMENT00870084) - collected in north-western South Africa near Pella - more info here n2t.net/ark:/65665/3...
#asiloidflies
one of my favorite assassin flies - Sisyrnodytes subater Oldroyd, 1957 (Asilidae: Willistonininae, USNMENT00870084) - collected in north-western South Africa near Pella - more info here n2t.net/ark:/65665/3...
#asiloidflies
Reposted by Brandon Claridge
So many undescribed species, too many unknown interactions, no time. www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17...
August 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM
So many undescribed species, too many unknown interactions, no time. www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17...
My friend Cameron Ramsey (chrysomelid taxonomist) and I have a 6-meter Malaise trap set up in a wash in central Utah right now. Between the large trap size and the location, it's collecting an insane amount. There's going to be a lot of bycatch for anyone looking to trade!
August 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM
My friend Cameron Ramsey (chrysomelid taxonomist) and I have a 6-meter Malaise trap set up in a wash in central Utah right now. Between the large trap size and the location, it's collecting an insane amount. There's going to be a lot of bycatch for anyone looking to trade!
Reposted by Brandon Claridge
I started a blog and my first post is online!
The posts will try to explore topics which are not typically covered by introductory literature and textbooks, e.g. because they are considered to be "too basic". Let me know what you think!
weevil-see.github.io/taxonomy/Ide...
The posts will try to explore topics which are not typically covered by introductory literature and textbooks, e.g. because they are considered to be "too basic". Let me know what you think!
weevil-see.github.io/taxonomy/Ide...
Species Identifications: Common Pitfalls
Some thoughts about Identifications. How do we identify properly? How do we avoid mistakes?
weevil-see.github.io
August 8, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I started a blog and my first post is online!
The posts will try to explore topics which are not typically covered by introductory literature and textbooks, e.g. because they are considered to be "too basic". Let me know what you think!
weevil-see.github.io/taxonomy/Ide...
The posts will try to explore topics which are not typically covered by introductory literature and textbooks, e.g. because they are considered to be "too basic". Let me know what you think!
weevil-see.github.io/taxonomy/Ide...
For all the lep enthusiasts out there celebrating #NationalMothWeek, please check out #ClaridgeTraps for a great light sheet setup! Let me know if you have any questions!
July 21, 2025 at 4:40 PM
For all the lep enthusiasts out there celebrating #NationalMothWeek, please check out #ClaridgeTraps for a great light sheet setup! Let me know if you have any questions!
Reposted by Brandon Claridge
studying #asiloidflies at @amnh.org today - one of the best collections of apiocerid flies (Apioceridae) with almost every of the 65 North American species present - often with primary + secondary type material
July 2, 2025 at 6:28 PM
studying #asiloidflies at @amnh.org today - one of the best collections of apiocerid flies (Apioceridae) with almost every of the 65 North American species present - often with primary + secondary type material
Reposted by Brandon Claridge
Want to set up your own photo-stacking imaging system for under $3000? This post which outlines all the off-the-shelf items I used this year along with some recommendations for how to use it. Planning to talk about this at @entcollnet.bsky.social this November, too! www.insectid.org/post/focus-s...
Focus-stacking photography: Building your own system
Ten years ago, Alex Wild published a guide on Scientific American on how to make your own focus-stacking system for under $6000. I can't seem to find that post any more, just some secondary posts with...
www.insectid.org
June 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Want to set up your own photo-stacking imaging system for under $3000? This post which outlines all the off-the-shelf items I used this year along with some recommendations for how to use it. Planning to talk about this at @entcollnet.bsky.social this November, too! www.insectid.org/post/focus-s...
Reposted by Brandon Claridge
The corollary to this is, with some basic knowledge of insect taxonomy, you too can become the world expert on a group! Just spend a few years obsessively reading about and looking at them and you'll know more than anyone else.
The downside is you'll then be asked to review every paper on them...
The downside is you'll then be asked to review every paper on them...
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
A majority of the world’s insect species have no living expert who can identify them.
A majority of the world’s insect species have no living expert who can identify them.
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
The ocean produces a huge chunk of the world's oxygen a lot from a class of cyanobacteria called prochlorococcus
The ocean produces a huge chunk of the world's oxygen a lot from a class of cyanobacteria called prochlorococcus
June 17, 2025 at 3:12 AM
The corollary to this is, with some basic knowledge of insect taxonomy, you too can become the world expert on a group! Just spend a few years obsessively reading about and looking at them and you'll know more than anyone else.
The downside is you'll then be asked to review every paper on them...
The downside is you'll then be asked to review every paper on them...
Happy to announce that my paper describing Anisobas irwini and recording two host records for Anisobas coloradensis is finally out! The species name honors the prodigious collector Mike Irwin who collected the holotype.
centerforsystematicentomology.org/insecta_mund...
#Ichneumonidae #parasioid
centerforsystematicentomology.org/insecta_mund...
#Ichneumonidae #parasioid
June 4, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Happy to announce that my paper describing Anisobas irwini and recording two host records for Anisobas coloradensis is finally out! The species name honors the prodigious collector Mike Irwin who collected the holotype.
centerforsystematicentomology.org/insecta_mund...
#Ichneumonidae #parasioid
centerforsystematicentomology.org/insecta_mund...
#Ichneumonidae #parasioid
New Plagiotrypes species from Arizona I'm working on describing. The genus is otherwise known from eastern NA and the wet neotropics, so it was surprising to discover this one from an arid mountain in southern Arizona.
May 22, 2025 at 3:56 PM
New Plagiotrypes species from Arizona I'm working on describing. The genus is otherwise known from eastern NA and the wet neotropics, so it was surprising to discover this one from an arid mountain in southern Arizona.
Reposted by Brandon Claridge
A revision of the parasitoid wasp genus parasitoid wasp genus Dolichogenide of the Neotropical region, with the description of 102 (!) species as new to science: doi.org/10.3897/zook...
#DNAbarcoding #biodiversity @alexsmithants.bsky.social @smnstuttgart.bsky.social @uofguelph.bsky.social
#DNAbarcoding #biodiversity @alexsmithants.bsky.social @smnstuttgart.bsky.social @uofguelph.bsky.social
May 14, 2025 at 1:33 PM
A revision of the parasitoid wasp genus parasitoid wasp genus Dolichogenide of the Neotropical region, with the description of 102 (!) species as new to science: doi.org/10.3897/zook...
#DNAbarcoding #biodiversity @alexsmithants.bsky.social @smnstuttgart.bsky.social @uofguelph.bsky.social
#DNAbarcoding #biodiversity @alexsmithants.bsky.social @smnstuttgart.bsky.social @uofguelph.bsky.social