Thomas Shahan
@tshahan.bsky.social
Spiders! Art?
most active on iNat: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&user_id=tshahan
most active on iNat: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&user_id=tshahan
found these moth people I drew back in 2022 while searching an old hard drive for hoverfly videos🙏
December 29, 2025 at 7:10 PM
found these moth people I drew back in 2022 while searching an old hard drive for hoverfly videos🙏
the people NEED roach pix 😤
Pseudomops septentrionalis "Pale-bordered Field Cockroach", Oklahoma
Balta notulata "Small-spotted Cockroach", Oahu
Panchlorinae, Tambopata, Peru
Paratropes, Tambopata, Peru
Pseudomops septentrionalis "Pale-bordered Field Cockroach", Oklahoma
Balta notulata "Small-spotted Cockroach", Oahu
Panchlorinae, Tambopata, Peru
Paratropes, Tambopata, Peru
December 29, 2025 at 1:43 AM
the people NEED roach pix 😤
Pseudomops septentrionalis "Pale-bordered Field Cockroach", Oklahoma
Balta notulata "Small-spotted Cockroach", Oahu
Panchlorinae, Tambopata, Peru
Paratropes, Tambopata, Peru
Pseudomops septentrionalis "Pale-bordered Field Cockroach", Oklahoma
Balta notulata "Small-spotted Cockroach", Oahu
Panchlorinae, Tambopata, Peru
Paratropes, Tambopata, Peru
it’s amazing how diverse ants are 🙇🐜
December 28, 2025 at 7:12 PM
it’s amazing how diverse ants are 🙇🐜
Reposted by Thomas Shahan
Enjoy a lovely walk through a Colombian mountain-top forest with @tshahan.bsky.social! We suggest watching the whole video (youtu.be/sgGlXNOct9I?...), but if you want to skip to the flies 🪰 you can click here: youtu.be/sgGlXNOct9I?...
Amazing!
Amazing!
Macro Photography in COLOMBIA - Ep 2: SPIDERS, Flies, Orthopterans and more!
YouTube video by Thomas Shahan
youtu.be
December 26, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Enjoy a lovely walk through a Colombian mountain-top forest with @tshahan.bsky.social! We suggest watching the whole video (youtu.be/sgGlXNOct9I?...), but if you want to skip to the flies 🪰 you can click here: youtu.be/sgGlXNOct9I?...
Amazing!
Amazing!
my modest collection of flies with WIDE heads 🙇
a hammer-headed Richardia (Ecuador),
a stalk-eyed Chaetodiopsis (Mozambique),
a pointy-eyed Ophthalmoptera (Colombia),
and an antlered Richardia (Colombia)
why though? male-male competition? sexual selection? chime-in if you know!
a hammer-headed Richardia (Ecuador),
a stalk-eyed Chaetodiopsis (Mozambique),
a pointy-eyed Ophthalmoptera (Colombia),
and an antlered Richardia (Colombia)
why though? male-male competition? sexual selection? chime-in if you know!
December 22, 2025 at 6:53 PM
my modest collection of flies with WIDE heads 🙇
a hammer-headed Richardia (Ecuador),
a stalk-eyed Chaetodiopsis (Mozambique),
a pointy-eyed Ophthalmoptera (Colombia),
and an antlered Richardia (Colombia)
why though? male-male competition? sexual selection? chime-in if you know!
a hammer-headed Richardia (Ecuador),
a stalk-eyed Chaetodiopsis (Mozambique),
a pointy-eyed Ophthalmoptera (Colombia),
and an antlered Richardia (Colombia)
why though? male-male competition? sexual selection? chime-in if you know!
Been having good luck finding Symphylans recently! Here are some scolopendrellid close-ups - maybe in the genus Symphylella?
Those white spots behind the antennae are Tömösváry organs: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_o...
Those white spots behind the antennae are Tömösváry organs: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_o...
December 14, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Been having good luck finding Symphylans recently! Here are some scolopendrellid close-ups - maybe in the genus Symphylella?
Those white spots behind the antennae are Tömösváry organs: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_o...
Those white spots behind the antennae are Tömösváry organs: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_o...
mileage rolled to this just as I parked for a bird-hike this morning 🫡
December 3, 2025 at 11:59 PM
mileage rolled to this just as I parked for a bird-hike this morning 🫡
Reposted by Thomas Shahan
A collection of handsome tortoise beetles (Cassidinae) 🐢🪲
1 Ischnocodia annulus "Ringed Tortoise Beetle", Belize, 2015
2 Aspidimorpha sp golden tortoise beetle, Mozambique, 2018
3 unknown metallic green tortoise beetle, Colombia, 2023
4 Deloyala guttata "Mottled Tortoise Beetle", Oklahoma, 2020
1 Ischnocodia annulus "Ringed Tortoise Beetle", Belize, 2015
2 Aspidimorpha sp golden tortoise beetle, Mozambique, 2018
3 unknown metallic green tortoise beetle, Colombia, 2023
4 Deloyala guttata "Mottled Tortoise Beetle", Oklahoma, 2020
February 5, 2025 at 9:44 PM
A collection of handsome tortoise beetles (Cassidinae) 🐢🪲
1 Ischnocodia annulus "Ringed Tortoise Beetle", Belize, 2015
2 Aspidimorpha sp golden tortoise beetle, Mozambique, 2018
3 unknown metallic green tortoise beetle, Colombia, 2023
4 Deloyala guttata "Mottled Tortoise Beetle", Oklahoma, 2020
1 Ischnocodia annulus "Ringed Tortoise Beetle", Belize, 2015
2 Aspidimorpha sp golden tortoise beetle, Mozambique, 2018
3 unknown metallic green tortoise beetle, Colombia, 2023
4 Deloyala guttata "Mottled Tortoise Beetle", Oklahoma, 2020
Reposted by Thomas Shahan
🪲some fine tortoise beetles found during the Colombia trip:
1 HOT red Spaethiella sublaevis
2 unknown metallic green cassidine
3 wonderfully smooth blue n bream Imatidium thoracicum
(PS sorry about not posting more here - can barely make myself post to twitter - and keep forgetting about bsky)
1 HOT red Spaethiella sublaevis
2 unknown metallic green cassidine
3 wonderfully smooth blue n bream Imatidium thoracicum
(PS sorry about not posting more here - can barely make myself post to twitter - and keep forgetting about bsky)
October 30, 2023 at 7:01 PM
🪲some fine tortoise beetles found during the Colombia trip:
1 HOT red Spaethiella sublaevis
2 unknown metallic green cassidine
3 wonderfully smooth blue n bream Imatidium thoracicum
(PS sorry about not posting more here - can barely make myself post to twitter - and keep forgetting about bsky)
1 HOT red Spaethiella sublaevis
2 unknown metallic green cassidine
3 wonderfully smooth blue n bream Imatidium thoracicum
(PS sorry about not posting more here - can barely make myself post to twitter - and keep forgetting about bsky)
For all the Diabrotica fans out there - 4 species I've seen in this large genus of leaf beetles :
1 Diabrotica limitata, Colombia
2 Diabrotica sp(?), Colombia
3 Diabrotica trifasciata, Costa Rica
4 Diabrotica undecimpunctata, the "Spotted Cucumber Beetle", a major agricultural pest 🤩, Oklahoma, USA
1 Diabrotica limitata, Colombia
2 Diabrotica sp(?), Colombia
3 Diabrotica trifasciata, Costa Rica
4 Diabrotica undecimpunctata, the "Spotted Cucumber Beetle", a major agricultural pest 🤩, Oklahoma, USA
November 29, 2025 at 9:41 PM
For all the Diabrotica fans out there - 4 species I've seen in this large genus of leaf beetles :
1 Diabrotica limitata, Colombia
2 Diabrotica sp(?), Colombia
3 Diabrotica trifasciata, Costa Rica
4 Diabrotica undecimpunctata, the "Spotted Cucumber Beetle", a major agricultural pest 🤩, Oklahoma, USA
1 Diabrotica limitata, Colombia
2 Diabrotica sp(?), Colombia
3 Diabrotica trifasciata, Costa Rica
4 Diabrotica undecimpunctata, the "Spotted Cucumber Beetle", a major agricultural pest 🤩, Oklahoma, USA
went springtail hunting this morning after a rainy night. Here's a portrait of a beautiful yellow "short-legged springtail" of the family Neaunuridae. Note the "pointed mouthcone" as Frans would always point out 😭
November 21, 2025 at 2:44 AM
went springtail hunting this morning after a rainy night. Here's a portrait of a beautiful yellow "short-legged springtail" of the family Neaunuridae. Note the "pointed mouthcone" as Frans would always point out 😭
ooh! iNat shows I've observed 100 bird species so far in 2025 🥳 some exciting moments:
1 American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) on thistle - Oklahoma
2 Potoo (Nyctibius sp), cryptic on a broken branch - Costa Rica
3 Barred Owl (Strix varia) looking back in my yard - OK
4 RWBB (Agelaius phoeniceus) -OK
1 American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) on thistle - Oklahoma
2 Potoo (Nyctibius sp), cryptic on a broken branch - Costa Rica
3 Barred Owl (Strix varia) looking back in my yard - OK
4 RWBB (Agelaius phoeniceus) -OK
November 16, 2025 at 9:32 PM
ooh! iNat shows I've observed 100 bird species so far in 2025 🥳 some exciting moments:
1 American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) on thistle - Oklahoma
2 Potoo (Nyctibius sp), cryptic on a broken branch - Costa Rica
3 Barred Owl (Strix varia) looking back in my yard - OK
4 RWBB (Agelaius phoeniceus) -OK
1 American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) on thistle - Oklahoma
2 Potoo (Nyctibius sp), cryptic on a broken branch - Costa Rica
3 Barred Owl (Strix varia) looking back in my yard - OK
4 RWBB (Agelaius phoeniceus) -OK
2025, in snake portraits:
1 Lampropeltis holbrooki "Speckled Kingsnake"✨ - Oklahoma
2 Pantherophis obsoletus "Western Ratsnake"🐀 - Oklahoma
3 Bothriechis nigroadspersus "Central American Eyelash-Viper"🐍 - Costa Rica
4 Thamnophis proximus "Western Ribbon Snake"🎀 - Oklahoma
1 Lampropeltis holbrooki "Speckled Kingsnake"✨ - Oklahoma
2 Pantherophis obsoletus "Western Ratsnake"🐀 - Oklahoma
3 Bothriechis nigroadspersus "Central American Eyelash-Viper"🐍 - Costa Rica
4 Thamnophis proximus "Western Ribbon Snake"🎀 - Oklahoma
November 10, 2025 at 4:57 PM
2025, in snake portraits:
1 Lampropeltis holbrooki "Speckled Kingsnake"✨ - Oklahoma
2 Pantherophis obsoletus "Western Ratsnake"🐀 - Oklahoma
3 Bothriechis nigroadspersus "Central American Eyelash-Viper"🐍 - Costa Rica
4 Thamnophis proximus "Western Ribbon Snake"🎀 - Oklahoma
1 Lampropeltis holbrooki "Speckled Kingsnake"✨ - Oklahoma
2 Pantherophis obsoletus "Western Ratsnake"🐀 - Oklahoma
3 Bothriechis nigroadspersus "Central American Eyelash-Viper"🐍 - Costa Rica
4 Thamnophis proximus "Western Ribbon Snake"🎀 - Oklahoma
🧡 a few late season butters enjoying the backyard a couple of weeks ago - Burnsius, Euptoieta, Anthanassa, Phyciodes 🤎
November 8, 2025 at 11:04 PM
🧡 a few late season butters enjoying the backyard a couple of weeks ago - Burnsius, Euptoieta, Anthanassa, Phyciodes 🤎
Reposted by Thomas Shahan
Some local (NE Oklahoma) symphylans to illustrate a difference between the two families -
Scolopendrellidae has sharp pointed tergites (pics 1 and 2)
...while Scutigerellidae has more rounded/lobed tergites (pics 3 and 4)
Scolopendrellidae has sharp pointed tergites (pics 1 and 2)
...while Scutigerellidae has more rounded/lobed tergites (pics 3 and 4)
January 13, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Some local (NE Oklahoma) symphylans to illustrate a difference between the two families -
Scolopendrellidae has sharp pointed tergites (pics 1 and 2)
...while Scutigerellidae has more rounded/lobed tergites (pics 3 and 4)
Scolopendrellidae has sharp pointed tergites (pics 1 and 2)
...while Scutigerellidae has more rounded/lobed tergites (pics 3 and 4)
intimidating stare of a female Platycryptus undatus 🙇
#arachtober #jumpingspiders #salticidae
in situ, fuji, laowa 65mm
#arachtober #jumpingspiders #salticidae
in situ, fuji, laowa 65mm
October 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM
intimidating stare of a female Platycryptus undatus 🙇
#arachtober #jumpingspiders #salticidae
in situ, fuji, laowa 65mm
#arachtober #jumpingspiders #salticidae
in situ, fuji, laowa 65mm
It’s not #arachtober without Phidippus mystaceus 😮💨
Was lucky enough to photograph some super handsome P mystaceus males on a recent trip to Texas! Scanning fences and railing beneath trees paid off!
in situ, fuji, laowa 65mm
Was lucky enough to photograph some super handsome P mystaceus males on a recent trip to Texas! Scanning fences and railing beneath trees paid off!
in situ, fuji, laowa 65mm
October 24, 2025 at 2:37 AM
It’s not #arachtober without Phidippus mystaceus 😮💨
Was lucky enough to photograph some super handsome P mystaceus males on a recent trip to Texas! Scanning fences and railing beneath trees paid off!
in situ, fuji, laowa 65mm
Was lucky enough to photograph some super handsome P mystaceus males on a recent trip to Texas! Scanning fences and railing beneath trees paid off!
in situ, fuji, laowa 65mm
🍊Video's up! Here's 15 minutes of Paraphidippus aurantius footage, thoughts, and questions: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRByaUcKSgU
featuring courtship behavior, silk production, possible mate-guarding, cannibalism and more!
#arachtober
featuring courtship behavior, silk production, possible mate-guarding, cannibalism and more!
#arachtober
October 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
🍊Video's up! Here's 15 minutes of Paraphidippus aurantius footage, thoughts, and questions: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRByaUcKSgU
featuring courtship behavior, silk production, possible mate-guarding, cannibalism and more!
#arachtober
featuring courtship behavior, silk production, possible mate-guarding, cannibalism and more!
#arachtober
Getting close to wrapping up a big Paraphidippus aurantius 🍊video featuring courtship behavior, silk production, possible mate-guarding, cannibalism and more 🫡
here's a big female w/ a lot of orange scales - July, 2021, NE Oklahoma
here's a big female w/ a lot of orange scales - July, 2021, NE Oklahoma
October 15, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Getting close to wrapping up a big Paraphidippus aurantius 🍊video featuring courtship behavior, silk production, possible mate-guarding, cannibalism and more 🫡
here's a big female w/ a lot of orange scales - July, 2021, NE Oklahoma
here's a big female w/ a lot of orange scales - July, 2021, NE Oklahoma
Beautiful, spooky wings of the "Halloween Pennant" dragonfly (Celithemis eponina) 🎃
seen near water - June, July - NE OK
seen near water - June, July - NE OK
October 9, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Beautiful, spooky wings of the "Halloween Pennant" dragonfly (Celithemis eponina) 🎃
seen near water - June, July - NE OK
seen near water - June, July - NE OK
Reposted by Thomas Shahan
💗some pink macro scenes for your Friday💘
1 pink (usually green) grasshopper w/ erythrism (2005!, Oklahoma)
2 metallic sparkling rose-gold abdomen of Habronattus decorus (2021, OK)
3 fluffy Sosxetra grata moth (2014, Belize)
4 cute Pelegrina galathea jumper peaking out from my zinnias (2024, OK)
1 pink (usually green) grasshopper w/ erythrism (2005!, Oklahoma)
2 metallic sparkling rose-gold abdomen of Habronattus decorus (2021, OK)
3 fluffy Sosxetra grata moth (2014, Belize)
4 cute Pelegrina galathea jumper peaking out from my zinnias (2024, OK)
February 14, 2025 at 9:47 PM
💗some pink macro scenes for your Friday💘
1 pink (usually green) grasshopper w/ erythrism (2005!, Oklahoma)
2 metallic sparkling rose-gold abdomen of Habronattus decorus (2021, OK)
3 fluffy Sosxetra grata moth (2014, Belize)
4 cute Pelegrina galathea jumper peaking out from my zinnias (2024, OK)
1 pink (usually green) grasshopper w/ erythrism (2005!, Oklahoma)
2 metallic sparkling rose-gold abdomen of Habronattus decorus (2021, OK)
3 fluffy Sosxetra grata moth (2014, Belize)
4 cute Pelegrina galathea jumper peaking out from my zinnias (2024, OK)
I don't know anything about this pink worm-like millipede other than its name (Rhinotus purpureus) and that is has a tiny head with two cute black ocelli (simple eyes). Under a log, in situ, Costa Rica, Jun 2025
September 24, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I don't know anything about this pink worm-like millipede other than its name (Rhinotus purpureus) and that is has a tiny head with two cute black ocelli (simple eyes). Under a log, in situ, Costa Rica, Jun 2025
Strange snouted millipede found in Costa Rica while rooting through a wet decomposing log. Siphonophoridae, I believe - note the elongate beak-like rostrum... and those little spots on antennae may be sensory bits.
September 24, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Strange snouted millipede found in Costa Rica while rooting through a wet decomposing log. Siphonophoridae, I believe - note the elongate beak-like rostrum... and those little spots on antennae may be sensory bits.
Hentzia palmarum also has an orange cap and white face - but with bald protruding chelicerae and dark forelegs. Here's a male (on oak) feeding on a caterpillar. NE OK, April 2024
September 16, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Hentzia palmarum also has an orange cap and white face - but with bald protruding chelicerae and dark forelegs. Here's a male (on oak) feeding on a caterpillar. NE OK, April 2024
portrait of a male Hentzia mitrata or "White-jawed Jumping Spider" found beneath oak, NE Oklahoma, April 2025
September 16, 2025 at 4:07 PM
portrait of a male Hentzia mitrata or "White-jawed Jumping Spider" found beneath oak, NE Oklahoma, April 2025