David W. Williams
@vc40orthops.bsky.social
Amateur entomologist, naturalist & photographer. Shropshire County Recorder & national iRecord verifier for Orthopteroid insects. Author of 'Orthoptera and Dermaptera' & co-author of 'Micro Ladybirds of Britain and Ireland' FSC Publications AIDGAP Guides.
Reposted by David W. Williams
NO WAYYYY! 🤯🤯🤯
Is this the COOLEST stick insect ever?? 💚
This mossy girl (Taraxippus sp.) from Peru was the most incredible phasmid I have ever seen, I could not get over how perfectly camouflaged it was on the mossy trees! 🌳
So in awe of our natural world! 🌿
Is this the COOLEST stick insect ever?? 💚
This mossy girl (Taraxippus sp.) from Peru was the most incredible phasmid I have ever seen, I could not get over how perfectly camouflaged it was on the mossy trees! 🌳
So in awe of our natural world! 🌿
November 11, 2025 at 10:19 AM
NO WAYYYY! 🤯🤯🤯
Is this the COOLEST stick insect ever?? 💚
This mossy girl (Taraxippus sp.) from Peru was the most incredible phasmid I have ever seen, I could not get over how perfectly camouflaged it was on the mossy trees! 🌳
So in awe of our natural world! 🌿
Is this the COOLEST stick insect ever?? 💚
This mossy girl (Taraxippus sp.) from Peru was the most incredible phasmid I have ever seen, I could not get over how perfectly camouflaged it was on the mossy trees! 🌳
So in awe of our natural world! 🌿
Reposted by David W. Williams
It was good to find a different species of earwig in Brittany last month! The lovely Chelidurella acanthopygia! 🥰 #Dermaptera #Earwig #Dermaptère #France
November 10, 2025 at 8:35 PM
It was good to find a different species of earwig in Brittany last month! The lovely Chelidurella acanthopygia! 🥰 #Dermaptera #Earwig #Dermaptère #France
Reposted by David W. Williams
Any fly larvae experts out there? (Geoff Wilkinson doesn't seem to be here anymore so I can't ask him.)
I was initially thinking Lonchoptera sp but it doesn't have the 2 'antennae' front & rear that I've seen previously. Found today on a Sycamore leaf. #Diptera #entomology
I was initially thinking Lonchoptera sp but it doesn't have the 2 'antennae' front & rear that I've seen previously. Found today on a Sycamore leaf. #Diptera #entomology
November 10, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Any fly larvae experts out there? (Geoff Wilkinson doesn't seem to be here anymore so I can't ask him.)
I was initially thinking Lonchoptera sp but it doesn't have the 2 'antennae' front & rear that I've seen previously. Found today on a Sycamore leaf. #Diptera #entomology
I was initially thinking Lonchoptera sp but it doesn't have the 2 'antennae' front & rear that I've seen previously. Found today on a Sycamore leaf. #Diptera #entomology
Reposted by David W. Williams
A lovely Anthicus antherinus (Anthicidae) seen in SE Shropshire yesterday, when it was almost dusk... Only the second time I've seen this species, assuming the ID is right! #Coleoptera #Beetle #Anthicidae
November 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
A lovely Anthicus antherinus (Anthicidae) seen in SE Shropshire yesterday, when it was almost dusk... Only the second time I've seen this species, assuming the ID is right! #Coleoptera #Beetle #Anthicidae
Reposted by David W. Williams
First time I've seen a 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) with a crescent shaped marking! Almost like a very smiley face! 🥰 In SE Shropshire yesterday! #VC40Ladybirds
November 10, 2025 at 1:01 PM
First time I've seen a 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) with a crescent shaped marking! Almost like a very smiley face! 🥰 In SE Shropshire yesterday! #VC40Ladybirds
An Orange Ladybird tapped from Sycamore in Buildwas on Wednesday. The first I've seen in a while. Always amused by their transparent 'visor'!
November 9, 2025 at 8:53 PM
An Orange Ladybird tapped from Sycamore in Buildwas on Wednesday. The first I've seen in a while. Always amused by their transparent 'visor'!
Reposted by David W. Williams
Thought this was Moth eggs at first glance, but now convinced it's #Sllmemould
Can anyone help with an id please? I thought possibly Physarum cinereum.
Can anyone help with an id please? I thought possibly Physarum cinereum.
November 6, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Thought this was Moth eggs at first glance, but now convinced it's #Sllmemould
Can anyone help with an id please? I thought possibly Physarum cinereum.
Can anyone help with an id please? I thought possibly Physarum cinereum.
Reposted by David W. Williams
Lots of Earwig activity at Cali Heath @yorkswildlife.bsky.social reserve today, with individuals burrowing into the sandy turf, leaving just the formidable pincers exposed. Common enough, but actually rather extraordinary things. @ynuorg.bsky.social #ukwildlife
November 9, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Lots of Earwig activity at Cali Heath @yorkswildlife.bsky.social reserve today, with individuals burrowing into the sandy turf, leaving just the formidable pincers exposed. Common enough, but actually rather extraordinary things. @ynuorg.bsky.social #ukwildlife
Reposted by David W. Williams
Also from this afternoon in NE Shropshire, Rhyzobius chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird), R. lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird), and Hippodamia variegata (Adonis Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird 2 of 2
November 7, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Also from this afternoon in NE Shropshire, Rhyzobius chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird), R. lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), Scymnus interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird), and Hippodamia variegata (Adonis Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird 2 of 2
Reposted by David W. Williams
A decent (for November!) afternoon in NE Shrops, finding lots of Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird), Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh Ladybird) and Rhyzobius litura (Meadow Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird 1 of 2
November 7, 2025 at 8:31 PM
A decent (for November!) afternoon in NE Shrops, finding lots of Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird), Coccidula rufa (Red Marsh Ladybird) and Rhyzobius litura (Meadow Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird 1 of 2
A trip to Buildwas on Weds produced no fewer than 7 Red-rumped ladybirds (Scymnus haemorrhoidalis), 5 in one vacuum sample. All from dampish, longish grass. I just about managed to pose one with a Meadow Ladybird (Rhyzobius litura) for a size comparison.
November 7, 2025 at 10:56 AM
A trip to Buildwas on Weds produced no fewer than 7 Red-rumped ladybirds (Scymnus haemorrhoidalis), 5 in one vacuum sample. All from dampish, longish grass. I just about managed to pose one with a Meadow Ladybird (Rhyzobius litura) for a size comparison.
Reposted by David W. Williams
Darn you, Bluesky - look what you've got me into! Delivery this morning from @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social. @vc40orthops.bsky.social @vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Darn you, Bluesky - look what you've got me into! Delivery this morning from @fieldstudiesc.bsky.social. @vc40orthops.bsky.social @vc40ladybirds.bsky.social
Reposted by David W. Williams
Tried photographing an Arboreal Ladybird (Rhyzobius chrysomeloides) using a newly acquired floating frame. Initial results seem promising, probably most useful for rare or difficult to identify species, as less chance of them flying away before getting a good photo. #EssexWildlife #UKLadybirds
November 4, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Tried photographing an Arboreal Ladybird (Rhyzobius chrysomeloides) using a newly acquired floating frame. Initial results seem promising, probably most useful for rare or difficult to identify species, as less chance of them flying away before getting a good photo. #EssexWildlife #UKLadybirds
A Green Shieldbug in its brown, winter colours, seen last week in Ketley, Telford.
November 3, 2025 at 9:38 AM
A Green Shieldbug in its brown, winter colours, seen last week in Ketley, Telford.
Reposted by David W. Williams
More from today in SE Shropshire include Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped Ladybird), Stethorus pusillus (Dot Ladybird), S. interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird) and opposite end of scale from micro, the lovely Anatis ocellata (Eyed Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird 2 of 2
November 2, 2025 at 7:46 PM
More from today in SE Shropshire include Scymnus haemorrhoidalis (Red-rumped Ladybird), Stethorus pusillus (Dot Ladybird), S. interruptus (Red-flanked Ladybird) and opposite end of scale from micro, the lovely Anatis ocellata (Eyed Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird 2 of 2
Reposted by David W. Williams
A glorious November day in SE Shropshire, finding Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird), Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), R. litura (Meadow Ladybird) and R. chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird 1 of 2
November 2, 2025 at 7:41 PM
A glorious November day in SE Shropshire, finding Nephus quadrimaculatus (Ivy Ladybird), Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird), R. litura (Meadow Ladybird) and R. chrysomeloides (Arboreal Ladybird) #VC40Ladybirds #MicroLadybird 1 of 2
A Bristly Ladybird (Rhyzobius lophanthae) rather unexpectedly vacuumed from litter beneath heather in Ketley, Telford this week. There were gardens nearby with its usual ornamental evergreen hosts (Cypresses, junipers etc) & heathers do host several species of scale insect, the prey of this species.
October 31, 2025 at 10:20 AM
A Bristly Ladybird (Rhyzobius lophanthae) rather unexpectedly vacuumed from litter beneath heather in Ketley, Telford this week. There were gardens nearby with its usual ornamental evergreen hosts (Cypresses, junipers etc) & heathers do host several species of scale insect, the prey of this species.
Reposted by David W. Williams
Happy Halloween 🎃 🐞 #VC40Ladybird #Halloween
October 31, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Happy Halloween 🎃 🐞 #VC40Ladybird #Halloween
Reposted by David W. Williams
A nice Bristly Ladybird (Rhyzobius lophanthae) tapped out of an ornamental juniper in Upshire, Essex a couple of days ago. #EssexWildlife #UKLadybirds #InconspicuousLadybirds
October 30, 2025 at 8:11 PM
A nice Bristly Ladybird (Rhyzobius lophanthae) tapped out of an ornamental juniper in Upshire, Essex a couple of days ago. #EssexWildlife #UKLadybirds #InconspicuousLadybirds
Reposted by David W. Williams
Few more images of the 13-spot Ladybird (Hippodamia tredecimpunctata) from cutover bog outside Banagher, Co. Offaly during the week.
October 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Few more images of the 13-spot Ladybird (Hippodamia tredecimpunctata) from cutover bog outside Banagher, Co. Offaly during the week.
10-spot (f. bimaculata), 14-spot & 7-spot Ladybirds, all tapped from gorse in Ketley, Telford yesterday.
October 30, 2025 at 9:42 AM
10-spot (f. bimaculata), 14-spot & 7-spot Ladybirds, all tapped from gorse in Ketley, Telford yesterday.
Reposted by David W. Williams
Good day recording around Cahore, Co. Wexford today. Nephus redtenbacheri agg. was my 29th Irish ladybird. Rhyzobius litura was the most numerous species with 50 individuals seen, beaten from grass and rush tussocks.
October 29, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Good day recording around Cahore, Co. Wexford today. Nephus redtenbacheri agg. was my 29th Irish ladybird. Rhyzobius litura was the most numerous species with 50 individuals seen, beaten from grass and rush tussocks.
Reposted by David W. Williams
Probably the most beautiful roach I've ever seen in real life - a flower roach (Eucorydia aenea)! This is a male, generally more iridescent than the females. Turns out, at least as adults, they love beetle jelly!
October 29, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Probably the most beautiful roach I've ever seen in real life - a flower roach (Eucorydia aenea)! This is a male, generally more iridescent than the females. Turns out, at least as adults, they love beetle jelly!
Reposted by David W. Williams
Saw quite a few Ectobius pallidus (Tawny Cockroach) [I think!] in Brittany, earlier this month. This nymph stayed still long enough for me to snap it with Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird)! #Cockroach #Blatte #Coccinelle #Ladybird #MicroLadybird
October 29, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Saw quite a few Ectobius pallidus (Tawny Cockroach) [I think!] in Brittany, earlier this month. This nymph stayed still long enough for me to snap it with Rhyzobius lophanthae (Bristly Ladybird)! #Cockroach #Blatte #Coccinelle #Ladybird #MicroLadybird
Reposted by David W. Williams
Tapped a very small Arboreal Ladybird (Rhyzobius chrysomeloides) out of ivy at Fishers Green last week and noticed later that it had Hesperomyces fungus growing on its pronotum side. #EssexWildlife #UKLadybirds #MicroLadybirds
October 28, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Tapped a very small Arboreal Ladybird (Rhyzobius chrysomeloides) out of ivy at Fishers Green last week and noticed later that it had Hesperomyces fungus growing on its pronotum side. #EssexWildlife #UKLadybirds #MicroLadybirds