Alys Jarvela PhD
@amazingspidermom.bsky.social
A scientist studying insect-host plant interactions and a gardener working to preserve biodiversity
Mourning a box turtle that I found on a hike and took to a wildlife rehab center. He didn't respond to antibiotics treatment and passed away after a week in care. I am grateful to the professionals who do their best. They do not receive govt funding so please donate to a center near you.
October 22, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Mourning a box turtle that I found on a hike and took to a wildlife rehab center. He didn't respond to antibiotics treatment and passed away after a week in care. I am grateful to the professionals who do their best. They do not receive govt funding so please donate to a center near you.
I'm giving a lunchtime presentation at work on monarch fall migration and my six year old says "that sounds like a nice lil' treat.... For YOU"
October 16, 2025 at 12:58 PM
I'm giving a lunchtime presentation at work on monarch fall migration and my six year old says "that sounds like a nice lil' treat.... For YOU"
Reposted by Alys Jarvela PhD
You heard the squid emperor, everyone. Leave those leaves!
As we enter fall, it's so important that we tell everyone to leave those leaves! Mads Torres designed a poster to help us.
Lightning bugs are one of the most charismatic insects we've got. Actions we take to protect them protects many insects!
Get some to hang in your neighborhood!
Squidfacts.net
Lightning bugs are one of the most charismatic insects we've got. Actions we take to protect them protects many insects!
Get some to hang in your neighborhood!
Squidfacts.net
September 8, 2025 at 11:46 PM
You heard the squid emperor, everyone. Leave those leaves!
Reposted by Alys Jarvela PhD
The community of Drosophila researchers is amazing, mutually supportive and collaborative. Right now a key resource for our community, @flybase.bsky.social , is threatened by the cancellation of its NIH grant and is seeking community help in raising short term funds 1/n 🧪 please share
August 23, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The community of Drosophila researchers is amazing, mutually supportive and collaborative. Right now a key resource for our community, @flybase.bsky.social , is threatened by the cancellation of its NIH grant and is seeking community help in raising short term funds 1/n 🧪 please share
Challenge: post your last photo taken in DC to show what a hellhole it is
August 12, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Challenge: post your last photo taken in DC to show what a hellhole it is
Child- can you send that caterpillar picture to my mom so she can send it to Miss Alys and ask what it is?
Me- ......I am Miss Alys.....
Me- ......I am Miss Alys.....
August 11, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Child- can you send that caterpillar picture to my mom so she can send it to Miss Alys and ask what it is?
Me- ......I am Miss Alys.....
Me- ......I am Miss Alys.....
Reposted by Alys Jarvela PhD
One thing to emphasize strongly is that funding to science is like oxygen to the brain. Temporarily restricting oxygen flow for ten minutes (while you figure your shit out) is going to have the same outcome as shutting oxygen off permanently.
We are close to the ten minute mark.
We are close to the ten minute mark.
The current administration has more successfully destroyed US science and the scientific enterprise than the hypothetical nuclear weapons program in Iran.
NEW: NSF will be kicked out of their building. Announcement will be made tomorrow by HUD Sec. and Governor of VA. HUD will take over the NSF building over the next two years.
NSF staffer: "There is no planning for NSF, no identified future location, appropriation for a new building or a move."
NSF staffer: "There is no planning for NSF, no identified future location, appropriation for a new building or a move."
June 25, 2025 at 3:46 PM
One thing to emphasize strongly is that funding to science is like oxygen to the brain. Temporarily restricting oxygen flow for ten minutes (while you figure your shit out) is going to have the same outcome as shutting oxygen off permanently.
We are close to the ten minute mark.
We are close to the ten minute mark.
Multiple ebony jewelwing sightings today 🎉
June 19, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Multiple ebony jewelwing sightings today 🎉
It turns out I still don't really know any Japanese after a whole year
June 18, 2025 at 1:15 AM
It turns out I still don't really know any Japanese after a whole year
Elsevier sent me a survey asking "what parts of scientific inquiry should we offload onto AI?" This included deciding which scientific questions to pursue. I can't imagine a bleaker future than one where science is not driven by human curiosity but is simply humans executing the vision of computers
June 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Elsevier sent me a survey asking "what parts of scientific inquiry should we offload onto AI?" This included deciding which scientific questions to pursue. I can't imagine a bleaker future than one where science is not driven by human curiosity but is simply humans executing the vision of computers
My garden is my small act of rebellion where I find a bit of hope these days
June 13, 2025 at 12:29 PM
My garden is my small act of rebellion where I find a bit of hope these days
Reposted by Alys Jarvela PhD
With war spreading through the world, Trump’s plan to use the US Army exclusively against American protesters is looking savvier by the day.
June 13, 2025 at 1:50 AM
With war spreading through the world, Trump’s plan to use the US Army exclusively against American protesters is looking savvier by the day.
Reposted by Alys Jarvela PhD
The new leadership of NIH is dismantling long standing biomedical science programs & putting in their place scientifically questionable ideas. A courageous group of current NIH employees pushed back, publishing “The Bethesda Declaration” 1/2
www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
Bethesda Declaration — STAND UP FOR SCIENCE
Support NIH Staff Now!
www.standupforscience.net
June 12, 2025 at 7:47 AM
The new leadership of NIH is dismantling long standing biomedical science programs & putting in their place scientifically questionable ideas. A courageous group of current NIH employees pushed back, publishing “The Bethesda Declaration” 1/2
www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
Happy birthday to these little scamps who are eating all of my dill even though I have tons and tons of zizia
June 6, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Happy birthday to these little scamps who are eating all of my dill even though I have tons and tons of zizia
This lady comes for breakfast every morning and it's the best
June 5, 2025 at 11:05 AM
This lady comes for breakfast every morning and it's the best
Reposted by Alys Jarvela PhD
The US scientific enterprise is about to collapse unless we do something about it.
The goal is plainly and literally to cut the number of people involved in basic science in the US by 70%
From over 300k to less than 100k. A picture of smaller, reduced science.
May 31, 2025 at 1:38 AM
The US scientific enterprise is about to collapse unless we do something about it.
So exciting!!! Snowberry clearwing caterpillars at my little lepidopteran b&b
May 20, 2025 at 12:01 PM
So exciting!!! Snowberry clearwing caterpillars at my little lepidopteran b&b
Reposted by Alys Jarvela PhD
May 18 is the deadline for #PublicComment regarding weakening the #EndangeredSpeciesAct by redefining harm to #wildlife ( #animals & #plants) as NOT including destruction of habitat. Please comment at www.regulations.gov/commenton/FW... 🌿🦤 #EndangeredSpecies #extinction #NativePlants RS OK
May 14, 2025 at 1:02 AM
May 18 is the deadline for #PublicComment regarding weakening the #EndangeredSpeciesAct by redefining harm to #wildlife ( #animals & #plants) as NOT including destruction of habitat. Please comment at www.regulations.gov/commenton/FW... 🌿🦤 #EndangeredSpecies #extinction #NativePlants RS OK
What a treat to spend a work day behind the scenes learning plant propagation tricks at the national arboretum
April 23, 2025 at 9:09 PM
What a treat to spend a work day behind the scenes learning plant propagation tricks at the national arboretum
Reposted by Alys Jarvela PhD
Federal research cuts impact local economies, and stall progress.
Publish an opinion piece in your hometown paper on June 16th to SPREAD THE WORD about how scientific research contributes to the everyday health and wealth of the general public.
#McClintockLetters
blogs.cornell.edu/asap/events-...
Publish an opinion piece in your hometown paper on June 16th to SPREAD THE WORD about how scientific research contributes to the everyday health and wealth of the general public.
#McClintockLetters
blogs.cornell.edu/asap/events-...
April 21, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Federal research cuts impact local economies, and stall progress.
Publish an opinion piece in your hometown paper on June 16th to SPREAD THE WORD about how scientific research contributes to the everyday health and wealth of the general public.
#McClintockLetters
blogs.cornell.edu/asap/events-...
Publish an opinion piece in your hometown paper on June 16th to SPREAD THE WORD about how scientific research contributes to the everyday health and wealth of the general public.
#McClintockLetters
blogs.cornell.edu/asap/events-...
Today I was cautioned to not use the word 'asexual' to describe a hydra (cnidarian) in a public school classroom and wow this is all going to get so much worse before it gets better
April 17, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Today I was cautioned to not use the word 'asexual' to describe a hydra (cnidarian) in a public school classroom and wow this is all going to get so much worse before it gets better
Reposted by Alys Jarvela PhD
The IUCN Red List has 47,187 living species that are currently threatened with extinction, but here is a genetically engineered big dumb wolf thing that serves absolutely no functional ecological purpose and isn't even close to being the thing that we pretend it is. 🧪🌏
April 9, 2025 at 1:05 AM
The IUCN Red List has 47,187 living species that are currently threatened with extinction, but here is a genetically engineered big dumb wolf thing that serves absolutely no functional ecological purpose and isn't even close to being the thing that we pretend it is. 🧪🌏