Ben Travaglini
@ben-travaglini.bsky.social
Beneath their spiny exterior, #urchins are immaculately sculptured.
Here is a composite showing the urchin species Holopneustes purpurascens, both alive and in its skeletal state.
Here is a composite showing the urchin species Holopneustes purpurascens, both alive and in its skeletal state.
June 14, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Beneath their spiny exterior, #urchins are immaculately sculptured.
Here is a composite showing the urchin species Holopneustes purpurascens, both alive and in its skeletal state.
Here is a composite showing the urchin species Holopneustes purpurascens, both alive and in its skeletal state.
I'll never tire of photographing native bees. Check out this overzealous sweat bee (Lasioglossum sp.).
From Mount Martha. Victoria, Australia.
From Mount Martha. Victoria, Australia.
May 23, 2025 at 11:45 PM
I'll never tire of photographing native bees. Check out this overzealous sweat bee (Lasioglossum sp.).
From Mount Martha. Victoria, Australia.
From Mount Martha. Victoria, Australia.
A giant among its microscopic congeners, this dragon springtail (Womersleymeria) is no longer than 5 mm.
#Springtails represent an ancient lineage of #hexapods separate from insects. They are named for their furcula – a tail-like appendage that helps them 'jump' away from predators.
#Springtails represent an ancient lineage of #hexapods separate from insects. They are named for their furcula – a tail-like appendage that helps them 'jump' away from predators.
May 22, 2025 at 2:48 AM
A giant among its microscopic congeners, this dragon springtail (Womersleymeria) is no longer than 5 mm.
#Springtails represent an ancient lineage of #hexapods separate from insects. They are named for their furcula – a tail-like appendage that helps them 'jump' away from predators.
#Springtails represent an ancient lineage of #hexapods separate from insects. They are named for their furcula – a tail-like appendage that helps them 'jump' away from predators.
Tucked away amongst the rolling hills of the inner Mornington Peninsula is a special place – Endeavour Fern Gully. It is one of the few remnant rainforests in the region, boasting many undescribed species.
This ~5 mm-long armadillid #isopod is one such example.
This ~5 mm-long armadillid #isopod is one such example.
May 20, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Tucked away amongst the rolling hills of the inner Mornington Peninsula is a special place – Endeavour Fern Gully. It is one of the few remnant rainforests in the region, boasting many undescribed species.
This ~5 mm-long armadillid #isopod is one such example.
This ~5 mm-long armadillid #isopod is one such example.
Dashing between reeds, this golden-headed #cisticola immediately struck me as a perfect photographic subject. Once they struck this pose, positioned perfectly in the harsh sunlight, I knew my opportunity had come.
April 25, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Dashing between reeds, this golden-headed #cisticola immediately struck me as a perfect photographic subject. Once they struck this pose, positioned perfectly in the harsh sunlight, I knew my opportunity had come.
This is no ant. It's an ant-mimicking jumping #spider (Myrmarachne sp.)
There is a vast diversity of these spiders, each masquerading as a particular group of ants – this one resembling those of the genus Camponotus.
From Mount Martha. Victoria, #Australia.
There is a vast diversity of these spiders, each masquerading as a particular group of ants – this one resembling those of the genus Camponotus.
From Mount Martha. Victoria, #Australia.
April 15, 2025 at 8:30 AM
This is no ant. It's an ant-mimicking jumping #spider (Myrmarachne sp.)
There is a vast diversity of these spiders, each masquerading as a particular group of ants – this one resembling those of the genus Camponotus.
From Mount Martha. Victoria, #Australia.
There is a vast diversity of these spiders, each masquerading as a particular group of ants – this one resembling those of the genus Camponotus.
From Mount Martha. Victoria, #Australia.
It is humanly impossible to react quickly enough to photograph native bees just as they take off. This miracle shot of a sweat #bee (Lasioglossum sp.) in flight was a total accident.
April 11, 2025 at 2:52 AM
It is humanly impossible to react quickly enough to photograph native bees just as they take off. This miracle shot of a sweat #bee (Lasioglossum sp.) in flight was a total accident.
April 9, 2025 at 12:28 AM
#Carcinisation is an evolutionary phenomenon in which many unrelated #crustaceans have evolved a crab-like appearance independently. In other words, crustaceans really like being crabs.
This is Lomis hirta, more closely related to squat lobsters than to 'true crabs'.
This is Lomis hirta, more closely related to squat lobsters than to 'true crabs'.
April 4, 2025 at 5:32 AM
#Carcinisation is an evolutionary phenomenon in which many unrelated #crustaceans have evolved a crab-like appearance independently. In other words, crustaceans really like being crabs.
This is Lomis hirta, more closely related to squat lobsters than to 'true crabs'.
This is Lomis hirta, more closely related to squat lobsters than to 'true crabs'.
The spotted #pardalote, Pardalotus punctatus. Tiny yet spectacular.
From Hastings. Victoria, #Australia.
From Hastings. Victoria, #Australia.
March 30, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The spotted #pardalote, Pardalotus punctatus. Tiny yet spectacular.
From Hastings. Victoria, #Australia.
From Hastings. Victoria, #Australia.
March 19, 2025 at 5:10 AM
March 18, 2025 at 3:20 AM
With its speckled patterning, the beach #isopod (Actaecia thomsoni) blends seamlessly into its coastal habitat.
Your best chance to spot them is at night, when they emerge to hunt for other #invertebrates.
From Balnarring Beach. Victoria, #Australia.
Your best chance to spot them is at night, when they emerge to hunt for other #invertebrates.
From Balnarring Beach. Victoria, #Australia.
March 17, 2025 at 12:19 AM
With its speckled patterning, the beach #isopod (Actaecia thomsoni) blends seamlessly into its coastal habitat.
Your best chance to spot them is at night, when they emerge to hunt for other #invertebrates.
From Balnarring Beach. Victoria, #Australia.
Your best chance to spot them is at night, when they emerge to hunt for other #invertebrates.
From Balnarring Beach. Victoria, #Australia.
March 15, 2025 at 9:20 PM
March 14, 2025 at 9:16 AM
March 13, 2025 at 1:54 AM
When sea urchins die, they leave behind their 'test', which is essentially a skeleton.
#Urchins and their tests come in many forms. Here, a selection of three urchins – (L-R) Microcyphus zigzag, Goniocidaris tubaria, and Protenaster australis – demonstrate this incredible variety.
#Urchins and their tests come in many forms. Here, a selection of three urchins – (L-R) Microcyphus zigzag, Goniocidaris tubaria, and Protenaster australis – demonstrate this incredible variety.
March 11, 2025 at 12:12 AM
When sea urchins die, they leave behind their 'test', which is essentially a skeleton.
#Urchins and their tests come in many forms. Here, a selection of three urchins – (L-R) Microcyphus zigzag, Goniocidaris tubaria, and Protenaster australis – demonstrate this incredible variety.
#Urchins and their tests come in many forms. Here, a selection of three urchins – (L-R) Microcyphus zigzag, Goniocidaris tubaria, and Protenaster australis – demonstrate this incredible variety.
The humble laughing #kookaburra, Dacelo novaeguineae.
Though such a common bird, I’m always delighted to have close encounters with this magnificent species. This juvenile, with its signature raspy chuckle, was trusting enough to let me get close and take some shots.
Though such a common bird, I’m always delighted to have close encounters with this magnificent species. This juvenile, with its signature raspy chuckle, was trusting enough to let me get close and take some shots.
March 9, 2025 at 11:49 PM
The humble laughing #kookaburra, Dacelo novaeguineae.
Though such a common bird, I’m always delighted to have close encounters with this magnificent species. This juvenile, with its signature raspy chuckle, was trusting enough to let me get close and take some shots.
Though such a common bird, I’m always delighted to have close encounters with this magnificent species. This juvenile, with its signature raspy chuckle, was trusting enough to let me get close and take some shots.
Australian Garden Mantis
Orthodera ministralis
From Tynong North. Victoria, Australia.
Orthodera ministralis
From Tynong North. Victoria, Australia.
February 27, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Australian Garden Mantis
Orthodera ministralis
From Tynong North. Victoria, Australia.
Orthodera ministralis
From Tynong North. Victoria, Australia.
Measuring ~4 mm long, Tatea rufilabris is an inconspicuous yet abundant snail found throughout estuaries of southern and eastern Australia. This individual was found on a sunken branch in Balcombe Creek, Mount Martha.
February 13, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Measuring ~4 mm long, Tatea rufilabris is an inconspicuous yet abundant snail found throughout estuaries of southern and eastern Australia. This individual was found on a sunken branch in Balcombe Creek, Mount Martha.
These male resin bees don't have the luxury of staying in a nest like females. Instead, at the day's end, they perch on a branch or other plant to rest. Sometimes, you'll find many roosting together.
December 18, 2024 at 2:41 AM
These male resin bees don't have the luxury of staying in a nest like females. Instead, at the day's end, they perch on a branch or other plant to rest. Sometimes, you'll find many roosting together.
Though limited in diversity, estuarine invertebrates have an incredible ability to withstand rapidly changing freshwater or saline conditions.
One such example is the estuarine sea spider, Amarinus laevis, which is found in abundance. Despite the name, it is a true crab.
One such example is the estuarine sea spider, Amarinus laevis, which is found in abundance. Despite the name, it is a true crab.
December 16, 2024 at 2:59 AM
Though limited in diversity, estuarine invertebrates have an incredible ability to withstand rapidly changing freshwater or saline conditions.
One such example is the estuarine sea spider, Amarinus laevis, which is found in abundance. Despite the name, it is a true crab.
One such example is the estuarine sea spider, Amarinus laevis, which is found in abundance. Despite the name, it is a true crab.
Wrap-around spiders (genus Dolophones) mimic themselves as part of a tree branch. As you can see, their disguise is pretty convincing.
These spiders can be found Australia-wide. This one was found in Mount Martha, Victoria.
These spiders can be found Australia-wide. This one was found in Mount Martha, Victoria.
December 15, 2024 at 5:24 AM
Wrap-around spiders (genus Dolophones) mimic themselves as part of a tree branch. As you can see, their disguise is pretty convincing.
These spiders can be found Australia-wide. This one was found in Mount Martha, Victoria.
These spiders can be found Australia-wide. This one was found in Mount Martha, Victoria.
Mites are among the most ubiquitous organisms on the planet. Species are known from every continent, and just about every habitat conceivable.
This species of velvet mite is exclusively found beneath wood in ephemeral waterbodies like swamps.
This species of velvet mite is exclusively found beneath wood in ephemeral waterbodies like swamps.
December 8, 2024 at 5:48 AM
Mites are among the most ubiquitous organisms on the planet. Species are known from every continent, and just about every habitat conceivable.
This species of velvet mite is exclusively found beneath wood in ephemeral waterbodies like swamps.
This species of velvet mite is exclusively found beneath wood in ephemeral waterbodies like swamps.
For the arachnophobes out there, here's one spider that may change your mind:
Jumping spiders, like this Simaethula species, are not only adorable but highly curious and intelligent. Their exceptional eyesight grants them amazing awareness of their surroundings, including human onlookers.
Jumping spiders, like this Simaethula species, are not only adorable but highly curious and intelligent. Their exceptional eyesight grants them amazing awareness of their surroundings, including human onlookers.
December 7, 2024 at 2:03 AM
For the arachnophobes out there, here's one spider that may change your mind:
Jumping spiders, like this Simaethula species, are not only adorable but highly curious and intelligent. Their exceptional eyesight grants them amazing awareness of their surroundings, including human onlookers.
Jumping spiders, like this Simaethula species, are not only adorable but highly curious and intelligent. Their exceptional eyesight grants them amazing awareness of their surroundings, including human onlookers.