Matt Bertone
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bertonemyia.bsky.social
Matt Bertone
@bertonemyia.bsky.social
4K followers 1.7K following 670 posts
Entomologist passionate about flies, beetles, spiders, mites... Also macro photography. Director & diagnostician at NC State Plant Disease and Insect Clinic. Opinions are my own. He/him

Raleigh, NC, USA

https://www.flickr.com/photos/76790273@N07/
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bertonemyia.bsky.social
Legs, wings, spines abound!
Fungus gnat fornication.
Making more lil' flies.

#Mycetophilidae
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
A pair of fungus gnats sitting on a pale gray wall. One above the other, end to end, paired up and wings spread. They have bold dark bands on the body and wings, contrasting yellow bands. A pair of fungus gnats sitting on a pale gray wall. One above the other, end to end, paired up and wings spread. They have bold dark bands on the body and wings, contrasting yellow bands.
November 22, 2025 at 6:08 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
Not a tiny bird's nest, this cute little mossy cup is the remains of a green lacewing cocoon!

If you've seen a crawling piece of fluff it's almost certainly one of these little trash monsters, hiding from predators & prey. Adults look like this: flic.kr/p/2jZaTAQ

#Chrysopidae
North Carolina, USA
A green oak leaf on a white background. On one of the lower left lobes there is a small open cup-like structure. Close up of a small, spherical, open cup-like structure covered in lichens and other debris, sitting on an oak leaf. Close up of a small, spherical, open cup-like structure covered in lichens and other debris, sitting on an oak leaf. A ball of fluffy debris with a head and legs poking out the front on a white background. You can see the long sickle-shaped mouthparts used to jab prey.
November 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
Thanks for sharing!! You reminded me that I once photographed Balcha indica and never posted it anywhere (except publications):
A wasp sits on a white background facing right. It is dimpled and metallic green, blue and reddish with a pointed abdomen and a sleek appearance.
November 15, 2025 at 4:09 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
It's almost the weekend! 🥳

If you're looking for something for you and/or your kids to do, I've recently re-uploaded my arthropod coloring guide 🎨

Please feel free to share, print, and [definitely] have fun with it!!!

drive.google.com/file/d/1V59i...
A few panels from the coloring guide: a scorpion, an isopod, and a tachinid fly (along with their info).
November 7, 2025 at 9:59 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
Still looking for horror now that Halloween's over? Fortunately/unfortunately it's all around! 💀

A parasitoid laid a few eggs in a moth egg. As the caterpillar hatched & grew, wasp embryos multiplied inside to 100s of larvae that ate the entire host, eventually killing & turning it into a husk 😳 🤢
A pale yellow caterpillar husk, filled with rice-like wasp larvae, sits doubled on itself inside a silken cocoon. the caterpillar was almost certainly a looper (Noctuidae: Plusiinae) and the parasitoids are encyrtid wasps (Encyrtidae: Copidosoma). Brought to me by a generous and curious client. Close up of the pale yellow caterpillar husk, filled with rice-like wasp larvae. The caterpillar was almost certainly a looper (Noctuidae: Plusiinae) and the parasitoids are encyrtid wasps (Encyrtidae: Copidosoma). Brought to me by a generous and curious client. Close up of the pale yellow caterpillar husk, now filled with dark wasps waiting to emerge. The caterpillar was almost certainly a looper (Noctuidae: Plusiinae) and the parasitoids are encyrtid wasps (Encyrtidae: Copidosoma). Brought to me by a generous and curious client. A composite plate of tiny parasitoid wasps on a white background. The top has two views of the small wasp, showing the meallic green and purple body, while the bottom shows the wasp dwarfed by a US quarter coin. Brought to me by a generous and curious client.
November 1, 2025 at 7:38 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
They are surprisingly variable (here's another color morph), but I'm not that great at telling many orbweavers apart. Yours does seem a bit hairy...where was it taken?
November 1, 2025 at 2:34 AM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! 🎃👻
Is that a pumpkin or a spider butt? The marbled #orbweaver is all decked out for fall and the spooky season (though, really, this lovely lady was very shy and harmless)!

#Araneidae: #Araneus marmoreus
#Arachtober
A large round marbled orange rump faces the camera. Radiating out from it are 8 striped legs. An orange marbled orbweaver spider sits on a white background facing the viewer. It has small eyes and spiky striped legs. An orange marbled orbweaver spider sits on a white background facing to the left. It has small eyes and spiky striped legs.
October 31, 2025 at 2:31 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
What a beautiful day to stand against fascists! 🫡 🇺🇸

#NoKings
Cary, North Carolina
Me holding a sign showing pictures of Trump and his cabinet, etc with "unamerican" written across their foreheads. The sign then reads " real Americans know these are Petty hateful, selfish, idiot, losers and tyrants" Photo of the crowds down the street in Cary, North Carolina Sign showing pictures of Trump and his cabinet, etc with "unamerican" written across their foreheads. The sign then reads "Real Americans know these are Petty hateful, selfish, idiot, losers and tyrants"
October 18, 2025 at 6:39 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
Not the same sp., but @luxomancer.bsky.social was very close: image crop showed the unique thoracic scales of a lappet moth, the large tolype. I've been wanting to get a pic & I'm grateful to Charles C. for sharing the specimen!

#Lasiocampidae: #Tolype velleda
NC, USA

bsky.app/profile/bert...
A moth sits on a stick in front of a black background. The moth has brilliant white fur on its thorax and legs, and the top of the thorax has a tuft of metallic black and blue scales that look like steel wool. The wings are banded with diffuse gray and white. Top view of a moth sitting on a stick in front of a black background. The moth has brilliant white fur on its thorax and legs, and the top of the thorax has a tuft of metallic black and blue scales that look like steel wool. The wings are banded with diffuse gray and white. A moth sits on a stick in front of a black background. The moth has brilliant white fur on its thorax and legs, and the top of the thorax has a tuft of metallic black and blue scales that look like steel wool. The wings are banded with diffuse gray and white. Close up of a moth showing brilliant white fur on its thorax and legs. The top of the thorax has a tuft of metallic black and blue scales that look like steel wool.
October 12, 2025 at 7:06 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
Behold! This...thing
But what is it? You tell me 🧐
looks like a small metallic brillo pad resting in a nest of white fur
October 11, 2025 at 9:11 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
This week's project: oak machacadora for smashing beans

If you know me well enough you know this is not for me 😂 ...I suppose it can be used to smash other things too 🤔 🔨
A wooden mallet like smasher with a squarish head and long handle. It is unfinished and the handle needs to be shaped more. A wooden mallet like smasher with a squarish head and long handle. It is unfinished but the final shape A wooden mallet like smasher with a squarish head and long handle. It's finished with mineral oil. A wooden mallet like smasher with a squarish head and long handle showing the flat end. It's finished with mineral oil.
October 5, 2025 at 11:42 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
Continuing the series of caterpillars that look like candy, this pine sphinx larva looks very edible. I'm sure it's not, though 😂

Note that this species of hawkmoth larva does not have a "horn", so I guess it's not technically a "hornworm".

#Sphingidae: #Lapara
NC, USA
A smooth green caterpillar with off-white stripes running down its back sits among pine needles on a pine twig. It has a reddish brown stripe in the middle of the back between two of the off-white stripes. The neck is turquoise and it has yellow stripes on the head. A smooth green caterpillar with off-white stripes running down its back sits among pine needles on a pine twig. It has a reddish brown stripe in the middle of the back between two of the off-white stripes, and reddish brown colors on the top and bottom of the off-white side stripe. The neck is turquoise and it has yellow stripes on the head. A smooth green caterpillar with off-white stripes sits among pine needles on a pine twig. It's looking at the camera. The neck is turquoise and it has yellow and black stripes on the head and face. A smooth green caterpillar with off-white stripes sits among pine needles on a pine twig. It's looking at the camera. The neck is turquoise and it has yellow and black stripes on the head and face.
October 5, 2025 at 5:57 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
🚨 Spicy gummy worm alert! 🚨 🐛

Though it may look delicious, the bright colors warn of its ability to sting. Kinda looks like it's wearing pajamas...

Thanks to @dradriansmith.bsky.social for hosting the specimen.

stinging rose #caterpillar
#Limacodidae: #Parasa indetermina
NC, USA
A squishy-looking caterpillar sits on a leaf. It has four thin black lines alternating with white running down its back, with alternating orangish-red and yellow stripes down the sides. Along its body are a few tentacle-like protuberances covered in stinging spines. There are smaller round, evenly spaced warts covered in spines along the body as well. A squishy-looking caterpillar sits on a leaf. It has four thin black lines alternating with white running down its back, with alternating orangish-red and yellow stripes down the sides. Along its body are a few tentacle-like protuberances covered in stinging spines. There are smaller round, evenly spaced warts covered in spines along the body as well. A squishy-looking caterpillar sits on a leaf. It has four thin black lines alternating with white running down its back, with alternating orangish-red and yellow stripes down the sides. Along its body are a few tentacle-like protuberances covered in stinging spines. There are smaller round, evenly spaced warts covered in spines along the body as well. The squishy head region of a caterpillar can be seen curling around the edge of the leaf, its spiky protuberances can also be seen cresting the edge of the leaf.
September 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
We saw Father John Misty the other night at DPAC and it was easily one of the best performances I've ever seen. He exudes charisma and has an amazing voice and talented band. It was awesome in the literal sense! 😎 🥰
September 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
I tied for that - no complaints!
Highly magnified image of a whitefly pupa. It's a small, rough, oval, shiny black disk with white rays of wax surrounding it as it rests on a red leaf surface. Highly magnified image of a whitefly pupa. It's a small, rough, oval, shiny pale green disk with flat white rays of wax surrounding it as it rests on a green leaf surface.
September 23, 2025 at 1:14 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
Dark taxa are extremely diverse organisms that remain largely undescribed due to small size, subtle differences, & few experts.

Take this quiz to find out what you are - I'm a gall midge! whatdarktaxonareyou.static.domains/insect-quiz....

by @vivianfeng.bsky.social & @flyliceresearch.bsky.social
A dark, hairy gall midge fly on a white sheet. It has long legs and antennae and a red neck. Quiz results showing I'm a gall midge or cecidomyiid
September 23, 2025 at 12:36 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a perfect movie 👽 🤡

I introduced my daughter to it yesterday and it was my first viewing in a long time. Boy, does it hold up! Super creative, no extraneous material, great effects. Acting isn't stellar but that's what gives it a nice B movie vibe.

A+, 10/10
September 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
It seems we all need some pleasure lately, so I'm offering up this Euphoria. I know it brings me joy to see this fuzzy nugget ☺️

bumble flower beetle (~3/4")
#Scarabaeidae: #Euphoria inda
North Carolina, USA
A beetle rests on a white background with its head and legs tucked in. The beetle is beige with scattered black mottling. It also has abundant tan fur. A beetle rests on a white background. The beetle is beige with scattered black mottling. It also has abundant tan fur. A beetle rests on a white background. The beetle is beige with scattered black mottling. It also has abundant tan fur. A beetle rests upside down on a white background. The beetle's belly is shiny and much of it is covered by dense tan fur.
September 13, 2025 at 3:54 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
**Attention fly enthusiasts!** We're looking for presenters for the Dipterists Society General Meeting at ESA @entsocamerica.bsky.social in Portland, OR (November 11th)

If you're interested in giving a talk, please DM me for a link to submit a title/abstract. Deadline to submit is October 10th.
September 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
Jen's fabulous pics/post reminded me I recently encountered two spined assassin bug nymphs on separate Queen Anne's lace seed heads, only feet apart.

It was spikes all around!!! I couldn't help but be enamored with the texture of these scenes 😍

#Reduviidae: #Sinea
Raleigh, NC, USA
A small brownish-red, rough and spiky bug with wing buds and large front legs sits among a dense bed of spiky seeds that developed from a Queen Annes lace flower head. A small brownish-red, rough and spiky bug with wing buds and large front legs sits among a dense bed of spiky seeds that developed from a Queen Annes lace flower head.
September 6, 2025 at 5:01 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
🎶The itsy bitsy spider DIED FROM A MASSIVE FUNGAL INFECTION🎶

Ooof this is prettty horrific 😳

#Cordycipitaceae: #Gibellula
Cary, NC, USA
An off-white chalky mass with blunt spikes coming out of it is resting on a leaf. It's a fungus-ridden spider and only a few legs can still barely be seen. An off-white chalky mass with blunt spikes coming out of it is resting on a leaf. It's a fungus-ridden spider and only a few legs can still barely be seen.
September 3, 2025 at 9:52 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
Slipping into nothingness under a comical little flatworm's slimy embrace.

#Geoplanidae #Rhynchodemus
Avery Co., NC

P.S. - Reminds me of "Scavenger's Reign" (www.imdb.com/title/tt2105...). If you haven't seen it, please do yourself a favor & check it out. I heard it aptly called "comfort horror".
A smooth, slimy brown flatworm with a small eye on each side of its head, curls around a leafhopper, covering it in slime. The flatworm will likely feed on the small insect prey. A smooth, slimy brown flatworm with a small eye on each side of its head, curls around a tiny gall midge, sticking to its side in slime. The flatworm will likely feed on the small insect prey. A small, long and thin brown flatworm on a white surface. It has a pointy snout and a pair of small eyes, giving it a comical look. A small, long and thin brown flatworm on a white surface. It has a pointy snout and a pair of small eyes, giving it a comical look.
September 1, 2025 at 1:13 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
What perfect album came out when you were 16?
August 29, 2025 at 9:15 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
Here's to the weekend!
Enjoy this VERY cozy bee in its flower bud fortress 😴
A small bee's face and antennae can be seen hiding among a cluster of developing green aster flower buds.
August 29, 2025 at 9:01 PM
bertonemyia.bsky.social
Can't get over how clear/bubble-free this spittle mass is. You can easily see the spittlebug nymph inside. It's like a tiny fish (bug?) bowl! 🤩

P.S. - that fluid all came from its anus 😳

#Cercopoidea #Cercopidae s.l.
Avery Co., NC
Close-up of a mass of clear liquid hangs from a reddish twig. In the mass there are a few bubbles, and the rear end of the inhabitant, a small, half dark and white spittlebug nymph.
August 26, 2025 at 9:18 PM