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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · 1d

As an #entomologist, I am not gonna lie, the job comes with some risks and dangers.. #chomp 🧪🪲

Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · 14d

Probably the best highlight of my #GSB2025.

A very busy #Echidna spotted in #Victoria

@gsbioblitz.bsky.social
@inaturalist.bsky.social

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Reposted by Francesco Martoni

Great Southern Bioblitz @gsbioblitz.bsky.social · 24d

🌿 Only 4 days to go until #GSB2025!
🤖 Use iNat’s AI suggestions wisely — double-check rare finds.
🧠 Be kind in IDs — everyone’s a volunteer!
📸 Even if not “Research Grade,” every observation counts.
Join in: greatsouthernbioblitz.org 🌍

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · Oct 2

Please share with anyone interested in a PhD project! Come work with us!

Claudia Lange @claudiala777.bsky.social · Oct 2

✨ ✨ ✨ #PhD POSITION ✨ ✨ ✨
Insect microbiomes and their role in biocontrol: a journey from field collection to invasive weed management. @aimeeemac.bsky.social @cescomartons.bsky.social

Scholarship: $37,000 (tax free) (2025/26 rate) up to three and a half years.
Based at AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBiosciences, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Successful applicants must meet the La Trobe University entry requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Check your eligibility here: https://www]atrobe.edu.au/study/apply/research/doctor
For enquiries and to apply, please forward a covering letter, your curriculum vitae (please include evidence of research writing) and academic transcripts to: Kendra Whiteman Higher Education Manager Agriculture Victoria Research kendra.whiteman@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Closing date for applications: until filled
Title: Insect microbiomes and their role in biocontrol: a journey from field collection to invasive weed management
PhD Project Aims
• Explore the microbiome composition of biocontrol insect/s and host plants collected from the field in their native range
• Understand the impact of lab quarantine protocols, mass rearing, and release under conditions on insect microbiome and fecundity
• Develop methods to preserve or supplement beneficial microbes to cultured insects
The successful candidate will be supervised by A/Prof Paul Cunningham, Dr Aimee McKinnon and Dr Francesco Martoni and Dr Raelene Kwong. With potential opportunities to travel internationally and collaborate with experts at the Bioeconomy Science Institute, New Zealand, this PhD will shape the future of biocontrol programs in Australia and internationally.

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Reposted by Francesco Martoni

David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · Jul 30

Motherfucking wind farms…

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · Jul 16

Fantastic result and a great collaboration!

🧪 Looking forward to work more on #airborne #eDNA

Erin Hahn (she/her) @erinhahn.bsky.social · Jul 16

📣 New paper! 📣

We summarise the outputs of last year's @sednasociety.bsky.social Airborne eDNA Workshop & chart a path for airborne eDNA as a transformative tool for #biodiversity, #biosecurity & #conservation.

🔗 tinyurl.com/4a8vb6ja

#eDNA #airDNA #SeDNAS

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · Jul 15

During my Saturday walk, I was lucky enough to spot the endangered Fringed-Helmet Orchid, #Corybas fimbriatus!

As you can see from the photos, that's a very #small #orchid!!

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Reposted by Francesco Martoni

ZooKeys @zookeys.pensoft.net · Jun 18

A study of the psyllids on Norfolk Island reports a total of 14 species, including two new species and eight new records: doi.org/10.3897/zook...

@cescomartons.bsky.social

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · Jun 13

This year I could finally spot the Lady's Slipper #orchid (Cypripedium calceolus), in the Adamello-Brenta National Park, #Italy.

Such a wonderful flower!

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Reposted by Francesco Martoni

Armando Rosario-Lebrón @rosariolebronentomology.com · May 24

Another shot from Dr. Beynon's Bug Farm in Pembrokeshire. Spittlebug nymphs #Cercopidae hide in foamy sap bubbles as they feed. What looks like spit is a clever shelter for these tiny sap-suckers. Many people walk right by these!

🪲🪳🌿 #Invert #Bugsky #macrophotography #hemiptera #entomology

Close-up macro photograph of two yellow-orange spittlebug nymphs (family Cercopidae) nestled inside a dense cluster of iridescent, glistening bubbles on a green plant stem. The foamy mass surrounds and protects the soft-bodied insects, giving them shelter as they feed on the plant's sap. The bubbles are semi-transparent and vary in size, with fine surface reflections creating a pearlescent look. Fine plant hairs and the vivid green background further enhance the contrast and detail of the foam and nymphs.

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · May 19

And that's how we got #Pseudophacopteron #ewagriini

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · May 19

Best part of the story is that the wonderful community on Norfolk Island got super excited about the new species, and they helped me name one!

Pseudophacopteron ewagriini is found on #Alyxia ginopogon, an endemic plant of Norfolk Island, which is called "evergreen" in the local language

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · May 19

In March & October 2022 I was lucky enough to visit Norfolk Island, a paradise island between #Australia, #NewZealand and #NewCaledonia.

While I was there for Plant Pests and Diseases Survey, of course I collected psyllids!

And I found two new species, as well as a few new records for the island

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · May 19

🧪NEW SPECIES🐝🐞🐛🦋🧪

An annotated checklist of the #psyllids of #Norfolk #Island with keys to #species, new records, and descriptions of two new endemic species

We described two new psyllid species, Acizzia aliceae & Pseudophacopteron ewagriini

And I have a great story🧵

doi.org/10.3897/zook...

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · May 19

Meneristes australis (#Tenebrionidae), from Victoria, #Australia.

#WildOZ #ozinverts #entomology #insects 🧪

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · May 13

Of all the #Australian #psyllids, Protyora sterculiae (Carsidaridae) is one of my favorites.

Nymphs exudate excess sugars in filaments that go in all directions, almost star-shaped. You can lick them, they're super sweet!

In the 📸: an adult, nymphs and even eggs!

#WildOZ #ozinvert 🧪

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · May 8

Today's #WeirdInsect award goes to the Australian Wingless Soldier #Fly (Boreoides subulatus).

I feel like we need more #Weird #Insects and cool #entomology finds, here on #BlueSky!
🧪🔬🐝🐞🐛🦋🐜

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · Mar 6

Yesterday I saw my first #Lycid-mimicking #moth, Snellenia lineata (left).. and it definitely fooled me!!
A nice Lycid #beetle on the right, for comparison.

#insects #entomology
#Biodiversity #Australia 🧪

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Reposted by Francesco Martoni

Aimee McKinnon @aimeeemac.bsky.social · Mar 2

We have a few fantastic #entomology PhD opportunities available in our team at Agriculture Victoria, in association with La Trobe University, Australia 🇦🇺 😄

Australian Entomological Society @austentsoc.bsky.social · Feb 28

Interested in doing a PhD on insects? La Trobe has some opportunities available:

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · Feb 25

👀👀HOW TO Apply 🧪🧪:
Read carefully the instructions on the flyer, and get in touch with us with your CV, cover letter and academic transcripts.

Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · Feb 25

📌 Based at Agribio, Bundoora, a state-of-the-art research centre.
📌 Working on insect trapping systems, with both field and lab components.
📌 Working to improve the detection and surveillance of insect pests and pathogens of Grains.
📌You will get a $37,000 (tax free) scholarship for up to 3.5 years.

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · Feb 25

What we are looking for:

Do you have expertise with #insects 🐛 🐜 , insect #traps, and collection methods?
Do you like working in the #field? What about working in the #laboratory?
Do you have experience with #molecular methods?
.. or are you simply really interested in these topics?

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · Feb 25

✨ #ENTOMOLOGY #PhD POSITION ✨

Optimising sampling for surveillance and diagnostics of grain #pests.

Working with us at #AgricultureVictoria, in Melbourne, Australia. On the beautiful campus of @latrobeuni.bsky.social.

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · Feb 21

Enjoy this one with volume up!

#entomology #beetles

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Francesco Martoni @cescomartons.bsky.social · Feb 21

First day on here!

How do I get added to ento and science starter packs?

I offer a beautiful psyllid (Creiis longipennis) emerging from its lerp and nymph, I guess 😍

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