Derek Hennen, Ph.D.
@derekhennen.bsky.social
Entomologist & Myriapodologist: leaf litter critter enthusiast.
Author of Ohio Millipede Field Guide.
"Scientist & avowed Swiftie" -Rolling Stone
Richmond, VA
www.derekhennen.com
Author of Ohio Millipede Field Guide.
"Scientist & avowed Swiftie" -Rolling Stone
Richmond, VA
www.derekhennen.com
My soil sifters arrived! I use these bad boys to sift out snail shells from the leaf litter I collect for myriapods, what a rush!
November 12, 2025 at 1:35 PM
My soil sifters arrived! I use these bad boys to sift out snail shells from the leaf litter I collect for myriapods, what a rush!
Get out there and vote, Virginia! Let's make sure we elect Spanberger, Hashmi, and Jones today!
November 4, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Get out there and vote, Virginia! Let's make sure we elect Spanberger, Hashmi, and Jones today!
Worked on a lot of specimen ID this weekend. Check out this supercoil snail (Paravitrea sp) from Alleghany Co., VA I collected back in July. Less than 5 mm wide.
November 3, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Worked on a lot of specimen ID this weekend. Check out this supercoil snail (Paravitrea sp) from Alleghany Co., VA I collected back in July. Less than 5 mm wide.
My phone again won't text photos to my boy @tyuge.bsky.social so everyone gets to see them now. Leaf litter from Halifax County VA gave me a pale yellow big palped Pselaphine, do you want it Curt? Otherwise it'll go directly to VMNH.
October 31, 2025 at 9:36 PM
My phone again won't text photos to my boy @tyuge.bsky.social so everyone gets to see them now. Leaf litter from Halifax County VA gave me a pale yellow big palped Pselaphine, do you want it Curt? Otherwise it'll go directly to VMNH.
@tyuge.bsky.social My phone won't let me text you this photo so you're getting it here
October 25, 2025 at 1:52 AM
@tyuge.bsky.social My phone won't let me text you this photo so you're getting it here
Anyone know what this might be? Egg case? Seed? Some sort of weird Sternorrhyncha? I keep seeing them in my sifted litter, sometimes with a hole in it. Leaf litter collected in Southern VA in September.
October 18, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Anyone know what this might be? Egg case? Seed? Some sort of weird Sternorrhyncha? I keep seeing them in my sifted litter, sometimes with a hole in it. Leaf litter collected in Southern VA in September.
It looks like underwater Venipede
October 17, 2025 at 3:59 PM
It looks like underwater Venipede
When the relationship isn't going well but you're both too scared to change and you have a last-ditch plan to rekindle things.
October 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM
When the relationship isn't going well but you're both too scared to change and you have a last-ditch plan to rekindle things.
If you're a southern house spider, then why were you OUTSIDE??? On the sidewalk--near a building that wasn't even a house!
October 17, 2025 at 3:41 AM
If you're a southern house spider, then why were you OUTSIDE??? On the sidewalk--near a building that wasn't even a house!
Out of 20 (!!) species names, our genetic and morphological evidence shows there to be 6 valid species in the genus, with Apheloria corrugata being the most widespread. It occurs from Oklahoma to Ontario, and is the gateway millipede for many fans. Isn't it pretty?
October 3, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Out of 20 (!!) species names, our genetic and morphological evidence shows there to be 6 valid species in the genus, with Apheloria corrugata being the most widespread. It occurs from Oklahoma to Ontario, and is the gateway millipede for many fans. Isn't it pretty?
And these millipedes have some seriously gorgeous color morphs. Check the paper to see the full suite, here's just one species, Apheloria virginiensis. But of course, there is a lot of mimicry, so color pattern generally can't be trusted.
October 3, 2025 at 7:59 PM
And these millipedes have some seriously gorgeous color morphs. Check the paper to see the full suite, here's just one species, Apheloria virginiensis. But of course, there is a lot of mimicry, so color pattern generally can't be trusted.
Just sharing a few of my favorite snippets from this snail book about collection and preservation of land snails. The whole book is freely available here! www.researchgate.net/profile/Ange... @americanbeetles.bsky.social your coworker wrote this chapter!
September 29, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Just sharing a few of my favorite snippets from this snail book about collection and preservation of land snails. The whole book is freely available here! www.researchgate.net/profile/Ange... @americanbeetles.bsky.social your coworker wrote this chapter!
The bleached, disarticulated head capsule of a polydesmid millipede looking pretty Halloween-y. The big "eye" holes? That's where the antennae attach.
September 27, 2025 at 1:10 AM
The bleached, disarticulated head capsule of a polydesmid millipede looking pretty Halloween-y. The big "eye" holes? That's where the antennae attach.
...and here's how much is left to search through. That's a 1 gallon container. It used to have ice cream, but I had to eat it to make room for the leaf litter.
September 21, 2025 at 9:50 PM
...and here's how much is left to search through. That's a 1 gallon container. It used to have ice cream, but I had to eat it to make room for the leaf litter.
This is how much litter I'm searching through at a time...
September 21, 2025 at 9:48 PM
This is how much litter I'm searching through at a time...
Hark, a treasure!
September 21, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Hark, a treasure!
Here's what it looks like under the scope. You're using a horsehair brush to move dirt and leaf bits out of the way to find your snail shells that also look like dirt and leaf bits. They look different cause usually they're shinier or texturally different. Often you just see disembodied ant heads
September 21, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Here's what it looks like under the scope. You're using a horsehair brush to move dirt and leaf bits out of the way to find your snail shells that also look like dirt and leaf bits. They look different cause usually they're shinier or texturally different. Often you just see disembodied ant heads
Vertico snail! Just over 1 mm tall, with some nice teeth. First I sifted a bunch of leaf litter in a ravine. Then I took it home and processed it in a Berlese funnel. Then I sifted that litter through a finer sieve. Then I put that litter in a petri dish under a microscope. And finally I found it.
September 21, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Vertico snail! Just over 1 mm tall, with some nice teeth. First I sifted a bunch of leaf litter in a ravine. Then I took it home and processed it in a Berlese funnel. Then I sifted that litter through a finer sieve. Then I put that litter in a petri dish under a microscope. And finally I found it.
I use a few of these jars for larger specimens that don't fit in my normal vials. The rubber gasket has held fine so far, I've had the left jar for about 10 years now. Sourced from either Walmart or craft stores rather than online. I mark the alcohol line with a sharpie and refill periodically.
September 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I use a few of these jars for larger specimens that don't fit in my normal vials. The rubber gasket has held fine so far, I've had the left jar for about 10 years now. Sourced from either Walmart or craft stores rather than online. I mark the alcohol line with a sharpie and refill periodically.
I cannot express how good this sticker haul is, all made by @ascalaphid.com!!! We've got Weevil Wizard, we've got Fly Dad, we've got skateboarding isopod, we've got Plague Doctor Weevil. And of course, we have Centipede with a gun. All affordably priced and available now!!!
September 5, 2025 at 12:57 AM
I cannot express how good this sticker haul is, all made by @ascalaphid.com!!! We've got Weevil Wizard, we've got Fly Dad, we've got skateboarding isopod, we've got Plague Doctor Weevil. And of course, we have Centipede with a gun. All affordably priced and available now!!!
Hell yeah, bless us, moon millipede.
August 23, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Hell yeah, bless us, moon millipede.
POV: You are a bug.
August 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM
POV: You are a bug.
From the local vet's office
August 22, 2025 at 5:57 PM
From the local vet's office
Will probably add a few of those 90s under construction gifs to the page soon.
August 22, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Will probably add a few of those 90s under construction gifs to the page soon.