Bugz n Slugz
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moistmacro.bsky.social
Bugz n Slugz
@moistmacro.bsky.social
3.5K followers 2.1K following 760 posts
Nudibranch obsessive, underwater photographer, citizen scientist, bug photographer and thalassophile.
Now in the Abu Dhabi. ♾️🧩🦑
All photos by me.
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moistmacro.bsky.social
Some potential great news from today - looks like I may have finally found a way to get some real scientists to start describing some of the many undescribed #Nudibranch we have here in the UAE. This spectacular creature will hopefully be the first on the list.
#🦐 #🦑
A photo of a sea slug that is mainly white with a yellow marginal band. It has large purple wine stain like blotches covering its notum A photo of a sea slug that is mainly white with a yellow marginal band. It has large purple wine stain like blotches covering its notum A photo of a sea slug that is mainly white with a yellow marginal band. It has large purple wine stain like blotches covering its notum
October 16, 2025 at 4:34 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
So no #Nudibranch today - but something almost as cool - a little snail from the genus Diminovula.
#🦑 #🦐 #Mollusc
A photo of a small sea snail that has a white base colour but is covered in shocking pink splodges
October 2, 2025 at 4:13 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
This #Nudibranch is Caloria indica and is one of the slugs seen quite often here in the UAE.
Hopefully I can get back in the water soon to find some more.
#🦐 #🦑
A photo of a sea slug from the side. The main body is translucent white with a series of cerata on its back that are orange and blue tipped with yellow.
September 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
So this morning we have a bug rather than a slug. This is Allogalathea elegans - the elegant squat lobster who are generally found hanging out on crinoids. This one is from the east coast of the #UAE
#🦐 #🦑
A photo of a small squat lobster. It is coloured in alternating bars of white, brown and grey. This helps it to camouflage amongst the arms of its Crinoid host.
September 29, 2025 at 4:49 AM
moistmacro.bsky.social
This one is not so common here - probably only the second time in 15 years I’ve found this in the UAE. Goniobranchus alius is the name
#🦑 #🦐 #Nudibranch
A photo of a sea slug that has a pale background cover that is interspersed with little orange markings. The mantle is bordered with broken yellow and purple lines.
September 25, 2025 at 5:11 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
So for today’s #Nudibranch we have this zigzag emblazoned slug. This is Hypselodoris nigrostriata from the UAE.
#MarineLife #Invertebrates
A sea slug that has a pale blue background colour interspersed with yellow patches. It then has a series of black lines crossing its body. The rhinophores and gills are bright red
September 24, 2025 at 4:58 AM
moistmacro.bsky.social
This tiny little Crustacean was hiding in a piece of old coral thinking nobody would spot them. Not sure of the genus - iNat suggested Pilodius
#🦐 #🦑
A photo of a tiny crab wedged in a hole. It is brownish red in couloir and a bumpy texture. It has some small growths on it also
September 23, 2025 at 7:34 AM
moistmacro.bsky.social
So apparently it’s #MolluscMonday so here is one of our local star #Nudibranch in the UAE. Hypselodoris dollfusi is relatively common but no less spectacular.
#Invertebrates #MarineLife #SeaSlugs
A photo of a sea slug that is predominantly ivory in colour with a yellow margin. Its body is interspersed with red circular patterns with some tinted blue inside.
September 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
So for this shrimp I am leaning towards Dasycaris symbiotes- problem being it isn’t included in iNaturalist. It could also be D. ceratops but I’m not an expert so who knows. From the UAE.
#Invertebrates #MarineLife
A photo of a shrimp sat on a stone covered in marine slug eggs. The shrimp has white eye stalks and a translucent body with red markings. The slug eggs are apricot coloured.
September 22, 2025 at 11:51 AM
moistmacro.bsky.social
So this is one that shows up a few times here in the UAE - was historically referred to as Hypselodoris capensis - but is now more likely to be undescribed. This was found on a wreck down at 21m.
A photo of a bright White Sea slug with longitudinal lines along its body. The mantle is fringed with blue spots and edging. Rhinophores and gill is bright red. The picture is taken from above looking down on the creature.
September 22, 2025 at 3:26 AM
moistmacro.bsky.social
So first dive in over a year - and first dive in the UAE in about 4 years. A few Nudibranch were around which makes it nice. Here is the first one - an undescribed Phyllodesmium down at 21m.
A photo of a Nudibranch that is light apricot in colour with worm like cerata that are orange with hints of blue
September 21, 2025 at 7:49 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
We might possibly be in for some slugs in the near future
A photo showing the components of underwater photography equipment being prepared for Nudibranch hunting.
September 20, 2025 at 5:44 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
This undescribed Janolus Nudibranch is being spotted with increasing regularity in the Arabian Sea (although I suspect it is primarily due to more folks looking for it) #Invertfest #Nudibranch #Seaslugs
A photo of a colourful sea slug that has a translucent appearance whilst its cerata are topped with red and yellow accents.
August 27, 2025 at 9:49 AM
moistmacro.bsky.social
Hug?
A photo of a crab spider with its front legs extended to the side. It is a pale cream colour and sat on a green leaf
July 5, 2025 at 7:31 AM
moistmacro.bsky.social
My trail cam encountered a spiky customer the other night - I think I will call this one Stripe.
July 4, 2025 at 7:20 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
Here is a lovely Comma Butterfly from yesterday. I also managed to spot a Purple Emperor during a walk around the village with Mike Slater from @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social
A photo of a butterfly that is mainly orange with irregular dark brown markings across its wings
July 4, 2025 at 4:49 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
I have so many Peacock butterflies in the garden at the moment all over my Buddleia bushes.

@bcwarwickshire.bsky.social
A photo of a brightly coloured butterfly that has a burnt orange base colour and four eyespots - one on each of its four wing sections. It is sat on a pink flower stem A photo of a brightly coloured butterfly that has a burnt orange base colour and four eyespots - one on each of its four wing sections. It is sat on a pink flower stem
July 3, 2025 at 9:46 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
Found a nice little Idaea aversata moth hanging out during the day

@bcwarwickshire.bsky.social
A photo of a beige coloured moth that has faint brown lines across its wings
July 3, 2025 at 9:41 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
My new garden appears to be a bit of a butterfly hotspot - I’ve recorded 16 different species so far. The buddleia must have had a dozen Peacocks on it, with Almost as many Red Admirals also.
A photo of a orange and brown butterfly called a Gatekeeper A photo of a brown butterfly with yellowish spots that is called a Speckled Wood A photo of an orange butterfly with dark markings across its wings. This on is a Comma A photo of a brightly coloured butterfly called a Peacock
July 1, 2025 at 8:50 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
This is essentially the devil incarnate for any country cottage garden owners - Cydalima perspectalis, the Box Tree Moth - and invasive pest from Asia that is currently decimating Buxus across the UK.
A photo of a moth that is predominantly white with a black border around it
June 29, 2025 at 8:35 AM
moistmacro.bsky.social
Here are a few more from the other day.
A photo of a yellow tinged spider on a green leaf A photo of a dark coloured tiger moth on a dried lily stem. The moth is black with cream splotches across its wings A photo of a hoverfly sat on a cream coloured flower A photo of a dark coloured bee sat on a cream coloured flower
June 29, 2025 at 6:56 AM
moistmacro.bsky.social
I’ve been busy refurbishing my new house of late but managed to grab a few minutes in the garden to get some bug shots.
A photo of some small black weevils that live on Hollyhock plants A photo of a butterfly feeding on nectar. Its wings have bright red bands amongst black wings with white patches A photo of a small bee that has a golden brown coloured section just behind its head A photo of a tiny spidering that is yellow in colour
June 27, 2025 at 10:33 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
My new garden has all sorts of roses growing within it, as I cut back undergrowth I keep discovering more. I suspect this one is “Fragrant Cloud”, a type of hybrid tea rose. It smells pretty sweet as well.
A photo of a pinky red rose that measures 5” across
June 15, 2025 at 9:50 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
Had a Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) in the new garden today - it appears to already be a wildlife haven. Something large appears to be sleeping in my long grass each night so will need to get some trail cams set ups
A photo of an orangey brown butterfly on a green leaf. Its main body is light brown with soft hairs covering it
June 15, 2025 at 8:28 PM
moistmacro.bsky.social
Been a bit busy of late - but I finally got my new house today - here is the garden. I’m gonna be busy methinks.
June 6, 2025 at 10:57 PM