For Pride Month, I created bumble bee and #WaspLove Progress Flags from photos I've taken over the years.

Ok - I am not a fan of taking photos of dead things, much less posting them to socials. But I've successfully identified female (left images) and male (right images) Lasioglossum sordidum - New Zealand Sweat Bees - under a scope using a proper taxonomic key.

@zoologyotago.bsky.social

Few things better than when your butterfly student knocks on your door and proudly presents a cup full of tiny wasps that emerged from her butterfly pupa.

What's in there? We need to slow them down & ID under the microscope. Today, we admire so many living in one pupa!
@zoologyotago.bsky.social

Congrats to Team Velvet Worm!

#bugoftheyear2025

It's the LAST DAY to vote for Bug of the Year 2025! We are 370 votes away from reaching 10,000 voters this year! Can we reach the goal in the next 7 hours?!?

Learn more about the nominees here - and don't forget to vote!
bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz

#BugoftheYear2025

Happy Valentine's Day!

Learn more about the Exquisite Owlet here.
bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz/2025-bug-of-...

#bugoftheyear2025
The Entomological Society of New Zealand

Happy Valentine's Day!
Learn more about the Giant Springtail here:
bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz/2025-bug-of-...

#bugoftheyear2025

Happy Valentine's Day!

Still haven't voted for Bug of the Year yet? Consider the Gravel Maggot - named after Smeagol (Smeagol climoi). Click the link to learn more about this nominee!
bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz/2025-bug-of-...

Sometimes, the nest entrance gets blocked with dirt while Momma is out foraging. If you watch in the upper right corner at the start of the video, another Momma flies right into her nest - no problem. But the Leioproctus fulvescens on the bottom - she's gotta dig first.
@zoologyotago.bsky.social

Where do male solitary bees go when it rains? These little Hylaeus (masked bees) were trying to burrow into the dandelions.

@zoologyotago.bsky.social

Hylaeus relegatus visiting the hebe I planted next to my veggie bed.

#MyYarden

Bumble bee was thirsty, so she popped by Ye Olde Fruit Shoppe for a pint of juice!

#MyYarden