We have a big chunk of #FliesofBritainandIreland written and illustrated now thanks to the tremendous efforts of all involved. Fantastic to see it taking shape as a proper book and I'm especially loving these pages of the fuzzy bee mimics!🦟🪰

Come talk to me about plant pathogens and my poster at the BSBI: Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland British and Irish Botanical Conference next Saturday!! Here's a sneak peak:

Poor photos but discovered this tiny Harvestman spider neath scree on #TunstallHills 🔎 Confident with Mitostoma chrysomelas and a reminder to focus on #Opiliones srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p/S…

Delia pallipennis (Zetterstedt, [1838]) male from Strandhill Sand Dunes, Co Sligo, Republic of Ireland (Date: 11.vi.2024). This species is currently not on the Irish list, though it was frequently encountered at this site.

At the moment, I am posting more on Bluesky than here. If you're already there, click through to find and follow me. bsky.app/profile/entosp…

Just received an advance copy of 'Spiders' and the printing is excellent. I've also just put some of the original illustrations on my website richardlewington.co.uk/album.php?id=2… Please RT for spider lovers BAS

Oedalea tibialis I think this individual was swept from a dead large ash tree in Dromore Woods, Co Clare, Republic of Ireland (Date:28.vi.2024).

A regular question I get asked is, "What should I be doing in my garden to support bees, wasps, insects?" Instead of making things up, I've simply asked someone more knowledgeable than me to take on that task. Join us in April 2025 for a great day out. gardening-for-wildlife.eventbrite.ie

Learn about the UK's 8 rare and localised bumblebee species with BuzzingSouthEast from Bumblebee Conservation Trust - we'll look at ID, ecology, distribution and behaviour. eventbrite.co.uk/e/992283967057

This wildlife pond in the wonderful microWild was starting to get smothered by grass, risking it becoming completely overgrown and potentially risking the local population of native smooth newts that breed there. We popped down today to give it a bit of a haircut. 🐸🐸🐸

Found this little beauty ‘hibernating’ in the leaves! #queenwasp. Look how she tucks her wings under her abdomen. She is NOT a pest! She is #freepestcontrol if she survives & makes a nest. And a #pollinator! Tucked her back up safely. Her lifecycle is v similar to #bumblebees.

Nicrophorus humator, ink & coloured pencil. For an upcoming project...

By popular demand, I will offer the online lecture Irish Bees for Beginners on Monday, February 24th. Join me for insight into the vast wealth of Irish bee fauna and an updated list of just how many beautiful bee species we have in Ireland. Tickets: bit.ly/irish-bees-2025

🚨🚨NEW EPISODE!!🚨🚨 In this episode, Collie and Brian Murray undertake a micro-safari in search of the wonderful, beautiful, and mysterious harvestmen arachnids: The spiders that aren't spiders. Available wherever you get your podcasts! podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/har…

There's always something special about bug hunting at night. But then, when you add the inimitable Collie Ennis, it quickly becomes something truly magical. microWild is so full of invertebrate life; sometimes, I can hardly believe my luck! 🕷️Listen and share your thoughts.🕷️

Another new microWild event just dropped, and it will be absolutely ribbiting! 🤦‍♂️ Join us for a half-day workshop on Irish Amphibians, led by the wonderful & inspiring Collie Ennis 🕷🐸. 🐸🐸We'll have plenty of frogs and newts in the pond, too! 🐸🐸 irish-amphibians.eventbrite.ie

Volume 40 - Byrne & O'Sullivan report on records of the Ligurian Leafhopper (Eupteryx decemnotata) new to Ireland from Counties Galway, Cork, Carlow and Laois. For subscription details: irishnaturalistsjournal.org

Notice: I no longer post much here because of the same reasons as many others. I am now more active on BlueSky. If you want to see the first Solitary Bees of the year, please find me over there: bsky.app/profile/entosp…

🚨Dataset Update🚨 Our Citizen Science Harvestman records for Ireland dataset has recently been updated. maps.biodiversityireland.ie/Dataset/398 The dataset now has 285 records across 19 species. Huge thanks to Brian Murray (Bees & Wasps of Ireland) for his time & expertise with this validation work.

Happy birthday, Steven Falk. I'm not on X these days but came back to wish you the best. Hope you have a great day.