David McCulloch 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Photos from 2022 that bring back happy memories of time spent outdoors, often on my hands and knees creeping up on insects before they fly off. I'm not saying the pics are any good artistically, but the process of taking them gave me so much pleasure, and that's all that counts.

True bugs (Heteroptera) Bugs, scientifically known as Heteroptera, they are a group of about 40,000 species of insects in the order Hemiptera. They can be found in nearly every habitat, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains. Heteroptera and all Hemiptera have specialized mouthparts called „piercing-sucking rostrums,“ which they use to extract plant sap or even prey on other insects. Most species of Heteroptera have wings, with the front ones partially hardened (called hemelytra) and the hind wings being membranous. This unique wing structure is characteristic of the order. Many plant bugs (Cimicidae) are significant agricultural pests, as they suck plant sap from crops and can transmit diseases. On the other hand, some bug species play a crucial role as natural enemies of pest insects, contributing to biological pest control. Bugs have been on Earth for over 300 million years and have adapted to an astonishing variety of ecological niches. The oldest fossils date back to the Permian period, long before the dinosaurs. Some bug species can produce „defensive compounds“ that they release when threatened to ward off predators. These compounds can smell unpleasant to humans, hence the name „stink bugs.“ #heteroptera #hemiptera #insects #bug #bugs #wanzen #truebug #truebugs #insekten #entomology

I couldn't resist another trip to the Isle of May last week. Terns have already left, but Puffins still around in large numbers. Kittiwake chicks on the cliff ledges, and LBB Gull chicks too. #SuperSeabirdSunday

@pollymm @BDSdragonflies @ScotlandBds @NatureScot Superb shots! I look forward to seeing what you find up north.

Found some Small Blue #butterflies at Barry Buddon rifle range in Angus (on a "no live firing" day!). Two females and this mating pair on a gravel path, with Kidney Vetch growing up the middle. A new species for me, so I forgave them for not mating in a more photogenic position.

@findinganeish I was there today too, but must have been on the soldierless part! Mind you, I have come across them in full warpaint and they just gave me a nod of the head to acknowledge my presence as I walked past their guns. I suppose they need to train for hot temps.

Considering Barry Buddon is ostensibly open today, there are quite a few soldiers about. Wouldn’t want to be training on a day like this.

@CaraMhairiBell Congratulations Cara! It'll be good to have some certainty at last. I don't know NI much (passed thru on way to RoI a few times), but I'm sure you'll enjoy the change of scene.

It was a wonderful day for a trip to the Isle of May: sun and calm seas. No Puffins visible yet (either underground incubating egg, or at sea). No terns yet either (I didn't miss their usual "welcome"). Plenty of Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill, plus a handful of Shags.

...and we saw a Swift and heard a Grasshopper Warbler! Still to see my first damselfly of 2024 though.

It sounds like a boring topic, but air conditioning is more important than you realise. First: there are 2 billion air con units in the world and they account for 10% of all electricity we use. Second: it has revolutionised architecture and totally reshaped global politics...

@Matt_J_ecology 😉

Exceptional morning meeting the Rannoch Brindled Beauty (Lycia lapponaria) 😍 easily one of the most stunning moths I've been lucky enough to see

@BrilliantMaps Even better, what about this one about 15km north of Pitlochry? It's in Glen Loch.

Scotland, Are You Even Trying? - brilliantmaps.com/loch-lochy/

A pair of Rannoch Brindled Beauty #moths at Flanders Moss. The flightless female climbs a tree or fence post to attract the male using pheromones. We split into 2 teams for the survey. The other team found 17 (all ♀️), and we found only 4...but we got the elusive mating pair.

📢BREAKING NEWS: An historic day as Scottish Parliament votes through grouse moor licensing! We did it! Bloody well done, everyone! 👏👏👏 raptorpersecutionuk.org/2024/03/21/an-…

Wildlife crime has been able to continue for too long with little chance of consequences for the perpetrators. Today @ScotParl will debate giving @ScottishSPCA the powers they need to protect Scotland's iconic wildlife. greens.scot/news/wildlife-…

Some pics of the Fulmars at St Andrews Castle last week for #SuperSeabirdSunday

Fulmars on the ramparts of St Andrews Castle in Fife. These stiff-winged cacklers are easily one of my favourite seabirds.

Exciting news! We are recruiting for a full time Conservation Officer to continue the exciting work of recent years. More info here: charityjob.co.uk/jobs/british-d… Please RT!

@ScotlandBds Not in Scotland, unfortunately! There were large numbers along a canal in Norfolk in June.

@dmcculloch55 Where did you find the Banded Demoiselle @dmcculloch55?

Highlights of 2023 for me incl. finding a new breeding site for Northern Emerald #dragonfly, finding the 1st Common Hawker to emerge in the UK (3rd June), and visits to a Grey Seal pupping site (for survey purposes). Oh, and moving from west Stirlingshire to east Fife.

Flanders Moss NNR is home to many creatures. In the summer, you can spot lizards, adders, and all kinds of insects. But where do these animals shelter from the chill of winter? Find out in the latest blog from the reserve ⤵️ orlo.uk/3Yyfz