Andrew Skinner

Ecologist, lover of beetles, bewitched, bothered (by its state!) and bewildered by the natural world as a whole, all views my own

[Amphibian and Reptile Conservation @ARC_Bytes]

NEWTS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: ARC’s views on government planning proposals 👇
https://t.co/AMm5l8feXU

📷 Great crested newt caught during a survey. by Jim Foster/ARC

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@MartineFenn @Britnatureguide @WiltsWildlife Looks like the related reed beetle species Plateumaris sericea. They come in a range of beautiful metallic colours.

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@SJBKnott @TBeetles Thanks Simon 😊 yes still RDB1 but presumably overdue a status review. Hoping to arrange another visit soon as spent most of my time on the regenerating and remnant chalk grassland.

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@SJBKnott @TBeetles either of you know if Laemophloeus monilis has been recorded in Hertfordshire before? Spotted it at Hexton last week. Doesn't appear in Trevor's atlas or update. Had it new for Bedfordshire in 2021 so wo der if it is spreading?

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@Quercus632511 @rockwolf74 Beetle looks like Lagria hirta

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@andymus1 @AbrehartEco Was about to suggest minimus based on the pronotal impressions although I always like confirmation with a male

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@andymus1 Ochthebius

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@ruth_newby @rockwolf74 @VannaBartlett1 Definitely a scolytid, probably one of the Hylastes species or something in that group. Any conifers nearby?

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@BritishBugs Cheers Tristan. Had it at Wallasea in 2021 as well so glad I'm not going mad 🙂

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@BritishBugs can I have thoughts on this assumed Nysius. Collected off heathland in Hampshire in April last year. Seems to be dark base to 2nd and 3rd antennal segments but diffuse especially in 2nd. Basal segment of hind tarsi longer than following 2

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

Metapleuron field normal......graminicola? Feel I'm going wrong somewhere!

[Bumblebee Conservation Trust @BumblebeeTrust]

We’re speaking up for #bumblebees to warn about the potential dangers if we get mass tree planting and woodland creation wrong 🌳🐝

Full statement 👉 https://t.co/YAVgweKUTH

#BeeFriendlyTreePlanting
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[ESEEORG @ESEEORG]

🔍 Curious to uncover the myths around burning wood for energy? 🌲🪵 Check out the latest episode of the #EconomicsForRebels podcast, where Matilda Susan Gettins talks with Dr. Mary Booth about the power and politics in bioenergy.
https://t.co/x6p3zX2syF

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@NatureLark Yep, spotted this blossom on our apple tree yesterday morning!

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@BertB61027155 @BuglifeScotland Looks one of the Byrrhidae pill beetles. Probably Byrrhus genus.

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@petepoach @DaveGoulson @StevenFalk1 Looks like one of the Antherophagus beetles that are phoretic on bees living in their nests https://t.co/Mf06DSYuiw

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@Penrhynbirder Beetles are more my comfort zone but this does look right for pectinicornis. @CRStipula will confirm I'm sure

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@lelly_fletch @Buzz_dont_tweet Looks like Nicrophorus vespilloides with the all black antennae. The other species have orange clubs. Mites are pretty common on carrion beetles but I know less about their ecology. @AshWhiffin may be able to shed more light

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@jwood_t @TBeetles As Adrian says, almost impossible without dissection of males. Also need good view of underside. They really do all look the same in this genera 🤣

[Andrew Skinner @AndyinSandy]

@TBeetles @ColSocBI Glad you found it 😀