Francesco Martoni

Bonus cool sticker design!

.. And let's be honest, It doesn't happen often that a #psyllid can be voted for its role as a #biodiversity ambassador..!

So, please, cast your vote here!
bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz/vote-here-20...

Personally, I think "competitions" such as this one have two major winners: #biodiversity and #conservation.
While I am not sure which critter will be crowned this year, I know for a fact many people have learnt something about poorly known species that had probably lived in their garden for years.

Why the name #Hobbit?

Well, once DNA confirmed it was a different species, we realised how individuals were usually smaller and were often collected near some of the locations of the #LOTR movies!

So, why a #psyllid?

This fantastic species lived hiding in plain sight for almost 100 years, until we could discover it using DNA barcoding 🧪.

Until that moment, the #HobbitPsyllid lived on beautiful #Kowhai trees together with a closely related species.

The rules of the contest are really simple: people can nominate an insect during the year, twenty or so species are shortlisted, and you have about 6 weeks to cast your vote.

The species with more votes wins and it is crowned New Zealand Bug of the year 👑

Have you voted for the #HobbitPsyllid?

The #NewZealandEntoSociety is currently running the fourth edition of the #BugOfTheYear competition 🐛 🐝 🦋 🦟 🐞🧪 .

I have nominated this cool #psyllid, & here is a short 🧵explaining why!

Vote for #TeamHobbitPsyllid:

bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz/vote-here-20...

🐝🧪 New paper alert! 🧪 🐝
Molecular Surveillance of Honey Bee Hives Using #eDNA #Metabarcoding During Pollination Season

Using hive debris eDNA metabarcoding to target insects 🐛, bacteria 🦠 & fungi 🍄 to assess the biodiversity communities inside a bee hive!

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

As an #entomologist, I am not gonna lie, the job comes with some risks and dangers.. #chomp 🧪🪲

Probably the best highlight of my #GSB2025.

A very busy #Echidna spotted in #Victoria

@gsbioblitz.bsky.social
@inaturalist.bsky.social

🌿 Only 4 days to go until #GSB2025!
🤖 Use iNat’s AI suggestions wisely — double-check rare finds.
🧠 Be kind in IDs — everyone’s a volunteer!
📸 Even if not “Research Grade,” every observation counts.
Join in: greatsouthernbioblitz.org 🌍

Please share with anyone interested in a PhD project! Come work with us!

Motherfucking wind farms…

Fantastic result and a great collaboration!

🧪 Looking forward to work more on #airborne #eDNA

During my Saturday walk, I was lucky enough to spot the endangered Fringed-Helmet Orchid, #Corybas fimbriatus!

As you can see from the photos, that's a very #small #orchid!!

A study of the psyllids on Norfolk Island reports a total of 14 species, including two new species and eight new records: doi.org/10.3897/zook...

@cescomartons.bsky.social

This year I could finally spot the Lady's Slipper #orchid (Cypripedium calceolus), in the Adamello-Brenta National Park, #Italy.

Such a wonderful flower!

Close-up macro photograph of two yellow-orange spittlebug nymphs (family Cercopidae) nestled inside a dense cluster of iridescent, glistening bubbles on a green plant stem. The foamy mass surrounds and protects the soft-bodied insects, giving them shelter as they feed on the plant's sap. The bubbles are semi-transparent and vary in size, with fine surface reflections creating a pearlescent look. Fine plant hairs and the vivid green background further enhance the contrast and detail of the foam and nymphs.

Another shot from Dr. Beynon's Bug Farm in Pembrokeshire. Spittlebug nymphs #Cercopidae hide in foamy sap bubbles as they feed. What looks like spit is a clever shelter for these tiny sap-suckers. Many people walk right by these!

🪲🪳🌿 #Invert #Bugsky #macrophotography #hemiptera #entomology

And that's how we got #Pseudophacopteron #ewagriini

Best part of the story is that the wonderful community on Norfolk Island got super excited about the new species, and they helped me name one!

Pseudophacopteron ewagriini is found on #Alyxia ginopogon, an endemic plant of Norfolk Island, which is called "evergreen" in the local language

In March & October 2022 I was lucky enough to visit Norfolk Island, a paradise island between #Australia, #NewZealand and #NewCaledonia.

While I was there for Plant Pests and Diseases Survey, of course I collected psyllids!

And I found two new species, as well as a few new records for the island

🧪NEW SPECIES🐝🐞🐛🦋🧪

An annotated checklist of the #psyllids of #Norfolk #Island with keys to #species, new records, and descriptions of two new endemic species

We described two new psyllid species, Acizzia aliceae & Pseudophacopteron ewagriini

And I have a great story🧵

doi.org/10.3897/zook...

Meneristes australis (#Tenebrionidae), from Victoria, #Australia.

#WildOZ #ozinverts #entomology #insects 🧪

Of all the #Australian #psyllids, Protyora sterculiae (Carsidaridae) is one of my favorites.

Nymphs exudate excess sugars in filaments that go in all directions, almost star-shaped. You can lick them, they're super sweet!

In the 📸: an adult, nymphs and even eggs!

#WildOZ #ozinvert 🧪

Today's #WeirdInsect award goes to the Australian Wingless Soldier #Fly (Boreoides subulatus).

I feel like we need more #Weird #Insects and cool #entomology finds, here on #BlueSky!
🧪🔬🐝🐞🐛🦋🐜

Yesterday I saw my first #Lycid-mimicking #moth, Snellenia lineata (left).. and it definitely fooled me!!
A nice Lycid #beetle on the right, for comparison.

#insects #entomology
#Biodiversity #Australia 🧪

We have a few fantastic #entomology PhD opportunities available in our team at Agriculture Victoria, in association with La Trobe University, Australia 🇦🇺 😄

👀👀HOW TO Apply 🧪🧪:
Read carefully the instructions on the flyer, and get in touch with us with your CV, cover letter and academic transcripts.

📌 Based at Agribio, Bundoora, a state-of-the-art research centre.
📌 Working on insect trapping systems, with both field and lab components.
📌 Working to improve the detection and surveillance of insect pests and pathogens of Grains.
📌You will get a $37,000 (tax free) scholarship for up to 3.5 years.

What we are looking for:

Do you have expertise with #insects 🐛 🐜 , insect #traps, and collection methods?
Do you like working in the #field? What about working in the #laboratory?
Do you have experience with #molecular methods?
.. or are you simply really interested in these topics?