Francesco Martoni

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?

✨ #ENTOMOLOGY #PhD POSITION ✨

Optimising sampling for surveillance and diagnostics of grain #pests.

Working with us at #AgricultureVictoria, in Melbourne, Australia. On the beautiful campus of @latrobeuni.bsky.social.

Enjoy this one with volume up!

#entomology #beetles

First day on here!

How do I get added to ento and science starter packs?

I offer a beautiful psyllid (Creiis longipennis) emerging from its lerp and nymph, I guess 😍