The bizarre 'stalk-eyed bug' Henestaris laticeps, common around Buck's-horn Plantain plants, Ayrmer Cove, Devon. The reason why its eyes are stalked is unknown.

Barometer Earthstar Astraeus hygrometricus. This fungus is associated with trees, English Oak at this site. A hygroscopic layer inside the rays causes them to open in damp conditions which are beneficial for spore dispersal. Stover Country Park, Devon thanks @2turrell.bsky.social

First and my earliest ever Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula of the year yesterday Buckfastleigh, Devon

The beautiful Bordered Tortoise Beetle Cassida vittata in clifftop vegetation at Bolberry Down, Devon

Lots of Dark-edged Bee-flies Bombylius major out in the sunshine this week - their super long tongues enable them to sip nectar from Primrose flowers. Buckfastleigh, Devon

Master of camouflage the amazing Lichen Running Spider Philodromus margaritatus Buckfastleigh, Devon 2 found yesterday thanks @2turrell.bsky.social

Stonechat Saxicola torquata collecting birch leaves to line her nest yesterday, south Devon.

A tangle of about 15 Slow worms Anguis fragilis under a reptile mat where there is also a Southern Wood Ant Formica rufa nest. These legless lizards are known to seek out ant nests for overwintering as they provide well insulated, stable conditions over the winter months. Buckfastleigh, Devon

A mini 'beast' of the leaf litter the pseudoscorpion Chthonius ischnocheles. This tiny arachnid is just a few millimetres long. It uses its venomous 'pincer palps' to immobilise prey such as mites then covers them with digestive fluid and injests the liquefied remains. They are harmless to humans!

Some lovely spring moths are flying now Yellow Horned Achyla flavicornis, Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi and Oak Beauty Biston strataria, Buckfastleigh, Devon

Female Common Earwigs Forficula auricularia are very good mothers. After spending the winter guarding her batch of eggs she cares for the nymphs for several weeks and regurgitates food for them. The nymphs will disperse when they are large enough to fend for themselves. Dartmoor, Devon

First Violet Oil Beetles Meloe violaceus out today, Buckfastleigh, Devon

The very mild weather tempted a few solitary bees out at Prawle, Devon this week including this Buffish Mining Bee Andrena nigroaenea feeding on Lesser Celandine flowers.

Always good to see the first Hairy-footed Flower bees Anthophora plumipes of the year. At least 10 males flying around the cob wall by the church at Alphington, Exeter, Devon this afternoon.

The tiny Ramshorn Bagworm moth Luffia lapidella caterpillar in its case on a lichen covered gravestone, Alphington Church Exeter, Devon today.

Female Hedgehog Harvestman Nemastomella bacillifera, Billacombe, Plymouth last week - always good to see these 'punk rock' harvestmen

After all the rain lately great to see the first Black Oil Beetles Meloe proscarabaeus out on Bolberry Down, Devon yesterday - 11 seen in rough grassland along the coast path

The strange subterranean harvestman Scotolemon doriae in Plymouth, Devon today

I am looking forward to exhibiting some insect field paintings at the @entographica Collective exhibition Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution Queen’s Square, Bath BA1 2HN 2 – 25 FEBRUARY 2026 Mon–Sat 10am–4pm | Admission Free more information entographica.co.uk

THe REGUA reserve in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is a world hotspot for Pholcid cellar spiders with 24 species recorded. This is one from the genus Mesabolivar, beautiful as it moves amongst the dappled sunlit leaves on the forest floor.

Brixham Harbour, Devon is an excellent place to see Great Northern Divers Gavia immer at this time of year. Winter gales will drive more of them into Torbay. There was a count of 182 in the storm last weekend! They often raft together as darkness falls.

Bee-hunting beetles are the first animals known to fake the smell of flowers | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...

So many ppl voted @teamlabouruk.bsky.social because of their promises for a better protection of our nature and environment. Now they show that they are not better than the Tories or worse. Only party to get things changed are the @greenparty.org.uk

Unleashed: walking dogs off the lead greatly increases habitat disturbance in UK lowland heathlands..... link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Clinton Devon Estates showing their true colours by indirectly asking DEFRA to cull the beavers. Please share widely so everyone can see what they are really thinking. #WildlifeUK , #NatureUK , #MammalsUK, #BeaversUK , @protectthewild.bsky.social , @chrisgpackham.bsky.social