So it’s International Sea Slug Day (Happy Birthday Dr Terry Gosliner) So here is the Branch of the Week featuring yours truly on one of my favourite little websites. slugsite.us/bow2007/nudw...

Work at Ettington Cutting site has now been completed for this year ✅ Many thanks to our hard working volunteers. Summer & Autumn photos of this site below.

Some potential great news from today - looks like I may have finally found a way to get some real scientists to start describing some of the many undescribed #Nudibranch we have here in the UAE. This spectacular creature will hopefully be the first on the list. #🦐 #🦑

So no #Nudibranch today - but something almost as cool - a little snail from the genus Diminovula. #🦑 #🦐 #Mollusc

This #Nudibranch is Caloria indica and is one of the slugs seen quite often here in the UAE. Hopefully I can get back in the water soon to find some more. #🦐 #🦑

So this morning we have a bug rather than a slug. This is Allogalathea elegans - the elegant squat lobster who are generally found hanging out on crinoids. This one is from the east coast of the #UAE #🦐 #🦑

This one is not so common here - probably only the second time in 15 years I’ve found this in the UAE. Goniobranchus alius is the name #🦑 #🦐 #Nudibranch

So for today’s #Nudibranch we have this zigzag emblazoned slug. This is Hypselodoris nigrostriata from the UAE. #MarineLife #Invertebrates

This tiny little Crustacean was hiding in a piece of old coral thinking nobody would spot them. Not sure of the genus - iNat suggested Pilodius #🦐 #🦑

So apparently it’s #MolluscMonday so here is one of our local star #Nudibranch in the UAE. Hypselodoris dollfusi is relatively common but no less spectacular. #Invertebrates #MarineLife #SeaSlugs

So for this shrimp I am leaning towards Dasycaris symbiotes- problem being it isn’t included in iNaturalist. It could also be D. ceratops but I’m not an expert so who knows. From the UAE. #Invertebrates #MarineLife

So this is one that shows up a few times here in the UAE - was historically referred to as Hypselodoris capensis - but is now more likely to be undescribed. This was found on a wreck down at 21m.

So first dive in over a year - and first dive in the UAE in about 4 years. A few Nudibranch were around which makes it nice. Here is the first one - an undescribed Phyllodesmium down at 21m.

We might possibly be in for some slugs in the near future

Hug?

My trail cam encountered a spiky customer the other night - I think I will call this one Stripe.

Here is a lovely Comma Butterfly from yesterday. I also managed to spot a Purple Emperor during a walk around the village with Mike Slater from @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social

I have so many Peacock butterflies in the garden at the moment all over my Buddleia bushes. @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social

Found a nice little Idaea aversata moth hanging out during the day @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social

My new garden appears to be a bit of a butterfly hotspot - I’ve recorded 16 different species so far. The buddleia must have had a dozen Peacocks on it, with Almost as many Red Admirals also.

This is essentially the devil incarnate for any country cottage garden owners - Cydalima perspectalis, the Box Tree Moth - and invasive pest from Asia that is currently decimating Buxus across the UK.

Here are a few more from the other day.

I’ve been busy refurbishing my new house of late but managed to grab a few minutes in the garden to get some bug shots.

My new garden has all sorts of roses growing within it, as I cut back undergrowth I keep discovering more. I suspect this one is “Fragrant Cloud”, a type of hybrid tea rose. It smells pretty sweet as well.

Had a Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) in the new garden today - it appears to already be a wildlife haven. Something large appears to be sleeping in my long grass each night so will need to get some trail cams set ups

My barn swallows have fledged - still hanging out with the parents whilst they increase their flying and bug catching skills. I think I have counted six of them so not bad for the first brood.

Been a bit busy of late - but I finally got my new house today - here is the garden. I’m gonna be busy methinks.

@alastaircampbell2.bsky.social so what are the chances that Musk will become Trump’s Khordorkovsky?

My Cottoneaster tree is blooming at the moment and the pollinators are all over it every day. Bees, wasps, Hoverflies and butterflies can’t get enough of it. #Invertebrates #Pollinators #Insects #Bees #Butterflies

Bluesky is dying……………..for more bug photos! Where else would be able to tell me if this is a type of Bracon parasitoid wasp or not. #Invertebrates #Insects #Wasps #Bugs #Macro

A fly and it’s reflection #Invertebrates #Flies #Insects #Bugs #Macro #Wildlife #Sony #Cygnustech

Hemaris fuciformis - Broad-boarded Bee Hawkmoth from Najac in France #Invertebrates #Moths #Insects #Bugs #Najac #Insects #Nature

Looks like the Mayflies were active today #Invertebrates #Insects #Mayfly #Bugs

This is the Odezia atrata moth - commonly called the Chimney-sweeper. Found on a woodland hike in Najac, France #Teammoth #Moths #Lepidoptera #Invertebrates #Insects

So it’s World Bee Day today - her we have Osmia brevicornis which is a solitary bee that specialises in pollinating Brassicas. #Invertebrates #Bees #Pollinators #Insects #WorldBeeDay

Found a Lycaena phlaeas in the allotments down by the river - luckily it stayed still long enough for me to get close. #Invertebrates #Butterflies #Lepidoptera #Insects #Bugs

A European Nursery Web Spider looking after her nursery. from Najac in France #Spiders #Arachnids #Invertebrates #Insects #Spoods #Bugs #Najac #Insects

In flagrante delicto- Anoplodera sexguttata (Six spotted Longhorn Beetle) from Najac in France #Invertbrates #Beetles #Insects #Bugs #Macro #BugLove

This is what a reasonably healthy Swift population looks like. #Najac #France #Swift #Insects

Just noticed a few folks posting this moth and referring to it as Geoff! This is one I found a few days ago down here in Najac, France. #Tubic #Moth #Invertebrates #Lepidoptera #Insects #Najac #Bugs

I found this Calopteryx virgo whilst taking a break near a fast flowing stream at the 12km mark. It was also at this point that my wife found out we still had another 6km to go - I was Mr popular for the reminder of the walk. #Invertebrates #Insects #Demoiselle #Damselfly #Najac #Wildlife

Also came across a number of snakes pretty much all them slipped away very quickly. However, Hierophis viridiflavus decided to hold its ground and get into a strike pose. These are now thought to be venomous so a few quick shots and then left to get on its way. #Reptiles #Snakes #Noodle #Najac

Another one from the hike - this was along a forestry track and was the first time I had ever seen one. Limenitis reducta - Southern White Admiral. #Invertebrates #Butterflies #Bugs #Insects #Lepidoptera #Najac

Went on a 18km hike yesterday with my big old Sony in hand. This was a tiny Leptophyes punctatissima nymph found in a stunning forest we came across halfway through the walk. #invertebrates #Bugs #Cricket #Insects #Najac

finally had the chance to read this. this story is bonkers: - stingless bees deposit resin around their nest entrance to deter predators - if intruders are trapped in the sticky resin, guard bees attack until they're repelled or glued to be killed - the assassin bugs found a loophole (continued)

A thirsty Stretch Spider from the genus Tetragnatha. Found in Najac, France #Spiders #Invertebrates #Arachnids #Bugs #Najac

Finding a fair few of what I believe are Centrotus cornutus - Horned Treehopper. A very cooperative critter. #insects #invertebrates #Macro #Najac #bugs

Here is a nice little Snipe Fly from the fields bordering the river at the bottoms of Najac in France. Best to get out early whilst it’s still cold so the bugs aren’t as active and easier to photograph #Bugs #insects #invertebrates #najac #macro

Another bug from yesterday - Ampedus sanguineus which seems an appropriate name. #Bugs #insects #France #Invertebrates

As well as all the insects and wildlife we get in this idyllic part of France - our village also has some interesting characters who frequent the area. Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of having a chat whilst supping an iced coffee with the marvellous actor who plays Radagast in The Hobbit.