Tootfinder

If you have an opportunity to visit a freshly-burned forest, look for pyrophilic beetles (e.g., certain species in Sericoda, Melanophila, Monochamus) and flies (Microsania). Some have specialized antennae for detecting smoke, others use infrared-sensing areas on abdomen or thorax to locate hot spots. #fire #smoke #weather #canada #beetles #coleoptera #insects #flies #trees #forests

Asiatic oak weevil (Cyrtepistomus castaneus) from a nearby park. No males have ever been found, even in its native range. Parthenogenesis is apparently common among broad-nosed weevils (Entiminae). #ploidy #parthenogenesis #weevils #beetles #insects #nature #oaks #coleoptera #curculionidae

Egg of a redbud seed weevil (Gibbobruchus mimus) glued to the edge of a seedpod. I've been taking photographs just in case it's possible to see when they are parasitized by fairy wasps (Mymaridae). Likely futile. #bruchidae #beetle #insect #coleoptera #nature #macro #redbud #wasps #macrophotography