Males of all North American velvet-ant species are winged, although males of Myrmilloides grandiceps are brachypterous—the wings are present, but they're tiny and non-functional.

The intimidation factor of the large mandibles is offset by the derpy-looking wings, in my opinion. 😀

I thoroughly enjoyed the ECN/ESA meetings this year in National Harbor.

Is it too soon to be thinking about #ECN2024? 😀

#EntSoc23 #ECN2023 #NaturalHistoryCollections

the Eyes have it...

Here's a robber fly in the genus Holcocepha for #Flyday Friday.

#NaturalHistoryCollections
#Taxonomy

Did you know...

filament for 3D printing is available in a variety of colors?

Including translucent white?

#NaturalHistoryCollections #Macrophotography #MakeYourOwnDiffuser

This might be a cause for concern in most other situations, but not in a natural history collection!

#NaturalHistoryCollections #Entomology #Insects

Curation Station.

#NaturalHistoryCollections
#Taxonomy
#Insects

Yesterday, we picked up the second half of a specimen donation that will...ah...significantly increase our holdings of Odonata! 🐉🪰

#NaturalHistoryCollections #Curation #Entomology #Dragonflies #Taxonomy

This species of spider beetle is considered a cosmopolitan pest of natural history collections.

It's a amazing creature, none the less.

#Insect #Beetle #NaturalHistoryCollections
#Taxonomy
#Macrophotography