LightNews — News, ranked by scholars

Graham Jones

@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

I think the #WeeBee I saw on Friday was the last of the season. Even a trip to the garden centre proved useless. I think they've gone. So, back to the archive we go for #PinkMon #ColorADay
#Insects #BugsOfBluesky
#MacroMonday #MinimalMonday
#EastCoastKin #PhotographersOfBlueSky #iPhonePhotography

A Carder Bee approaching a Pink Cosmos flower in my front garden last month.
Camera: iPhone 15 Pro.

November 9, 2026 at 7:37 AM

alisonwillis1.bsky.social

@alisonwillis1.bsky.social

One invasive species, three distinct colour morphs, and one giant overwintering huddle. No wonder ObsIdentify got confused, every single beetle here is a non-native harlequin ladybird, showing off just a fraction of their wild colour variation.
#ColorADay #RedWed #ECK #BugsOfBluesky #UKNature

A close-up outdoor photograph of dozens of non-native harlequin ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis) densely huddled together on a dark wooden surface beside dry yellow grass stems. The cluster showcases three distinct colour morphs of this invasive species: mostly orange and red individuals with numerous black spots (forma succinea), glossy black beetles with four red spots (forma spectabilis), and glossy black beetles with two large red spots (forma conspicua). Nearly all have white pronotums marked with a black 'M' shape. Warm sunlight from the right highlights their shiny, domed shells.

November 11, 2026 at 5:21 AM

Graham Jones

@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

The local #WeeBee population love the pink Cosmos flowers that return each year in a garden border next to the road that runs in front of my home.
#PinkMon #ColorADay
#Insects #BugsOfBluesky
#SensoryArt #Motion
#EastCoastKin #PhotographersOfBlueSky #iPhonePhotography

A dark orange-and-black striped Buff-tailed Bumblebee takes off after feasting on the nectar-rich yellow centre of one the Garden Cosmos blooms that grow in a narrow border next to the pavement and a few feet away from a road. The plant's spindly green leaves are seen to the left. On the far side of the grey road sits a hedge, bordering farmland.
Camera: iPhone 15 Pro.

November 2, 2026 at 8:58 AM

Graham Jones

@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

#WeeBee to Hive Base: Have located forest of blue blooms. Am going in to investigate. Nectaring equipment primed and ready for action.

#WeeBee
#BlueTue #ColorADay
#Insects #BugsOfBluesky
#Macro #EastCoastKin #PhotographersOfBlueSky #iPhonePhotography #DailyArt

A Common Carder Bee, seen from above with striped honey and black fuzzy body and gossamer wings whirring, approaches a Nepeta Purrsian Blue Catnip flower. The plant's small, oval-shaped green leaves glow in the afternoon sunlight.
Camera: iPhone 15 Pro.

October 27, 2026 at 7:42 AM

Graham Jones

@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

Is there a better way to start your week than with a #WeeBee on a pink flower? Thought not. Here's one nectaring at the garden centre. Have a beautiful day.
#PinkMon #ColorADay
#Insects #BugsOfBluesky
#MacroMonday #MinimalMonday
#EastCoastKin #PhotographersOfBlueSky #iPhonePhotography

A close-up portrait of a fuzzy yellow and buff Bumblebee with its legs deep in the petals of a pink bloom and gorgeous gossamer wings neatly folded, sucking up the nectar from inside while a large black eye keeps watch. The blurred background is of more flowers and garden labels.
Camera: iPhone 15 Pro.

October 26, 2026 at 6:10 AM

SK_Lady_Brat🤪

@skay112.bsky.social

Nighttime visitor.
#goodmorning #bugsofbluesky

October 21, 2026 at 10:26 AM

Lish

@teaintheweeds.bsky.social

Pretty wings. Questionable appetites. 🦋

Butterflies drink from corpses. Some moths steal tears from sleeping animals. Others pierce skin to drink blood.

Some caterpillars wear cases made from animal remains.

Nature doesn't need Halloween. 🦇

#Moths #BugsOfBluesky #October #NaturePhotography

October 21, 2026 at 1:27 PM

Graham Jones

@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

While the cat's away playing, the #WeeBee is working hard. A Common Carder Bee on Catnip Nepeta Purrsian Blue (love that name) at the garden centre.
#BlueTue #ColorADay
#Insects #BugsOfBluesky
#Macro #EastCoastKin #PhotographersOfBlueSky #iPhonePhotography #DailyArt

Like a friendlier version of a Praying Mantis, a Common Carder Bee rears up and sinks its tongue deep into its "victim" - the tiny trumpet-like pale bkue floret of a Catnip/Nepeta plant. The bee's fuzzy yellow back is arched towards the flower and one transparent wing is folded neatly down. The black Antennae are also probing the plant while its large glossy eye seems to focus on the task below.
Camera: iPhone 15 Pro.

October 20, 2026 at 6:36 AM

Graham Jones

@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

A #WeeBee comes in for landing on a Pink Cosmos in my front garden and casts a shadow on one of the petals.
#PinkMon #ColorADay
#Insects #BugsOfBluesky
#MacroMonday #MinimalMonday
#EastCoastKin #PhotographersOfBlueSky #iPhonePhotography #DailyArt

A small Carder Bee, legs stretching down and gossamer veined wings outstretched to the side, helicopters down towards its target - the yellow centre of a pink and white Cosmos flower. The petals curve upwards and one, on the right, captures a shadow of the incoming Bee. More blooms are seen in the background to the right with another insect on one. You might need a magnifying glass for that one.
Camera: iPhone 15 Pro.

October 19, 2026 at 7:12 AM

Graham Jones

@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

Time for a #WeeBee before they all disappear. This is one reason why I don't like Autumn. I know they will be back but it will be a long wait. Anyhoo, in the meantime.
#BlueTue #ColorADay
#Insects #BugsOfBluesky
#Macro
#EastCoastKin #PhotographersOfBlueSky #iPhonePhotography #DailyArt

A Carder Bee gets down to business on one of the last blue Ceratostigma blooms, leaning right into the heart of the flower to extract the nectar while clinging on with its black legs. The wings are folded back over the insects honey-coloured fuzzy back. The background is greenery of the garden.
Camera: iPhone 15 Pro.

October 13, 2026 at 7:41 AM

Graham Jones

@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

To begin the week, a #WeeBee who looks like he just had his "hair" brushed by his mum before leaving the hive for the day. Have a lovely week folks.
#PinkMon #ColorADay
#Insects #BugsOfBluesky
#MacroMonday #MinimalMonday
#EastCoastKin #PhotographersOfBlueSky #iPhonePhotography #DailyArt

Pink petals of a Cosmos flower spread out underneath a common Carder Bee. The insects wings are spread wide, showing the delicate, veined texture of the gossamer structure, while its buff and black fuzzy striped abdomen looks almost as if it has been brushed into a quiff.
Camera: iPhone 15 Pro.

October 12, 2026 at 5:57 AM

Alex B

@alxmb.eurosky.social

#moth #hawkmoth #hummingbirdhawkmoth #macroglossumstellatarum #insect #naturephotography #nature #wildlife #insectsofbluesky #bugsofbluesky #mothsofbluesky #insectphotography #closeup #naturecloseup #photography #wildlifephotography

September 27, 2026 at 4:47 PM

Graham Jones

@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

I was really pleased yesterday to finally capture a clear picture of a tiny Hoverfly in action as it approached a Salvia at the top of my little garden.
#FlyDay #PurpleFriday
#Insects #BugsOfBluesky
#FlowersOnFriday #Bloomscrolling
#MacroPhotography
#PhotographersOfBluesky
#EastCoastKin

Eupeodes luniger - a yellow and black striped Hoverfly - approaching the trumpet-like flower of a purple Salvia Amistad by my weathered grey wood panel garden fence in morning sunlight.
Camera: iPhone 15 Pro.

September 25, 2026 at 5:56 AM

Graham Jones

@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

Summer magic on a Sunflower, growing near a quiet village road in Surrey.
#Stunday #WeeBees
#ColorADay #OrangeSun
#SundaySunflowers
#YellowSunday
#Bloomscrolling
#FlowersOnSunday
#Insects #BugsOfBluesky
#EastCoastKin #ECK #PhotographersUnited #PhotographersOfBlueSky #iPhonePhotography

A Western Honey Bee at the deep brown centre of a Sunflower, its yellow and black striped body arched down and gossamer wings spread out as it bends to its task of collecting nectar. The beautiful ochre-streaked petals of the bloom complete the picture of late Summer magic by a village roadside.
Camera: iPhone 15 Pro.

September 20, 2026 at 7:58 AM

IBBIRDIN

@northernbirder.bsky.social

#asteroidmoth #caterpillar #bugsofbluesky #bugsky

September 19, 2026 at 10:07 PM

palangrin Dr.OD

@palangrin1526.bsky.social

noctuid moth
Eulithosia discistriga
southeastern Arizona, 2026

#bugsky
#bugsofbluesky
#nature
#insects
#invertebrates
#moths

September 16, 2026 at 4:31 AM

undertreephotos.bsky.social

@undertreephotos.bsky.social

#PrayingMantis #Mantis #MacroPhotography #Insects #BugPhotography #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #SonyAlpha #SonyA7CII #TamronLens #SonyPhotography #BugsOfBluesky

September 8, 2026 at 2:02 AM

undertreephotos.bsky.social

@undertreephotos.bsky.social

#PrayingMantis #Mantis #MacroPhotography #Insects #BugPhotography #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #SonyAlpha #SonyA7CII #TamronLens #SonyPhotography #BugsOfBluesky

September 8, 2026 at 2:02 AM

undertreephotos.bsky.social

@undertreephotos.bsky.social

#PrayingMantis #Mantis #MacroPhotography #Insects #BugPhotography #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #SonyAlpha #SonyA7CII #TamronLens #SonyPhotography #BugsOfBluesky

September 8, 2026 at 2:03 AM

Graham Jones

@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

I don't usually do a double #WeeBee but I just went up the garden and saw this on the Sedum. Too good to wait another week.
#PinkMon #ColorADay
#Insects #BugsOfBluesky
#MacroMonday #MinimalMonday
#EastCoastKin #PhotographersOfBlueSky #iPhonePhotography #DailyArt

A Common Carder Bee on a pink Sedum, Stonecrop or Ice Plant. Fluffy orange bristly back with glistening, folded back nveined cellophane-like wings. Hairy legs protruding to either side as it makes its journey across the minuscule pink and white florets of the bloom.
Camera: iPhone 15 Pro.w

September 7, 2026 at 4:49 PM

Graham Jones

@oldmanrambling.bsky.social

Another week begins and the #WeeBees are still hard at it as autumn draws near, feverishly collecting nectar in the last days of their harvest. #PinkMon #ColorADay
#Insects #BugsOfBluesky
#MacroMonday #MinimalMonday
#EastCoastKin #PhotographersOfBlueSky #iPhonePhotography #DailyArt

A yellow and black striped Bumblebee hauls itself across the purply pink bloom of a small Hebe plant that recently bought from the garden centre. The insect's black, glistening head is bent forward and the antennae reaches across the flower with the tongue disappearing towards the target. Hairy legs cling to the blossom while the Bee's wings are folded neatly back.
Camera: iPhone 15 Pro.

September 7, 2026 at 7:22 AM

Robert Hill

@vonotar.bsky.social

Saw this big grasshopper today.
I think this one is called an Obscure Bird Grasshopper. Can anyone verify that? Easily one of the largest I have ever seen.
#photography #bugsofbluesky