Frank Ashwood

Soil ecologist & macrophotographer | www.frankashwood.com | He/Him

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npub1c435glznq5cc4qezj3utqjfwvmaffwtxmc8wftugs7kkydrjy22qysf257

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frankashwood_at_flipping.rocks@mostr.pub

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nprofile1qqsv2c6y03fs2vv2sv3fg79sfyhxd755h9ndurhy47yg0ttzx3ez99qpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgv70lkf

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relay.nostr.band

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Last Notes

2024-11-13 10:11:36

I spend a lot of time doing science communication on how interesting and important soil organisms are, often focusing on the more fascinating-looking creatures like springtails and mites...
...BUT, did you know that earthworms were my gateway soil animal? In fact, I did my PhD on earthworm ecology, and how they can improve damaged soil for growing trees!
If you need a little help going to sleep tonight, you can always read my thesis here: https://clok.uclan.ac.uk/16560/
#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #SoilFauna #Earthworm #SoilScience #Macrophotography
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2024-11-12 07:23:30

AMAZING SOIL ANIMAL ART ALERT!!
Today I received these two beautiful handmade prints by the exceptionally talented Svenja Meyer, showing off the wonderful diversity of springtails and mites. My office is about to get even more soil fauna-themed, if that's even possible!
Go check out Svenja's fabulous work at smartwork.bigcartel.com - I'm a big fan of her mugs too!
#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Entomology #Collembola #Acari #Acarology #NatureArt #InsectArt #PrintMaking
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2024-11-07 09:09:07

It's rough out there at the moment, and there's little I can do except to offer a collection of baby springtails to bring a moment of comfort.
No matter what's going on in the world, remember there's always baby springtails near you, oblivious to it all and just living that little sproinglet dream.
#MacroPhotography #SoiBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Entomology #Collembola
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2024-11-04 08:42:30

This Calvatomina superba is one of New Zealand's many crazily-coloured globular springtails, most of which are still undescribed to science.
Springtails like this are capable of instantaneously leaping to heights of up to 100 times their body length - equivalent to a human jumping over the Eiffel tower!
#Macrophotgraphy #SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Entomology #Collembola
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2024-11-02 21:46:45

Some giant springtail-relatives have specially flattened bodies for squeezing into cracks in their decaying log homes. This is great for evading would-be predators, and, unfortunately for me, macrophotographers!
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Entomology #Nature #NaturePhotography #Collembola
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2024-11-01 04:05:57

DID YOU KNOW that New Zealand has an annual 'Bug of the Year' contest?
Voting opens in Jan 2025, and of course I've championed... GIANT SPRINGTAILS!
Anyone around the world can vote, so get ready to cast your ballot for these amazing minibeasts, and expect lots of giant springtail promotional content from me in the runup!
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Entomology #SoilFauna #Collembola #Springtails
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2024-10-30 07:16:25

I was blown away by this very unusual white-pigmented morph of a familiar giant springtail species (H. spinosa), which I found recently under a log in a tree fern forest in Kaikōura, Aotearoa.
These springtails normally have either yellow or orange coloured spines, so this was a very special little sproinglet indeed!
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #SoilBiology #Entomology #Collembola
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2024-10-29 09:37:37

Globular springtails such as this little cutie have a distinctive spherical body (their abdominal and thoracic segments are fused) and are often colourful and beautifully patterned.
They're important grazers and detritivores, feeding on microbes and decaying plant matter - helping to regulate litter decomposition and soil nutrient cycling!
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Entomology
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2024-10-26 22:15:02

In New Zealand, the invertebrate life is mostly nocturnal, so for macrophotography it's best to go out with your camera at night.
I'm from the UK, so a bit wary of going into the forest after dark, but I'm slowly getting used to it here (while still taking safety precautions of course). It's absolutely worth it - you see so many more creatures and can get amazing behaviour shots like this springtail feeding on fungi!
#Macrophotography #SoilEcology #SoilBiology #SoilFauna #Collembola #SpringtailSunday
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2024-10-23 08:17:58

Here's another beautiful springtail from my recent macrophotography trip out in the NZ bush.
There's so many stunning soil invertebrates here in Aotearoa, and most are still unknown to science. Hopefully through my research and photography I'll be able to help change that, even a little bit...
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Entomology #Collembola #MesoFauna
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2024-10-20 08:49:20

Ever wonder how big a 'giant' springtail is? Well here you go!
We found this gnarled old Holacanthella duospinosa today at Lewis Pass, measuring a whopping 12 mm in length (most springtails are less than 5 mm).
It's been a rare joy dedicating a weekend to macrophotography in the NZ bush, I've seen so many amazing things - stand by for a flood of soil animal photos over the coming weeks!
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Entomology #Collembola
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2024-10-18 08:47:22

My long macrophotography weekend with Andy Murray (chaosofdelight.org) has kicked off in full force, starting with this amazing Holothyrida from Kaikōura's foothills.
Holothyrida are taxonomically somewhere between ticks and mites, and are only found in former Gondwanan landmasses. Very cool wee beasties!
#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Entomology #Macrophotography
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2024-10-14 08:09:57

Some exciting news, my good friend and macrophotography mentor Andy Murray (of chaosofdelight.org fame) is here in New Zealand, and we'll be meeting up soon for some soil biodiversity macrophotography adventures out in the bush!
Stay tuned for some epic updates!
#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Macrophotography
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2024-10-09 08:21:42

Now for something completely different...
I'm teaching a freshwater lab this week, and we found a rarely seen Catenulid flatworm today!
Their name comes from the Latin 'catenula', meaning 'small chain', as when they asexually reproduce, they often form long chains of individual zooids.
There's a genus of these bizarre worms which lacks a digestive tract, and appears to get their nutrition from intracellular symbiotic chemoautotrophic bacteria!
Every day truly is a school day!
#Invertebrates #Ecology #Science #Nature #Worms
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2024-09-13 04:58:10

Having your photography on journal covers is basically the same thing as publishing in them, right?
Either way, it’s always a great feeling to see my photos used to promote soil biodiversity in print 🥰
#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Entomology #Macrophotography #Collembola #Earthworm
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2024-06-24 08:38:21

Oribatid mites such as this Damaeidae species are mostly detritivores or fungivores, playing an important role in regulating the breakdown of dead plant material.
Because of their diets, they’re particularly abundant & diverse in litter-rich forest soils and decaying wood!
#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #Macrophotography #Acari #MiteMonday
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2024-06-04 07:20:48

I forked out for an Olympus TG-7 tough camera as a grab-and-go option for times when I can't take my normal macro kit.
The question is, how does the macro on the TG-7 compare to my Nikon D850/Laowa lens setup?
Well, I took it for a spin at the weekend, so let's find out... PHOTOS BELOW!
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity
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2024-05-24 10:08:02

I can finally announce it... I'm writing a book!!
Buckle in for a safari through the soil - meeting all the wondrous creatures that keep our world ticking over.
I can't believe how lucky I am to be working with such an amazing editorial team, it's so exciting!
Link here: https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/hodders-48-hour-pre-empt-for-soil-ecologist
#soilbiodiversity #soilecology
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2024-05-24 10:08:02

2024-05-19 07:35:30

Do you love #SpringtailSaturday, but feel it's always over too soon?
Dry your eyes, my friend.
They said it couldn't be done.
They said that dedicating more than one day a week to springtails was impossible, merely the arrogant pipe-dream of a madman.
But, guess what?
It's #SpringtailSunday.
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2024-05-15 07:27:45

Why I love soil ecology - where else on Earth would you find something so bizarre as this?
Ptyctimous mites like this are the ultimate tanks of the mite world, capable of retracting their legs back into their heavily-armoured body, so there's nothing exposed for predators to nibble!
#SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography #SoilEcology #Acarology
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2024-05-13 10:21:56

What's this?
Wrong answers only!
#SoilBiodiversity #MacroPhotography #SoilEcology #Acarology #Acari
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2024-05-12 21:41:48

Send help, my brain is still playing Rim Tim Tagi Dim on repeat… 🐈
#Eurovision

2024-04-30 08:27:05

Mmmm forbidden candy floss...
#SlimeMold #Macrophotography #Fungi
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2024-04-27 08:56:34

My favourite personal observation so far in the #CityNatureChallenge is this White Banded House Jumper (Maratus griseus) from University of Canterbury campus yesterday.
I didn't know that New Zealand has an introduced species of Peacock spider! Gorgeous wee thing!🕷️
#Arachnology #Spider #Macrophotoraphy
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2024-04-10 08:43:03

If New Zealand's 'giant' springtails (Holacanthella sp.) were REALLY giant in size (i.e. not 1 cm long), they'd be the perfect kaiju.
Imagine one of these as tall as a skyscraper, battling Godzilla... what monster name would you give it?
#Entomology #SoilEcology #SoilBiodiversity
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2024-04-06 04:07:38

I’ve been in NZ for 8 months, patiently waiting for feijoa season to see what the fuss is about…
This is going to lose me followers, but feijoas can absolutely get in the bin.
Who decided that fairy washing up liquid would be a good flavour for a fruit?

2024-03-24 17:15:49

I'm getting #MiteMonday in early today, with this predatory 'snout' mite (family Bdellidae).
At only 2 mm in size, it's astonishing just how intricate the details can be on these creatures. I've not seen such scale-like armour and piercing red eyes in these before, it's very striking!
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #Acari
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2024-03-18 08:17:11

What do you do when you REALLY wanted antennae, but life hands you an arachnid body plan? You stretch those front legs of course!
Linopodes mites have front legs up to SIX TIMES their body length, which they use to sense their environment & find fungi to eat.
#Macrophotography #SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #MiteMonday
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2024-03-15 07:18:54

You all know my hobby is macrophotography, but sometimes I feel like a need a new creative outlet. So, I'd like to know your hobbies!
Comment below: What inspires, relaxes, and/or keeps you going? Maybe you paint miniatures, write music, make candles, carve bowls, découpage... I'd love to know!
#Hobby #Macrophotography
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2024-03-09 00:36:35

Well, sadly I didn't win Wildlife Photographer of the Year, but two of my 'worm' photos made it through to the shortlisted final round of judging, so I'm calling that an achievement!
Next year...
#WPoTY #Macrophotography #Earthworm #SoilBiodiversity
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2024-03-07 02:50:02

An excellent justification. Makes my fieldwork seem kinda tame! #science
From: Melguizo-Ruiz et al. 2020. Field exclusion of large soil predators impacts lower trophic levels and decreases leaf-litter decomposition in dry forests. J Anim Ecol. 89(2):334-346.
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2024-03-06 08:51:20

This beauty is one of New Zealand's endemic giant 'pill' millipedes (genus Procyliosoma).
Growing up to 5 cm in length, they spend the day curled up under logs and stones to avoid danger from predators and drying out. At night, they emerge to safely feed on decaying leaves on native forest floors.
#Macrophotography #SoilEcology #SoilBiodiversity #Myriapoda
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2024-02-22 08:51:25

This is a Pauropod - a remarkable tiny relative of millipedes and centipedes. Most are <1.5 mm long, and they all possess a unique type of branching (‘biramous’) antennae.
Pauropods live in soil, leaf litter, and under stones and decaying wood, where they feed on fungi and organic matter.
I'm curious, have you seen one before?
#Macrophotography #Myriapoda #SoiLBiodiversity
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2024-02-20 07:33:00

The votes have been counted and the winner of NZ Bug of the Year 2024 is... Kahukura / the New Zealand Red Admiral butterfly!
More info: https://bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz/
I'm getting in early with a soil animal nominee suggestion for 2025's contest: New Zealand's endemic GIANT SPRINGTAIL! Just look at this natural-born winner!
#Entomology #Collembola #Bug #Springtail
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2024-02-09 19:58:35

I've been a bit absent on social media lately due to a perfect storm of 4 weeks of fieldwork & work/life commitments.
One more week of fieldwork to go and things start to settle down again, then I'll be back to filling your feeds with lovely photos of soil biodiversity at its finest (such as this Symphylan)!
#Macrophotography #SoilEcology #SoilBiodiversity
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2023-06-13 05:50:26

Worm fact!
Did you know that there are several earthworm species which are considered 'arboreal', in that they're more associated with trees than in soil?
Some species, such as this Dendrobaena attemsi are often found in rot holes, under bark on trees and in decaying logs!
#SoilBiodiversity #Earthworm #MacroPhotograhy #SoilFauna
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2023-05-26 09:26:19

A predatory mite (family Bdellidae) doing what it does best - feeding on a springtail. Having a mite skewer your head with its pointed chelicerae isn't the nicest way to go, but fascinating to observe!
#SoilFauna #SoilEcology #Mesofauna #SoilBiodiversity #Macrophotography #Acari #Collembola #Mite #Springtail
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2023-04-30 09:16:55

I'm hoping it's better late than never for #InverteFest, with this photo of a beautiful globular springtail (Dicyrtomina saundersi)!
#SoilFauna #SoilEcology #SoilBiodiversity #Mesofauna #Springtail #SpringtailSunday #MacroPhotography #Collembola
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2023-04-18 21:14:13

A common pygmy woodlouse (Trichoniscus pusillus agg.) walking towards a feathery fungal fruiting body on a decaying log.
#[0] #[1] #[2] #[3] #[4] #[5]
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