North America – Kettinki

2024-09-25 @ 12.32.15 ∈ In English

Scientists studying impact of painting wind turbine blade black to reduce bird collisions

The study aims to determine the effect of painted blades on reducing fatality rates among eagles, other birds, and bats. Researchers hypothesize that the black-painted blades will disrupt the visual uniformity of the airspace, making the turbines more noticeable to birds and prompting avoidance behavior.

2024-07-25 @ 10.30.17 ∈ In English

(Slightly surprising to me that this wasn’t known, or assumed already. Here’s discussion about the paper on the iNaturalist forum.)

When it comes to butterflies, people prefer pretty ones: That’s a problem for scientists.

[Users] underreported many species, particularly those that were difficult to identify and those with light-colored markings on their wings. Behavioral traits, such as butterflies' flight style and height, and traits that make butterflies difficult to photograph, may have affected reporting patterns, the researchers surmise.

2024-07-19 @ 8.18.36 ∈ In English

The redpoll finch saga: How two bird species just became one

[The] hoary redpoll finch, a small, plump bird commonly found in the Arctic, will be reclassified as the same species as the common redpoll finch, a smaller bird found in similar habitats. This announcement came as a direct result of a CU Boulder-led study which found that, despite their different looks, very few genetic differences exist between the two types of birds.

2024-07-05 @ 10.15.23 ∈ In English

Identifier Profile: @k8thegr8 · iNaturalist

If you’re photographing a caterpillar, Kate recommends getting at least three photos: one the top of the caterpillar, one of the side showing all the sets of legs, and a photo of the face (aka head capsule). It’s also really important to note the host plant (or make an observation of the host plant and get it identified on iNat). Even then, she reminds us that not all caterpillars (or adults) can be identified to the species level from photos alone.

2024-05-12 @ 16.54.16 ∈ In English

(From February 2023)

Can We Make Bicycles Sustainable Again?

Cycling is the most sustainable form of transportation, but the bicycle is becoming increasingly damaging to the environment. The energy and material used for its production go up while its life expectancy decreases.

2024-04-12 @ 13.11.30 ∈ In English

Entomological Soc. of America (@entsocamerica@arthropod.social)

Brunneria borealis is the only praying mantis species that always reproduces asexually. Every individual across its U.S. range is female, and a new study finds little genetic variation among them, pointing to a relatively recent introduction. Researchers posit that a single female mantis that could reproduce without a male may be the origin for the entire population of the species in North America.