Angela Chuang
@arachnonaut.bsky.social
Invasion Biology, Arachnology, Ethology, Agroecology | Washington College | board game enthusiast and reviewer
Pinned
🕷️🌍🕸️ Spiders aren't creepy crawlies—they're ecosystem heroes! From pest control to biotech inspiration to key figures in our collective culture, a new review reveals the many services spiders provide:
🔗 doi.org/10.1111/brv....
(drawing by @jmalumbresolarte.bsky.social)
🔗 doi.org/10.1111/brv....
(drawing by @jmalumbresolarte.bsky.social)
If you ever wondered how spiders are beneficial to humans and ecosystems, you may be interested in our newest review of "Ecosystem services provided by spiders", led by @cardosopmb.bsky.social! 🕷️🕸️
Reposted by Angela Chuang
I don't know where Schubart got off calling this species Stylodesmus horridus, because this little millipede looks cool as HECK. Specimen is from Mt. Nimba in South Africa (millibase.org/aphia.php?p=...).
December 7, 2025 at 9:30 PM
I don't know where Schubart got off calling this species Stylodesmus horridus, because this little millipede looks cool as HECK. Specimen is from Mt. Nimba in South Africa (millibase.org/aphia.php?p=...).
Reposted by Angela Chuang
For no particular reason, here's an unexpected guest that checked into my backyard insect hotel a few years ago. It's a beetle larva that initially tunnels into a wasp larva to feed, then pops out to finish development as an ectoparasite, which we see here. www.inaturalist.org/observations...
Macrosiagon cruenta
Macrosiagon cruenta from Swarthmore, PA 19081, USA on May 15, 2021 at 11:02 AM by Colin Purrington. Parasitoid attached to a potter wasp larva.
www.inaturalist.org
December 7, 2025 at 8:28 PM
For no particular reason, here's an unexpected guest that checked into my backyard insect hotel a few years ago. It's a beetle larva that initially tunnels into a wasp larva to feed, then pops out to finish development as an ectoparasite, which we see here. www.inaturalist.org/observations...
Reposted by Angela Chuang
Day 7 of our #spider #AdventCalendar (don't open the door⚠️) brings a winter darkling...
December 7, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Day 7 of our #spider #AdventCalendar (don't open the door⚠️) brings a winter darkling...
Reposted by Angela Chuang
I'm recruiting a Ph.D. student for Fall 2026.
Interested in comparative studies and trait evolution in fishes?
Send me an email with a CV and research interests. Please take a look at my website (jcorush.github.io ) for more information about my research.
#hybridization #minnows #mudskippers
Interested in comparative studies and trait evolution in fishes?
Send me an email with a CV and research interests. Please take a look at my website (jcorush.github.io ) for more information about my research.
#hybridization #minnows #mudskippers
Corush Lab
jcorush.github.io
December 4, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I'm recruiting a Ph.D. student for Fall 2026.
Interested in comparative studies and trait evolution in fishes?
Send me an email with a CV and research interests. Please take a look at my website (jcorush.github.io ) for more information about my research.
#hybridization #minnows #mudskippers
Interested in comparative studies and trait evolution in fishes?
Send me an email with a CV and research interests. Please take a look at my website (jcorush.github.io ) for more information about my research.
#hybridization #minnows #mudskippers
Reposted by Angela Chuang
Check out our new paper! Not only do we describe a cool spider (new genus) from Madagascar, related to an Australian one, but we also make a deep dive into orb weaver morphology to better understand family relationships and synapomorhpies. Proud of this one!
1/8
A new spider genus from Madagascar!
Researchers led by Matjaž Kuntner (National Institute of Biology, Slovenia) have described Osmooka aphana, discovered in the montane forests of Marojejy National Park.
A new spider genus from Madagascar!
Researchers led by Matjaž Kuntner (National Institute of Biology, Slovenia) have described Osmooka aphana, discovered in the montane forests of Marojejy National Park.
December 6, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Check out our new paper! Not only do we describe a cool spider (new genus) from Madagascar, related to an Australian one, but we also make a deep dive into orb weaver morphology to better understand family relationships and synapomorhpies. Proud of this one!
Reposted by Angela Chuang
What are the most pressing questions
about the status of #insects? Our survey is available here in multiple languages: bit.ly/insectquestions! #insect #entomology #biodiversity
about the status of #insects? Our survey is available here in multiple languages: bit.ly/insectquestions! #insect #entomology #biodiversity
December 4, 2025 at 11:29 AM
What are the most pressing questions
about the status of #insects? Our survey is available here in multiple languages: bit.ly/insectquestions! #insect #entomology #biodiversity
about the status of #insects? Our survey is available here in multiple languages: bit.ly/insectquestions! #insect #entomology #biodiversity
Reposted by Angela Chuang
We're excited to announce the finalists of the #RSPPhotoComp 2025! 🎉 Starting with #microimaging and overall winner, 'Mesmerizing spider threads' by Dr Martin Ramirez, capturing two exceptional silk threads of the Australian net-caster spider (sample obtained by Dr Jonas Wolff @evoimec.bsky.social).
December 4, 2025 at 10:57 AM
We're excited to announce the finalists of the #RSPPhotoComp 2025! 🎉 Starting with #microimaging and overall winner, 'Mesmerizing spider threads' by Dr Martin Ramirez, capturing two exceptional silk threads of the Australian net-caster spider (sample obtained by Dr Jonas Wolff @evoimec.bsky.social).
Reposted by Angela Chuang
This is a wild story. These clams increased arsenic levels in the water.
Gold clam invasion in NZ threatens drinking water for millions of people
Nothing prepared me for the rapid transformation unfolding in the Waikato River since the invasion of the Asian clam, Adam Hartland writes.
www.rnz.co.nz
December 4, 2025 at 8:19 AM
This is a wild story. These clams increased arsenic levels in the water.
Reposted by Angela Chuang
This is the Sunburst Candy Spider from Thailand. Not AI (sucks to have to declare this). Very real and had been on my wish list for a long time.
The taxonomic placement is unclear, so we are leaving it at Cyrtarachninae.
The taxonomic placement is unclear, so we are leaving it at Cyrtarachninae.
November 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM
This is the Sunburst Candy Spider from Thailand. Not AI (sucks to have to declare this). Very real and had been on my wish list for a long time.
The taxonomic placement is unclear, so we are leaving it at Cyrtarachninae.
The taxonomic placement is unclear, so we are leaving it at Cyrtarachninae.
Reposted by Angela Chuang
Chilean Recluse (Loxosceles laeta)
November 30, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Chilean Recluse (Loxosceles laeta)
Reposted by Angela Chuang
Here comes Carolina's first paper on the effects of winter temperatures on survival, physiology and gene expression in wasp spiders. Thanks go to all coauthors for their various contribution that made this work possible!🧪🕷
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#climatechange
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#climatechange
November 27, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Here comes Carolina's first paper on the effects of winter temperatures on survival, physiology and gene expression in wasp spiders. Thanks go to all coauthors for their various contribution that made this work possible!🧪🕷
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#climatechange
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#climatechange
Reposted by Angela Chuang
I know I'm spamming you all with the world's largest flower this week but look at THIS! A rare glimpse inside Rafflesia arnoldi!
November 20, 2025 at 10:08 AM
I know I'm spamming you all with the world's largest flower this week but look at THIS! A rare glimpse inside Rafflesia arnoldi!
Reposted by Angela Chuang
Mainstream palaeoart often seems lily-white in terms of the diversity of its contributors. But pieces of palaeoart that rank among the -MOST SEEN- works in the entire field were examples of black craftsmanship. This week came news on the passing of Garfield G. Minott (1966-2025)... cont
November 15, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Mainstream palaeoart often seems lily-white in terms of the diversity of its contributors. But pieces of palaeoart that rank among the -MOST SEEN- works in the entire field were examples of black craftsmanship. This week came news on the passing of Garfield G. Minott (1966-2025)... cont
Reposted by Angela Chuang
For the first time, scientists have documented an unusual defense: Some species of arachnids build giant doppelgängers on their webs, creating a frightening deception that scares off would-be killers. https://scim.ag/487Myn0
November 12, 2025 at 5:08 PM
For the first time, scientists have documented an unusual defense: Some species of arachnids build giant doppelgängers on their webs, creating a frightening deception that scares off would-be killers. https://scim.ag/487Myn0
Reposted by Angela Chuang
Thanks Darwin Biological for including us in your book of practicals!
Our hands-on session helps students to investigate how many different species of plants and animals might be lurking in their local area.
Check out the whole booklet...
buff.ly/YleVbXf
Our hands-on session helps students to investigate how many different species of plants and animals might be lurking in their local area.
Check out the whole booklet...
buff.ly/YleVbXf
The Practical Biologist - Darwin Biological
A collection of 12 biology practicals created by expert institutions specifically for school use.
www.flipsnack.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Thanks Darwin Biological for including us in your book of practicals!
Our hands-on session helps students to investigate how many different species of plants and animals might be lurking in their local area.
Check out the whole booklet...
buff.ly/YleVbXf
Our hands-on session helps students to investigate how many different species of plants and animals might be lurking in their local area.
Check out the whole booklet...
buff.ly/YleVbXf
Reposted by Angela Chuang
Poem, "Jumping Spiders Can See the Moon"
(c) constance lee menefee
(c) constance lee menefee
November 2, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Poem, "Jumping Spiders Can See the Moon"
(c) constance lee menefee
(c) constance lee menefee
Reposted by Angela Chuang
Tarantula foot-pad. Who knew they could be so pretty?
November 1, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Tarantula foot-pad. Who knew they could be so pretty?
Reposted by Angela Chuang
Meet bob the red velvet mite
November 1, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Meet bob the red velvet mite
Reposted by Angela Chuang
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! 🎃👻
Is that a pumpkin or a spider butt? The marbled #orbweaver is all decked out for fall and the spooky season (though, really, this lovely lady was very shy and harmless)!
#Araneidae: #Araneus marmoreus
#Arachtober
Is that a pumpkin or a spider butt? The marbled #orbweaver is all decked out for fall and the spooky season (though, really, this lovely lady was very shy and harmless)!
#Araneidae: #Araneus marmoreus
#Arachtober
October 31, 2025 at 2:31 PM
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! 🎃👻
Is that a pumpkin or a spider butt? The marbled #orbweaver is all decked out for fall and the spooky season (though, really, this lovely lady was very shy and harmless)!
#Araneidae: #Araneus marmoreus
#Arachtober
Is that a pumpkin or a spider butt? The marbled #orbweaver is all decked out for fall and the spooky season (though, really, this lovely lady was very shy and harmless)!
#Araneidae: #Araneus marmoreus
#Arachtober
Reposted by Angela Chuang
📣 @asab.org grants BOOSTED! 📣
We've increased most of our research-related grants by 50%, effective from the next deadline of 1st Feb 2026.
Check out what we offer here:
www.asab.org/grant-overview
We've increased most of our research-related grants by 50%, effective from the next deadline of 1st Feb 2026.
Check out what we offer here:
www.asab.org/grant-overview
October 14, 2025 at 4:28 PM
📣 @asab.org grants BOOSTED! 📣
We've increased most of our research-related grants by 50%, effective from the next deadline of 1st Feb 2026.
Check out what we offer here:
www.asab.org/grant-overview
We've increased most of our research-related grants by 50%, effective from the next deadline of 1st Feb 2026.
Check out what we offer here:
www.asab.org/grant-overview
Reposted by Angela Chuang
Quite pleased with this shot of an Urosigalphus braconid wasp I got in central Austin today. I suspect the wasps are emerging from live oak acorns, having parasitized the grubs acorn weevils.
Not many live photos exist of this genus, it seems.
Not many live photos exist of this genus, it seems.
October 18, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Quite pleased with this shot of an Urosigalphus braconid wasp I got in central Austin today. I suspect the wasps are emerging from live oak acorns, having parasitized the grubs acorn weevils.
Not many live photos exist of this genus, it seems.
Not many live photos exist of this genus, it seems.
Reposted by Angela Chuang
Exciting times ahead - I'm beyond delighted to be joining @bristolbiosci.bsky.social in 2026! 🎉🕷️🎉🐌🎉
I'm also looking for a PhD student to join @multipleye-lab.bsky.social in our new home! Come and study the effects of light pollution on the evolution and development of spider eyes with us 🌃🕷️👀 👇
I'm also looking for a PhD student to join @multipleye-lab.bsky.social in our new home! Come and study the effects of light pollution on the evolution and development of spider eyes with us 🌃🕷️👀 👇
October 17, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Exciting times ahead - I'm beyond delighted to be joining @bristolbiosci.bsky.social in 2026! 🎉🕷️🎉🐌🎉
I'm also looking for a PhD student to join @multipleye-lab.bsky.social in our new home! Come and study the effects of light pollution on the evolution and development of spider eyes with us 🌃🕷️👀 👇
I'm also looking for a PhD student to join @multipleye-lab.bsky.social in our new home! Come and study the effects of light pollution on the evolution and development of spider eyes with us 🌃🕷️👀 👇
Reposted by Angela Chuang
Hello friends, I am recovering from getting COVID again and had to miss a week of work. It would be really helpful if I could get 2-3 commissions before the end of October to help me catch up on bills.
My recent art is mostly wildlife, but I would also love to draw your pet!
ko-fi.com/ariganahl
My recent art is mostly wildlife, but I would also love to draw your pet!
ko-fi.com/ariganahl
October 16, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Hello friends, I am recovering from getting COVID again and had to miss a week of work. It would be really helpful if I could get 2-3 commissions before the end of October to help me catch up on bills.
My recent art is mostly wildlife, but I would also love to draw your pet!
ko-fi.com/ariganahl
My recent art is mostly wildlife, but I would also love to draw your pet!
ko-fi.com/ariganahl
Reposted by Angela Chuang
Different Islands, Different Songs — Cultural Evolution in Real Time 🌋🎶
Darwin’s cactus finches on Floreana & Santa Cruz sing 25 unique syllable types—none shared.
Floreana = broader bandwidths 🎶
Santa Cruz = larger beaks 🐦
Kaluppa et al. 2025, BJLS
doi.org/10.1093/biol...
Pictures: J. Garcia-Loor
Darwin’s cactus finches on Floreana & Santa Cruz sing 25 unique syllable types—none shared.
Floreana = broader bandwidths 🎶
Santa Cruz = larger beaks 🐦
Kaluppa et al. 2025, BJLS
doi.org/10.1093/biol...
Pictures: J. Garcia-Loor
October 16, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Different Islands, Different Songs — Cultural Evolution in Real Time 🌋🎶
Darwin’s cactus finches on Floreana & Santa Cruz sing 25 unique syllable types—none shared.
Floreana = broader bandwidths 🎶
Santa Cruz = larger beaks 🐦
Kaluppa et al. 2025, BJLS
doi.org/10.1093/biol...
Pictures: J. Garcia-Loor
Darwin’s cactus finches on Floreana & Santa Cruz sing 25 unique syllable types—none shared.
Floreana = broader bandwidths 🎶
Santa Cruz = larger beaks 🐦
Kaluppa et al. 2025, BJLS
doi.org/10.1093/biol...
Pictures: J. Garcia-Loor
Reposted by Angela Chuang
A third spider we'll be searching for in Okefenokee Swamp is Floricomus floricomus. A tiny, 1.5mm spider with a distinct plumose setae-covered horn on the head of males, this spider was first discovered in 1922 when it was CUT OUT OF THE STOMACH OF A TOAD that was hopping around in Okefenokee Swamp.
October 16, 2025 at 4:12 PM
A third spider we'll be searching for in Okefenokee Swamp is Floricomus floricomus. A tiny, 1.5mm spider with a distinct plumose setae-covered horn on the head of males, this spider was first discovered in 1922 when it was CUT OUT OF THE STOMACH OF A TOAD that was hopping around in Okefenokee Swamp.