Michael Caterino
@mcaterino.bsky.social
Coleopterist, documenting patterns of beetle diversity (especially histerids & staphylinoids); University prof sharing systematics with the next generation; aspiring popular science writer; would rather be in the field.
Reposted by Michael Caterino
I like to see threatened species get picked up by popular culture so they get moved to an appropriate climate and helped to grow.
Maybe I'll plant myself a Fraser up here by the Fraser River
Maybe I'll plant myself a Fraser up here by the Fraser River
'Tis the season to consider some of the ins and outs of Christmas tree production. It's quite striking that the regionally endemic and somewhat threatened Fraser fir has become so popular. This may end up being its own salvation!
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/o-chri...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/o-chri...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
O Christmas tree… how tasty are your branches! - Value in nature
It’s fast coming on Christmas season. In a few days, while we’re probably still digesting the last of the Thanksgiving turkey, we’ll bundle up (or not, this is South Carolina,...
mscaterino.pika.page
November 26, 2025 at 12:11 AM
I like to see threatened species get picked up by popular culture so they get moved to an appropriate climate and helped to grow.
Maybe I'll plant myself a Fraser up here by the Fraser River
Maybe I'll plant myself a Fraser up here by the Fraser River
Reposted by Michael Caterino
Some thoughts on how to win the argument with your MAGA uncle at Thanksgiving:
www.messageboxnews.com/p/how-to-han...
www.messageboxnews.com/p/how-to-han...
How to Handle Your MAGA Uncle at Thanksgiving (Without Ruining Dinner)
Some facts and messages for the inevitable, awkward political conversation over Turkey.
www.messageboxnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Some thoughts on how to win the argument with your MAGA uncle at Thanksgiving:
www.messageboxnews.com/p/how-to-han...
www.messageboxnews.com/p/how-to-han...
Reposted by Michael Caterino
Check out the latest post on the Triplehorn Insect Collection’s Pinning Block blog. #curation #museums #insects #collections #entomology
Behind Every Beetle: The Complete Story of Cerambycidae Curation
As I approach the end of my second year as a Curatorial Assistant at the Triplehorn Insect Collection, I wanted to reflect on the experience of the largest and most comprehensive assignment I have …
u.osu.edu
November 25, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Check out the latest post on the Triplehorn Insect Collection’s Pinning Block blog. #curation #museums #insects #collections #entomology
'Tis the season to consider some of the ins and outs of Christmas tree production. It's quite striking that the regionally endemic and somewhat threatened Fraser fir has become so popular. This may end up being its own salvation!
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/o-chri...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/o-chri...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
O Christmas tree… how tasty are your branches! - Value in nature
It’s fast coming on Christmas season. In a few days, while we’re probably still digesting the last of the Thanksgiving turkey, we’ll bundle up (or not, this is South Carolina,...
mscaterino.pika.page
November 25, 2025 at 3:33 PM
'Tis the season to consider some of the ins and outs of Christmas tree production. It's quite striking that the regionally endemic and somewhat threatened Fraser fir has become so popular. This may end up being its own salvation!
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/o-chri...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/o-chri...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
The paper covered in this NPR piece justifies a brief addendum to my 'Increasing Lifespan..' post (mscaterino.pika.page/posts/increa...).
Researchers found a highly effective DNA repair protein in Bowhead whales that, inserted into Drosophila, increased lifespan and tumor resistance in the flies.
Researchers found a highly effective DNA repair protein in Bowhead whales that, inserted into Drosophila, increased lifespan and tumor resistance in the flies.
November 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The paper covered in this NPR piece justifies a brief addendum to my 'Increasing Lifespan..' post (mscaterino.pika.page/posts/increa...).
Researchers found a highly effective DNA repair protein in Bowhead whales that, inserted into Drosophila, increased lifespan and tumor resistance in the flies.
Researchers found a highly effective DNA repair protein in Bowhead whales that, inserted into Drosophila, increased lifespan and tumor resistance in the flies.
Reposted by Michael Caterino
When engineers struggled to make 3D printer nozzles narrow enough for their needs, they turned to nature and found the proboscis of a female mosquito had exactly the properties they needed
Mosquito proboscis repurposed as a fine nozzle for 3D printing
When engineers struggled to make 3D printer nozzles narrow enough for their needs, they turned to nature and found the proboscis of a female mosquito had exactly the properties they needed
www.newscientist.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:32 PM
When engineers struggled to make 3D printer nozzles narrow enough for their needs, they turned to nature and found the proboscis of a female mosquito had exactly the properties they needed
On the bus with ‘Tamed’, by @profaliceroberts.bsky.social , a fascinating look at early humans’ interactions with what turned out to be very useful elements of biodiversity. Highly recommended!
November 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM
On the bus with ‘Tamed’, by @profaliceroberts.bsky.social , a fascinating look at early humans’ interactions with what turned out to be very useful elements of biodiversity. Highly recommended!
New on the 'Value in nature' blog: "Increasing lifespan - it ain't necessarily so easy" (a nod to the Gershwin tune that questioned Methuselah's claimed age).
How can other species contribute to understanding & perhaps slowing aging?
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/increa...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
How can other species contribute to understanding & perhaps slowing aging?
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/increa...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
Increasing lifespan – It ain’t necessarily so easy - Value in nature
Among humanity’s preoccupations, fantasies about overcoming our mortality rank highly. From Methuselah’s Gershwin-doubted 900+ years to Bryan Johnson’s ongoing, experimental quest to live forever, we...
mscaterino.pika.page
November 19, 2025 at 1:51 AM
New on the 'Value in nature' blog: "Increasing lifespan - it ain't necessarily so easy" (a nod to the Gershwin tune that questioned Methuselah's claimed age).
How can other species contribute to understanding & perhaps slowing aging?
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/increa...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
How can other species contribute to understanding & perhaps slowing aging?
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/increa...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
The year in Ecuador already seems a lifetime away. Here's a soothing cruise over the rainforest of Mashpi from last May, short from the lodge's 'Libellula' (dragonfly) gondola.
November 18, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The year in Ecuador already seems a lifetime away. Here's a soothing cruise over the rainforest of Mashpi from last May, short from the lodge's 'Libellula' (dragonfly) gondola.
Reposted by Michael Caterino
It's week 3 of fatherhood, and today I was granted special dispensation from shopping, housework, nappies & feeding, to do some macrophotography!
The highlight was this Oribatid mite (N. spinulosa) sporting long defensive spines, which I've nicknamed the Hellraiser mite!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
The highlight was this Oribatid mite (N. spinulosa) sporting long defensive spines, which I've nicknamed the Hellraiser mite!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
November 6, 2025 at 4:08 AM
It's week 3 of fatherhood, and today I was granted special dispensation from shopping, housework, nappies & feeding, to do some macrophotography!
The highlight was this Oribatid mite (N. spinulosa) sporting long defensive spines, which I've nicknamed the Hellraiser mite!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
The highlight was this Oribatid mite (N. spinulosa) sporting long defensive spines, which I've nicknamed the Hellraiser mite!
#SoilBiodiversity 🧪
When a paper on surgical instruments inspired by sawfly ovipositors came out a few weeks ago, I knew I had to write about it:
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/the-ta...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/the-ta...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
The tale of the wasp - Value in nature
Stinging insects are among the creatures that entomologists always have to make excuses for. (‘Insects can be pretty, but why do they have to be so mean?!) If I can’t...
mscaterino.pika.page
November 15, 2025 at 1:24 PM
When a paper on surgical instruments inspired by sawfly ovipositors came out a few weeks ago, I knew I had to write about it:
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/the-ta...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/the-ta...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
Reposted by Michael Caterino
Do you want to find out what David Sharp, the famous 19th century entomologist called “the most extraordinary male characters of any Coleopterous insect”? Come to my talk tomorrow at 2:05pm in Portland Ballroom 252.
November 11, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Do you want to find out what David Sharp, the famous 19th century entomologist called “the most extraordinary male characters of any Coleopterous insect”? Come to my talk tomorrow at 2:05pm in Portland Ballroom 252.
In my off-hours from the annual Entomological Society of America meeting ( #EntSoc2025 ), I've been putting the finishing touches on a longer 'Value in nature' post on one of my favorite subjects, beer. Enjoy! #biodiversity #nature #beer 🌐
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/biodiv...
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/biodiv...
Biodiversity and beer - Value in nature
I recently wrote about the benefits of wild grape diversity for sustaining the wine industry. But, to be honest, I’m really more of a beer guy. Fortunately, there’s perhaps no...
mscaterino.pika.page
November 10, 2025 at 9:48 PM
In my off-hours from the annual Entomological Society of America meeting ( #EntSoc2025 ), I've been putting the finishing touches on a longer 'Value in nature' post on one of my favorite subjects, beer. Enjoy! #biodiversity #nature #beer 🌐
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/biodiv...
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/biodiv...
I will have an opening for a Ph.D. student (M.S. required) to begin Summer 2026, studying impacts to high Appalachian arthropod communities following Hurricane Helene.
I'll be at Ent. Soc. America meetings next week. Please point interested students my way.
More: sites.google.com/site/caterin...
I'll be at Ent. Soc. America meetings next week. Please point interested students my way.
More: sites.google.com/site/caterin...
The Caterino Arthropod Biodiversity Lab - OPPORTUNITIES
OPPORTUNITIES
Ph.D. research assistantship
Start date: Summer (preferred) or Fall, 2026
Compensation:
· $35,000 per year (plus 2% annual cost of living increase) for up to 5 years
· Ful...
sites.google.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:18 AM
I will have an opening for a Ph.D. student (M.S. required) to begin Summer 2026, studying impacts to high Appalachian arthropod communities following Hurricane Helene.
I'll be at Ent. Soc. America meetings next week. Please point interested students my way.
More: sites.google.com/site/caterin...
I'll be at Ent. Soc. America meetings next week. Please point interested students my way.
More: sites.google.com/site/caterin...
Supercool deep dive into sawfly ovipositor functional morphology, with applications to surgical tools!
Another superb example of #biomimicry reinforcing the intrinsic significance of protecting all biodiversity including the newts, bats & invertebrates demonised as barriers to development by Rachel Reeves
As this study demonstrates one day they may literally save your life.
phys.org/news/2025-10...
As this study demonstrates one day they may literally save your life.
phys.org/news/2025-10...
Smart cutting system used by female sawflies could transform surgery and reduce patient harm
Scientists at Heriot-Watt University have unlocked the secret behind how female sawflies make specific cuts to plants—a discovery that could revolutionize surgical instruments and dramatically reduce ...
phys.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Supercool deep dive into sawfly ovipositor functional morphology, with applications to surgical tools!
Today's 'Value in nature' post is a bit of a sidebar. For readers not deeply versed in taxonomy, how do well-resolved classifications allow us to make informed predictions about important properties of species? #biodiversity #nature 🌐
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/evolut...
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/evolut...
Evolution & magic predictive powers! - Value in nature
As I was writing the other day it occurred to me that there’s an awful lot of evolution and taxonomy between the lines of many of my posts. A statement...
mscaterino.pika.page
November 4, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Today's 'Value in nature' post is a bit of a sidebar. For readers not deeply versed in taxonomy, how do well-resolved classifications allow us to make informed predictions about important properties of species? #biodiversity #nature 🌐
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/evolut...
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/evolut...
Reposted by Michael Caterino
Twelve new species of the rove beetle genus Bibrax are described from Ecuador. Find out more about them here: doi.org/10.3897/zook...
@mcaterino.bsky.social #beetles #biodiversity #newspecies
@mcaterino.bsky.social #beetles #biodiversity #newspecies
November 4, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Twelve new species of the rove beetle genus Bibrax are described from Ecuador. Find out more about them here: doi.org/10.3897/zook...
@mcaterino.bsky.social #beetles #biodiversity #newspecies
@mcaterino.bsky.social #beetles #biodiversity #newspecies
Euphoria! This is both the proper genus name and the feeling associated with finding one (on a walk over to the library). Late in the year for this guy.
Euphoria sepulchralis, I believe.
Euphoria sepulchralis, I believe.
November 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Euphoria! This is both the proper genus name and the feeling associated with finding one (on a walk over to the library). Late in the year for this guy.
Euphoria sepulchralis, I believe.
Euphoria sepulchralis, I believe.
Would you like your acorns in small, medium, or Xtra Large?
The giants are from Clemson's Centennial Bur Oak (the well-named Quercus macrocarpa), a spectacular tree.
Medium is white oak (Q. alba) and small is willow oak (Q. phellos).
The giants are from Clemson's Centennial Bur Oak (the well-named Quercus macrocarpa), a spectacular tree.
Medium is white oak (Q. alba) and small is willow oak (Q. phellos).
November 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Would you like your acorns in small, medium, or Xtra Large?
The giants are from Clemson's Centennial Bur Oak (the well-named Quercus macrocarpa), a spectacular tree.
Medium is white oak (Q. alba) and small is willow oak (Q. phellos).
The giants are from Clemson's Centennial Bur Oak (the well-named Quercus macrocarpa), a spectacular tree.
Medium is white oak (Q. alba) and small is willow oak (Q. phellos).
How protecting wild diversity will safeguard the future of flavor, this week on the 'Value in nature' blog:
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/variet...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/variet...
Variety - the life of spice - Value in nature
Future dinner table conversation? Father: “Johnny, could you please pass the pepper?” Precocious child: “I would, Dad, but last year’s entire pepper crop was wiped out by disease and you...
mscaterino.pika.page
November 1, 2025 at 12:45 PM
How protecting wild diversity will safeguard the future of flavor, this week on the 'Value in nature' blog:
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/variet...
#biodiversity #nature 🌐
mscaterino.pika.page/posts/variet...
Reposted by Michael Caterino
I had been to this site 7 or 8 times before since moving here a couple months ago and never found anything. That's how it goes, usually. If a spot looks good, keep going back under different conditions and seasons.
Another undescribed species of Arianops, and only the second sp. known from West Virginia!
#Pselaphinae
#Pselaphinae
November 1, 2025 at 2:48 AM
I had been to this site 7 or 8 times before since moving here a couple months ago and never found anything. That's how it goes, usually. If a spot looks good, keep going back under different conditions and seasons.
The possibility of strengthening environmental law seems a distant hope in the current political landscape. But this paper lays out a strong framework for doing it, should the winds change. doi.org/10.1002/pan3...
Using the criminal law to protect the environment: Possibilities and problems 🌎🌐🧪 besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Using the criminal law to protect the environment: Possibilities and problems
Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:25 PM
The possibility of strengthening environmental law seems a distant hope in the current political landscape. But this paper lays out a strong framework for doing it, should the winds change. doi.org/10.1002/pan3...
Reposted by Michael Caterino
Over 400,000 beetle species exist, but how are they related? 🐞
Join Dr @beetlequeen.bsky.social ( @nhm-london.bsky.social ) on 15 Feb 2026 for a FREE webinar exploring efforts to map the global Beetle Tree of Life & uncover biodiversity patterns.
👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mapping-th...
Join Dr @beetlequeen.bsky.social ( @nhm-london.bsky.social ) on 15 Feb 2026 for a FREE webinar exploring efforts to map the global Beetle Tree of Life & uncover biodiversity patterns.
👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mapping-th...
October 24, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Over 400,000 beetle species exist, but how are they related? 🐞
Join Dr @beetlequeen.bsky.social ( @nhm-london.bsky.social ) on 15 Feb 2026 for a FREE webinar exploring efforts to map the global Beetle Tree of Life & uncover biodiversity patterns.
👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mapping-th...
Join Dr @beetlequeen.bsky.social ( @nhm-london.bsky.social ) on 15 Feb 2026 for a FREE webinar exploring efforts to map the global Beetle Tree of Life & uncover biodiversity patterns.
👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mapping-th...
Will talk bugs for beer, tomorrow night (and, really, pretty much any time!)
Clemson peeps - next Thursday night (October 30 @ 6:30) I'll be leading an 'Explain it like I'm drinking' session at Kite Hill Brewing Co. on our leaf litter research in the southern Appalachians. Quench your thirst for knowledge of microarthropods!
October 29, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Will talk bugs for beer, tomorrow night (and, really, pretty much any time!)
Reposted by Michael Caterino
Lovely to receive the first copies of my new book, "Life on a Little-Known Planet." Thanks to www.evangaffneydesign.com for the great cover design.
October 29, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Lovely to receive the first copies of my new book, "Life on a Little-Known Planet." Thanks to www.evangaffneydesign.com for the great cover design.