Colin Purrington

Macro photography, spiders, insects, vegetable gardening, and cooking. Swarthmore, PA, USA.

blog: https://colinpurrington.com/
iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/people/colinpurrington

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colinpurrington_at_flipping.rocks@momostr.pink

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relay.momostr.pink

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Last Notes

2024-09-20 23:10:48

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That is a thing of beauty.

2024-09-20 15:28:52

As some of you know, a Mississippi pesticide company sued me in 2019 over my negative review of its scam device, the Spartan Mosquito Eradicator. That litigation ended this year when the judge threw out the case on the merits. But given the legal system in the United States, the company wasn't forced to pay the substantial legal fees I'd racked up. So I filed a malicious prosecution claim. Well, this week I received a settlement check that fully covers my costs. Next on my to-do list: get the EPA and FTC to investigate the company for fraud. I will get this product off the shelves someday, somehow. #mosquitoes #law #slapp #legal #mississippi #hattiesburg #SpartanMosquito

2024-09-20 12:30:57

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What I'd really like is a "Anne of Green Gables with Zombies." That might keep me from dozing off.

2024-09-19 19:39:15

In preparation for trip to Prince Edward Island, I'm dutifully reading Anne of Green Gables. Kind of a slog so far (I'm more a sci-fan). Somebody also gave me some great articles on oyster parasites, so that should be fun. Then need to find something on the island's geology. Will probably end up purchasing "Island at the Centre of the World: The Geological Heritage of Prince Edward Island." #PrinceEdwardIsland #PEI #geology #oysters #travel

2024-09-19 13:03:50

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Is that inside? I might need to find some of these. My mom always grew ginger in a sunny spot in the bathroom. Seemed to love the humidity and she used it all year long.

2024-09-19 10:20:12

California folks: there's been a locally-acquired case of dengue reported in LA. Mainly transmitted by Aedes, so those Asian tiger mosquitoes likely to blame. #mosquitoes #california #LosAngeles #dengue #virus http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubhpdetail.cfm?prid=4811

2024-09-15 09:35:22

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This is all excellent. A chemist once contacted me and said that ingredients in Sharpies were changed and he didn't recommend them for certain things anymore. I forget exactly what the problem was. I hate how it fades over time to nothingness.

2024-09-08 21:12:24

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I like the color of Drops of Mars. I have a cayenne from Noodler's but it's a bit bright.

2024-09-08 21:07:33

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Interesting additions. Sounds amazing.

2024-09-07 13:34:15

Treat yourself to 12 seconds of Fluffernutter being cute. #cat #cats #caturday #calico #fluffernutter #cardboard
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/113/096/518/254/233/089/original/52176c0a76c46835.mp4

2024-09-07 13:26:48

The cheesemonger at my town's grocery store is clearly a cat fan. No other cheese has photographs. Just couldn't resist. #cat #cats #caturday #swarthmore #cheese #FatCat #birchrun
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/113/096/451/357/492/987/original/4884ee6ce5b68944.jpg

2024-09-07 13:26:48

2024-09-07 11:58:36

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Ah, I don't remember what temperature I baked them at and I can't find my notebook! https://cen.acs.org/articles/89/i43/ChemistsHoliday-Indestructible-Data.html

2024-09-06 17:29:28

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Would love to know your results.

2024-09-06 15:39:51

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In related news, I also maintain a page on how to keep a laboratory notebook. Includes an experiment testing which inks are best. #research #data #pens #laboratory #science #academia https://colinpurrington.com/tips/lab-notebooks/

2024-09-06 15:34:52

If any of you teachers assign scientific posters in your classes, I have a page on the topic that includes templates, examples, and stupid jokes. #teaching #science #poster #meeting #conference #data #research #college #professor #academia #biology https://colinpurrington.com/tips/poster-design/

2024-09-05 18:23:12

My vet lists all the patients for the day on a whiteboard in the waiting room, and it's great fun to see the names people give their cats. (Fluffernutter is mine.) #cat #cats #veterinarian #fluffernutter
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/113/086/301/480/521/955/original/b369d3204bf17e80.jpg

2024-09-05 18:08:18

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Just a note of caution to hikers using catnip oil to deter mosquitoes and ticks: the primary active ingredient, nepetalactone, attracts cats, including mountain lions. So opt for a different repellent or hike with somebody who is a slow runner. #cats #catnip #nepata #MountainLion https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=WTE19230720.2.23&e=-------en-20--1--img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA--------0------

2024-09-05 17:48:01

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has added CATNIP OIL and OIL OF CITRONELLA to its list of *registered*, skin-applied chemicals that repel mosquitoes, joining DEET, IR 3535, PMD (oil of lemon eucalyptus), picaridin, and 2-undecanone. Officially, I don't think catnip is registered for use against ticks but there's plenty of web chatter that it works. #mosquitoes #repellent #ticks #epa #nature https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/skin-applied-repellent-ingredients

2024-09-05 12:48:47

In case you missed it, and because it's fig season here in Pennsylvania, here's my post on wasps inside dried figs from Turkey. #figs #ficus #wasps #fruit #pollination #syconium #tmi #insects #entomology #TraderJoes https://colinpurrington.com/2023/01/some-insects-i-found-inside-dried-turkish-figs-from-trader-joes/

2024-09-05 12:30:56

I'm air layering my fig after talking to a friend in town who's always wanted one. Just remove a leaf, cover with wet moss, wrap in plastic, then wrap in foil. Not even sure foil is needed but thought darkness would encourage rooting. #figs #ficus #propagation #fruit #plants #garden
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/113/084/908/887/944/787/original/11c36ec7f8fcfe6c.jpg
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/113/084/909/790/652/281/original/b6ef05166fc57a5b.jpg

2024-09-04 09:27:18

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I wonder what kind of bat. Would be really fun to have one of those bat detectors. Maybe I'll put one on my Christmas list. https://batmanagement.com/collections/bat-detector-buyers-guide-active-detectors?srsltid=AfmBOooU4P8YNr2AjHBWA8SwMlwL_Rrfk_dYYyJgO30fAqkfWZWKCyfp

2024-09-03 20:04:28

Question for spelunkers: when a cave has *lots* of bats, do you get bitten by mosquitoes when you are just hanging around near the entrance? Am curious because people keep telling me that installing bat houses gets rid of their mosquitoes. I'm skeptical of their anecdotes. And skeptical of similar opinions on bat conservation web pages. #caves #caving #mosquitoes #science #biology #bats #chiroptera #spelunking
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/113/075/391/523/364/307/original/5dfc5ca6343546cb.jpg

2024-09-03 10:38:46

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In re: those tracheal tubes, the process of molting puts the whole breathing thing on hold for an insect. This article has a nice overview of the risk insects face during the process. https://www.science.org/content/article/insect-molting-having-your-lungs-ripped-out

2024-09-03 10:33:59

Exuvium of Acanthocephala terminalis, a leaf-footed bug (Coreidae). The white threads are tracheal tubes. Reminds me of a mech suit. #hemiptera #insect #nature #macro #photography #entomology #metamorphosis #exoskeleton
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/113/073/109/523/625/559/original/7b9f8fe8d78f09aa.jpg

2024-09-02 10:49:58

Condylostylus comatus (or something close to that). These flies are hard to photograph because they take off in response to the metering pulse from the flash, so I usually just get their legs in the frame. Or nothing at all. Switching to manual flash is the way to go. #diptera #dolichopodidae #insects #entomology #photography #macro #nature
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/113/067/526/169/047/731/original/a5f12ac481cf6942.jpg

2024-09-01 16:35:19

Whenever I go to my shared allotment I feel like I'm running for office. PURRINGTON/HARRIS 2024. #garden #gardening #allotment
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/113/063/256/715/209/195/original/ba31116938ac190d.jpeg

2024-08-31 19:56:24

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Yes, definitely some type of paper wasp and I think that they prefer to nest near streams. I couldn't find a paper backing me up, but I wonder whether construction over a stream minimizes predation from mammals. Many species go after paper wasp larvae. Humans included.

2024-08-29 18:13:50

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Exactly

2024-08-29 16:52:19

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I've offered to sharpen my friends' knives but they all keep refusing. I discreetly check knife sharpness when I'm at their houses so I know they are all dull. Drives. Me. Crazy.

2024-08-29 16:33:47

My sister gave me an Edge Pro several years ago and its been life-changing. Highly recommend you put that on your Christmas list if you don't have one already. At back, a Victorinox, two Wüsthofs, and a Henckels (my favorite). #knives #knife #cooking
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/113/046/233/405/456/026/original/220271a92050d624.jpg

2024-05-26 12:03:13

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Once you have a supply of Mosquito Dunks, use them to make "Buckets of Doom" for your yard. Mosquitoes will oviposit into these containers and their larvae will die. If you and your neighbors deploy enough of them you can drastically reduce the numbers of mosquitoes. #mosquito #mosquitoes https://ui.charlotte.edu/story/try-e28098bucket-doome28099-eliminate-mosquitoes-without-harmful-pesticides/

2024-05-26 11:56:36

Everyone should have a supply of Mosquito Dunks and Mosquito Bits. The former are donut-shaped cakes of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), a strain of bacteria that kills mosquito larvae (use in bird baths, rain barrels, etc.). The latter has the Bti toxins (but not live bacteria) and can kill larvae within minutes if you are impatient. Buy some for the neighbors. Buy some for everyone on your block. #mosquitoes #mosquito #bacteria
https://fliprock.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/112/507/171/411/322/515/original/181f38aa9fc1050b.jpeg