Wandering Adventure Party

@epicdemiologist @ShaulaEvans I've never heard of them!

We have various crayfish (including blue ones) in our lakes and rivers, and shrimp, crabs, barnacles and lobsters around our shores. But I can't think of any other land crustaceans in the UK.

@afewbugs @ghouston @ShaulaEvans they really are amazing little things!

Ants farm them on some of my fruit bushes, so at the right time of year I get to see babies, adults, and winged adults up close. It's fascinating to watch how the ants care for their herd.

@afewbugs @ShaulaEvans that's a fun one.

Most aphids are unusual in reproducing by both parthenogenesis leading to live births *and* sexual reproduction with egg-laying. Eggs is how they typically overwinter. So clearly these giant willow aphids are especially unusual!

@ShaulaEvans woodlice/pillbugs are crustaceans.

They are more closely related to lobsters than anything else you might find in the garden. This is where they get their segmented exoskeleton and 14 legs.