Milton, Vermont Bio Blitz July 25-26, 2026

The Milton, VT Conservation Commission (MCC) will be hosting a BioBlitz this Summer. On Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, you are invited to explore Milton's parks and natural areas and photograph and post as many species of plants, insects, birds, animals, fungi, etc. as possible on iNaturalist.org for points and prizes...but also to add to our natural resources inventory. 

Guest Post

Save the dates!

During the BioBlitz weekend, volunteers will lead slow-paced walks around the Milton Town Forest, the Lamoille Riverwalk, and other sites around town to identify whatever species they encounter. Participants may also choose a site of their own to explore and post photos from one week before (July 18) to one week after the BioBlitz weekend (August 2). 

On June 23, 2026, at our MCC meeting in the Milton Town Office, Dana Williams from the VT Center for Ecostudies will offer a presentation on iNaturalist and will help people sign into the site and learn how to post their photos. Photos taken during the two-week BioBlitz period, which are posted on our iNaturalist MCC database, will be considered for recognition at our Sunday evening 6 to 9 p.m. (July 26, 2026) potluck dinner and prize gathering. 

    We will also be looking for slow-paced park-walk leaders and other BioBlitz volunteers.   Contact MCC Member Laurie DiCesare (e-mail NatureHaven@MyFairPoint.net ) for more information.

Prime target sites (Milton's largest parks):

•     Milton Town Forest - Great dragonfly and insect site);
•     Lamoille Riverwalk 
•    Eagle Mtn. Great plant and birding site, and views of Lake Champlain at Hoyt Lookout
•    Bombardier Park 

April in Vermont: Early Bees, Butterflies & Backyard Safari Guide

April in Vermont: Your Backyard is Already Alive 

April in Vermont is not a waiting period—it’s a launch window.

While trees are still bare and temperatures swing wildly, a surprising diversity of insects is already active. If you know where to look—and what to look for—your yard can become a high-value observation site contributing to real ecological knowledge.

This post pulls together current Vermont-specific guidance from the Vermont Insect–Host Plant Index, field observations, and citizen science initiatives to help you focus your efforts.

What Bees Are Active in April?

Likely April Bee Species (Common & Detectable)

These are your best targets for early-season observation:

• Mining bees (Andrena spp.) – among the earliest and most abundant native bees
• Cellophane bees (Colletes spp.)
• Mason bees (Osmia spp.)
• Small carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.) – occasionally active on warm days
• Bumble bee queens (Bombus spp.) – newly emerged and highly visible

These bees are tightly synchronized with early-blooming native plants—especially willows and spring ephemerals.

Possible but Less Common in April

You may encounter these with favorable conditions:

• Sweat bees (Lasioglossum spp., Halictus spp.)
• Cuckoo bees (Nomada spp.) – often near host nests
• Early leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.) (rare this early but possible)

Detection probability increases significantly on warm (>55°F), sunny, low-wind days.

What Plants Should You Watch?

April is not about floral diversity—it’s about keystone early resources.

High-Value Native Hosts

Focus your effort here:

• Willows (Salix spp.)
• Critical: Among the highest-value early-season insect hosts in Vermont
• Supports hundreds of bee and moth species
• Wild strawberries
• Fragaria virginiana (Virginia Strawberry)
• Fragaria vesca (Woodland Strawberry)
• Violets (Viola spp.)
• Essential for specialist bees and butterfly larvae

Additional Early Bloomers (Supplemental)

• Crocus
• Snowdrops
• Maples (wind-pollinated but still insect-active environments)

For a deeper, Vermont-specific breakdown, use the index:
https://vtbugeyed.blogspot.com/2026/04/vermont-insecthost-plant-index_7.html

Backyard Safari: On your own or ask Bernie to guide you.

Treat your yard like a field site.

Protocol:

1. Visit the same patches repeatedly (willow, strawberry, violet clusters)
2. Observe for 10–20 minutes per patch
3. Note:
• Bee genus (if possible)
• Plant species
• Behavior (foraging, mating, basking)

4. Photograph everything: post onto iNaturalist (or have Bernie photograph and post them for you).

This mirrors the approach outlined in:
https://vtbugeyed.blogspot.com/2025/06/bug-safari-backyard-treasure-hunt-for.html

Butterflies You May See in April

Early butterflies are dominated by overwintering adults and a few early emergers.

Watch for:

• Mourning Cloak
• Eastern Comma
• Green Comma
• Red Admiral
• American Lady
• Painted Lady
• Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
• Cabbage White
• Northern Azure
• Eastern Pine Elfin
• West Virginia White

Your sightings contribute to distribution data via the Vermont Butterfly Atlas:
https://val.vtecostudies.org/projects/vermont-butterfly-atlas/

Turn Observations into Data

Your backyard observations are not just personal—they are scientifically valuable.

Use These Tools:

• iNaturalist (species ID + data contribution)
• eBird (bird observations, especially insect interactions)
• Merlin (field bird ID support)

Learn how to use them here:
https://vtbugeyed.blogspot.com/2026/02/nature-together-discovering-our-back.html

Learn More (MMTV Talk Recording)

For a deeper walkthrough of real backyard discoveries:
https://vtbugeyed.blogspot.com/2026/03/backyard-insect-finds-great-discoveries.html

Why This Matters

Early-season insects are under-documented in Vermont. Many species are:

• Active for only a few weeks
• Poorly represented in datasets
• Highly dependent on specific native plants

That means your observations can fill real gaps in knowledge.

Final Note

If you find something unusual—or just have general insect questions—reach out.

Email Bernie with any insect questions.

Bottom Line

If you wait for summer, you miss the story.

April is where the system starts.

Get outside, focus on willows and early blooms, and document what you see.

Experience what is born, lives, grows, hops, flies, walks, feeds, sleeps, and raises a family in your backyard. 

Photo Gallery Spring 2026

Vermont Insect–Host Plant Index: Documenting Neglected Floral Hosts and Habitats

Which Vermont plants support insects? Some of the answers aren’t documented—or are buried in fragmented sources. This project focuses on insects observed on neglected floral hosts and habitats, to make those relationships visible and usable. See the tables listing neglected hosts and habitats further below.

What This Project Documents (and Why It Matters)

We are documenting insects using neglected floral hosts and habitats—the overlooked plants and places where critical ecological relationships persist but remain largely unrecorded. These interactions determine which species can survive. The tables in this post highlight under-reported hosts and habitats. By focusing observations and reporting on these, we can help make them visible—and actionable—for conservation and planting decisions.

👉 Contribute now:

• Observe any insect using neglected floral hosts* (feeding, visiting, nesting, sheltering). *See tables further below in this post.
• Take a photo. 
• Share your observation  on iNaturalist

What Are “Neglected Floral Hosts and Habitats”?

"Neglected" floral hosts and habitats refer to overlooked vegetation that serve as crucial, yet under-documented, resources for biodiversity, particularly pollinators and insects. 

Ecological Significance: These neglected areas are often rich in biodiversity, providing essential food, nesting sites (in dead wood/leaf litter), and larval host plants that are underreported. Examples of hosts/habitats with low coverage on iNaturalist: Salix (Like Sandbar willows), Bog/Fen shrubs like Vaccinium/Ericaceae, Carex, and graminoids (sedges, rushes).

Why Specialist Insects Depend on Specific Plants

Host specificity for insects refers to the restriction of an insect species to a narrow range of host plants, animals, or microorganisms for feeding, breeding, or development. It defines the breadth of a species' host range, ranging from highly specialized (one host) to generalist (many hosts).

Specialist insects, which feed on limited plant species, drive intense ecological consequences through tight, coevolved connections. They act as key drivers of plant evolution, forcing defenses that can lead to high species diversity but also high vulnerability to extinction if host plants decline. 

The Data Gap in Vermont

Gaps in data regarding neglected habitats cause significant biases in biodiversity monitoring, leading to overlooked conservation needs. Without accurate data, species in poorly monitored areas, particularly invertebrates or remote locations, are excluded from protection planning and financial funding mechanisms. This skewed information leads to overly optimistic assessments of environmental health and prevents effective conservation of biodiversity-rich but understudied ecosystems. 

• Insects found in neglected habitats are under-reported. 
• The tables detail neglected floral hosts, insect–plant relationships, and are practical, observational, and Vermont-specific.

How to Contribute

Viable contribution:

1. View the target host plants on the lists and tables below.
2. Observe insects on any of these neglected Vermont hosts and habitats
3. Photograph the insect and the host plant the insect is interacting with: (feeding, visiting, nesting, etc.)
4. Upload to iNaturalist

Start in Your Own Yard

• No travel needed
• Even on common plants: insect–plant relationships may be undocumented or underreported
• One observation = real contribution

Related Work and Context

• Latest Discoveries 
• Vermont Butterfly Atlas: How to Participate
• Uncommon insects of Vermont: Backyard Discoveries
• New Bees Discovered in Vermont with Worldwide Teamwork: Bernie posts the First Vermont state record of the Mock Orange Scissor bee (Chelostoma philadelphi)
• New Native Bee Species Discovered for Vermont: Spencer Hardy posts the First Vermont state record of the Sandbar Willow Fairy Bee (Perdita maculigera)
• Advanced Pollinator Gardening includes: a list of New England Native plants with wildlife value.
• Eyes Everywhere: Vermonters turn backyard observations into big science
• iNaturalist: How to video guide for desktops and laptops; for mobile devices.
• 1000 species in one acre
• Over 100 bee species in our 1-acre yard

Project Goals for 2026

• Create a usable set of tables (see tables further below)
• Increase documented Vermont insect–plant relationships on neglected floral hosts and habitats by 50%.

Action + Purpose

• Help document what’s currently invisible.

• One insect. One plant. 
• One record at a time.

Top 10 Neglected Vermont Host Plants & Insect Associations: Examples of Insects Using Specific Plants (What We’re Looking For)

Shrub Willows (Salix spp.)
Reason: Crucial early food source for moths and butterflies, yet often undervalued. They are hosts to 371 caterpillar species in the region.

Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.)
Reason: Supports over 276 caterpillar species. Often overlooked in ornamental gardens in favor of non-native shrubs.

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Reason: A "superstar" host plant, supporting immense biodiversity, yet frequently overlooked by gardeners.

Native Dogwoods (Cornus spp.)
Reason: Provides nectar for pollinators and serves as a larval host, often skipped in favor of invasive ornamental viburnums or shrubs.

New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Reason: Long overlooked in home gardens, although it is a top nectar source and host for several butterflies.

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Reason: Often ignored in favor of European/hybrid columbines, which are less suitable for local native bees and caterpillars.

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Reason: A "neglected" wetland plant that thrives with no special care, yet is rarely cultivated, despite being highly attractive to butterflies.

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Reason: Overshadowed by its close relative, Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), and often considered too "wild" for formal gardens, despite being an excellent host.

Sedges (Carex spp.) Reason: Often considered "grasses" or weeds and neglected by gardeners, but essential for specialized moth larvae.

Native Oaks (Quercus spp.) Reason: While common, they are under-reported as host sites for caterpillar observations on iNaturalist.

And a few more: 

Goldenrod (Solidago) Reason: Why it matters: Goldenrods are common but underappreciated; they support specialist bees and a wide insect community at a critical seasonal window.

Sunflower (Helianthus) Reason: Demonstrates Asteraceae specialization, often under-documented at the species level in Vermont.

+ Habitat-Based Example (Not Just Plant). 

Habitat: Dead stems (often from “messy” perennials). Interaction: Nesting (not floral use). Why it matters: Habitat structure (not just flowers) is often neglected but essential. Insect: Ceratina (bee).

Examples of Neglected Floral Hosts and Habitats for Bees in Vermont

Early Season Keystone: Willows 

Plant: Salix (e.g., sandbar willow)

Insects: Andrena, Colletes, Perdita, Osmia, Nomada

Interaction: Early-season pollen specialists + diverse insect community

Why it matters: Among the highest-value host genera in Vermont, yet rarely emphasized in pollinator plantings; supports both specialists and their parasites.

Under-Documented Early Spring Trees

Plant: Populus (aspens, poplars)

Insects: Andrena, Osmia, Colletes

Interaction: Early pollen use; moth and leaf miner hosts

Why it matters: Common on the landscape but rarely documented in use, especially on iNaturalist—high opportunity for new records.

Woodland & Wetland Violets (Hidden Specialists)

Plant: Viola

Insects: Andrena violae and other small bees

Interaction: Pollen specialization; also larval hosts for fritillary butterflies

Why it matters: Forest and wetland violets are systematically under-observed, despite supporting both bees and butterflies.

High-Value, Low-Visibility Wetland Systems

Plant Group: Vaccinium and Chamaedaphne (bog/fen Ericaceae)

Insects: Andrena, Colletes, Osmia

Interaction: Specialist pollen use in bog and fen habitats

Why it matters: Fens are among Vermont’s rarest habitats and support highly specialized insects—yet are extremely under-documented.

Oil-Collecting Specialists on Loosestrife

Plant: Lysimachia

Insect: Macropis

Interaction: Collects floral oils (not just pollen/nectar) to provision larvae

Why it matters: A highly specialized and unusual relationship; native loosestrifes are often overlooked or confused with non-native species.

Fen Specialist Indicator Species

Plant: Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca)

Insect: Andrena parnassiae

Interaction: Specialist pollen relationship

Why it matters: Restricted to calcareous fens—one of the clearest examples of habitat-linked specialization in Vermont.

Sedges (Not Floral—but Foundational)

Plant Group: Carex

Insects: Lasioglossum, Halictus, Hylaeus

Interaction: Nesting habitat, structural support, indirect food web roles

Why it matters: Often excluded from pollinator lists, yet critical habitat infrastructure for many insects.

Late-Season Specialists: Goldenrods

Plant: Solidago

Insects: Andrena, Colletes, Perdita, Melissodes

Interaction: Late-season pollen specialization

Why it matters: One of the top genera for specialist bees, critical before winter, yet still undervalued in many planting schemes.

Asters: Critical but Under-Recorded

Plant: Symphyotrichum

Insects: Andrena, Colletes, Perdita

Interaction: Late-season specialist pollen use

Why it matters: Abundant but poorly documented at the species-interaction level—a prime target for this project.

Wetland Specialist Example

Plant: Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)

Insect: Melissodes apicatus

Interaction: Strong plant association in wetland systems

Why it matters: Highlights wetland-dependent bee species, often missed due to access and sampling bias.

"Come with me into the woods where spring is advancing, as it does, no matter what, not being singular or particular, but one of the forever gifts, and certainly visible.” - Mary Oliver 

SPRING FOCUS     *See full set of tables further below.

Month(s) to Observe (VT)

Host/Habitat (Genus / Group)

Key Genera Supported (Vermont)

Contains Specialist Bee Species? (Y/N)

March–April	Spring Beauty	Spring Beauty Mining Bee (Andrena erigeniae	Y
Mid-to-late April	Trout Lily	Trout-lily Mining Bee (Andrena erythronii)	Y
April–May	Toothworts	Mustard Miner Bee (Andrena arabis)	Y
April-May	Geranium	Cranesbill Miner (Andrena distans)	Y
Late April into May	Bellwort		Y
April-June	May have a preference for the blue violet species.	Violet Miner (Andrena violae)	Y

Month(s) to Observe (VT)	Host/Habitat (Genus / Group)	Contains Specialist Bee Species? (Y/N)	Notes (specialists, habitat, visitor type, source highlights)
March–April	Salix spp. (Sandbar willow - Salix exigua and other Salix spp.) Native Willows are among the top insect-host genera in Vermont.	Y	Willows are top early-season pollen hosts; many Andrena species are oligolectic on Salix; Perdita maculigera recorded on sandbar willow in VT (Val, Fowler & Droege).
April	Populus spp. (aspens & poplars)	Y	Early pollen source; some Andrena show Salicaceae preferences; impactful for early-season bees (VAL, Fowler). Common on landscape, uncommon on iNat.Populus is a minor but important early pollen source
April–May	Viola spp. (native woodland & wetland violets)	Y	Viola specialists (e.g., Andrena violae); lawn violets often mask forest violets (VAL, Fowler). Forest and wetland violets are especially missing.

Month(s) to Observe (VT)	Host/Habitat (Genus / Group)	Host Value	iNat Coverage	Key Genera Supported (Vermont)
March–April	Salix spp. (Sandbar willow - Salix exigua and other Salix spp.) Native Willows are among the top insect-host genera in Vermont.	Very High	Very Low	Andrena, Colletes, Perdita, Osmia, Nomada (cleptoparasites). Hosts hundreds of moths, flies, beetles, and sawflies. Note: Salix interior blooms May - July, but the fairy bee only seems to be active late June - July
April	Populus spp. (aspens & poplars)	High	Low	Andrena, Osmia, Colletes, Nomada. Hosts many moth species + leaf miners.
April–May	Viola spp. (native woodland & wetland violets)	High	Low	Andrena, Colletes, Halictus, Small sweat bees (Lasioglossum), Masked bees (Hylaeus). Required hosts for fritillaries.

Full Index: Vermont neglected floral hosts/insect–plant relationships

• Table 1. Directory of neglected floral insect hosts and habitats in Vt.

• Table 2. Genus host plants / Specialist bees 

• Table 3. Individual Plants /  Specialist Bees

• Table 4. Bees that are not recorded in VT, but likely to be in VT, and their host plants.

• Table 5. Saxon Hill, Essex 

• Table 6. Butterfly Species of Greatest Conservation Need

• Table 7. Biophysical regions of Vermont

• Diagram of Vermont Regions

Table 1: Directory of neglected floral insect hosts and habitats in Vt.

Month(s) to Observe (VT)	Host/Habitat (Genus / Group)	Host Value	iNat Coverage	Key Genera Supported (Vermont)
March–April	Salix spp. (Sandbar willow - Salix exigua and other Salix spp.) Native Willows are among the top insect-host genera in Vermont.	Very High	Very Low	Andrena, Colletes, Perdita, Osmia, Nomada (cleptoparasites). Hosts hundreds of moths, flies, beetles, and sawflies. Note: Salix interior blooms May - July, but the fairy bee only seems to be active late June - July
April	Populus spp. (aspens & poplars)	High	Low	Andrena, Osmia, Colletes, Nomada. Hosts many moth species + leaf miners.
April–May	Viola spp. (native woodland & wetland violets)	High	Low	Andrena, Colletes, Halictus, Small sweat bees (Lasioglossum), Masked bees (Hylaeus). Required hosts for fritillaries.
May–June	Bog / Fen shrubs: Vaccinium / Ericaceae (blueberries, cranberries, Deerberry, leatherleaf - Vaccinium, Chamaedaphne). Also consider commercial blueberry grower sites.	High / Very High	Very Low / Extremely Low	Andrena, Colletes, Osmia, Lasioglossum Halictus, Hylaeus. Hosts: Carex, Parnassia, orchids, calciphiles. Insects that are often absent elsewhere.
May–June	Lupinus (lupines, e.g., Lupinus perennis where present)			Andrena, Colletes, Eucera, Melitta (if present regionally)
May–June	Fabaceae - Native lupines & other natives (if present)			Andrena, Eucera, Colletes
May–July	Fabaceae (legumes broadly; e.g., Trifolium, native Lespedeza)			Andrena, Lasioglossum, Halictus, Bombus, Nomada
May–July	Carex and graminoids (sedges, rushes) - habitat focus.	Very High	Very Low	Lasioglossum, Halictus, Hylaeus, Andrena (indirect), Bombus (nesting/foraging landscape). Essential to skipper butterflies, moths, and leafhoppers.
June	Parnassia (grass-of-Parnassus - calcareous fen specialist)			Andrena, Colletes
June–July	Wetland forbs & fen calciphiles (various forbs)			Andrena, Colletes, Halictus
June–July (short season)	Boreal habitat (dwarf willows, alpine sedges, boreal forbs)			Andrena, Colletes, Bombus, Lasioglossum
July–August	Asteraceae - Cirsium (native thistles)			Andrena, Bombus, Osmia, Melissodes
July–August	Asteraceae - Helianthus (native sunflowers)			Protandrena, Andrena, Colletes, Melissodes
July–September	Powerline corridors & old fields (native composites & legumes)			Andrena, Bombus, Lasioglossum, Melissodes
August–September	Asteraceae - Solidago (goldenrods)			Andrena, Colletes, Perdita, Melissodes, Bombus, Epeolus (cleptoparasites)
August–September	Native Goldenrods & late composites (broad Asteraceae group)			Andrena, Colletes, Perdita, Melissodes, Bombus
September	Asteraceae - Symphyotrichum (asters)			Andrena, Colletes, Perdita, Bombus
?	Betula spp (Birches)	Moderate-high	Moderate	Strong moth and beetle associations.
?	Powerline fields	Moderate	Moderate	Can hold rare asters, legumes, grasses
?	Alpine plants	Moderate	Very Low	Very specialized insects
?	Native Shrubs (Non-showy): (Spiraea alba, Diervilla lonicera, Ceanothus americanus)	Moderate-high	Low	Support specialist moths & pollinators
	Rich Hardwoods			Lots of fun bees on spring ephemerals
For Reference	Wetlands. Several wetland obligates (and many facultative wetland plants) are hosts to specialist bees.			Specialist bees…

Table 2: Genus host plants / Specialist bees

Month(s) to Observe (VT)	Host/Habitat (Genus / Group)	Contains Specialist Bee Species? (Y/N)	Notes (specialists, habitat, visitor type, source highlights)
March–April	Salix spp. (Sandbar willow - Salix exigua and other Salix spp.) Native Willows are among the top insect-host genera in Vermont.	Y	Willows are top early-season pollen hosts; many Andrena species are oligolectic on Salix; Perdita maculigera recorded on sandbar willow in VT (Val, Fowler & Droege).
April	Populus spp. (aspens & poplars)	Y	Early pollen source; some Andrena show Salicaceae preferences; impactful for early-season bees (VAL, Fowler). Common on landscape, uncommon on iNat.Populus is a minor but important early pollen source
April–May	Viola spp. (native woodland & wetland violets)	Y	Viola specialists (e.g., Andrena violae); lawn violets often mask forest violets (VAL, Fowler). Forest and wetland violets are especially missing.
May–June	Bog / Fen shrubs: Vaccinium / Ericaceae (blueberries, cranberries, Deerberry, leatherleaf - Vaccinium, Chamaedaphne). Also consider commercial blueberry grower sites.	Y	Ericaceae specialists known (Andrena spp., Colletes) and important in bog/heath habitats (Fowler, VAL). Hosts: Carex, Parnassia, orchids, calciphiles. Fen: Rarest VT habitat = highest specialization. Cranberries and Deerberry are each host to rare bees not yet recorded from Vermont.
May–June	Lupinus (lupines, e.g., Lupinus perennis where present)	Y	Lupine specialists exist (Perdita, Melitta in some regions); in VT, presence is limited—check local range (Native Plant Trust, Fowler)
May–June	Fabaceae - Native lupines & other natives (if present)	Y	Some specialist bees are tied to Lupinus and other native legumes regionally; check local occurrences (Fowler, Native Plant Trust)
May–July	Fabaceae (legumes broadly; e.g., Trifolium, native Lespedeza)	N	Many legumes attract generalist bees; some Fabaceae specialists exist regionally, but fewer strict oligoleges in VT (various sources)
May–July	Carex and graminoids (sedges, rushes) - habitat focus.	N	Sedges provide structure and nesting microhabitat; not major pollen hosts but crucial for wetland ecosystems (VAL notes). Sedges: Backbone hosts for wetland & forest insects. Fen & forest sedges are especially missing in iNat postings.
June	Parnassia (grass-of-Parnassus - calcareous fen specialist)	Y	Fen specialist bees (Andrena parnassiae documented on Parnassia); very high conservation value (Fowler, VAL)
June–July	Wetland forbs & fen calciphiles (various forbs)	Y	Many fen plants host specialist Andrena species; note sensitive habitat access (Fowler, UMAINE guide)
June–July (short season)	Boreal habitat (dwarf willows, alpine sedges, boreal forbs)	Y	Boreal/alpine specialists present; high-latitude species and specialists tied to boreal flora (Vermont Atlas of Life, regional studies)
July–August	Asteraceae - Cirsium (native thistles)	Y	Native Cirsium attract specialists; avoid non-native invasive thistles note (Fowler, VAL)
July–August	Asteraceae - Helianthus (native sunflowers)	Y	Helianthus associated with specialist species per Fowler; important in open habitats
July–September	Powerline corridors & old fields (native composites & legumes)	N	Habitat type that concentrates floral resources; supports both generalists and specialists depending on flora present (UMaine guide)
August–September	Asteraceae - Solidago (goldenrods)	Y	Solidago hosts many specialist bees (one of top genera for specialists per Fowler)
August–September	Native Goldenrods & late composites (broad Asteraceae group)	Y	Asteraceae as a family hosts large numbers of specialist bee spp.; goldenrods especially important (Fowler)
September	Asteraceae - Symphyotrichum (asters)	Y	Late-season important pollen resources; specialists known (Fowler)
?	Betula spp (Birches)		Gray birch & paper birch under-posted
?	Powerline fields		Excellent insect diversity
?	Alpine plants		Extremely short season
?	Native Shrubs (Non-showy): (Spiraea alba, Diervilla lonicera, Ceanothus americanus)		Bloom briefly or inconspicuously
For Reference	Wetlands. Several wetland obligates (and many facultative wetland plants) are hosts to specialist bees.		Several wetland obligates (and many facultative wetland plants) are hosts to specialist bees. Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) and Water Lilies (Family Nymphaeaceae) are both reported as host plants for rare and uncommon bee species - the Pickerelweed Longhorn (Melissodes apicatus) and Water-lily Sweat Bee (Lasioglossum nelumbonis) respectively. A number of other uncommon to rare bees appear to be associated with wetlands, but not particular flowers. The Nelumbo Masked Bee (Hylaeus nelumbonis), Ocean Grove Metallic-Sweat bee (Lasioglossum oceanicum), and several others appear to be confined to wetlands. Wooded wetlands contain unique plant-bee associations—for example, Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) and (Colletes banksi) and Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) and Kalmia Miner Bee (Andrena kalmiae), as well as abundant standing dead wood, which is an important nesting resource for many bees.
For Reference	VT F&W Vermont Bird and Pollinator-Friendly Perennial Species List

The lists above are of targeted plants - insects on neglected floral hosts and habitats.

(There is some overlap with the target list above.)

Table 3: Individual Plants /  Specialist Bees

Month(s) to Observe (VT)

Host/Habitat (Genus / Group)

Host Value

iNat Coverage

Key Genera Supported (Vermont)

Contains Specialist Bee Species? (Y/N)

March–April	Willows			VCE Specialist Bees	Y
May-June	Shrubby Dogwoods (the Swida group)			VCE Specialist Bees	Y
Late May-June	He-Huckleberry (Lyonia), fond of wet forests and marshes, and found primarily in southwestern VT			VCE Specialist Bees	Y
Late June/July-Aug/Sept. L.T. June-Aug	Loosestrifes. So far most of the recent VT records have been associated with Fringed Loosestrife (L. ciliata), though Whorled Loosestrife (L. quadrifolia) and Swamp Candles (L. terrestris) are also used. It is unclear if the non-native Lysimachia species are of any value to these bees.			VCE Specialist Bees: Loosestrife Bees (Genus Macropis).  They are unique in collecting oils from our native Loosestrifes (Genus Lysimachia)	Y
June-Oct	Thistle			VCE Specialist Bees	Y
June-Aug. Some through Sept/Oct	Clammy Ground Cherry (Physalis), also tomatillos and domesticated Ground Cherries			VCE Specialist Bees	Y
June-Sept	Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)			VCE Specialist Bees	Y
July-Sept (Native), May-Sept (non native)	Bellflowers, native and non-native			VCE Specialist Bees	Y
Late July-Sept	Sunflowers			VCE Specialist Bees	Y
Late July-Sept/Oct	Goldenrod			VCE Specialist Bees	Y
Aug-Oct	Asters			VCE Specialist Bees	Y
See by plant below	VCE Plants hosting a single bee species. See individual plant species below.			VCE Plants hosting a single bee species. See individual plant species below.
March–April	Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)			Spring Beauty Mining Bee (Andrena erigeniae	Y
Mid-to-late April	Trout Lily (Erythronium)			Trout-lily Mining Bee (Andrena erythronii)	Y
April–May	Toothworts (Brassicaceae) Family			Mustard Miner Bee (Andrena arabis)	Y
April-May	Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)			Cranesbill Miner (Andrena distans)	Y
Late April into May	Bellwort (Uvularia)				Y
April-June	May have a preference for the blue violet species.			Violet Miner (Andrena violae)	Y
May-June	Rockcress			Mustard Miner Bee (Andrena arabis)	Y
May-June Some spp. July-Aug	Golden Alexander (Zizia)			Golden-Alexanders Mining Bee (Andrena ziziae)	Y
May/June - Fall	Appalachian Barren-Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides) & Cinquefoils (Potentilla)			Andrena ziziaeformis	Y
Late May-July	Rhododendron			Azalea Mining Bee (Andrena cornelli)	Y
Early to mid June	Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum)			Waterleaf Mining Bee (Andrena geranii)	Y
June-October	Viper's-Buglosses (Genus Echium)			Viper's Bugloss Small-Mason (Hoplitis anthocopoides)	Y
June/July-Sept/Oct	Common evening-primrose (Oenothera biennis)			Evening Primrose Sweat Bee (Lasioglossum oenotherae)	Y
June-July (Late J/J)	American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) (Look for growers of the Am crossed with other Chestnut trees). Please alert Bernie of any Chestnut tree locations within 45 miles of Jericho.			Chestnut mining bee or Rehn’s Miner Bee (Andrena rehni)	Y
June/July-Aug/Sept	Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)			Beebalm Shortface (Dufourea monardae)	Y
Late June-July	Winter squash or Zucchini			Pruinose Squash Bee (Peponapis Pruinosa)	Y
Late June-July	Only known from a few sites in VT			Squash Longhorn-Cuckoo (Triepeolus remigatus)	Y
Late Aug-Sept	Fen Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia glauca). It is limited to fens.			Parnassia Miner (Andrena parnassiae)	Y

Bees that are not recorded in VT, but likely to be in VT.

Source: An Annotated Checklist of the Bees of Vermont with Conservation Status and Natural History Notes. NE Naturalist, Volume 32, Monograph 27, 2025.    - Hardy, Veit, Milam, Ascher, Sharp, et al

Table 4: Bees that are not recorded in VT, but likely to be in VT, and their host plants.

Bee	Host Plant (or host bee)	Common name
Andrena (Trachandrena) rehni	Castanea dentata	American Chestnut
Andrena uvulariae	Uvularia grandiflora (plant seeds in spring), Uvularia sessilifolia, Uvularia perfoliata.	merrybells or bellworts, include Large-flowered bellwort, Sessile-leaf bellwort, and Perfoliate bellwort.
Perdita (Alloperdita) novaengliae	Lyonia ligustrina	He-Huckleberry, or maleberry
Habropoda laboriosa	Vaccinium	Blueberries
Epeoloides pilosulus	Cleptoparasite of Macropis spp./   (L. ciliata),(L. quadriflora), and (L. terrestris)	Macropis needs oils to feed their young, with common host plants including Fringed Loosestrife (L. ciliata), Prairie Loosestrife (L. quadriflora), and Swamp Candles (L. terrestris), though L. ciliata seems a key one in the East
Triepeolus obliterates	Associated with Melissodes apicatus (Pickerelweed Longhorn Bee). Plant host for host bee (M.a.) is Pontederia cordata	Obliterated Longhorn-Cuckoo,(Pickerelweed)
Nomada rodecki	Cleptoparasite of Melitta spp.
Colletes productus	Lyonia ligustrina. Likely host of Epeolus inornatus	He-Huckleberry, or maleberry
Colletes validus	Vaccinium. Sand nesting, a lower Connecticut River Valley search is warranted.	cranberry, blueberry, bilberry, lingonberry, and huckleberry.
Sphecodes banksii	Possibly a Cleptoparasite of Lasioglossum vierecki	L.v. is a generalist bee
Anthidium (Anthidium) florentinum	Wool carder bee: strong preferences for flowers in the Asteraceae (sunflower/daisy family), Lamiaceae (mint family), and Fabaceae (pea/bean family).
Pseudoanthidium (Pseudoanthidium) nanu	Wool carder bee: primarily uses flowers from the Asteraceae family (thistles, knapweeds, sunflowers, etc.) as food sources, including Arctium, Centaurea, Cirsium, Grindelia, Helianthus, Inula, and Onopordum. They also visit legumes like Lotus corniculatus and utilize various plant stems (like thistles, raspberry
Stelis (Dolichostelis) louisae	Presumed host: Megachile campanulae. Plant: Campanula	M.c. uses Bellflowers (Campanulaspecies), especially Tall Bellflower, for pollen, though it also visits other plants like Milkweeds, Goldenrods, Mallows, and Mountain Mints, and uses plant resins for nesting.
Coelioxys (Paracoelioxys) funerarius	Cleptoparasitic on Megachile
Coelioxys (Xerocoelioxys) immaculatus	Likely associated with Megachile addenda
Chelostoma (Foveosmia) campanularum	Campanulaceae	Bellflower family
Osmia (Diceratosmia) conjuncta	Snail-nesting species.
Macropis (Macropis) ciliata	Yellow Loosestrife plants (genus Lysimachia) for vital floral oils and pollen to feed their young, with specific host plants including Fringed Loosestrife (L. ciliata), Swamp Loosestrife (L. terrestris), and Fourflower Loosestrife (L. quadrifolia), though they gather nectar from other flowers like Dogbane (Apocynum).
Melitta (Cilissa) americana	Cranberry Specialist
Melitta (cilissa) eickworti	Vaccinium stamineum L.	Deerberry

Table 5:  Saxon's Hill (Essex, VT) bee records from Spencer Hardy - Species list

With an added column indicating species Bernie has not recorded anywhere.

Species	Num of Records	Status	Sand specialist	Bernie observed in VT	Months active	Prime month active
Andrena carolina	1			NO	May-June	End of May, early June
Andrena ceanothi	4	S3		NO	May-June	End of May
Andrena commoda	1	S3		NO	May-June	Mid June
Andrena miranda	1	S3		NO	June-July	Mid July
Andrena placata	7			NO	Aug-Sept	Mid Aug
Andrena regularis	1			NO	May-June	End of May
Coelioxys moestus	1			NO	June-Aug	June-Aug
Coelioxys octodentatus	1			NO	June-Aug	June-Aug
Halictus parallelus	1	S2		NO	July, Sept, Oct	July
Hoplitis pilosifrons	2			NO	June-Aug	June
Hoplitis truncata	2	S1	Yes	NO	July	July
Lasioglossum leucocomum	6			NO	May-Sept	May, July
Lasioglossum tegulare	1		Yes	NO	May-Sept	July
Lasioglossum vierecki	7	S3	Yes	NO	May-Sept	May
Megachile brevis	6			NO	May-Sept	July
Megachile frigida	1			NO	June-Aug	June, July
Nomada armatella	2	SU		NO	May-June	May
Nomada cressonii	3			NO	April-July	May
Nomada tiftonensis	1	S2?	Yes	NO	July-Aug	July-Aug
Osmia atriventris	4			NO	April-Sept	May
Osmia distincta	2	S2S3		NO	May-July	Early July
Osmia virga	4	S2?		NO	May-July	May
Pseudopanurgus aestivalis	1	S2	Yes	NO	April-Sept	August
Sphecodes aroniae	1	S1	Yes	NO	May, June, Sept	May-Sept
Sphecodes dichrous	2	S3?	?	NO	April-Aug	July-Aug
Sphecodes illinoensis	1	S2S3	?	NO	June-Sept	June=Aug
Sphecodes mandibularis	3	S2	?	NO	June-Aug, Oct	July-Aug

SGCN List - VT wildlife action plan

Lunch & Learn Butterflies: Butterfly Trends and Duskywing ID. VT Ctr for EcoStudies

Table 6: Butterfly Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Location	Butterfly	Months - Atlas of Life
Meadows	Cobweb Skipper	June
Meadows	Dusted Skipper	Late May, Early June
Meadows	Common Branded Skipper	Aug, early Sept
Meadows	Monarch	May-Nov
Forests	Juniper Hairstreak	May-Aug (June)
Forests	Edwards’ Hairstreak	Mid July
Forests	Early Hairstreak	May-Aug (May-June)
Forests	Henry’s Elfin	April-May
Forests	Pink-edged Sulphur	May-Sept (July)
Forests	Silvery Checkerspot	May-July (June)
Forests	West Virginia White	April-June (May)
Forests	Hackberry Emperor	June-Sept
Forests	Tawny Emperor	May-Aug (July)
Wetlands	Bog Elfin	May
Wetlands	Bog Copper	June-Aug
Wetlands	Jutta Arctic	May-June
Wetlands	Dion Skipper	June-Aug (July)
Wetlands	Black Dash	July-Aug (July)
Wetlands	Two-spotted Skipper	June-July
Wetlands	Mulberry Wing	June-Aug (July)

VT 1995 Proj	89 Species	<3000 records
VCE 2002-2007	108 Species	~30,000 records
VCE 2024-2027	120 Species (so far)	>33,000 records

See How Butterflies Are Surviving, or Not, Near You , NYT article

Table 7: Biophysical regions of Vermont

Champlain Valley	Chittenden County (Northern Valley): Burlington, Colchester, Essex, Jericho, Milton, Shelburne, South Burlington, Williston, Winooski, St. George, Richmond, Westford. Addison County (Central/Southern Valley): Middlebury, Vergennes, Addison, Bridport, Bristol, Cornwall, Ferrisburgh, Leicester, Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven, Panton, Shoreham, Weybridge, Whiting. Grand Isle County (Islands): Alburgh, Grand Isle, Isle La Motte, North Hero, South Hero. Other Towns: Charlotte, Hinesburg, Starksboro, and areas near the lake, like Panton, Orwell, and parts of the Otter Creek flow.
Champlain Hills	Covers hilly terrain between the Champlain Valley and Green Mountains, including towns like Underhill, Cambridge, Fletcher, Fairfax, and Westford
Taconic Mountain, Vermont Valley	The Vermont Valley is a lowland region between the Taconic Mountains to the west and the Green Mountains to the east. Bennington: Located at the convergence of the Vermont Valley and the Walloomsac River valley. Manchester is nestled in a valley between the Green and Taconic mountains. Pittsford (including the village of Florence): The valley floor generally falls within this biophysical region. Rutland (City and Town): Situated in a broad valley carved by Otter Creek, between the Green Mountains and the Taconic Range. The Taconic Mountains region runs parallel to the Vermont Valley to the west, extending from near Brandon in the north to the Massachusetts and New York borders in the south. Danby: The mountains broaden north of here, featuring prominent peaks. Dorset: Home to Dorset Mountain, one of the tallest peaks in the range. Hubbardton: Location of the Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park. Mendon: The area where Killington meets Chittenden and Mendon is near the Taconic range. Mount Tabor: The region extends south of Danby through here. Pawlet (specifically North Pawlet Hills): Features rounded, forested peaks in the northern Taconics. Poultney: The area around Lake St. Catherine here contains extensive slate quarries and is part of the range foothills. Sunderland: Chiselville village and Kelley Stand place are located in this town in the Taconic range. Tinmouth: Tinmouth Mountain overlooks the Valley of Vermont to the east of this town. Wells: The ridgeline of Saint Catherine Mountain is visible from here.
Southern Green Mountains	The Southern Green Mountains biophysical area spans across parts of Bennington, Windham, Rutland, Windsor, and Addison counties: Andover, Arlington, Bennington, Brattleboro, Dorset, Gifford Woods (State Park in Sherburne, which is now incorporated into Killington), Jamaica, Killington (formerly Sherburne), Londonderry, Ludlow, Manchester, Mendon, Newfane, Plymouth, Pownall, Putney, Shrewsbury, Stratton, Townshend, Weston,   Wilmington
Northern Green Mountains	Towns in Vermont's Northern Green Mountains region, often highlighted along the Green Mountain Byway, include Stowe, Waterbury, Cambridge, Hyde Park, Johnson, Morristown, Morrisville, Jeffersonville, and Waitsfield
Southern Vermont Piedmont	The Southern Vermont Piedmont (SP) covers towns in southeastern Vermont, characterized by rolling hills and river valleys, including areas around the Deerfield River, with key towns like Brattleboro, Dummerston, Putney, Newfane, Marlboro, Wilmington, Halifax, and parts of Bennington County.
Northern Vermont Piedmont	The Northern Vermont Piedmont (NP) covers central Vermont's rolling hills, including major towns like Montpelier, Barre, and surrounding areas contrasting with the mountains (Green Mountains/Champlain Valley), featuring diverse forests and rivers, with towns like Marshfield, Cabot, Wolcott, Eden, and parts of Berlin, East Montpelier, and Stowe fitting within its hilly landscape.
Northeastern Highlands	The majority of towns in the Northeastern Highlands biophysical region of Vermont are located in the counties of Essex, Orleans, and Caledonia, a region often referred to as the Northeast Kingdom. The Victory Management Unit, which includes Victory Basin Wildlife Management Area and Victory State Forest, covers a large portion of the southern part of this region.  Averill, Bloomfield, Brighton (includes the village of Island Pond), Brunswick, Burke, Canaan, Charleston (eastern half is in this region), Concord, East Haven, Ferdinand, Granby, Guildhall, Kirby, Lemington, Lewis, Lunenburg, Lyndon (includes the village of Lyndonville), Maidstone, Morgan, Newark, Newport, Norton, Sheffield, Stannard, Sutton, Victory, Waterford, Westmore.

Diagram of Vermont Regions