Folks at Jeri Hill Senior Housing (located in Jericho, Vermont) invited Maeve and me to walk the grounds around their homes to observe and discuss invertebrates (insects). Below are some of the insects that honored us with their presence. The Maize Calligrapher in particular was a special treat for me as this was only the second one I have ever viewed.
The Bug Safari is open to any family in Jericho and is a limited-time offer. There is no charge (from me or the insects) associated with this offer. We are most grateful for the many services the species of insects, other wildlife, and plants provide us. We enjoy observing the myriad of species. Life abounds all about us.
It took little time to find native bees and hoverflies amongst the sunflowers and other planted flowers in the front.
Subgenus Eumelissodes A member of Longhorn Bees.
CAUTION: The names listed are only a preliminary guess. Most are awaiting identification confirmation. Each name is hot-linked to the iNaturalist page where you can check to see if an updated ID has been posted.
Subgenus Zadontomerus
This Maize Calligrapher Toxomerus politus is a species of hoverfly (Diptera: Syrphidae).
Viewing Tip: The insect names are hot-linked to the iNaturalist posting. There you can see a map with indications of where else in Vermont the insect has been observed and then posted on iNaturalist.
For more information about the insect, after you get to the iNaturalist posting, click on the insect name at the top of the posting. There you can read more about the insect.
Subgenus Zadontomerus
Monarch Danaus plexippus. The one we observed was very small.
The Monarch Caterpillar found underneath a milkweed leaf might be the first I have observed this year.
Monarch Life Cycle - Eggs, Larva, Pupa, and Adult.
Larva (Caterpillar; 10-14 days) It is during this stage that Monarchs do all of their growing. They begin life by eating their eggshell and then move on to the plant on which they were laid.
When the caterpillar has become too large for its skin, it molts or sheds its skin. At first, the new skin is very soft and provides little support or protection. The new skin soon hardens and molds itself to the caterpillar, which often eats the shed skin before starting in anew on plant food! The intervals between molts are called instars. Monarchs go through five instars (see photo on the website listed below). Approximate length of the body at each stage: 1st instar, 2-6mm; 2nd instar, 6-9mm; 3rd instar, 10-14mm; 4th instar, 13-25mm; 5th instar, 25-45mm.
Socks over my pants is not a fashion statement. I am now in the habit of wearing them this way as a form of prevention of tick attachments.
Genus Melissodes A member of Longhorn Bees.
Genus Graphocephala (leafhoppers)
Eastern Harvestman Leiobunum vittatum (I think)
Genus Olibrus (I think)
Note three of the bee's five eyes on top of its head.
Cucumber Spiders Genus Araniella (I think)
Caution, before you blurt out the Latin name of this one, note that there are two 'n's in the second part of the species name.
Eastern Harvestman Leiobunum vittatum (I think)
Sargus decorus A member of Soldier Flies
Fungi Including Lichens Kingdom Fungi (I think )
Conifer Mazegill Gloeophyllum sepiarium (I think)
To view all the Jeri Hill observations of the day on iNaturalist click here.
Bug Safaris - Limited Time Offer
Bernie will join you at your yard (in Jericho) to photograph and help you identify the critters we find. How many insects or other LIFE species will you find living in your yard? As of June 10, Jericho ranks tenth place (of all towns and cities in VT) with 2,110 taxa posted on iNaturalist.
Details
Ideally, you will have some kind of flowers (planted, wild, or even weeds) blooming at your residence.
The best time of day is around 9:30 am but I can be flexible.
Contact Bernie to schedule a 1-hour bug hunt at your Jericho address.
All ages are welcome.
I will take photos and post them on iNaturalist. You are welcome to do the same or you can also simply join in the search.
It also includes an introduction to using iNaturalist (via phone - about 15 minutes beyond the 1-hour bug hunt). (Optional)
I have observed 91 bee species nearly all of them in our 1.3-acre yard. And I have observed and posted about 1,000 insect species many if not most of them in our yard. I have observed many different insect behaviors, stages of life, and fascinating-looking creatures. What will we find in your yard? Perhaps a species never before reported in Jericho, or even in Vermont. Get to know some of your LIFE neighbors, it can be fun, interesting, and sometimes creates an OH MY GOSH.
View all observations within Jericho posted on iNaturalist at https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/biodiversity-of-jericho-vermont
Inverting (insect watching) is being outside,
observing, experiencing, the multitude,
the diversity, and the daily going ons of LIFE.
I am an 'inverter'!
Bernie
Fantastic and so much fun we really thank you Bernie and Maeve!
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