2024 Uncommon Insect observations in Vermont

Dolichopus brevimanus @iNaturalist user bugeyedbernie

Uncommon insect species

by Bernie Paquette (bugeyedbernie on iNaturalist)

Uncommon: out of the ordinary, unusual, or remarkably great. In 2012 the Polystoechotes punctata or giant lacewing was the first recorded in eastern North America in over 50 years — and the first record of the species ever in Arkansas (at a Walmart). Vermont also has had a share of uncommon discoveries. Thankfully there is no need to travel to Arkansas or Walmart to discover and observe an uncommon insect taxa. 

One can appreciate the perseverance of Bryan Pfeiffer, who after searching for two decades discovered (first for Vermont) a rare and elusive butterfly, the Bog elfin in 2023. 

Most of us will never see a Bog elfin, and many will never see a bog. However, uncommon finds can be had closer to home, even in our own yards. 

As my list below demonstrates, the next uncommon insect discovery may be awaiting in your town or your backyard. 

"You need to go nowhere to see wonders." 

Jack Gedney, The Private Lives of Public Birds.

Below are a few uncommon* discoveries, most from our Jericho, VT backyard, and a few from nearby towns, that I posted on iNaturalist in 2024. *Here I am defining uncommon as 5 or fewer posts on iNaturalist in Vermont at the time of my observation. There may be more on GBIF.

This is not a statement of my observations as anyone with the desire could do the same; it is instead a partial view of the wonder of millennia of evolution and the later effect of a most recent changing habitat. One town, One yard, One Acre of habitat containing a multitude of life. To closely observe the many offers an opportunity to stumble upon the uncommon, rare, or even the unknown.

Insect names are hyperlinked to the iNaturalist post. I appreciate any additional help with IDs on those not yet at Research Grade.

*R.G. indicates Research Grade on iNaturalist.

	Uncommon Insects observed by Bernie in 2024                                     (Mostly in our Jericho yard)
	Anasimyia chrysostoma Lump-legged Swamp Fly (Needs ID) 6/28/2024. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
*	Argogorytes nigrifrons  (2 IDs R.G.) 7/9/2024
	Blera analis Orange-tailed Wood Fly (4 IDs R.G.) 5/19/2024
	Chrysis cessata (2 IDs R.G.) 7/12/2024
	Chrysomela mainensis (Maine Leaf Beetle) (2 IDs) 5/19/2024
*	Chrysopilus pilosus (2 IDs R.G.) 6/24/2024
	Copestylum vesicularium Iridescent Bromeliad Fly (2 IDs R.G.) 7/13/2024
	Criorhina nigriventris Bare-cheeked Bumble Fly (1 ID) 5/6/2024
	Cuterebra buccata (1 ID needs ID) 10/3/2024
*	Dolichoderus pustulatus Bog Odorous Ant (1 ID)  9/10/2024. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
	Dolichopus (Genus) Not uncommon but one of my favorite mating observations. 6/7/2024
*	Dolichopus brevimanus (3 IDs R.G.) 6/9/2024. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
	Dolichopus versutus (1 ID Needs ID) 6/15/2024
*	Lasioglossum acuminatum Pointed Sweat Bee. (1 ID) 10/3/2024  My 110th bee species observation.
*	Lasioglossum zephyrus (1 ID) 6/15/2024 (My 111 bee species) Only one other on iNat.
	Libytheana carinenta American Snout (4 IDs R.G.) 8/10/2024
	Nemopoda nitidula (Needs ID) 7/11/2024
	Nomada obliterata Obliterated Nomad (2 IDs R.G.) 5/15/2024
	Parancistrocerus perennis Perennial Mason Wasp (1 ID) 7/4/2024
*	Parandrena (Subgenus) (1 ID) 5/1/2024 Possibly one dubious, old A. nida record is the only (other) representation of the subgenus in the state.
*	Poecilographa decora (2 IDs R.G.) 8/11/2024. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
*	Rhagio lineola (1 ID) 6/24/2024
*	Rhaphium melampus (1 ID Needs ID) 6/13/2024
*	Stratiomys norma (1 ID Needs ID) 8/10/2024
*	Synanthedon scitula (1 ID) 7/20/2024
*	Synanthedon tipuliformis (2 IDs R.G.) 6/9/2024. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
	Zadotomerus (Subgenus) (1 ID) 5/7/2024 Not uncommon. I observed them copulating from 12:30:15 to 1:08: 07.  Eight seconds shy of 38 minutes. They flew off together.

	Uncommon Insects observed by Bernie before 2024                                (Mostly in our Jericho yard)
*	Anasimyia bilinearis Two-lined Swamp Fly (RG) 5/5/2022. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
	Abia fasciata Blotch-winged Honeysuckle Sawfly (1 ID RG) 6/27/2022
	Acrossus rubripennis (1 ID) 8/7/2022
*	Agenioideus cinctellus (1 ID) 7/29/2022
	Amoebaleria helvola (3 IDs RG) 7/29/2022. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
*	Anacampsis nonstrigella (2 IDs RG) 9/7/2022.
*	Anasa repetita (2 IDs R.G.) 7/1/202. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
	Aritranis director (Needs ID) 8/20/2023
*	Chelostoma philadelphi Mock-orange Scissor Bee (4 IDs RG) I posted the first for iNat on 6/15/2021 and have observed many since then. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
	Chrysis cessata (2 IDs RG) 8/22/2023
*	Crematogaster cerasi Cherry Acrobat Ant (2 IDs RG) 5/4/2023
*	Cryptomyzus ribis (1 ID) 6/21/2022
	Cylindromyia interrupta (1 ID) 7/18/2021
	Dialysis elongata (2 iDs R.G.) 7/26/2022
*	Dichrorampha simulana (2 iDs R.G.) 7/28/2020. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
*	Dolichopus laticornis (2 IDs) 5/16/2022
*	Drosophila immigrans Immigrant Fruit Fly (2 IDs RG) 9/1/2023. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
*	Ectopimorpha wilsoni (2 IDs R.G.) 5/31/2022. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
	Enchrysa dissectella (2 iDs R.G.) 6/16/2021
	Fieberiella florii (needs ID) 7/10/2021
	Gonia sagax (2 IDs R.G.) 4/8/202. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
	Hoplistoscelis pallescens (1 ID) 6/4/2022
	Hymetta balteata (needs ID) 10/25/2023
	Isodontia philadelphica (needs ID) 8/12/2023
*	Linycus exhortator ssp. thoracicus (2 IDs R.G.) 9/27/2022. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
*	Menesta tortriciformella (3 IDs RG) 6/20/2022. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
	Messatoporus rufiventris (2 IDs R.G.) 9/15/2023
*	Muesebeckidium (Genus) (2 IDs RG) 7/1/2023
*	Nomada denticulata Denticulate Nomad (1 ID) 5/27/2023
	Onthophagus hecate Scooped Scarab (2 IDs RG) 5/9/2022
*	Parancistrocerus pedestris (2 IDs R.G.) 8/5/2020. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
	Parancistrocerus pensylvanicus Pennsylvania Mason Wasp (3 IDs) 8/21/2021
	Perillus exaptus (2 IDs) 6/4/2022
	Phymata fasciata (Needs ID) 10/6/2021
	Physoconops obscuripennis (2 iDs RG) 6/28/2022)
*	Pleolophus indistinctus (2 IDs RG) 6/25/2023. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
*	Plutella porrectella (2 IDs RG) R.G.
*	Pristerognatha agilana (1 ID) 6/23/2023
	Scaphytopius acutus (needs ID) 10/25/2023
*	Schroederella iners (1 ID) 10/25/2023
*	Sphyracephala brevicornis (3 IDs RG) 4/15/2022. There doesn't appear to be any digital records for this species in GBIF either, so for now, first state record. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer
	Spilopteron formosum (1 ID) 6/19/2021
	Symmorphus cristatus (1 ID) 9/15/2023
	Tenthredo verticalis (1 ID) 7/21/2022
*	Tomoxia inclusa (2 IDs RG) 7/5/2023. bugeyedbernie, 1st observer?
	Xanthogramma flavipes American Harlequin (2 IDs RG) 7/26/2022
	Xylophagus reflectens (2 IDs RG) 5/13/2023

"The greatest human discoveries in the future will be the discovery of human intimacy with all those other modes of being that live with us on this planet, inspire our art and literature, reveal that numinous world whence all things come into being, and with which we exchange the very substance of life." - The Great Work - our way into the future, Thomas Berry

If you want to feel new, alive, full of fresh hope, and in love with the world I think the place to visit may be your backyard. - paraphrased from The Art of Stillness by Pico Iyer.

If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with. 

-Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz

You can view more insect essays, photos, and single-panel comics on Bernie's blog, vtbugeyed.blogspot.com