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| 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.
Insect names are hyperlinked to the iNaturalist post. I appreciate any additional help with IDs on those not yet at Research Grade.
Uncommon Insects observed by Bernie in 2024 (Mostly in our Jericho yard) | |
Anasimyia chrysostoma Lump-legged Swamp Fly (Needs ID) 6/28/2024 | |
* | 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 |
Dolichopus (Genus) Not uncommon but one of my favorite mating observations. 6/7/2024 | |
* | Dolichopus brevimanus (3 IDs R.G.) 6/9/2024 |
Dolichopus versutus (1 ID Needs ID) 6/15/2024 | |
* | Lasioglossum acuminatum Pointed Sweat Bee. (1 ID) 10/3/2024 My 110th bee species observation. |
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 |
* | Rhagio lineola (1 ID) 6/24/2024 |
* | Rhaphium melampus (1 ID Needs ID) 6/13/2024 |
* | Synanthedon scitula (1 ID) 7/20/2024 |
* | Synanthedon tipuliformis (2 IDs R.G.) 6/9/2024 |
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) | |
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 |
* | Anacampsis nonstrigella (2 IDs RG) 9/7/2022 |
Anasa repetita (2 IDs R.G.) 7/1/2021 | |
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. |
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 |
* | Dolichopus laticornis (2 IDs) 5/16/2022 |
* | Drosophila immigrans Immigrant Fruit Fly (2 IDs RG) 9/1/2023 |
* | Ectopimorpha wilsoni (2 IDs R.G.) 5/31/2022 |
Enchrysa dissectella (2 iDs R.G.) 6/16/2021 | |
Fieberiella florii (needs ID) 7/10/2021 | |
Gonia sagax (2 IDs R.G.) 4/8/2021 | |
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 |
* | Menesta tortriciformella (3 IDs RG) 6/20/2022 |
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 |
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 |
* | 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. |
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 |
Xanthogramma flavipes American Harlequin (2 IDs RG) 7/26/2022 | |
Xylophagus reflectens (2 IDs RG) 5/13/2023 |
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