Table of Contents

VTBugEyed Blog Table of Contents

Labels	Sub Labels	Post
About	Blog Description	About VTBugEyed and Bernie
Species Profiles & Observations	Rare & First Records (Vermont)	Uncommon Insects of Vermont: Backyard Discoveries Documented on iNaturalist
Behavior & Ecology	Insect Sex	Insect reproduction
Behavior & Ecology	Insect-Plant Relationships	Vermont Plant–Insect Interactions Project  | Community Science in Jericho
Behavior & Ecology	Nesting & Life Cycles	Nesting Bees
Behavior & Ecology	Pollination	“Why Insects Matter: Giving Thanks to the Little Creatures That Keep Our Ecosystems Thriving”
Behavior & Ecology	Predation	Insect Predation
Backyard Ecology / Rewilding	Habitat Creation	VT Native Trees and Shrubs as moth and butterfly hosts
Backyard Ecology / Rewilding	Native Plants & Insects	Plant List for Pollinators, Beneficial Insects, Birds, the food web and ecosystem
Vermont Focus	April observations	April in Vermont: Early Bees, Butterflies & Backyard Safari Guide
Vermont Focus	Butterflies	Jericho Vermont Butterflies: Species Not Yet Recorded & How to Help the Vermont Butterfly Atlas
Vermont Focus	First Vermont Records	Mock-orange Scissor Bee - first for VT
Vermont Focus	Insect-Host Plant Index	Vermont Insect–Host Plant Index: Documenting Neglected Floral Hosts and Habitats
Vermont Focus	Jericho VT Observations	Insects observed in Jericho VT Yard
Vermont Focus	Jericho VT Observations	Observing insects in our backyard.
Vermont Focus	Jericho VT Observations	Vermont Moth Blitz 2021.
Vermont Focus	Milton BioBlitz	Milton, Vermont Bio Blitz July 25-26, 2026
Vermont Focus	Vermont Species Lists	New Species for Bernie in 2023
Photography & Identification	Field Observations	"Explore Vermont’s Insect Life: 120 Amazing Photos by Bernie"
Photography & Identification	Field Observations	75 Monarchs in 48 Hours: A Butterfly Bloom at Mobbs Farm Valley Trails
Photography & Identification	Field Observations	The Portrait of a Fly
Photography & Identification	Field Observations	Vermont Insects Match Fall Foliage for Vivid Color
Photography & Identification	Field Observations ***	1000+ Vermont Insect Images from bizarre to beautiful
Photography & Identification	Field Observations ***	Hyperlinks to 1000 species observed
Photography & Identification	Field Observations ***	Hyperlinks to 114 bee species observed (104 in our 1.3-acre yard)
Photography & Identification	iNaturalist Posts	How to check for Disagreements on your iNaturalist posts
Photography & Identification	Macro Photography	Bee on the Lookout for VT Bees in April
Photography & Identification	Macro Photography	Bee on the Lookout for VT Bees in March
Photography & Identification	Macro Photography	Bee on the Lookout for VT Bees in May
Photography & Identification	Video Link	Backyard Insect Finds: Great Discoveries in Nature & VT Bees: Recorded talks
Learning & Education	Ask the Inverter	Bug Banter by bugeyed Bernie
Learning & Education	Ask the Inverter	Bug Banter by bugeyed Bernie - Macropis nuda
Learning & Education	Ask the Inverter	Inverting: Entering the Ocean of the Insect World
Learning & Education	Bee Anatomy	Bee Anatomy Definitions
Learning & Education	Bee Anatomy	Bee body parts
Learning & Education	Bee Anatomy	Vermont Green Bees Identification Guide
Learning & Education	Beginner Guides	Unraveling the myths and mysteries of bees.
Learning & Education	Fireflies (Lightning bugs)	Vermont's Living Lanterns: A Firefly Discovery Evening at The Farm Upstream
Learning & Education	iNaturalist	Can You Trust iNaturalist Identifications? A Guide to Insect ID Accuracy
Learning & Education	Plants / Gardening	Vermont Native Plants & Pollinator Garden Resources
Learning & Education	Teaching Resources	Insect Study Resources: Guides, Research, and Learning Tools from the Vermont Entomology Academy
Vermont Entomology Academy	About	Vermont Entomology Academy Begins to Take Flight
Vermont Entomology Academy	Backyard Bug Safari	Bug Safari  – A Backyard Treasure Hunt for Butterflies and More!
Vermont Entomology Academy	Backyard Bug Safari	Bug Safari on Nashville Road
Vermont Entomology Academy	Backyard Bug Safari	Jeri Hill Bug Safari Photos
Vermont Entomology Academy	Backyard Bug Safari	Vermont Insect Safaris & Community Science Workshops
Vermont Entomology Academy	Bug Camp Photos	Bug Huggers Adventure Camp 2026 – Day 2
Vermont Entomology Academy	Bug Camp Photos	Bug Huggers Adventure Camp 2026 – Day 3 AQUATICS
Vermont Entomology Academy	Bug Camp Photos	Bug Huggers Adventure Camp 2026 – Day 4 Pollinator Surveys
Vermont Entomology Academy	Bug Camp Photos	SMC Bug Huggers Adventure Camp 2026 – Day 5 Plant - Insect Interactions
Vermont Entomology Academy	Bug Camp Photos	SMC VT Summer Bug Camp 2026: Day 1 Field Surveys, Microscopy, and Invertebrate Discovery
Vermont Entomology Academy	Bug Huggers Camp	Vermont Insect Summer Camp 2026 | Bug Huggers Adventure Camp (Grades 5–8)
Vermont Entomology Academy	BUGmobile	The BUGmobile | Mobile Insect Education Across Vermont
Vermont Entomology Academy	Events & Workshops	Vermont Entomology Academy: Inspiring Curiosity Through Insects and Nature Education
Vermont Entomology Academy	Insects in Your Yard Program	What's Living in Your Yard? Free Insect Surveys for Jericho Residents
Vermont Entomology Academy	Native Plants & Insects	Vermont Insect–Host Plant Index: Neglected Floral Resources, Specialist Bees, and 2026 Documentation Targets
Vermont Entomology Academy	Outreach Programs	JURBIC     Join today
Insect Art & Storytelling	Humor in Nature	Six-Word Insect Memoirs by Bernie
Insect Art & Storytelling	Insect Comics	Bug-inspired Single-Panel Comics By Bernie Paquette (Vol VI)
Insect Art & Storytelling	Insect Comics	Bug-inspired Single-Panel Comics By Bernie Paquette (Vol VII)
Insect Art & Storytelling	Insect Comics	Celebrating Nature Inspired Comic No. 100 - Exploring Invertebrates by Bernie Paquette
Insect Art & Storytelling	Insect Comics	Comics by Bernie & Nature (Vol I)
Insect Art & Storytelling	Insect Comics	Nature inspired Single Panel Comics By Bernie Paquette (Vol V)
Insect Art & Storytelling	Insect Comics	Nature-inspired Comics (Vol II) by Bernie
Insect Art & Storytelling	Insect Comics	Nature-inspired Comics (Vol III) by Bernie
Insect Art & Storytelling	Insect Comics	Nature-inspired Comics Theme Directory List
Insect Art & Storytelling	Insect Comics	Nature-inspired Single-Panel Comics (Vol IV) by Bernie
Insect Art & Storytelling	Insect Comics	Non-Fiction Nature Comic
Insect Art & Storytelling	Insect Comics	Saturdays The Insect Cartoon Issue
Insect Art & Storytelling	Insect Comics	Single-panel Comics - Insect Sex (Love Bug) Series by Bernie Paquette
Insect Art & Storytelling	Insect Comics	The Firefly Family Tree: Jefferey and Louisa Discover Vermont's Glowing Relatives
Insect Art & Storytelling	Nature Writing	For the Love of Caterpillars - superheroes for kids and adults. From sun to plants to meat - how to feed the food web.
Insect Art & Storytelling	Nature Writing	From Dirt Roads to Discoveries: A Giant Caterpillar in Jericho
Insect Art & Storytelling	Nature Writing	Insect Watch by Bernie Paquette
Insect Art & Storytelling	Nature Writing	Jericho, Underhill, VT Life Search - Insect Observation Journal - Fond Farewell
Insect Art & Storytelling	Nature Writing	Jericho, Underhill, VT Life Search - Insect Observation Journal - Models Wanted
Insect Art & Storytelling	Nature Writing	Real Vermonters Cherish Their Leaves in Every Season - Winter Blankets Needed
Insect Art & Storytelling	Nature Writing	Rivers bring Flooding, Disruption, but also Serenity and Art
Insect Art & Storytelling	Nature Writing	To Eclipse (in Vermont) or not to eclipse.
Insect Art & Storytelling	Nature Writing	What Counts? A Hundred Bees and Then What?.
Insect Art & Storytelling	Nature Writing	Your Backyard: More than a Playground. Chapter I: Making New Friends of Old Friends
Insect Art & Storytelling	Poem	Inverting (insect watching) is the new birding
Insect Art & Storytelling	Poem	Metamorphism - Building organizations interested in Invertebrates in Vermont
Insect Art & Storytelling	Poem	The Monarchs Have a Baby! A Garden Chat
Insect Art & Storytelling	Short Story	Bees at the Beach - short story by Bernie Paquette
Insect Art & Storytelling	Short Story	Halloween Fever
Insect Art & Storytelling	Short Story	Our first baby Button (Buttonbush).
Insect Art & Storytelling	Short Story	The 80-Year Condensed Life of Clara Bee Huginton. A VT Bumblebee Story by Bernie Paquette.
Insect Art & Storytelling	Short Story	The Butterfly That Leafed Out
Insect Art & Storytelling	Short Story	Touching Life - How I came to pet a Bumblebee.
Projects & Milestones	Annual Summaries	2023 in review
Projects & Milestones	Annual Summaries	Annual Butterfly and Bug Walk at Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington, VT.
Projects & Milestones	Award	BugEyed Bernie awarded the 2025 Julie Nicholson Community Science Award
Projects & Milestones	Award Speech	“Speaking for the Insects: 2025 Julie Nicholson Community Science Award Acceptance”
Projects & Milestones	Field Observations	Birds of Vermont Museum - it's not only for Birds!
Projects & Milestones	Long-Term Studies	Biodiversity Observations April 2024 Report: Jericho, Underhill, Richmond, Bolton, Vermont
Projects & Milestones	Long-Term Studies	Biodiversity Observations August 2024 Report: Jericho, Underhill, Richmond, Bolton, Vermont
Projects & Milestones	Long-Term Studies	Biodiversity Observations July 2024 Report: Jericho, Underhill, Richmond, Bolton, Vermont
Projects & Milestones	Long-Term Studies	Biodiversity Observations June 2024 Report: Jericho, Underhill, Richmond, Bolton, Vermont
Projects & Milestones	Long-Term Studies	Biodiversity Observations May 2024 Report: Jericho, Underhill, Richmond, Bolton, Vermont
Projects & Milestones	Long-Term Studies	Biodiversity Observations October 2024 Report: Jericho, Underhill, Richmond, Bolton, Vermont
Projects & Milestones	Long-Term Studies	Biodiversity Observations September 2024 Report: Jericho, Underhill, Richmond, Bolton, Vermont
Projects & Milestones	Long-Term Studies	Jericho, Underhill, Richmond, Bolton Biodiversity Observations Report
Projects & Milestones	Long-Term Studies	Vermont Invertebrate Biodiversity 2025: Key Findings from Jericho, Underhill, Richmond & Bolton
Projects & Milestones	Projects & Milestones	Annual Birds of Vermont; butterfly and bug walk photos
Projects & Milestones	Rank by town	Vermont Biodiversity by Town: iNaturalist Species Rankings, Observations, and Community Science (2026)
Projects & Milestones	Vulnerable Bumblebees	New PIP Mission! Vulnerable Bumble Bees
Event Photos	VT Entomology Butterfly and Bug Walk PHOTOS	BUTTERFLY AND BUG WALK July 11

Backyard Insect Finds: Great Discoveries in Nature & VT Bees: Recorded talks

Back-to-Back Community Presentations: Backyard Insects & Vermont Bees
Two engaging, back-to-back presentations on the insects living right outside our doors.

Backyard Insect Finds: Great Discoveries in Nature (45 minutes)
Naturalist Bernie Paquette presents an image-rich look at backyard insects, highlighting surprising behaviors and overlooked species found in local yards, gardens, and trails. 

New Vermont Bee Checklist and Conservation Rankings Published (45 minutes)
Spencer Hardy (Vermont Center for Ecostudies biologist and Farm Upstream) shares highlights from a new decade-long study documenting 352 wild bee species in Vermont. The research shows 60% may need conservation action, marking a critical step toward protecting pollinators.

Discover how much nature is hiding in plain sight—right here in Jericho.

Recorded Saturday, Feb 21 

Here are the links to the recordings on YouTube & Internet Archive; please feel free to share/embed as you see fit.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7AEK3kFuuw

Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/backyard-insects-bees-jericho-02212026

Vermont Insect Summer Camp 2026 | Bug Huggers Adventure Camp (Grades 5–8)

 Looking for a Vermont insect summer camp for middle school students?

 Bug Huggers Adventure Camp* offers a hands-on, science-rich experience for students entering Grades 5–8. *Concept by VEA, but the camp is an SMC program: run/managed by Saint Michael's College

📍 Hosted at Saint Michael’s College
📅 June 22–26, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
👩‍🔬 Maximum 15 students

What Makes This Vermont Youth Science Camp Unique?

This is a lab and outdoor field observation camp.

Students explore:

• Insect observation and collecting on campus grounds
• Aquatic insect life at local waterways (pond, river)
• Insect behavior, beauty, and diversity
• Food webs and ecosystem connections

Campers use real field tools:

• Nets
• Hand lenses
• Microscopes

They also contribute observations to iNaturalist, learning how community science supports conservation and biodiversity research.

Who Should Attend?

This camp is ideal for students who:

• Love being outdoors
• Ask questions about nature
• Enjoy hands-on science
• Want to build confidence in observation and identification

No prior entomology experience required.

Cost 

• $280 per student (includes daily lunch)
• Limited enrollment (15 students)
• Scholarships available

👉 Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/mr3hhu6f

If you're searching for a Vermont middle school science camp that builds curiosity, ecological literacy, and confidence, Bug Huggers Adventure Camp is designed for exactly that.

THANK YOU Donors

We wish to thank the following donors for scholarships and program support

• Stephen and Clare Earley: Scholarship funds.

• Anonymous donors:  Scholarship funds & Photography.

• Bee The Change (Mike Kiernan et al): Scholarship funds.

• Vermont Entomology Society: Insect-themed T-shirts for registrants.

• Declan McCabe, Sandra Fary, Cole Logan: devotion to introducing and teaching youth about invertebrates.

• Emily Rowe (Northern Woodlands org.): Copies of Northern Woodlands magazine.

• Alden Wicker (Communication Specialist, Vermont Center for EcoStudies): 25 copies of VCE Field Notes magazine.

• Mercedes Oxford Kemp: Bug House kit, Insect booklets

• Yolanda Chen (UVM Professor): Pinned Insects

Bug Huggers Adventure Camp was developed by Vermont Entomology Academy | Insect Education, Youth Programs & Community Science in Vermont and is run by Saint Michael's College. 

You cannot protect what you do not love.

You cannot protect what you do not love.

You cannot love what you do not understand.

You cannot understand what you are not taught.

Come learn with us.

The BUGmobile | Mobile Insect Education Across Vermont

The BUGmobile is the Vermont Entomology Academy’s traveling insect education program.

We bring hands-on entomology experiences directly to:

• Schools
• Libraries
• Nature centers
• Community events
• Fairs and festivals

What Is the BUGmobile?

The BUGmobile is a mobile natural history outreach initiative designed to make insect education accessible across Vermont. (May be limited outside of Chittenden County).

Each visit may include one or more of the following:

• Image-rich look at backyard insects 
• Specimen collections
• Microscopy demonstrations
• Insect identification activities
• Facilitated outdoor insect observations

Participants learn how to observe insects and document their findings using iNaturalist.

Why Mobile Insect Education Matters

Not every school has access to field-based entomology programming.

The BUGmobile removes that barrier by bringing:

• Scientific tools
• Expertise
• Engaging presentations
• Field experiences

Directly to communities.

It builds ecological literacy, scientific confidence, and appreciation for Vermont biodiversity.

Host the BUGmobile

Interested in scheduling a visit?

We welcome partnerships with:

• Schools
• PTO groups
• Libraries
• Conservation organizations
• Community science groups

Contact Bernie Paquette at Vermont Entomology Academy to explore availability.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Volunteers Needed

Reach out if you are interested in volunteering as a presenter or field observation guide.

Specifically, we are seeking:

• Volunteers willing to offer one-hour interactive insect presentations at local events (scheduling is flexible; no fixed commitment required). 
• The idea is to create a pool of individuals, each willing to commit to at least one insect-related interactive program during 2016. 
• Notices will go out to libraries, schools, and other community organizations offering a 1-2 hour insect-related program. 
• Once an organization expresses interest and suggests a date and time, a note is sent out to the pool of individuals to see if anyone wishes to commit to that date and time.
• One topic we need help with is creating a lesson plan for Keying for IDs. Keying an insect means using a structured, step-by-step tool—a dichotomous key—to identify an unknown specimen by comparing its physical characteristics against pairs of choices. It is a systematic process of elimination that narrows down options based on anatomy (like wing type, leg structure, or mouthparts) until the correct group or species is found.

• Equipment and Supplies for the mobile operation, including microscopes, field guides, insect nets, hand lenses, insect capture tools, entomology pins, display materials, and specimen trays. 

This is a prime opportunity to amplify insect education across the state and engage diverse audiences in entomological discovery. Whether you are an experienced educator, field naturalist, student, or enthusiast, your time and expertise can make a meaningful difference in fostering environmental literacy. 

Once the program gets its feet off the ground, we anticipate creating a pilot mobile natural history collection operation to serve camps in the area with lessons on insects.

We are seeking donations of the following: 

Microscope

Field guides

Insect Nets

Hand lens: magnifiers (multiple)

Insect capture vacuum tools 

Entomology forceps

Pinning block

Entomology pins in various widths and sizes

Pinning display box 

Pinned insects, including trays of specimens

& Insect specimens that can be handled

Identification keys 

                                                               Collection jars, vials.                                                                

&

 A pool of members who volunteer to offer one or more hour-long, interactive insect presentations in a year. 

No fixed schedule—just a willingness to share what you love. 

Brought to you by Vermont Entomology Academy | Insect Education, Youth Programs & Community Science in Vermont

Past BugMobile events

Good Shepard Church  8/2025 & 10/2025

Vermont Insect Safaris & Community Science Workshops

 

Want to explore insects in their natural habitats?

The Vermont Entomology Academy offers:

• Bug & Bird Safaris
• Backyard Insect Explorations
• Community science workshops
• Seasonal insect observation walks

What Happens on a Bug Safari?

Participants:

• Bug Safari | At Your Yard (1-2 hours)
• Explore fields, forests, and ponds for insects
• Observe awe-inspiring insects and their behaviors
• Contribute to biodiversity records (iNaturalist)
• Discover why INVERTING (the joy of observing invertebrates) is the new birding 

We emphasize close observation and ecological connection.

Community Science in Action

Workshops teach participants how to:

• Photograph insects effectively
• Upload observations to iNaturalist
• Improve identification accuracy (via iNaturalist and field guides) 

These programs strengthen Vermont’s biodiversity data while building public engagement.

Who Can Participate?

Programs are available for:

• Families
• Youth groups
• Adults
• Educators
• Lifelong learners

No experience required — only curiosity.

Contact Bernie to schedule. 

💲 Free

"Have you ever wondered what pollinators are visiting your garden or what that black-and-yellow striped bug was?"Invite the Vermont Entomology Academy to your own backyard for a personalized insect exploration experience!

Brought to you by Vermont Entomology Academy | Insect Education, Youth Programs & Community Science in Vermont

Past (Your Home) Bug Safaris

Natalie, Jericho (8/2023)

Susan & Dana, Hinesburg (6/2025)

                                            Marty, & Barbara, Jericho (6/2025)

Kathryn & Children, Jericho (7/2025)

Bill & Susan, Jericho (7/2025)

Denise & Ray, Jericho (8/2025)

Karl & Heather, Jericho (8/2025)

Tom & Ann (8/2025)

Tobi, Jericho (8/2025)

Jericho Settlers Farm (8/2025)

Terry H., Jericho (9/2025)

Vermont Plant–Insect Interactions Project | Community Science in Jericho

 

The Vermont Entomology Academy (VEA) invites Jericho residents to participate in a 2026 community science project exploring how insects interact with plants in home yards and gardens.

Discover the bees, butterflies, and other pollinators visiting your yard while contributing to research!

About the Residential Yard & Garden Study

The Plant–Insect Interactions Project investigates:

• Which pollinators visit specific flowering plants

• Pollinator activity patterns in Jericho, VT

• Presence of uncommon or at-risk insects

• Which plants best support specialized pollinators

• Your backyard can become a living laboratory for pollinator research.

How to Participate

Participation is simple, fun, and meaningful:

Conducts brief 20-minute surveys of your yard

Surveys conducted by Bernie Paquette, VEA

Weekly during selected plant bloom periods

Photograph flowering plants and their insect visitors

Submit observations to iNaturalist

Target Plants & Bloom Timing

We focus on key flowering plants* that attract important pollinators in Vermont.

*See the full list of targeted flora and projected bloom dates here:
 Targeted Flora for Key & Understudied Pollinators

Why This Matters

By participating, you help scientists:

Identify which pollinators are active in Jericho

Track uncommon or at-risk species

Understand which plants support biodiversity

Your yard can contribute valuable data to Vermont’s community science and conservation efforts.

Join the Project

If you live in Jericho, VT, and are interested in observing pollinators and flowering plants this summer, contact Bernie for full details.

Help make Jericho’s gardens a hub for pollinator research and backyard biodiversity!