Biodiversity

New Vineyard Orthoptera Records

Recent observations bring the Vineyard’s Orthoptera checklist to 71 species.

2025 Long Point Bioblitz

The fourth annual bioblitz of Long Point Wildlife Refuge, conducted June 28-29, 2025, documented about 331 species, including a number of observations that appear to represent first records for Martha’s Vineyard.

American Golden Longhorn (Callicera erratica)

Found in West Tisbury on May 3, 2025, a male Callicera erratica represented a new species of hoverfly for Martha’s Vineyard – and apparently for Massachusetts as well.

Megachile inimica Added to Vineyard Bee List

Megachile inimica, a large species of leaf-cutter bee, was found in the community garden at Thimble Farm in late September 2023. It representes the 197th species of bee documented on Martha’s Vineyard.

Monarch Butterflies – How Endangered Are They?

This iconic orange-and-black butterfly is widely assumed to be at risk of extinction. But Monarch biology is complex, with different populations exhibiting different ecology, and some research suggests that the situation is less dire than widely believe.

Why Planting Native Species Matters

Natural Neighbors is working towards the development of a native plant CSA (community-supported agriculture) to increase the supply of native species adapted to Martha’s Vineyard’s local climate and soil conditions.

Don’t Take Flies for Granted

Flies — the order Diptera — tend to be either ignored or reviled by humans. But this diverse group of insects, with about 17,000 known species in North America, is of enormous ecological importance.