Insects
Stylogaster neglecta
Apparently a first record for Martha’s Vineyard, the Conopid fly Stylogaster neglecta was recently found outside the BiodiversityWorks office in Vineyard Haven.
Microdon fulgens on Martha’s Vineyard
The discovery of the “ant fly” Microdon fulgens on Martha’s Vineyard extends the known distribution of the colorful, mainly southern Syprhid fly by about 250 miles.
Correllus State Forest Moth Night
More than 40 moth enthusiasts joined BiodiversityWorks for our traditional blacklighting event at Correllus State Forest on July 2, 2024.
New Pygmy Grasshopper for Martha’s Vineyard
Tetrix subulata – slender or awl-shaped pygmy grasshopper – was found in Aquinnah on May 31, 2024. This was the first Vineyard record of this species, which represents the 68th species of Orthoptera known from the island.
Colletes validus
While not exactly rare, the blueberry cellophane bee (Colletes validus) is a specialized one. Martha’s Vineyard, offering the sandy soils and large blueberry populations this bee requires, hosts a notable population of this species.
Stoneflies
With an aquatic larval stage, stoneflies (the order Plectoptera) associate with fast-moving streams with good water quality. While they are likely overlooked, Plectoptera are infrequently reported on Martha’s Vineyard.
A “Shore Bug,” Pentacora sphacelata
A bug photographed on the Felix Neck salt marsh in 2019 has been identified as Pentacora sphacelata (Saldidae) – a first Vineyard record for this “shore bug.”
A New Robber Fly Species for Martha’s Vineyard
The tiny robber fly Atomosia puella was discovered among bees collected in bowl traps in 2021 at Thimble Farm, Tisbury.
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.
Cyrtopogon falto
Cyrtopogon falto is the latest robber fly species (Asilidae) to be documented on Martha’s Vineyard.