News
Vulnerable Season for Sea Turtles
In late autumn, plunging water temperatures pose a risk to sea turtles in our region. Learn how you can help these endangered reptiles face this seasonal risk.
When Life Gives You Mussels, Take Photos
iNaturalist helps two alert observers identify a freshwater mussel from a West Tisbury pond. Almost nothing seems to be known about these shellfish on the Vineyard.
Cuckoo Bees
These fascinating bees are kleptoparasites of other bees, laying their eggs in the nests of their host species instead of provisioning there own nests. One cuckoo bee, Coelioxyx octodentatus, was recently added to the Vineyard’s Bee checklist.
Hairy-banded Mining Bee – Andrena hirticincta
The Hairy-banded Miner Bee, Andrena hirticincta, is one of the most recognizable solitary bees known from Martha’s Vineyard, occurring in late summer and early fall wherever goldenrod, this bee’s favorite pollen source, is found.
Great Blue Skimmer
A new iNaturalist user recently documented a great blue skimmer (Libellula vibrans) in Chilmark. There are only a handful of previous records for the Vineyard.
Carrot Wasp
A Chilmark record adds the unusual wasp genus Gasteruption to the MV Atlas of Life.
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.
White Colic-root
This member of the lily family is a characteristic plant of the Vineyard sandplain and a popular place to stop for a wide range of pollinators.
Shed Some Light on Moths
Diverse, ecologically important, and often stunningly beautiful, moths have emerged as a popular subject of study among amateur naturalists.
Deer Bot Fly
An odd-looking fly with an even odder life history.
Hoft Farm Bioblitz
Held July 15-16 at The Nature Conservancy’s Hoft Farm Preserve, this event enlisted about 20 observers who tallied more than 300 species.
Viola pedata: a Sandplain Specialty
An early spring gem, this lovely wildflower is a Vineyard specialty.