Congratulations to our 2021 Photo Contest Winners! We received many excellent entries and our judges selected the following. Winners are receiving prizes in the mail. Here are our winners: View all our entries:
Fireflies
Fireflies – those tiny sparkling lights that appear on summer evenings- aren’t really flies and don’t use fire to make light! They are also called lightning bugs and glowworms, depending on where you find them. These little insects are a type of soft-winged beetle just like ladybugs. There are many different types of fireflies. They […]
The Lady Bug Story
“Lady bug, Lady bug, fly away home.” The children’s nursery rhyme reminds us that this little spotted red bug that is found in many planted areas can come and go as it wishes, just by taking to the air. This cute insect is a member of the beetle family and comes in many different patterns […]
Bug Out with UConn Extension
UConn Extension is celebrating Bug Month from July 1 – 31 with virtual programs and resources for the entire family. All ages are welcome to explore the activities dedicated to insects and their relatives. Bug Month virtual programs and resources are buzzing with the following: Answer a few questions to qualify for a […]
Confronting the ‘Insect Apocalypse’
A period of mass extinction threatens insects – and the humans and animals who depend on them. It’s not just bees and butterflies that are under threat: UConn entomologist and Professor David Wagner says all kinds of insects are at risk for “a death by a thousand cuts.” This is alarming, since insects play vital […]
Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Lynn Keller
UConn CAHNR Extension typically holds Bug Week in July; however, this year Extension has designated July as Bug Month. The UConn Extension Master Gardeners and Master Gardener interns participate. Bug Month is an educational outreach activity that promotes insects in the environment (bugs.uconn.edu/). Volunteers like Dr. Lynn Keller make this educational event fun and successful. […]
Butterfly of the week – Viceroy
The Viceroy butterfly, Limenitis archippus is similar to but smaller than the monarch butterfly. Viceroy butterflies live in most of the continental United States, southern Canada and northern Mexico. The wing span of the adult ranges from 2.5 to 3.375 inches. The viceroy is a very distinct butterfly for its genus, but can be confused […]
Bug Week 2020 Photo Contest Results
The Bug Week 2020 Photo Contest was an enormous success with a record number of entries. Thanks to everyone who entered photos capturing a wide variety of bugs in nature. Bugs are the unsung heroes of our environment, and photographing them in their natural habitat helps us better appreciate the excellent work they do. The […]
Butterfly of the week – Monarch
The Monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, is the best known butterfly in North America. Monarchs found in North America can be split into the eastern and western monarchs. Those which live and breed west of the Rocky Mountains spend their winters in southern California whereas those who live and breed in the east overwinter in Central […]
Butterfly of the week – Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
The Eastern tiger swallowtail, Papilio glaucus, is one of the most common swallowtail butterflies in the eastern United States. It is widely distributed from New England to the southern Great Lakes and the Great Plains states as well as to Texas and Florida. The Eastern tiger swallowtail is a large butterfly with a 3 to 5.5 […]