Common Name: Black Locust Scientific Name: Robinia pseudoacacia Mature Height and Width: Hgt: 30-50 feet; Width: 20-35 feet Cultural Requirements (Sun/Water/Soil Type): Grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light shade, but avoid shady locations. Tolerates a wide range of soils including sandy or nearly barren ones. Drought tolerant. Bloom Time: […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Butterfly of the Week – Meadow Fritillary
The Meadow Fritillary (Boloria bellona) is a butterfly in the brushfoot family. It can be found in southern Canada, the north central U.S. as well as the northeast and mid-Atlantic states. At this time it is not routinely found in the southern U.S. or Mexico; however, some have reported that it is expanding its range […]
Lady Beetle
This concludes “Bug Week 2020”, thanks for tuning in and we hope you take advantage of the nice weather to do some exploring outside, you may even end up getting to meet some of these unique critters in person!
Cabbage White Butterfly
Tune in each day this week to learn more about some of the smaller insects and critters that we share this world with!