Butterfly of the Week – Spicebush Swallowtail

The spicebush swallowtail butterfly, Papilio troilus is a beautiful and interesting swallowtail.  It is typically found in the eastern half of the United States from southern Canada to southern Florida and west to Texas.   The upper surface of the forewings is black with marginal and sub-marginal rows of light yellow spots. The upper surfaces of the […]

Cabbage White Butterfly

The Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae) is very common and can be found in central Canada and the United States into northwest Mexico. Adults are typically white with a black tip on the forewing. Females have 2 sub-marginal black spots whereas males have one. The undersides of the hindwings and forewings are usually greenish yellow […]

Gypsy Moth Caterpillars

Gypsy moth caterpillars have certainly caused their fair share of problems over the past couple of years. We know you have questions, and UConn Extension can help you answer them. For more information on these pests read Extension educator Tom Worthley’s post on understanding them.

Cecropia moth caterpillar

This is a Cecropia moth caterpillar. Do you want to see one in person? Meet this guy, and lots of other bugs on Saturday at our Bug Walks event in Vernon. Bug Walks in Vernon (24 Hyde Avenue) – Saturday, July 29th 10 AM – 1 PM Find out all about insects and where to look […]

Syrphid Flies

Donna Ellis, UConn, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, 2017. Syrphid flies are also known as hover flies or flower flies. These tiny beneficial insects are members of the insect order Diptera, which includes flies, mosquitoes, and gnats. They adults vary in size, but the common ones we often see in our area are […]

Spittlebug: A Unique Little Insect

Spittlebug: A Unique Little Insect By Joan Allen Spittlebugs are common and easily recognized by the white foamy ‘spittle’ produced by the nymph or immature stage of the insects as they feed. Adults are less commonly seen but are commonly known as froghoppers (close relatives of leafhoppers, etc). Depending on the reference, there are anywhere […]