Over a million species of insects reside on our planet with new species being discovered every day. These six-legged creatures play many crucial ecological roles that benefit all levels of the food web. Roles such as pollinators, predators, decomposers, and food for a variety of other animals (including amphibians and birds) are vital to maintaining ecosystem balance.
Here we would like to spotlight some of the species found in Easthampton.
At our last monthly invasives removal event, this small Carpenter Bee (Genus Ceratina) was seen visiting a Fleabane (Genus Erigeron) flower on the Manhan Rail Trail. Ceratina are tiny generalist bees that visit many different species of flowering plants. These bees nest inside the soft center (the pith) of dead, broken stems and branches. A great reason to keep some “dead” flora in your yard!
Many Fragile Forktails joined us during June’s monthly invasive removal event! These small damselflies are common in Massachusetts, but are often hidden in foliage near a water source. Forktails lay their eggs in or near fresh water and once hatched, their larvae remain aquatic until ready to emerge as adults (sometimes this takes up to several months). As adults, these fast fliers are fierce hunters and feast on other insects – including mosquitoes!
