grnmtn's Favorites

Monarch observed visiting several common milkweed plants and leaves, laying eggs. Note the curled abdomen.
See Photos 3 and 4 for egg.

Also: The egg has been posted separately as its own Observation, see https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/235425473

In a 1/2-acre meadow, it just repeatedly circled and swooped -- and just once landed on -- the only cluster of small Northern Spicebushes in the meadow. Cool to watch.

By geography, most likely Papilio troilus ssp. troilus

This was part of a rare and fascinating "mass flight" of Red Admirals. Saw literally Hundreds of them in the same 1-1/2 acre area throughout this 1 day. They traveled north through the area, sometimes stopping on a plant but often just flying through.
The next day, only 2 were observed in the same area.
See also https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/213712198

This was part of a rare and fascinating "mass flight" of Red Admirals. Saw literally Hundreds of them in the same 1-1/2 acre area throughout this 1 day. They traveled north through the area, sometimes stopping on a plant but often just flying through.
See also https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/213710261

Very small. Looks a lot like Bombylius pygmaeus (Pygmy Bee Fly) but the wing pattern (blotches) is very different from Pygmy (separated spots).

Reference:
https://bugguide.net/node/view/51573
https://bugguide.net/node/view/1206975

First iNaturalist record in Vermont, and in New England.

There were multiple individuals -- male and female -- within feet of each other on different plants. I've put up a set of 5 Observations that I feel represent them. The 5 related Observations are:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153185758;
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153197366;
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153199880;
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153200473;
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153200865

First state record. At the most heavily sample site in the state. A. helianthi is abundant throughout the area, but Nomada appeared to be confined to a single patch of wild sunflowers. Likely 5-10 individuals, perhaps more. Multiple mating attempts seen

First iNaturalist record in VT.
As of May 2023, also most northern sighting in iNaturalist.

see also this Observation from 2 days later, nearby location https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/150139591

Difficult for me to differentiate it from Lunate Longhorn-cuckoo, but the wing-veining and facial pattern swing me to Notch-backed Cellophane-cuckoo. And the Notch-backed Cellophane-cuckoo is reported a bit in Vermont; Lunate Longhorn-cuckoo is not.

See another Observation from same location earlier in day, which I had originally IDed as Lunate Longhorn-cuckoo. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/149653455

Please share any thoughts..

There was also a female within inches of this male. The last photo shows both. For the female alone, see https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/149634656

see also some other Say's Trig seen this summer in same locale:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/132457267

And also 5 miles away:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/131824488

There was also a male within inches of this female. The last photo shows both. For the male alone, see https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/149635237

see also some other Say's Trig seen this summer in same locale:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/132457267

And also 5 miles away:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/131824488

First iNaturalist recorded sighting in Vermont.
At this time, northernmost recorded sighting in New England.

Eventually made several A. exigua sightings over this summer within a 10-mile radius, with better photos.
See: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/131824488
And also 5 miles away:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/132457267