Know Your 5: Wild Bees That Pollinate Blueberries
Both Northern Highbush and Lowbush Blueberries are widespread in the northeast and an important food for many wild bees. Bushes have limited or no pollen transfer by bees will be small, ripening will be delayed, early fruit drop may result, and most berries would not meet market standard quality.
Know Your 5: Wild Bees That Pollinate Strawberries
By identifying and understanding the natural history of these bees, you can provide the specific habitat that will help to ensure resilient and abundant pollination services and the tasty treats that result.
Does No Mow May Invite Invasives and Ticks to Your Yard?
The term “No Mow May” seems to imply that helping our pollinators is as simple as that: not mowing. But there are drawbacks.
New Mission for Bumble Bee Watchers in the Northeast!
Although they are noted to be in steep decline, many volunteers have observed that these vulnerable bee species often visit plants in backyards and gardens. You can help scientists find and study them!
Not Just Bees: How to Support All Types of Pollinators in Your Garden
When you think of pollinators, what is the first thing you think of? What would you say if I told you that flies and beetles were also pollinators? How about wasps? Here’s how to help conserve even the least appreciated ones in your backyard.
Mysterious No More: What’s Pollinating the White Bog Orchid
North America is home to over 200 species of wild orchid, but for such a beloved group of plants, it’s remarkable how little we know about their insect relationships. Half of our orchids have no known pollinator. That’s where studies like mine—plus help from volunteers like you—can help fill the gap.
Don’t Buy Those Baby Bees
A few bees from the internet aren’t likely to help your garden. In fact, there is a chance that box of bees could harm the wild, native bees that already inhabit your neighborhood.
The Journey of a Single Bee Observation
A geologist mentioned that he uses iNaturalist in the university classes he teaches. “We contribute a lot of observations,” he said. “Who knows if they’re really of use to anyone?” Oh, they are.
Bernie Paquette Receives the 2025 Julie Nicholson Community Science Award
VCE bee biologist Spencer Hardy first met Bernie Paquette at the 2019 Jericho-Underhill Christmas Bird Count. Paquette had long since retired from his career at IBM in Essex Junction, but…
More Than Weeds: Herbicide Dicamba’s Return Could Impact Wildlife, Too
Dicamba is a controversial herbicide that has caused issues for both ecosystems and people. However, the EPA announced in July its intention to authorize its sale to farmers—again.
Is Our Tick Anxiety Affecting Pollinators?
In a soon-to-be-published VCE study, tick spraying was associated with a five to 30% immediate decline for most invertebrate groups, especially less mobile and soft-bodied arthropods, like native caterpillars that turn into moths and butterflies.
Community Science in Action: How I Recruited 700 Volunteers to Our Plant Ecotype Project
The Adopt-A-Plant project paired native plants with volunteers eager to grow them in their backyards and report observations back to VCE.
