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Meet a Pollinator: Sweat Bees

Sweat bee ( Agapostemon virescens) Photo: Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org Agapostemon splendens and Agapostemon virecens (sweat bees) (family Halictidae ) These bees are small, metallic green bees and are commonly called “sweat bees” because they are attracted to human perspiration. They typically will...

Kissing Bugs

The eastern bloodsucking conenose bug ( Triatoma sanguisuga) is the most common Triatominae species found in Maryland. Photo: Sturgis McKeever, Georgia Southern University, Bugwood.org Key Points Appearance Life cycle Disease Look-alikes Kissing bugs, conenose bugs, or vampire bugs are all common...

Attracting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects

Gardens to Attract Pollinators and Natural Enemies Five Eastern tiger butterflies feeding. Butterfly weed, a type of milkweed, is a favorite amongst Eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies. Video: Dr. Mike Raupp, UMD Key Points Eco-Region variation in Maryland (mountain, Piedmont plateau, and coastal...

Pollinator Profiles

Common Eastern bumble bee Common Pollinators Found in Maryland Bees and wasps Beetles Butterflies and moths Flies Bees and Wasps (Order Hymenoptera) Paper wasps pollinating goldenrod Video: Dr. Mike Raupp, UMD Many people are frightened of paper wasp stings, but they can serve as fantastic...

Annual or Dog Day Cicadas

There are two cicadas common in the eastern United States: the dog day (annual cicadas) which occur every summer and the periodical (also known as the 17-year locusts) cicada. Dog day cicadas are up to 2 inches long and are blackish with green markings. Their life cycle lasts 2-5 years, with some...

Meet a Pollinator: Flower Fly

Flower fly Photo: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org Flower fly (Family: Syrphidae ) Often confused with sweat bees, they are stingless flies that mimic the appearance of small bees in order to avoid predators. Frequently found swarming around – and sometimes landing on -...

Meet a Pollinator: Carpenter Bee

Carpenter bee Photo: Karan A. Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Eastern Carpenter Bee ( Xylocopa virginica ) Carpenter bees are the largest native bees in the United States, along with bumblebee queens. Often confused with bumblebees, carpenter bees can be easily distinguished by looking...

Asian Longhorned Tick

Adult Female Asian Longhorned Tick (questing). Photo: James Gathany, CDC.gov The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) , also known as the longhorned tick, cattle tick, and the bush tick, is native to East Asian and was discovered in the United States in 2017. However, it likely has...

Asian Giant Hornet

Photo: Washington State Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia) The Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) has not been found in the Mid-Atlantic region; however, there are many other species of large wasps that are found in this area. The Asian giant hornet is...

Azaleas and Rhododendrons: Common Diseases and Abiotic Problems

Rhododendron in bloom. Photo: Pixabay Key Points Rhododendrons and azaleas offer a wide range of flower colors in the spring and have become popular landscape plants in Maryland. All rhododendrons and azaleas are members of the genus Rhododendron . There are evergreen and deciduous forms of both...

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