Let’s bee busy celebrating World Bee Day! Did you know that both the largest number of bee species AND the highest number of individual bees can be found during May? Over 450 species of bees call Maryland home, including sweat bees, bumble bees, carpenter bees, honey bees, small carpenter bees, and various wasps. We could potentially encounter leafcutter bees, mason bees, mining bees, and some bee and wasp mimics (mostly flies). We’ll practice collecting bees and other insects using live-collecting jars, think mason jars with screened lids. All insects will be released back into the wild.
While not necessary for the field trip, participants are welcome to bring insect nets. We’ll start our morning off with a discussion of bee life, wasps and mimics, examples of field guides, and a drawer full of bee specimens.
Trip participants must carpool to the private location to help with limited parking access. We will meet at a park and ride to form carpools.
Please reserve May 19 as a rain date since bees do not forage in the rain or when there is heavy cloud cover.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (low-intensity hiking)
Gene Scarpulla is retired after working 30 years at the City of Baltimore’s Reservoir Natural Resources Section, his last eight years serving as the City’s Watershed Manager, in charge of Loch Raven, Prettyboy, and Liberty Watersheds. He earned a B.S. and an M.S. in biology with a concentration in ecology at Towson State College and Towson State University, respectively. Gene serves as editor of both Maryland Birdlife and The Maryland Entomologist and lives in Phoenix (MD) with his wife, Marcia Watson, and Rudy, the cat that adopted them.
Gene, like most of the people who lead NHSM field trips, is a volunteer. Your money directly supports the programs, the nature collections, and the building that make this kind of nature education possible. Donate or become a member of the Natural History Society of Maryland by visiting https://marylandnature.org/support-maryland-nature/.
Remember to
- Bring an insect net, if you have one.
- Bring a loupe or hand lens. Some will be available to borrow.
- Dress according to the weather. Layers of clothing work best.
- Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking boots or sneakers with non-slip soles that can safely handle slippery surfaces.
- Bring water, snacks, sunblock, tick and insect spray, and for your camera, an extra battery, memory card, and lens-cleaning cloth.
- Bring your guidebooks.
- No pets, please.
The exact meeting location will be listed in your confirmation email after payment has been processed.
NEW – Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within seven days of the event will not receive a refund. Events with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.
For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.