The Marine Park Alliance has been known to offer a variety of unique and interesting programs to the community, but their latest installment – a master class on “Stingers!” and the insects that use them – was quite the unexpected treat.
Insect enthusiasts, home gardeners and nature lovers alike gathered at the Salt Marsh Nature Center, located at 3301 Avenue U, on Sunday, September 13th, for a presentation by Long Island Aquarium Entomologist Alison Coffey.
Attendees learned about Western Honey Bees, Common Eastern Bumble Bees, Alfalfa Leafcutter Bees, North American Carpenter Bees, Blue Winged Wasps, Bald Faced Hornets, Northern Paper Wasps, Eastern Yellow Jackets and more. It may be hard to believe, but there are more than 400 species of bees in New York State, and many are becoming increasingly scarce due to habitat destruction.
The group learned to identify some of the most common bees and wasps and received helpful tips on creating bee habitats and planting pollinator gardens.
