Bug Night: Hello, My Name is “Dot”

Slowly, the Sampling Supervisor and volunteer circled the macroinvertebrate.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said the volunteer.

“It looks familiar,” said the Sampling Supervisor, “I know I’ve seen it before.” He asked the Program Manager to take a look. She recognized it as well. She stared at the bug and grew silent. Perhaps she was confusing Bug Nights with an episode of Star Trek or Doctor Who? She kept those thoughts to herself.

“You can start with the McCafferty,” the Program Manager said to the Sampling Supervisor, “I can go through Merritt and Cummins to see if it is in there.”

Everyone groaned. No one liked going through Merritt and Cummins.

“Excuse me,” said the macroinvertebrate, “I might be able to help.” Everyone gasped. Not only did the bug speak perfect English but “it” was, in fact, not an “it” but clearly a “she,” and addressed everyone in a distinctly feminine voice.

“My name is Dot and the last thing I remember is a misstep off a leaf on a tree by the Merrimack River,” said the She-bug, “I fell into a red bucket full of cold water and other macroinvertebrates and then I found myself here under scrutiny.”

“I don’t like water or rocks,” she continued, “I must say that I am not entirely comfortable with this situation and would like to return to my leaf.”

“Cancel the McCafferty and Merritt and Cummins,” said the Sampling Supervisor, “We have one less bug this evening but have met a new friend.”

All of the volunteers, including those who had conducted field collection work apologized for their neutral gender assumption.

They sent Dot on her way with a mini KitKat bar for the road (fortunately one of the younger volunteers had missed the last KitKat during his unauthorized raid on the candy bag). Everyone waved good-bye to Dot, as she headed out the laboratory door to spendor in the grass.

Don’t worry, volunteers, there are still plenty of other bugs. We’ll see you on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 6:15 PM. ‪#‎BugNights