“Do I have detritus on my face, Mr. White Coat?” she asked, “I used your method of cleaning the sieve and I am afraid that I might have sprayed some sample on me.” The White Coat man tried to look and see but the light wasn’t good. Someone—or something—was blocking the light. It looked like […]

It had been barely a week since the last Bug Night and the volunteer was already yearning for me macroinvertebrates. “Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana,” he said. “Snow flies like a colembola,” said the spry and spritely springtail, “Is it safe for Bug Night-ers to come and identify us tonight?” […]

Even in denatured alcohol, her appearance had not lost its stunning impact. “Once I was a a fresh and supple pupa; a dewy ingénue with my entire life—a staggering fifteen days—ahead of me,” she said, “Now, it ends like this with a frustrated volunteer trying in vain to identify me.” “But, I, um,” the volunteer […]

The studious volunteer peered through the stereoscope. He saw immediately that something stood out from the other specimens. It seemed familiar somehow; something from his childhood or perhaps another childhood. What was even more distinct about the specimen was that it appeared to be looking back at him. He looked closer and recognized her, albeit […]

You can be a B-movie star at the Twenty-second Annual BUG NIGHTS! Lights, camera, (bugs, denatured alcohol), and… action! Since 1995, volunteers including anglers, students, teachers, paddlers, and many others interested in the health of the Upper Merrimack River and general river ecology began learning about these fascinating creatures and what they tell us about river conditions. […]

Everyone could feel it from the moment they entered the building on Wednesday evening. There was a jubilant and giddy air in the St. Paul’s School laboratory. Was it the beautiful cake that the Program Director and Sampling Supervisor had procured for the Bug Night volunteers? Was it the lovely spring weather and it being […]

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 […]

The man stumbled through the ruins of the city. He was desperate to find anything familiar to help him make his way in this post-apocalyptic world. He was ready to grasp on to the slightest thread that would bring the meaning of his former life back to him: the ghosts of street grids, a landmark, […]

“I’m not sure that I want to go to Bug Night tonight,” the volunteer whined, “It’s May and the weather is so nice this time of year.” “Yes,” agreed the Program Director, “It’s a nice, spring night but there are a lot of bugs outside.” “There are a lot of bugs inside, too,” countered the […]

“Get the dichotomous key,” he said. Clearly he was stumped. She had given up several minutes ago. The Bug Night volunteer felt lost and hovered nearby. It was obviously a macroinvertebrate—one of the most macro either of them had ever seen. They assumed the positions, she read the key and he, possessing superior eyesight, examined […]

Anyone who even glanced at her face could see that she was a little worried. “I’m the only one here and I feel like the bugs have had their way with me already,” she said waveringly. Clearly, she was overwhelmed. Six legs grasped her body as large mandibles hovered over her head. She had no […]