‘Hanging out with bugs’ at Scoville

Scientist Michael LaScaleia talks about caterpillars and plants at the Scoville Memorial Library on Thursday, June 12.
Patrick L. Sullivan

Scientist Michael LaScaleia talks about caterpillars and plants at the Scoville Memorial Library on Thursday, June 12.
SALISBURY — Michael LaScaleia, a scientist with the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, took an audience through the strange and wonderful world of caterpillars and invasive plants at the Scoville Memorial Library Thursday, June 12.
The talk was sponsored by the library and the Salisbury Association Land Trust.
LaScaleia, with infectious enthusiasm, gave a precis of his academic career. A highlight was a study of dung beetles.
“Dung beetles play a huge role in the African savannah, because there is so much, um, poop” he said.
He showed a photo of himself during the dung beetle phase, looking somewhat grimy and disheveled.
He said it was a critical experience.
“I thought, this is my thing. I love being dirty. I love hanging out with bugs.”
Lately he has been working on why, exactly, invasive plants succeed in New England.
Viburnum dilatatum (aka linden arrowood) is native to East Asia and was introduced in this country in the early 19th century.
“We already had a very similar plant — Viburnum acerifolium” (aka maple-leaved arrowood).
LaScaleia wanted to know why caterpillars will eat the native plant but not the exotic version.
He provided a brief and moving picture of the plight of the caterpillar.
“Even caterpillars don’t want to be caterpillars.”
Hence their eternal struggle to turn into moths or butterflies.
“Birds eat them. Also spiders, wasps and ants,” he continued.
“They have a long development cycle. They have to shed their own skin, and if they can’t they asphyxiate.”
“It’s truly awful.”
LaScaleia is testing the Enemy Release Hypothesis. The gist of this is when a plant is introduced to a new, faraway location, such as New England from East Asia, it leaves behind the predators that kept it in check on its home turf. In the new location, the native predators (such as caterpillars) aren’t much interested in the new arrivals, which allows the plants to spread, causing consternation and dismay.
Scientists are now working on why specialist caterpillars won’t eat invasives. Specialist caterpillars are picky and only eat specific plants, as opposed to generalist caterpillars, which are broad-minded and will eat almost anything.
If the goal is controlling the spread of invasive plants, can these specialist caterpillars be assisted in developing an appetite for invasives?
One idea is to take advantage of the tendency of invasive Japanese barberry to start growing earlier in the spring than its native counterpart by developing a caterpillar that also gets going earlier in the spring.
After LaScaleia wrapped up the talk, he and a group hiked over to the Land Trust’s Vincent Preserve for some field work.
The HVRHS boys rejoice around Jackson McAvoy after he scored the game-winning goal against Shepaug with just two minutes left to play.
WASHINGTON — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys varsity soccer team advanced to the Berkshire League tournament final after a 1-0 win over Shepaug Valley High School in the semifinal game on Friday, Oct. 24.
Jackson McAvoy scored the game-winning goal with just two minutes remaining.
The victory marked HVRHS boys soccer’s first victory over Shepaug since 2020.
“Finally,” said HVRHS Coach Adolfo Portillo after the game.
HVRHS will play top-ranked Nonnewaug High School in the BL final. Nonnewaug advanced to the title game by beating Northwestern Regional High School in penalty kicks (4-3) after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The championship game will be played at Nonnewaug beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28.

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Students dressed in neon lined the soccer field for senior night under the lights on Thursday, Oct. 16. The game against Lakeview was the last in a series of competitions Thursday night in celebration of Homecoming 2025.
As homecoming week reaches its end and fall sports finish out the season, an air of school spirit and student participation seems to be on the rise across Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
But what can be attributed to this sudden peak of student interest? That’s largely due to SGA. Also known as the Student Government Association, SGA has dedicated itself to creating events to bring the entire student body together. This year, they decided to change some traditions.
Spirit week from Oct. 14-17 was unlike those of the previous years. From wearing Housatonic merch to Boomer vs Baby day, this year’s spirit week held a little friendly competition to see which grade could participate the most.
“I think that students are bored of the same old activities and events, so it’s good to switch things up even slightly to incentivize interest within students,” said SGA president and senior Mollie Ford. “Plus the point system is super beneficial because it gives students a reason to participate.”
The school spirit sentiment can be seen outside of just the school. Senior Simon Markow is known for his photography throughout the community, and has dedicated time to help Housy sports teams’ social media posts.
“Since I’ve started photography, I think school attendance [at sports games] has gone up,” Markow said. “I feel this year, students will be more aware of games and are more likely to be at the games.”
Whether it’s a pink-out volleyball game or an under the lights soccer match, it’s likely you’ll see some familiar faces.
Social media has played a large role in this over the years. Almost every student organization at Housatonic has an Instagram account, and it’s helped reach students more efficiently than a poster or email would.
“The increase of social media use, with the help from me but as well as the teams themselves has definitely increased student interest,” Markow said. “With Housy teams posting more about their upcoming games, and my help showing the cool goals, spikes, or touchdowns, it’s enlightened students to watch the games themselves.”
In a small school, promoting pride has proven to be a challenge. But this year’s senior class has made some adjustments in the hopes to change that.
“The SGA community has spent the last few years really focusing on student participation, because we think it’s the students who contribute to a better climate,” Ford said. While Housatonic’s student body may be small in size, it seems they certainly aren’t small in spirit.