Minnesota Seasons
Destinations
These are locations in Minnesota where native plants, birds, and other wildlife can be viewed. With very few exceptions, these destinations are open to the public.
Visitors can share their own photos, videos, plant and wildlife sightings, and other observations or comments.
Plants
Native, naturalized, invasive, or simply planted—any plant growing outside of cultivation in Minnesota.
More than 1,000 plant pages are built on sightings, photos, and videos shared by our visitors and by Minnesota Seasons. Each page includes a profile, distribution map, and sighting lists.
Insects and Arachnids
Insects and arachnids found in Minnesota.
More than 1,200 pages are built on sightings, photos, and videos shared by our visitors and by Minnesota Seasons. Each profile includes a distribution map and sighting lists.
Wildlife
Birds and bears, snakes and squirrels, toads and turtles—wildlife found in Minnesota.
These wildlife profiles are built on sightings, photos, and videos shared by our visitors and by Minnesota Seasons. Each page includes a distribution map and sighting lists.
Mushrooms, Lichens, and Other Fungi
Mushrooms, lichens, and other fungi found in Minnesota.
More than 300 pages are built on sightings, photos, and videos shared by our visitors and by Minnesota Seasons. Each profile includes a distribution map and sighting lists.
492
Destinations
2,964
Species*
* Species pages may represent a species, subspecies, variety, genus, family, or other taxonmomic group, or an unidentified organism. Using the word “taxa” here would be more accurate but less widely understood.
Snow Depth
Drought Monitor
Hibernal Season
The hibernal ecological season corresponds to the winter calendar season. In our area it is characterized by cold temperatures, a usually snow-covered landscape, and an absence of migratory bird species. Deciduous trees are bare and fallen leaves begin to decay. Migrating birds have settled in winter habitats. In Minnesota the hibernal season usually begins about December 1 and lasts until about March 1.
Snow Cover
The average date for the first one-inch snow fall in the Twin Cities is November 18. The average date for “permanent snow cover” in the Twin Cities is unknown but is probably mid-December. Permanent snow cover here is defined as at least one centimeter of snow cover that lasts at least one month.
Temperature
On average, cold temperatures arrive in the Twin Cities on December 3. On that date the average high temperature is below freezing.
| Recent Uploads |
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| January |
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Luciearl uploaded 2 photos of Eastern Cottontail 1/8/2026. |
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Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Brown-headed Cowbird 1/8/2026. |
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Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Brown-headed Cowbird and Chipping Sparrow 1/8/2026. |
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Nancy Lundquist uploaded 1 photo of hoary alyssum 1/8/2026. |
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Libi Ackerman uploaded 2 photos of fall field cricket 1/8/2026. |
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Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of common crane fly (Tipula trivittata) 1/7/2026. |
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Nancy Falkum uploaded 1 photo of crested wood fern 12/17/2025. |
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Nancy Falkum uploaded 1 photo of crested wood fern 12/16/2025. |
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Luciearl uploaded 2 videos of webbing clothes moth 12/15/2025. |
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Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of webbing clothes moth 12/15/2025. |
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Nicole Rojas-Oltmanns uploaded 2 photos of non-biting midge (Chironomus sp.) on rough oxeye 1/2/2026. |
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Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of Broad-winged Skipper 12/2/2022. |
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Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of tree-skirt moss 9/16/2025. |
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Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of tree-skirt moss 9/14/2025. |
| December |
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Gregory Gilman uploaded 1 photo of Ring-necked Pheasant 12/29/2025. |
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Luciearl uploaded 3 photos of common crane fly (Tipula trivittata) 12/18/2025. |
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Alfredo Colon uploaded 3 photos of weevil wasp (Cerceris halone) 1/1/2023. |
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Alfredo Colon uploaded 3 photos of weevil wasp (Cerceris halone) 12/2/2022. |
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Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Indian meal moth 12/10/2025. |
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Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Dragon Horn 11/23/2025. |
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Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Dragon Horn 11/22/2025. |
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Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Dragon Horn 9/18/2025. |
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Alfredo Colon uploaded 3 photos of spongy moth infected with the entomopathogenic fungus (Entomophaga maimaiga) 12/2/2022. |
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Nancy Falkum uploaded 1 photo of Sheepish Pelt Lichen 10/28/2025. |
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Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Bolete Eater 8/11/2025. |
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Bonnie Perron uploaded 1 video of common green darner 12/8/2025. |
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Ray Fraley uploaded 1 photo of American Starburst Lichen and Powdery Sunburst Lichen 12/8/2022. |
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Ray Fraley uploaded 1 photo of American Starburst Lichen 12/8/2022. |
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Bobbi Johnson uploaded 1 photo of emperor moths (Subfamily Saturniinae) 11/10/2025. |
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Alfredo Colon uploaded 2 photos of tachinid fly (Zelia vertebrata) 12/2/2022. |
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Nancy Falkum uploaded 1 photo of Freckled Pelt Lichen 10/28/2025. |
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Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of redwhisker clammyweed (ssp. dodecandra) 12/3/2025. |
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Bill Reynolds uploaded 1 photo of house pseudoscorpion 11/18/2025. |
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Justin B. uploaded 1 photo of grass spiders (Agelenopsis spp.) 12/1/2025. |
| New Pages |
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| January |
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1/7/2026 |
Name change: Lithobates clamitans common name changed from Green Frog to North American Green Frog |
1/6/2026 |
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1/5/2026 |
webbing clothes moth |
1/3/2026 |
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1/2/2026 |
| December |
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12/29/2025 |
Subspecies elevation: Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum) elevated to full species status, becoming Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum). |
12/29/2025 |
Name change: Lampropeltis triangulum common name changed from Milksnake to Eastern Milksnake |
12/29/2025 |
Name change: Ambystoma mavortium common name changed from barred tiger salamander to Western Tiger Salamander |
| 12/28/2025 | Name change: Genus Dryophytes common name changed from Ameroasian treefrogs to Holarctic Treefrogs |
| 12/27/2025 | Name change: Lithobates catesbeianus common name changed from American bullfrog to North American Bullfrog |
12/16/2025 |
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| 12/14/2025 | Species Split: Microtus pennsylvanicus in Minnesota reclassified as western meadow vole (Microtus drummondii). |
12/14/2025 |
Indian meal moth |
| 12/13/2025 | Name change: Sciurus niger common name changed from fox squirrel to eastern fox squirrel |
12/13/2025 |
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12/12/2025 |
Species Split: Spilogale putorius in Minnesota reclassified as plains spotted skunk (Spilogale interrupta). |
12/11/2025 |
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12/10/2025 |
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| 12/7/2025 | |
12/6/2025 |
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12/5/2025 |
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12/5/2025 |
Name change: Polanisia dodecandra common name changed from roughseed clammyweed to redwhisker clammyweed |
12/4/2025 |
house pseudoscorpion |
12/3/2025 |
| What’s Next |
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1 |
thynnid flower wasp (Myzinum maculatum) | Bill Reynolds |
2 |
Lumpy Bracket (Trametes gibbosa) |
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3 |
stink bug (Dendrocoris humeralis) |
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4 |
brown waterscorpion (Ranatra fusca) | |
5 |
Common Milkcaps (Lactarius spp.) | Dan W. Andree |
6 |
eastern dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus) |
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7 |
pitcher-plant mosquito (Wyeomyia smithii) | Nicole Rojas-Oltmanns |
8 |
Common Conecap (Conocybe tenera) | Dan W. Andree |
9 |
slender-footed jewel beetle (Spectralia gracilipes) |
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10 |
Orange Pinwheel (Marasmius siccus) | Dan W. Andree |
11 |
imported willow leaf beetle (Plagiodera versicolora) |
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12 |
Gray Reindeer Lichen (Cladonia rangiferina) | Dan W. Andree |
13 |
three-ribbed soldier beetle (Podabrus tricostatus) |
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14 |
Fan Ramalina (Ramalina sinensis) | Dan W. Andree |
15 |
guided soldier beetle (Rhagonycha recta) |
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16 |
Red-banded Webcap (Cortinarius armillatus) | Dan W. Andree |
17 |
wide-horned soldier beetle (Polemius laticornis) |
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18 |
Easter Foam (Stereocaulon paschale) | Dan W. Andree |
19 |
soldier beetles (Rhagonycha spp.) |
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20 |
Mealy Pixie Cup (Cladonia chlorophaea) | Dan W. Andree |
21 |
Pennsylvania flea beetle (Disonycha pensylvanica) |
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22 |
Common Fieldcap (Agrocybe pediades) |
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23 |
mourning fire-colored beetle (Pedilus lugubris) |
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24 |
Wrinkled Cortinarius (Cortinarius caperatus) | Dan W. Andree |
25 |
bronze darkling beetle (Arthromacra aenea) |
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26 |
common brown click beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis) |
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27 |
fraternal darkling beetle (Mycetochara fraterna) |
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28 |
golden loosestrife beetle (Neogalerucella pusilla) |
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29 |
featherlegged orbweaver (Uloborus glomosus) |
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30 |
perennial mason wasp (Parancistrocerus perennis) |
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31 |
Texas striped sweat bee (Agapostemon texanus) |
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32 |
common crane fly (Tipula caloptera) |
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33 |
Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae) |
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34 |
horned parasitic cobweaver (Neospintharus trigonum) |
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35 |
shore spider (Pardosa milvina) |
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36 |
black-tailed red sheetweaver (Florinda coccinea) |
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37 |
privet leafhopper (Fieberiella florii) |
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38 |
violet dancer (Argia fumipennis violacea) |
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39 |
carrot wasps (Gasteruption spp.) |
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40 |
lyric cobweaver (Yunohamella lyrica) |
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41 |
alder spittlebug (Clastoptera obtusa) |
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42 |
half-belted blue-black spider wasp (Anoplius semicinctus) |
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43 |
wood nettle gall midge (Dasineura investita) |
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44 |
common ectemnius (Ectemnius continuus) |
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45 |
striped sweat bees (Agapostemon spp.) |
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46 |
chalcidoid wasp (Leucospis affinis) |
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47 |
assassin bugs (Family Reduviidae) |
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48 |
dog day cicadas (Neotibicen spp.) |
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49 |
starry bristle moss (Orthotrichum stellatum) |
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50 |
crisped pincushion (Ulota crispa) |
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51 |
pine tree spur-throat grasshopper (Melanoplus punctulatus) |
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52 |
Speckled Greenshield (Flavopunctelia flaventior) |
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53 |
Wheeler's thick-legged jumping spider (Admestina wheeleri) |
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54 |
hybotid dance flies (Tachypeza spp.) |
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55 |
Hooded Rosette Lichen (Physcia adscendens) |
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56 |
rough stink bug (Brochymena arborea) |
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57 |
flea jumping spider (Naphrys pulex) |
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58 |
hook-toothed money spider (Erigone dentosa) |
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59 |
crabronid wasps (Tachytes spp.) |
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60 |
European tube wasp (Ancistrocerus gazella) |
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61 |
gold-marked thread-waisted wasp (Eremnophila aureonotata) |
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62 |
rustic wolf spider (Trochosa ruricola) |
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63 |
European alder spittlebug (Aphrophora alni) |
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64 |
gall midges (Subfamily Cecidomyiinae) |
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65 |
fungus (Gibellula pulchra) |
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66 |
ichneumonid wasps (Glypta spp.) |
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67 |
triangle weaver (Hyptiotes cavatus) |
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68 |
miserable mining bee (Andrena miserabilis) |
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69 |
oribatid mites (Galumna spp.) |
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70 |
tachinid fly (Gymnoclytia occidua) |
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71 |
lyre-tipped spreadwing (Lestes unguiculatus) |
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72 |
bot flies, blow flies, and allies (Superfamily Oestroidea) |
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73 |
American harlequin (Xanthogramma flavipes) |
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74 |
oak gall wasps (Tribe Cynipini) |
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75 |
flat bug (Aradus robustus) |
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76 |
non-biting midges (Family Chironomidae) |
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77 |
tortricid leafroller moths (Family Tortricidae) |
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78 |
non-biting midge (Psectrotanypus dyari) |
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79 |
unequal cellophane bee (Colletes inaequalis) |
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80 |
rufous-backed cellophane bee (Colletes rufocinctus) |
|
81 |
contrasted long-jawed spider (Tetragnatha straminea) |
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82 |
winter midge (Diamesa mendotae) |
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83 |
oblique-banded pond fly (Sericomyia chrysotoxoides) |
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84 |
yellow-haired falsehorn (Temnostoma balyras) |
|
85 |
lump-legged swamp fly (Anasimyia chrysostoma) |
|
86 |
mountain ash sawfly (Pristiphora geniculata) |
|
87 |
leafhopper (Macropsis basalis) |
|
88 |
rust fly (Loxocera cylindrica) |
|
89 |
black-headed ash sawfly (Tethida barda) |
|
90 |
treehopper (Archasia belfragei) |
|
91 |
gray pug moth (Eupithecia subfuscata) |
|
92 |
large clover casebearer moth (Coleophora trifolii) |
|
93 |
Brown-staining Cheese Polypore (Fuscopostia fragilis) |
|
94 |
scarlet plant bugs (Lopidea spp.) |
|
95 |
rose plume moth (Cnaemidophorus rhododactyla) |
|
96 |
red-lipped lacewing (Chrysoperla rufilabris) |
|
97 |
dusky-banded leafwalker (Chalcosyrphus nemorum) |
|
98 |
chalcidid wasps (Conura side complex) |
|
99 |
fragile forktail (Ischnura posita) |
|
100 |
lance flies (Lonchaea spp.) |
|
101 |
distinct quaker (Achatia distincta) |
|
102 |
snipe fly (Chrysopilus proximus) |
|
103 |
black locust treehopper (Vanduzea arquata) |
|
104 |
New York scalewort (Frullania eboracensis) |
|
105 |
purplish stylus money spider (Styloctetor purpurescens) |
|
106 |
banded olethreutes moth (Olethreutes fasciatana) |
|
107 |
yellow-spotted webworm moth (Anageshna primordialis) |
|
108 |
low-horned wrinkleheads (Chrysogaster spp.) |
|
109 |
spotted cobweaver (Thymoites unimaculatus) |
|
110 |
short-winged Darwin wasp (Agrothereutes abbreviatus) |
|
111 |
common sawflies (Subfamily Nematinae) |
|
112 |
ichneumonid wasps (Subfamily Campopleginae) |
|
113 |
Nebraska harvestman (Leiobunum ventricosum) |
|
114 |
braconid wasps (Spathius spp.) |
|
115 |
Newman’s mathildana moth (Mathildana newmanella) |
|
116 |
limoniid crane fly (Gnophomyia tristissima) |
|
117 |
twigsitters (Holopogon spp.) |
|
118 |
treehopper (Telamona decorata) |
|
119 |
dung fly (Cordilura varipes) |
|
120 |
limoniid crane fly (Antocha saxicola) |
|
121 |
brown lacewings (Micromus spp.) |
|
122 |
grape plume moth (Geina periscelidactylus) |
|
123 |
northern eudeilinia moth (Eudeilinia herminiata) |
|
124 |
variegated midget (Elaphria versicolor) |
|
125 |
clastopterid spittlebugs (Clastoptera spp.) |
|
126 |
spotted cuckoo spider wasp (Ceropales maculata) |
|
127 |
green cloverworm moth (Hypena scabra) |
|
128 |
ichneumonid wasps (Euceros spp.) |
|
129 |
predatory stink bug (Podisus brevispinus) |
|
130 |
buffalo treehoppers and allies (Tribe Ceresini) |
|
131 |
white long-legged cobweaver (Theridion albidum) |
|
132 |
hairy poplar sawfly (Cladius grandis) |
|
133 |
dwarf spiders (Subfamily Erigoninae) |
|
134 |
olethreutine leafroller moths (Olethreutes spp.) |
|
135 |
hairy-eyed mimic (Mallota posticata) |
|
136 |
rhododendron leafhopper (Graphocephala fennahi) |
|
137 |
dusky mucksucker (Orthonevra pulchella) |
|
138 |
picture-winged fly (Callopistromyia strigula) |
|
139 |
moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria) |
|
140 |
sidewalk mites (Balaustium spp.) |
|
141 |
large crane flies (Dolichopeza spp.) |
|
142 |
house fly (Eudasyphora cyanicolor) |
|
143 |
cow vetch (Vicia cracca) |
|
144 |
chalcidoid wasps (Oodera spp.) |
|
145 |
two-spotted tree cricket (Neoxabea bipunctata) |
|
146 |
snipe fly (Chrysopilus modestus) |
|
147 |
narrow-winged tree cricket (Oecanthus niveus) |
|
148 |
wild pansy (Viola tricolor) |
|
149 |
limoniid crane fly (Erioptera chlorophylla) |
|
150 |
rice leaf bug (Trigonotylus caelestialium) |
|
151 |
four-toothed mason wasp (Monobia quadridens) |
|
152 |
sawflies, horntails, and wood wasps (Suborder Symphyta) |
|
153 |
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154 |
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155 |
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short-collared soldier beetle (Podabrus brevicollis) | John Valo |
confederate violet (Viola sororia f. priceana) |
John Valo | |
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swamp rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) |
John Valo |
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Newfoundland Chanterelle (Cantharellus enelensis) |
John Valo |
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jewel bug (Homaemus aeneifrons) | John Valo |