Minnesota Seasons
| Destinations |
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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. |
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| Species |
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| Plants |
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Native, naturalized, invasive, or simply planted—any plant growing outside of cultivation in Minnesota. More than 1,000 plant pages include a profile, photos, a distribution map, a list of sightings by MinnesotaSeasons.com, and visitor sightings. |
Photo by Alfredo Colon |
| Insects |
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Insects and arachnids found in Minnesota. More than 1,200 insect and arachnid pages include a profile, photos, a distribution map, a list of sightings by MinnesotaSeasons.com, and visitor sightings. |
Photo by Norm & Peg Dibble |
| Wildlife |
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Birds and bears, snakes and squirrels, toads and turtles—wildlife found in Minnesota. Wildlife pages include a profile, photos, a distribution map, a list of sightings by MinnesotaSeasons.com, and visitor sightings. |
Photo by Luciearl |
| Mushrooms, Lichens, and Other Fungi |
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Mushrooms, lichens, and other fungi found in Minnesota. Almost 300 fungi and lichen pages include a profile, photos, a distribution map, a list of sightings by MinnesotaSeasons.com, and visitor sightings. |
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| Wallpapers |
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Download free high resolution wallpapers (screen backgrounds). These are photos of destinations featured on MinnesotaSeasons.com. The wallpapers are grouped by ecological season. Each wallpaper is optimized for the screen resolutions used most often on desktops, laptops, and tablets. |
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492
Destinations
2,943
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
| Autumnal Season |
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The autumnal ecological season, called fall in North America but autumn elsewhere, needs no explanation. It is that time when the landscape transitions from summer to winter. It follows the serotinal season (late summer) when leaves of deciduous trees and many forbs and grasses begin to change color, and precedes the the usually snow-blanketed hibernal season (winter). In Minnesota, the Autumnal season usually begins about September 15 and ends about December 1. In the Twin Cities metro area it typically arrives late September to early (north metro) to mid- (south metro) October. Deciduous leaves are in full fall color then turn brown and fall to the ground. Birds migrate back to wintering areas. The advance of the season can be watched on the Minnesota DNR's Fall Color Finder Web page. The map displayed there is updated daily. The Autumnal season has arrived in those areas colored red (75–100%) and dark brown (past peak). The northwest corner is the first area in Minnesota to see peak fall colors each year. |
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| Recent Uploads |
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| November |
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Nancy Falkum uploaded 1 photo of Dog Pelt Lichen 10/28/2025. |
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Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of dog sick slime mold 8/7/2025. |
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Carrie Andersson uploaded 1 photo of Purple-spored Puffball 11/4/2025. |
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Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of eastern gray squirrel 11/4/2025. |
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Luciearl uploaded 3 photos of Birch Polypore on paper birch 11/2/2025. |
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Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of ghost spiders (Anyphaena spp.) 12/13/2022. |
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Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of ghost spiders (Anyphaena spp.) 12/12/2022. |
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Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of ghost spiders (Anyphaena spp.) 12/2/2022. |
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Nancy Falkum uploaded 1 photo of pines (family Pinaceae) with dual pathogen symptoms 10/28/2025. |
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Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Candy Apple Waxy Cap 9/9/2025. |
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Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Candy Apple Waxy Cap 9/6/2025. |
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Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Candy Apple Waxy Cap 8/27/2025. |
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Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Candy Apple Waxy Cap 8/5/2025. |
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Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Candy Apple Waxy Cap 8/4/2025. |
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Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Candy Apple Waxy Cap 8/3/2025. |
| October |
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| New Pages |
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| November |
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11/6/2025 |
Dog Pelt Lichen |
| 11/5/2025 | |
11/3/2025 |
ghost spiders (Anyphaena spp.) |
| 11/2/2025 | |
| 11/1/2025 |
| October |
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10/31/2025 |
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10/31/2025 |
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10/30/2025 |
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10/28/2025 |
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10/26/2025 |
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10/25/2025 |
eastern thistle longhorn bee |
10/22/2025 |
Geometer Moths (Family Geometridae) (updated) |
10/22/2025 |
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10/21/2025 |
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| 10/20/2025 | camel crickets (Ceuthophilus spp.) (updated) |
10/20/2025 |
metallic flea beetles (Altica spp.) (updated) |
| 10/19/2025 | dung beetles (Subfamily Scarabaeinae) (updated) |
10/19/2025 |
Moose scientific name changed from Alces americanus to Alces alces. |
10/16/2025 |
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10/15/2025 |
flea beetles (Tribe Alticini) (updated) |
10/15/2025 |
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| 10/13/2025 | |
10/12/2025 |
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10/11/2025 |
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10/10/2025 |
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10/9/2025 |
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10/8/2025 |
red-tailed flesh fly scientific name changed from Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis to Sarcophaga africa |
| 10/8/2025 | Dieunomia heteropoda common name changed from sunflower nomia to giant sweat bee |
10/7/2025 |
Sachem (Atalopedes campestris) name changed to Huron sachem (Atalopedes huron) |
10/7/2025 |
low baby’s-breath |
10/6/2025 |
pruinose squash bee |
10/5/2025 |
Summer Tanager |
10/4/2025 |
five-banded thynnid wasp |
| 10/3/2025 |
| What’s Next |
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1 |
heptagonal orbweaver (Gea heptagon) |
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2 |
Diminutive Agaricus (Agaricus diminutivus) |
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3 |
Osage-orange (Maclura pomifera) | Randy |
4 |
Many-fruited Pelt Lichen (Peltigera polydactylon) | Nancy Falkum |
5 |
braconid wasps (Opius spp.) |
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6 |
Fragrant Funnel (Clitocybe fragrans) |
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7 |
Freckled Pelt Lichen (Peltigera aphthosa) | Nancy Falkum |
8 |
tachinid fly (Zelia vertebrata) |
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9 |
Bolete Eater (Hypomyces chrysospermus) |
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10 |
Sheepish Pelt Lichen (Peltigera extenuata) | Nancy Falkum |
11 |
insect destroyer (Entomophaga maimaiga) |
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12 |
Dragon Horn (Cladonia squamosa) |
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13 |
weevil wasp (Cerceris halone) |
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14 |
carnival candy slime mold (Arcyria denudata) | Dan W. Andree |
15 |
broad-winged skipper (Poanes viator) |
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16 |
tree-skirt moss (Pseudanomodon attenuatus) |
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17 |
stink bug (Dendrocoris humeralis) |
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18 |
Lumpy Bracket (Trametes gibbosa) | Dan W. Andree |
19 |
eastern dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus) |
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20 |
Common Milkcaps (Lactarius spp.) | Dan W. Andree |
21 |
slender-footed jewel beetle (Spectralia gracilipes) |
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22 |
Bracket Fungi (Family Polyporaceae) | Dan W. Andree |
23 |
imported willow leaf beetle (Plagiodera versicolora) |
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24 |
Common Conecap (Conocybe tenera) | Dan W. Andree |
25 |
three-ribbed soldier beetle (Podabrus tricostatus) |
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26 |
Orange Pinwheel (Marasmius siccus) | Dan W. Andree |
27 |
guided soldier beetle (Rhagonycha recta) |
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28 |
Gray Reindeer Lichen (Cladonia rangiferina) | Dan W. Andree |
29 |
wide-horned soldier beetle (Polemius laticornis) |
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30 |
Fan Ramalina (Ramalina sinensis) | Dan W. Andree |
31 |
soldier beetles (Rhagonycha spp.) |
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32 |
Red-banded Webcap (Cortinarius armillatus) | Dan W. Andree |
33 |
Pennsylvania flea beetle (Disonycha pensylvanica) |
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34 |
Easter Foam (Stereocaulon paschale) |
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35 |
mourning fire-colored beetle (Pedilus lugubris) |
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36 |
Mealy Pixie Cup (Cladonia chlorophaea) | Dan W. Andree |
37 |
bronze darkling beetle (Arthromacra aenea) |
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38 |
common brown click beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis) |
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39 |
fraternal darkling beetle (Mycetochara fraterna) |
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40 |
golden loosestrife beetle (Neogalerucella pusilla) |
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41 |
featherlegged orbweaver (Uloborus glomosus) |
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42 |
perennial mason wasp (Parancistrocerus perennis) |
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43 |
Texas striped sweat bee (Agapostemon texanus) |
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44 |
common crane fly (Tipula caloptera) |
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45 |
Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae) |
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46 |
horned parasitic cobweaver (Neospintharus trigonum) |
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47 |
shore spider (Pardosa milvina) |
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48 |
black-tailed red sheetweaver (Florinda coccinea) |
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49 |
privet leafhopper (Fieberiella florii) |
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50 |
violet dancer (Argia fumipennis violacea) |
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51 |
carrot wasps (Gasteruption spp.) |
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52 |
lyric cobweaver (Yunohamella lyrica) |
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53 |
alder spittlebug (Clastoptera obtusa) |
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54 |
half-belted blue-black spider wasp (Anoplius semicinctus) |
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55 |
wood nettle gall midge (Dasineura investita) |
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56 |
common ectemnius (Ectemnius continuus) |
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57 |
striped sweat bees (Agapostemon spp.) |
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58 |
chalcidoid wasp (Leucospis affinis) |
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59 |
assassin bugs (Family Reduviidae) |
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60 |
dog day cicadas (Neotibicen spp.) |
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61 |
starry bristle moss (Orthotrichum stellatum) |
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62 |
crisped pincushion (Ulota crispa) |
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63 |
pine tree spur-throat grasshopper (Melanoplus punctulatus) |
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64 |
Speckled Greenshield (Flavopunctelia flaventior) |
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65 |
Wheeler's thick-legged jumping spider (Admestina wheeleri) |
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66 |
hybotid dance flies (Tachypeza spp.) |
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67 |
Hooded Rosette Lichen (Physcia adscendens) |
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68 |
rough stink bug (Brochymena arborea) |
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69 |
flea jumping spider (Naphrys pulex) |
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70 |
hook-toothed money spider (Erigone dentosa) |
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71 |
crabronid wasps (Tachytes spp.) |
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72 |
European tube wasp (Ancistrocerus gazella) |
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73 |
gold-marked thread-waisted wasp (Eremnophila aureonotata) |
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74 |
rustic wolf spider (Trochosa ruricola) |
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75 |
European alder spittlebug (Aphrophora alni) |
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76 |
gall midges (Subfamily Cecidomyiinae) |
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77 |
fungus (Gibellula pulchra) |
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78 |
ichneumonid wasps (Glypta spp.) |
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79 |
triangle weaver (Hyptiotes cavatus) |
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80 |
miserable mining bee (Andrena miserabilis) |
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81 |
oribatid mites (Galumna spp.) |
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82 |
tachinid fly (Gymnoclytia occidua) |
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83 |
lyre-tipped spreadwing (Lestes unguiculatus) |
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84 |
bot flies, blow flies, and allies (Superfamily Oestroidea) |
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85 |
American harlequin (Xanthogramma flavipes) |
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86 |
oak gall wasps (Tribe Cynipini) |
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87 |
flat bug (Aradus robustus) |
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88 |
non-biting midges (Family Chironomidae) |
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89 |
tortricid leafroller moths (Family Tortricidae) |
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90 |
non-biting midge (Psectrotanypus dyari) |
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91 |
unequal cellophane bee (Colletes inaequalis) |
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92 |
rufous-backed cellophane bee (Colletes rufocinctus) |
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93 |
contrasted long-jawed spider (Tetragnatha straminea) |
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94 |
winter midge (Diamesa mendotae) |
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95 |
oblique-banded pond fly (Sericomyia chrysotoxoides) |
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96 |
yellow-haired falsehorn (Temnostoma balyras) |
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97 |
lump-legged swamp fly (Anasimyia chrysostoma) |
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98 |
mountain ash sawfly (Pristiphora geniculata) |
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99 |
leafhopper (Macropsis basalis) |
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100 |
rust fly (Loxocera cylindrica) |
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101 |
black-headed ash sawfly (Tethida barda) |
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102 |
treehopper (Archasia belfragei) |
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103 |
gray pug moth (Eupithecia subfuscata) |
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104 |
large clover casebearer moth (Coleophora trifolii) |
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105 |
Brown-staining Cheese Polypore (Fuscopostia fragilis) |
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106 |
scarlet plant bugs (Lopidea spp.) |
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107 |
rose plume moth (Cnaemidophorus rhododactyla) |
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108 |
red-lipped lacewing (Chrysoperla rufilabris) |
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109 |
dusky-banded leafwalker (Chalcosyrphus nemorum) |
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110 |
chalcidid wasps (Conura side complex) |
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111 |
fragile forktail (Ischnura posita) |
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112 |
lance flies (Lonchaea spp.) |
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113 |
distinct quaker (Achatia distincta) |
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114 |
snipe fly (Chrysopilus proximus) |
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115 |
black locust treehopper (Vanduzea arquata) |
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116 |
New York scalewort (Frullania eboracensis) |
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117 |
purplish stylus money spider (Styloctetor purpurescens) |
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118 |
banded olethreutes moth (Olethreutes fasciatana) |
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119 |
yellow-spotted webworm moth (Anageshna primordialis) |
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120 |
low-horned wrinkleheads (Chrysogaster spp.) |
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121 |
spotted cobweaver (Thymoites unimaculatus) |
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122 |
short-winged Darwin wasp (Agrothereutes abbreviatus) |
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123 |
common sawflies (Subfamily Nematinae) |
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124 |
ichneumonid wasps (Subfamily Campopleginae) |
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125 |
Nebraska harvestman (Leiobunum ventricosum) |
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126 |
braconid wasps (Spathius spp.) |
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127 |
Newman’s mathildana moth (Mathildana newmanella) |
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128 |
limoniid crane fly (Gnophomyia tristissima) |
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129 |
twigsitters (Holopogon spp.) |
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130 |
treehopper (Telamona decorata) |
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131 |
dung fly (Cordilura varipes) |
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132 |
limoniid crane fly (Antocha saxicola) |
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133 |
brown lacewings (Micromus spp.) |
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134 |
grape plume moth (Geina periscelidactylus) |
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135 |
northern eudeilinia moth (Eudeilinia herminiata) |
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136 |
variegated midget (Elaphria versicolor) |
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137 |
clastopterid spittlebugs (Clastoptera spp.) |
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138 |
spotted cuckoo spider wasp (Ceropales maculata) |
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139 |
green cloverworm moth (Hypena scabra) |
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140 |
ichneumonid wasps (Euceros spp.) |
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141 |
predatory stink bug (Podisus brevispinus) |
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142 |
buffalo treehoppers and allies (Tribe Ceresini) |
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143 |
white long-legged cobweaver (Theridion albidum) |
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144 |
hairy poplar sawfly (Cladius grandis) |
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145 |
dwarf spiders (Subfamily Erigoninae) |
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146 |
olethreutine leafroller moths (Olethreutes spp.) |
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147 |
hairy-eyed mimic (Mallota posticata) |
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148 |
rhododendron leafhopper (Graphocephala fennahi) |
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149 |
dusky mucksucker (Orthonevra pulchella) |
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150 |
picture-winged fly (Callopistromyia strigula) |
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151 |
moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria) |
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152 |
sidewalk mites (Balaustium spp.) |
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153 |
large crane flies (Dolichopeza spp.) |
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154 |
house fly (Eudasyphora cyanicolor) |
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155 |
cow vetch (Vicia cracca) |
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156 |
chalcidoid wasps (Oodera spp.) |
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157 |
two-spotted tree cricket (Neoxabea bipunctata) |
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158 |
snipe fly (Chrysopilus modestus) |
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159 |
narrow-winged tree cricket (Oecanthus niveus) |
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160 |
wild pansy (Viola tricolor) |
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161 |
limoniid crane fly (Erioptera chlorophylla) |
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162 |
rice leaf bug (Trigonotylus caelestialium) |
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163 |
four-toothed mason wasp (Monobia quadridens) |
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164 |
sawflies, horntails, and wood wasps (Suborder Symphyta) |
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165 |
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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 |