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. |
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| Species | ||||
Plants |
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Native, naturalized, invasive, or simply planted—any plant growing outside of cultivation in Minnesota. More than 800 plant pages include photos, a description, a multi-sourced distribution map, and a list of sites where the plant has been found. |
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| Photo by Alfredo Colon | ||||
Insects and Arachnids |
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Insects and arachnids found in Minnesota. More than 700 insect and arachnid pages include photos, a description, a list of sightings by MinnesotaSeasons.com, visitor sightings, and distribution maps. |
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| 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 photos, a description, and a list of sightings, as well as distribution maps for amphibians, mammals, and reptiles. |
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| Photo by Luciearl | ||||
Fungi and Lichens |
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Mushrooms, lichens, and other fungi found in Minnesota. More than 150 fungi and lichen pages include photos, a description, a list of sightings by MinnesotaSeasons.com, visitor sightings, and distribution maps. |
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| Wallpapers | ||||
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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480
Destinations
2,349
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 | ||||
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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New Pages |
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11/29/2022 |
Luminescent Panellus | ||||||||
11/28/2022 |
clavate tortoise beetle scientific name changed from Plagiometriona clavata to Helocassis clavata |
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11/28/2022 |
Golden Pholiota | ||||||||
11/27/2022 |
narcissus bulb fly | ||||||||
11/26/2022 |
Bleeding Fairy Helmet | ||||||||
11/22/2022 |
greenhouse millipede | ||||||||
11/21/2022 |
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11/21/2022 |
metallic wood-boring beetle (Agrilus obsoletoguttatus) name changed to beech borer |
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11/20/2022 |
The Goblet | ||||||||
11/19/2022 |
dusky slug (Arion subfuscus/fuscus) | ||||||||
11/18/2022 |
Cinnabar Polypore name changed to Northern Cinnabar Polypore | ||||||||
| 11/17/2022 | Bright Cobblestone Lichen name changed to Yellow Cobblestone Lichen |
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11/17/2022 |
Membranous Pelt Lichen | ||||||||
11/16/2022 |
potter and mason wasps (Ancistrocerus spp.) | ||||||||
11/16/2022 |
Orange Faint Foot Mushroom | ||||||||
11/15/2022 |
field ants (Formica pallidefulva group) | ||||||||
11/14/2022 |
great pond snail | ||||||||
11/13/2022 |
ground crab spiders (Xysticus spp.) | ||||||||
11/12/2022 |
cat-faced orbweaver | ||||||||
11/11/2022 |
deer mushroom (Pluteus granularis) | ||||||||
11/10/2022 |
Wood Ear | ||||||||
11/6/2022 |
rough bentgrass | ||||||||
11/4/2022 |
Russell’s Bolete | ||||||||
11/3/2022 |
dark-veined longhorn bee | ||||||||
| 11/1/2022 | |||||||||
Next Up |
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1 |
short-winged meadow katydid (Conocephalus brevipennis) |
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2 |
Skirted Stinkhorn (Phallus duplicatus) |
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3 |
Tuberous Polypore (Polyporus tuberaster) |
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4 |
blood bees (Sphecodes spp.) |
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5 |
Nitrous Bonnet (Mycena leptocephala) |
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6 |
common drone fly (Eristalis tenax) |
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7 |
Bulbous Honey Fungus (Armillaria gallica) |
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8 |
helmeted squash bug (Euthochtha galeator) |
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9 |
honey mushroom (Armillaria sinapina) |
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10 |
metallic sweat bees (Lasioglossum Subgenus Dialictus) |
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11 |
Common Bonnet (Mycena galericulata) |
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12 |
European paper wasp (Polistes dominula) |
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13 |
Brick Cap (Hypholoma lateritium) |
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14 |
typical cobweb spiders (Theridion spp.) |
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15 |
Common Stump Brittlestem (Psathyrella piluliformis) |
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16 |
dogwood spittlebug (Clastoptera proteus) |
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17 |
Winter Russula (Russula cremoricolor) |
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18 |
Rosette Lichens (Physcia spp.) |
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19 |
cobweb spiders (Thymoites spp.) |
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20 |
Salmon Milkcap (Lactarius salmonicolor) |
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21 |
Powdered Sunshine Lichen (Vulpicida pinastri) |
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22 |
eight-spotted forester moth (Alypia octomaculata) |
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23 |
Decorated Pholiota (Leucopholiota decorosa) |
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24 |
orange-legged furrow bee (Halictus rubicundus) |
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25 |
fiery skipper (Hylephila phyleus) |
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26 |
Greenfoot Fibrecap (Inosperma calamistratum) |
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27 |
Catskill potter wasp (Ancistrocerus catskill) |
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28 |
marsh meadow grasshopper (Chorthippus curtipennis) |
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29 |
Candy Cap (Lactarius rubidus) |
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30 |
modest masked bee (Hylaeus modestus modestus) |
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31 |
Walsh’s short-wing grasshopper (Melanoplus walshii) |
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32 |
Viscid Violet Cort (Cortinarius iodes) |
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33 |
braconid wasp (Meteorus spp.) |
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34 |
starbellied orbweaver (Acanthepeira stellata) |
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35 |
Great Funnel-Veil Amanita (Amanita velatipes) |
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36 |
braconid wasps (Subfamily Agathidinae) |
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37 |
openfield orbweaver (Araneus pratensis) |
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38 |
Suede Bolete (Xerocomus subtomentosus) |
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39 |
potter or mason wasp (Parancistrocerus pensylvanicus) |
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40 |
western lynx spider (Oxyopes scalaris) |
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41 |
Deceiver (Laccaria laccata) |
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42 |
braconid wasp (Macrocentrus marginator) |
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43 |
triangle-backed pelochrista moth (Pelochrista dorsisignatana) |
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44 |
fungus (Scytinotus longinquus) |
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45 |
sand wasp (Argogorytes nigrifrons) |
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46 |
common picture-winged fly (Delphinia picta) |
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47 |
Straight-stalked Entoloma (Entoloma strictius) |
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48 |
leaf miner flies (Liriomyza spp.) |
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49 |
wedgling moth (Galgula partita) |
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50 |
Green Cheese Polypore (Niveoporofomes spraguei) |
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51 |
chalcid wasp (Family Torymidae) |
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52 |
confused haploa (Haploa confusa) |
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53 |
Stinking Earthfan (Thelephora palmata) |
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54 |
gall midges and wood midges (Family Cecidomyiidae) |
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55 |
corn earworm moth (Helicoverpa zea) |
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56 |
Goldleaf Shield (Pluteus romellii) |
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57 |
cutleaf teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus) |
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58 |
American idia moth (Idia americalis) |
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59 |
Zoned Tooth (Hydnellum concrescens) |
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60 |
common sawfly (Periclista spp.) |
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61 |
hickory tussock moth (Lophocampa caryae) |
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62 |
Red-juice Tooth (Hydnellum peckii) |
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63 |
undivided lucent (Didea fuscipes) |
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64 |
bowl-and-doily spider (Frontinella pyramitela) |
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65 |
Fused Tooth (Phellodon confluens) |
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66 |
linden looper (Erannis tiliaria) |
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67 |
gold-and-brown rove beetle (Ontholestes cingulatus) |
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68 |
dwarf spider (Ceraticelus fissiceps) |
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69 |
Garden Ghost Spider (Hibana gracilis) |
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70 |
Kansas lady beetle (Scymnus kansanus) |
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71 |
golden northern bumble bee (Bombus fervidus) |
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72 |
small red midge (Microtendipes pedellus) |
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73 |
stilt bugs (Family Berytidae) |
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74 |
black-dotted glyph (Maliattha synochitis) |
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75 |
soldier fly (Nemotelus kansensis) |
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76 |
giant lady beetles (Anatis spp.) |
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77 |
ornate snipe fly (Chrysopilus ornatus) |
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78 |
white-jawed jumping spider (Hentzia mitrata) |
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79 |
slender crab spiders (Tibellus spp.) |
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80 |
spring tree-top flasher (Pyractomena borealis) |
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81 |
ailanthus webworm moth (Atteva aurea) |
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82 |
leafhopper (Macropsis osborni) |
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83 |
black diabrotica (Diabrotica cristata) |
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84 |
picture-winged fly (Pseudoseioptera albipes) |
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85 |
ornate harp ground beetle (Lebia ornata) |
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86 |
treehopper (Telamona monticola) |
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87 |
orange-headed epicallima (Callima argenticinctella) |
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88 |
plant bug (Neurocolpus spp.) |
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89 |
three-spotted fillip (Heterophleps triguttaria) |
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90 |
broad-banded meadow fly (Chrysotoxum plumeum) |
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91 |
orange mint moth (Pyrausta orphisalis) |
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92 |
spurred carpenter bee (Ceratina calcarata) |
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93 |
green-legged grasshopper (Melanoplus viridipes-species-group) |
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94 |
recumbent ground crab spider ( auctificus) |
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95 |
green soldier fly (Hedriodiscus binotatus) |
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96 |
tachinid fly (Subfamily Exoristinae) |
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97 |
robber flies (Cerotainia spp.) |
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98 |
dirt-colored seed bug (Ozophora picturata) |
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99 |
wavy-lined emerald (Synchlora aerata) |
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100 |
eastern carpenter bee (Xylocopa virginica) |
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101 |
dark-winged fungus gnat (Family Sciaridae) |
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102 |
bee-mimic robber fly (Laphria index complex) |
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103 |
gold-mouthed soldier beetle (Rhagonycha oriflava) |
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104 |
Greene’s giant ichneumonid wasp (Megarhyssa greenei) |
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105 |
litter moths (Zanclognatha spp.) |
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106 |
square-headed wasp (Ectemnius maculosus) |
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107 |
click beetles (Melanotus spp.) |
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108 |
square-headed wasp (Tribe Crabronini) |
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109 |
strangalepta flower longhorn beetle (Strangalepta abbreviata) |
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110 |
potter wasp (Leptochilus spp.) |
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111 |
confusing furrow bee (Halictus confusus) |
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112 |
pale green weevil (Polydrusus impressifrons) |
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113 |
variegated lady beetle (Hippodamia variegata) |
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114 |
eastern grass-veneer (Crambus laqueatellus) |
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115 |
brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) |
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116 |
conical trashline orbweaver (Cyclosa conica) |
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117 |
Canada thistle bud weevil (Larinus carlinae) |
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118 |
large crane flies (Subgenus Pterelachisus) |
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119 |
common flower fly (Syrphus ribesii) |
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120 |
white-winged march fly (Bibio albipennis) |
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121 |
potter and mason wasps (Euodynerus spp.) |
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122 |
Bruce spanworm moth (Operophtera bruceata) |
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123 |
shield-handed square-headed wasps (Crabro spp.) |
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124 |
fall cankerworm moth (Alsophila pometaria) |
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125 |
northern flatid planthopper (Flatormenis proxima) |
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126 |
common oblique syrphid fly (Allograpta obliqua) |
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127 |
fusca-group field ants (Formica fusca group) |
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128 |
small milkweed bug (Lygaeus kalmii) |
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129 |
lateral-lobed soldier beetle (Ditemnus latilobus) |
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130 |
pondside crambid moth (Elophila icciusalis) |
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131 |
lobed mason wasp (Ancistrocerus antilope) |
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132 |
cross orbweaver (Araneus diadematus) |
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133 |
large crane fly (Tipula trivittata) |
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134 |
European mantis (Mantis religiosa) |
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135 |
treehopper (Cyrtolobus tuberosus) |
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136 |
elm spanworm moth (Ennomos subsignaria) |
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137 |
marsh fly (Tetanocera plebeja) |
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138 |
snowy urola moth (Urola nivalis) |
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139 |
bee-mimic robber fly (Laphria sericea complex) |
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140 |
rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) |
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141 |
European pine sawfly (Neodiprion sertifer) |
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142 |
Forbes’ tree cricket (Oecanthus forbesi) |
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143 |
red-shouldered stink bug (Thyanta custator) |
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144 |
sweat and furrow bees (Lasioglossum spp.) |
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145 |
rigid sunflower borer (Papaipema rigida) |
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146 |
potato flea beetle (Psylliodes affinis) |
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147 |
green pug (Pasiphila rectangulata) |
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148 |
veiled ear moth (Loscopia velata) |
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149 |
scallop moth (Cepphis armataria) |
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150 |
limoniid crane fly (Helius flavipes) |
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151 |
meshweavers (Family Dictynidae) |
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152 |
leafhopper (Oncopsis sobria) |
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153 |
plume moths (Geina spp.) |
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154 |
ashen pinion (Lithophane antennata) |
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155 |
plume moths (Hellinsia spp.) |
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156 |
brown leaf weevil (Phyllobius oblongus) |
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157 |
orange-spotted drone fly (Eristalis anthophorina) |
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158 |
ant mimic jumping spider (Myrmarachne formicaria) |
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159 |
thin-legged wolf spiders (Pardosa spp.) |
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160 |
common stoneflies (Family Perlidae) |
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161 |
leafhoppers (Aphrodes spp.) |
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162 |
large crane flies (Tipula spp.) |
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163 |
honeysuckle moth (Ypsolopha dentella) |
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164 |
typical leafhoppers (Family Cicadellidae) |
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165 |
grayish jumping spider (Phidippus princeps) |
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166 |
horned squash bug (Anasa armigera) |
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167 |
cherry shoot borer moth (Argyresthia oreasella) |
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168 |
Canadian potter wasp (Symmorphus canadensis) |
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169 |
yellow-faced leafhopper (Scaphytopius frontalis) |
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170 |
smoky poplar aphid (Chaitophorus populicola) |
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171 |
bee fly (Chrysanthrax cypris) |
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172 |
common bagworm moth (Psyche casta) |
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173 |
gnat ogre (Holcocephala calva) |
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174 |
eastern spurred ghost spider (Anyphaena pectorosa) |
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175 |
tachinid flies (Cylindromyia spp.) |
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176 |
strawberry rootworm (Paria fragariae) |
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177 |
wasp-like falsehorn (Temnostoma alternans) |
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178 |
reddish checkered beetle (Enoclerus rosmarus) |
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179 |
flower lebia beetle (Lebia viridis) |
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180 |
ichneumonid wasp (Acroricnus stylator aequatus) |
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181 |
lesser vagabond sod webworm moth (Agriphila ruricolellus) |
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182 |
common barklouse (Metylophorus purus) |
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183 |
northern bush katydid (Scudderia septentrionalis) |
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184 |
brown centipede (Lithobius forficatus) |
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185 |
red speckled dun (Callibaetis ferrugineus ferrugineus) |
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186 |
potato flea beetle (Epitrix cucumeris) |
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187 |
short-winged nabis (Nabis rufusculus) |
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188 |
glossy black idia moth (Idia lubricalis) |
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189 |
obscure plant bug (Plagiognathus obscurus) |
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190 |
aphideaters (Eupeodes americanus complex) |
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191 |
two-spotted leafwalker (Xylota angustiventris) |
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192 |
raspberry fruitworm beetle (Byturus unicolor) |
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193 |
rough avens (Geum laciniatum) |
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194 |
pufftails (Sphegina Subgenus Asiosphegina) |
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195 |
viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni) |
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196 |
click beetles (Agriotes spp.) |
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197 |
lady beetles (Family Coccinellidae) |
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198 |
variable narrow-wing (Magusa divaricata) |
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199 |
plant bugs (Plagiognathus spp.) |
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200 |
clover leaf weevil (Brachypera zoilus) |
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201 |
black-margined loosestrife beetle (Galerucella calmariensis) |
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202 |
black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) |
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203 |
red-headed flea beetle (Systena frontalis) |
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204 |
alfalfa webworm moth (Loxostege cereralis) |
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205 |
bald-faced hornet fly (Spilomyia fusca) |
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206 |
little underwing (Catocala minuta) |
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207 |
scarlet plant bugs (Lopidea spp.) |
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208 |
bent-lined carpet (Costaconvexa centrostrigaria) |
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209 |
large crane fly (Tipula furca) | ||||
210 |
fruit fly (Campiglossa albiceps) | ||||
211 |
primrose moth (Schinia florida) | ||||
212 |
stilt-legged fly (Rainieria antennaepes) | ||||
213 |
oval ambersnail (Novisuccinea ovalis) |
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214 |
pallid leafroller moth (Xenotemna pallorana) |
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215 |
fourteen-spotted lady beetle (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata) |
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216 |
emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) |
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217 |
tiger fly (Coenosia tigrina) |
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218 |
yellow-necked soldier beetle (Podabrus flavicollis) |
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219 |
tree cattle (Cerastipsocus venosus) |
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220 |
spotted bird grasshopper (Schistocerca lineata) | ||||
221 |
fork-tailed bush katydid (Scudderia furcata) |
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222 |
harvestman (Leiobunum politum) |
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223 |
icy mound ant (Formica glacialis) |
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224 |
sawflies, horntails, and wood wasps (Suborder Symphyta) |
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225 |
leafhoppers (Oncopsis spp.) |
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Alfredo Colon | ||
226 |
treehoppers (Cyrtolobus spp.) | Alfredo Colon | |||
227 |
mining bees (Andrena Subgenus Melandrena) | Alfredo Colon | |||
228 |
hairy evening primrose (Oenothera villosa ssp. villosa) | Alfredo Colon | |||
229 |
brown knapweed (Centaurea jacea) | Alfredo Colon | |||
230 |
black bean aphid (Aphis fabae) | Alfredo Colon | |||
231 |
parenthesis lady beetle (Hippodamia parenthesis) | Alfredo Colon | |||
232 |
confused woodgrain moth (Morrisonia confusa) | Alfredo Colon | |||
233 |
elegant crab spider (Xysticus elegans) | Alfredo Colon | |||
234 |
leafhopper (Acutalis tartarea) | Alfredo Colon | |||
235 |
retrorse sedge (Carex retrorsa) | Alfredo Colon | |||
236 |
eastern black carpenter ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) | Alfredo Colon | |||
237 |
root maggot flies (Family Anthomyiidae) | Alfredo Colon | |||
238 |
plume moths (Subfamily Pterophorinae) | Alfredo Colon | |||
239 |
longlegged fly (Condylostylus caudatus group) |
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Alfredo Colon | ||
240 |
changeable grass-veneer (Fissicrambus mutabilis) |
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Alfredo Colon | ||
241 |
soldier beetles (Rhagonycha spp.) |
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Alfredo Colon | ||
242 |
common ragweed fruit fly (Euaresta bella) | Alfredo Colon | |||
243 |
fruit fly (Eutreta noveboracensis) |
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Alfredo Colon | ||
244 |
walnut lace bug (Corythucha juglandis) |
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Alfredo Colon | ||
245 |
round bullet gall wasp (Disholcaspis quercusglobulus) |
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Alfredo Colon | ||
Created 12/13/2003
Last Updated: