Minnesota Seasons

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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boreal combfoot (Steatoda borealis)

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different cobweb weaver (Theridion differens)

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wandering house cobweaver (Parasteatoda tabulata)

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punctated ground crab spider (Xysticus punctatus)

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northern long-toothed sheetweaver (Drapetisca alteranda)

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dwarf spider (Ceraticelus fissiceps)

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small pirate wolf spider (Piratula minuta)

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harvestman (Leiobunum politum)

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buttercup cuckoo sweat bee (Sphecodes ranunculi)

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braconid wasp (Meteorus spp.)

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ichneumon wasp (Melanichneumon spp.)

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cloudy-winged miner bee (Andrena nubecula)

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crabonid wasp (Astata unicolor)

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ichneumon wasp (Colpotrochia trifasciata)

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argid sawflies (Family Argidae)

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spurred carpenter bee (Ceratina calcarata)

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tachinid fly (Subfamily Exoristinae)

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potter wasp (Leptochilus spp.)

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square-headed wasp (Ectemnius maculosus)

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square-headed wasp (Tribe Crabronini)

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short-winged meadow katydid (Conocephalus brevipennis)

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dark-winged fungus gnat (Eugnoriste spp.)

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narcissus bulb fly (Merodon equestris)

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large crane fly (Tipula trivittata)

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treehopper (Cyrtolobus tuberosus)

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marsh fly (Tetanocera plebeja)

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bee-like robber fly (Laphria sericea complex)

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European pine sawfly (Neodiprion sertifer)

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pale green weevil (Polydrusus impressifrons)

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leaf miner flies (Liriomyza spp.)

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chalcid wasp (Family Torymidae)

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gall midges and wood midges (Family Cecidomyiidae)

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metallic wood-boring beetle (Agrilus cyanescens)

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horned spanworm moth (Nematocampa resistaria)

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undivided lucent (Didea fuscipes)

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linden looper (Erannis tiliaria)

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plains wild indigo (Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea)