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.

  Whitetail Woods Regional Park

 

Species
Plants

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.

 

musk thistle

Photo by Alfredo Colon

Insects

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.

 

white underwing

Photo by Norm & Peg Dibble

Wildlife

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.

 

American red squirrel

Photo by Luciearl

Mushrooms, Lichens, and Other Fungi

Mushrooms, lichens, and other fungi found in Minnesota.

More than 200 fungi and lichen pages include a profile, photos, a distribution map, a list of sightings by MinnesotaSeasons.com, and visitor sightings.

  Yellow Morel

 

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.

  Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area - Lawrence Unit
  Wallpaper for desktop PC  Wallpaper for desktop laptop  Wallpaper for tablet  

492
Destinations

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,920
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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drought Monitor

 

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.

  Whitetail Woods Regional Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recent Uploads
October

pale green assassin bug

Nicole Rojas-Oltmanns uploaded 2 photos of pale green assassin bug 10/1/2025.

northern purple pitcherplant

Nicole Rojas-Oltmanns uploaded 4 photos of northern purple pitcherplant 10/1/2025.

giant leopard moth

Nicole Rojas-Oltmanns uploaded 3 photos of giant leopard moth 10/1/2025.

Elm Oyster

Amy Stifter uploaded 1 photo of Elm Oyster 10/1/2025.

Eastern North American Destroying Angel

Dan W. Andree uploaded 2 photos of Eastern North American Destroying Angel 7/3/2025.

September

tachinid fly (Admontia sp.)

Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of tachinid flies (Admontia spp.) 11/30/2022.

British Soldier Lichen

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of British Soldier Lichen 9/15/2025.

mayfly

Nancy Lundquist uploaded 1 photo of spiny crawler mayflies (family Ephemerellidae) 9/15/2025.

King Bolete

Dan W. Andree uploaded 3 photos of King Bolete 9/28/2025.

Aspen Bolete

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Aspen Bolete 9/27/2025.

Green Reindeer Lichen

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Green Reindeer Lichen 9/27/2025.

Hen of the Woods

Patriot Coins MN uploaded 2 photos of Hen of the Woods 9/27/2025.

American snout fly

Luciearl uploaded 2 photos of American snout fly on spotted touch-me-not 9/15/2025.

tufted thyatirine moth

Gary Walton uploaded 2 photos of tufted thyatirine moth 8/20/2025.

goldenrod (Solidago sp.)

Luciearl uploaded 2 photos of narrow-banded pond flies, western honey bees, and a common eastern bumble bee on goldenrod sp. 9/25/2025.

Shaggy Mane

Luciearl uploaded 3 photos of Shaggy Mane 9/23/2025.

monarch

Gregory Gilman uploaded 1 photo of monarch 9/23/2025.

bur cucumber

Bonnie Freeman uploaded 2 photos of bur cucumber 9/21/2025.

red speckled dun

Nancy Lundquist uploaded 1 photo of red speckled dun 9/19/2025.

Shaggy Mane

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Shaggy Mane 9/18/2025.

beet webworm moth

Bill Reynolds uploaded 1 photo of beet webworm moth 9/1/2025.

Golden Pholiota

Dan W. Andree uploaded 2 photos of Golden Pholiota 9/18/2025.

Collared Parachute

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Collared Parachute and Dragon Horn 9/13/2025.

Collared Parachute

Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of Collared Parachute 8/27/2023.

Golden Pholiota

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Golden Pholiota, King Alfred’s Cakes, Brown American Star-footed Amanita, and Bracket Fungi (Family Polyporaceae) 9/17/2025.

common harvestman

Nancy Lundquist uploaded 1 photo of common harvestman 9/16/2025.

multicolored Asian lady beetle

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of multicolored Asian lady beetle 9/15/2025.

multicolored Asian lady beetle

Luciearl uploaded 2 photos of multicolored Asian lady beetle on spotted touch-me-not 9/14/2025.

white-margined burrower bug

Patty Polkoski uploaded 1 photo of white-margined burrower bug 9/15/2025.

Green Wood Cup

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Green Wood Cup 9/15/2025.

Sharp-scaly Pholiota

Robbi H uploaded 1 photo of Sharp-scaly Pholiota 9/15/2025.

leafhopper (Aphrodes sp.)

Edward B. uploaded 1 photo of leafhoppers (Aphrodes spp.) 9/14/2025.

leafhopper (Aphrodes sp.)

Edward B. uploaded 1 video of leafhoppers (Aphrodes spp.) 9/14/2025.

white snakeroot

Luciearl uploaded 2 photos of white snakeroot 9/14/2025.

Green Wood Cup

Luciearl uploaded 2 photos of Green Wood Cup 9/14/2025.

hunchback bee fly

David Schaffhausen uploaded 1 photo of hunchback bee fly 9/14/2025.

Smoky Polypore

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Smoky Polypore and carnival candy slime mold 9/13/2025.

bald-faced hornet fly

Bill Reynolds uploaded 3 photos of bald-faced hornet fly and jagged ambush bug 9/13/2025.

banded tussock moth

Luciearl uploaded 2 photos of banded tussock moth 9/12/2025.

hunchback bee fly

David Schaffhausen uploaded 1 video of hunchback bee fly 9/12/2025.

red-streaked mompha moth

Gary Walton uploaded 1 photo of red-streaked mompha moth 8/17/2025.

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis (Pst)

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis (Pst) on Canada thistle 9/11/2025.

Hairy Bracket

Dan W. Andree uploaded 2 photos of Hairy Bracket 7/2/2025.

Lead-grey Puffball

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Lead-grey Puffball 7/2/2025.

Potter’s grass spider

Luciearl uploaded 3 photos of Potter’s grass spider 9/7/2025.

stiff goldenrod

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of common eastern bumble bee on stiff goldenrod 9/7/2025.

northern lady fern

Luciearl uploaded 2 photos of northern lady fern 9/7/2025.

red osier dogwood

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of red osier dogwood 9/7/2025.

Witch’s Hat

Dan W. Andree uploaded 3 photos of Witch’s Hat 9/8/2025.

Indianpipe

Amy Stifter uploaded 1 photo of Indianpipe 9/8/2025.

banded argiope

Bill Reynolds uploaded 2 photos of banded argiope 9/7/2025.

Witch’s Hat

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Witch’s Hat 9/7/2025.

Wrinkled Peach

Katey uploaded 1 photo of Wrinkled Peach 9/7/2025.

Witch’s Hat

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Witch’s Hat 9/6/2025.

Witch’s Hat

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Witch’s Hat 9/5/2025.

curlytop knotweed

Amy D uploaded 1 photo of curlytop knotweed 9/5/2025.

brown-eyed Susan

Nancy Lundquist uploaded 1 photo of brown-eyed Susan 9/5/2025.

eastern tiger salamander

Melanie Hilgendorf uploaded 2 photos of eastern tiger salamander 9/4/2025.

agile longhorn bee on Maximilian’s sunflower

Bill Reynolds uploaded 2 photos of agile longhorn bee on Maximilian’s sunflower 8/25/2025.

leafcurling sac spider (Clubiona sp.)

Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of leafcurling sac spiders (Clubiona spp.) 11/30/2022.

prairie skink

Joe B uploaded 1 photo of prairie skink 9/3/2025.

wild columbine

Tim uploaded 1 photo of wild columbine 9/3/2025.

generous pyrausta moth

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of generous pyrausta moth on milkweed 8/10/2025.

Virginian tiger moth

Josie Brow uploaded 1 photo of Virginian tiger moth 9/1/2025.

Milk-white Toothed Polypore

Luciearl uploaded 2 photos of Milk-white Toothed Polypore 4/22/2020.

 

What’s Next

1

Western Giant Puffball (Calvatia booniana)

Dan W. Andree

2

five-banded thynnid wasp (Myzinum quinquecinctum)

Bill Reynolds

3

Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)

Todd Mitchell

4

pruinose squash bee (Xenoglossa pruinosa) Greg Watson

5

low baby’s-breath (Psammophiliella muralis)

Gary Walton

6

elongated stilt spider (Tetragnatha elongata) Luciearl

7

ichneumonid wasps (Subtribe Agrothereutina)

Alfredo Colon

8

Smoky Spindles (Clavaria fumosa) Dick Edwards

9

Meadow Waxcap (Cuphophyllus pratensis)

Dan W. Andree

10

common looper (Autographa precationis)

Bill Reynolds

11

Pinewood Gingertail (Xeromphalina campanella) Luciearl

12

painted harvestman (Odiellus pictus)

Alfredo Colon

13

agrimony (Agrimonia spp.)

Dan W. Andree

14

ghost spiders (Anyphaena spp.)

Alfredo Colon

15

Candy Apple Waxy Cap (Hygrocybe cuspidata)

Dan W. Andree

16

heptagonal orbweaver (Gea heptagon)

Alfredo Colon

17

dog sick slime mold (Mucilago crustacea)

Dan W. Andree

18

braconid wasps (Opius spp.)

Alfredo Colon

19

eastern thistle long-horned bee (Melissodes desponsus)

Dan W. Andree

20

tachinid fly (Zelia vertebrata)

Alfredo Colon

21

Diminutive Agaricus (Agaricus diminutivus)

Dan W. Andree

22

entomophagus fungus (Entomophaga maimaiga)

Alfredo Colon

23

Fragrant Funnel (Clitocybe fragrans)

Dan W. Andree

24

weevil wasp (Cerceris halone)

Alfredo Colon

25

Bolete Eater (Hypomyces chrysospermus) Dan W. Andree

26

broad-winged skipper (Poanes viator)

Alfredo Colon

27

Dragon Horn (Cladonia squamosa)

Dan W. Andree

28

stink bug (Dendrocoris humeralis)

Alfredo Colon

29

carnival candy slime mold (Arcyria denudata) Dan W. Andree

30

eastern dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus)

Alfredo Colon

31

tree-skirt moss (Pseudanomodon attenuatus) Dan W. Andree

32

slender-footed jewel beetle (Spectralia gracilipes)

Alfredo Colon

33

Lumpy Bracket (Trametes gibbosa) Dan W. Andree

34

imported willow leaf beetle (Plagiodera versicolora)

Alfredo Colon

35

Common Milkcaps (Lactarius spp.) Dan W. Andree

36

three-ribbed soldier beetle (Podabrus tricostatus)

Alfredo Colon

37

Bracket Fungi (Family Polyporaceae) Dan W. Andree

38

guided soldier beetle (Rhagonycha recta)

Alfredo Colon

39

Common Conecap (Conocybe tenera) Dan W. Andree

40

wide-horned soldier beetle (Polemius laticornis)

Alfredo Colon

41

Orange Pinwheel (Marasmius siccus) Dan W. Andree

42

soldier beetles (Rhagonycha spp.)

Alfredo Colon

43

Gray Reindeer Lichen (Cladonia rangiferina) Dan W. Andree

44

Pennsylvania flea beetle (Disonycha pensylvanica)

Alfredo Colon

45

Fan Ramalina (Ramalina sinensis)

Dan W. Andree

46

mourning fire-colored beetle (Pedilus lugubris)

Alfredo Colon

47

bronze darkling beetle (Arthromacra aenea)

Alfredo Colon

48

common brown click beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis)

Alfredo Colon

49

fraternal darkling beetle (Mycetochara fraterna)

Alfredo Colon

50

golden loosestrife beetle (Neogalerucella pusilla)

Alfredo Colon

51

featherlegged orbweaver (Uloborus glomosus)

Alfredo Colon

52

perennial mason wasp (Parancistrocerus perennis)

Alfredo Colon

53

Texas striped sweat bee (Agapostemon texanus)

Alfredo Colon

54

common crane fly (Tipula caloptera)

Alfredo Colon

55

Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae)

Alfredo Colon

56

horned parasitic cobweaver (Neospintharus trigonum)

Alfredo Colon

57

shore spider (Pardosa milvina)

Alfredo Colon

58

black-tailed red sheetweaver (Florinda coccinea)

Alfredo Colon

59

privet leafhopper (Fieberiella florii)

Alfredo Colon

60

violet dancer (Argia fumipennis violacea)

Alfredo Colon

61

carrot wasps (Gasteruption spp.)

Alfredo Colon

62

lyric cobweaver (Yunohamella lyrica)

Alfredo Colon

63

alder spittlebug (Clastoptera obtusa)

Alfredo Colon

64

half-belted blue-black spider wasp (Anoplius semicinctus)

Alfredo Colon

65

wood nettle gall midge (Dasineura investita)

Alfredo Colon

66

common ectemnius (Ectemnius continuus)

Alfredo Colon

67

striped sweat bees (Agapostemon spp.)

Alfredo Colon

68

chalcidoid wasp (Leucospis affinis)

Alfredo Colon

69

assassin bugs (Family Reduviidae)

Alfredo Colon

70

dog day cicadas (Neotibicen spp.)

Alfredo Colon

71

starry bristle moss (Orthotrichum stellatum)

Alfredo Colon

72

crisped pincushion (Ulota crispa)

Alfredo Colon

73

pine tree spur-throat grasshopper (Melanoplus punctulatus)

Alfredo Colon

74

Speckled Greenshield (Flavopunctelia flaventior)

Alfredo Colon

75

Wheeler's thick-legged jumping spider (Admestina wheeleri)

Alfredo Colon

76

hybotid dance flies (Tachypeza spp.)

Alfredo Colon

77

Hooded Rosette Lichen (Physcia adscendens)

Alfredo Colon

78

rough stink bug (Brochymena arborea)

Alfredo Colon

79

flea jumping spider (Naphrys pulex)

Alfredo Colon

80

hook-toothed money spider (Erigone dentosa)

Alfredo Colon

81

crabronid wasps (Tachytes spp.)

Alfredo Colon

82

European tube wasp (Ancistrocerus gazella)

Alfredo Colon

83

gold-marked thread-waisted wasp (Eremnophila aureonotata)

Alfredo Colon

84

rustic wolf spider (Trochosa ruricola)

Alfredo Colon

85

European alder spittlebug (Aphrophora alni)

Alfredo Colon

86

gall midges (Subfamily Cecidomyiinae)

Alfredo Colon

87

fungus (Gibellula pulchra)

Alfredo Colon

88

ichneumonid wasps (Glypta spp.)

Alfredo Colon

89

triangle weaver (Hyptiotes cavatus)

Alfredo Colon

90

miserable mining bee (Andrena miserabilis)

Alfredo Colon

91

oribatid mites (Galumna spp.)

Alfredo Colon

92

tachinid fly (Gymnoclytia occidua)

Alfredo Colon

93

lyre-tipped spreadwing (Lestes unguiculatus)

Alfredo Colon

94

bot flies, blow flies, and allies (Superfamily Oestroidea)

Alfredo Colon

95

American harlequin (Xanthogramma flavipes)

Alfredo Colon

96

oak gall wasps (Tribe Cynipini)

Alfredo Colon

97

flat bug (Aradus robustus)

Alfredo Colon

98

non-biting midges (Family Chironomidae)

Alfredo Colon

99

olethreutine leafroller moths (Subfamily Olethreutinae)

Alfredo Colon

100

non-biting midge (Psectrotanypus dyari)

Alfredo Colon

101

unequal cellophane bee (Colletes inaequalis)

Alfredo Colon

102

rufous-backed cellophane bee (Colletes rufocinctus)

Alfredo Colon

103

contrasted long-jawed spider (Tetragnatha straminea)

Alfredo Colon

104

winter midge (Diamesa mendotae)

Alfredo Colon

105

oblique-banded pond fly (Sericomyia chrysotoxoides)

Alfredo Colon

106

yellow-haired falsehorn (Temnostoma balyras)

Alfredo Colon

107

lump-legged swamp fly (Anasimyia chrysostoma)

Alfredo Colon

108

mountain ash sawfly (Pristiphora geniculata)

Alfredo Colon

109

leafhopper (Macropsis basalis)

Alfredo Colon

110

rust fly (Loxocera cylindrica)

Alfredo Colon

111

black-headed ash sawfly (Tethida barda)

Alfredo Colon

112

treehopper (Archasia belfragei)

Alfredo Colon

113

gray pug moth (Eupithecia subfuscata)

Alfredo Colon

114

large clover casebearer moth (Coleophora trifolii)

Alfredo Colon

115

Brown-staining Cheese Polypore (Fuscopostia fragilis)

Alfredo Colon

116

scarlet plant bugs (Lopidea spp.)

Alfredo Colon

117

rose plume moth (Cnaemidophorus rhododactyla)

Alfredo Colon

118

red-lipped lacewing (Chrysoperla rufilabris)

Alfredo Colon

119

dusky-banded leafwalker (Chalcosyrphus nemorum)

Alfredo Colon

120

chalcidid wasps (Conura side complex)

Alfredo Colon

121

fragile forktail (Ischnura posita)

Alfredo Colon

122

lance flies (Lonchaea spp.)

Alfredo Colon

123

distinct quaker (Achatia distincta)

Alfredo Colon

124

snipe fly (Chrysopilus proximus)

Alfredo Colon

125

black locust treehopper (Vanduzea arquata)

Alfredo Colon

126

New York scalewort (Frullania eboracensis)

Alfredo Colon

127

purplish stylus money spider (Styloctetor purpurescens)

Alfredo Colon

128

banded olethreutes moth (Olethreutes fasciatana)

Alfredo Colon

129

yellow-spotted webworm moth (Anageshna primordialis)

Alfredo Colon

130

low-horned wrinkleheads (Chrysogaster spp.)

Alfredo Colon

131

spotted cobweaver (Thymoites unimaculatus)

Alfredo Colon

132

short-winged Darwin wasp (Agrothereutes abbreviatus)

Alfredo Colon

133

common sawflies (Subfamily Nematinae)

Alfredo Colon

134

ichneumonid wasps (Subfamily Campopleginae)

Alfredo Colon

135

Nebraska harvestman (Leiobunum ventricosum)

Alfredo Colon

136

braconid wasps (Spathius spp.)

Alfredo Colon

137

Newman’s mathildana moth (Mathildana newmanella)

Alfredo Colon

138

limoniid crane fly (Gnophomyia tristissima)

Alfredo Colon

139

twigsitters (Holopogon spp.)

Alfredo Colon

140

treehopper (Telamona decorata)

Alfredo Colon

141

dung fly (Cordilura varipes)

Alfredo Colon

142

limoniid crane fly (Antocha saxicola)

Alfredo Colon

143

brown lacewings (Micromus spp.)

Alfredo Colon

144

grape plume moth (Geina periscelidactylus)

Alfredo Colon

145

northern eudeilinia moth (Eudeilinia herminiata)

Alfredo Colon

146

variegated midget (Elaphria versicolor)

Alfredo Colon

147

clastopterid spittlebugs (Clastoptera spp.)

Alfredo Colon

148

spotted cuckoo spider wasp (Ceropales maculata)

Alfredo Colon

149

green cloverworm moth (Hypena scabra)

Alfredo Colon

150

ichneumonid wasps (Euceros spp.)

Alfredo Colon

151

predatory stink bug (Podisus brevispinus)

Alfredo Colon

152

buffalo treehoppers and allies (Tribe Ceresini)

Alfredo Colon

153

white long-legged cobweaver (Theridion albidum)

Alfredo Colon

154

hairy poplar sawfly (Cladius grandis)

Alfredo Colon

155

dwarf spiders (Subfamily Erigoninae)

Alfredo Colon

156

olethreutine leafroller moths (Olethreutes spp.)

Alfredo Colon

157

hairy-eyed mimic (Mallota posticata)

Alfredo Colon

158

rhododendron leafhopper (Graphocephala fennahi)

Alfredo Colon

159

dusky mucksucker (Orthonevra pulchella)

Alfredo Colon

160

picture-winged fly (Callopistromyia strigula)

Alfredo Colon

161

moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria)

Alfredo Colon

162

sidewalk mites (Balaustium spp.)

Alfredo Colon

163

large crane flies (Dolichopeza spp.)

Alfredo Colon

164

house fly (Eudasyphora cyanicolor)

Alfredo Colon

165

cow vetch (Vicia cracca)

Alfredo Colon

166

chalcidoid wasps (Oodera spp.)

Alfredo Colon

167

two-spotted tree cricket (Neoxabea bipunctata)

Alfredo Colon

168

snipe fly (Chrysopilus modestus)

Alfredo Colon

169

narrow-winged tree cricket (Oecanthus niveus)

Alfredo Colon

170

wild pansy (Viola tricolor)

Alfredo Colon

171

limoniid crane fly (Erioptera chlorophylla)

Alfredo Colon

172

rice leaf bug (Trigonotylus caelestialium)

Alfredo Colon

173

four-toothed mason wasp (Monobia quadridens)

Alfredo Colon

174

sawflies, horntails, and wood wasps (Suborder Symphyta)

Alfredo Colon

175

sawflies, horntails, and wood wasps (Suborder Symphyta)

Alfredo Colon

     

 

short-collared soldier beetle (Podabrus brevicollis) John Valo
 

confederate violet (Viola sororia f. priceana)

John Valo

 

swamp rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)

John Valo

 

Newfoundland Chanterelle (Cantharellus enelensis)

John Valo

 

jewel bug (Homaemus aeneifrons) John Valo