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.

  Stanley Eddy Memorial Park Reserve

 

Species

Plants

  musk thistle

Native, naturalized, invasive, or simply planted—any plant growing outside of cultivation in Minnesota.

More than 900 plant pages include photos, a description, a distribution map, a list of sightings by MinnesotaSeasons.com, and visitor sightings.

 
    Photo by Alfredo Colon

Insects

  white underwing

Insects and arachnids found in Minnesota.

More than 900 insect and arachnid pages include photos, a description, a distribution map, a list of sightings by MinnesotaSeasons.com, and visitor sightings.

 
    Photo by Norm & Peg Dibble

Wildlife

  American red squirrel

Birds and bears, snakes and squirrels, toads and turtles—wildlife found in Minnesota.

Wildlife pages include photos, a description, a distribution map, a list of sightings by MinnesotaSeasons.com, and visitor sightings.

 
    Photo by Luciearl

Mushrooms, Lichens, and Other Fungi

  Yellow Morel

Mushrooms, lichens, and other fungi found in Minnesota.

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

 
     

 

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
 

487
Destinations

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,662
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

 

 

Prevernal Season

Prevernal is an ecological season. It does not correspond to any calendar season. Also called pre-spring, it fits between snow-covered winter and the wildflowers of spring. In Minnesota, it begins about March 1, as the weather warms and the snow melts, and lasts until about May 1. Deciduous tree buds begin to swell. Migrating birds fly from winter to summer habitats.

  Stanley Eddy Memorial Park Reserve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recent Uploads

March

Milwaukee mining bee

Babette Kis uploaded 4 photos of Milwaukee mining bee 5/16/2023.

potato flea beetle (Psylliodes affinis)

Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of potato flea beetle (Epitrix cucumeris) 7/8/2021.

raspberry fruitworm beetle

Babette Kis uploaded 2 photos of raspberry fruitworm beetle 10/19/2022.

banded net-wing beetle

Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of banded net-wing beetle 8/27/2023.

regal fritillary

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of regal fritillary 3/19/2024.

Silvery-violet Cort

Robert Briggs uploaded 1 photo of Silvery-violet Cort 10/20/2016.

King Bolete

Kathryn Wallis uploaded 2 photos of King Bolete 8/16/2020.

goldenseal

Babette Kis uploaded 4 photos of goldenseal 5/17/2023.

fulminating long-horned beetle

Michael Woolridge uploaded 2 photos of fulminating long-horned beetle 3/2/2024.

American idia moth

Luciearl uploaded 2 photos of American idia moth 3/13/2024.

Oriental beetle

Alfredo Colon uploaded 2 photos of Oriental beetle 8/27/2023.

regal fritillary

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of regal fritillary 3/9/2024.

spotted bird grasshopper

Babette Kis uploaded 1 photo of spotted bird grasshopper 11/9/2022.

monarch and regal fritillary

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of monarch and regal fritillary 3/2/2024.

two-spotted stink bug

Heather uploaded 2 photos of two-spotted stink bug 3/2/2024.

Black-footed Reindeer Lichen

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Black-footed Reindeer Lichen 2/26/2024.

Dark-eyed Junco

Betsy O’Rourke uploaded 2 photos of Dark-eyed Junco 3/1/2024.

flat-headed apple tree borer

Alfredo Colon uploaded 2 photos of flat-headed apple tree borer 12/20/2022.

February

flower weevil (Odontocorynus sp.)

Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of flower weevils (Odontocorynus spp.) 10/30/2022.

red speckled dun

Babette Kis uploaded 1 photo of red speckled dun 10/18/2022.

Green Reindeer Lichen

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Green Reindeer Lichen 2/26/2024.

Unidentified Lichen

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Unidentified Lichen 2/26/2024.

European snout beetle

Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of European snout beetle 7/6/2021.

European snout beetle

Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of European snout beetle 6/30/2021.

Bald Eagle

Bobbi Johnson uploaded 1 photo of Bald Eagle 2/24/2024.

regal fritillary

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of regal fritillary 2/24/2024.

American Redstart

Dan W. Andree uploaded 2 photos of American Redstart 2/23/2024.

Hammered Shield Lichen

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Hammered Shield Lichen 2/22/2024.

Star Rosette Lichen

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Star Rosette Lichen 2/22/2024.

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of George H. Crosby Manitou State Park 2/22/2024.

Mock Oyster Mushroom

Blyke uploaded 5 photos of Mock Oyster Mushroom 2/21/2024.

northern bush katydid

Babette Kis uploaded 2 photos of northern bush katydid 10/18/2022.

western poison ivy

Luciearl uploaded 2 photos of western poison ivy 2/20/2024.

tree climacium moss

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of tree climacium moss 2/13/2024.

pale green weevil

Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of pale green weevil 6/30/2021.

flower weevil (Odontocorynus sp.)

Babette Kis uploaded 1 photo of flower weevils (Odontocorynus spp.) 5/16/2023.

Black Witches’ Butter

Luciearl uploaded 3 photos of Black Witches’ Butter 1/22/2024.

Black Witches’ Butter

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Black Witches’ Butter 1/21/2024.

Canada thistle bud weevil

Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of Canada thistle bud weevil 12/12/2022.

Canada thistle bud weevil

Alfredo Colon uploaded 2 photos of Canada thistle bud weevil 9/9/2022.

western poison ivy

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of western poison ivy 2/13/2024.

brook trout

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of brook trout 2/13/2024.

black vine weevil

Babette Kis uploaded 2 photos of black vine weevil 10/20/2022.

Bald Eagle

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of Bald Eagle 2/11/2024.

Red Tree Brain Fungus

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Red Tree Brain Fungus 1/22/2024.

Red Tree Brain Fungus

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Red Tree Brain Fungus 1/21/2024.

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park

Dan W. Andree uploaded 3 photos of George H. Crosby Manitou State Park 2/8/2024.

veiny pea

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of veiny pea 2/8/2024.

baptisia seed pod weevil

Babette Kis uploaded 1 photo of baptisia seed pod weevil 10/6/2023.

flower bud weevil

Alfredo Colon uploaded 1 photo of flower bud weevil 12/12/2022.

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park

Dan W. Andree uploaded 1 photo of George H. Crosby Manitou State Park 2/6/2024.

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Lisa Hoover uploaded 1 photo of Eurasian Collared-Dove 2/5/2024.

Club-like Tuning Fork

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Club-like Tuning Fork 2/5/2024.

Star Rosette Lichen

Luciearl uploaded 1 photo of Star Rosette Lichen 2/3/2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Pages

March

3/23/2024

Milwaukee mining bee

3/23/2024

potato flea beetle (Epitrix cucumeris)

3/22/2024

raspberry fruitworm beetle

3/21/2024

banded net-wing beetle
3/19/2024

Silvery-violet Cort

3/18/2024

King Bolete

3/16/2024

goldenseal

3/14/2024

fulminating long-horned beetle

3/13/2024

showy goldenrod species complex
3/12/2024

showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa var. rigidiuscula) mame changed to stiff-leaved showy goldenrod (Solidago rigidiuscula)

3/12/2024

Oriental beetle

3/10/2024

hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa var. foliosa) name changed to leafy false goldenaster

3/9/2024

hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa var. ballardii) name changed to Ballard’s goldenaster (Heterotheca ballardii)

3/7/2024

spotted bird grasshopper

3/2/2024

Black-footed Reindeer Lichen

3/1/2024

flat-headed apple tree borer

February

2/29/2024

orange blister beetle

2/27/2024

red speckled dun

2/26/2024

European snout beetle

2/22/2024

Mock Oyster Mushroom

2/21/2024

northern bush katydid

2/20/2024

tree climacium moss

2/18/2024

pale green weevil

2/17/2024

flower weevils (Odontocorynus spp.)

2/16/2024

Black Witches’ Butter

2/15/2024

Canada thistle bud weevil

2/13/2024

black vine weevil

2/12/2024

Red Tree Brain Fungus

2/9/2024

baptisia seed pod weevil

2/8/2024

flower bud weevil

2/5/2024

little bluestem

2/2/2024

Common Rim Lichen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s Next

1

Weaver Dunes Addition

Nancy Falkum

2

lateral-lobed soldier beetle (Ditemnus latilobus)

Alfredo Colon

3

maize calligrapher (Toxomerus politus)

Babette Kis

4

triangular false click beetle (Microrhagus triangularis)

Alfredo Colon

5

orange-spotted drone fly (Eristalis anthophorina)

Babette Kis

6

spring tree-top flasher (Pyractomena borealis)

Alfredo Colon

7

wasp-like falsehorn (Temnostoma alternans)

Babette Kis

8

Canada fire-colored beetle (Dendroides canadensis)

Alfredo Colon

9

aphideaters (Eupeodes americanus complex)

Babette Kis

10

broad-banded meadow fly (Chrysotoxum plumeum)

Alfredo Colon

11

pufftails (Sphegina Subgenus Asiosphegina)

Babette Kis

12

common flower fly (Syrphus ribesii)

Alfredo Colon

13

tachinid flies (Cylindromyia spp.)

Babette Kis

14

gnat ogre (Holcocephala fusca)

Alfredo Colon

15

gnat ogre (Holcocephala calva)

Babette Kis

16

gnat ogres (Holcocephala spp.)

Alfredo Colon

17

bee fly (Chrysanthrax cypris)

Babette Kis

18

picture-winged fly (Pseudoseioptera albipes)

Alfredo Colon

19

fruit fly (Campiglossa albiceps)

Babette Kis

20

recumbent ground crab spider (Xysticus auctificus)

Alfredo Colon

21

thin-legged wolf spiders (Pardosa spp.)

Babette Kis

22

ant mimic jumping spider (Myrmarachne formicaria)

Alfredo Colon

23

grayish jumping spider (Phidippus princeps)

Babette Kis

24

eastern spurred ghost spider (Anyphaena pectorosa)

Alfredo Colon

25

three-banded crab spider (Xysticus triguttatus)

Babette Kis

26

ghost spiders (Anyphaena spp.) Alfredo Colon

27

peppered jumping spider (Pelegrina galathea)

Babette Kis

28

reddish checkered beetle (Enoclerus rosmarus)

Alfredo Colon

29

common barklouse (Metylophorus purus) Alfredo Colon

30

elegant crab spider (Xysticus elegans)

Alfredo Colon

31

Hart’s jumping spider (Tutelina harti) Alfredo Colon

32

heptagonal orbweaver (Gea heptagon) Alfredo Colon

33

black-tailed red sheetweaver (Florinda coccinea)

Alfredo Colon

34

shore spider (Pardosa milvina)

Alfredo Colon

35

lyric cobweaver (Yunohamella lyrica)

Alfredo Colon

36

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

Alfredo Colon

37

flea jumping spider (Naphrys pulex)

Alfredo Colon

38

hook-toothed money spider (Erigone dentosa)

Alfredo Colon

39

rustic wolf spider (Trochosa ruricola)

Alfredo Colon

40

triangle weaver (Hyptiotes cavatus)

Alfredo Colon

41

plant bug (Neurocolpus spp.)

Alfredo Colon

42

limoniid crane fly (Helius flavipes)

Alfredo Colon

43

short-winged nabis (Nabis rufusculus)

Alfredo Colon

44

ichneumonid wasp (Acroricnus stylator aequatus)

Alfredo Colon

45

brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys)

Alfredo Colon

46

eastern carpenter bee (Xylocopa virginica)

Alfredo Colon

47

gall midges and wood midges (Family Cecidomyiidae)

Alfredo Colon

48

gall midges (Subfamily Cecidomyiinae) Alfredo Colon

49

plant bugs (Plagiognathus spp.)

Alfredo Colon

50

cutleaf teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus)

Alfredo Colon

51

northern flatid planthopper (Flatormenis proxima)

Alfredo Colon

52

dirt-colored seed bug (Ozophora picturata)

Alfredo Colon

53

root maggot flies (Family Anthomyiidae)

Alfredo Colon

54

common sawfly (Monostegia abdominalis)

Alfredo Colon

55

common crane fly (Tipula furca)

Alfredo Colon

56

obscure plant bug (Plagiognathus obscurus)

Alfredo Colon

57

scarlet plant bugs (Lopidea spp.)

Alfredo Colon

58

fork-tailed bush katydid (Scudderia furcata)

Alfredo Colon

59

common stoneflies (Family Perlidae)

Alfredo Colon

60

tree cattle (Cerastipsocus venosus)

Alfredo Colon

61

longlegged fly (Condylostylus caudatus group)

Alfredo Colon

62

Canadian potter wasp (Symmorphus canadensis)

Alfredo Colon

63

black bean aphid (Aphis fabae)

Alfredo Colon

64

tiger fly (Coenosia tigrina)

Alfredo Colon

65

hairy evening primrose (Oenothera villosa ssp. villosa)

Alfredo Colon

66

oval ambersnail (Novisuccinea ovalis)

Alfredo Colon

67

brown knapweed (Centaurea jacea)

Alfredo Colon

68

horned squash bug (Anasa armigera)

Alfredo Colon

69

eastern black carpenter ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus)

Alfredo Colon

70

retrorse sedge (Carex retrorsa)

Alfredo Colon

71

bald-faced hornet fly (Spilomyia fusca)

Alfredo Colon

72

slender springtail (Homidia socia)

Alfredo Colon

73

common ragweed fruit fly (Euaresta bella)

Alfredo Colon

74

fruit fly (Eutreta noveboracensis)

Alfredo Colon

75

walnut lace bug (Corythucha juglandis)

Alfredo Colon

76

round bullet gall wasp (Disholcaspis quercusglobulus)

Alfredo Colon

77

stink bug (Mormidea lugens)

Alfredo Colon

78

entomophagus fungus (Entomophaga maimaiga)

Alfredo Colon

79

tachinid fly (Zelia vertebrata)

Alfredo Colon

80

braconid wasps (Opius spp.)

Alfredo Colon

81

tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris)

Alfredo Colon

82

stink bug (Dendrocoris humeralis)

Alfredo Colon

83

broad-winged skipper (Poanes viator)

Alfredo Colon

84

weevil wasp (Cerceris halone)

Alfredo Colon

85

Texas striped sweat bee (Agapostemon texanus)

Alfredo Colon

86

leaf miner flies (Liriomyza spp.)

Alfredo Colon

87

Hemlock Varnish Shelf (Ganoderma tsugae)

Alfredo Colon

88

horned parasitic cobweaver (Neospintharus trigonum)

Alfredo Colon

89

violet dancer (Argia fumipennis violacea)

Alfredo Colon

90

privet leafhopper (Fieberiella florii)

Alfredo Colon

91

plant bugs (Phytocoris spp.)

Alfredo Colon

92

brown centipede (Lithobius forficatus)

Alfredo Colon

93

alder spittlebug (Clastoptera obtusa)

Alfredo Colon

94

featherlegged orbweaver (Uloborus glomosus)

Alfredo Colon

95

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

Alfredo Colon

96

carrot wasps (Gasteruption spp.)

Alfredo Colon

97

wood nettle gall midge (Dasineura investita)

Alfredo Colon

98

plant bug (Phytocoris eximius)

Alfredo Colon

99

chalcidoid wasp (Leucospis affinis)

Alfredo Colon

100

assassin bugs (Family Reduviidae)

Alfredo Colon

101

striped sweat bees (Agapostemon spp.)

Alfredo Colon

102

dog day cicadas (Neotibicen spp.)

Alfredo Colon

103

starry bristle moss (Orthotrichum stellatum)

Alfredo Colon

104

nosy pill woodlouse (Armadillidium nasatum)

Alfredo Colon

105

pine tree spur-throat grasshopper (Melanoplus punctulatus)

Alfredo Colon

106

crisped pincushion (Ulota crispa)

Alfredo Colon

107

painted harvestman (Odiellus pictus)

Alfredo Colon

108

hybotid dance flies (Tachypeza spp.)

Alfredo Colon

109

smoky poplar aphid (Chaitophorus populicola)

Alfredo Colon

110

spreadwings and allies (Family Lestidae)

Alfredo Colon

111

mining bees (Andrena Subgenus Melandrena)

Alfredo Colon

112

two-spotted leafwalker (Xylota angustiventris)

Alfredo Colon

113

Hooded Rosette Lichen (Physcia adscendens)

Alfredo Colon

114

rough stink bug (Brochymena arborea)

Alfredo Colon

115

common crane fly (Tipula caloptera)

Alfredo Colon

116

flat-footed flies (Platypeza spp.)

Alfredo Colon

117

fungus (Gibellula pulchra)

Alfredo Colon

118

European alder spittlebug (Aphrophora alni)

Alfredo Colon

119

Common Gilled Mushrooms and Allies (Order Agaricales)

Alfredo Colon

120

gold-marked thread-waisted wasp (Eremnophila aureonotata)

Alfredo Colon

121

miserable mining bee (Andrena miserabilis)

Alfredo Colon

122

oribatid mites (Galumna spp.)

Alfredo Colon

123

Collared Parachute (Marasmius rotula)

Alfredo Colon

124

Strict-branched Coral Fungus (Ramaria stricta)

Alfredo Colon

125

tachinid fly (Gymnoclytia occidua)

Alfredo Colon

126

lyre-tipped spreadwing (Lestes unguiculatus)

Alfredo Colon

127

ichneumonid wasps (Glypta spp.)

Alfredo Colon

128

tumbling ragdoll flower beetle (Mordella marginata) Alfredo Colon

129

ichneumonid wasps (Subtribe Agrothereutina) Alfredo Colon

130

sand-loving wasps (Tachytes spp.)

Alfredo Colon

131

rough avens (Geum laciniatum)

Alfredo Colon

132

   

133

   

134

   

135

   
 

 

 

 

jewel bug (Homaemus aeneifrons) John Valo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Created: 12/13/2003

Last Updated:

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