March EcoQuest

Wings in Spring

Insects form the biological foundation in which our ecosystems rely. Many species that have overwintered emerge at the early inception of spring such as the widely observed and long-lived Mourning Cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa), as well as many other winged insects such as moths, bees, wasps, flies, beetles, true bugs, and winged winter ants. The queens of many bee species emerge in March looking to find a suitable place for a new home, while others, such as the Unequal Cellophane Bee (Colletes inaequalis), get busy pollinating the early blooms of the maple trees.

All the taxa included in this project have been observed in their adult stage (with wings) in March. See how many flying insects you can find!