It’s been unseasonably cold here in the Pacific Northwest, and that means a late start for insect activity. Aside from the odd, confused insect venturing out on a sunny day, like the aptly named Atimia confusa beetle above, it’s been really quiet. The flowering plants are also behind schedule, so there’s not much food available yet.
By this time last year, osoberries were fully in bloom, as well as some fruit trees. I saw this fuzzy orange fly in mid-February. I think it may be a bulb fly.
And this time two years ago, there were all kinds of super cool insects in seasonal ponds. Above is, I’m fairly sure, a Berosus genus water scavenger beetle.
The forecast for the next 10 days still doesn’t have temperatures going over 50 degrees. It’ll be interesting to see just how manic all the insects are when it’s finally the right conditions for them.
Cheers!
Ticklehead 