Spring is dragging along this year because we’ve had cool weather longer than usual. That’s a good thing!

But is has also meant some insects are behind their usual schedule.

solitary beesTake the solitary bees, like the digger and sweat bees. Usually we have clouds of tiny bees visiting flowers in March. This year they have been delayed.

The cuckoo bee can be an indicator. I watch the desert marigolds for them every year. This is a photograph of the first one I’ve spotted this year and it is April 15, 2020. In past years, we’ve seen them in February and March.

Taking photographs can be a way of keeping records of when certain events occur.

Do you have any insects that you look for year after year?