First of the Season

There has been snow on the ground in Montpelier for a few weeks now.  Longer at higher elevations.  But only now have I gotten out to look for bugs.  On a short walk to collect firewood today, I ran across a few insects on the surface of the meager 2-inch thick snow. 

My first of the season was a beetle, likely the Ocellate Rove Beetle Carcinocephalus flavidus.  I found it perched on a log near the trailhead with its wings popping out.  Only the males are long-winged in this species. 

Because there had already been a good deal of melting since the last snowfall, the forest floor was littered with bits of bark, leaves, and twigs.  Spotting insects on the ground would not have been easy.  The only other insects I saw were in the air.  Two winter craneflies (Trichoceridae) were spotted on the wing.  One landed on my pant leg just long enough to snap a picture before it was gently floating on its way.

With a 40 degree, overcast day, it seemed inevitable that I'd see some insects.  Hopefully this will be the start of a productive winter for active insects!