Woodland Wildlife - Hibernation?

[Jason Green]

Hi WAB'ers,

When do most of our woodland insects go into hibernation or die off, such as hoverflies, spiders, ants, etc.? I just mean an approximate month, such as this or the next.

I take it large areas of woodland feel the lowering temperatures to a lesser degree than open moorland, heaths etc, and so retain them for slightly longer?

Thanks.

Take care,

Jason

[Dogghound]

Yes woodlands have a higher microclimate than moorland and heath for example. However most of the inhabitants of open areas are adapted i different ways and therefor can survive that little bit longer there, so its usually quite similar in hibernation time unless conditions are extreme then moorland will be more affected. Regarding hibernation different groups show a large amount of variance, with variance of species. As we gets cooler longer nights less insects will be around. To average it all its around late September to early October most will disappear. Although depending on whereabouts in Britain you are will have a large affect on it.

[Jason Green]

Thanks Dogghound, again - that will leave about another month or so

Better make the most of it!

[Dogghound]

I usually concentrate on mammals through the colde months when the insects and herptiles dissapear. Theres always something around .