Climate change strikes; anyone else missing critters??

[notemason]

For the first time ever there are no wasps present this summer. The opossums that I feed to keep the ticks cleaned up are not to be found. No black snakes, no bears, no deer. Again, first time ever. I'm in foothills of Blue Ridge and I can only guess they've moved up higher in the mountains.

[Ponietz]

1. Few butterflies or moths, no bumblebees or ladybugs

Just ants where I live.

[notemason]

2. Oh the ants

Have to wear long pants tucked into socks while in gardens. The ant bite is painful and he can bite several times. But I guess you know

[wendyb-NC]

6. Plenty of aunts.

[IbogaProject]

3. I blame Mosquito Joe

They are an anti mosquito outfit that sprays poison on peoples lawns. It is likely collapsing the food chain, as some wasps eat mosquitoes.

[notemason]

4. In the mountains, in the woods

no lawns to spray. Did find this:

But experts say their numbers have dwindled in 2024, and it isn't good news. Colder and wetter weather at the start of the summer season combined with climate change have had a global impact on wasp numbers.

[wendyb-NC]

5. It's stark

[notemason]

7. It truly is.

Someone said something like we are the only species that would let the world burn because it would not be cost-effective to save.

[japple]

8. I live in NW Georgia and we've had lots of butterflies this summer, those large

black mason bees, birds out the wazoo, but no bumbles or honeybees. We've got bats, raccoons, lots of hawks and deer. Armadillos are up here in the foothills, too. Haven't seen any possums this year (except those killed by cars on the highway) or snakes. I belong to a snake identification page on FB and there are still plenty of snakes in GA.

[Rebl2]

9. I have had

plenty of ants in and outside my house. No crickets or grasshoppers, but lots of honey bees, wasps, bumblebees and some butterflies, and finally the lady bugs are showing up. We have had many hummingbirds and birds in general this summer. I must say, the last few days not as many birds because we have a hawk that’s been visiting the yard, well except the hummingbirds, they are still around.

[beesplease]

10. Frogs

Definitely less frogs this year.

[biophile]

11. Very few paper wasps this year here

SE PA. Used to see 2 dozen wasp nests in the barn; this year only 2. Also fewer wolf spiders and Japanese beetles.
But lots of mosquitoes and early on in the season-flies! Now lots of ticks.

[biophile]

12. Forgot to mention - ANTS everywhere!

In everything and everywhere-