PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October x, 2026
Ectothermic (relying on external sources of heat) invertebrates don’t fare too well in freezing temperatures, but there are a few interesting ones to be on the lookout for. The non-native Asian lady beetles in the fall look for warm places to spend the winter. They are especially fond of entering human dwellings for a warmer reprieve. The other insect you’ll find sneaking inside is the western conifer seed bug, often mistaken for a “stinkbug” because of the pungent smell it produces after being disturbed. Most of our butterflies and moths are soon to be gone. Not an insect, but an arachnid worth mentioning is the dreaded eastern black-legged tick. Leave your leaves on the ground. They provide important nutrients for the soil and shelter for many beloved animals, from wood frogs to woolly bear caterpillars. ~ Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist Doug Hitchcox