- During winter in Juneau I often notice a variety of insects on the snow.
- This seems to happen mostly when the temperature rises above 32 degrees for a short period.
- Why would an insect run about on the snow during winter?
- It could be for mating — easier to find a mate with fewer species flying about — less birds about to eat them.
- Some look for prey to eat.
- Springtails use the fairly flat snow to move from one habitat to another — they apparently orientate on the sun or dark horizon to go in a constant direction.
- It is fun to lay down on the snow and watch the tiny insects moving about and to think about why.
