Here’s why common bugs in Denver are coming out earlier this year

DENVER (KDVR) — As Denver starts to creep into the 70s and 80s, it’s a time for flowers to bloom, sweaters to be placed in storage and bees, moths and other common bugs to start emerging from the cold winter.

While there are still some traces of snow in the air, bugs are starting to come out in Denver, and according to the Butterfly Pavilion, the city is seeing them earlier than last year.

Denver is seeing bugs earlier this year

The timing is always a little different when it comes to bugs appearing after the winter season.

“For most species, it’s highly dependent on multiple factors such as photoperiod, temperature, general weather, et cetera,” said Michael Abante with the Butterfly Pavilion.

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As for this year in the Mile High City, the Butterfly Pavilion is seeing a lot of species earlier than last year.

In 2023, the pavilion said, “things were delayed,” because spring was so wet and cold. With the temperatures already hitting the 70s and 80s this April, the bugs are starting to appear.

While you may have seen common bugs like bees and flies already, it’s not prime time for bugs just yet.

When will the bugs come out?

As of mid-April, the pavilion said it has already seen grasshoppers and even a black swallowtail.

For common bugs like bees and flies, the pavilion is seeing an increase in them popping out in mid-April, but there aren’t a ton just yet.

Meanwhile, for other common bugs like miller months, May through early June is prime time for them to emerge as they begin migration on Colorado’s high plains, according to the pavilion.

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