Insect life at the James

Although we normally think wildlife at the James as the vertebrate species, birds, mammals, and reptiles/amphibians, the majority of animal species are the invertebrates, primarily insects.  Many of these species are small and inconspicuous but many others, such as the butterflies, add small splashes of color as they crawl, fly, or hop around doing what they need to do.  One notable occasion at the James is when the ladybugs swarm.  At that time of the year, they will cover sunny surfaces of buildings and in the heat of the day fill the air as they fly around.  Though just a very small proportion of our invertebrate assemblage at the James, enjoy the photographs below.