Little lives depend on fallen leaves to survive the long cold winter months 🍂 ⁣ ⁣ Here's an introduction to a few of them, and why we should consider going a little easier on the rake when we can. #LeaveTheLeaves⁣ ⁣ Your yard is a universe ✨ To creatures that call your yard home, leaves are not litter 🍂⁣ ⁣ 🐝 During winter, mated queen bumblebees hibernate in small holes underground, with thick leaves offering them protection. Many bees native to Canada, such as leafcutter and mason bees, nest and lay their eggs in the ground or in hollow plant stems so that young can emerge in spring.⁣ ⁣ 🦋 Great spangled fritillary and woolly bear caterpillars bury into leaves for protection from the cold and predators. Luna moths and swallowtail butterflies camouflage their cocoons and chrysalises as dried leaves.⁣ ⁣ 🐞 Most ladybugs hibernate, sometimes under leaves or rocks. They might be joined by the adults, eggs or pupae of assassin bugs, lacewings, big-eyed bugs, minute pirate bugs, damsel b...