February and May counts many days exceeding 20°C (68°F) and therefore counts as one of the warmest and sunniest spring climates in the country. Summers (June to September) can be very hot and with temperatures often exceeding the 35°C (95°F) during midsummer. Because of its loess covered volcanic soils and the climatical situation, it is an internationally renominated wine-producing region. Since the last decades, there is a tendency to very little precipitation during the summer months. Autumn starts warm to still hot in September and cools down to around 10-12°C (50-54°F) by November on average. As the rest of the year, the southern location and direct mediterranean influence can make autumns warm and pleasant with temperatures up to 30°C (86°F) even in the second half of October, which is very rare in other parts of Germany. Besides the wine, the mild climate enables the wild cultivation of other sensitive fruits and vegetables like Kaki, Olive Trees, Fig Trees and Banana Trees. The region is also known for its wild growing cactus on old lava stones in the slopes of the Kaiserstuhl. Flora and fauna The climate of the Kaiserstuhl also explains the vast richness of thermophile flora and fauna. The Kaiserstuhl is for example one of the places with the largest variety of orchids in Europe – more than 30 species have been recorded. Among the vines wild grape hyacinths sprawl and along acclivities iris plants blossom. Furthermore, sand lizards (lacerta bilineata) and praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) live here – species which mainly occur in the Mediterranean area. (However, according to the latest research results the sand lizard presumably belongs to the allochthonous species of the European green lizard (Lacerta viridis)). The pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens) is a Xerophyte and normally only occurs in Southern Europe, but is also able to survive at the Kaiserstuhl. This species has a disjunct distribution, which means away from its normal habitat. It is a relict of a postglacial warm period where there had been a much warmer climate around the Kaiserstuhl. After the end of the warm period only the named species were able to survive. Besides there is a larger population of the May beetle (Melolontha melolontha). In spite of protests from conservationists the May Beetle is controlled by the use of insecticides. Conservation area In the centre of the Kaiserstuhl between the Vogt Burger districts of Schelingen and Oberbergen and the