Beringia
Guides
Acerentomidae
coneheads
Acerentomidae is a family of minute, wingless, eyeless soil-dwelling hexapods in the order Protura. Members lack tracheae and rely on cuticular gas exchange for respiration. The family exhibits exceptional diversity in the northeastern Palearctic, with 31 species documented from Siberia and the Russian Far East, and 19 species in 13 genera in Arctic regions alone. Arctic species typically possess more setae than temperate relatives and show high endemism with restricted distributions.
Basiaeschna
springtime darner
Basiaeschna is a monotypic genus of dragonflies in the family Aeshnidae, containing the single extant species Basiaeschna janata, commonly called the springtime darner. The genus is notable for its early seasonal flight period and distinctive bluish coloration. A fossil species, †Basiaeschna alaskaensis, has been described from the Paleocene-Eocene boundary in Alaska, providing evidence of the genus's ancient presence in North America and potential trans-Beringian origin.
Connatichela
Connatichela is a genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Entiminae, described by Anderson in 1984. The genus is currently monotypic, containing only C. artemisiae, which is endemic to the Yukon Territory. Members are characterized by connate (joined at base) tarsal claws, absence of metepisternal suture, lack of scales on antennal funiculus, and presence of broad scales on antennal scape. The genus has a documented Pleistocene fossil record from Alaska and western Northwest Territories, indicating a formerly broader distribution.
Connatichela artemisiae
Connatichela artemisiae is a monotypic weevil species endemic to the Yukon Territory, Canada, and the sole member of its genus. The species was described in 1984 and represents a distinctive lineage within the subfamily Entiminae, characterized by unique tarsal claw morphology. Fossil evidence indicates a broader Pleistocene distribution across Beringia, with modern restriction to the Yukon likely reflecting post-glacial habitat loss. Adults have been documented in association with small Artemisia species.
Xyela
pine catkin sawflies, pine shoot gall sawflies
Xyela is a genus of primitive sawflies in the family Xyelidae, established in 1819. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution with approximately 50 described species, including both extant and fossil taxa. Most species are associated with Pinus (pine) as larval hosts, developing inside staminate cones; one species, X. gallicaulis, forms shoot galls instead. Adults are early spring fliers often found on Salix or Alnus catkins near host pines.