Bog-specialist
Guides
Aeshna
Hawkers, Mosaic Darners
Aeshna is a genus of large dragonflies in the family Aeshnidae, commonly known as hawkers in the Old World and mosaic darners in North America. The genus name was coined by Danish entomologist Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775, possibly from a printer's error in spelling the Greek 'Aechma' (spear). Species in this genus are characterized by their relatively large size, brown thoraces and abdomens with distinctive blue, yellow, or green markings. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many Neotropical and other species reclassified into separate genera such as Rhionaeschna, Afroaeschna, and others based on phylogenetic studies.
Aeshna canadensis
Canada Darner
Aeshna canadensis, the Canada darner, is a large dragonfly species in the family Aeshnidae. First described by Edmund Murton Walker in 1908, it is common throughout southern Canada and the northern United States. Adults are active from June to October. The species has been documented undertaking north-south migratory movements within its range, representing the first conclusive evidence of migration in the genus Aeshna in North America.
Aeshna juncea
Common Hawker, Moorland Hawker, Sedge Darner
Aeshna juncea, known as the Common Hawker, Moorland Hawker, or Sedge Darner, is a large hawker dragonfly with a Holarctic distribution spanning the Palearctic from Ireland to Japan and northern North America. It is one of the larger Aeshna species and is strongly associated with acidic bog habitats, particularly in Scotland where it is a prominent bog specialist. The species has a flight period from June to early October. Recent genomic research has revealed that Alaskan populations underwent population bottlenecks during the most recent ice age, and the species has been used as a model for studying genome size variation in Odonata driven by transposons and repetitive elements.
Appalachia arcana
Michigan bog grasshopper, secretive locust
Appalachia arcana is a short-winged grasshopper endemic to Michigan, United States. It is the only grasshopper species restricted entirely to this state. The species is flightless and does not produce sound. Breeding occurs in September. It inhabits sphagnum bogs surrounded by jack pine trees.
Boloria eunomia
Bog Fritillary, Ocellate Bog Fritillary
Boloria eunomia is a circumboreal fritillary butterfly distributed across the Holarctic in tundra, forest-tundra, and open acid bog habitats. Adults are orange-brown with distinctive round silver spots on the hindwing underside, a key diagnostic feature. The species exhibits ecotypic variation: meadow populations feed primarily on Polygonum bistorta, while bog populations utilize Ericaceae including Vaccinium species. It is univoltine with adults flying from late May through July depending on latitude. The species is considered vulnerable in parts of its range due to habitat loss from drainage, recreational development, and climate change.
Boloria frigga
Frigga Fritillary
Boloria frigga is a circumboreal fritillary butterfly distributed across northern bogs and tundra habitats. The species exhibits a biennial life cycle, producing one generation every two years. Larvae feed on specific bog plants including cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) and small cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos). The species name derives from Frigg, a goddess in Norse mythology.
Callophrys lanoraieensis
bog elfin
Callophrys lanoraieensis, the bog elfin, is a small North American butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is a habitat specialist restricted to peatland ecosystems dominated by black spruce and tamarack. The species has a limited distribution in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, with isolated populations across its range. Its small size, dull brown coloration, and lack of hindwing tails distinguish it from related elfin species.
Coenonympha tullia insulana
Large Heath butterfly (subspecies)
Coenonympha tullia insulana is a subspecies of the Large Heath butterfly, a member of the Satyrinae subfamily within Nymphalidae. The species is associated with peatland habitats, particularly blanket bogs. It is one of several subspecies of Coenonympha tullia found across parts of Europe and potentially North America, though specific details for insulana are limited in the provided sources.
Coenonympha tullia ochracea
Large Heath, Ochraceous Ringlet
Coenonympha tullia ochracea is a subspecies of the Large Heath butterfly, a satyrine nymphalid found in peatland and bog habitats across northern Europe and North America. This subspecies exhibits the characteristic orange-ochre coloration that distinguishes it from other C. tullia forms. The species is notable for its association with intact blanket bog ecosystems, where it serves as an indicator of healthy peatland conditions. Like other Coenonympha species, it faces threats from habitat degradation, drainage, and wildfire.
Eristalis cryptarum
Bog-dwelling Drone Fly, Bog Hoverfly
Eristalis cryptarum is a Holarctic hoverfly species specializing in bog and wetland habitats. It is notable for its restricted distribution and significant population declines across Europe, with extirpation from much of its former English range and critical endangerment in Denmark. The species exhibits classic Eristalis morphology with distinctive coloration and is a member of the drone fly group, though it is not a bee mimic to the same degree as some congeners. Its larvae are assumed to be aquatic filter-feeders in saturated peat, though they remain undescribed.
Glena cognataria
Blueberry Gray, blueberry gray moth
Glena cognataria, commonly known as the blueberry gray moth, is a small geometrid moth native to eastern North America. Adults have forewings measuring 13–15 mm. The species is associated with bogs and pine barrens habitats, with larvae feeding primarily on blueberry and various hardwood species. It is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut, where it is believed extirpated.
Leucorrhinia
whitefaces
Leucorrhinia is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, commonly known as whitefaces due to their distinctive pale frons. The genus name derives from Greek 'leuco' (white) and 'rhinus' (nose). Species within this genus are associated with wetland habitats, particularly acidic bog pools with Sphagnum moss. Several species are of conservation concern due to specialized habitat requirements and vulnerability to habitat degradation.
Leucorrhinia hudsonica
Hudsonian Whiteface
Leucorrhinia hudsonica, the Hudsonian Whiteface, is a dragonfly species in the family Libellulidae. Its common name derives from its association with the Hudson Bay region. The species has disjunct, regionally rare populations in the Appalachian Mountains. As a member of the genus Leucorrhinia, it shares characteristics with other whiteface dragonflies, including the distinctive pale facial coloration that gives the group its common name.
Libellula quadrimaculata
Four-spotted Skimmer, Four-spotted Chaser
Libellula quadrimaculata, known as the four-spotted skimmer in North America and four-spotted chaser in Europe, is a holarctic dragonfly species found across Europe, Asia, and North America. This species exhibits notable behavioral plasticity in males, who adopt either territorial or satellite mating strategies depending on competitive conditions. It is also recognized for its gregarious migratory behavior, with historical records of immense swarms in Europe and documented migration flights in North America.
Lycaena dorcas
dorcas copper, cinquefoil copper
Lycaena dorcas is a small gossamer-winged butterfly native to North America, first described by William Kirby in 1837. It is commonly known as the dorcas copper or cinquefoil copper. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in dorsal coloration and has a single annual flight period between June and September. It inhabits bogs and old overgrown fields across a broad northern range extending from boreal Alaska to the Great Lakes region.
Raphiptera
diminutive grass-veneer
Raphiptera is a monotypic genus of crambid moths containing a single species, Raphiptera argillaceellus, commonly known as the diminutive grass-veneer. The genus is characterized by its small size and restricted bog-dwelling habitat. It was described by Hampson in 1896.
Raphiptera argillaceellus
Diminutive Grass-veneer
Raphiptera argillaceellus, the Diminutive Grass-veneer, is a small crambid moth and the sole member of its monotypic genus. It occurs across eastern North America from Labrador and Quebec south to Florida and Texas, with records extending to Costa Rica. The species is strongly associated with bog habitats. Adults are small with relatively plain, clay-colored forewings that give the species its specific epithet.
Somatochlora brevicincta
Quebec Emerald, Robert's Emerald
Somatochlora brevicincta is a rare dragonfly in the family Corduliidae, first described by Canadian entomologist Adrien Robert in 1954. It belongs to the 'ringed' group of emeralds, distinguished by faint whitish rings on the abdomen. The species is among the rarest Odonata in Canada, with a transcontinental distribution across boreal and subarctic regions. It is classified as vulnerable to critically imperiled across most of its range.
Somatochlora incurvata
Incurvate Emerald
Somatochlora incurvata, the Incurvate Emerald, is a medium-sized dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. First described by Canadian entomologist Edmund Murton Walker in 1918 from Michigan specimens, it was initially suspected to be a local race of the closely related forcipate emerald. The species occupies a restricted range in northeastern North America and is specialized to bog and fen habitats, where larvae develop within saturated Sphagnum moss.
Sympetrum danae
Black Darter, Black Meadowhawk
Sympetrum danae is a small dragonfly with a northern Holarctic distribution, found in northern Europe, Asia, and North America. It is Britain's smallest resident dragonfly at 29–34 mm long. The species is strongly associated with acidic bog habitats and is active from mid-June to mid-November, with peak activity in late summer. Mature males are entirely black, making this the only Sympetrum species lacking red coloration in males.
Williamsonia fletcheri
Ebony Boghaunter
Williamsonia fletcheri, commonly known as the ebony boghaunter, is a small dragonfly in the emerald family Corduliidae. It is one of North America's earliest-flying dragonflies, active in May and June. The species is strongly associated with acidic bog habitats and has a restricted range in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. It is considered rare across most of its range and is classified as endangered in Massachusetts.
Williamsonia lintneri
Ringed Boghaunter
Williamsonia lintneri, commonly known as the ringed boghaunter, is a small dragonfly in the emerald family Corduliidae. It inhabits acid bogs in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, with a restricted range spanning Wisconsin, Michigan, New England, New York, New Jersey, and Ontario. Adults are active early in the season, primarily during May and June. The species is distinguished by distinctive yellow rings on the abdomen and gray-black coloration.