Boreal-forest
Guides
Anastrangalia sanguinea
Anastrangalia sanguinea is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) first described by LeConte in 1859. The species belongs to the subfamily Lepturinae, a group commonly known as flower longhorns due to their frequent association with blossoms. It occurs across northern North America, with documented records from western Canada through to eastern Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with coniferous forest habitats.
Archips dissitana
Boldly-marked Archips Moth
Archips dissitana, commonly known as the Boldly-marked Archips Moth, is a tortricid moth species distributed across boreal forests of North America from Alberta to Nova Scotia, extending south to Minnesota and North Carolina in the Appalachian Mountains. The species was first described by Grote in 1879 as Tortrix dissitana and later transferred to the genus Archips. As a member of the leafroller moth genus Archips, its larvae likely feed on woody plants and construct characteristic rolled leaf shelters, though specific host associations for this species require further documentation.
Catocala briseis
Briseis Underwing, Ribbed Underwing
Catocala briseis is a medium-sized underwing moth in the family Erebidae, distributed across the North American boreal forest region. Adults are active from July to September and possess the characteristic underwing morphology: cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings. The species was first described by William Henry Edwards in 1864.
Choristoneura fumiferana
eastern spruce budworm, spruce budworm
Choristoneura fumiferana, the eastern spruce budworm, is a tortricid moth native to eastern North America and the most destructive forest insect in the region's spruce-fir forests. The species exhibits dramatic population oscillations with outbreaks occurring approximately every 30–40 years, during which larvae defoliate millions of hectares of host trees. These cycles have been documented since at least the 16th century through tree-ring studies. The species serves as a critical food source for specialized avian predators during outbreak phases and has been the subject of extensive research into population dynamics and forest pest management.
Choristostigma plumbosignalis
Choristostigma plumbosignalis is a small crambid moth described by Charles H. Fernald in 1888. The species is distributed across western and central North America, from British Columbia and Alberta south to Arizona and New Mexico, and east to South Dakota. Adults have a wingspan of 20–21 mm and are active during summer months.
Cimberidini
Cimberidini is a small tribe of leaf-rolling weevils (Attelabidae) distinguished by their association with coniferous host plants, primarily in the family Pinaceae. The tribe contains the genus Cimberis, whose species are specialized on conifer foliage and cones. These weevils exhibit the characteristic leaf-rolling or leaf-folding behavior of the subfamily Attelabinae, though modified for conifer hosts. The tribe has a Holarctic distribution with species found in North America and Eurasia.
Coccinella monticola
mountain lady beetle, Tamarack ladybug
Coccinella monticola is a species of lady beetle native to western North America, with disjunct populations in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Adults measure 5.2 to 7 mm in length and are distinguished by two oval spots on each elytron plus a single spot behind the head. The species is known to occur in montane and northern forest habitats, including areas with tamarack (Larix laricina), which contributes to one of its common names. It can be confused with the similar Coccinella difficilis.
Coenagrion resolutum
taiga bluet
Coenagrion resolutum, commonly known as the taiga bluet, is a damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. Males exhibit blue coloration with black dorsal markings on abdominal segments 3–5, while females appear greenish-blue to yellowish-green with nearly contiguous black dorsal markings. The species has been studied for its larval growth ecology, showing slower development compared to sympatric species like Lestes disjunctus.
Dioryctria banksiella
Dioryctria banksiella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described in 1969 from Canadian specimens. The larvae develop within galls formed by the western gall rust fungus (Cronartium harknessii) on jack pine (Pinus banksiana) trunks. Early instars feed on gall tissue beneath the bark, while later instars mine deeper into the gall. The species is known only from western and central Canada.
Enargia decolor
Pale Enargia, Aspen Twoleaf Tier Moth
A noctuid moth with boreal-transcontinental distribution across North America, primarily associated with trembling aspen and related poplar species. Adults are active in late summer, with larvae capable of reaching outbreak densities that cause extensive defoliation of host stands. The species shows a disjunct western distribution pattern that may represent cryptic diversity.
Enargia fausta
Etched Sallow
Enargia fausta is a noctuid moth described by Schmidt in 2010. It is restricted to the boreal forest and boreal-deciduous forest transition zone of North America, ranging from central Alberta to New Brunswick with eastern records extending to the Ottawa River Valley. The species was long confused with Enargia infumata due to morphological similarity but differs in its more limited geographic distribution, lacking the Rocky Mountain and northern extensions of that species. Adults are active in late summer, and larvae feed on specific hardwood tree species.
Eufidonia convergaria
Pine Powder Moth, Converged Powder Moth
Eufidonia convergaria is a North American geometrid moth commonly known as the pine powder moth. The species is strongly associated with Pinus forests across northern and western regions of the continent. Adults are active in late spring and early summer, with larvae specialized on pine foliage.
Eupithecia albicapitata
Spruce Cone Geometer
Eupithecia albicapitata is a small geometrid moth first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1876. It occurs across northern North America from Newfoundland to Alaska and south to New York. The species has been documented visiting apple flowers, contributing to nocturnal pollination services. As a member of the 'pug' genus Eupithecia, it exhibits the narrow-winged morphology and distinctive resting posture characteristic of this diverse group.
Feralia jocosa
jocose sallow, joker moth
Feralia jocosa is a noctuid moth known as the jocose sallow or joker moth. It occurs across boreal and temperate forests of North America from Newfoundland to coastal British Columbia, though it is replaced by the related Feralia deceptiva in the lower mainland and Vancouver Island. The species is a spring flyer with a narrow wingspan of 30–32 mm. Larvae are specialized feeders on Pinus species, with documented use of Tsuga canadensis in some populations.
Feralia major
Major Sallow
Feralia major is a noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 40 mm. It occurs across the northeastern United States and southern boreal forest of Canada, extending west to Alberta. Adults are active in April, with timing varying by location. The species was first described by John Bernhardt Smith in 1890.
Gnaphosa borea
Gnaphosa borea is a ground spider species in the family Gnaphosidae with a Holarctic distribution. The species is found in boreal forest habitats across northern Eurasia and North America. It has been documented in Russia (Tuva, South Siberia), Alaska, Maine, and several Canadian provinces including Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. The species appears to be associated with post-fire conditions in boreal forests and is rarely collected in harvest-origin forest stands.
Gnoristinae
fungus gnats
Gnoristinae is a subfamily of fungus gnats within the family Mycetophilidae. As of 2019, over 442 species have been described across more than 30 genera, making it one of the most taxonomically challenging groups in Mycetophilidae with species and generic boundaries subject to frequent revision. The subfamily has been characterized as highly diverse with new taxa described annually from various parts of the world. Members are generally small flies, with some species reaching only 3 mm in body length.
Herpetogramma aquilonalis
Herpetogramma aquilonalis is a species of pearl moth in the family Crambidae. It occurs in boreal forests across Canada and the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States. The species is known for its leaf-rolling larval behavior on various host plants. It was described relatively recently in 2021 by Handfield and Handfield.
Hyalophora columbia columbia
Columbia Silk Moth
The Columbia Silk Moth is a subspecies of giant silk moth in the family Saturniidae. Adults are among the largest North American moths. Larvae typically feed on larch, though intergrade populations show dietary flexibility. The subspecies occurs in boreal and north-temperate regions, with documented populations in Wisconsin and intergrade zones in northwestern Ontario. Adult flight peaks in early June. Natural hybridization with related species occurs rarely despite sympatric overlap.
Ips perturbatus
Northern Spruce Engraver
Ips perturbatus, the northern spruce engraver, is a bark beetle in the family Curculionidae (subfamily Scolytinae) that colonizes spruce trees (Picea spp.) across northern North America. It is primarily associated with white spruce (Picea glauca) and typically breeds on trees already killed or weakened by other agents, though it can attack stressed living trees. The species has one generation per year in most of its range, with adults overwintering in the ground. Males initiate galleries and attract 1–4 females to form harems; females construct egg tunnels averaging 10 cm in length and lay approximately 49 eggs each. The species is notable for its associations with ophiostomatoid fungi, particularly Leptographium fruticetum, which may play a role in its ecology.
Ips tridens
Western Engraver
Ips tridens is a bark beetle species in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Scolytinae, first described by Wood in 1982. It is commonly known as the Western Engraver. The species is distributed across northern North America, with records from Alberta, British Columbia, the Northern Territories, and Yukon Territory in Canada. Like other Ips species, it is associated with coniferous trees and belongs to a genus known for creating distinctive gallery patterns beneath bark.
Leptothorax canadensis
Northern Thin Ant
Leptothorax canadensis is a small myrmicine ant native to eastern North America, where it is one of the most common ants in boreal coniferous forests. The species exhibits facultative polygyny, with colonies containing multiple fertile queens. It is also known as a slave-making ant, conducting organized raids on host colonies—particularly Leptothorax muscorum—to capture pupae that emerge as workers serving the slave-making colony. Genetic studies indicate a multicolonial population structure with moderate gene flow and no evidence of inbreeding.
Lestes disjunctus
Northern Spreadwing
Lestes disjunctus, commonly known as the Northern Spreadwing, is a damselfly species in the family Lestidae. It is widely distributed across North America and inhabits a variety of freshwater habitats including riverine wetlands, ponds, and marshes. The species exhibits a univoltine life cycle with egg diapause, requiring overwintering before hatching. Adults emerge in late June through July and remain active until late August. Larvae are predatory, feeding primarily on zooplankton and small aquatic invertebrates. The species holds its wings at approximately 45 degrees to the body when at rest, a characteristic posture of spreadwing damselflies.
Leucobrephos brephoides
Scarce Infant Moth
Leucobrephos brephoides is a small geometrid moth known as the scarce infant moth. It is one of the earliest moths to appear in spring, with adults active from March through May. The species is restricted to North American boreal and montane forests, where its larvae feed on several deciduous tree species including aspen and birch.
Macrochilo bivittata
Two-striped Owlet, Two-striped Snout-moth
Macrochilo bivittata is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1877. The species is known by two common names: Two-striped Owlet and Two-striped Snout-moth. It is distributed across the parklands and southern boreal forest of North America, from the Atlantic coast west to central Alberta.
Nepytia canosaria
False Hemlock Looper Moth, false hemlock looper
Nepytia canosaria is a North American geometrid moth commonly known as the false hemlock looper. The species occurs across a broad transcontinental range from northeastern Alberta to the Atlantic provinces, extending south through New England. Adults are active in late summer, with flight records from August through September. The larval stage feeds primarily on conifers including balsam fir, eastern hemlock, and various spruce species.
Nicrophorus defodiens
Boreal Burying Beetle
Nicrophorus defodiens is a burying beetle species first described by Mannerheim in 1846. It is one of at least two burying beetle species known to breed in the forest canopy. The species exhibits communal breeding behavior, where multiple male-female associations share parental care duties on larger vertebrate carcasses. It produces approximately twice as many eggs as the related N. orbicollis, with clutch sizes averaging around 24 eggs.
Oidaematophorus phaceliae
Phacelia Plume Moth
Oidaematophorus phaceliae is a plume moth distributed across western North America from Yukon to California and Baja California. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 25 mm with distinctive fawn-brown forewings marked with white and smoky scaling. Larvae feed on Hydrophyllaceae plants including Phacelia and Hydrophyllum virginianum, with pupation occurring on dead leaves of the host plant.
Onycholyda rufofasciata
Onycholyda rufofasciata is a species of web-spinning sawfly in the family Pamphiliidae, first described by Norton in 1869. The species is recorded from multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. As a member of Pamphiliidae, it likely produces silk webbing on host plants during larval development, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The genus Onycholyda contains approximately 20 species distributed primarily in the Holarctic region.
Phellopsis
Phellopsis is a genus of zopherid beetles established by J.L. LeConte in 1862. The genus contains approximately seven recognized species distributed across North America and Asia. North American species P. obcordata and P. porcata are vicariant taxa restricted to old growth boreal forests of eastern and western North America, respectively. These species were historically confused until a 2008 revision clarified their distinct status. Asian species include P. amurensis (Russian Far East to Korea), P. suberea (Japan), P. chinense (west-central China), and P. yulongensis (Yunnan Province).
Phellopsis obcordata
Eastern Ironclad Beetle
Phellopsis obcordata is a small beetle in the family Zopheridae, commonly known as the Eastern Ironclad Beetle. It occurs in old growth boreal forests of eastern North America. The species was historically confused with the western P. porcata until a 2008 revision clarified their status as valid vicariant species. It is known for its hard, armored body typical of ironclad beetles.
Philaenarcys bilineata
Prairie Spittlebug
Philaenarcys bilineata, commonly known as the prairie spittlebug, is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae. It is found in North America, with documented occurrences in Alberta, British Columbia, Missouri, New Brunswick, and the Northwest Territories. The species inhabits prairies and boreal forests, and is part of the true bug order Hemiptera. As a spittlebug, it produces the characteristic frothy 'spittle' as a nymph, which serves as protection and moisture retention.
Phloeopora gilbertae
Phloeopora gilbertae is a species of rove beetle in the subfamily Aleocharinae, described from Canada in 2016. It belongs to a genus associated with forest floor habitats and decaying organic matter. The species is known from scattered localities across northern North America.
Platynus mannerheimii
Platynus mannerheimii is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, distributed across boreal and arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It belongs to a large genus of predominantly forest-dwelling carabids characterized by elongated bodies and long legs adapted for running. The species was described by Dejean in 1828 and is named after the Finnish entomologist Carl Gustaf Mannerheim.
Proserpinus flavofasciata
yellow-banded day sphinx
Proserpinus flavofasciata, commonly known as the yellow-banded day sphinx, is a day-flying hawk moth native to North America. The adult is a bumblebee mimic with distinctive black and yellow coloration. The species inhabits boreal and mountain forest edges and clearings, with a distribution spanning Canada from Alaska to the Maritimes and southward to Maine and Massachusetts. Larvae feed on Epilobium and Rubus species, and the species overwinters as a pupa in soil.
Retinia albicapitana
Northern Pitch Twig Moth
Retinia albicapitana, the northern pitch twig moth, is a small tortricid moth specialized on Pinus species. It occurs across boreal and northern temperate North America, with a two-year life cycle. The species is notable for its extended larval development and association with coniferous forest ecosystems.
Rheumaptera hastata
Spear-marked Black Moth, Argent and Sable Moth
Rheumaptera hastata is a day-flying geometrid moth with distinctive black and white coloration. It is widely distributed across the Holarctic region, with well-studied populations in interior Alaska. The species is univoltine, with adults active from early June to mid-July. Larvae are external leaf feeders with strong host preferences, particularly for paper birch.
Scenopinus
window flies
Scenopinus is a genus of small flies in the family Scenopinidae, commonly known as window flies. Species are typically dark-colored with clear wings and are associated with bird nests, buildings, and forest habitats. Larvae are predatory, feeding on other arthropods including moth and flea larvae. The genus occurs across the Palaearctic region, with records from Europe and boreal forest zones.
Scotochroa basalis
Basal False Darkling Beetle
Scotochroa basalis is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1874. It is known from western and central Canada, with confirmed records in Alberta, British Columbia, and Newfoundland. The species is rarely encountered, with only five observations documented on iNaturalist as of the available data. Like other members of Melandryidae, it likely inhabits forested environments where it develops in decaying wood.
Sericoda bembidioides
Sericoda bembidioides is a pyrophilous ground beetle inhabiting post-fire environments in boreal forests. The species shows strong positive association with fire severity but negative response to salvage logging combined with wildfire. Abundance declines sharply within three years following fire. It serves as a host for phoretic mites in the genus Antennoseius.
Sericoda quadripunctata
Four-spotted Sericoda
Sericoda quadripunctata is a pyrophilous ground beetle strongly associated with recently burned forests in boreal regions. Its abundance peaks in the first year after wildfire and declines sharply by the third post-fire year. The species serves as a phoretic host for specialized mites (Antennoseius perseus and A. pyrophilus) that inhabit the space beneath its elytra. It occurs across the Holarctic region, including Europe, Northern Asia, and North America.
Spilosoma dubia
Dubious Tiger Moth
Spilosoma dubia, the dubious tiger moth, is a North American tiger moth described by Francis Walker in 1855. It inhabits aspen parkland and southern boreal forests across southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. Adults are active in late spring, with larvae feeding on specific host plants.
Syngrapha abstrusa
Abstruse False Looper Moth, abstruse false looper
Syngrapha abstrusa is a noctuid moth described in 1978 from North American specimens. Adults are medium-sized with wingspans of 30–32 mm. Larvae are specialized feeders on conifer foliage, particularly spruce and pine species. The species exhibits a transcontinental northern distribution pattern.
Syngrapha alias
hooked silver Y, Hooked Silver Y Moth
Syngrapha alias is a noctuid moth native to North America, first described by Rodrigues Ottolengui in 1902. The species exhibits a transcontinental distribution spanning boreal and montane regions from Newfoundland to Alaska, with southern extensions to California and North Carolina. Adults are active during summer months, with larvae specializing on white spruce and black spruce.
Syngrapha ignea
Mountain Beauty Moth, mountain beauty
Syngrapha ignea, commonly known as the mountain beauty moth, is a noctuid moth species described by Grote in 1863. It exhibits a notably broad geographic distribution spanning from northern Alaska to southern California and New Mexico, with an additional disjunct population in Labrador. The species occurs across boreal forest and subarctic habitats, suggesting adaptation to cooler montane and northern environments. It belongs to the subfamily Plusiinae, a group characterized by distinctive wing patterns and often diurnal or crepuscular activity.
Tragosoma
Tragosoma is a genus of large saproxylic longhorn beetles in the subfamily Prioninae, distributed across the Holarctic region. The genus includes approximately six described species, with Tragosoma depsarium being the most widely studied and the type species. These beetles are obligate deadwood specialists whose larvae develop in the sapwood of conifers, particularly pines. Adults are notable for their robust, somewhat flattened bodies and relatively short antennae compared to other cerambycids. Several species are of conservation concern due to their dependence on specific deadwood microhabitats threatened by modern forestry practices.
Trypodendron retusum
Trypodendron retusum is a small ambrosia beetle in the subfamily Scolytinae, described by Wood & Bright in 1992. The species belongs to the genus Trypodendron, a group of wood-boring beetles that cultivate fungal gardens in their galleries. It occurs in boreal and temperate forests of North America, with records from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and New Brunswick in Canada. Like other Trypodendron species, it is presumed to be an ambrosia beetle that feeds on fungal symbionts rather than wood tissue, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Vicelva vandykei
Vicelva vandykei is a small rove beetle (Staphylinidae) described by Hatch in 1957. The species is known from limited specimens and observations across a broad circumpolar distribution spanning northwestern North America and the Russian Far East. Records indicate presence in British Columbia, Yukon, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and the Magadan area of Russia. As a member of the subfamily Phloeocharinae, it is associated with forest floor habitats and decaying organic matter.
Xylechinus montanus
crenulate bark beetle
Xylechinus montanus is a species of crenulate bark beetle described by Blackman in 1940. It is a member of the weevil family Curculionidae and has been recorded in North America, with distribution records from Alaska and western Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. As a bark beetle, it is likely associated with woody vegetation, though specific ecological details remain limited.
Zeiraphera unfortunana
Purple-striped Shootworm Moth, purplestriped shootworm
Zeiraphera unfortunana is a tortricid moth species native to boreal and subarctic regions of North America. The larvae are specialized feeders on coniferous trees, particularly spruce and fir species, where they develop in shoots and buds. The species was described by Powell in 1983 and is one of several Zeiraphera species known as 'budworms' or 'shootworms' due to their larval feeding habits.