Climate-sensitive
Guides
Ameletus velox
Ameletus velox is a North American mayfly species described by Dodds in 1923. It belongs to the family Ameletidae, a group of predatory mayflies known for their distinctive larval morphology and behavior. The species is part of the Nearctic fauna with documented presence in North America. As with other Ameletus species, it likely inhabits cool freshwater streams, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in available literature.
Carterocephalus skada
Western Arctic Skipper
Carterocephalus skada, commonly known as the Western Arctic Skipper, is a species of butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It belongs to the genus Carterocephalus, which includes several Arctic and subarctic skipper species. The species is part of a group of butterflies adapted to cooler climates and northern latitudes.
Colias palaeno
Moorland Clouded Yellow, Palaeno Sulphur, Pale Arctic Clouded Yellow
Colias palaeno is a Holarctic butterfly species in the family Pieridae, occurring across northern Eurasia and North America. It inhabits moorlands, bogs, and open coniferous forests, with southern populations restricted to high alpine zones above 1,500 meters. The species has experienced significant declines in parts of its European range, particularly in Bavaria, where larval survival depends critically on microclimatic conditions associated with Sphagnum moss. It is univoltine, with adults flying from June to August.
Dermacentor albipictus
winter tick, moose tick
Dermacentor albipictus, commonly known as the winter tick or moose tick, is a one-host hard tick native to North America. It is primarily known as a serious pest of moose (Alces alces), with heavy infestations of up to 150,000 ticks documented on individual animals, often leading to death. The tick also parasitizes other cervids including elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, and caribou, as well as cattle and horses. Unlike many tick species, D. albipictus is not known to transmit disease pathogens to humans, wildlife, or domestic animals. Its life cycle spans approximately one year, with all feeding stages occurring on a single host.
Elachista
grass-miner moths, typical grass miner moths
Elachista is a large genus of very small gelechioid moths, the type genus of the family Elachistidae. These grass-miner moths are characterized by reduced, "feathery" hindwings and typically display one to three light transverse bands on the forewing uppersides. The genus has a near-cosmopolitan distribution, being absent only from very cold regions and some oceanic islands, with highest diversity in the Palearctic. Taxonomic complexity includes numerous undescribed species, cryptic species complexes, and disputed subgeneric classifications.
Ellipsoptera nevadica lincolniana
Salt Creek Tiger Beetle
Ellipsoptera nevadica lincolniana is a critically endangered subspecies of tiger beetle endemic to saline wetlands in Nebraska, USA. Populations remain critically low despite ongoing conservation efforts. The egg stage in June is particularly vulnerable to climatic conditions, with higher temperatures and lower precipitation negatively impacting population growth through reduced oviposition and egg survival.
Epacalles inflatus
Epacalles inflatus is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Kissinger in 1964. The species was formerly classified under the genus Porrhodites as Porrhodites inflatus. Research has identified it as a potential specialist of the subnivium—the air pocket beneath winter snowpack—where it remains active during winter months and is rare or inactive during summer.
Euphydryas anicia capella
Euphydryas anicia capella is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, originally described by W. Barnes in 1897. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Occidryas anicia capella in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revision within the Euphydryas complex. The species belongs to a group of fritillary butterflies known for their distinctive orange and black checkered wing patterns and association with specific host plants.
Euphydryas chalcedona macglashanii
Euphydryas chalcedona macglashanii is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to a genus whose members are known for their distinctive orange and black checkered wing patterns. The subspecies is currently recognized as a synonym under the genus Occidryas in some taxonomic treatments. Checkerspot butterflies in this group are associated with specific host plants and have been subject to conservation concern due to habitat loss and climate change impacts across western North America.
Euphydryas chalcedona wallacensis
Euphydryas chalcedona wallacensis is a subspecies of the Variable Checkerspot butterfly, endemic to the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It represents a geographically isolated population of Euphydryas chalcedona that has adapted to high-elevation habitats. The subspecies is of conservation concern due to its restricted range and vulnerability to climate change impacts on montane ecosystems.
Grylloblatta
ice crawler, rock crawler
Grylloblatta is a genus of ice-crawlers comprising 15 described species endemic to western North America. These insects represent an ancient lineage with obligate physiological dependence on stable near-freezing temperatures, with acute thermal tolerance between approximately -8.5°C and 10°C. The genus exhibits deep genetic subdivision and geographic structure, with diversification patterns tied to Pliocene-Pleistocene glacial cycles. Species occur in montane habitats, ice caves, glaciers, and subalpine forests, with some populations utilizing saproxylic habitats in beetle-killed trees.
Hadromorphus inflatus
Hadromorphus inflatus is a species of click beetle (Elateridae) native to northeastern North America. The species was previously classified under the genus Porrhodites and has been identified as a potential subnivium specialist—an arthropod adapted to the air pocket beneath winter snowpack. Research suggests it dominates subnivium communities during winter months and is rare or inactive during summer, indicating a specialized cold-season life history.
Mantodea
mantises, mantids, praying mantises
Mantodea is an order of predatory insects comprising over 2,400 species in approximately 430 genera and 15 families, with Mantidae being the largest family. Members are characterized by raptorial forelegs adapted for catching prey, triangular heads with large compound eyes on flexible necks, and elongated bodies. The order exhibits two primary foraging strategies: ambush predation (the ancestral condition) and cursorial pursuit of prey. Mantodea has undergone significant taxonomic revision, having been elevated from a suborder of Orthoptera to full order status, then subsequently grouped with cockroaches and termites within Dictyoptera based on molecular phylogenetic evidence.
Oarisma
skipperling
Oarisma is a genus of grass skippers (family Hesperiidae) comprising approximately 14 described species distributed throughout the Americas. Species range from the United States through Central America and the Caribbean to South America. The genus includes the federally endangered Poweshiek skipperling (O. poweshiek), which has undergone dramatic population declines and is now restricted to six extant sites in the upper Midwest United States and Manitoba, Canada. In 2019, species formerly placed in the genus Copaeodes were transferred to Oarisma based on taxonomic revision.
Oeneis bore
white-veined Arctic, Arctic grayling
Oeneis bore is a circumpolar butterfly in the subfamily Satyrinae, occurring across Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. It inhabits cold, open environments including tundra, taiga, and alpine slopes. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing coloration and is univoltine with a two-year life cycle in many populations. Larvae feed on sedges and grasses, while adults nectar on available flowers.
Oeneis chryxus
Chryxus Arctic, brown Arctic
Oeneis chryxus is a subalpine and alpine butterfly species distributed across northern and western North America. The species exhibits a distinctive semivoltine life cycle, with larvae developing over two years and adults emerging in biennial flight patterns. Populations show striking geographic variation in wing coloration, ranging from cream to orange-brown, which functions as camouflage against rocky substrates. The Ivallda Arctic subspecies (O. c. ivallda) occupies the highest elevation butterfly habitat in North America at over 4,400 meters on Mount Whitney.
Parnassius smintheus
Rocky Mountain parnassian, Rocky Mountain apollo
Parnassius smintheus is a high-altitude butterfly endemic to the Rocky Mountains of North America. It inhabits alpine and subalpine meadows where it depends on Sedum lanceolatum as its primary larval host plant. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in behavior: males are highly mobile and patrol meadows for females, while females are relatively sedentary and search for oviposition sites primarily by crawling. Population dynamics are strongly influenced by early-winter weather conditions, particularly November temperature extremes and snowfall, which affect overwintering egg survival. Climate change poses significant threats through rising treeline and altered snowpack patterns.
Porrhodites inflatus
Porrhodites inflatus is a small rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) identified as a specialist of the subnivium—the air space between soil and winter snowpack. Research indicates this species dominates winter subnivium communities in northern forests while remaining rare or inactive during summer months. Its survival depends on stable subnivium temperatures maintained by snowpack insulation, making it vulnerable to climate-driven snowpack decline.
Speyeria atlantis
Atlantis fritillary
Speyeria atlantis, the Atlantis fritillary, is a North American brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It ranges from Newfoundland and Labrador across northern Canada to British Columbia, and south through the northern United States to Colorado and West Virginia. The species is listed as endangered in Connecticut and shows sensitivity to climate warming trends. Research demonstrates that adults rely primarily on visual senses to navigate to suitable habitat patches across fragmented landscapes.