Cold-adapted
Guides
Psychoglypha
Snow Sedges
Psychoglypha is a genus of northern caddisflies in the family Limnephilidae, commonly known as Snow Sedges. The genus contains approximately 14 described species, with most species being cold-adapted and exhibiting late-season activity patterns. The majority of species are distributed in northern and western North America, including Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, and western Canada.
Pterostichus brevicornis
Woodland ground beetle
Pterostichus brevicornis is a circumpolar ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subgenus Cryobius. It is one of the most abundant and widespread tundra beetles, occurring across Arctic and Subarctic regions from Newfoundland to the Kola Peninsula and Arctic Ocean islands. The species exhibits high genetic and morphological variability across its range, with 23 documented COI haplotypes. It is cold-adapted with a two-year life cycle involving summer breeding and winter hibernation of both adults and larvae.
Sminthurinus
Sminthurinus is a genus of springtails in the family Katiannidae, described by Börner in 1901. The genus contains approximately 90 described species. Members of this genus are globular springtails (order Symphypleona), characterized by their rounded body shape. They are found across diverse geographic regions including Arctic, Antarctic, Andean, and oceanic island habitats.
Symmetrischema tangolias
South American potato tuber moth, Andean potato tuber moth, tomato stemborer
Symmetrischema tangolias is a gelechiid moth native to the Andean region of South America that has become a globally significant agricultural pest. The species infests solanaceous crops, particularly potatoes and tomatoes, with larvae burrowing into stems, leaves, petioles, and tubers. It has established invasive populations in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Chile. The species is adapted to cooler temperatures than the related potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella, with optimal development occurring between 14–17°C.
Thanatophilus trituberculatus
Cold-shore Carrion Beetle
Thanatophilus trituberculatus is a carrion beetle in the family Silphidae. The species occurs across northern regions of both North America and Eurasia. It is associated with cold environments, as indicated by its common name "Cold-shore Carrion Beetle" and its distribution in subarctic and boreal zones. Like other members of its genus, it likely feeds on decomposing animal matter.
Trichocera
winter crane flies
Trichocera is a genus of winter crane flies comprising over 140 described species. Adults are among the few insects regularly active during winter months, often appearing at porch lights or forming aerial swarms on sunny days. The genus is distinguished from other crane flies by the presence of three ocelli on the crown of the head. Most North American species belong to this genus, with larvae developing in decaying organic matter including leaf litter, compost, fungi, and manure.
Trichocera salmani
Winter crane fly
Trichocera salmani is a species of winter crane fly in the family Trichoceridae. Like other members of this family, adults are active during cold months when few other insects fly. The species was described by Alexander in 1927 and has been recorded from Vermont and other parts of the United States.
Trichoceridae
winter crane flies, winter gnats
Trichoceridae, commonly known as winter crane flies or winter gnats, is a small family of delicate, long-legged flies in the order Diptera. Adults are active primarily during cold seasons, including fall, winter, and early spring, with some species observed in snow. They are distinguished from other crane fly families by the presence of three ocelli (simple eyes) on the crown of the head. The family contains approximately 160 described species worldwide, with most diversity concentrated in non-tropical, Holarctic regions. Larvae inhabit moist terrestrial environments where they feed on decaying organic matter.
Utacapnia
small winter stoneflies
Utacapnia is a genus of small winter stoneflies in the family Capniidae. The genus contains approximately 11 described species, most of which were first described by entomologists Alan V. Nebeker and Arden R. Gaufin during the 1960s. Species in this genus are primarily distributed in the Rocky Mountains of North America. As winter stoneflies, members of this genus are active during cold months, a trait characteristic of the family Capniidae.
Utacapnia trava
Yellowstone Snowfly
Utacapnia trava, commonly known as the Yellowstone snowfly, is a small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae. It is one of approximately 16 species in the genus Utacapnia, which is endemic to western North America. The species was originally described as Capnia trava in 1965 before being transferred to Utacapnia. Like other winter stoneflies, adults are active during cold months when most other insects are dormant.