Conifer-forest
Guides
Aphrophora irrorata
Speckled spittlebug
Aphrophora irrorata is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae, first described by Ball in 1899. The species is recognized as valid by GBIF and NCBI, though listed as a synonym in the Catalogue of Life. It belongs to the subgenus Plesiommata within Aphrophora. Like other spittlebugs, it feeds on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. The specific epithet 'irrorata' refers to a speckled or sprinkled appearance, likely describing the color pattern.
Argyresthia aureoargentella
Argyresthia aureoargentella is a micro-moth in the family Argyresthiidae, described by Brower in 1953. Adults are whitish with metallic markings typical of the genus. The species occurs in North America, with records from Ontario, Quebec, and New Mexico. Adults are active from early June to late July, with one generation per year.
Argyresthia oreasella
Cherry Shoot Borer Moth
A small micro-moth in the family Argyresthiidae, commonly known as the Cherry Shoot Borer Moth. Adults are active from late June through mid-August. The species has been recorded across North America from New York to California and from Quebec to Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Aseptis fumeola
Aseptis fumeola is a noctuid moth described by George Hampson in 1908. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically in foothills and mountain habitats of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. The species is associated with dry chaparral, parkland, and conifer forest environments. Adults are active in early summer, and larvae have been documented feeding on Arctostaphylos species.
Aseptis fumosa
Aseptis fumosa is a noctuid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1879. It is widespread across western North America, from western Canada through the western United States to California. The species occupies diverse habitats ranging from coastal chaparral to dry conifer forests and shrub steppe. Adults are active in spring and early summer, with larvae feeding on specific woody shrubs in the Rosaceae and Rhamnaceae families.
Bryolymnia marti
Bryolymnia marti is a small noctuid moth described by Richard Holland in 2010. It is known from a restricted range in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults are active during early summer and have been collected exclusively in conifer forest habitats. The species is one of several recently described members of the genus Bryolymnia.
Bryolymnia semifascia
half-banded bryolymnia, half-banded bryolymnia moth
Bryolymnia semifascia, known as the half-banded bryolymnia, is a small noctuid moth native to the southwestern United States. First described by John Bernhardt Smith in 1900, this species inhabits conifer forests at moderate elevations. Adults are active during summer months and are characterized by a distinctive wing pattern featuring a partial band.
Camponotus modoc
Western Carpenter Ant, Western Black Carpenter Ant
Camponotus modoc, the western carpenter ant, is a large black ant species native to western North America. Workers exhibit polymorphism, ranging from 7 to 13 mm in length, with dark red legs contrasting against a black body. The species constructs nests in dead wood, including forest logs and human structures, and is known for its mutualistic associations with aphids, particularly Cinara occidentalis on white fir. Research demonstrates trail fidelity and colony recognition abilities, with workers returning to specific aphid colonies even after displacement.
carpenter-antwestern-north-americaaphid-mutualismstructural-pestpolymorphismtrail-fidelitychemical-ecologygiant-sequoia-forestforest-ecologyurban-pestCamponotiniFormicinaeHymenopterainvasive-potentialnestmate-recognitionalarm-communicationforaging-ecologyconifer-forestwood-excavationsatellite-colonyCamponotus vicinus
Bicolored Carpenter Ant
Camponotus vicinus is a large, conspicuous carpenter ant distributed across western North America from Alaska to Mexico and east to Texas and Manitoba. Unlike many carpenter ants that nest in wood, this species typically nests in soil under stones and other objects, though it also uses fallen, decomposing logs in higher elevation conifer forests. It is a prominent scavenger and predator in terrestrial ecosystems and is one of the most abundant ground-dwelling arthropods in California's higher elevation conifer forests. The species belongs to a genetically diverse species complex with cryptic diversity, including localized populations of conservation interest such as an undescribed species endemic to the Channel Islands.
Chrysoecia atrolinea
Chrysoecia atrolinea is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Stiriinae. It was described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1912. The species is notable for its bright orange coloration, which is atypical among noctuids. It occurs in southwestern North America, where it has been documented in riparian and mixed conifer forest habitats.
Cimberis elongata
pine flower snout beetle
Cimberis elongata is a species of pine flower snout beetle in the family Nemonychidae, a group of primitive weevils. It is found in North America, with records from Canada (British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick) and the United States. The species belongs to a small genus of pollen-feeding beetles associated with conifers.
Clepsis persicana
white triangle tortrix, green needleworm
Clepsis persicana is a tortricid moth found across North America from Alaska and British Columbia to Newfoundland, south to Virginia, and west to California. Adults are active from June to August, with one generation per year. The species is notable for its broad host plant range, with larvae feeding on both deciduous and coniferous trees.
Coelocnemis
darkling beetles, broad-necked darkling beetles
Coelocnemis is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, containing approximately seven described species distributed across western North America. These large, flightless beetles are primarily associated with coniferous forest habitats, particularly pine and oak-conifer woodlands, where they are active nocturnally. The genus is distinguished from superficially similar darkling beetles by distinctive morphological features, including parallel lines of yellow pubescence on the inner tibial surfaces.
Diarsia rosaria
Freeman's Dart, Rosy Dart
Diarsia rosaria is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 30 mm. It occurs across much of Canada from Yukon to Newfoundland and Labrador, extending south to northern California and eastern Oregon. The species is abundant in wet conifer forests and has two recognized subspecies: D. r. rosaria and D. r. freemani.
Dioryctria sierra
Dioryctria sierra is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It was described by Herbert H. Neunzig in 2003 and is known from the Sierra Nevada region of California. Like other members of the genus Dioryctria, it is associated with coniferous forests. The species is relatively poorly known, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Eleodes pimelioides
desert stink beetle, stout darkling beetle
Eleodes pimelioides is a small species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It has been observed in alpine coniferous forest habitats, where it is active at night. The species is part of the diverse Eleodes genus, commonly known as desert stink beetles or clown beetles, though this particular species appears to favor cooler, higher-elevation environments rather than true desert conditions.
Enaemia atrolinea
Enaemia atrolinea is a moth species in the family Lacturidae, known from the southwestern United States. It has been documented in New Mexico, where it occurs in riparian and mixed conifer forest habitats. The species is characterized by orange coloration and is active during late summer.
Eupithecia coconinoensis
Coconino Pug
Eupithecia coconinoensis is a species of inchworm moth in the family Geometridae. As a member of the genus Eupithecia, commonly known as "pugs," it exhibits the narrow wings and distinctive resting posture characteristic of this group. The species has been documented visiting apple flowers at night, contributing to nocturnal pollination services. Observations suggest it occurs in forested habitats in western North America.
Eupithecia lariciata
Larch Pug
Eupithecia lariciata, commonly known as the larch pug, is a small moth in the family Geometridae. It is widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, occurring in Europe, Asia, and North America. The species has been documented visiting apple flowers, contributing to nocturnal pollination services in orchard ecosystems. Like other members of the genus Eupithecia, it exhibits the characteristic narrow-winged morphology and distinctive resting posture typical of 'pug' moths.
Eutrichillus
Eutrichillus is a genus of longhorn beetles in the subfamily Lamiinae, established by Henry Walter Bates in 1885. The genus comprises six described species distributed in North America, including Eutrichillus biguttatus, E. brevipilus, E. canescens, E. comus, E. neomexicanus, and E. pini. Members of this genus are associated with coniferous trees, particularly pines.
Exenterus
Exenterus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Tryphoninae, first described by Hartig in 1837. The genus contains species that are specialized parasitoids of sawflies in the family Diprionidae, with documented hosts including Neodiprion sertifer, N. swainei, N. autumnalis, Diprion sertifer, and Zadiprion falsus. Several species have been introduced across continents for biological control of pine sawfly pests. The genus exhibits notable morphological diversity in egg structure, with European species showing an evolutionary gradient from simple to highly specialized stalked eggs that correlates with climatic tolerance and biological control success.
Hylastes gracilis
crenulate bark beetle
Hylastes gracilis is a bark beetle species in the family Curculionidae, first described by LeConte in 1868. It belongs to the subfamily Scolytinae, a group commonly known as bark and ambrosia beetles. The species has been documented in North America and Middle America, with specific records from British Columbia, Canada.
Ibalia leucospoides
knife-shaped ibalia, Sirex Ibaliid Wasp
Ibalia leucospoides is a solitary endoparasitoid wasp in the family Ibaliidae, native to the Northern Hemisphere and widely introduced to the Southern Hemisphere as a biological control agent for the invasive woodwasp Sirex noctilio. Adults are active from April to December depending on location, with a univoltine life cycle synchronized with host emergence. The species exhibits pro-ovigenic reproduction, with females emerging with a high proportion of mature eggs relative to lifetime fecundity. Adult feeding has minimal impact on egg maturation, survival, or flight capacity.
Judolia
Judolia is a genus of longhorned beetles in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Lepturinae. The genus was established by Mulsant in 1863 and contains approximately 14 recognized species distributed across the Holarctic region, with representatives in North America, Europe, and Asia. Species within this genus are typically associated with coniferous and deciduous forest habitats.
Lophocampa roseata
Rosy Aemilia
Lophocampa roseata, commonly known as the rosy aemilia, is a small moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1866. The species is restricted to the Pacific Northwest region of North America, where it inhabits coniferous forests and has adapted to urban environments. The forewings measure 14–15 mm in length. Larvae have been successfully reared on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), indicating a host relationship with this conifer species.
Monochamus obtusus
Monochamus obtusus is a longhorned beetle (family Cerambycidae) described by Thomas Lincoln Casey Jr. in 1891. It belongs to a genus of sawyer beetles that develop as wood-borers in coniferous trees. The species is known from western North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada and the western United States. Two subspecies have been recognized: M. o. obtusus (the nominate form) and M. o. fulvomaculatus described by Linsley & Chemsak in 1983. Like other Monochamus species, it likely plays a role in forest nutrient cycling through its association with dead and dying conifer wood.
Pelecocera
Pelecocera is a Holarctic genus of small hoverflies (Syrphidae) comprising approximately 14 species. Adults are typically black and yellow or orange, found primarily in heathland and conifer forest habitats. Larval biology has been historically poorly known, but recent studies confirm mycophagy in at least two species, with larvae developing inside the hypogean fungal fruit bodies of Rhizopogon luteolus.
Pityogenes bidentatus
Pityogenes bidentatus is a European bark beetle that colonizes Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). The species exhibits sophisticated olfactory-mediated behaviors for host location, including attraction to aggregation pheromone components (grandisol and cis-verbenol) and active avoidance of nonhost volatiles. Its behavioral response to monoterpene odors is context-dependent: avoidance occurs during flight but not during walking, likely representing distinct sensory mechanisms for long-range host discrimination versus short-range gallery establishment.
bark-beetleScolytinaePinus-sylvestrisaggregation-pheromoneolfactory-behaviorhost-selectionmonoterpene-avoidancecontext-dependent-plasticitynonhost-avoidancenorthern-Europegrandisolcis-verbenol1-octene-3-olβ-caryophylleneflight-behaviorwalking-behaviorelectroantennographypopulation-genetics-modelnematode-associationBursaphelenchus-pinophilusnematangiaCzech-Republicmixed-forestconifer-forestScots-pineNorway-sprucenonhost-volatileschemical-ecologyinsect-plant-interactionsherbivore-host-rangesensory-ecologybehavioral-plasticitypheromone-ecologyforest-entomologyinvasive-potential-(North-America-records)Plagiomimicus
Plagiomimicus n-sp is an undescribed species of moth in the family Noctuidae, recorded from New Mexico, USA. The genus Plagiomimicus belongs to the owlet moths, a diverse group of primarily nocturnal Lepidoptera. As an undescribed species, its formal taxonomic status and relationships within the genus remain to be established by systematic revision. Specimens have been documented through blacklight trapping in mixed conifer forest habitat.
Procryphalus utahensis
Procryphalus utahensis is a bark beetle species in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Scolytinae. It was described by Hopkins in 1915 and is distributed across North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Québec) and the United States (Alaska). Like other bark beetles, it likely develops in the phloem of woody plants, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Scymnus coniferarum
conifer lady beetle
Scymnus coniferarum is a small predatory lady beetle native to western North America. It has been studied as a potential biological control agent for the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), an invasive pest of eastern hemlock in eastern North America. Field studies in Washington State indicate it feeds on multiple adelgid species across different conifer hosts, with higher abundance observed on pine adelgids than on hemlock woolly adelgid.
Scymnus suturalis
Pine Dusky Lady Beetle
Scymnus suturalis is a tiny ladybird beetle (2.0–2.5 mm) native to the Palearctic, now introduced to North America. It inhabits coniferous and mixed forests, where it feeds primarily on scale insects (Coccoidea), particularly Chionaspis salicis, and adelgids on pine. The species has been found under bark flakes, in moss on tree trunks, and in conifer litter. Its small size and hairy elytra distinguish it from larger, more familiar ladybird species.