Coniferous-forest
Guides
Priacma serrata
Priacma bleach beetle
Priacma serrata is the sole extant species in the genus Priacma, a relict lineage of reticulated beetles in the family Cupedidae. Males are strongly attracted to the odor of bleach and other chlorine-based compounds, a unique behavioral trait that facilitates collection and study. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with females substantially larger than males and rarely encountered. Adult males possess non-functional digestive tracts and do not feed. Populations display episodic mass emergence events rather than continuous adult activity.
Pterotus obscuripennis
Douglas fir glow-worm
Pterotus obscuripennis, commonly known as the Douglas fir glow-worm, is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It is endemic to North America and has been recorded primarily in western coastal regions. The species is notable for its bioluminescent larvae, which are referred to as 'glow-worms.' Adults are non-luminous and possess reduced or non-functional mouthparts.
Rhyssa ponderosae
Rhyssa ponderosae is a species of ichneumonid wasp in the subfamily Rhyssinae, described by Townes in 1960. Members of the genus Rhyssa are among the largest ichneumonid wasps and are known for their exceptionally long ovipositors used to parasitize wood-boring beetle larvae. The specific epithet "ponderosae" suggests an association with ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), though this host relationship requires confirmation. The species is rarely encountered and poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Rindgea subterminata
Rindgea subterminata is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1913. It belongs to the genus Rindgea, a group of North American moths characterized by relatively plain, grayish-brown coloration and subtle wing patterns. The species is known from western North America, where adults are active during the summer months.
Scaphinotus
Snail-eating Beetles
Scaphinotus is a genus of flightless ground beetles in the family Carabidae, comprising approximately 55-60 species native exclusively to North America. These beetles are specialized snail predators, with their distribution and habitat use tightly linked to moist environments where their gastropod prey occur. The genus is notable for its large body size among carabids (typically 15-25 mm), elongated mandibles adapted for extracting snails from shells, and complete absence of flight capability due to reduced hindwings. Research on Scaphinotus angusticollis in managed forests of British Columbia indicates that 30-meter riparian reserves effectively maintain population sizes and movement patterns comparable to unharvested forests.
Scaphinotus aeneicollis
Coppery-collared Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus aeneicollis, commonly known as the coppery-collared snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is a member of the Carabinae subfamily, which includes large predatory beetles often called 'snail hunters' or 'caterpillar hunters.' The species is restricted to the southern Appalachian region of North America, specifically in coniferous forest habitats in North Carolina. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal.
Scaphinotus cavicollis
Concave-collared Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus cavicollis is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the concave-collared snail-eating beetle. It is a member of the Cychrini tribe, a group of large, nocturnal carabids specialized for snail predation. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and flightless, and have been observed to be nocturnally active. The species occurs in coniferous forest habitats in the south-central United States.
Scaphinotus velutinus
Velvet Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus velutinus, commonly known as the velvet snail-eating beetle, is a flightless ground beetle species in the family Carabidae. It is endemic to western North America, with confirmed records from California and Oregon. The species inhabits coniferous forest ecosystems and is characterized by reduced wings (brachyptery). As a member of the genus Scaphinotus, it is specialized for predation on terrestrial snails.
Smidtia fumiferanae
Smidtia fumiferanae is a tachinid fly species described by Tothill in 1912. It belongs to the tribe Winthemiini within the subfamily Exoristinae. The species epithet 'fumiferanae' indicates an association with Choristoneura fumiferana, the spruce budworm, suggesting it may be a parasitoid of this economically important forest pest. The species has been recorded in GBIF with limited observation data.
Spodolepis substriataria
Spodolepis substriataria is a North American geometrid moth first described by George D. Hulst in 1896. The species exhibits a broad transcontinental distribution spanning boreal and temperate regions from Alaska across Canada to the Atlantic coast, with southern extensions into the western United States. It belongs to the diverse subfamily Ennominae, a group commonly known as inchworm or spanworm moths due to their characteristic larval locomotion.
Tachinus crotchii
Crotch's Tachinus
Tachinus crotchii is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1877. It is native to western North America, with documented occurrences in British Columbia, California, Oregon, and Washington. Like other members of the genus Tachinus, it is associated with forest floor habitats and decaying organic matter. The species is named after George Robert Crotch, a British entomologist who collected extensively in North America.
Thanasimus dubius
dubious checkered beetle, American bark beetle destroyer, checkered beetle predator, Wavering Checkered Beetle
Thanasimus dubius is a predatory checkered beetle (Cleridae) native to North and Central America. It specializes in preying upon bark beetles, particularly species in the genera Ips and Dendroctonus, with the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) being a well-documented prey item. Adults exhibit a stereotyped five-act predatory sequence involving search/ambush, seizure, alignment, consumption, and grooming. The species demonstrates chemotactic responses to bark beetle pheromones and tree volatiles, and shows regional genetic differentiation across its eastern North American range. It has been investigated as a potential biological control agent for forest pest management.
Tibicinoides rubrovenosa
Tibicinoides rubrovenosa is a species of cicada in the family Cicadidae, originally described as Okanagana rubrovenosa by Davis in 1915. It belongs to the genus Tibicinoides, a group of small to medium-sized cicadas found in western North America. The species epithet 'rubrovenosa' refers to reddish venation in the wings, a characteristic feature. Like other Tibicinoides species, it is associated with coniferous forest habitats. The taxon has been documented through 64 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is not extremely rare but has limited published biological data.
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.
Trichocnemis spiculatus neomexicanus
New Mexican ponderous borer
Trichocnemis spiculatus neomexicanus is a subspecies of the ponderous borer, a large prionine longhorn beetle native to western North America. The larvae are among the largest of any North American cerambycid, developing in dead or dying coniferous wood—particularly ponderosa pine. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. This subspecies was described by Casey in 1890 and occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species has gained notoriety as the inspiration for modern chainsaw design, after Joe Cox observed the larva's opposable mandibles in action.
Zabrachia
Zabrachia is a genus of soldier flies (Stratiomyidae) established by Coquillett in 1901. Adults are distinguished from other Pachygastrinae by the fused R4 and R5 wing veins. The genus includes approximately 20 described species distributed across North America, Europe, and Madagascar. Larvae develop under the bark of coniferous trees, while females have been observed ovipositing into pine wood.
Zopherus granicollis
ironclad beetle
Zopherus granicollis is a species of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae, characterized by exceptionally hard, fused elytra that make specimens notoriously difficult to pin. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with two recognized subspecies: Z. g. granicollis and Z. g. ventriosus. Like other members of the genus, it exhibits nocturnal activity on tree trunks, though specific behavioral details for this species remain poorly documented.
Zopherus nodulosus haldemani
Texas Ironclad Beetle
Zopherus nodulosus haldemani, commonly known as the Texas Ironclad Beetle, is a subspecies of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae. These beetles are renowned for their exceptionally hard, heavily sclerotized exoskeletons that make them notoriously difficult to pin for collection. The species exhibits nocturnal activity patterns, with adults frequently observed on tree trunks at night. The subspecies name honors American entomologist Samuel Stehman Haldeman.