Coniferous-forests
Guides
Achipteriidae
Achipteriidae is a family of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) comprising approximately 9 genera and at least 80 described species. Members of this family are primarily arboreal, with documented species inhabiting canopy lichens on coniferous trees in temperate montane forests. The family exhibits morphological diversity in lamellar structure, pteromorphic projections, and notogastral setation patterns. Some species achieve high population densities in arboreal microhabitats, suggesting significant ecological importance in forest canopy food webs.
Lambdina fiscellaria
Hemlock Looper Moth, Mournful Thorn
Lambdina fiscellaria is a North American geometrid moth known as the hemlock looper or mournful thorn. It is a significant forest pest, particularly of coniferous trees, capable of causing complete defoliation and tree mortality during outbreaks. The species comprises three recognized subspecies with distinct geographic ranges and host preferences: the eastern hemlock looper (L. f. fiscellaria), western hemlock looper (L. f. lugubrosa), and western oak looper (L. f. somniaria). Adults are active from August to October with a wingspan of approximately 35 mm.