Female-dimorphism
Guides
Aceria calaceris
Rocky Mountain maple felt mite
Aceria calaceris, the Rocky Mountain maple felt mite, is an eriophyid mite that induces distinctive felt-like galls called erinea on maple leaves. This microscopic species was first described by Hartford H. Keifer in 1952 from Fallen Leaf Lake. It has a complex life cycle involving two female morphs—protogynes for reproduction and deutogynes for overwintering—plus a single male form. The species is found in the western United States and Canada, where it specializes on three maple species.
Argia vivida
Vivid Dancer
Argia vivida, known as the vivid dancer, is a narrow-winged damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is notable for its striking temperature-dependent coloration, with individuals displaying bright blue, red, brown, or grey morphs. The species exhibits sophisticated thermoregulatory behavior, moving between forested roosting sites and sunlit clearings to maintain optimal body temperature. It is widely distributed across Central and North America and is recognized as the state insect of Nevada.