Moss-feeder
Guides
Boreus brumalis
mid-winter boreus, snow scorpionfly
Boreus brumalis, commonly known as the mid-winter boreus or snow scorpionfly, is a small, wingless insect in the family Boreidae. Despite its common name, it is neither a scorpion nor a fly, but belongs to the order Mecoptera. Adults are active during winter months and can be observed running across snow and ice. This species is found in North America, including the northeastern United States. Males possess distinctive upward-curving genitalia that resemble a scorpion's stinger, though the insect cannot sting. Snow scorpionflies are believed to be ancient relatives of fleas.
Boreus coloradensis
snow scorpionfly
Boreus coloradensis is a species of snow scorpionfly in the family Boreidae, described by Byers in 1955. Despite their common name, these insects are neither scorpions nor true flies. Adults are active during winter months and have been observed on snow, ice, and moss. They belong to one of the smallest insect orders, Mecoptera, and are believed to be ancient relatives of fleas.
Boreus nivoriundus
snow-born boreus, snow scorpionfly
Boreus nivoriundus is a wingless snow scorpionfly in the family Boreidae, active during winter months in boreal and temperate regions of North America. Adults are typically 5 mm or less in length and feed on mosses and liverworts. Males possess prominent upward-curving genitalia that resemble a scorpion's stinger, giving the group its common name. The species exhibits a distinctive mating behavior where males carry females on their backs in a 'nuptial ride.' Despite their common name, snow scorpionflies are neither scorpions nor true flies, but belong to the order Mecoptera, believed to be ancestral relatives of fleas.
Bryotropha galbanella
Bryotropha galbanella is a small gelechiid moth with a broad distribution across northern Europe, extending eastward to Russia and Japan, and westward to Alaska and extreme north-western Canada. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wingspan, with males measuring 14–18 mm and females 13–16 mm. Larvae are specialized feeders on mosses, particularly Dicranum scoparium, and construct silken tubes for shelter. The species has been incorrectly recorded from Chile.
Catoptria latiradiellus
Two-banded Catoptria Moth, Three-spotted Crambus Moth, Two-banded Catoptria
A small crambid moth native to northern North America, recognized by its distinctive wing pattern with two pale bands. Adults are active during mid-summer in wet, open habitats across a broad transcontinental range. The species was described by Francis Walker in 1863 and remains relatively well-documented through observation records.
Phalacrocera
Phalacrocera is a genus of crane flies in the family Cylindrotomidae, subfamily Cylindrotominae. The genus contains 11 described species, including the widespread P. replicata. Larvae are specialized feeders on mosses, while adults inhabit damp wooded environments. Most species have restricted geographic ranges, though P. replicata occurs across northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia.
Tetrix subulata
Slender Ground-hopper, Slender Groundhopper, Awl-shaped Pygmy Grasshopper, Slender Grouse Locust
Tetrix subulata is a small groundhopper (family Tetrigidae) with a Holarctic distribution spanning the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. The species exhibits striking polymorphism in both coloration and wing development, with long-winged (macropterous) and short-winged (brachypterous) morphs coexisting in populations. It is strongly associated with moist habitats, particularly wet meadows, riverbanks, and mudflats, where it feeds primarily on algae and mosses. The species has been extensively studied for its wing dimorphism, reproductive interference with congeners, and life-history trade-offs between flight capability and reproduction.