Northern-distribution
Guides
Agabus anthracinus
Agabus anthracinus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is widespread across northern North America, ranging from the northern United States through Canada to Alaska. Records also indicate presence in Europe and Northern Asia. The species is accepted and documented in major taxonomic databases, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Agrotis ruta
Subarctic Dart
Agrotis ruta is a noctuid moth with a Holarctic distribution, first described by Eduard Friedrich Eversmann in 1851. It is primarily found in northern regions of North America and Eurasia. The species has a wingspan of 40–46 mm. Agrotis patula was synonymized with this species in 1989.
Arctogeophilus
Arctogeophilus is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae, comprising fourteen species distributed across subarctic and temperate regions of Asia, North America, and western Europe. First described as a subgenus by Carl Attems in 1909 and elevated to genus rank by Henri Ribaut in 1910, its name references the northern distribution toward Ursa Major. Species range from 11 mm to 50 mm in length and possess 35 to 69 pairs of legs.
centipedesoil-dwellingsubarctictemperateGeophilidaeGeophilomorphaChilopodaMyriapodaArthropodanorthern-distributionelongate-headforcipule-denticlesvariable-leg-number14-speciesAttems-1909Ribaut-1910AsiaNorth-AmericaEuropephylogenetic-sister-to-AlloschizotaeniaPachymeriumSchendyloidescarpophagus-absentultimate-legs-longer-than-penultimatescattered-pores-on-ultimate-legs11-50-mm-length35-69-leg-pairsA.-sachalinus-smallA.-wolfi-smallA.-melanonotus-largeA.-macrocephalus-fewest-legsA.-atopus-most-legsA.-glacialis-phylogenetic-representativeArctogeophilus-atopusArctogeophilus-attemsiArctogeophilus-corvallisArctogeophilus-fulvusArctogeophilus-glacialisArctogeophilus-inopinatusArctogeophilus-insularisArctogeophilus-macrocephalusArctogeophilus-melanonotusArctogeophilus-quadratusArctogeophilus-sachalinusArctogeophilus-shelfordiArctogeophilus-umbraticusArctogeophilus-wolfiAttulus finschi
Attulus finschi is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It occurs across northern regions of North America and Eurasia, with documented populations in Russia (from West Siberia to the Far East), Canada, and the United States. As a member of the Attulus genus, it shares the characteristic jumping ability and visual acuity typical of salticid spiders.
Bembidion mutatum
Bembidion mutatum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Gemminger & Harold in 1868. It is a small predatory beetle distributed across northern North America, with records from Alaska, Canada, and the contiguous United States. The species belongs to the large genus Bembidion, which contains hundreds of species commonly found in diverse terrestrial and riparian habitats.
Bembidion sulcipenne hyperboroides
Bembidion sulcipenne hyperboroides is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It was described by Carl H. Lindroth in 1963. The subspecies belongs to the species Bembidion sulcipenne, which is part of the subgenus Plataphus within the genus Bembidion. Very few observations exist for this taxon, with only two records documented on iNaturalist.
Bembidion sulcipenne prasinoides
Bembidion sulcipenne prasinoides is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Lindroth in 1963. It belongs to the genus Bembidion, a large and diverse group of small carabid beetles commonly found in moist habitats. The subspecies is part of the Bembidion (Plataphus) species group. Distribution records indicate presence across northern regions including Alaska, Canada, Russia, and parts of the USA.
Boreaphilus
Boreaphilus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) established by C.R. Sahlberg in 1832. The genus belongs to the subfamily Omaliinae and tribe Coryphiini. Species are distributed across northern regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, with records from Scandinavia, Russia, Japan, and northern North America. The genus includes at least two described species: B. albanicus and B. astur.
Cymbiodyta acuminata
water scavenger beetle
Cymbiodyta acuminata is a species of water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae, described by Fall in 1924. It is one of 29 recognized species in the genus Cymbiodyta, which was revised taxonomically in 1974. The species is distributed across northern North America, with records from Canada and the northern United States.
Dinychus
Dinychus is a genus of mites in the family Dinychidae, order Mesostigmata. The genus was established by Kramer in 1886. Species have been recorded from northern regions including Canada, Alaska, and Scandinavia. A 1989 description of Dinychus ruseki from Canada noted close morphological similarity to D. micropunctatus from Alaska, suggesting possible ecospecies relationships.
Dolichovespula albida
Arctic Yellowjacket
Dolichovespula albida, commonly known as the Arctic Yellowjacket, is a social wasp species in the family Vespidae. It is closely related to other Dolichovespula species such as D. arctica and D. arenaria, with which it shares ecological and behavioral traits. The species is primarily associated with northern and high-elevation habitats. Like other members of its genus, it constructs paper nests and exhibits social colony behavior with distinct castes.
Drapetisca alteranda
Northern Long-toothed Sheetweaver
Drapetisca alteranda is a small sheetweb weaver spider in the family Linyphiidae, notable for its highly specialized microhabitat on tree trunks. Females measure only 4-4.5 mm in body length. The species is nocturnal and exceptionally well-camouflaged, sitting motionless on extremely thin sheet webs that are nearly invisible against bark. It is atypical among linyphiids in its hunting posture and web structure, resembling ambush-hunting spiders rather than typical sheetweb weavers.
Ectemnia invenusta
unattractive black fly
Ectemnia invenusta is a species of black fly in the family Simuliidae, characterized by autapomorphic structural and behavioral traits that distinguish it from other black fly genera. The species is primarily northern in distribution and its immature stages occupy rocky rivers. It has been studied for its distinctive cocoon-spinning behavior, which provides phylogenetically informative characters linking it to other black fly taxa.
Ephemerella aurivillii
spiny crawler mayfly
Ephemerella aurivillii is a spiny crawler mayfly in the family Ephemerellidae with a strict one-year life cycle. The species occurs across northern regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, northern Asia, and North America. Research in Norway demonstrated that its distribution and growth rates are strongly temperature-dependent, with populations expanding following hydropower-induced warming of previously cold streams.
Eristalis obscura
Dusky Drone Fly
Eristalis obscura, commonly known as the dusky drone fly, is a species of syrphid fly first described by Loew in 1866. It is widespread across northern North America and extends eastward through Europe to Siberia. The species exhibits the characteristic rat-tailed maggot larval form, with aquatic larvae that function as filter-feeders. Like other members of the genus Eristalis, adults are likely bee mimics, though specific documentation of this behavior for E. obscura is limited.
Helcystogramma fernaldella
Fernald's Helcystogramma Moth
Helcystogramma fernaldella is a small gelechiid moth described by August Busck in 1903. It is distributed across northern North America, from Alaska and Yukon eastward to New Brunswick and New England. The species inhabits open grassland environments and completes its life cycle with larval overwintering.
Macropsis borealis
Macropsis borealis is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 1983. The species is distributed across northern North America including Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario. As a member of the subfamily Macropsinae, it belongs to a group of leafhoppers typically associated with woody host plants. Beyond basic taxonomic and distribution records, detailed biological information for this species remains limited in available sources.
Macrosteles borealis
Northern Leafhopper
Macrosteles borealis is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Dorst in 1931. The species is distributed across northern North America, with records from Alaska, British Columbia, Manitoba, Michigan, and Montana. As a member of the genus Macrosteles, it is part of a group of leafhoppers known for their association with grasses and herbaceous plants. The specific epithet 'borealis' refers to its northern distribution.
Pelophila
Pelophila is a genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, subfamily Nebriinae, and tribe Pelophilini. The genus contains two described species: Pelophila borealis (Paykull, 1790) and Pelophila rudis (LeConte, 1863). Members of this genus are associated with northern and montane habitats.
Phaleromela variegata
Variegated Darkling Beetle
Phaleromela variegata is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Triplehorn in 1961. The species occurs across northern and western Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. As a member of the Tenebrionidae, it belongs to a diverse family of beetles commonly known as darkling beetles, many of which are adapted to arid or semi-arid environments. The specific epithet 'variegata' suggests variable coloration, though detailed morphological descriptions are limited in available sources.
Phanocelia
Phanocelia is a genus of northern caddisflies in the family Limnephilidae. The genus contains one described species, Phanocelia canadensis. Larvae of this species inhabit acidic bog ponds, specifically within floating Sphagnum moss at the water margin. The life cycle is univoltine with autumnal adult emergence.
Pseudanostirus ochreipennis
Ochre Click Beetle
Pseudanostirus ochreipennis, known as the Ochre Click Beetle, is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863. It is found across northern and western Canada, with records from Alberta, British Columbia, Labrador, Manitoba, and Newfoundland. The specific epithet "ochreipennis" refers to the yellowish-ochre coloration of the wing covers.
Pyrgus centaureae loki
Pyrgus centaureae loki is a subspecies of the Northern Grizzled Skipper, a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is one of several recognized subspecies of Pyrgus centaureae, a species distributed across northern regions of Europe and North America. The subspecies was described by Evans in 1953. Like other members of the genus Pyrgus, it is characterized by a checkered wing pattern and rapid, darting flight behavior typical of skippers.
Semioscopis inornata
dull flatbody moth, Poplar Micromoth
A small moth in the family Depressariidae, described by Walsingham in 1882. Adults are active in spring, with a single generation per year. Larvae are leaf-rollers that feed on poplar and willow species.
Streptanus marginatus
Streptanus marginatus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. It was first described by Kirschbaum in 1858. The species is recorded from northern regions including Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, and parts of northeastern Europe. As a member of the Athysanini tribe, it belongs to a diverse group of grass-feeding leafhoppers.
Sylvanelater mendax
Mendax Click Beetle
A click beetle in the family Elateridae, distributed across northern and western Canada. The species is known from scattered records in Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and the Northwest Territories. Limited observational data suggests it is rarely encountered, with only five documented observations on iNaturalist.
Vespula intermedia
Northern Red-banded Yellowjacket, American red-banded yellowjacket
Vespula intermedia is a rare social wasp species in the family Vespidae, described by Robert du Buysson in 1905. Its taxonomic status remains uncertain; it was previously listed as a synonym of Vespula rufa, but entomologists are divided on this classification. The species is native to northern regions of North America, with records from northern Canada, Maine, and Alaska. It is poorly known compared to more common yellowjacket species, with only 47 observations documented on iNaturalist as of the source date.
Xanthorhoe abrasaria
Northern Carpet
A small geometrid moth with a 21–24 mm wingspan, found across northern Eurasia and North America. Adults fly in July with one generation annually. The species was first described by Herrich-Schäffer in 1856 and includes several recognized subspecies across its range.
Xestia quieta
Xestia quieta is a noctuid moth distributed across northern boreal and arctic regions of Eurasia and North America. Adults are active in mid-summer, with flight periods recorded in June and July. The species is characterized by a relatively small wingspan of 25–29 mm. Larval host associations remain uncertain, though Empetrum species have been suggested as possible food plants.
Xysticus canadensis
Canada ground crab spider
Xysticus canadensis is a species of ground crab spider in the family Thomisidae, first described by Gertsch in 1934. It is distributed across northern North America and extends into Russia. As a member of the genus Xysticus, it exhibits the characteristic ambush-hunting behavior and flattened body form typical of ground crab spiders. The species overwinters as an adult or immature, emerging in early spring to hunt and reproduce.
Xysticus chippewa
Xysticus chippewa is a crab spider species in the family Thomisidae, first described by Gertsch in 1953. As a member of the genus Xysticus, it is a ground-dwelling ambush predator that does not construct webs to capture prey. The species occurs in northern North America, with records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Like other Xysticus species, it has been observed engaging in ballooning behavior for dispersal.