Old-growth-forest
Guides
Boletina
fungus gnats
Boletina is a species-rich genus of fungus gnats in the family Mycetophilidae, characterized by a mainly Holarctic distribution. The genus has historically been taxonomically challenging due to morphological similarities among species and paraphyletic relationships with related genera including Aglaomyia, Coelosia, and Gnoriste. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies and taxonomic revisions have clarified some relationships, though the genus remains under active investigation. Boletina species are particularly diverse in northern Europe, where ongoing research continues to reveal new species.
Bolitophagini
Bolitophagini is a tribe of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) comprising more than 20 genera. The tribe is named after its type genus Bolitophagus, whose name derives from Greek meaning 'fungus-eater'. Members are primarily associated with forest habitats and feed on fungi, particularly bracket fungi (polypores). The tribe has a fossil record extending to the Eocene, indicating long-term persistence in forest ecosystems.
Dasycerus
Dasycerus is the sole extant genus in the rove beetle subfamily Dasycerinae, comprising 25 recognized species. Nine cryptic species were recently discovered in 2024, previously attributed to D. carolinensis, distinguishable only by male aedeagal dissection or DNA analysis. The genus exhibits notable intraspecific genetic diversity and cryptic speciation, particularly in montane populations.
Dendroctonus pseudotsugae
Douglas-fir beetle, Douglas fir beetle
The Douglas-fir beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae) is a bark beetle native to western North America and a major pest of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Adults are small (4.4–7 mm), light brown when young, darkening to brown or black with reddish wing covers. Outbreaks typically follow disturbances such as storms, fire, or drought, which provide stressed or dead host trees. The species has one of the most thoroughly studied pheromone systems among bark beetles, with operational use of its antiaggregation pheromone (MCH) to protect high-value trees developed over 40 years of research. The beetle also infests downed western larch (Larix occidentalis), though brood do not survive in live larch due to high 3-carene content.
Fumontana deprehendor
Fumontana deprehendor is the sole species in the monotypic genus Fumontana, a harvestman (order Opiliones) endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains. Originally described from only four specimens at two old-growth forest localities, expanded field surveys have documented 141 individuals across 22 newly-discovered populations throughout the Appalachian uplands. The species exhibits minimal geographic variation in both body and genital morphology across its disjunct range. Its conservation status has shifted from perceived hyper-rarity to recognition of broader distribution with geographically isolated population units requiring continued study.
Gnoristinae
fungus gnats
Gnoristinae is a subfamily of fungus gnats within the family Mycetophilidae. As of 2019, over 442 species have been described across more than 30 genera, making it one of the most taxonomically challenging groups in Mycetophilidae with species and generic boundaries subject to frequent revision. The subfamily has been characterized as highly diverse with new taxa described annually from various parts of the world. Members are generally small flies, with some species reaching only 3 mm in body length.
Litiulus
Litiulus is a monotypic genus of millipedes in the family Parajulidae, containing only Litiulus alaskanus. It is endemic to the northeastern Pacific coastal region, ranging from Tlingit territory in the north to Haida territory in the south. The species is notable for its specialized diet of fungal fruiting bodies and slime molds, and its occurrence in hypermaritime old-growth rainforests.
Litiulus alaskanus
Litiulus alaskanus is a small julid millipede and the sole species in the monotypic genus Litiulus. It is endemic to the northeastern Pacific region, where it inhabits old-growth rainforests. The species is notable for its specialized diet of fungal fruiting bodies and its apparent physiological tolerance for drier conditions than most sympatric millipedes.
Medetera apicalis
Medetera apicalis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. It occurs in Europe and North America, with distribution records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The species is associated with old-growth forest habitats, where adults have been observed beneath bark and on fruiting bodies of wood-decaying fungi such as Fomitopsis pinicola. As a member of the genus Medetera, it shares the characteristic behavior of perching on tree trunks in a distinctive tiptoe posture.
Osmoderma
Typical Hermit Beetles, Hermit Beetles
Osmoderma is a genus of scarab beetles in the subfamily Cetoniinae, commonly known as hermit beetles. The genus has a Holarctic distribution, with species found across Europe, parts of Asia, and North America. Several European species, particularly O. eremita and O. barnabita, are of significant conservation concern due to habitat loss and are protected under the EU Habitats Directive. The genus is characterized by its dependence on tree hollows for larval development, making it highly vulnerable to forest management practices that remove dead wood and veteran trees.
saproxylicconservationHabitats-Directivetree-hollowsveteran-treesindicator-speciesumbrella-specieswood-mouldCetoniinaeScarabaeidaeHolarcticEuropeNorth-Americathreatened-speciesdead-woodforest-managementcitizen-sciencedetection-dogsex-situ-breedingpollardingtraditional-agricultural-landscapesmetapopulationhabitat-fragmentationold-growth-forestbroad-leaved-treesoaklimewillowbeechorchardshedgerowsurban-parkspheromone-monitoringradio-trackingphoretic-mitesScopoli-1763Le-Peletier-&-Serville-1828O.-eremitaO.-barnabitaO.-eremicolahermit-beetlePhellopsis obcordata
Eastern Ironclad Beetle
Phellopsis obcordata is a small beetle in the family Zopheridae, commonly known as the Eastern Ironclad Beetle. It occurs in old growth boreal forests of eastern North America. The species was historically confused with the western P. porcata until a 2008 revision clarified their status as valid vicariant species. It is known for its hard, armored body typical of ironclad beetles.
Pytho
dead log beetles, dead log bark beetles
Pytho is a small genus of saproxylic beetles in the family Pythidae, commonly known as dead log beetles or dead log bark beetles. The genus comprises approximately nine to ten described species distributed across the Holarctic region, recognized as typically boreal taxa. Species inhabit the cambial layer of dead trees, particularly conifers, where larvae feed on partially decomposed wood and bark. Several species have disjunct distributions spanning North America, Europe, and Japan, reflecting complex historical biogeographic patterns involving vicariance and dispersal across Beringia. Some species, such as P. abieticola, are considered relicts of primeval forests and are in decline across much of Central Europe.
Rhysodidae
Wrinkled Bark Beetles
Rhysodidae is a family of saproxylic beetles comprising over 350 species in approximately 20 genera, predominantly distributed in tropical forests worldwide. The family contains three European species: Rhysodes sulcatus (Wrinkled Bark Beetle), Clinidium canaliculatum, and Omoglymmius germari. Members are obligate saproxylic beetles dependent on deadwood habitats, with most species being flightless, poorly mobile, and exhibiting cryptic habits. Rhysodes sulcatus is listed as Endangered in the EU-27 and serves as an umbrella species and bioindicator for ancient forest remnants.
Taracus carmanah
Taracus carmanah is a species of harvestman (Opiliones: Ischyropsalidoidea: Taracidae) described in 2016 from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The species name refers to Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, a protected old-growth forest area on southwestern Vancouver Island. It was described as part of a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Taracus, which included redescription of all previously named species and description of eight new species across western North America.
Trogloraptoridae
Cave Robber Spiders
Trogloraptoridae is a family of spiders established in 2012 to accommodate the single genus Trogloraptor, found in caves and old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest. The family was erected based on the unique morphology of Trogloraptor marchingtoni, which possesses distinctive raptorial claws unlike any other known spider. This discovery marked the first new family of spiders described from North America since the 1890s. The family represents a significant evolutionary lineage that has forced revisions to understanding of spider phylogeny.