Overwintering-larvae
Guides
Chlosyne leanira
Leanira Checkerspot
Chlosyne leanira, commonly known as the Leanira Checkerspot, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, tribe Melitaeini. It occurs in western North America from Oregon through California, Nevada, Utah, western Colorado, and south to Baja California. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size and coloration, with females larger but males displaying more prominent red wing markings. Larvae are specialized feeders on Castilleja species (Orobanchaceae) and overwinter in the third instar.
Endothenia hebesana
Verbena Bud Moth
Endothenia hebesana is a small tortricid moth commonly known as the verbena bud moth. The species has a broad North American distribution spanning from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific. Larvae develop inside the flower stalks and seed heads of numerous plant species, particularly in the genera Verbena and Penstemon. Fourth and fifth instars overwinter within host plant stems, with pupation occurring in late spring.
Euxoa scandens
white cutworm, white cutworm moth
Euxoa scandens, commonly known as the white cutworm, is a noctuid moth native to North America. It is recognized as a sporadic agricultural pest, particularly affecting tobacco in Quebec, asparagus in Michigan, and various vegetable crops grown in light sandy soils. The species exhibits a univoltine life cycle with immature larvae overwintering and resuming feeding in spring, causing significant damage to young plants. Adult moths emerge and oviposit from late June through late July. Research has focused on developing female sex pheromone-based monitoring systems to improve management of this pest.
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.
Hesperia dacotae
Dakota skipper
Hesperia dacotae, the Dakota skipper, is a small to medium-sized North American butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. Adults are active for approximately three weeks during June and July, their entire lifespan. The species inhabits native tallgrass prairie and has experienced significant population declines due to prairie destruction and modification. Listed as Threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act since 2014, it has been extirpated from Illinois and Iowa, with its largest remaining population in North Dakota.
Meracantha contracta
Contracted Darkling Beetle
Meracantha contracta is a North American darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) distinguished by its strongly convex, humped body profile and association with decaying wood. Adults measure 11-14 mm and are bronze-black when mature. The species overwinters as larvae within rotting logs, producing antifreeze compounds to survive temperatures down to approximately -11°C. It has been recorded from at least Ontario, Canada, with broader distribution across North America.
Neominois ridingsii
Ridings' satyr
Neominois ridingsii is a North American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as Ridings' satyr. The species occupies short-grass prairie and intermountain grassland habitats across a broad range from southern Canada to the southwestern United States. Larvae feed exclusively on Bouteloua gracilis, and third- and fourth-instar larvae overwinter. Multiple subspecies have been described based on geographic variation across its range.
Oberea tripunctata
dogwood twig borer
Oberea tripunctata, commonly known as the dogwood twig borer, is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. Adults emerge in early June and feed on dogwood twigs, causing girdling damage. Females lay eggs singly on healthy twigs; larvae bore into twigs and overwinter in stems, with some individuals taking up to two years to complete development. The species is considered a minor pest of flowering dogwood and has been recorded from additional hosts including elm, azalea, viburnum, and various fruit trees.
Oeneis uhleri
Uhler's Arctic
Oeneis uhleri, commonly known as Uhler's Arctic, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is a member of the 'Arctic' group of butterflies, named for their association with high-elevation and northern habitats. The species exhibits a univoltine life cycle with fourth-instar larvae overwintering. Larvae feed on specific grass genera including Festuca, Koeleria, and Poa. The species is distributed across western North America from Alaska to northern New Mexico, with multiple recognized subspecies occupying distinct geographic ranges.
Pachybrachis peccans
Pachybrachis peccans is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. Adults feed on living willow leaves and are active from late May through July. Larvae are ground-dwelling and unable to climb plants, feeding instead on dead willow leaves in leaf litter. The species overwinters as a mature larva in a sealed case, with pupation occurring the following spring.
Peridroma
variegated cutworm moth
Peridroma is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Noctuinae. The genus includes approximately 12 described species, with Peridroma saucia (variegated cutworm) being the most economically significant due to its status as a widespread agricultural pest. Species in this genus are found across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, with some species introduced to new regions. The genus is characterized by medium-sized moths with relatively stout bodies and cryptic coloration typical of noctuine moths.
Pyrrharctia
woolly bear moth
Pyrrharctia is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, described by Packard in 1864. The genus contains two described species found in North and Central America. The best-known species, Pyrrharctia isabella, produces the familiar banded woolly bear caterpillar, widely recognized for its black and orange banded appearance and cultural association with winter weather prediction. The genus is notable for the freeze-tolerance adaptations of its larvae, which overwinter as caterpillars using cryoprotectant compounds to survive subfreezing temperatures.
Speyeria cybele pseudocarpenteri
Great Spangled Fritillary
A subspecies of the great spangled fritillary butterfly found in northern North America. Adults are strong, fast fliers with orange and black patterned wings and distinctive silvery spots on the undersides. Research on the nominate subspecies S. cybele has demonstrated that visual perception is the primary sense used for navigation to suitable habitat patches, with individuals capable of navigating from distances up to 60 meters to island habitats. Larvae feed on violet species and overwinter before completing development in spring.
Taxodiomyia cupressi
Cypress Twig Gall Midge, Cypress Flower Gall Midge
Taxodiomyia cupressi is a gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) that induces distinctive twig galls on cypress trees (Taxodium spp.). The species forms spongy, globular galls on new growth that are initially snow-white and turn brown with age. It has been documented in central Illinois and Missouri, with observations on cultivated bald cypress outside its native range. The midge undergoes complete metamorphosis with multiple generations per year, overwintering as larvae within fallen galls.
gall-midgeCecidomyiidaeTaxodiumbald-cypressgall-formerpestDipterainsectphytophagouscomplete-metamorphosismultiple-generationsoverwintering-larvaeornamental-pestriparianwetlandMissouriIllinoiscentral-USAtwig-gallspongy-gallwhite-gallbrown-gallexit-holesynchronized-emergencehost-specificTaxodiomyia-cupressiananassasynonymSchweinitz-1822Osten-Sacken-1878