Riverine-habitat
Guides
Cicindela formosa
Big Sand Tiger Beetle, Flashy Tiger Beetle
Cicindela formosa is a large, robust tiger beetle species found in deep, dry sand habitats across much of North America east of the Rocky Mountains. Adults are powerful fliers known for their distinctive escape behavior—long flights ending with a characteristic bounce and tumble across the sand. The species exhibits notable geographic variation in coloration, with western populations typically showing bright coppery-red dorsal coloration and eastern populations dark brown. Six subspecies are currently recognized, though the validity of some subspecific distinctions remains debated.
Hetaerina titia
smoky rubyspot
Hetaerina titia, the smoky rubyspot, is a broad-winged damselfly in the family Calopterygidae. It is one of the most commonly encountered odonates along streams and rivers from Panama to southern Canada, representing the largest latitudinal range of any species in the genus Hetaerina. The species exhibits highly variable wing melanin pigmentation, both seasonally and geographically, and has become a model system for studying sexual selection and interspecific behavioral interference. Its IUCN conservation status is Least Concern with a stable population.
Limnophora
Limnophora is a genus of muscid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830, comprising approximately 230 species distributed worldwide. The genus is characterized by distinctive silver bands across the thorax and serves as the namesake for the tribe Limnophorini. Species occur in diverse habitats including riverine environments, karst formations such as tufa barriers, and high montane forests. The genus includes notable species such as Limnophora riparia, a documented predator of larval black flies, and L. marginata, which has been studied for genetic and morphometric variation across altitudinal gradients.
Somatochlora filosa
Fine-lined Emerald, cordulie tricoteuse (French)
Somatochlora filosa, known as the fine-lined emerald, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America, with its first Canadian record documented in Quebec in 2016. The species is classified as rheophilic, inhabiting river and stream environments. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern with a stable population.
Stylurus
Hanging Clubtails
Stylurus is a genus of dragonflies in the family Gomphidae, commonly known as hanging clubtails. The genus was established by Needham in 1897 and contains approximately 35 species distributed across North America and Asia. Members are distinguished by their characteristic perching behavior of hanging nearly vertically from vegetation. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with some species previously assigned to Stylurus now recognized as belonging to other genera such as Fukienogomphus. Nymphs of the Stylurus group were historically classified within the genus Gomphus before being recognized as a distinct lineage.