Spring-ephemeral
Guides
Anthocharis midea
Falcate Orangetip
A univoltine pierid butterfly native to eastern North America, characterized by the orange-tipped forewings of males and distinctive green marbled hindwing undersides. Adults emerge in early spring and live approximately one week. The species specializes on Brassicaceae host plants, with documented ecological trap dynamics involving the invasive plant Alliaria petiolata.
Anthocharis sara sempervirens
Sara Orange-Tip
Anthocharis sara sempervirens is a subspecies of the Sara Orange-Tip butterfly, first described in 2008. It belongs to the family Pieridae, which includes the whites and sulphurs. The subspecies epithet "sempervirens" (meaning "evergreen") references the coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forests with which this butterfly is associated. Like other orange-tips, males display distinctive orange coloration on the forewing tips.
Celastrina idella
American holly azure, Holly Azure
Celastrina idella is a small blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, endemic to the Atlantic coastal plain of the eastern United States. Adults exhibit a single spring flight period from late April to late May, with pupae undergoing extended diapause through summer, autumn, and winter. The species is specialized on holly (Ilex) species as larval hosts, with documented associations with several ant species. It occurs sympatrically with related azure species but is distinguished by host plant specificity, smaller size, and unique phenology.
Chromagrion conditum
Aurora Damsel
Chromagrion conditum, commonly known as the Aurora Damsel, is the sole species in its genus. This small damselfly is distinguished by its striking coloration with bright yellow-green thorax and blue abdominal markings in males. It inhabits forested streams and seeps across eastern North America. The species is notable for its early spring emergence, often appearing before most other damselflies in its range.
Collinsia
Blue-eyed Marys, Chinese houses
Collinsia is a genus of approximately 20 species of annual herbaceous flowering plants in the family Plantaginaceae. The genus includes two informal groups: the blue-eyed Marys and the Chinese houses. Species are endemic to North America, with particularly high diversity in California. The genus was historically classified in Scrophulariaceae but reassigned to Plantaginaceae based on molecular genetic research. Collinsia species are winter annuals that germinate with winter rains and complete their life cycle within a single growing season.
Eubranchipus
fairy shrimp, vernalis fairy shrimp, eastern fairy shrimp
Eubranchipus is a genus of freshwater fairy shrimp (Anostraca: Chirocephalidae) comprising 21 described species. These small branchiopods inhabit temporary pools and vernal ponds across North America, Europe, and Asia. Populations exhibit rapid life cycles synchronized with ephemeral aquatic habitats, hatching from desiccation-resistant resting eggs when pools fill and completing development before summer desiccation.
Eubranchipus serratus
Ethologist Fairy Shrimp
Eubranchipus serratus is a fairy shrimp species in the family Chirocephalidae, first described by Forbes in 1876. It is one of approximately 300 species of Anostraca, commonly known as fairy shrimp, which are specialized for temporary aquatic habitats. The species has been documented across North America, though specific ecological details remain limited in published sources.
Eubranchipus vernalis
springtime fairy shrimp, eastern fairy shrimp
Eubranchipus vernalis, commonly called the springtime fairy shrimp or eastern fairy shrimp, is a small freshwater crustacean in the family Chirocephalidae. It inhabits seasonal pools and vernal wetlands across North America. The species is named for its spring emergence pattern, appearing in temporary waters following winter thaw. As a branchiopod, it represents an ancient lineage of aquatic arthropods with specialized filtering appendages.
Pieris virginiensis
West Virginia White, Toothwort White
Pieris virginiensis, the West Virginia White, is a small white butterfly endemic to moist deciduous forests of eastern North America. The species is univoltine, with adults active for approximately one month in early spring (April–May). It is threatened by habitat loss, forest fragmentation, and particularly by the invasive plant Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard), which females mistakenly oviposit on due to chemical similarity with native host plants; larvae cannot survive on this toxic invasive. Population declines of 10–70% have been documented across its range.