Thermal-specialist
Guides
Octogomphus specularis
Grappletail, Club-tailed dragonfly
Octogomphus specularis, commonly known as the grappletail or club-tailed dragonfly, is the sole species in its genus. It is a North American dragonfly distinguished by a club-like widening at the end of its abdomen. Larvae are specialized to lake outlet streams, where warmer thermal conditions support development at the northern range limit. The species has a three-year life cycle and reaches its northernmost distribution in British Columbia, Canada.
Prenolepis imparis
winter ant, false honey ant, false honeypot ant, American Winter Ant
Prenolepis imparis is a cold-adapted ant species widespread across North America, notable for being active during winter and early spring when most other ants are dormant. The species exhibits distinctive thermal physiology, with workers foraging at near-freezing temperatures and colonies undergoing summer aestivation. Workers are small (3-4 mm), brown, with shiny gasters. The species produces specialized replete workers that store fat and nutrients as living energy reserves. Five highly divergent genetic lineages occur across the continent, with limited gene flow between them. Nuptial flights occur unusually early, from February through April.