Wetland-specialist
Guides
Agonum belleri
Beller's Ground Beetle
Agonum belleri is a flightless ground beetle endemic to Pacific Northwest wetlands. It is metallic-black with copper, blue, or green reflections. The species is restricted to sphagnum bogs and associated wetlands in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. It is listed as endangered by the Xerces Society and a species of greatest conservation need in Washington due to habitat loss from peat mining and development.
Agrilus concinnus
hibiscus jewel beetle
Agrilus concinnus is a large, vividly colored jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was formerly considered one of the rarest Agrilus species in North America until researchers determined it to be a later-season species associated with living Hibiscus plants. Adults are active from late July through early August, peaking when host plants are in bloom. The species has been documented in Missouri, Kansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Texas.
Apantesis doris
Doris tiger moth
Apantesis doris, commonly known as the Doris tiger moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1869. The species exhibits a transcontinental distribution across North America, with populations in the western region (British Columbia, Alberta, northern Idaho, and western Montana) and eastern populations spanning from Atlantic Canada to Florida and west to central Texas. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis as part of a broader taxonomic reclassification involving multiple genera.
Arctia virginalis
Ranchman's Tiger Moth, woolly bear caterpillar (larval form)
Arctia virginalis is a tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, found in western North America. The species was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1852 and was formerly placed in the genus Platyprepia before being transferred to Arctia. Adults are brightly colored with black forewings bearing light yellow spots and orange hindwings with black bands. The larvae, known as woolly bears, are densely hairy caterpillars with distinctive orange-black-orange coloration. A 40-year population study at Bodega Bay, California, found that precipitation is the primary driver of abundance, with wet winters and wet sites supporting higher densities.
Buckleria
Buckleria is a genus of plume moths (Pterophoridae) whose larvae are specialized herbivores of carnivorous sundew plants (Drosera). Caterpillars possess a unique behavioral adaptation of licking mucilage from the plant's sticky glandular hairs, enabling them to move safely on trap leaves that typically capture and digest insects. This represents a rare example of a specialist consumer exploiting plants generally considered insectivorous.
Callophrys hesseli
Hessel's Hairstreak
Hessel's Hairstreak is a small lycaenid butterfly endemic to Atlantic coastal wetlands of the eastern United States. The species exhibits complete ecological dependence on Atlantic white-cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides), which serves as the exclusive larval host plant and provides adult camouflage habitat. Populations are patchily distributed and declining due to habitat loss, with state-level endangered status in Connecticut and G3 vulnerable ranking globally.
Chrysendeton nigrescens
Chrysendeton nigrescens is a small moth species in the family Crambidae, first described by Heppner in 1991. It is known exclusively from pitcher plant bogs in the southeastern United States. The species has a narrow geographic range, recorded only from Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Adults are active during two distinct periods: spring (May–June) and late summer (August–September).
Cicindelidia trifasciata ascendens
Ascendent Tiger Beetle, Three-lined Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia trifasciata ascendens is a subspecies of tiger beetle commonly found in coastal salt marsh habitats along the Gulf Coast of Florida. It is recognized by its dark brown dorsal coloration and distinctive thin, sinuous, S-shaped middle elytral maculation. The subspecies is notably active and flighty, particularly during hot afternoon conditions. It has been documented as far north as Missouri as a rare vagrant, but its core range centers on saline coastal wetlands from Texas through Florida.
Coenonympha tullia inornata
Inornate Ringlet, Common Ringlet (inornata subspecies)
Coenonympha tullia inornata is a subspecies of the Common Ringlet butterfly, a member of the family Nymphalidae. This subspecies occurs in North America, where it inhabits peatland and bog habitats. The species has been documented in association with blanket bog ecosystems, where it serves as an indicator of intact peatland conditions. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with grasses as larval host plants.
Crambus watsonellus
Watson's Grass-veneer
Crambus watsonellus is a North American grass-veneer moth described by Alexander Barrett Klots in 1942. It is restricted to marshy habitats across a scattered distribution in eastern and central North America. The species is one of approximately 250 recognized species in the genus Crambus.
Epimartyria auricrinella
Goldcap Moss-Eater, goldcap moss-eater moth
Epimartyria auricrinella, commonly called the goldcap moss-eater moth, is a small moth in the family Micropterigidae. It is the first species in the North American moth numbering system (MONA 0001). The species is notable for its diurnal activity pattern and specialized larval diet on liverworts. It occurs in wet, shaded habitats of eastern North America where its host plants grow.
Erebia mancinus
Taiga Alpine
Erebia mancinus, known as the taiga alpine, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Satyrinae. It inhabits subarctic and boreal regions of North America, with a disjunct population extending south to the Rocky Mountains. The species is associated with wetland habitats, specifically black spruce-sphagnum bogs. Adults are active during a brief flight period in mid-summer.
Euphyes conspicua
Black Dash
Euphyes conspicua, commonly known as the Black Dash, is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in the upper Midwest and central Atlantic regions of North America, specializing in shrubby wetland habitats. The species has a single annual generation, with adults active from June through August. Larval development depends on sedges in the genus Carex.
Euphyes dukesi
Dukes' skipper
Euphyes dukesi, known as Dukes' skipper, is a small wetland-associated skipper butterfly endemic to eastern North America. The species exhibits a fragmented distribution across three geographically isolated populations: the Atlantic coastal plain, the lower Mississippi Valley, and the Great Lakes region. It is strictly associated with shaded wetland habitats where sedges serve as larval host plants. The species was first described in 1923 from Alabama and named for collector W. C. Dukes. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form and the Florida-endemic E. d. calhouni, which occupies swamp habitats with distinct morphological differences.
Hippodamia tredecimpunctata
thirteen-spot ladybeetle, thirteen-spotted lady beetle
Hippodamia tredecimpunctata is a medium-sized lady beetle distinguished by thirteen dark spots on red to orange elytra. It occupies a narrow ecological niche in wetland habitats across the northern hemisphere, where it preys on aphids associated with grasses and sedges. The species has experienced population declines in parts of North America following the introduction of the non-native seven-spot lady beetle.
Isoparce cupressi
Cypress Sphinx, Baldcypress Sphinx
Isoparce cupressi is a sphinx moth (family Sphingidae) commonly known as the cypress sphinx or baldcypress sphinx. The species is strongly associated with cypress swamp habitats in the southeastern and south-central United States. Adults are active from February through October in the southern portion of their range, with multiple generations per year reported. The specific epithet 'cupressi' references the genus Taxodium (bald cypress), indicating a close ecological relationship with this host plant.
Lasionycta taigata
Northern Bog Arches
Lasionycta taigata is a noctuid moth described by Lafontaine in 1988. The species is strongly associated with boreal wetland habitats, specifically open peatlands and fens within the taiga zone. It represents one of 43 species recognized in a 2009 revision of the genus Lasionycta, which included 17 newly described species. The specific epithet 'taigata' references its primary distribution in taiga ecosystems.
Lipara lucens
Cigar Gall
Lipara lucens is a gall-forming frit fly (Diptera: Chloropidae) that induces characteristic cigar-shaped galls on common reed (Phragmites australis). The species is monophagous, completing its entire larval development within reed stems. Males produce species-specific acoustic signals through wing vibration and abdominal movement to locate females, who respond with answering vibrations. This substrate-borne communication reduces mate-searching time by allowing males to rapidly assess reed stems for receptive females.
Nannothemis
elfin skimmer
Nannothemis is a monotypic genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, containing a single species, Nannothemis bella (elfin skimmer). It is the smallest dragonfly in North America, with males exhibiting powdery blue coloration and females displaying black and yellow wasp-like patterning. The genus is native to eastern North America, where it inhabits specialized wetland habitats.
Nehalennia pallidula
Everglades Sprite
A small damselfly endemic to the southeastern United States, restricted to Florida and Texas. It inhabits swamps and freshwater marshes, where its preference for dense vegetation and diminutive size make it difficult to detect. The species faces significant threats from habitat loss due to water diversion, peat fires, and invasive species.
Neonympha mitchellii
Mitchell's Satyr, Mitchell's Marsh Satyr, Saint Francis' Satyr
Neonympha mitchellii is a federally endangered nymphalid butterfly of the eastern United States. The species comprises two recognized subspecies: N. m. mitchellii (Mitchell's satyr) in Michigan and Indiana, and N. m. francisci (Saint Francis' satyr) restricted to a single metapopulation at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Additional populations discovered in Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia since 1998 remain under taxonomic study. All populations are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Nicrophorus hebes
Boreal Burying Beetle
Nicrophorus hebes is a resurrected valid species of burying beetle, previously synonymized under N. vespilloides. Molecular, ecological, and morphological evidence demonstrates that North American populations (excluding Alaska, Yukon, and Northwest Territories) represent a distinct species from the Old World N. vespilloides. The species exhibits reproductive isolation, with most hybrid larvae failing to survive beyond four days. Nicrophorus hebes is rare and tightly associated with wetland habitats, warranting conservation concern.
Ochlodes yuma
Yuma Skipper
Ochlodes yuma, commonly known as the Yuma skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) endemic to wetlands of western North America. The species is notable for its specialized relationship with common reed (Phragmites australis), which serves as its sole known larval host plant. Five subspecies have been described, reflecting geographic variation across its range. The species has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 4057.
Papaipema speciosissima
osmunda borer, regal fern borer
Papaipema speciosissima is a noctuid moth commonly known as the osmunda borer or regal fern borer. The species was described in 1868 and is native to North America. As a member of the genus Papaipema, it is a fern-boring moth whose larvae develop inside fern stems or rhizomes. The specific epithet 'speciosissima' (most beautiful) suggests distinctive appearance among congeners.
Parapamea buffaloensis
Lizard's-tail Borer Moth
Parapamea buffaloensis, commonly known as the Lizard's-tail Borer Moth, is a noctuid moth species described by Grote in 1877. The species is native to North America and is associated with wetland habitats where its larval host plant, lizard's-tail (Saururus cernuus), occurs. The common name reflects its specialized relationship with this plant, as the larvae bore into the stems. Adults are nocturnal and have been documented through limited but consistent observations.
Tachytrechus auratus
Tachytrechus auratus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. It is restricted to specialized wetland habitats in east-central Washington State, where it occurs on mud flats and freshet seeps. Adults are active from late spring through early autumn with a maximum lifespan of approximately one week. The species has a relatively brief pupal development period of 4 to 7 days.