Winter-active-insects
Guides
Lesteva
ocellate rove beetles
Lesteva is a genus of ocellate rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, containing at least 60 described species. Members of this genus are small predatory beetles with distinct ocelli on the head. At least one species, L. pallipes, has been identified as a subnivium specialist—active beneath winter snowpack and rare or inactive during summer. The genus has a Holarctic distribution with species recorded across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Paracladura
winter crane flies
Paracladura is a genus of winter crane flies (family Trichoceridae) comprising more than 30 described species. Adults are active during winter months, an unusual trait among insects. The genus is distinguished from other trichocerids by wing venation patterns. Paracladura is the least diverse of the three North American trichocerid genera, with one species documented in western North America.
Tipulomorpha
crane flies, crane flies and allies
Tipulomorpha is an infraorder of Nematocera containing crane flies and allied families, representing one of the largest and most diverse groups of true flies. The infraorder comprises five extant families: Tipulidae (large crane flies), Limoniidae (limoniid crane flies), Pediciidae (hairy-eyed crane flies), Cylindrotomidae (long-bodied crane flies), and Trichoceridae (winter crane flies). With approximately 15,000 described species in the family Tipulidae alone, this group exhibits remarkable morphological diversity, particularly in larval forms. Adults are characterized by elongated bodies, extremely long legs, and single pair of membranous wings. Larval habitats range from aquatic environments to terrestrial soils, decaying wood, and even snow-covered surfaces in specialized groups.