Winter-active
Guides
Lithophane joannis
Buckeye Pinion
Lithophane joannis, known as the Buckeye Pinion, is a noctuid moth described by Covell and Metzler in 1992. It is a small species with forewings measuring 15–17 mm. The species exhibits an unusual flight period spanning late autumn through early spring, active from October to April. It is endemic to a restricted range in the eastern United States.
Microcausta flavipunctalis
Rusty Microcausta Moth
Microcausta flavipunctalis is a small crambid moth with a wingspan of approximately 10 mm. It occurs in the Caribbean region and southeastern United States, with confirmed records from Florida, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. Adults are active primarily during winter and spring months, with flight records spanning December through May and October.
Mycomya
fungus gnats
Mycomya is a large genus of fungus gnats (family Mycetophilidae) containing at least 400 described species. Members are small flies associated with fungal habitats. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with records from multiple continents including South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Some species show cold adaptation and winter activity patterns.
Neodiprion pratti pratti
Virginia pine sawfly
Neodiprion pratti pratti, the Virginia pine sawfly, is a conifer-feeding sawfly native to eastern North America. It is a univoltine species with larvae that feed gregariously on pine needles, particularly Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) and pitch pine (Pinus rigida). The subspecies exhibits a distinctive winter-active life history in some populations, with adults emerging in late autumn and larvae feeding during the cool season. This phenology allows escape from egg parasitoids but exposes small larvae to periodic mortality from freezing events and ice storms.
Penthaleidae
earth mites
Penthaleidae, commonly known as earth mites, is a family of mites in the order Trombidiformes. The family is distributed globally across every continent. In southern Australia, several species are major agricultural pests, causing damage to winter crops and pastures. The family contains approximately 30 described species across seven genera, including economically significant species such as *Halotydeus destructor* (the redlegged earth mite) and *Penthaleus major* (the blue oat mite).
Plecoptera
stoneflies
Plecoptera, commonly known as stoneflies, comprises approximately 3,500 described species worldwide. This order represents one of the most primitive groups of Neoptera, with fossil relatives dating to the Carboniferous and Lower Permian periods, though modern diversity appears to be of Mesozoic origin. Stoneflies are found on every continent except Antarctica, with distinct populations in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. All species are aquatic in their immature stages and are highly sensitive to water pollution, making them important bioindicators of stream and river health.
Pollenia angustigena
Narrow-cheeked Clusterfly
Pollenia angustigena is a medium-sized cluster fly in the family Polleniidae, measuring 4.5–9.5 mm. Formerly classified in Calliphoridae, this species is now placed in Polleniidae based on morphological and molecular evidence. Adults display variable coloration with chequered abdominal dusting and distinctive golden crinkly thoracic hairs. The species is widely distributed in Britain and parts of continental Europe, with records from Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Portugal (Madeira). Adults are active from March to October, though they may be recorded year-round indoors during winter. Like other Pollenia species, adults feed on flower nectar and may contribute to pollination, while larvae are parasitoids or predators of earthworms.
Porrhodites
Porrhodites is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae, subfamily Omaliinae) established by Kraatz in 1857. One species, Porrhodites inflatus, has been identified as a likely subnivium specialist—an arthropod adapted to the narrow airspace between soil and winter snowpack. These beetles appear to be active primarily during winter months and may enter dormancy during summer, representing a distinct life history strategy among temperate forest arthropods.
Porrhodites inflatus
Porrhodites inflatus is a small rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) identified as a specialist of the subnivium—the air space between soil and winter snowpack. Research indicates this species dominates winter subnivium communities in northern forests while remaining rare or inactive during summer months. Its survival depends on stable subnivium temperatures maintained by snowpack insulation, making it vulnerable to climate-driven snowpack decline.
Prenolepis
Winter Ants and Allies
Prenolepis is a genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae with a wide geographic distribution spanning southeastern Asia, southern China, North America, southern Europe, Anatolia, Cuba, Haiti, and West Africa. The genus is best known for P. imparis, commonly called the winter ant or false honey ant, which exhibits unique cold-adapted activity patterns and serves as a model organism for thermal physiology research. Most Prenolepis species are small, ground-nesting ants that inhabit woodland and forest environments.
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.
Purealus
Purealus is a monotypic genus of cleonine weevils (Curculionidae: Lixinae: Cleonini) endemic to the southwestern United States. The genus was erected to accommodate Purealus beckelorum, a species that cannot be placed in existing North American genera Apleurus or Scaphomorphus due to a unique combination of morphological characters. The genus is distinguished by two autapomorphies within Cleonini: a distinctly tumescent and asperate base of elytral interval 3, and widely separated procoxae. The single known species is winter-active and ground-dwelling in arid environments.
Purealus beckelorum
A recently described cleonine weevil endemic to the southern High Plains, representing the type species of its monotypic genus. Distinguished from all other world Cleonini by two unique character states: widely separated procoxae and a distinctly tumescent, asperate base of elytral interval 3. A moderately robust, wingless species with body length 7.8–9.4 mm. Known from only nine specimens despite targeted collecting efforts.
Rhagium inquisitor
Ribbed Pine Borer
Rhagium inquisitor, commonly known as the ribbed pine borer, is a medium-sized longhorn beetle distinguished by its unusual morphology and unique life history. Unlike most cerambycids, adults have short antennae and a 'big-shouldered' build with heavily ribbed elytra. The species is notable for being one of the few North American cerambycids to overwinter as adults rather than larvae, and for pupating directly beneath bark rather than in the sapwood. It has a broad Holarctic distribution spanning North America, Europe, and Asia.
Semidalis
dusty-wing
Semidalis is a genus of dusty-wing lacewings (family Coniopterygidae) comprising small predatory insects with bodies covered in white wax. Adults and larvae are active predators of tiny arthropods including spider mites, scale insects, and whiteflies. The genus has an almost cosmopolitan distribution, with records from Europe, China, Africa, and North America. Some species remain active during winter months in temperate regions.
Stirellus catalinus
Stirellus catalinus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, originally described as Penestirellus catalinus by Beamer & Tuthill in 1934. It belongs to the subfamily Deltocephalinae and tribe Eupelicini. The species has been documented in Arizona and Kansas, with records suggesting it may be active during winter months in mild conditions.
Tanaoceridae
desert long-horned grasshoppers
Tanaoceridae is a small family of grasshoppers comprising two genera, Mohavacris and Tanaocerus. These insects are notable for their exceptionally long, thread-like antennae that equal or exceed body length, a trait unusual among Caelifera that can cause confusion with crickets (Ensifera). They are nocturnal, winter-active insects of arid regions, with apterous (wingless) bodies and cryptic coloration adapted to desert environments.
Thanatus vulgaris
Cricket Thief Spider
Thanatus vulgaris is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae with a remarkably wide global distribution spanning native Palearctic ranges and introduced populations across multiple continents. The species occupies diverse terrestrial habitats from natural grasslands and shrublands to agricultural systems. It is known for ground-dwelling behavior and has been observed engaging in ballooning dispersal. Two subspecies are recognized: T. v. vulgaris and T. v. creticus.
Trichobius corynorhini
Trichobius corynorhini is a species of bat fly (Diptera: Streblidae) described by Cockerell in 1910. As a streblid bat fly, it is an obligate ectoparasite of bats. The species has been studied for its winter ecology, suggesting activity patterns that extend beyond typical warm-season observations common in many dipteran parasites.
Trichocera
winter crane flies
Trichocera is a genus of winter crane flies comprising over 140 described species. Adults are among the few insects regularly active during winter months, often appearing at porch lights or forming aerial swarms on sunny days. The genus is distinguished from other crane flies by the presence of three ocelli on the crown of the head. Most North American species belong to this genus, with larvae developing in decaying organic matter including leaf litter, compost, fungi, and manure.
Trichocera annulata
Winter Gnat, Winter Crane Fly
Trichocera annulata, commonly known as the winter gnat, is a species of winter crane fly in the family Trichoceridae. First described by Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1818, it is one of the few insects regularly active in adult form during winter months. The species has a broad distribution across Europe and North America, with introduced populations in New Zealand.
Trichocera garretti
winter crane fly
Trichocera garretti is a species of winter crane fly in the family Trichoceridae. Adults are active during winter months, a rare trait among insects. The species is part of the genus Trichocera, which contains most North American winter crane flies. Larvae are scavengers in decaying organic matter.
Trichoceridae
winter crane flies, winter gnats
Trichoceridae, commonly known as winter crane flies or winter gnats, is a small family of delicate, long-legged flies in the order Diptera. Adults are active primarily during cold seasons, including fall, winter, and early spring, with some species observed in snow. They are distinguished from other crane fly families by the presence of three ocelli (simple eyes) on the crown of the head. The family contains approximately 160 described species worldwide, with most diversity concentrated in non-tropical, Holarctic regions. Larvae inhabit moist terrestrial environments where they feed on decaying organic matter.
Ufeus felsensteini
Ufeus felsensteini is a small noctuid moth described in 2013, known exclusively from the Santa Catalina Mountains in southeastern Arizona. The species exhibits unusual seasonality among temperate moths: adults emerge in spring and enter an overwintering state, with most flight activity occurring during winter months. It is one of the few species in the genus Ufeus, a small noctuid lineage.
Ufeus satyricus
Brown Satyr Moth
Ufeus satyricus is a noctuid moth known as the Brown Satyr Moth. It is notable for overwintering as an adult, with adults emerging from pupae in summer and remaining active through fall, winter, and spring. The species shows sexual dimorphism in forewing length, with females larger than males. It is closely associated with large poplar trees across its North American range.
Zygiella
Missing-sector Orbweb Spiders
Zygiella is a genus of orb-weaver spiders distinguished by their distinctive webs, which feature a missing sector containing a single signaling thread that leads to a tubular retreat. First described by F. O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1902, the genus underwent taxonomic revision in 2015 when Parazygiella was synonymized with Zygiella. The genus has a global distribution, with species found across Europe, North America, Asia, and introduced populations in South America and elsewhere.