Snow Flea - Boreus hyemalis
It is not a flea, nor as small as a flea (about 4 mm long). This bizarre creature has long legs, vestigial wings and a head with a long, downward projecting beak (which has biting mouthparts at the end).
Mossy places.
Unlikely as it sounds, this is an insect that seems to thrive in cold conditions and can be observed hopping about in the snow.
It lives in moss.
Widespread in Britain but uncommon or under recorded.
This is possibly only the second record for Leicestershire and Rutland, although the species may be under recorded in our area. The first record came from Swithland Wood (28 August 1949).
Steve Woodward
Bradgate Park
11 November 2011
female
Steve Woodward
Bradgate Park
11 November 2011
female
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Species profile
- Common names
- Snow Flea
- Species group:
- Lacewings & Scorpionflies
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Mecoptera
- Family:
- Boreidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 1
- First record:
- 11/11/2011 (Woodward, Steve)
- Last record:
- 11/11/2011 (Woodward, Steve)
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