About Boreus hyemalis (Linnaeus, 1767)
Boreus hyemalis (Linnaeus, 1767) is an insect species belonging to the Boreidae family. It is commonly called the snow scorpionfly, and is known as the snow flea in Britain. Adults of this species range in length from 3 to 4.5 millimetres. Their wings are stubby and grey-brown, with a distinct metallic sheen. Male individuals have 4 short wing vestiges, whose ends curve downwards. Female individuals only have two scale-like wing vestiges, and can generally be recognized by their curved, sabre-shaped ovipositor, which functions as an egg-laying structure. Adult Boreus hyemalis only appear during the colder part of the year, between October and March, and mating occurs during this period. Their larvae inhabit moss-covered areas, and retreat into holes in the ground to pupate in September. At temperatures around freezing point, these snow fleas crawl or hop across snow, a habit that makes them resemble glacier fleas and snow flies.
