Species of Boreus are dark in color, 3 to 5 mm long, and have reduced, non-functional wings.

They have a holarctic distribution and are found in boreal and high altitude habitats.

[1] Boreus species are highly adapted to cold environments and often found on the surface of snow.

Males use their hardened wing straps to grasp the female and lift her above their back during mating.

[2] These 27 species belong to the genus Boreus: Data sources: i = ITIS,[3] c = Catalogue of Life,[4] g = GBIF,[5] b = Bugguide.net[6]