2012-description
Guides
Aptostichus chemehuevi
Chemehuevi Desert Trapdoor Spider
Aptostichus chemehuevi is a species of trapdoor spider in the family Euctenizidae, described by arachnologist Jason Bond in 2012. It belongs to a genus of mygalomorph spiders known for constructing silk-lined burrows with hinged trapdoor lids. The species epithet references the Chemehuevi people, a Native American group whose traditional territory includes parts of the southwestern United States where this spider occurs. Like other Aptostichus species, it is a fossorial predator with limited dispersal capability.
Aptostichus sarlacc
Sarlacc Trapdoor Spider
Aptostichus sarlacc is a trapdoor spider species described by Jason Bond in 2012 from the Mojave Desert. The species epithet references the Sarlacc creature from George Lucas' Star Wars, a fictional desert-dwelling organism. It belongs to a genus of trapdoor spiders known for constructing silk-lined burrows with camouflaged trapdoor lids made of soil, vegetation, and silk. The species was among 33 new Aptostichus species described from the American Southwest in a major taxonomic revision.
Atheta alesi
Atheta alesi is a rove beetle species described in 2012 from New Brunswick, Canada. It was among 32 new beetle species identified during a comprehensive survey of the province's coleopteran fauna. The species belongs to the large genus Atheta within the family Staphylinidae.
Cephisus laticeps
Cephisus laticeps is a species of froghopper (family Aphrophoridae) described by Hamilton in 2012. It belongs to the genus Cephisus, which is the sole New World representative of the tribe Ptyelini. Species in this genus are known for producing exceptionally large spittle masses as nymphs, with some reaching pest status on economically important plants. The specific epithet 'laticeps' refers to a broad-headed characteristic.
Clivina alabama
Clivina alabama is a ground beetle species in the subfamily Scaritinae, described by Bousquet in 2012. It is known from the southeastern United States. As a member of the genus Clivina, it belongs to a group of small, fossorial ground beetles commonly referred to as ant-like beetles due to their compact body form and short elytra. The species was established relatively recently, reflecting ongoing taxonomic refinement within this morphologically conservative genus.
Dysphenges secretus
Dysphenges secretus is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Gilbert and Riley in 2012. It was one of three new species of the genus Dysphenges described from the United States in a paper published in The Pan-Pacific Entomologist. The genus Dysphenges belongs to the tribe Alticini, a large group of leaf beetles known for their enlarged hind femora that enable jumping.
Epimartyria bimaculella
Epimartyria bimaculella is a species of primitive moth in the family Micropterigidae, described in 2012 from specimens collected in the Pacific Northwest of North America. It is one of the smallest members of its genus, with forewings measuring 4.6–5.3 mm. The species is distinguished by two pale yellowish spots on dark fuscous forewings, a pattern referenced in its Latin name. It inhabits moist forest environments where leafy liverworts occur.
Euphoria levinotata
Euphoria levinotata is a species of flower scarab beetle in the subfamily Cetoniinae, described by Orozco in 2012. It belongs to a genus known for bee-mimicking flight behavior and attraction to fermenting tree sap. The species occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. Like other Euphoria species, adults are diurnal fliers that feed on sap flows and occasionally visit flowers for nectar and pollen.
Melanoplus bonita
Melanoplus bonita is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Otte in 2012. It belongs to the large genus Melanoplus, which contains many economically significant grasshopper species in North America. The species is known from Florida based on distribution records. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited in published literature.
Meristopsis melanosteptos
Meristopsis melanosteptos is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described from specimens collected in Florida and Oaxaca, Mexico. The species belongs to a genus of small delphacid planthoppers characterized by reduced wing venation and distinctive male genitalia. It was formally described in 2012 as part of a taxonomic revision of New World delphacine genera. Like other members of Delphacidae, it is presumed to feed on monocotyledonous plants, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Pacarina shoemakeri
Little Juniper Cicada
Pacarina shoemakeri, commonly known as the little juniper cicada, is a small cicada species in the family Cicadidae described by Sanborn and Heath in 2012. It is native to southwestern North America, with documented occurrences in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. The species is associated with juniper woodlands and has been observed in pinyon-juniper habitats.
Paranthaclisis floridensis
Paranthaclisis floridensis is a species of antlion in the family Myrmeleontidae, described by Stange and Miller in 2012. It belongs to a genus of small antlions found in North America. The species epithet indicates a Florida association, though detailed natural history information appears limited in available sources.
Platynota texana
Platynota texana is a small tortricid moth described in 2012. The species is known only from Texas, United States. The wingspan measures approximately 14 mm. Very little is known about its biology, life history, or host associations.
Scirtes goliai
marsh beetle
Scirtes goliai is a small marsh beetle described in 2012 from specimens collected in southern Florida, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands. The species belongs to Scirtidae, a family commonly known as marsh beetles for their association with wet habitats. Its distribution is expected to extend throughout the broader Caribbean bioregion.
Sparganothis mcguinnessi
Sparganothis mcguinnessi is a tortricid moth species described in 2012 from New York State. It belongs to a genus containing several economically significant agricultural pests, including the cranberry fruitworm (Sparganothis sulfureana), though specific pest status for this species has not been documented. The species epithet honors Hugh McGuinness.
Sparganothis niteolinea
Sparganothis niteolinea is a species of tortricid moth described by Powell & Brown in 2012. The species is known from the southeastern United States, specifically Alabama, Florida, and North Carolina. As a member of the genus Sparganothis, it is related to several agricultural pest species, though specific ecological information for this particular species remains limited. The genus includes the cranberry fruitworm (Sparganothis sulfureana), a significant pest of cranberry and blueberry crops.
Strotarchus beepbeep
Strotarchus beepbeep is a spider species in the family Cheiracanthiidae, described in 2012. The species is characterized by orange coloration on the carapace, legs, and abdomen, with pale margins on the carapace and reddish-brown chelicerae. Its specific epithet references the sound of the Road Runner cartoon character.
Trogloraptor
Cave robber
Trogloraptor is a genus of large cave-dwelling spiders endemic to southwestern Oregon, representing the sole genus in the family Trogloraptoridae. The genus contains one described species, Trogloraptor marchingtoni, distinguished by unique hook-like claws on the tarsi of its legs. Discovered in 2010 and described in 2012, this represents one of only three new spider families described since 1990. The genus name combines Greek and Latin roots meaning "cave robber," referencing both its habitat and predatory appendages.
Trogloraptor marchingtoni
cave robber spider
Trogloraptor marchingtoni is a large cave-dwelling spider and the sole species in the family Trogloraptoridae, the first new spider family described from North America since the 1890s. Discovered in 2010 in caves of southwestern Oregon, this species is distinguished by extraordinary hook-like claws on its legs used to capture prey. It represents a remarkable evolutionary lineage with no close known relatives among living spiders. The species name honors Neil Marchington, the deputy sheriff and amateur biologist who first brought the spiders to scientific attention.