Agave
Guides
Agathymus
giant-skippers
Agathymus is a genus of large skipper butterflies described by H.A. Freeman in 1959. The genus comprises approximately 30 species distributed across arid regions of North America from the southwestern United States through Mexico to Costa Rica. Larvae are specialized stem-borers in agave plants, making this genus ecologically dependent on desert agave communities. Species are commonly known as giant-skippers.
Agaveocoris
Agave Bugs
Agaveocoris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Henry & Menard in 2020. The genus comprises species associated with agave plants, reflecting their specialized ecological niche. As a recently described genus, taxonomic and biological knowledge remains limited. The common name "Agave Bugs" reflects this host association.
Euphoria schottii
Euphoria schottii is a flower scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Cetoniinae. The genus Euphoria contains colorful species commonly known as flower chafers or bumble flower beetles, many of which exhibit Batesian mimicry of bees and wasps. Euphoria schottii is one of ten Euphoria species recorded from Arizona, where it occurs in association with agave plants. The species was described by Schott and is part of a genus whose taxonomy has undergone recent revision, with several former subspecies of E. fulgida elevated to full species status.
Lithurgopsis apicalis
orange-tipped woodborer
Lithurgopsis apicalis is a solitary woodborer bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the orange-tipped woodborer. Adults are active pollinators that visit flowers of several plant families, particularly Cactaceae, Malvaceae, and Asteraceae. The species nests in the hollow stalks of Agave plants, where females excavate tunnels and provision cells with pollen. It occurs across the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Megathyminae
giant skippers, yucca giant skippers
Megathyminae is a subfamily of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as giant skippers. These are among the largest skippers, characterized by robust bodies, relatively small wings for their body size, and a strong association with succulent plants. The group contains approximately 20 species distributed primarily in arid regions of North America. Larvae are endophagous, feeding internally within the stems or roots of host plants, particularly yuccas and agaves.
Paraphidippus basalis
Agave Jumping Spider
Paraphidippus basalis is a jumping spider in the family Salticidae, commonly known as the Agave Jumping Spider. It is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The species exhibits a notable ecological specialization, being strongly associated with rosette-forming plants including agaves, sotols, and yuccas. This degree of plant-specific habitat association is uncommon among jumping spiders, which are typically generalist predators.
Peltophorus
Peltophorus is a genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae (subfamily Baridinae, tribe Zygopini). The genus contains multiple species distributed in Mexico, including P. polymitus and P. adustus. Species in this genus are associated with succulent plants, particularly agaves and Opuntia cacti. P. polymitus has been documented feeding on at least seven Agave species and has been recorded in wild agave plantations, though it has not been formally designated as an agricultural pest.
Scyphophorus
agave weevils, sisal weevils
Scyphophorus is a genus of snout and bark beetles in the subfamily Dryophthorinae, comprising approximately seven described species. The genus is best known for Scyphophorus acupunctatus, commonly called the agave weevil or sisal weevil, which is a major pest of agave crops worldwide. Species in this genus are native to the Americas but have been introduced to multiple continents through global plant trade. The genus is characterized by its association with plants in the families Asparagaceae (Agavoideae) and Asparagaceae (Nolinoideae, formerly Dracaenaceae).
Scyphophorus acupunctatus
agave weevil, sisal weevil, picudo del agave
Scyphophorus acupunctatus is a specialized weevil native to Central and North America that has become a globally significant pest of agaves and related plants. Adults bore into agave stalks and rosettes, creating entry points for pathogenic bacteria and fungi that ultimately kill the host plant. The species has established invasive populations across Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America, facilitated by the international trade of ornamental agaves. Its economic impact is particularly severe on Agave tequilana, threatening the tequila industry, and on wild agave populations important for mezcal production and ecosystem stability.
Tragidion agave
Tragidion agave is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Swift and Ray in 2008 from California and Baja California. It is one of two species in the genus known to breed in dead flower stalks of Agave (Agavaceae), the other being T. armatum. The species exhibits bright orange and black coloration characteristic of the genus, which functions as mimicry of spider wasps (family Pompilidae).
Tragidion armatum
Tragidion armatum is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults exhibit bright orange and black coloration that mimics tarantula hawk wasps (Pompilidae: Pepsis, Hemipepsis). The species breeds in dead flower stalks of Yucca and Agave plants. It was described by LeConte in 1858, with T. armatum brevipenne later synonymized under it.