Americas
Guides
Ababa tantilla
Ababa tantilla
Ababa tantilla is a species of beetle in the family Thanerocleridae, distributed across the Americas from North America through Middle America to South America. The species was first described by LeConte in 1866. It belongs to a small genus within a family of checkered beetles.
Acantholomidea porosa
Acantholomidea porosa is a shield bug species in the family Scutelleridae, first described by Germar in 1839 as Pachycoris porosus. The species has undergone taxonomic reclassification, currently placed in the genus Acantholomidea though historically treated under Camirus. It is a true bug (Hemiptera) distributed across the Americas with records from North, Middle, and South America.
Achlyodidini
Achlyodidini is a tribe of skipper butterflies in the subfamily Pyrginae, characterized by unusually-shaped wings with squarely truncated forewing tips and often vivid coloration. The tribe comprises approximately 16 genera and is restricted to the Americas, primarily in tropical regions. Formerly included within a broad concept of Pyrgini, Achlyodidini is now recognized as a distinct tribe based on phylogenetic studies, though it remains the closest relative to Pyrgini sensu stricto. The tribe includes notable genera such as Eantis (sicklewings) and Achlyodes.
Aleochara taeniata
Aleochara taeniata is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Aleocharinae. It has been documented as a parasite of the house fly, Musca domestica, with larvae developing within fly puparia. The species occurs across a broad geographic range in the Americas, from the southwestern United States through Central America and into South America, with records from the Caribbean as well.
Americabrya
Americabrya is a genus of springtails (Collembola) in the family Entomobryidae, described in 1987 by Mari Mutt and Palacios-Vargas. It belongs to the subfamily Willowsiinae and tribe Willowsiini. The genus is distributed across the Americas, with records from the Caribbean, northeastern and central Brazil, Pacific North America, and southern North America.
Americocreagris
Americocreagris is a genus of pseudoscorpions in the family Neobisiidae, described by B. Curcic in 1982. It belongs to the order Pseudoscorpiones within the class Arachnida. iNaturalist currently reports zero observations for this genus, indicating it is either extremely rare, undersampled, or restricted to habitats not frequently inventoried by citizen scientists.
Ancyloscelis apiformis
Apiform Morning glory-Digger
Ancyloscelis apiformis is a solitary bee in the family Apidae, tribe Emphorini. It is known for its association with morning glory flowers (Ipomoea species), from which it derives its common name. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, from the southern United States through Central America and into South America. As a member of the subfamily Apinae, it exhibits pollen-collecting behavior typical of this group.
Apocellus
Apocellus is a genus of spiny-legged rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, containing approximately 11 described species. These beetles are characterized by their elongated bodies and relatively short elytra typical of rove beetles. The genus was established by Erichson in 1839 and occurs primarily in the Americas, with records from North and South America.
Arawana
Arawana is a genus of ladybirds (family Coccinellidae) established by Leng in 1908. It belongs to the subfamily Chilocorinae and tribe Chilocorini, a group known for often being scale-feeding specialists. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in the Americas, with Arawana arizonica being the type species. Species were historically described under other genera before being transferred to Arawana.
Arrenoseius
Arrenoseius is a genus of predatory mites in the family Phytoseiidae and the order Mesostigmata. A taxonomic database summary lists 24 valid species, while a 2023 paper added a species from Brazil and supplied a world key to the genus. The genus has been reported mainly from the Americas, but species-level records and natural-history details are unevenly documented.
Atrachelus
Atrachelus is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae, comprising at least two described species: A. cinereus and A. mucosus. The genus is found in the Americas and belongs to the subfamily Harpactorinae, a diverse group of predatory true bugs. Species in this genus share the general characteristics of harpactorine assassin bugs but specific diagnostic features remain poorly documented in available literature.
Autoplusia
Autoplusia is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Plusiinae. The genus was established by James Halliday McDunnough in 1944. It contains seven described species distributed across the Americas. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Plusiini, which includes many species commonly known as looper moths due to their characteristic larval locomotion.
Autoplusia egena
Bean Looper, Bean Leafskeletonizer
Autoplusia egena, commonly known as the Bean Looper or Bean Leafskeletonizer, is a noctuid moth species described by Guenée in 1852. It is widely distributed across the Americas, ranging from California and the southeastern United States through the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The subspecies Autoplusia egena galapagensis is endemic to the Galápagos Islands. The larvae are polyphagous and feed on numerous plant families, with documented records from at least nine families including Fabaceae (soybean and common bean).
Azilia
long-jawed orb-weavers
Azilia is a genus of long-jawed orb-weavers in the spider family Tetragnathidae, first described by Eugen von Keyserling in 1881. It is a senior synonym of Cardimia. The genus contains eleven recognized species distributed across the Americas, from the southern United States through Central America to South America, plus the Caribbean islands of Cuba and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Bagheera
Bagheera is a genus of jumping spiders (family Salticidae) containing four described species. These spiders are distributed in the Americas, with most known occurrences in Mexico and Central America. The genus name references the black panther character from Rudyard Kipling's *The Jungle Book*.
Belonuchus
Belonuchus is a genus of large rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, comprising more than 30 described species. Members of this genus are found in the Americas, with records from Mexico and the southwestern United States. At least one species, B. cifuentesi, has been documented in association with Agave plants. The genus is characterized by features typical of the tribe Staphylinini within the subfamily Staphylininae.
Beskia
Beskia is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) established by Brauer & Bergenstamm in 1889. The genus contains at least one described species, Beskia aelops. Species within this genus are distributed across the Americas from the United States through Central America to South America. Beskia aelops has been investigated for its potential as a biological control agent against the stink bug Oebalus poecilus.
Bolostromus
Bolostromus is a genus of wafer trapdoor spiders in the family Cyrtaucheniidae. Anton Ausserer described the genus in 1875, and Bolostromus venustus is its type species. Named species occur in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. A 2023 taxonomic review added fourteen species and included a distribution map and photographs of type material.
Brachymesia
Tropical Pennants
Brachymesia is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, commonly known as tropical pennants. The genus contains multiple species distributed across the Americas, with B. gravida restricted to the United States and other species occurring throughout South America, the West Indies, and southern USA states. One species, B. herbida, has been studied in insular populations where it exhibits distinct behavioral patterns compared to sympatric libellulids.
Brachynemurini
Long-tailed Antlions
Brachynemurini is a tribe of antlions within the family Myrmeleontidae, containing 28 genera and approximately 117 described species. Members are commonly known as long-tailed antlions. The tribe shows considerable diversity in the Americas, with genera distributed across North, Central, and South America, including the Galápagos Islands. Notable genera include Brachynemurus and Scotoleon, each containing 22 species. The tribe was established to accommodate antlions with distinctive morphological features separating them from other Myrmeleontinae.
Camptonotus
leaf-rolling crickets
Camptonotus is a genus of leaf-rolling crickets in the family Gryllacrididae, characterized by their habit of constructing shelters from leaves. The genus was established by Philip Reese Uhler in 1864. Species in this genus are found in the Americas, with the type species being Camptonotus carolinensis. These crickets are notable prey for certain wasp species, including the Katydid Wasp (Sphex nudus).
Celithemis ornata
ornate pennant, faded pennant
Celithemis ornata is a species of skimmer dragonfly in the family Libellulidae, commonly known as the ornate pennant or faded pennant. The species is widely distributed across the Americas, occurring in Central America, North America, and South America. It holds a Least Concern conservation status from the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival. The species was last reviewed by the IUCN in 2017.
Cercyon variegatus
Cercyon variegatus is a small water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae, first described by Sharp in 1882. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, ranging from the southeastern United States through Central America to South America. Like other members of the genus Cercyon, it is associated with moist or aquatic environments where it contributes to decomposition processes. The specific epithet 'variegatus' refers to variable or mottled coloration, though detailed morphological descriptions are limited in available sources.
Chelonarium
turtle beetles
Chelonarium is a genus of turtle beetles in the family Chelonariidae, established by Fabricius in 1801. The genus comprises approximately 14 described species, though some sources cite fewer. Members of this genus are characterized by their distinctive domed, turtle-like body form. Species within Chelonarium have been documented in the Americas, with records from North America (including Florida) and South America (Paraguay).
Chrysopodes collaris
Chrysopodes collaris is a species of green lacewing in the family Chrysopidae. It occurs across the Americas from North America through the Caribbean to South America. As a member of the Chrysopodes genus, it belongs to a group of lacewings distinguished by specific morphological characteristics within the family.
Cissusa
Cissusa is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1856 and contains at least five recognized species distributed in the Americas. Species include Cissusa spadix (originally described by Cramer in 1780), Cissusa mucronata (Grote, 1883), Cissusa valens (H. Edwards, 1881), Cissusa indiscreta (H. Edwards, 1886), and Cissusa inconspicua (Schaus, 1894). The genus is placed within the diverse erebid moth fauna and has been subject to taxonomic revision, with one former species (Cissusa subtermina) reassigned.
Cistalia
Cistalia is a genus of seed bugs in the family Rhyparochromidae, established by Stål in 1874. The genus contains eight described species distributed in the Americas. These insects are classified within the tribe Lethaeini and are commonly referred to as dirt-colored seed bugs. Species within this genus have been documented from the mid-19th century to the present, with the most recent species described in 2015.
Coleosoma floridanum
Coleosoma floridanum is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae. The species has a broad native distribution across the Americas and has been introduced to multiple regions worldwide, including Europe, West Africa, and Pacific islands. It builds irregular, tangled webs characteristic of its family.
Cryptorhopalum
Cryptorhopalum is a genus of skin beetles (family Dermestidae) known only from the Americas, ranging from North to South America. The genus includes both extant and fossil species, with several species preserved in amber. The immature stages of at least one species, C. triste, have been described in detail.
Cycloneda sanguinea
Spotless Lady Beetle, Spotless Ladybug
Cycloneda sanguinea, commonly known as the spotless lady beetle, is a widespread ladybird beetle native to the Americas. It is distinguished by its lack of spots on the elytra, with coloration ranging from orange to deep red. The species is a voracious predator of aphids and other soft-bodied insects, making it valuable for biological control in agricultural systems. Adults and larvae both actively hunt prey, with females using volatile chemical cues to assess patch quality and avoid competitor-rich habitats. Recent research has also identified C. sanguinea as a potential vector for dispersing plant pathogens in soybean fields.
Cycloptilum
Common Scaly Crickets
Cycloptilum is a genus of scaly crickets in the family Mogoplistidae, established by Scudder in 1869. The genus contains at least 50 described species distributed across the Americas, from the southeastern United States through the Caribbean to South America. These small crickets are characterized by distinctive scale-like body covering. The genus was historically placed in Gryllidae but is now classified in Mogoplistidae.
Diptychophora
Diptychophora is a genus of crambid moths established by Zeller in 1866. The genus contains approximately 17 described species distributed across the Americas, with species described from North America, Central America, and South America. Several species have been described relatively recently (2021), indicating ongoing taxonomic work. The genus belongs to the grass moth family Crambidae, a diverse group of small to medium-sized moths often associated with grasses and sedges.
Dolichomyia
Dolichomyia is a genus of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) comprising seven described species. The genus was established by Wiedemann in 1830 and is classified within the subfamily Toxophorinae and tribe Systropodini. Species occur in the Americas, with records from North and South America. The genus name refers to the elongated body form characteristic of these flies.
Eclipta
Eclipta is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) described by Bates in 1873. A 2015 taxonomic paper counted 57 species across the Americas, with Mexico the only part of North America represented in that account. The genus is difficult to characterize by a single appearance: its authors noted that some included species differ markedly from the type species and that a detailed revision is needed to test the current limits.
Ectomis octomaculata
Eight-spotted Longtail
Ectomis octomaculata is a species of skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) found throughout the Americas, from the Caribbean through Middle America to North and South America. The species is commonly known as the Eight-spotted Longtail, referring to the characteristic pattern of spots on its wings and the elongated tail-like projection on the hindwing typical of many hesperiids. Taxonomically, it has been treated as a synonym of Polythrix octomaculata in some classifications, though sources such as NCBI and iNaturalist maintain it under the genus Ectomis.
Efferia gila
Efferia gila is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1966. The genus Efferia comprises predatory flies commonly known as robber flies, characterized by their stout bodies, large eyes, and predatory behavior. This species is part of a diverse genus distributed primarily in the Americas.
Elasmopalpus
lesser cornstalk borer (for E. lignosellus)
Elasmopalpus is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, described by Émile Blanchard in 1852. The genus is restricted to the Americas and currently comprises three species. The type species E. angustellus was described with the genus, while E. corrientellus was added in 1888 and E. lignosellus in 1848. The genus is considered closely related to Ufa. The most well-known species, E. lignosellus (lesser cornstalk borer), is a significant agricultural pest of Poaceae and Fabaceae crops throughout the Americas.
Epimecis
Epimecis is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae. The genus was established by Jacob Hübner in 1825 and contains approximately 22 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Notable species include Epimecis hortaria (tulip-tree beauty) and Epimecis detexta (avocado spanworm moth). The genus is characterized by its placement within the diverse and species-rich Geometridae family.
Erythemis vesiculosa
Great Pondhawk
Erythemis vesiculosa, commonly known as the great pondhawk, is a dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is distributed throughout the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through Central and South America. The species has been documented in insular populations, including the Galápagos Islands, where it exhibits behavioral adaptations to species-poor communities.
Eurycotis
Eurycotis is an accepted genus of cockroaches in the family Blattidae; the GBIF backbone lists 61 named species. Available genus-level references place the group in the Americas, while details of habitat and defensive biology are documented here mainly for the Florida woods cockroach, E. floridana. That species has a scent-producing gland and can release an aromatic defensive secretion. Its records near buildings make it a useful example of a wild cockroach that sometimes occurs around human structures.
Eusceptis
bird dropping moths
Eusceptis is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, commonly referred to as bird dropping moths. The genus was established by Hübner in 1823 and currently contains eleven described species distributed in the Americas. Its taxonomic status has been debated, with some authors treating it as a synonym of Acontia, though it is currently maintained as a distinct genus pending further research. The common name reflects the resemblance of some species to bird droppings, a form of protective camouflage.
Gnamptogenys hartmani
Gnamptogenys hartmani is a specialist agro-predator ant species that attacks colonies of fungus-growing ants. It is native to the Americas, with records spanning from the southern United States through Central America to South America. The species is considered remarkably scarce throughout its known range, with most records concentrated in Texas, Louisiana, and parts of South America. Its specialized predatory relationship with fungus-growing ants distinguishes it ecologically from many other ant species.
Gyponini
Gyponini is a tribe of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) in the subfamily Iassinae, comprising approximately 60 genera and over 1,300 described species. Formerly treated as a subfamily, it is now classified within Iassinae. The tribe is restricted to the Americas, with species distributed from North America through Central America to South America. Gyponini is taxonomically diverse and has been the subject of extensive revisionary work, including numerous new species descriptions and generic reclassifications.
Hyalella
Hyalella is a genus of freshwater amphipods found in the Americas, with species distributed across North, Central, and South America. The genus contains numerous endemic species, particularly in South America, and includes the widely studied H. azteca, which serves as a standard test organism in aquatic toxicology. Members occupy benthic habitats in lakes, streams, and springs, where they function as important components of freshwater food webs.
Hylobiini
Hylobiini is a tribe of weevils within the subfamily Molytinae (Curculionidae). The tribe includes approximately 89 species in the genus Heilipus, which are distributed across the Americas. Members of this tribe are primarily associated with the plant family Lauraceae, with some species functioning as seed predators in fruits and others as bark-boring pests. The tribe contains three subtribes: Epistrophina, Hylobiina, and Incertae sedis.
Icelia
Icelia is a genus of tachinid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus comprises five described species distributed across the Americas. Members of this genus are parasitoid flies, placing them within the diverse guild of Tachinidae that serve as biological control agents. The genus is the type genus of the tribe Iceliini within the subfamily Tachininae.
Isosomodes
Isosomodes is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Eurytomidae, first described by Ashmead in 1888. The genus is part of the diverse Eurytominae subfamily, whose members are primarily associated with plants as seed feeders or gall formers. Records indicate presence in the Americas, with documented occurrences in Venezuela, Colombia, and the United States. The genus remains poorly studied, with limited species-level documentation and biological data available.
Kapogea
Kapogea is a genus of orb-weaver spiders in the family Araneidae. Herbert Walter Levi established the genus in 1997. Current catalog records used for this guide recognize four accepted species, with the type species based on Cyrtophora sellata. The genus is recorded in the Americas, from Mexico south to Brazil, although the exact range differs among its species.
Lamprempis
A genus of dance flies (Empididae) containing approximately 23 described species. Most species have been described from the Americas, with notable contributions by Smith (1962) who described multiple new species. The genus was established by Wheeler & Melander in 1901.
Leucochrysa
green lacewings
Leucochrysa is a genus of green lacewings in the family Chrysopidae, containing approximately 196 described species as of 2013. The genus is restricted to the Americas and is characterized by distinctive larval behaviors including trash-carrying and defensive conglobulation. Adults exhibit color polymorphism, and some species deposit eggs in clusters. Larvae of at least some species are known to carry debris on their backs for camouflage and protection.