Appalachian
Guides
Andrena alleghaniensis
Allegheny Mining Bee, Appalachian Miner Bee, Alleghany Andrena
A solitary mining bee native to eastern North America. Nests are simple, typically containing only one or two cells. Adults overwinter in soil, emerging in spring to forage and reproduce. The species is part of the diverse Andrena genus, which contains many spring-flying bees associated with forest and woodland habitats.
Anillinus micamicus
Anillinus micamicus is a species of minute ground beetle in the tribe Anillini, subfamily Bembidiinae. Species in this genus are characterized by their extremely small size, reduced eyes, and subterranean or soil-dwelling habits. Anillinus micamicus was described from specimens collected in the southeastern United States. Like other anillines, it is presumed to inhabit deep soil and leaf litter layers, where it occupies a cryptic lifestyle with limited surface activity.
Anillinus unicoi
Anillinus unicoi is a small ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described in 2011 from the Unicoi Mountains region of the southern Appalachians. It belongs to the genus Anillinus, a group of minute, eyeless or nearly eyeless beetles adapted to subterranean or deep soil habitats. The species epithet refers to the Unicoi Mountains, which span the Tennessee-North Carolina border. Like other anillines, it likely inhabits moist forest floor environments and exhibits reduced pigmentation and vision associated with life in dark microhabitats.
Apheloria virginiensis reducta
Yellow-and-black millipede, Cyanide millipede
A large, colorful millipede in the family Xystodesmidae, distinguished by its black body with bright yellow or orange wedge-shaped posterolateral markings. Like other members of its genus, it produces hydrogen cyanide as a chemical defense, advertised by its conspicuous aposematic coloration. The subspecies represents a western population of A. virginiensis, with records extending from the Appalachian region through the Ozark Plateau to the Arkansas Delta.
Arenobius manegitus
Arenobius manegitus is a species of lithobiomorph centipede described by Chamberlin in 1911, originally placed in the genus Lithobius before being transferred to Arenobius. It belongs to the family Lithobiidae, a group of stone centipedes characterized by 15 pairs of legs in adults. The species is known from a limited number of records in the eastern United States. Available documentation suggests it is a small to medium-sized centipede inhabiting forest floor environments.
Arianops nantahalae
Arianops nantahalae is a small rove beetle in the subfamily Pselaphinae, described by Barr in 1974. The species is endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States. It belongs to a genus of minute beetles adapted to life in forest leaf litter and soil microhabitats.
Austrotyla stephensoni
Austrotyla stephensoni is a species of millipede in the family Conotylidae, described by Shear & Steinmann in 2013. It belongs to the order Chordeumatida, a group of small to medium-sized millipedes commonly known as silk-spinning or short-back millipedes. The genus Austrotyla is endemic to the southern Appalachian region of the United States. This species appears to be rare and poorly known, with limited observational records.
Cambarus bartonii
common crayfish, Appalachian brook crayfish, Eastern Crayfish
Cambarus bartonii is a freshwater crayfish native to eastern North America, first described from North America in 1798. It inhabits fast-flowing, cool, rocky streams and shallow lakes across a broad range from Ontario and New Brunswick south to Alabama. The species exhibits notable physiological tolerance to acidic conditions and demonstrates behavioral flexibility, including documented use of terrestrial microhabitats for overwintering. Several subspecies have been proposed but their validity remains under investigation.
Cambarus bartonii bartonii
Common Crayfish
Cambarus bartonii bartonii is a subspecies of freshwater crayfish native to eastern North America. It is a secondary burrowing species found in streams and other aquatic habitats, with documented physiological tolerance to acidic conditions. The subspecies exhibits agonistic behavioral contests between males, particularly during reproductive periods when males adopt Form I morphology with enlarged claws. It has been observed using terrestrial microhabitats for overwintering.
Catopocerus appalachianus
Catopocerus appalachianus is a small beetle species in the family Leiodidae, subfamily Catopocerinae. It was described by Peck in 1975 and is endemic to the Appalachian region of the eastern United States. The species belongs to a genus characterized by reduced eyes and subterranean or cave-associated habits. Records indicate it has been collected from Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Cicindela ancocisconensis
Appalachian tiger beetle, boulder beach tiger beetle
Cicindela ancocisconensis, commonly known as the Appalachian tiger beetle or boulder beach tiger beetle, is a species of flashy tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is found in North America, with distribution records in Canada and the United States. The species was described by T.W. Harris in 1852.
Clinidium sculptile
Carved Slope Beetle
Clinidium sculptile is a small ground beetle in the subfamily Rhysodinae, first described by Edward Newman in 1838. It is endemic to the eastern United States, with its range centered on the Appalachian region. The species has been documented in association with pitch pine and tulip tree.
Clinidium valentinei
Clinidium valentinei is a small ground beetle in the family Rhysodidae, described by R.T. Bell in 1970. It is endemic to the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States, ranging from northern Alabama to southwestern Pennsylvania. The species measures 5.4–6.4 mm in length. Like other rhysodines, it is adapted to life under bark and in decaying wood.
Dasycerus carolinensis
Dasycerus carolinensis is a flightless rove beetle endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains of eastern North America. Phylogeographic studies reveal deep genetic divergence between populations east and west of the French Broad River, with divergence estimated at approximately 5.8 million years ago. The species inhabits forest leaf litter and shows evidence of cryptic differentiation across its range. Despite being flightless, it has persisted across both old-growth forest fragments and secondary growth forests.
Dasycerus unicoi
Dasycerus unicoi is a species of rove beetle in the subfamily Dasycerinae, a small group of beetles characterized by their distinctive compact, rounded body form that differs markedly from the typically elongate shape of most staphylinids. The species epithet 'unicoi' references the Unicoi Mountains, part of the southern Appalachian range in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. This beetle is associated with high-elevation forest habitats in the Great Smoky Mountains region.
Dipara trilineata
Dipara trilineata is a parasitoid wasp in family Diparidae endemic to eastern North America. Females are flightless (apterous) while males possess wings, creating pronounced sexual dimorphism. Despite this apparent dispersal limitation, populations across southern Appalachia show minimal genetic structure. The species was described from Trimicrops trilineatus in 1977, and its male had been misattributed until DNA barcoding definitively established the correct association.
Eritettix simplex
velvet-striped grasshopper, velvet-striped locust
Eritettix simplex, the velvet-striped grasshopper, is a medium-sized slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is characterized by distinctive velvet-like dark bands along the lateral carinae of the pronotum and three longitudinal carinae on the head. The species has an extensive range across North America, with major population centers in the Great Plains and Appalachian Mountains. It feeds almost exclusively on grasses and sedges, with blue grama being a highly preferred food plant.
Eueretagrotis perattentus
Two-spotted Dart, Two-spot Dart
Eueretagrotis perattentus is a noctuid moth distributed across central and southern Canada and the northern United States, with disjunct populations along the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. Adults are active in early summer with a wingspan of approximately 32 mm. Larvae have been documented feeding on Vaccinium and Prunus pennsylvanica.
Horologion
Horologion is one of the rarest and most enigmatic carabid beetle genera, containing two known species of troglomorphic ground beetles endemic to the middle Appalachian Mountains. The genus remained monotypic for over 60 years after its description in 1932, with a second species discovered in Virginia in 1991 and described in 2024. Phylogenetic analysis places Horologion in supertribe Trechitae as sister to the Gondwanan tribe Bembidarenini, making tribe Horologionini a relict lineage with no close relatives in the Northern Hemisphere.
Hypena appalachiensis
Appalachian Snout
Hypena appalachiensis is a moth species in the family Erebidae, commonly known as the Appalachian Snout. It is native to eastern North America, with its distribution centered on the Appalachian Mountains region. The species was first described by Butler in 1987. As a member of the genus Hypena, it belongs to a group of moths often characterized by their snout-like labial palps and triangular wing posture at rest.
Isogenoides hansoni
Appalachian springfly
Isogenoides hansoni, known as the Appalachian springfly, is a species of stonefly in the family Perlodidae. It has been documented in northeastern North America, including the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. The species communicates through vibrational drumming, a behavior shared with other members of its genus. It was first described by Ricker in 1952.
Leiobunum politum
Leiobunum politum is a medium-sized harvestman (order Opiliones) in the family Sclerosomatidae. Originally described from Illinois in 1889, this species is widely distributed across the eastern and southeastern United States, with highest abundance in the Appalachian Mountains. It has been frequently confused with the similar Leiobunum bracchiolum due to overlapping external morphological features.
Leiodes appalachiana
Leiodes appalachiana is a species of round fungus beetle described by Baranowski in 1993. The species name references the Appalachian region, where it is primarily distributed. Like other members of the genus Leiodes, it belongs to the family Leiodidae, a group of small beetles associated with fungal habitats.
Lethe appalachia
Appalachian Brown, Appalachian Eyed Brown
Lethe appalachia is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the Appalachian Brown or Appalachian Eyed Brown. The species was described by Chermock in 1947 and was formerly placed in the genus Satyrodes. It is native to North America. Two subspecies are recognized: L. a. appalachia and L. a. leeuwi.
Nannaria
Twisted-Claw Millipedes
Nannaria is a genus of small-bodied millipedes in the family Xystodesmidae, commonly known as twisted-claw millipedes. First described by Ralph Chamberlin in 1918, it is now the largest genus in its family with 78 described species following major revisions in 2022. The genus comprises two monophyletic species groups: the widespread minor group found throughout eastern North America, and the wilsoni group restricted to the Appalachian Mountains. Unlike many colorful, flat-backed xystodesmids, Nannaria species are cryptic in appearance and exhibit subterranean behavior that makes them difficult to collect.
Nannaria hardeni
Curt Harden's Twisted-Claw Millipede
Nannaria hardeni is a species of twisted-claw millipede described in 2021 from the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States. It belongs to the genus Nannaria, a group of forest-dwelling millipedes characterized by males having small, twisted and flattened claws on their anterior legs. The species was named in honor of Curt Harden, a millipede researcher who contributed significantly to the study of Appalachian xystodesmid millipedes. Like other members of its genus, N. hardeni plays a role as a decomposer in forest ecosystems.
Neostenoptera appalachiensis
Appalachian gall midge
Neostenoptera appalachiensis is a gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) described in 2016 from specimens collected in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. It represents the first record of the genus Neostenoptera in the New World; the genus was previously known only from African copal amber and a single living species from the Congo. The species name references the Appalachian Mountains, where the type series was collected.
Onomeris
Onomeris is a genus of pill millipedes endemic to the eastern United States. First described by Orator F. Cook in 1896, the genus was briefly considered the type of its own family Onomeridae before being placed in Glomeridae based on similarities to the European genus Glomeris. The genus contains three recognized species: O. underwoodii, O. sinuata, and O. australora. Onomeris millipedes are notably smaller than other Glomeridae genera, measuring less than 5 mm in length.
Paraleuctra sara
Appalachian needlefly
Paraleuctra sara, commonly known as the Appalachian needlefly, is a species of rolled-winged stonefly in the family Leuctridae. It was first described by Claassen in 1937. The species is found in eastern North America, with documented records from Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, and Indiana. As a member of the Leuctridae family, it belongs to a group of stoneflies characterized by their distinctive wing posture at rest.
Psectrotarsia hebardi
Stoneroot Flower Moth
Psectrotarsia hebardi is a small noctuid moth in the subfamily Heliothinae, described by Skinner in 1917. It is known from a restricted range in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States. The common name refers to its larval association with stoneroot (Collinsonia canadensis).
Scaphinotus andrewsii
Andrew's Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus andrewsii is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Andrew's Snail-eating Beetle. It is found in North America, where it inhabits moist areas and preys primarily on snails. The species exhibits a dark, black exoskeleton with a somewhat elongated head and thorax. Seven subspecies are recognized, distributed across the Appalachian region from Pennsylvania south to Georgia.
Scaphinotus incompletus
incomplete snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus incompletus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the incomplete snail-eating beetle. It is one of the "snail-eating beetles" in the genus Scaphinotus, characterized by adaptations for predation on terrestrial mollusks. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), a trait common in this genus that reflects their ground-dwelling lifestyle and reduced need for flight. The species is known from a restricted range in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States.
Sigmoria nantahalae
Nantahala Cherry Millipede
Sigmoria nantahalae is a species of flat-backed millipede in the family Xystodesmidae, first described by Hoffman in 1958. It is endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains of North America, with confirmed records from North Carolina. The species belongs to the tribe Apheloriini, a group known for producing hydrogen cyanide as a defensive secretion.
Sigmoria plancus
Sigmoria plancus is a species of flat-backed millipede in the family Xystodesmidae, first described by Loomis in 1944. It belongs to a genus of eastern North American polydesmid millipedes characterized by distinctive color patterns and defensive chemical secretions. The species is part of a taxonomically complex group where species boundaries and distributions remain incompletely documented.
Siro exilis
Siro exilis is a species of mite harvestman (order Opiliones, suborder Cyphophthalmi) in the family Sironidae. The species was first described by Hoffman in 1963 and is currently recognized as a synonym of Neosiro exilis. It occurs in North America, with records from counties in Garrett, Giles, Mercer, Montgomery, and Pendleton. As a cyphophthalmid harvestman, it belongs to a group of small, eyeless arachnids that inhabit moist microhabitats in forested environments.
Stylogomphus albistylus
Eastern Least Clubtail
Stylogomphus albistylus, the eastern least clubtail, is a small clubtail dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is found in eastern North America, particularly in the Appalachian region and surrounding areas. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival.
Zygethobius pontis
Zygethobius pontis is a small centipede species in the family Henicopidae, described by Chamberlin in 1911. It belongs to the order Lithobiomorpha, a group commonly known as stone centipedes. The species has been documented in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States, specifically in Tennessee and Virginia. Records for this species are sparse, with limited observational data available.