Arid-habitat-specialists

Guides

• Brephidium

  pygmy blues

  Brephidium is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as pygmy blues. The genus contains three species with a striking disjunct distribution: two species occur in the Americas (Brephidium exilis and Brephidium pseudofea), while the third (Brephidium metophis) is found in southern Africa. These are among the smallest butterflies in the world, with Brephidium exilis being the smallest butterfly in North America.

  LycaenidaePolyommatinaePolyommatinibutterfliespygmy-bluesdisjunct-distributionsmallest-butterflysalt-marsh-insectsarid-habitat-specialists

• Conanthalictus

  Conanthalictus is a genus of sweat bees in the family Halictidae, established by Cockerell in 1901. The genus comprises approximately 13 described species distributed in North America, primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Species in this genus are small to medium-sized bees associated with the tribe Rophitini.

  Halictidaesweat-beesRophitiniNorth-Americadesert-beespollinatorsarid-habitat-specialists

• Dorymyrmex

  pyramid ants, cone ants

  Dorymyrmex is a genus of ants in the subfamily Dolichoderinae, commonly known as pyramid ants or cone ants. The genus exhibits an amphitropical distribution pattern, with highest diversity concentrated in arid temperate regions of North and South America rather than tropical zones. Phylogenomic studies have identified four major species groups: D. flavescens, tener, wolffhuegeli, and pyramicus groups. The genus has undergone rapid evolutionary radiation, particularly in the pyramicus group, presenting ongoing taxonomic challenges.

  antspyramid-antscone-antsarid-habitat-specialistsamphitropical-distributionDolichoderinaebiological-controlphylogenomicsrapid-radiationsoil-nesting

• Protogygia

  Protogygia is a genus of noctuid moths described by McDunnough in 1929, comprising approximately 17 described species distributed primarily in western North America. The genus is characterized by medium-sized adults with distinctive wing patterning and is associated with arid and semi-arid habitats, particularly active sand dune systems. Species identification relies heavily on male genitalia morphology, with several species groups recognized based on structural features of the uncus and clasper. The genus includes recently described species, reflecting ongoing taxonomic refinement in this cryptic group.

  sand-dune-mothsNoctuiniwestern-North-Americamale-genitalia-identificationspring-flyingarid-habitat-specialists