Arid-habitat
Guides
Eremobates norrisi
windscorpion, sun spider, camel spider
Eremobates norrisi is a species of solifuge (windscorpion) in the family Eremobatidae, described by Muma & Brookhart in 1988. Solifuges are arachnids distinct from spiders and scorpions, characterized by their large, powerful chelicerae and rapid running ability. Like other members of the genus Eremobates, this species is adapted to arid and semi-arid environments in North America.
Eremoleon
Eremoleon is a genus of antlions in the family Myrmeleontidae, established by Nathan Banks in 1901. The genus contains approximately 36 species distributed from the southern United States through Central America. As with other antlions, larvae are predatory and construct pit traps in sandy substrates to capture prey.
Eremoleon femoralis
Eremoleon femoralis is a species of antlion in the family Myrmeleontidae, described by Banks in 1942. The genus Eremoleon comprises antlions associated with arid and sandy habitats. This species occurs in North America and Middle America, though detailed natural history information remains limited. Antlions in this genus are typically found in dry environments where their larvae construct pit traps in loose soil to capture prey.
Ethmia semilugens
Ethmia semilugens is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae). It occurs in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with adults active primarily in late winter and early spring in Texas, extending into September in Chihuahua. The species produces two generations annually. Larvae feed on specific host plants in the Boraginaceae family.
Euphilotes mojave mojave
Mojave Blue
Euphilotes mojave mojave, commonly known as the Mojave Blue, is a subspecies of blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is native to North America and is part of the Euphilotes genus, which includes several species of dotted blue butterflies. The subspecies is associated with arid habitats in the Mojave Desert region.
Eusattus reticulatus
Sand Darkling Beetle
Eusattus reticulatus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the sand darkling beetle. It inhabits sandy environments in southwestern North America. The species is primarily ground-dwelling and has been observed in association with juniper-oak-pinyon woodland on sandstone escarpments. Like other members of the genus, it is adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions.
Eutettix planus
Eutettix planus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Hepner in 1942. It belongs to the subfamily Deltocephalinae and tribe Platymetopiini. The species is known from arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Eutettix, it is likely associated with desert and grassland vegetation, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in the literature.
Foxia
Foxia is a genus of cleptoparasitic wasps in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Bembicinae. The genus comprises 10 described species distributed across arid regions of the New World, from the United States south through Chile and Argentina. These wasps are obligate cleptoparasites, meaning they exploit the nests and provisions of other wasp species rather than constructing their own nests or hunting prey directly.
Geolycosa rafaelana
Rafaela Burrowing Wolf Spider
Geolycosa rafaelana is a burrowing wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, found in western desert and scrubland habitats of the United States. As a member of the genus Geolycosa, it constructs deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy soils and is primarily nocturnal. The species was described by Chamberlin in 1928 and appears to be associated with arid environments in the southwestern U.S.
Glaresis
Enigmatic Scarab Beetles
Glaresis is a genus of small beetles in the family Glaresidae, commonly called "enigmatic scarab beetles." These beetles are closely related to Scarabaeidae but are placed in their own family based on distinctive morphological features. Adults are nocturnal and have been collected at lights in arid and sandy habitats worldwide except Australia. The larvae and most aspects of their biology remain unknown despite unsuccessful laboratory rearing attempts in the 1980s.
Habronattus californicus
Habronattus californicus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is native to western North America, occurring in California and the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. Like other members of the genus Habronattus, males likely possess elaborate courtship displays involving visual and acoustic signals. The genus is known for having some of the most complex multimodal courtship behaviors among terrestrial invertebrates.
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clypeatus
Habronattus clypeatus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It belongs to the viridipes species group within the genus Habronattus. The species was first described by Banks in 1895. It is found in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Harmostes angustatus
Harmostes angustatus is a scentless plant bug in the family Rhopalidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1918. It belongs to a genus characterized by reduced scent glands, distinguishing them from other true bugs. The species has been documented as prey for the solitary wasp Dryudella, representing a known predator-prey relationship in arid western North American habitats.
Harpalus katiae
Harpalus katiae is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, described by F. Battoni in 1985. It belongs to the large genus Harpalus, which contains numerous ground beetle species distributed across multiple continents. As with most members of this genus, it is likely a nocturnal predator inhabiting open, dry habitats, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Heliastus
Heliastus is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, containing approximately 10 described species. The genus was established by Saussure in 1884 and belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae and tribe Hippiscini. Species in this genus are primarily found in arid and semi-arid regions of the Americas, from the southwestern United States through Mexico and into Central and South America. At least two species have received common names: Heliastus benjamini (arroyo grasshopper) and Heliastus subroseus (rose-wing beach grasshopper).
Heliopetes ericetorum
Northern White-Skipper
Heliopetes ericetorum is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the Northern White-Skipper. It occurs in arid regions of western North America, from eastern Washington south through the southwestern United States to Baja California, Mexico. The species produces two broods annually and adults are active from spring through fall. Larvae feed on mallow plants (Malvaceae), while adults are characterized by white wings with dark marginal markings that differ between sexes.
Helops angustus
Helops angustus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by LeConte in 1859. Darkling beetles in this genus are characterized by elongated, somewhat flattened bodies and antennae with bead-like segments. Members of Helops are typically found in arid and semi-arid habitats of western North America. The genus is distinguished from similar tenebrionid genera by its relatively slender form and antennal structure.
Homalonychidae
encrusted spiders, dusty desert spiders, American sand assassins
Homalonychidae is a small family of spiders containing a single genus, Homalonychus, with three described species. These spiders are characterized by their distinctive 'encrusted' appearance caused by soil and debris adhering to short, stiff setae covering their bodies. They are medium-sized, non-web-building spiders found in arid regions of southwestern North America and northwestern Mexico. Their phylogenetic placement remains uncertain due to a combination of advanced morphological features and primitive behavioral traits.
Iliotona
clown beetles
Iliotona is a genus of clown beetles (family Histeridae) established by Carnochan in 1917. The genus comprises five described species distributed in North America. These beetles belong to the tribe Hololeptini within the subfamily Histerinae. The genus name is sometimes misspelled as 'Illiotona' in older literature.
Kibramoa
Kibramoa is a genus of spiders in the family Plectreuridae, first described by Ralph Vary Chamberlin in 1924. The genus comprises seven species and one subspecies, all restricted to arid regions of Mexico and the southwestern United States. These spiders are among the lesser-known members of Plectreuridae, a family characterized by elongated chelicerae and haplogyne genitalia.
Leptochiloides
Leptochiloides is a genus of potter wasps restricted to arid regions of southwestern North America. The genus was established by Bohart in 1940 and is characterized by structural features including pilose (hairy) labial palpi. It shows morphological affinities with the genus Pterocheilus.
Litaneutria emarginata
Litaneutria emarginata is a species of ground mantid in the family Amelidae, described by Anderson in 2018. As a member of the genus Litaneutria, it is part of a group of cursorial (running) mantids that actively pursue prey rather than ambushing from vegetation. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid habitats of western North America. Like other ground mantids, it exhibits cryptic coloration and rapid, agile movement across open ground.
Megalopsallus ephedrae
Megalopsallus ephedrae is a small plant bug in the family Miridae, subfamily Phylinae. Originally described by Knight in 1968 as Merinocapsus ephedrae, it was later transferred to Megalopsallus. The species is associated with Ephedra (Mormon tea) in arid regions of western North America. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Megalopsallus, which occurs primarily in western North America.
Megalopsallus teretis
Megalopsallus teretis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Schuh in 2000. It belongs to the subfamily Phylinae, a group commonly known as leaf bugs or plant bugs that feed on plant sap. The species is known from arid and semi-arid regions of western North America.
Megaphorus
Megaphorus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) containing approximately 18 described species. These predatory dipterans are found in western North America, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Adults are typically observed perching on vegetation, where they ambush flying insect prey. The genus was established by Bigot in 1857 and is classified within the tribe Apocleini of the subfamily Asilinae.
Melacoryphus admirabilis
Admirable Seed Bug
Melacoryphus admirabilis is a seed bug in the family Lygaeidae, native to the Nearctic region of North America. The species is closely related to other soapberry bugs and shares ecological associations with plants in the family Sapindaceae. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico, typically in warm, arid habitats. Like other members of its genus, it feeds on seeds and plant fluids. The species is occasionally encountered in large aggregations.
Melanoplus aridus
arid lands spur-throat grasshopper
Melanoplus aridus, commonly known as the arid lands spur-throat grasshopper, is a spur-throated grasshopper species in the family Acrididae. It is native to North America, with documented presence in Arizona and other arid regions. The species has been observed feeding on Flourensia cernua leaves, indicating some degree of host plant specificity. As a member of the genus Melanoplus, it shares the characteristic spur-throat morphology with other species in this diverse grasshopper group.
Metepeira arizonica
Arizona Labyrinth Orb-Weaver
Metepeira arizonica is an orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, commonly known as the Arizona Labyrinth Orb-Weaver. It is one of approximately thirteen Metepeira species recognized in North America north of Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it constructs a distinctive web architecture combining a small orb web with a tangled, cobweb-like snare surrounding a tubular retreat. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid habitats of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Metepeira gosoga
Metepeira gosoga is an orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it constructs a distinctive web consisting of a small orb web connected to a tangled labyrinth of silk surrounding a thimble-shaped retreat. The species is poorly documented in the scientific literature, with most information inferred from better-studied congeners.
Monostoecha semipectinata
Monostoecha semipectinata is a small moth and the sole species in the monotypic genus Monostoecha. It was first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1898 and later placed in its own genus by David Stephen Fletcher in 1979. The species is known from the American Southwest, with records from arid and semi-arid regions. It belongs to the family Geometridae, commonly known as inchworm or geometer moths.
Myrmeleontiformia
Antlions, Owlflies, and Allies
Myrmeleontiformia is a monophyletic suborder of lacewings (Neuroptera) containing approximately 2,160 described species across two superfamilies: Myrmeleontoidea (antlions, owlflies, spoonwings, and split-footed lacewings) and Psychopsoidea (silky lacewings and extinct families). The group is predominantly diverse in arid tropical and subtropical regions. Members exhibit diverse larval predation strategies, including the famous pit-building behavior of some antlions.
Nasusina vallis
Nasusina vallis is a small geometrid moth described by Ferris in 2004. It is known from a restricted locality in western Colorado, specifically John Brown Canyon. The species inhabits arid canyon terrain and has been documented with forewing lengths of 9–10 mm. Adults are active in mid to late spring.
Nemomydas desideratus
Nemomydas desideratus is a species of mydas fly in the family Mydidae, described by Johnson in 1912. Members of this genus are among the largest flies in North America. The species is known from a small number of observations, suggesting it may be uncommon or have restricted habitat requirements. Mydidae are generally associated with arid and semi-arid environments.
Nenema confragosa
Nenema confragosa is a species of planthopper in the family Caliscelidae, described by Doering in 1941. It is one of several species in the genus Nenema, a group of small, often inconspicuous planthoppers found in arid regions of western North America. The species appears to be restricted to the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas. Like other Caliscelidae, it likely inhabits grassland and shrubland environments where it feeds on plant sap.
Oecleus lineatus
Oecleus lineatus is a planthopper species in the family Cixiidae, described by Ball in 1902. The species belongs to the tribe Oecleini and is native to arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other cixiid planthoppers, it is likely associated with host plants in its habitat, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species name "lineatus" refers to the lined or striped appearance typical of many Oecleus species.
Oedomerus
Oedomerus is a genus of grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Melanoplinae, and tribe Conalcaeini. The genus was established by Bruner in 1908 and is currently accepted as valid. It is endemic to northwestern Mexico, where it inhabits arid and semi-arid environments. The genus contains relatively few described species and has received limited taxonomic study compared to more widespread melanopline genera.
Omorgus fuliginosus
Omorgus fuliginosus is a hide beetle in the family Trogidae, found in North and Central America. Adults measure 13–15 mm in length. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions from Texas south through Mexico to Costa Rica and El Salvador. Like other Trogidae, it is associated with carrion and animal remains.
Omorgus punctatus
Omorgus punctatus is a species of hide beetle in the family Trogidae, distributed across the southwestern and central United States and northern Mexico. The species is associated with carrion and dry animal remains, typical of the family. Adults are characterized by their punctured elytra, which contributes to the species epithet 'punctatus'.
Omorgus tesselatus
Omorgus tesselatus is a species of hide beetle in the family Trogidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1854. Like other members of this family, it is a scavenger associated with decomposing animal matter. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America and Mexico. Adults have been observed active at night in sandy habitats, where they may be encountered walking on the ground or attracted to ultraviolet light sources.
Onitini
Onitini is a tribe of dung beetles within Scarabaeidae, erected by Frederic William Hope. The tribe comprises approximately 18 genera including the type genus Onitis and the diverse genus Cheironitis. Members are primarily distributed across arid regions of the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions, with some species extending into the Oriental region. These beetles are associated with dung decomposition in dryland ecosystems.
Onitis
Onitis is a genus of dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, tribe Onitini. The genus contains more than 140 species, primarily distributed across the Afrotropical, Palaearctic, and Oriental regions. All species are tunnelers that construct underground burrows beneath dung, bringing dung into these tunnels for egg-laying and larval development. The genus represents a significant component of dung beetle diversity in relatively arid regions of Africa and adjacent areas.
Onychomira
Onychomira is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Campbell in 1984. It is a small genus with limited documented species, restricted to the Nearctic region. Members are ground-dwelling beetles associated with arid and semi-arid environments typical of many tenebrionids.
Opomydas limbatus
Opomydas limbatus is a species of mydas fly in the family Mydidae. Mydas flies are among the largest flies in North America and are characterized by their elongate bodies and wasp-mimicking appearance. This species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other mydas flies, adults are likely nectar feeders at flowers.
Parabacillus hesperus
western short-horn walkingstick, western short-horned walkingstick
Parabacillus hesperus is a stick insect species in the family Heteronemiidae, commonly known as the western short-horn walkingstick. It exhibits strong crypsis, blending with vegetation to avoid detection by predators. The species has been documented across the western United States with recent range extensions into the Pacific Northwest.
Parochodaeus biarmatus
Parochodaeus biarmatus is a species of sand-loving scarab beetle in the family Ochodaeidae. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern North America. The species was originally described as Ochodaeus biarmatus by LeConte in 1868 before being transferred to Parochodaeus.
Paruroctonus gracilior
Paruroctonus gracilior is a scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae, first described by Hoffmann in 1931. It belongs to a genus that includes several alkali playa specialists adapted to arid environments. The species has been documented in both Middle and North America, though specific ecological details remain limited in published literature.
Philodromus infuscatus utus
Philodromus infuscatus utus is a subspecies of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, described by Chamberlin in 1921. It belongs to the infuscatus species group, which comprises 20 species and 2 subspecies distributed across North and Central America and the West Indies. This subspecies is distinguished from the nominate P. i. infuscatus by its occurrence in the western United States, whereas the nominate form occurs in the eastern United States. The infuscatus group as a whole is endemic to the Americas with primary habitats in arid regions of the United States and Mexico.
Philoponella oweni
Philoponella oweni is a small cribellate orb-weaver spider (4.7–7.1 mm) found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The species exhibits facultative semi-social behavior, with females living either solitarily or in communal groups of 2–40 individuals depending on web-site availability and prey abundance. Despite communal living, individuals do not cooperate in prey capture, web construction, or brood care. Communal females benefit from higher feeding rates and greater egg production, but suffer increased parasitism by pteromalid wasps, resulting in equivalent net reproductive success between strategies.
Phradonoma nobile
A dermestid beetle in the family Dermestidae, with a broad distribution spanning the Mediterranean region, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and introduced populations in Europe, the United States, and Australia. The species has been documented in arid and semi-arid habitats.
Phyllonorycter deserticola
Phyllonorycter deserticola is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae, described by Davis & Deschka in 2001. It inhabits restricted, mostly arid environments across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species is notable for its specialized leaf-mining larvae that feed exclusively on Populus species, including several cottonwood and hybrid poplars. Adults are active from late July through early October in two generations per year, with the second generation overwintering.