Arizona-fauna
Guides
Atlides halesus
Great Purple Hairstreak, Great Blue Hairstreak
Atlides halesus is a striking gossamer-winged butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, notable for its misnomer of a common name—despite being called the "Great Purple Hairstreak," it displays iridescent blue coloration rather than purple. This Neotropical species ranges from warm-temperate and subtropical North America southward nearly to the Isthmus of Panama. The larvae feed exclusively on mistletoe species (Phoradendron spp.), making this butterfly dependent on the presence of these parasitic plants. Adults are known for hilltopping behavior, where males defend perches on elevated terrain to intercept females.
Crossidius suturalis intermedius
Crossidius suturalis intermedius is a subspecies of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by LeConte in 1873. It belongs to the highly variable species C. suturalis, which occurs across southwestern North America. The subspecies has been collected in association with flowers of Isocoma tenuisecta (burroweed), a composite plant in the Asteraceae family. Field observations indicate it is found in arid and semi-arid habitats of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico, with adults active during late summer and early autumn when host plants bloom.
Crossidius suturalis melanipennis
Crossidius suturalis melanipennis is a subspecies of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It belongs to the genus Crossidius, a group of flower-visiting beetles associated with composite plants in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. This subspecies was described by Penrose in 1984 and is part of a complex of subspecies within C. suturalis that show geographic variation in coloration and elytral markings.
Eupogonius arizonensis
Eupogonius arizonensis is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by Josef N. Knull in 1954. The species is known from the United States, with records indicating presence in Arizona and potentially adjacent regions. As a member of the genus Eupogonius, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized cerambycids typically associated with dead wood habitats.
Gnathamitermes perplexus
tube-building termite, long-jawed desert termite
Gnathamitermes perplexus is a desert-dwelling termite species known for constructing distinctive sand tubes and for its elongated mandibles. Workers and colony founders transport sand individually using their mandibles to excavate tunnels, a behavior that differs from the cooperative "bucket-brigade" kicking seen in some related termites. The species occurs in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico, where it contributes to soil enrichment and decomposition of dead wood. Populations have been observed to decline following application of certain termiticides, particularly fipronil.
Hadrotettix magnificus
magnificent grasshopper
Hadrotettix magnificus, commonly known as the magnificent grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is a North American species with documented presence in Arizona. The genus Hadrotettix includes at least one other well-documented species, H. trifasciatus (threebanded grasshopper), which has been extensively studied in western grassland habitats. Specific biological details for H. magnificus remain limited in published literature.
Lignyodes arizonensis
Lignyodes arizonensis is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, tribe Lignyodini. The genus Lignyodes comprises seed weevils associated with soapberry (Sapindus spp.) and related plants. The specific epithet "arizonensis" indicates a geographic connection to Arizona, though detailed published records for this particular species are limited. Members of this genus are characterized by their association with Sapindaceae host plants.
Lutrochus arizonicus
Lutrochus arizonicus is a species of travertine beetle in the family Lutrochidae, described by Brown & Murvosh in 1970. The species is known from North America and belongs to a small family of beetles associated with travertine (calcium carbonate) deposits in aquatic environments. As a member of the genus Lutrochus, it likely inhabits freshwater habitats with mineral-rich substrates, though specific ecological details remain limited in available sources.
Pachybrachis integratus
Pachybrachis integratus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Fall in 1915. Like other members of the genus, it belongs to the subfamily Cryptocephalinae, characterized by larvae that construct protective cases from fecal material and shed exoskeletons. The species is documented from North America, with specific records from the southwestern United States including Arizona.
Phyllophaga lobata
Phyllophaga lobata is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, a large group of beetles commonly known as May beetles or June bugs. The species was described by Henry Clinton Fall in 1908. Distribution records indicate presence in Arizona, USA, and parts of Middle America.
Placoschema
Placoschema is a monotypic genus of longhorned beetles (family Cerambycidae) in the tribe Trachyderini, established by Chemsak & Hovore in 2010. The genus contains a single species, Placoschema dimorpha, which exhibits striking sexual dimorphism in coloration. The genus was described from Mexican specimens, with the first U.S. record documented from Arizona in 2013. Members are notably small and somberly colored compared to other Trachyderini, which may have contributed to their being overlooked by collectors.
Pygodasis ephippium
Saddleback Scoliid Wasp
A large scoliid wasp reaching approximately 4 cm in length, with striking black and orange coloration. Males possess long antennae, slender bodies, and a conspicuous pseudostinger at the abdomen tip; females are more robust with shorter antennae and a functional retractable stinger. The species has been recorded as a parasitoid of scarab beetle grubs and as a flower visitor. Originally known from south Texas south to Ecuador, with more recent records from Arizona and Panama.
Scatella arizonensis
Scatella arizonensis is a species of shore fly in the family Ephydridae, described by Cresson in 1935. The genus Scatella comprises small flies commonly associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. As a member of the Ephydridae, this species is part of a diverse family of true flies adapted to various wet environments. Very few specific details are documented about this particular species beyond its taxonomic description.
Taphrocerus leoni
Taphrocerus leoni is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Dugès in 1891. The species was historically considered Mexican but has been documented in the United States, with confirmed records from upper Miller Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains of southeastern Arizona. Adults are associated with sedges and can be collected by sweeping vegetation in riparian areas. The species is distinguished from congeners by its larger size, shiny appearance, and distinct pubescent maculations.
Tegeticula maculata
Chaparral yucca moth
Tegeticula maculata is a small moth in the family Prodoxidae, commonly known as the chaparral yucca moth. It is the sole pollinator of Hesperoyucca whipplei, forming an obligate mutualism in which the moth's larvae feed exclusively on developing seeds of this host plant. The species exhibits high genetic structure across its range with limited morphological divergence, suggesting ancient lineage sorting rather than recent speciation.
Xylocopa californica arizonensis
Arizona Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa californica arizonensis is a subspecies of carpenter bee in the family Apidae, recognized as the Arizona Carpenter Bee. It belongs to a genus of large, robust bees known for nesting in wood and exhibiting incipient social behavior. Research on related Xylocopa species has revealed surprising microbiome similarities to highly social bees like honey bees and bumble bees, suggesting that advanced sociality is not required for maintaining complex gut bacterial communities.