Arizona
Guides
Pachybrachis brevicollis
Pachybrachis brevicollis is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1880. It belongs to the subfamily Cryptocephalinae, a group known for larvae that construct protective cases from their own excrement and shed skins. The species is distributed across North America, with records from the southwestern United States including Arizona.
Pachybrachis convictus
Pachybrachis convictus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Fall in 1915. The genus Pachybrachis is among the largest genera of North American leaf beetles, with species typically associated with woody vegetation. This species has been documented in the southwestern United States, particularly in Arizona. Like other members of the genus, it is likely associated with oaks and related woody plants, though specific host records for this species are not well documented.
Pachybrachis deceptor
Pachybrachis deceptor is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is part of the diverse genus Pachybrachis, which contains numerous small, often colorful species found primarily in North America. The species name "deceptor" suggests a potentially misleading or cryptic appearance. Like other members of its genus, it likely feeds on foliage of various plants and has a life cycle involving larvae that carry protective cases.
Pachybrachis dubiosus
Pachybrachis dubiosus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by J.L. LeConte in 1880. The species belongs to a genus characterized by small, rounded leaf beetles that often carry egg cases or debris on their bodies. Records indicate presence in North America, with observations documented in the southwestern United States.
Pachybrachis gilberti
Pachybrachis gilberti is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Barney in 2019. The genus Pachybrachis contains numerous small, often colorful leaf beetles commonly known as 'scriptured leaf beetles' due to their frequently ornate elytral patterns. This species was documented during a 2021 collecting trip in southeastern Arizona, where specimens were attracted to ultraviolet and mercury-vapor light stations in mesquite-acacia scrub habitat. As a recently described species, detailed natural history information remains limited.
Pachybrachis jacobyi
Pachybrachis jacobyi is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by Bowditch in 1909. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, particularly in Arizona, where it has been collected at light stations in mesquite-acacia scrub and oak-juniper woodland habitats. Like other members of the genus Pachybrachis, it is likely associated with woody vegetation, though specific host plant relationships remain poorly documented.
Pachybrachis macronychus
Pachybrachis macronychus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species was described by Fall in 1915. It is known from North America. Like other members of the genus, it likely inhabits vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Pachybrachis madera
Pachybrachis madera is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Robert J. Barney in 2019. The species epithet refers to Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains of Arizona, the type locality where specimens were collected. Like other members of the genus Pachybrachis, it belongs to the subfamily Cryptocephalinae. The species is known from oak-juniper woodland habitats in southeastern Arizona.
Pachybrachis petronius
A species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Fall in 1915. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, specifically in Arizona, where it has been collected at light stations in mesquite/acacia scrub habitat. Like other members of the genus Pachybrachis, it is likely associated with woody vegetation.
Pachybrachis picturatus
Pachybrachis picturatus is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cryptocephalinae. The genus Pachybrachis contains numerous small, often colorfully patterned species commonly known as case-bearing leaf beetles due to the larval habit of constructing protective cases from fecal material. This species was described by Germar in 1824 and occurs in North America.
Pachybrachis postfasciatus
Pachybrachis postfasciatus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle described by Fall in 1915. It belongs to the family Chrysomelidae, a large group of herbivorous beetles commonly known as leaf beetles. The species is documented from North America. Like other members of the genus Pachybrachis, it is likely associated with vegetation in its habitat, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Pachybrachis signatifrons
Pachybrachis signatifrons is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America. The species was described by Mannerheim in 1843. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to the subfamily Cryptocephalinae, which are characterized by larvae that construct and carry protective cases.
Pachybrachis stygicus
Pachybrachis stygicus is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Fall in 1915. The genus Pachybrachis is part of the tribe Pachybrachini, commonly known as the scriptured leaf beetles for their often intricate elytral patterns. The species epithet 'stygicus' derives from Greek mythology, referring to the river Styx, suggesting dark or gloomy coloration. Records indicate presence in North America, with observations documented in the southwestern United States.
Pachybrachis tacitus
A small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Fall in 1915. Like other members of the genus Pachybrachis, this species is part of a diverse group of case-bearing leaf beetles found in North America. The species is documented from limited collection records, with observations spanning the southwestern United States.
Pachybrachis turgidicollis
Pachybrachis turgidicollis is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It has been documented in North America, specifically recorded from Arizona and Texas. The species was described by Fall in 1915. Like other members of the genus, it belongs to the tribe Pachybrachini, which are known for their compact bodies and enlarged hind femora.
Pachybrachis vulnerosus
A species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Fall in 1915. It belongs to the tribe Pachybrachini, a group known for their hardened, case-like elytra that protect the abdomen. The species is found in North America, with specific records from the southwestern United States including Arizona.
Pachyschelus secedens
Pachyschelus secedens is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It occurs in Central America and North America, with confirmed records from the southwestern United States including Arizona. Field observations indicate it is associated with Desmodium species, on which it has been collected by beating vegetation.
Pandeleteinus lucidillus
broad-nosed weevil
Pandeleteinus lucidillus is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It was described by Howden in 1959. The species is known from limited observations in North America, specifically from Arizona counties including Cochise and Pima. As a member of the subfamily Entiminae, it possesses the characteristic short, broad rostrum typical of broad-nosed weevils.
Pandeleteius robustus
Pandeleteius robustus is a species of broad-nosed weevil described by Schaeffer in 1908. The species belongs to the genus Pandeleteius within the family Curculionidae. Distribution records indicate presence in southeastern Arizona (Cochise and Santa Cruz counties) and North America broadly. Very little detailed biological information has been documented for this species.
Papagona
Papagona is a genus of planthoppers in the family Caliscelidae, first described by Ball in 1935. It belongs to the tribe Peltonotellini within the subfamily Caliscelinae. Members of this genus are part of the diverse Fulgoroidea superfamily, a group of Hemiptera characterized by their specialized mouthparts and often distinctive head morphologies. The genus has been documented in taxonomic literature but remains poorly known in terms of species diversity and natural history.
Papagona papoosa
Papagona papoosa is a species of planthopper in the family Caliscelidae, described by Ball in 1935. It belongs to the tribe Peltonotellini, a group of small, often cryptic fulgoromorphs. The species is recorded from Arizona and appears to be restricted to this region. Like other caliscelids, it likely inhabits grassland or shrubland environments.
Paragalasa exospinalis
Paragalasa exospinalis is a monotypic moth species in the snout moth family Pyralidae, subfamily Chrysauginae. It was described by Cashatt in 1969 and is known only from Arizona. The genus Paragalasa contains no other species. Fewer than 10 observations have been documented, indicating this is a poorly known species with limited ecological data available.
Paraidemona species-a
Paraidemona species-a is a grasshopper in the family Acrididae, recorded as prey for the sphecid wasp Prionyx thomae. The genus Paraidemona belongs to the order Orthoptera, a group of herbivorous insects commonly known as grasshoppers, crickets, and locusts. This particular species designation ('species-a') suggests it may be an undescribed or provisionally identified taxon.
Paraidemona species-b
Paraidemona species-b is a grasshopper in the family Acrididae, known primarily as a recorded host of the solitary wasp Prionyx thomae. The species was documented in a study of wasp prey relationships in the southwestern United States. Beyond this host record, little specific information about its biology, distribution, or ecology has been published.
Paramiana n-sp-two
Paramiana n-sp-two is an undescribed species within the noctuid moth genus Paramiana, a group of medium-sized owlet moths in the tribe Xylenini. The genus Paramiana is native to western North America, with species distributed primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. As an undescribed species, formal documentation is limited to specimen records and preliminary taxonomic notes. The species is recognized as distinct based on genitalic morphology and wing pattern characteristics that separate it from described congeners.
Paraneotermes simplicicornis
Desert Dampwood Termite
Paraneotermes simplicicornis is a desert-dwelling dampwood termite native to arid regions of southwestern North America. It is notable for its distinctive cooperative tunneling behavior, in which workers pass excavated soil backward through the tunnel in a bucket-brigade fashion rather than carrying it individually. The species colonizes dead and decaying Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) and initiates new colonies following monsoon rains, typically in September.
Paraphlepsius micronotatus
A leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. Recorded as prey of the crabronid wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata. Known from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Paravilla cinerea
Paravilla cinerea is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Cole in 1923. It belongs to the tribe Villini within the subfamily Anthracinae. The species has been recorded in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Pelonides
Pelonides is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, established by Kuwert in 1894. The genus comprises approximately six to seven described species distributed in North America. Members of this genus are small beetles typically found on flowers, particularly milkweeds (Asclepias species), where they have been documented feeding on pollen and nectar alongside other flower-visiting beetles.
Penthesilea sacculalis baboquivariensis
Penthesilea sacculalis baboquivariensis is a subspecies of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Cashatt in 2013. It is distinguished from the nominate subspecies by geographic restriction to the Baboquivari Mountains region of southern Arizona. The subspecies epithet references this specific mountain range.
Penthetria arizonensis
Penthetria arizonensis is a species of March fly in the family Bibionidae, described by Fitzgerald in 2021. The genus Penthetria comprises distinctive flies known for their robust, hump-backed appearance and early spring emergence. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Persis arizonensis
Persis arizonensis is a derbid planthopper in the family Derbidae, order Hemiptera. It is a small, presumably phytophagous insect known from limited records in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. The species was described in 1986 and remains poorly documented in published literature.
Persis ferox
Persis ferox is a species of planthopper in the family Derbidae, described by O'Brien in 1986. It belongs to the order Hemiptera, a group of true bugs characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts. The species is known from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. As a member of the Derbidae, it is likely associated with plant-feeding habits typical of this family, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Phanaeus amithaon
Phanaeus amithaon is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is a member of the genus Phanaeus, which includes several North and Central American species known for their bright metallic coloration and distinctive horns in males. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and across much of Mexico.
Phanaeus quadridens
Phanaeus quadridens is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Scarabaeinae. It belongs to the genus Phanaeus, a group known for their role in dung burial and nutrient recycling. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Two subspecies are recognized: P. q. quadridens and P. q. borealis.
Phengodes arizonensis
Arizona Glowworm Beetle
Phengodes arizonensis is a species of glowworm beetle in the family Phengodidae. The species is known from North America, with observations concentrated in the southwestern United States. Like other phengodid beetles, it exhibits bioluminescence. Larvae of related Phengodes species are specialist predators of millipedes, employing unique strategies to circumvent millipede chemical defenses.
Philoponella arizonica
Philoponella arizonica is a species of crevice weaver spider in the family Uloboridae, first described by Gertsch in 1936. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Philoponella, it constructs characteristic sprawling, lacy cribellate webs that issue from retreats in crevices and sheltered locations. Females are notably long-lived and continue to molt after reaching sexual maturity, a trait shared only with mygalomorph spiders among arachnids.
Philya ferruginosa
Philya ferruginosa is a seldom-collected treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Goding in 1893. It belongs to the tribe Hypsoprorini, a group of treehoppers characterized by distinctive pronotal modifications. The species is rarely encountered in collections, with limited published biological information available. A 2022 study provided the first documented host-plant record and described the fifth instar nymph.
Photinus knulli
Fall Southwest Firefly
Photinus knulli is a North American firefly species notable for its collective flash synchrony in sparse, low-density swarms. Males produce flash triplets lasting approximately one second, with phrases separated by 3–5 seconds. Synchrony occurs in periodic bursts with rapid accretion and quick decay, a pattern similar to but faster than the eastern Photinus carolinus. The species inhabits riparian areas in the American Southwest, particularly Arizona's Sky Island regions, and is considered Vulnerable by IUCN due to population decline from habitat degradation.
Phtheochroa canariana
Phtheochroa canariana is a small tortricid moth described from Arizona in 1920. Its taxonomic status has been debated, with some sources treating it as a synonym of Phtheochroa fulviplicana. Very few observations exist, suggesting it is either rare, poorly sampled, or potentially not distinct from related species.
Phyllobaenus arizonicus
Phyllobaenus arizonicus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by Schaeffer in 1908. The specific epithet indicates its association with Arizona. As a member of the Cleridae, it belongs to a family commonly known as checkered beetles, many of which are predatory and associated with other insects.
Phyllodesma americana arizonensis
Phyllodesma americana arizonensis is a subspecies of lappet moth in the family Lasiocampidae. As a subspecies of Phyllodesma americana, it represents a southwestern population differentiated from the nominate form, though specific distinguishing characteristics are not well documented in available sources. The species belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae feed on various woody plants.
Phyllophaga blanda
May beetle, June beetle
Phyllophaga blanda is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Sanderson in 1958. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, a diverse group of soil-dwelling scarabs whose larvae feed on plant roots. The species is known from the Nearctic region, with records from Arizona, USA. Like other members of its genus, it likely exhibits the typical Phyllophaga life cycle with subterranean larval stages and adult emergence in spring or early summer.
Phyllophaga latidens
Phyllophaga latidens is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as a May beetle or June beetle. It belongs to a large genus of more than 400 species in North America. The species is found in the southwestern United States, specifically in Arizona. Like other members of the genus, adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights, while larvae are soil-dwelling white grubs that feed on plant roots.
Phyllophaga rossi
Phyllophaga rossi is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Saylor in 1939. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May or June beetles, a large group of soil-dwelling scarabs whose larvae feed on plant roots. The species is recorded from Arizona, USA, within the Nearctic region. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to have a subterranean larval stage and aerial adult stage, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Phyllophaga sonora
Phyllophaga sonora is a species of scarab beetle described by Saylor in 1939. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, a large group commonly known as May beetles or June bugs. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to have subterranean larval stages and adult emergence patterns tied to seasonal rainfall, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Phytocoris albifrons
Phytocoris albifrons is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1968. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Phytocoris, which contains numerous species of predatory and phytophagous true bugs. The species is known from Arizona, USA, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Phytocoris hypoleucoides
Phytocoris hypoleucoides is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Stonedahl in 1988. As a member of the genus Phytocoris, it belongs to a diverse group of mirid bugs primarily associated with vegetation. The species epithet 'hypoleucoides' suggests a resemblance to forms with white or pale underparts. Like other Phytocoris species, it is likely a plant-feeder with occasional predatory behavior on smaller insects.
Phytocoris nicholi
Phytocoris nicholi is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1928. It belongs to a large genus of mostly phytophagous true bugs. The species is known from Arizona, USA. Like other Phytocoris species, it is likely primarily plant-feeding with occasional predatory behavior on smaller insects.
Phytocoris pulchellus
Phytocoris pulchellus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1934. It is a small hemipteran insect belonging to a large genus of predominantly plant-feeding true bugs. The species has been documented from Arizona, USA, with limited observational records available. Like other members of the genus Phytocoris, it likely inhabits vegetation where it feeds on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts.