Arizona
Guides
Tomonotus
oak-leaf grasshoppers
Tomonotus is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, established by Saussure in 1861. The genus contains at least two described species: Tomonotus ferruginosus (oak-leaf grasshopper) and Tomonotus mexicanus (Mexican oak-leaf grasshopper). Members are found in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Toronia luzena
Toronia luzena is a moth species in the family Cossidae, originally described as Miacora luzena by William Barnes in 1905. It is a North American cossid moth with a documented occurrence in Arizona. The species belongs to the small genus Toronia, which is part of the diverse carpenterworm moth family.
Trachitropis arizonicus
Trachitropis arizonicus is a species of grasshopper in the family Pamphagidae, a group commonly known as the toad grasshoppers. The genus Trachitropis is native to arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. Species in this genus are characterized by their robust, toad-like body form and are typically associated with rocky or gravelly desert habitats. The specific epithet "arizonicus" indicates its primary association with Arizona.
Trachymyrmex arizonensis
Arizona Fungus-farming Ant
Trachymyrmex arizonensis is a higher-attine fungus-growing ant native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species cultivates symbiotic fungi as its primary food source, showing strong partner fidelity with its fungal cultivar lineage. Phylogenetic studies reveal a pattern of 'one-to-one with some exceptions' in its ant-fungal specificity, with high fidelity to its own fungal subclade and rare instances of horizontal fungal transfer between colonies. Males exhibit distinctive morphology with reduced head size relative to body, a trait shared with other attine ants.
Trachymyrmex nogalensis
Trachymyrmex nogalensis is a fungus-gardening ant species from southern Arizona, described by Byars in 1951. As a member of the attine tribe, it cultivates fungal gardens as its primary food source. The queen caste was first characterized in a 2007 taxonomic revision, having previously been undescribed. The species is one of nine North American Trachymyrmex species recognized in that revision.
Triarius lividus
skeletonizing leaf beetle, flea beetle
Triarius lividus is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It occurs in Central America and North America, with documented presence from Arizona to western Texas. The species is characterized by skeletonizing feeding damage on host plants. It is one of relatively few species in the genus Triarius.
Triatoma indictiva
kissing bug
Triatoma indictiva is a blood-sucking assassin bug in the subfamily Triatominae, commonly known as a "kissing bug." It is a documented vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease. The species occurs in Mexico and the southern United States, particularly Arizona and Texas. Adults measure 20–30 mm in length and are characterized by a pear-shaped body, black coloration with red lateral markings, and a tapered proboscis. Like other triatomines, it is primarily associated with vertebrate hosts in natural and peridomestic habitats.
Triatoma recurva
kissing bug, blood-sucking conenose
Triatoma recurva is a kissing bug (Triatominae) native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is a blood-feeding assassin bug that serves as a vector for Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite causing Chagas disease. The species has been documented from its natural host, the ringtail (Bassariscus astutus), and is found in domestic and peri-domestic environments. Laboratory studies indicate slower development and higher feeding requirements compared to related species, with egg-to-adult development exceeding 8.5 months.
Trichocnemis spiculatus neomexicanus
New Mexican ponderous borer
Trichocnemis spiculatus neomexicanus is a subspecies of the ponderous borer, a large prionine longhorn beetle native to western North America. The larvae are among the largest of any North American cerambycid, developing in dead or dying coniferous wood—particularly ponderosa pine. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. This subspecies was described by Casey in 1890 and occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species has gained notoriety as the inspiration for modern chainsaw design, after Joe Cox observed the larva's opposable mandibles in action.
Trichodes peninsularis basalis
Trichodes peninsularis basalis is a subspecies of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It belongs to a genus of predatory beetles commonly found on flowers, where they feed on pollen and other flower-visiting insects. The subspecific epithet 'basalis' suggests a geographic or morphological distinction from the nominate form, though specific diagnostic features for this subspecies are not well documented in available sources.
Trichodes peninsularis horni
Trichodes peninsularis horni is a subspecies of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It has been documented in southeastern Arizona, where adults have been observed on flowers of Lasianthaea podocephala (San Pedro daisy). The subspecies belongs to a genus whose larvae are typically predatory, though specific details for this taxon remain limited.
Tricholita ferrisi
Tricholita ferrisi is a small noctuid moth described in 2009, known exclusively from two sky island localities in southeastern Arizona. The species occupies high-elevation coniferous forest habitats in the Madrean Sky Islands region. All known specimens were collected by light trap in late July, suggesting a narrow seasonal activity window.
Trichonotuloides aphoderrans
Trichonotuloides aphoderrans is a species of aphodiine dung beetle described from Arizona in 2015. The genus Trichonotuloides comprises small to medium-sized scarab beetles associated with decomposing organic matter. This species is distinguished from congeners by specific morphological features of the pronotum and elytra. It is known only from the type locality in the southwestern United States.
Triclonella xuthocelis
Triclonella xuthocelis is a small moth species described by Hodges in 1962. It belongs to the family Momphidae (formerly placed in Cosmopterigidae), a group of small gelechioid moths. The species is restricted to montane regions at the border of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is known from relatively few observations, reflecting either genuine rarity or limited survey effort in its high-elevation habitat.
Trigonoscuta mohawki
broad-nosed weevil
Trigonoscuta mohawki is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It was described by Pierce in 1975. The species is found in North America, with distribution records from Arizona. As a member of the genus Trigonoscuta, it belongs to a group of weevils that have been documented as prey for certain crabronid wasps, though specific prey records for this species have not been established.
Trocodima fuscipes
Trocodima fuscipes is a small moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. The species is known only from the US state of Arizona. Adults have a wingspan of 18–22 mm and have been recorded flying in April and July. It is a poorly documented species with limited available information on its biology.
Tylosis puncticollis
Tylosis puncticollis is a species of longhorned beetle (family Cerambycidae) described by Henry Walter Bates in 1885. It belongs to the tribe Trachyderini, a group of robust, often colorful cerambycids commonly known as trachyderines. The genus Tylosis is restricted to the Americas, with species distributed from the southwestern United States through Mexico. Like other members of its genus, T. puncticollis likely exhibits the characteristic elongated body form and long antennae typical of cerambycids, though specific morphological details distinguishing it from congeners require close examination.
Ufeus felsensteini
Ufeus felsensteini is a small noctuid moth described in 2013, known exclusively from the Santa Catalina Mountains in southeastern Arizona. The species exhibits unusual seasonality among temperate moths: adults emerge in spring and enter an overwintering state, with most flight activity occurring during winter months. It is one of the few species in the genus Ufeus, a small noctuid lineage.
Uroctonites huachuca
Uroctonites huachuca is a scorpion species in the family Vaejovidae, first described by Gertsch and Soleglad in 1972. The species is named after the Huachuca Mountains in southeastern Arizona, which constitute its type locality and primary known range. It belongs to a genus of medium-sized scorpions distributed in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Usingerella simplex
Velvet-striped grasshopper
Usingerella simplex is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Reuter in 1909 under the basionym Cyrtopeltis simplex. It is one of very few species in the genus Usingerella, a small and poorly documented mirid genus. The species is known from limited records in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and California. Available information on its biology and ecology is minimal.
Vanduzea nolina
Vanduzea nolina is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Ball in 1932. The genus Vanduzea is characterized by species that are obligately associated with specific host plants, with adults and nymphs typically found on stems and in leaf axils. This species is named after its host plant genus Nolina (beargrass), indicating a specialized plant-insect relationship. Like other members of the tribe Amastrini, V. nolina likely exhibits ant-tended behavior, where honeydew-producing nymphs are protected by ants in exchange for nutritional rewards.
Vespula infernalis
cuckoo yellowjacket, American cuckoo yellowjacket
Vespula infernalis is an obligate social parasite (inquiline) that invades and usurps colonies of other yellowjacket species, primarily Vespula acadica in North America. Unlike most parasitic wasps, it exhibits intensely aggressive behavior during colony takeover, using specialized morphological adaptations including a large, heavily curved stinger to subdue host workers. The species lacks a worker caste and cannot build nests or rear its own young, instead forcing host workers to feed and care for its brood through dominance behaviors including mauling and forced trophallaxis.
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ancora
Vestistilus ancora is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Ball in 1937. It belongs to the tribe Ceresini within the subfamily Smiliinae. The genus Vestistilus contains species characterized by distinctive pronotal modifications. Observations of this species remain limited, with most records originating from Arizona.
Viridemas galena
Viridemas galena is a noctuid moth and the sole species in the monotypic genus Viridemas. First described by John Bernhardt Smith in 1908, this species is endemic to Arizona. The genus and species were established based on specimens collected in the southwestern United States, representing a distinct lineage within the subfamily Noctuinae.
Xantholobus altus
Xantholobus altus is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, described by Ball in 1932. It belongs to the tribe Smiliini, a group of Nearctic treehoppers characterized by pronounced pronotal modifications. The genus Xantholobus contains multiple species distributed in western and southwestern North America. Xantholobus altus has been recorded from Arizona.
Xantholobus arizonensis
Xantholobus arizonensis is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Funkhouser in 1943. The genus Xantholobus belongs to the tribe Smiliini within the subfamily Smiliinae. As with other treehoppers, this species possesses an enlarged and often elaborately modified pronotum that extends over the thorax. Very little specific information is documented about this particular species beyond its taxonomic description and geographic association with Arizona.
Xantholobus coconinus
Xantholobus coconinus is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Ball in 1932. It belongs to the tribe Smiliini within the subfamily Smiliinae, a group characterized by diverse pronotal modifications. The genus Xantholobus occurs in North America, with this species recorded from Arizona. Like other membracids, it possesses an enlarged pronotum that extends over the thorax and often exhibits plant-mimicking or other specialized morphological forms.
Xantholobus hirsutus
Xantholobus hirsutus is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Ball in 1932. Like other members of the tribe Smiliini, it possesses an enlarged and often elaborately modified pronotum that extends over the body. The genus Xantholobus is part of the diverse New World treehopper fauna, with this species known from the southwestern United States. Treehoppers in this group are characterized by their distinctive pronotal shapes and association with woody host plants.
Xanthostege plana
Xanthostege plana is a crambid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. The species is distinguished by its striking wing coloration: dark yellow forewings with a contrasting pinkish-red fringe and translucent straw-colored hindwings. It occurs in the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona and Texas.
Xeralictus bicuspidariae
Xeralictus bicuspidariae is a rare bee species in the family Halictidae, discovered to play a central role in a floral mimicry system in the Sonoran Desert. The species is one of two rare Xeralictus bees involved in a pollination relationship with Mentzelia involucrata, a yellow-flowered plant in the family Loasaceae. Male bees patrol for females at these flowers, where they attempt to mate with females buried head-first in the blossoms. This behavior has been exploited by the orchid-like plant Mohavea confertiflora, which mimics both the appearance of Mentzelia flowers and the visual cue of a female bee abdomen, tricking males into attempting copulation and thereby transferring pollen.
Xubida dentilineatella
Xubida dentilineatella is a small crambid moth described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1913. It occurs in Mexico and the southern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona. Adults are active during summer months, and larvae are specialized borers in Saccharum species.
Ypsolopha barberella
Ypsolopha barberella is a moth of the family Ypsolophidae, first described by Busck in 1903. It is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. As a member of the Ypsolophidae family, it shares the group's characteristic resting posture and larval web-building behavior, though specific details for this species remain limited.
Ypsolopha schwarziella
Ypsolopha schwarziella is a small moth in the family Ypsolophidae. It is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, Utah, and California. The species has a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Detailed morphological descriptions exist for this species, including distinctive coloration of the antennae, labial palpi, and wings.
Yucanda miniata
Yucanda miniata is a species of planthopper in the family Dictyopharidae, described by Ball in 1937. It belongs to the tribe Orgeriini within the subfamily Orgeriinae. The species is known from Arizona, USA. Like other dictyopharid planthoppers, it possesses the characteristic elongated head structure typical of this family.
Yucanda ornata
Yucanda ornata is a species of planthopper in the family Dictyopharidae, described by Ball in 1937. It belongs to the infraorder Fulgoromorpha within the order Hemiptera. The species is known from Arizona, USA. As a member of the Dictyopharidae, it shares family characteristics including a typically elongated head structure, though specific morphological details for this species are not well documented in available sources.
Zethus guerreroi arizonensis
Zethus guerreroi arizonensis is a subspecies of potter wasp in the family Vespidae, described by Bohart in 1950. As a member of the genus Zethus, it belongs to a group of solitary or weakly social wasps known for constructing mud or resin-based nests. The subspecific epithet 'arizonensis' indicates a geographic association with Arizona. Like other eumenine wasps, females provision nest cells with paralyzed prey, primarily caterpillars, for their developing larvae.
Zikanapis elegans
Zikanapis elegans is a species of plasterer bee in the family Colletidae, originally described as Caupolicana elegans by Timberlake in 1965. It belongs to a genus of solitary bees found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other colletid bees, it likely nests in the ground and lines its brood cells with a cellophane-like secretion. The species is poorly known, with limited observational records.
Zonitis cribricollis
Zonitis cribricollis is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, subfamily Nemognathinae. The species was described by LeConte in 1853 and is known from North America. As a member of Nemognathinae, adults likely possess elongated maxillary mouthparts adapted for feeding on flower nectar. The species name 'cribricollis' refers to a punctured or sieve-like collar (pronotum).
Zonitis perforata
Zonitis perforata is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Casey in 1891. The species is known from North America and belongs to the subfamily Nemognathinae, which is characterized by elongated maxillary mouthparts adapted for nectar feeding. Like other members of the genus Zonitis, it is likely associated with flowers of composite plants (Asteraceae), though specific host records for this species are limited.
Zyginama tricolor
Zyginama tricolor is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae, tribe Erythroneurini. First described by Beamer in 1929, this species belongs to a genus of small, often colorful leafhoppers. The species epithet 'tricolor' suggests a three-colored coloration pattern. Like other typhlocybine leafhoppers, it likely feeds on plant vascular tissue.