Arizona
Guides
Chauliognathus lewisi lewisi
A subspecies of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae, Chauliognathus lewisi lewisi is known from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It has been documented in Arizona and adjacent regions, where it occurs in association with flowering vegetation. The subspecies is part of a genus commonly referred to as soldier beetles, many of which are flower visitors and predators of other small insects.
Chauliognathus profundus
Chauliognathus profundus is a soldier beetle (family Cantharidae) distributed across Central and North America. It has been documented in the southwestern United States, particularly in Arizona, where it occurs in montane and canyon habitats. The species has been observed feeding on other insects, including predation on conspecifics and related cantharid species.
Chionodes aristella
Chionodes aristella is a gelechiid moth described by Busck in 1903. It is distinguished by striking forewing coloration featuring deep purplish black with two prominent canary-yellow longitudinal streaks. The species has a restricted known distribution in the southwestern United States.
Chionodes bibo
Chionodes bibo is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, first described by Hodges in 1999. It is known from Arizona in the southwestern United States. The larvae feed on oak species (Quercus), making it a specialist herbivore associated with this plant genus.
Chionodes canor
Chionodes canor is a moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Hodges in 1999. The species is known only from Arizona in the southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is a small gelechiid moth, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Chionodes phalacra
Chionodes phalacra is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of approximately 9 mm. It is characterized by dark fuscous forewings marked with distinctive pale cream-colored spots and streaks. The species has been recorded from Texas, Arizona, Mexico, and Cuba.
Chlosyne eumeda
Eumeda Checkerspot
Chlosyne eumeda is a checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, described by Godman and Salvin in 1894. It is primarily found in Mexico, with rare strays occasionally reaching southern Arizona and southern Texas. The species belongs to a genus of brush-footed butterflies known for their distinctive checkered wing patterns.
Choristostigma
Choristostigma is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae, established by Warren in 1892. The genus contains approximately ten described species distributed across North America, including C. roseopennalis, which has been documented at ultraviolet and mercury-vapor light traps in mountain oak woodland habitats. Species within this genus are small to medium-sized crambid moths, though detailed morphological and biological information remains limited in the published literature.
Chrysobothris cuprascens
A small to medium-sized metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, characterized by coppery or brassy metallic coloration. First described by LeConte in 1860, this species occurs in North America and has been documented in pinyon-juniper woodland habitats. Adults have been observed on recently fallen branches of Pinus edulis (Colorado pinyon pine), where they run rapidly along the wood surface. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, the larvae are wood-borers that develop in dead or dying coniferous hosts.
Cicindela pulchra dorothea
Cicindela pulchra dorothea is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae, endemic to the western United States. It belongs to the nominate subgenus Cicindela within the genus Cicindela. The subspecies was described by Rumpp in 1977 and is recognized as distinct from the nominate form C. pulchra pulchra. Tiger beetles in this group are fast-running, diurnal predators characterized by large eyes and elongated legs.
Cicindelidia obsoleta santaclarae
Santa Clara Grassland Tiger Beetle
A subspecies of the large grassland tiger beetle distinguished by bright green coloration and relatively well-developed elytral maculations compared to other subspecies. Adults are active during summer months and exhibit the classic 'summer' species life history pattern. The subspecies occurs in New Mexico and Arizona, where individuals show considerable color variation from black to bright green.
Cicinnus
sack-bearer moths
Cicinnus is a genus of sack-bearer moths (family Mimallonidae) in the subfamily Cicinninae. Species in this genus are characterized by their uniformly pink or pale coloration and relatively simple wing patterns. The genus includes C. chambersi, described in 2020 from southeastern Arizona, which represents the first U.S. Cicinnus species described in nearly 50 years. C. melsheimeri is the most widespread North American species, while other species occur primarily in Mexico.
Cisthene juanita
Juanita's Lichen Moth
Cisthene juanita is a tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1925. It is endemic to southern Arizona, United States. As a member of the genus Cisthene, it belongs to a group of lichen moths known for their often striking color patterns. Related species in this genus have been documented to produce acoustic warning signals to deter bat predators, a behavior termed acoustic aposematism.
Cisthene tenuifascia schwarziorum
Cisthene tenuifascia schwarziorum is a subspecies of lichen moth in the family Erebidae. As a member of the genus Cisthene, it belongs to a group of small, often brightly patterned tiger moths. The genus Cisthene is part of the tribe Lithosiini, which includes species commonly known as lichen moths due to their frequent association with lichen-covered substrates. This subspecies was described from populations in the southwestern United States.
Citheronia splendens
Splendid Royal Moth
Citheronia splendens, the splendid royal moth, is a large saturniid moth found from southern Arizona southward into central and southeastern Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of 106–150 mm and are active from July to August. The species was first described by Herbert Druce in 1886 and is recognized by three described subspecies.
Cixius balli
Cixius balli is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Kramer in 1981. It belongs to the genus Cixius, a diverse group of sap-feeding insects within the order Hemiptera. The species is known from distribution records in Arizona, USA. Like other cixiids, it is presumed to feed on plant vascular fluids, though specific host associations remain unstudied.
Clastoptera distincta
Dwarf Mistletoe Spittlebug
Clastoptera distincta is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, described by Doering in 1929. It is known by the common name "Dwarf Mistletoe Spittlebug," indicating an association with dwarf mistletoe plants. The species occurs in the southwestern United States, with documented records from Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Like other members of Clastopteridae, the nymphs produce spittle masses for protection.
Clastoptera n-sp-az
Clastoptera n-sp-az is an undescribed species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, recorded from Arizona. The genus Clastoptera comprises small, compact spittlebugs commonly known as 'spittlebugs' or 'froghoppers' due to the nymphal habit of producing protective foam masses. This species remains formally undescribed, indicating limited published information regarding its biology and distribution.
Clematodes vanduzeei
papago creosotebush grasshopper
Clematodes vanduzeei is a species of short-horned grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the papago creosotebush grasshopper. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Arizona and northwestern Mexico. The species was described by Hebard in 1923 and is classified within the subfamily Copiocerinae. Two subspecies are recognized: C. v. vanduzeei and C. v. papago.
Clepsis anderslaneyii
Clepsis anderslaneyii is a small tortricid moth described in 2009 from montane regions of southeastern Arizona. The species is known from three mountain ranges at elevations between 1,490 and 1,770 meters. Adults fly during summer months, with records from July to August. The species name honors the marriage of Sara Anderson and Malcolm Slaney.
Clivinema regalis
Clivinema regalis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1917. It belongs to the order Hemiptera, characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of true bugs. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States. As with other mirid bugs, it likely feeds on plant fluids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Colaspis hesperia
Western Brown Colaspis Leaf Beetle
Colaspis hesperia is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, native to southwestern North America. The specific epithet "hesperia" derives from the Greek word for "western," reflecting its geographic distribution. It is closely related to Colaspis brunnea. The species has been documented in 51 observations on iNaturalist.
Colaspis viriditincta
Colaspis viriditincta is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Charles Frederic August Schaeffer in 1919. The specific epithet refers to a green-tinged coloration. It is known from Arizona and Mexico. The genus Colaspis includes species associated with various host plants, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Coleothorpa vittigera
case-bearing leaf beetle
Coleothorpa vittigera is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species was first described by J.L. LeConte in 1861. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form C. v. vittigera and C. v. arizonensis described by Horn in 1892. The species is native to North America.
Conalcaea
Conalcaea is a genus of spur-throated grasshoppers in the family Acrididae. The genus contains three recognized species: C. cantralli, C. huachucana (Huachuca grasshopper), and C. miguelitana. These grasshoppers are restricted to the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Conotrachelus sp-one-ariz
Conotrachelus sp-one-ariz is an undescribed species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, genus Conotrachelus. Members of this genus are characterized by a distinctive elongated snout (rostrum) with mouthparts at the tip. This Arizona-associated form appears to represent a distinct lineage within the genus, though formal taxonomic description is pending. The species is part of a diverse group of weevils commonly known as plum curculios and related taxa.
Conozoa carinata
Ridged Grasshopper
Conozoa carinata, commonly known as the Ridged Grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is distributed across North America and Central America. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, including New Mexico, where it has been observed in open, disturbed habitats such as parking areas. As a member of the Oedipodinae subfamily, it possesses the characteristic banded wings typical of this group.
Copaeodes aurantiaca
orange skipperling
Copaeodes aurantiaca, commonly known as the orange skipperling, is a grass skipper in the family Hesperiidae. It is native to Central America and North America, with documented presence in the southwestern United States including Arizona. The species is active during late summer and early autumn, and has been observed in botanical gardens and natural habitats with abundant flowering vegetation.
Cophura arizonensis
Cophura arizonensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Schäffer in 1916. As a member of the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species epithet indicates an association with Arizona, suggesting this region as part of its core range. Robber flies in this genus are generally medium-sized predators that hunt from perches.
Cophura dammersi
Cophura dammersi is a species of robber fly (Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1965. As a member of the genus Cophura, it belongs to a group of predatory flies characterized by their robust build and predatory habits. The species appears to be poorly documented in public sources, with no observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the available data. Like other Asilidae, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects.
Copris macclevei
Copris macclevei is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Warner in 1990. It belongs to the genus Copris, a group of dung beetles known for their role in nutrient cycling and soil aeration through dung burial behaviors. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Coscinocephalus cribrifrons
Coscinocephalus cribrifrons is a rhinoceros beetle in the subfamily Dynastinae. The species was described by Schaeffer in 1906. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other dynastine beetles, it possesses enlarged cephalic or thoracic horns, though specific horn morphology for this species is not well documented.
Cotinis impia
Cotinis impia is a scarab beetle in the genus Cotinis, first described by Fall in 1905. The species is known from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Field observations indicate it has been collected on Baccharis sarothroides (desert broom), though additional host associations remain poorly documented. Like other members of the genus Cotinis, it belongs to the flower chafer group within Scarabaeidae.
Crassana goniana
Crassana goniana is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Ball in 1931. It belongs to the genus Crassana, a group within the subfamily Cicadellinae. The species has been documented in scattered localities across the southwestern United States and central Mexico. Like other leafhoppers, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts adapted for feeding on plant vascular tissues.
Cratichneumon arizonensis
Cratichneumon arizonensis is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Henry Lorenz Viereck in 1905. The species is known from a small number of observations, with records indicating presence in North America. As with other members of the genus Cratichneumon, this species is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host relationships remain undocumented. The species epithet 'arizonensis' suggests a type locality or primary distribution associated with Arizona.
Crocidema arizonica
broad-nosed weevil
Crocidema arizonica is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae, described by Van Dyke in 1951. It belongs to the subfamily Entiminae, a diverse group of weevils characterized by their broad rostrum and typically root-feeding larvae. The species is known from the southwestern United States.
Crossidius suturalis pubescens
Crossidius suturalis pubescens is a subspecies of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Linsley in 1957. It belongs to the species Crossidius suturalis, a member of the flower-visiting cerambycid genus Crossidius. The subspecies is distributed in southwestern North America, with records from Arizona and New Mexico. Field observations indicate adults are active in late summer and early autumn, where they have been found on flowers of Isocoma tenuisecta and related composite plants.
Cryptarcha sp-one-ariz
Cryptarcha sp-one-ariz is an undescribed or provisionally designated species within the genus Cryptarcha, a group of sap beetles (family Nitidulidae) found in Arizona. Species in this genus are associated with fermenting plant exudates and fungal substrates. The specific epithet 'sp-one-ariz' indicates this represents a distinct morphospecies recognized from Arizona collections, pending formal taxonomic description.
Cryptocephalus alternans
Cryptocephalus alternans is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It occurs in southwestern North America, including California, Arizona, and Mexico. Two subspecies are recognized: C. a. alternans and C. a. jungovittatus, with the latter measuring 4.7–5.0 mm in length.
Cryptocephalus merus
case-bearing leaf beetle
Cryptocephalus merus is a small case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, measuring 3.8–4.3 mm in length. The species is known from a restricted distribution in the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona and Texas and possible occurrence in Mexico. Like other members of the genus, adults construct protective cases from fecal material and shed exoskeletons that cover the abdomen.
Cryptophobetron oropeso
Cryptophobetron oropeso is a species of slug caterpillar moth in the family Limacodidae, first described by Barnes in 1905. The genus Cryptophobetron contains relatively few described species, and members of this group are characterized by reduced wing venation and distinctive larval morphology. This species is part of the diverse Zygaenoidea superfamily, which includes many species with chemical defenses and urticating larvae.
Cuerna balli
Cuerna balli is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Oman and Beamer in 1944. It belongs to the genus Cuerna, which is placed in the tribe Proconiini. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. A comparative developmental biology study of Cuerna arida and C. balli was conducted in Arizona, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Cuerna possibly-undescribed-az
A potentially undescribed species in the sharpshooter genus Cuerna, known from Arizona. The genus Cuerna belongs to the tribe Proconiini and comprises large, robust leafhoppers often associated with woody host plants. This putative species has been documented but awaits formal taxonomic description.
Cuterebra arizonae
New World skin bot fly
Cuterebra arizonae is a species of New World skin bot fly in the family Oestridae. It was described by Sabrosky in 1986. Like other members of the genus Cuterebra, it is a parasitic fly whose larvae develop subcutaneously in mammalian hosts. Adults are rarely encountered in the field and lack functional mouthparts.
Cuterebra austeni
Cuterebra austeni is a species of New World skin bot fly in the family Oestridae. The adult flies are large, bumble bee-sized insects with distinctive black and white coloration. Like other Cuterebra species, adults lack functional mouthparts and live only briefly, fueled entirely by larval fat reserves. The species has been documented exhibiting hilltopping behavior in Arizona, where males gather at elevated sites to locate females.
Cydamus abditus
Cydamus abditus is a species of broad-headed bug in the family Alydidae, described by Van Duzee in 1925. It belongs to the subfamily Micrelytrinae and tribe Micrelytrini. The species is known from Arizona in the southwestern United States, with limited published information available regarding its biology and ecology. As with other members of the genus Cydamus, it is likely associated with herbaceous vegetation in arid and semi-arid habitats.
Cymatodera aegra-complex
checkered beetle
The Cymatodera aegra-complex comprises a group of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, subfamily Tillinae. These beetles are known from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where they have been collected in association with desert thorn-scrub vegetation. Members of this complex are morphologically similar and may represent a cryptic species assemblage requiring further taxonomic study.
Cymatodera schwarzi
Cymatodera schwarzi is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by Wolcott in 1921. The species is known from North America, with collection records from the southwestern United States including Arizona. Like other members of the genus Cymatodera, it is likely a predator associated with wood-boring beetles, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Cymatodera usta
Cymatodera usta is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by LeConte in 1858. The genus Cymatodera comprises predatory beetles commonly known as checkered beetles due to their distinctive color patterns. Members of this genus are typically found in association with woody vegetation where they prey on other insects.
Cymbopteryx fuscimarginalis
Cymbopteryx fuscimarginalis is a species of moth in the family Crambidae, described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1961. It belongs to the subfamily Odontiinae. The species is known from a single observation in Arizona, indicating it is likely rare or poorly collected.