Arizona
Guides
Morpheis clenchi
Morpheis clenchi is a moth in the family Cossidae (carpenter moths or goat moths), described by Donahue in 1980. The species is known from limited records in Arizona and northern Mexico. Adults have been documented in July. The specific epithet honors entomologist Harry K. Clench.
Morsea dumicola
yavapai monkey grasshopper
Morsea dumicola, commonly known as the yavapai monkey grasshopper, is a species of monkey grasshopper in the family Eumastacidae. The species was described by Rehn and Hebard in 1918. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Arizona. Monkey grasshoppers (family Eumastacidae) are a distinctive group of orthopterans characterized by their aposematic coloration and diurnal habits.
Morsea kaibabensis
kaibab monkey grasshopper
Morsea kaibabensis is a species of monkey grasshopper in the family Eumastacidae, endemic to the Kaibab Plateau region of northern Arizona. The species was described by Rehn and Grant in 1958 and is one of few documented members of its genus. Monkey grasshoppers in this family are characterized by their distinctive body proportions and reduced wing development compared to typical grasshoppers.
Mulsanteus arizonensis
A click beetle species in the family Elateridae, known from very limited observations in the southwestern United States. The specific epithet 'arizonensis' indicates association with Arizona, though detailed biological information remains sparse due to minimal documented encounters.
Myrmecocystus mendax
honey ant, honeypot ant
Myrmecocystus mendax is a species of honeypot ant native to Mexico and the Southwestern United States. The species exhibits notable intraspecific variation in social organization: populations in the Sierra Ancha Mountains of central Arizona display primary polygyny with cooperative colony founding by multiple unrelated queens, while Chiricahua Mountains populations are predominantly monogynous with single-queen founding. Mature colonies in polygynous populations contain an average of 6.27 queens. The species produces specialized replete workers that serve as living food storage vessels.
Myrmex arizonicus
Arizona antlike weevil
Myrmex arizonicus is a species of antlike weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae, native to North America. The genus Myrmex is characterized by weevils that exhibit ant-mimicry in their morphology and behavior. This species was first described by Schaeffer in 1907. As with other members of the genus, it likely occupies habitats where ant mimicry provides selective advantage, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Narnia wilsoni
Narnia wilsoni is a leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1906. It is a member of the genus Narnia, which is characterized by species associated with cacti and other desert vegetation. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it is typically found in arid and semi-arid habitats where its host plants grow.
Negalasa
Negalasa is a monotypic genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, containing the single species N. fumalis. The genus and its sole species were described together by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1913. It is endemic to the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona. The genus belongs to the subfamily Chrysauginae, a diverse group within Pyralidae.
Neobeyeria arizonensis
Neobeyeria arizonensis is a species of rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) described in 1987 from Arizona. It belongs to the tribe Crematoxenini within the subfamily Aleocharinae, a diverse group of small to medium-sized beetles characterized by their shortened elytra that leave much of the abdomen exposed. As a member of this tribe, it is likely associated with termite colonies, though specific host relationships for this species remain undocumented.
Neochodaeus repandus
Neochodaeus repandus is a species of sand-loving scarab beetle in the family Ochodaeidae, first described by Fall in 1909. The species is restricted to sandy habitats in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It belongs to a genus and family of beetles specialized for life in loose, sandy substrates.
Neoerethistes arizonicus
Neoerethistes arizonicus is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Sleeper in 1954. The specific epithet "arizonicus" indicates its association with Arizona. Very little published information exists regarding this species beyond its original description and taxonomic placement. The genus Neoerethistes is poorly documented in the literature, with most species known only from type specimens and scattered collection records.
Neoheliodines arizonense
Neoheliodines arizonense is a species of moth in the family Heliodinidae, a group of small, often metallic microlepidoptera. The genus Neoheliodines is primarily distributed in the Americas. As with other heliodinids, adults are typically diurnal and possess distinctive wing patterns. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in published literature.
Neohelvibotys arizonensis
Neohelvibotys arizonensis is a small crambid moth described by H.W. Capps in 1967. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico, with a wingspan of 20–24 mm. Adults are active during summer months, with flight periods varying by latitude and elevation.
Neoilliberis arizonica
Neoilliberis arizonica is a species of forester moth in the family Zygaenidae, described by Tarmann in 1984. It is placed in the tribe Procridini within the subfamily Procridinae. The genus Neoilliberis is part of the diverse Zygaenoidea superfamily, which includes many aposematically colored day-flying moths. Very little is known about the biology or ecology of this particular species.
Neophyllura arbuticola
Arizona Madrone Psyllid
Neophyllura arbuticola is a psyllid species in the family Liviidae, first described by Crawford in 1914. The species is associated with madrone (Arbutus) host plants, as indicated by its specific epithet. It is known from limited observations in Arizona. The genus Neophyllura comprises psyllids that feed on various host plants, though species-level biological details remain poorly documented for many members.
Neopsammodius quinqueplicatus
Neopsammodius quinqueplicatus is a species of aphodiine dung beetle described by Horn in 1871. It belongs to the family Scarabaeidae and is part of the Psammodiini tribe, which comprises beetles often associated with sandy habitats. The species occurs in both Nearctic and Neotropical regions.
Nephrotoma altissima
Nephrotoma altissima is a species of large crane fly in the family Tipulidae. It occurs across northern and western North America, ranging from Alaska and northern Canada south to Oregon, Arizona, and New Mexico. As a member of the genus Nephrotoma, it belongs to a group commonly known as tiger crane flies, which are distinguished by patterned wings and bodies.
Nepytia janetae
Nepytia janetae is a geometrid moth species that has transitioned from an innocuous, poorly studied insect to a significant forest pest in the southwestern United States. Since 1996, four major outbreaks have caused extensive defoliation and mortality of conifer trees across tens of thousands of acres in Arizona and New Mexico mountain ranges. The species exhibits an unusual life history as a univoltine, autumn- and winter-feeding looper at high elevations where temperatures regularly approach or fall below 0°F. Outbreaks appear associated with reduced snowpack, though the precise climatic mechanisms remain unclear.
Nepytia janetae
Janeta's looper moth
Nepytia janetae is a geometrid moth in the family Geometridae native to southwestern United States mountain ranges. Prior to 1996, it was an inconspicuous species with little ecological impact. Since 1996, four major outbreaks have caused extensive defoliation of conifer forests across Arizona and New Mexico, killing tens of thousands of acres of trees. The species exhibits an unusual winter-feeding larval stage, active when minimum temperatures approach or drop below 0°F. Outbreak termination occurs primarily through parasitism, viral infection, larval starvation, and occasionally heavy rain during egg deposition.
Nicholia eriogoni
Nicholia eriogoni is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1929. It belongs to a small genus of mirid bugs found in western North America. The species is documented from Arizona and is associated with plants in the genus Eriogonum (wild buckwheat).
Nicrophorus mexicanus
Mexican burying beetle
Nicrophorus mexicanus is a burying beetle in the family Silphidae, described by Matthews in 1888. The species is distributed across the southwestern United States and Central America, including Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. As a member of the genus Nicrophorus, it exhibits the characteristic behavior of burying small vertebrate carcasses to serve as food for developing larvae.
burying-beetlecarrion-beetleSilphidaeNicrophorinaeMatthews-1888scavengervertebrate-carcassparental-caresouthwestern-United-StatesCentral-AmericaMexicoGuatemalaEl-SalvadorHondurasArizonaCaliforniaColoradoKansasNew-MexicoNevadaTexasUtahIowadecompositioncarrionNicrophorusbeetleColeopterainsectarthropodNigridonus illumina
Nigridonus illumina is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Ball in 1909. It belongs to the tribe Platymetopiini within the subfamily Deltocephalinae. The species has been documented in Arizona based on distribution records. As a member of Hemiptera, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of true bugs.
Norvellina apachana
Norvellina apachana is a small leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Ball in 1931. It belongs to the genus Norvellina, which is part of the diverse tribe Platymetopiini within the subfamily Deltocephalinae. Leafhoppers in this genus are typically minute, often colorful insects that feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. The species epithet 'apachana' suggests an association with the Apache region of the southwestern United States.
Norvellina mildredae
Norvellina mildredae is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Ball in 1901. Like other members of the genus Norvellina, it is a small, plant-feeding insect that uses piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract sap from host plants. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Leafhoppers in this genus are typically found on vegetation and are attracted to lights at night.
Norvellina snowi
Norvellina snowi is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Ball in 1907. It belongs to the tribe Platymetopiini within the subfamily Deltocephalinae. The species has been documented in Arizona, where it has been observed on goldenrod and Mexican locust. Like other leafhoppers, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts used to feed on plant sap.
Nurenus snowi
Nurenus snowi is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, originally described as Idiodonus snowi by Ball in 1937. Records indicate occurrence in Arizona, though detailed biological information remains limited. The species belongs to a genus of modest diversity within the tribe Platymetopiini.
Octinodes amplicollis
Octinodes amplicollis is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, with confirmed observations in Arizona. Adults have been collected from flowers of Isocoma tenuisecta and other yellow composite flowers in late summer. The species belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized buprestid beetles.
Odontota arizonica
Odontota arizonica is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, recorded from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The species has been collected on several plant species including oaks, legumes, and ornamental plants, though its specific foodplant relationships remain incompletely known. Like other members of the genus Odontota, it likely exhibits leaf-mining larval biology.
Oecleus centronus
A species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described from Arizona in 1935. Belongs to the tribe Oecleini, a group of small, often inconspicuous planthoppers associated with xeric habitats. The species is known from limited collection records.
Oecleus lyra
Oecleus lyra is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Kramer in 1977. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. Like other cixiids, it is a member of the superfamily Delphacoidea, a group of true bugs characterized by their plant-sap feeding habits. The species has been documented in Arizona based on distribution records.
Oecleus natatorius
Oecleus natatorius is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Ball in 1937. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini, a group of small to medium-sized fulgoroid insects. Members of the genus Oecleus are generally associated with grassland and shrubland habitats. The specific epithet 'natatorius' suggests an association with water or moist environments, though this has not been formally documented.
Oecleus palton
Oecleus palton is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Kramer in 1977. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini, a group of small to medium-sized fulgoromorphan insects characterized by their brachypterous (short-winged) condition in many species. The species is known from Arizona and represents one of several described species in the genus Oecleus, which is primarily distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions.
Oecleus pontifex
Oecleus pontifex is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Kramer in 1977. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini, a group of small to medium-sized cixiids characterized by their compact body form and reduced wing venation patterns. The species is known from limited collection records in Arizona. As with other Cixiidae, it likely feeds on plant vascular fluids and may play a role in plant-pathogen transmission.
Oeclidius carolus
Oeclidius carolus is a species of planthopper in the family Meenoplidae, first described by Ball in 1934. This species belongs to a group of small, often cryptic insects commonly known as kinnarid or meenoplid planthoppers. Records indicate occurrence in Arizona. The genus Oeclidius is part of the superfamily Meenoploidea, a relatively obscure group of fulgoromorph planthoppers with limited published biological information.
Okanagana georgi
Okanagana georgi is a cicada species described in 2007 from Arizona. It belongs to the genus Okanagana, a group of cicadas found primarily in western North America. The specific epithet honors the collector. Distribution records indicate presence in Arizona.
Omorgus inflatus
Omorgus inflatus is a species of hide beetle in the family Trogidae, described by Loomis in 1922. Members of this genus are commonly known as skin beetles and are associated with decomposing animal matter. The species has been recorded from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Oncerometopus atriscutis
Oncerometopus atriscutis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1928. The species belongs to the genus Oncerometopus, a group of mirid bugs associated with flowering plants. Observations indicate it occurs on yellow composite flowers in western Texas, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The species name refers to the dark scutellum characteristic of this taxon.
Onthophagus arnetti
Onthophagus arnetti is a dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Howden and Cartwright in 1963. Like other members of the genus Onthophagus, it is likely associated with mammal dung, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species is known from Arizona in the southwestern United States.
Onthophagus hoepfneri
Onthophagus hoepfneri is a dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Harold in 1869. The species occurs across parts of Mexico, Central America, and the southwestern United States. As a member of the genus Onthophagus, it is likely a tunneler-type dung beetle that buries dung for larval development, though specific behavioral and ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Onthophagus subopacus
Onthophagus subopacus is a dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Robinson in 1940. The species is recorded from the southwestern United States (Arizona) and western Mexico (Durango, Jalisco, Sonora). As a member of the genus Onthophagus, it likely participates in dung burial and nutrient cycling, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Onthophilus intermixtus
clown beetle
Onthophilus intermixtus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Helava in 1978. It belongs to the genus Onthophilus, which contains species known for their compact bodies and association with decomposing matter. The species is documented from Arizona, USA. Members of this genus are generally predatory, though specific feeding habits for this species have not been detailed.
Ophiderma compacta
Ophiderma compacta is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Gibson and Wells in 1917. The genus Ophiderma belongs to the tribe Smiliini within the subfamily Smiliinae, a group characterized by diverse pronotal modifications. Species in this genus are part of the Nearctic treehopper fauna, with records from the southwestern United States.
Ophiderma panda
Ophiderma panda is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Ball in 1932. The species is native to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona. Like other members of the genus Ophiderma, it possesses a distinctive enlarged pronotum that extends over the body. The specific epithet "panda" likely refers to coloration patterns, though detailed descriptions of its appearance remain limited in available literature.
Ophraea rugosa
Ophraea rugosa is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Jacoby in 1886. The species has a transcontinental distribution spanning from the southwestern United States through Mexico to Central America. It is one of approximately 13 species in the genus Ophraea, a group of leaf beetles primarily distributed in the Neotropical and Nearctic regions.
Ophryastes nivosus
Ophryastes nivosus is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It was described by Fall in 1910. The species belongs to the tribe Ophryastini within the subfamily Entiminae, a group commonly known as broad-nosed weevils.
Orgamara argentia
Orgamara argentia is a species of planthopper in the family Dictyopharidae, described by Ball in 1937. It belongs to the subfamily Orgeriinae, a group commonly known as orgeriine planthoppers. The species has been recorded from Arizona, USA. As a member of the Hemiptera, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of true bugs.
Ormenaria barberi
Ormenaria barberi is a planthopper species in the family Flatidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1912. It belongs to the tribe Siphantini within the subfamily Flatinae. The species has been recorded in Arizona, with observations documented through citizen science platforms. As a member of the Flatidae family, it shares the characteristic broad, flattened body form typical of planthoppers in this group.
Osbornellus parallelus
Osbornellus parallelus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by DeLong & Knull in 1941. It belongs to the tribe Scaphoideini within the subfamily Deltocephalinae. Leafhoppers in this genus are small, plant-feeding insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts. The specific epithet 'parallelus' likely refers to some aspect of the species' morphology, such as parallel wing veins or body markings.
Oslaria
Oslaria is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, erected by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1904. The genus contains three described species distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Members of this genus are part of the diverse owlet moth fauna of arid North American regions.
Oxyporus mexicanus
Oxyporus mexicanus is a species of rove beetle (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Oxyporinae. The genus Oxyporus is characterized by distinctive morphological adaptations for mycophagy, including modified mouthparts for feeding on fungal substrates. This species was described by Fauvel in 1865 and is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico.