Arthropod
Guides
Absensiugum teres
Absensiugum teres is a species of beetle in the family Eucnemidae, commonly known as false click beetles. The genus Absensiugum was established to accommodate species previously placed in other eucnemid genera. Members of Eucnemidae are characterized by their inability to produce the clicking sound that defines their relatives in Elateridae (true click beetles), despite similar body forms. The species name 'teres' refers to the smooth, rounded body shape.
Acanthepeira marion
Acanthepeira marion is an orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, first described by Levi in 1976. The species is distributed across the United States and Mexico. As a member of the genus Acanthepeira, it shares the distinctive spiny abdominal tubercles characteristic of this group of orbweavers.
Agallissus
Agallissus is a genus of longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Cerambycinae, and tribe Agallissini. The genus was established by Dalman in 1823. At least one species, Agallissus melaniodes, has been documented from Mexico, Honduras, and Costa Rica. The genus belongs to a group of beetles characterized by elongated antennae and wood-associated life histories.
Agelenopsis spatula
funnel weaver spider
Agelenopsis spatula is a species of funnel weaver spider in the family Agelenidae, first described in 1935 by Ralph Vary Chamberlin and Wilton Ivie. It is known only from the United States. As a member of the genus Agelenopsis, it shares the characteristic funnel-web building behavior and elongated spinnerets typical of this group.
Aligia colei
Aligia colei is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. Described by Van Duzee in 1925, this species belongs to the tribe Platymetopiini, a group of small, often cryptic leafhoppers. As with many members of this genus and tribe, detailed natural history information remains limited in the accessible literature.
Amara aurata
Amara aurata is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Dejean in 1828. It belongs to the large genus Amara, which contains numerous species distributed across North America and other regions. As a member of Carabidae, it is part of a diverse family of predatory beetles commonly known as ground beetles.
Ameletus ludens
Ameletus ludens is a species of combmouthed minnow mayfly in the family Ameletidae, described by Needham in 1905. It belongs to the order Ephemeroptera, a group of aquatic insects known for their brief adult lifespans. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its ecology and life history remain limited in available sources.
Anchastus rufus
Anchastus rufus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The genus Anchastus belongs to the diverse group of elaterid beetles, which are characterized by their ability to produce an audible clicking sound through a prosternal process that fits into a mesosternal groove. Very little specific information is available for this particular species.
Anoplius subcylindricus
Anoplius subcylindricus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It belongs to a diverse genus of solitary wasps that prey primarily on spiders. Like other members of Anoplius, this species exhibits the characteristic behaviors of spider wasps: females hunt spiders, paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows with these paralyzed prey for their larval offspring. The species was described by Nathan Banks in 1917.
Aphoebantus conurus
Aphoebantus conurus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Osten Sacken in 1887. It belongs to the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Aphoebantini. The genus Aphoebantus includes species that may exhibit predator mimicry, with some members displaying posterior thoracic markings resembling jumping spider eyes. Field observations indicate this species occurs in juniper woodland habitats in the southwestern United States.
Axinopalpus vittatus
Axinopalpus vittatus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Hatch in 1949. The genus Axinopalpus belongs to the subtribe Dromiusina within the tribe Lebiini. The species is recorded from the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in available sources.
Baryceros audax
Baryceros audax is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Cresson in 1878. It belongs to a diverse group of parasitoid wasps characterized by their slender bodies and long antennae. As with most ichneumonids, this species is likely parasitoid, though specific host associations remain poorly documented. The genus Baryceros contains relatively obscure species with limited published biological information.
Bolbocerosoma confusum
Bolbocerosoma confusum is an earth-boring scarab beetle in the family Geotrupidae, described by Brown in 1928. It is native to North America, with documented records from Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. As a member of the bolboceratine geotrupids, it exhibits the family's characteristic fossorial adaptations for burrowing in soil.
Brachynemurus ferox
Brachynemurus ferox is a species of antlion in the family Myrmeleontidae, first described by Walker in 1853. The species is distributed across North America and Middle America. Like other antlions, it belongs to an order of predatory insects characterized by their distinctive larval pit-digging behavior and elongated, net-veined wings in adults.
Carynota
Carynota is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, subfamily Smiliinae, established by Fitch in 1851. The genus contains four described species: C. maculata, C. marmorata, C. mera, and C. stupida. Treehoppers in this genus exhibit the enlarged pronotum characteristic of Membracidae, which extends over the body like a thorn or helmet.
Cecharismena jalapena
Cecharismena jalapena is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, first described by William Schaus in 1906 from specimens collected in Jalapa, Mexico. The species was originally placed in the genus Rhaesena before being transferred to Cecharismena. It belongs to the subfamily Calpinae, a group of moths whose larvae often feed on rotting fruit or other organic matter.
Chelicerata
Chelicerates
Chelicerata is a major subphylum of arthropods characterized by the presence of chelicerae—pincer-like or fang-like appendages that are the first pair of structures before the mouth. The group includes horseshoe crabs, sea spiders, and arachnids (spiders, scorpions, mites, ticks, harvestmen, and allies). Chelicerates diverged from other arthropods by the mid-Cambrian period, approximately 508 million years ago. With over 77,000 described living species and estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands more undescribed species, chelicerates represent one of the most diverse animal groups after insects. Most living species are terrestrial air-breathers, though marine lineages persist.
Chilopoda
Centipedes
Chilopoda is a class of venomous, predatory arthropods comprising the centipedes. These elongated metameric animals possess one pair of legs per body segment, with leg counts ranging from 30 to 354 depending on species. Centipedes are distinguished from millipedes (class Diplopoda) by their single pair of legs per segment, flattened body profile, and venomous forcipules derived from modified first leg pairs. The class contains four extant orders: Scutigeromorpha (house centipedes), Lithobiomorpha (stone centipedes), Geophilomorpha (soil centipedes), and Scolopendromorpha (giant centipedes). All are obligate carnivores with predatory lifestyles.
Chlaenius sericeus
Green Pubescent Ground Beetle
Chlaenius sericeus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, native to North America. The species is found in the United States and Canada. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Chlaenius, which contains approximately 1,000 species worldwide, with the majority occurring in the Oriental and Afrotropical regions. The specific epithet "sericeus" refers to the silky or silk-like appearance of the beetle's pubescence.
Chlorochroa rossiana
Chlorochroa rossiana is a species of stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, first described by Buxton & Thomas in 1983. It is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Chlorochroa, it is a true bug with piercing-sucking mouthparts. Very little is known about its specific biology, ecology, or economic importance.
Conibius seriatus
Conibius seriatus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The species is recorded from Mexico, though detailed biological information remains sparse. It belongs to a genus within a family characterized by drought-adapted beetles often found in arid and semi-arid environments.
Cophes obtentus
hidden snout weevil
Cophes obtentus is a species of hidden snout weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Canada and the United States. The species was described by J.F.W. Herbst in 1797. Like other members of Curculionidae, it possesses the characteristic elongated snout (rostrum) typical of weevils.
Cophura daphne
Cophura daphne is a species of robber fly described by Pritchard in 1943. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae within the family Asilidae, a group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The species is accepted in taxonomic databases but appears to have minimal observational records.
Corticivora parva
Bronze-banded Corticivora Moth
Corticivora parva is a small moth species in the family Tortricidae, first described by Brown in 1984. It is commonly known as the Bronze-banded Corticivora Moth. The species belongs to the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Grapholitini, a group that includes many economically important fruit pests. As a member of the diverse tortricid fauna, C. parva contributes to the rich lepidopteran biodiversity documented in entomological collections and citizen science platforms.
Coxelus longus
Coxelus longus is a species of beetle in the family Zopheridae. The species name "longus" (Latin for "long") suggests an elongated body form. Members of the genus Coxelus are typically found in association with decaying wood and are part of the diverse beetle fauna of the order Coleoptera.
Cryptophagus dentatus
silken fungus beetle
Cryptophagus dentatus is a species of silken fungus beetle in the family Cryptophagidae, first described by Herbst in 1793. The species has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Holarctic region, with confirmed records from Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. It has been documented from the Azores (Faial and São Miguel islands). As a member of the silken fungus beetles, it is associated with fungal habitats.
Cuterebra cochisei
Cuterebra cochisei is a species of New World skin bot fly described by Sabrosky in 1986. As a member of the genus Cuterebra, it is an obligate parasite of mammals with larvae that develop subcutaneously in host tissue. The species is one of 34 recognized North American Cuterebra species. Very little specific information has been published about this particular species.
Cyrtopogon aldrichi
Cyrtopogon aldrichi is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox & Martin in 1936. As a member of the genus Cyrtopogon, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory flies characterized by their aerial hunting behavior. The species is currently accepted in taxonomic databases, though published information on its specific biology and distribution remains limited.
Diguetia mojavea
Desertshrub Spider
Diguetia mojavea is a species of desertshrub spider in the family Diguetidae, endemic to the deserts of the American Southwest. First described by Gertsch in 1958, this species constructs distinctive horizontal sheet webs with dome-shaped retreats amid desert vegetation. As a haplogyne spider, it exhibits relatively primitive reproductive morphology compared to more derived arachnids.
Diogmites perplexus
Diplocentrus diablo
Diplocentrus diablo is a species of scorpion in the family Diplocentridae, first described by Stockwell and Nilsson in 1987. The species belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive morphological features including a subaculear tubercle on the telson. As a member of the order Scorpiones, it possesses the typical arachnid body plan with four pairs of walking legs and a segmented metasoma terminating in a stinger.
Diplotaxis abnormis
Diplotaxis abnormis is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species was described by Fall in 1909 and belongs to the tribe Diplotaxini. It is distributed in the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico) and northern Mexico (Chihuahua, Sonora). Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is likely a nocturnal species that congregates on vegetation to detect pheromone trails for mate location.
Dipropus simplex
Dipropus simplex is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. It is known from the southern United States and Mexico. Click beetles are characterized by their ability to right themselves when flipped onto their backs using a spring-loaded prosternal process that produces an audible clicking sound. The genus Dipropus belongs to the diverse elaterid fauna of North America.
Dolichopus longipennis
Dolichopus longipennis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1861. Members of this family are known for their elongated legs and metallic coloration. The genus Dolichopus is one of the largest genera within Dolichopodidae.
Drepanura californica
Drepanura californica is a species of springtail (Collembola) in the family Entomobryidae. It was described by H. Schött in 1891 and is known from California and other Pacific North American regions. The genus Drepanura is characterized by distinctive morphological features including a furcula with reduced dentes. As an entomobryid springtail, it inhabits soil and leaf litter environments where it contributes to decomposition processes.
Epanusia
Epanusia is a genus of encyrtid wasps established by Girault in 1913. It belongs to the subtribe Platencyrtina within the tribe Discodini. The genus is part of the large and diverse family Encyrtidae, which contains numerous parasitoid species associated with various insect hosts. A redescription of Epanusia xerophila from Canada has been published, but biological information remains limited.
Erynnis telemachus
Rocky Mountain duskywing
Erynnis telemachus, the Rocky Mountain duskywing, is a spread-wing skipper in the family Hesperiidae. It is found in North America.
Erythridula lawsoniana
Erythridula lawsoniana is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae. The genus Erythridula comprises small leafhoppers often referred to as 'microleafhoppers' due to their diminutive size, typically under 5 millimeters. These insects feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. The species has been documented from scattered localities across eastern North America, with records from Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, New Hampshire, and Ontario.
Erythroneura anfracta
Erythroneura anfracta is a species of microleafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Beamer in 1929. It belongs to the genus Erythroneura, a diverse group of small, often colorful leafhoppers commonly known as microleafhoppers. The species is part of the Typhlocybinae subfamily, which includes many economically important agricultural pests. Like other members of its genus, E. anfracta is likely associated with woody vegetation, though specific host plant relationships remain undocumented.
Erythroneura bidens
Erythroneura bidens is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by McAtee in 1924. It belongs to the genus Erythroneura, a diverse group of small leafhoppers commonly known as sharpshooters or microleafhoppers. The species has been documented from scattered locations in the eastern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with woody vegetation, though specific host plant relationships remain poorly documented.
Esenbeckia tinkhami
A species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Philip in 1954. Known from limited records in the southwestern United States.
Eucaterva variaria
Eucaterva variaria is a geometrid moth species described by Grote in 1882. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species feeds on desert willow (Chilopsis linearis). It serves as a host for the parasitoid wasp Pimpla sanguinipes (Coccygomimus sanguinipes).
Euchlaena deplanaria
Deep Yellow Euchlaena Moth
Euchlaena deplanaria is a species of geometrid moth native to eastern and central North America. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 34 mm and are active from February through October, indicating a broad flight season. The species is attracted to artificial light sources and has been documented in diverse habitats from deciduous forests to mixed conifer woodlands. It belongs to the genus Euchlaena, which includes several similarly patterned species that can be challenging to distinguish without close examination.
Eukoenenia
microwhip scorpions
Eukoenenia is a genus of microwhip scorpions (order Palpigradi) containing at least 84 described species. Members are predominantly cave-dwelling (hypogean) and have been documented across Europe and South America. Recent cave surveys indicate they are more frequently encountered than previously assumed under favorable microclimatic conditions. The genus exhibits flexible feeding strategies, acting as both predator and scavenger.
Euphrynichus
tailless whip scorpion
Euphrynichus is a genus of amblypygids (tailless whip scorpions) in the family Phrynichidae, containing the species Euphrynichus amanica and Euphrynichus bacillifer. These are large arachnids with body lengths up to 36 mm and pedipalp tibiae reaching 85 mm. Euphrynichus amanica is known from East Africa, while E. bacillifer is described as more widespread. The genus has received public attention through the exotic pet trade and viral social media videos.
Eupterella
Eupterella is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae, described by DeLong & Ruppel in 1950. It belongs to the tribe Typhlocybini and subtribe Typhlocybina. The genus is poorly documented with minimal available information on its species diversity and biology.
Euxoa trifasciata
Euxoa trifasciata is a noctuid moth species found in western North America. It belongs to the large genus Euxoa, which contains numerous cutworm species. The species was described by Smith in 1888. Available records indicate its presence in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and California, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Evagetes mohave
Evagetes mohave is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Nathan Banks in 1933. The genus Evagetes is characterized by a blocky, robust thorax that distinguishes it from the related genus Aporus, which has a more streamlined thorax that slopes gradually toward the head. Members of the genus Evagetes share with Aporus relatively short and thick antennae. The species epithet 'mohave' suggests an association with the Mojave Desert region of southwestern North America.
Fota
Fota is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Stiriinae. It was established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. The genus belongs to the tribe Stiriini, a group of owlet moths characterized by distinctive morphological features. As of current records, the genus has been documented with limited observational data.
Fulciniinae
Fulciniinae is a subfamily-level group of praying mantises placed in Nanomantidae and Mantodea. Recent literature uses the name for a group including Glabromantis, Paraoxypilus, and Phthersigena. A 2024 review recognized two Glabromantis species, five Paraoxypilus species, and one Phthersigena species, while documenting several synonymies. Broad subfamily-level natural-history details remain limited in the sources used here, so this guide emphasizes taxonomy and clearly separates group-level facts from general mantis biology.