Platydracus praetermissus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Newton in 2011. As a member of the genus Platydracus, it belongs to a group of relatively large, predatory rove beetles. The specific epithet "praetermissus" (Latin for "overlooked" or "neglected") suggests this species may have been previously confused with or mistaken for related taxa. Like other Platydracus species, it is likely a generalist predator in forest floor and decomposing organic matter habitats.
Platyhydnobius arizonensis is a small beetle species in the family Leiodidae. It measures 2.7–3.5 mm in length. The species has a broad distribution across forested northern North America, ranging from Alaska to Newfoundland, with a disjunct population in Arizona.
clown beetle
Platysoma punctigerum is a small predatory beetle in the family Histeridae, commonly known as clown beetles. The species occurs in western North America and has been documented under bark of coniferous trees, particularly in association with logging operations and freshly cut pine logs. As a member of the genus Platysoma, it is presumed to be a predator of other insects, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
rain beetle
Pleocoma sonomae is a species of rain beetle described by Linsley in 1935. Like other members of the family Pleocomidae, it is a large, fossorial scarab beetle. The species is native to California and is one of approximately 30 described species in the genus Pleocoma. Rain beetles are known for their emergence following rainfall events, particularly in autumn and winter.
European Paper Wasp
Polistes dominula is a highly successful invasive social wasp native to Eurasia that has established populations across North America, South America, New Zealand, South Africa, and other regions. First detected in North America near Boston in 1978, it has become one of the most abundant wasps on the continent. The species builds small, exposed paper nests in protected locations and preys primarily on live insects, particularly caterpillars. Unlike yellowjackets, it does not scavenge for meat or sugar. Its rapid spread has been attributed to ecological flexibility, superior competitive ability, and tolerance of human-altered environments.
Pollaclasis is a genus of fireflies (family Lampyridae) established by Newman in 1838. The genus contains at least one described species, P. bifaria. Like other lampyrids, members of this genus are beetles capable of bioluminescence. The genus is provisionally accepted in current taxonomic databases.
Kelso Dunes June Beetle
Polyphylla aeolus is a sand dune specialist scarab beetle endemic to California's Kelso Dunes in the Mojave Desert. Described by La Rue in 1998, this species belongs to a genus noted for large-bodied beetles with males possessing greatly enlarged, fan-like antennae used to detect female sex pheromones. Like other Polyphylla species restricted to sand habitats, females are likely flightless and rarely encountered. The species epithet references Aeolus, the Roman king of the winds, perhaps alluding to the wind-dispersed nature of related taxa or the windy dune environment.
Pontomalota opaca is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863. The genus Pontomalota is characterized as a "sea shore genus," suggesting ecological affinity for coastal environments. This small beetle occurs in western North America, with records from Pacific coastal regions extending from Alaska through British Columbia to California, Oregon, and Washington, plus inland records from the northwestern United States. The species is among the least documented members of its genus, with limited observational records despite its relatively broad geographic range.
Prolutacea pulsator is a species of firefly beetle in the family Lampyridae, described by Cicero in 1984. It belongs to the genus Prolutacea, a group of lampyrid beetles distributed in North and Middle America. Very few observations of this species have been recorded, with only six documented sightings on iNaturalist. The species' biology and ecology remain poorly documented.
Prolyctus exaratus is a small beetle in the family Bothrideridae, a group known for their associations with wood-boring insects. The species was described by Melsheimer in 1846 and is recorded from North America. Bothriderids are generally considered ectoparasitoids or predators of other beetles, particularly those developing in dead wood. Observations of this species are sparse, with limited documentation of its biology.
Prothalpia holmbergi is a species of false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae. It is distributed across northern North America, with records from Alaska and British Columbia. The species was described by Mannerheim in 1852.
Pselaptrichus is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, described by Brendel in 1889. The genus contains more than 30 described species. These beetles belong to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small rove beetles characterized by their ecological associations with ants and other social insects.
Pseudataenius socialis is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is known from scattered records across the central and southeastern United States. The species was described by Horn in 1871 and is placed in the tribe Eupariini within the subfamily Aphodiinae.
Pseudoliodini is a tribe of small carrion beetles in the family Leiodidae, established by Portevin in 1926. Members of this tribe are classified within the subfamily Leiodinae and are part of the diverse rove beetle superfamily Staphylinoidea. The tribe contains multiple genera of beetles generally associated with decomposing organic matter.
hidden snout weevils
Pseudomus is a genus of hidden snout weevils (Curculionidae) established by Schoenherr in 1837. The genus contains at least 26 described species, though taxonomic sources vary in their counts. As members of the weevil family, species in this genus possess the characteristic elongated rostrum (snout) typical of Curculionidae. The genus is part of the diverse Curculionoidea superfamily, one of the largest radiations of beetles.
Pseudorimus is a genus of broad-nosed weevils (subfamily Entiminae) in the family Curculionidae. The genus was established by Van Dyke in 1934 and contains at least two described species: P. granicollis and P. orbicollis, both described in the same year. It belongs to the tribe Byrsopagini. The genus is currently accepted in taxonomic databases, though Catalogue of Life lists it as a synonym of Crocidema, indicating taxonomic uncertainty.
Psylliodes credens is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Fall in 1933. It is known from North America and belongs to a genus characterized by enlarged hind femora that enable jumping locomotion. Like other members of the genus, it likely exhibits the flea-like jumping behavior that gives the group its common name. The species has received limited study and detailed ecological information remains sparse.
Pterostichus caudicalis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Thomas Say in 1823. It is classified as a woodland ground beetle and occurs in North America, with distribution records from Canada and the United States. Like other members of the genus Pterostichus, it is a predatory beetle that inhabits forest floor environments. The species is part of the diverse Pterostichinae subfamily, which contains numerous ground-dwelling carabid beetles.
Pterostichus empetricola is a species of woodland ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is distributed across the Holarctic region, with records from Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America including Alaska, Canada, and the United States. The species is part of the diverse genus Pterostichus, which contains numerous ground beetle species.
Pterostichus menetriesii is a species of woodland ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is endemic to North America, with records from the United States. The species belongs to the large genus Pterostichus, which comprises numerous ground beetle species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere.
Pteryx is a genus of minute feather-winged beetles in the family Ptiliidae. Adults are less than 1 mm in length and inhabit rotting wood, particularly under bark of decaying logs and stumps. The genus exhibits wing polymorphism, with individuals occurring in either a normal winged form or a vestigial-winged neonate form characterized by pale pigmentation and reduced eyes. Pteryx is distributed across the Northern Hemisphere in Eurasia and North America, with highest abundance in northern bogs and swampy habitats.
Ptilinus acuminatus is a species of beetle in the family Ptinidae, known from North America. The species was described by Casey in 1898. Beyond its taxonomic placement and geographic distribution, specific details regarding its biology, ecology, and behavior remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Ptilinus basalis is a species of beetle in the family Ptinidae, described by LeConte in 1858. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from British Columbia, Canada. Members of the genus Ptilinus are commonly known as horned powder-post beetles due to the distinctive antennae of males. The species is part of a group of wood-boring beetles whose larvae develop in dead or decaying wood.
Marsh Flicker
Pyractomena dispersa is a firefly species in the beetle family Lampyridae, described by Green in 1957. It occurs in North America with a disjunct distribution split into eastern and western populations by the Great Plains. The species inhabits wetland habitats and has been documented in Alberta, Canada. It is known as the Marsh Flicker.
Marsh Gray Firefly
Pyractomena linearis is a firefly species in the beetle family Lampyridae, described by LeConte in 1852. It is a wetland specialist with a broad but sparsely documented range across the northern United States and southern Canada. The species faces documented threats from habitat destruction and light pollution. Recent observations are scarce despite its extensive historical range.
dark fireflies
Pyropyga is a genus of fireflies in the family Lampyridae, comprising approximately 13 described species distributed primarily across North America. Adults of both sexes lack bioluminescent organs, distinguishing them from most firefly genera and earning them the common name 'dark fireflies.' The genus is among the most common fireflies in the western United States, particularly on the Front Range of Colorado and in the Southwest, though species occur continent-wide. Pyropyga was established by Motschulsky in 1852.
Flower Elf
Pyropyga minuta is a tiny, day-active firefly species commonly known as the flower elf. Adults measure 3–7 mm and are solid black with a distinctive pale yellow pronotum marked by a dark central bar flanked by red. Unlike most fireflies, adults lack functional bioluminescent lanterns and do not flash; instead, they are believed to use pheromones for mate location. The species is widespread across North and Central America.
dead log beetles, dead log bark beetles
Pytho is a small genus of saproxylic beetles in the family Pythidae, commonly known as dead log beetles or dead log bark beetles. The genus comprises approximately nine to ten described species distributed across the Holarctic region, recognized as typically boreal taxa. Species inhabit the cambial layer of dead trees, particularly conifers, where larvae feed on partially decomposed wood and bark. Several species have disjunct distributions spanning North America, Europe, and Japan, reflecting complex historical biogeographic patterns involving vicariance and dispersal across Beringia. Some species, such as P. abieticola, are considered relicts of primeval forests and are in decline across much of Central Europe.
dead log beetle
Pytho americanus is a species of dead log beetle in the family Pythidae. It is native to North America, with records from Canada and the northern United States. The species exhibits notable cold tolerance adaptations, including the ability to overwinter in both larval and adult stages and the synthesis of glycerol during cold acclimation. These physiological traits allow it to persist in climates with severe winter conditions.
Black Pythid Beetle
Pytho niger is a species of dead log beetle in the family Pythidae, found in North America. It is commonly known as the Black Pythid Beetle. The species belongs to a small family of beetles associated with decaying wood habitats. Limited information is available on its specific biology and ecology.
Pedicular Rove Beetle
Quedius pediculus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Nordmann in 1837. The species bears the common name "Pedicular Rove Beetle," though the etymology of this name remains unclear from available sources. As a member of the large and diverse genus Quedius, this species is part of one of the most species-rich genera within Staphylinidae. The genus Quedius is distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with many species occupying varied habitats from forest litter to riparian zones.
Revelieria is a genus of small beetles in the family Latridiidae, established by Perris in 1869. The genus contains two described species: Revelieria genei (originally described by Aubé in 1850) and Revelieria california (described by Fall in 1899). Latridiidae beetles are commonly known as plaster beetles or minute brown scavenger beetles.
Rhagomicrus thoracicus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. It belongs to a genus of small, often overlooked beetles within the subfamily Dendrometrinae. Like other click beetles, it possesses the distinctive prosternal process that enables the characteristic 'clicking' jumping mechanism used to right itself when overturned.
root-eating beetle
Rhizophagus dimidiatus is a species of root-eating beetle in the family Monotomidae. It is native to North America, with records from Canada and the United States. The species belongs to a genus whose members are associated with roots, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Rhizophagus minutus is a small beetle in the family Monotomidae, commonly known as root-eating beetles. The species was described by Mannerheim in 1853. Two subspecies are recognized: R. m. minutus and R. m. rotundicollis. Available records indicate a North American distribution, though specific habitat preferences and ecological details remain poorly documented.
Rhyssomatus pubescens is a species of true weevil in the family Curculionidae, found in North America. The species was described by Horn in 1873. It is one of approximately 11 species in the genus Rhyssomatus, a group of small weevils whose biology and host associations remain poorly documented for most species. Unlike the congener R. nigerrimus, which is a significant soybean pest in Mexico, or R. subtilis, which damages soybean pods in Argentina, the specific biology and economic importance of R. pubescens has not been established.
Rilettius socius is a small beetle species in the family Anthicidae, described by Abdullah in 1964. Members of this family are commonly known as ant-like flower beetles due to their convergent resemblance to ants. The genus Rilettius is monotypic, containing only this species. Published information on its biology and ecology is extremely limited.
Ripiphorus californicus is a beetle species in the family Ripiphoridae, described by LeConte in 1880. The genus Ripiphorus comprises unusual beetles with highly modified morphology and complex life histories involving hypermetamorphosis. Members of this family are typically associated with bees as hosts. The species is known from western North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada.
Ripiphorus vierecki is a species of wedge-shaped beetle in the family Ripiphoridae. It was described by Fall in 1907. The species is known to occur in North America. Like other members of the genus Ripiphorus, it likely exhibits the family's characteristic unusual life history involving hypermetamorphosis and parasitoid associations with bees, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented.
Sandalus californicus is a species of cicada parasite beetle in the family Rhipiceridae, described by LeConte in 1861. It belongs to a genus whose members are specialized parasitoids of cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae). The species occurs in North America. Like other members of its genus, adults are likely active during the emergence period of their cicada hosts.
shining fungus beetle
Scaphidium quadriguttatum is a species of shining fungus beetle first described by Thomas Say in 1823. It belongs to the family Staphylinidae, the largest family of beetles, specifically within the subfamily Scaphidiinae. The species is characterized by its small size and distinctive elytral markings. It has been documented across eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States.
Scaphomorphus boucardi is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae. The genus Scaphomorphus belongs to the weevil subfamily Lixinae. This species is part of a genus of elongate, cylindrical weevils found in the Americas. Very little specific information is available about this particular species in published literature.
Sceptobius is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) established by Sharp in 1883. It contains at least three described species: S. dispar, S. lativentris, and S. schmitti. The genus belongs to the tribe Sceptobiini within the subfamily Aleocharinae. Little is documented about the biology of these beetles.
fire-colored beetles
Schizotus is a genus of fire-colored beetles in the family Pyrochroidae, established by Newman in 1838. The genus contains at least three described species distributed across the Palaearctic region. Adults are small beetles, 7–9 mm in length, with distinctive pectinate (comb-like) antennae. Members are associated with dead and decaying wood, where larvae develop beneath loose bark.
Scymnus calaveras is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae, described by Thomas L. Casey in 1899. The species epithet refers to Calaveras County, California, suggesting a type locality in the Sierra Nevada foothills region. As a member of the genus Scymnus, it likely belongs to the subfamily Scymninae, a group of minute lady beetles often associated with scale insect prey. Published records indicate presence in western North America including British Columbia, Canada, and California, USA.
dusky lady beetle
Scymnus horni is a small lady beetle (family Coccinellidae) first described by Gorham in 1897. It is classified as a 'dusky lady beetle,' a common name applied to several Scymnus species with generally dark or inconspicuous coloration. The species has a notably broad geographic distribution spanning three distinct regions: Central America, North America, and Oceania. Like other members of Scymnus, it is presumed to be a predator of small soft-bodied insects such as aphids and scale insects, though specific prey records for this species are not documented.
Selenophorus fabricii is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described in 2017. The species is known from the Caribbean region, including the Cayman Islands, Hispaniola, and the Lesser Antilles. As a member of the genus Selenophorus, it belongs to a diverse group of small to medium-sized ground beetles commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. Very little is known about the specific biology or ecology of this recently described species.
Serica atracapilla is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, distributed across eastern and central North America. Adults measure approximately 10 mm in length and are characterized by their chestnut-brown coloration and polished, shining upper surface lacking any silky or pruinose luster. The species has been recorded from 19 U.S. states and 7 Canadian provinces, indicating a broad geographic range within the Nearctic region.
Sericoda obsoleta is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, occurring in North America. It is one of several species in the genus Sericoda, which are generally associated with riparian and wetland habitats. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1823. Available information on this species is limited, with most sources providing only basic taxonomic and distributional data.