Broad-distribution
Guides
Acritus komai
clown beetle
Acritus komai is a small clown beetle (family Histeridae) described by Lewis in 1879. The species exhibits a remarkably broad geographic distribution spanning Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and Oceania. It belongs to the subfamily Abraeinae, a group of diminutive histerids often associated with decaying organic matter. The species name honors a person, following the Japanese surname 'Komai'.
Araneus pegnia
Butterfly Orbweaver
Araneus pegnia is a small orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, commonly known as the Butterfly Orbweaver due to the distinctive butterfly-shaped pattern on its abdomen. It is among the smaller members of the genus Araneus, with mature females reaching only 3.5–8.2 mm and males 2.5–5 mm. The species has an unusually broad geographic range, extending from the northeastern United States through the southeastern states, west to Arizona and California, and south through Middle America to Ecuador. It is also found on Caribbean islands including Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Cuba.
Atholus confinis
Atholus confinis is a small histerid beetle with a broad geographic distribution spanning the Caribbean, Afrotropical region, Middle East, and introduced populations in the southeastern United States. The species has been recorded from numerous island and mainland localities, suggesting either natural dispersal capabilities or human-mediated spread. As a member of the Histeridae, it likely occupies microhabitats associated with decaying organic matter. The scattered distribution pattern indicates potential for synanthropic association or long-distance dispersal.
Ceratophysella succinea
Ceratophysella succinea is a species of springtail in the family Hypogastruridae. It belongs to the order Poduromorpha, a group of soil-dwelling springtails characterized by their compact body form. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range including Arctic, European, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Australian regions.
Conotelus mexicanus
Conotelus mexicanus is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Murray in 1864. It has a notably broad geographic distribution spanning Central America, North America, and Oceania. The species belongs to a family commonly known as sap beetles, which are typically associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal substrates.
Cryptophilus integer
pleasing fungus beetle
Cryptophilus integer is a species of pleasing fungus beetle in the family Erotylidae. It has a broad distribution spanning Australia, Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), North America, and Oceania. The species is one of approximately 95 observations recorded on iNaturalist, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by naturalists. As a member of Erotylidae, it is associated with fungal habitats, though specific ecological details remain limited in available sources.
Diachus auratus
bronze leaf beetle
Diachus auratus, commonly known as the bronze leaf beetle, is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species exhibits a remarkably broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents including Australia, the Caribbean, Central America, North America, Oceania, South America, and Southern Asia. As a member of the Cryptocephalinae subfamily, it shares the characteristic protective case-bearing behavior of its relatives. The species was originally described by Fabricius in 1801 under the basionym Cryptocephalus auratus.
Dichomeris acuminatus
Alfalfa Leaf Tier, Alfalfa Leaftier Moth
Dichomeris acuminatus is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as the alfalfa leaf tier. It has an exceptionally broad distribution spanning multiple continents including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas. The species was first described by Otto Staudinger in 1876. Despite its common name suggesting association with alfalfa, the species appears to be a generalist with a wide ecological tolerance given its cosmopolitan range.
Ectopsocus californicus
outer barklouse
Ectopsocus californicus is a species of outer barklouse in the family Ectopsocidae, first described by Banks in 1903. Originally described as Peripsocus californicus, it has since been reclassified to the genus Ectopsocus. The species exhibits a broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents including North America, Central America, and Australia, with records also from New Zealand. As an outer barklouse, it inhabits the exterior surfaces of tree bark rather than living beneath it.
Gymnochthebius fossatus
Gymnochthebius fossatus is a species of minute moss beetle in the family Hydraenidae, first described by LeConte in 1855. It is one of the smallest beetles in North America, with adults typically measuring less than 2 mm in length. The species has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, and South America. As a member of Hydraenidae, it belongs to a family of beetles commonly known as moss beetles or minute moss beetles, which are primarily associated with moist microhabitats.
Henoticus californicus
silken fungus beetle
Henoticus californicus is a species of silken fungus beetle in the family Cryptophagidae, first described by Mannerheim in 1843. Despite its species epithet suggesting California origins, it has a notably broad geographic distribution spanning three continents. The species belongs to a family of beetles commonly associated with fungal environments.
Herpetogramma phaeopteralis
dusky herpetogramma moth, tropical sod webworm, dark sod webworm
Herpetogramma phaeopteralis is a small crambid moth with a wingspan of approximately 18 mm, originally described by Guenée in 1854. It is known by multiple common names including dusky herpetogramma moth, tropical sod webworm, and dark sod webworm. The species has an exceptionally broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents. Larvae feed on grass leaves, and the species is occasionally referenced in turfgrass pest management and biological control research.
Merragata hebroides
velvet water bug
Merragata hebroides is a species of velvet water bug in the family Hebridae, a group of small predatory true bugs associated with moist or aquatic habitats. The species has a remarkably broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents and oceanic regions. It is one of the more widely recorded species within its genus.
Mesocoelopus collaris
Mesocoelopus collaris is a small beetle species in the family Ptinidae (formerly included in Anobiidae). It has a notably broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents including Africa, Europe, Northern Asia, North America, and Southern Asia. The species was described by Mulsant & Rey in 1864. Like other members of the genus Mesocoelopus, it belongs to a group of beetles commonly associated with wood-boring habits, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Mesovelia amoena
water treader
Mesovelia amoena is a species of water treader (family Mesoveliidae), a group of semiaquatic true bugs adapted to life at the water surface. The species was described by Uhler in 1894 and has a remarkably broad distribution spanning five continents. Water treaders in this family are characterized by their ability to walk on water using surface tension, aided by their hydrophobic body covering and specialized leg structure.
Nomophila nearctica
Lucerne Moth, Clover Nomophila, False Webworm, Celery Stalkworm, American Celery Webworm
Nomophila nearctica is a crambid moth with broad distribution across North America and southward into the Neotropics. Adults are active from spring through late autumn. The species is notable for its narrow, elongated wing profile and association with low-growing herbaceous vegetation. Larvae feed on a range of plants including grasses, legumes, and celery, making it occasionally significant in agricultural contexts.
Opilo domesticus
Opilo domesticus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It has a broad geographic distribution spanning Africa, Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), Central America, and North America. The species was originally described as Notoxus domesticus by Sturm in 1837. Its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Paralabella curvicauda
Curve-tailed earwig
Paralabella curvicauda is a species of earwig in the family Spongiphoridae, characterized by its distinctive curved forceps (cerci) that give the species its name. The species has a broad distribution across the Neotropics, with extensive records throughout Brazil and presence in Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, and Middle America. Like other earwigs, it possesses the typical forceps-like cerci at the abdomen tip and exhibits hemimetabolous development.
Polymerus testaceipes
Polymerus testaceipes is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae. It has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species was first described by Stål in 1860. Available records indicate presence in countries including Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Surinam, and the United States (Florida), with 51 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Superodontella cornifer
Superodontella cornifer is a species of springtail in the family Odontellidae. It has been recorded across diverse regions including Arctic, sub-Arctic, and North American temperate zones, as well as Caribbean mainland areas. The species shows a notably broad geographic distribution for a collembolan. Available records suggest it occupies varied climatic zones from cold northern regions to tropical Caribbean environments.
Vacusus vicinus
Common Anthicid
Vacusus vicinus is a species of antlike flower beetle in the family Anthicidae. It has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, Oceania, and South America. The species is commonly encountered, with over 600 observations documented on iNaturalist.