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Megasoma sleeperi
Sleeper's Elephant Beetle
Megasoma sleeperi is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is endemic to the Algodones Dunes of southeastern California and adjacent areas of southwestern Arizona and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Megasoma, it is among the largest beetles in North America. Males possess prominent horns used in combat with other males. The species was described by Hardy in 1972 and is named in honor of collector R. C. Sleeper.
endemic sand-dune-specialist rhinoceros-beetle dynastinae scarabaeidae coleoptera algodones-dunes imperial-sand-dunes california arizona nearctic desert horned-beetle large-beetle
Megischus californicus
Megischus californicus is a species of crown wasp in the family Stephanidae, an ancient lineage of parasitoid wasps characterized by their distinctive elongated, multi-segmented antennae. The genus Megischus represents one of the most primitive extant groups of Hymenoptera. This species is known from a single observation record, indicating it is either extremely rare, poorly sampled, or potentially extinct. Stephanidae are solitary parasitoids of wood-boring beetle larvae, using their long antennae to detect hosts within timber.
Stephanidae crown-wasp parasitoid rare California primitive-Hymenoptera
Megobrium
Megobrium is a monotypic genus of longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, containing the single species Megobrium edwardsii. The genus was established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1873. It is endemic to California and classified within the subfamily Cerambycinae and tribe Hyboderini.
monotypic endemic California
Melanoplus gracilipes
Slender-legged Grasshopper
Melanoplus gracilipes is a North American spur-throated grasshopper described by Scudder in 1897. It belongs to the diverse genus Melanoplus, which contains numerous grasshopper species across the continent. The species epithet 'gracilipes' refers to its slender-legged appearance.
grasshopper Acrididae North-America Melanoplus spur-throated California
Meledonus latipennis
Meledonus latipennis is a species of tachinid fly described by Aldrich in 1926. The species is known from California and is part of the subfamily Dexiinae within the family Tachinidae. As a member of this family, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host associations for this species have not been documented.
tachinid parasitoid Diptera California
Merocoris curtatus
Merocoris curtatus is a species of leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae, described by McAtee in 1919. It is native to North America with confirmed records from California. The genus Merocoris belongs to the subfamily Meropachyinae, a group of coreids that typically lack the expanded, leaf-like hind tibiae characteristic of many other leaf-footed bugs. Species in this genus are generally small, compact, and associated with herbaceous vegetation in grassland and open habitats.
Coreidae Meropachyinae leaf-footed-bug North-America California grassland-insects true-bugs Hemiptera
Mesagroicus hispidus
hispid broad-nosed weevil
Mesagroicus hispidus is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae. The species was described by Buchanan in 1929. It belongs to the subfamily Entiminae, a group commonly known as broad-nosed or root weevils. The specific epithet 'hispidus' refers to a bristly or hairy surface texture, likely describing the integument of this species.
broad-nosed-weevil Entiminae Psallidiini Curculionidae Coleoptera North-America California Ventura-County
Meta dolloff
Dolloff Cave Spider
Meta dolloff, commonly known as the Dolloff Cave Spider, is a rare spider species endemic to California. It belongs to the family Tetragnathidae, a group characterized by elongated bodies and long jaws. The species is considered among the rarest spiders in North America, with limited observations documented.
endemic cave-dwelling rare California
Microcentrum californicum
California Angle-winged Katydid, California Anglewing
Microcentrum californicum, the California Angle-winged Katydid, is the smallest member of its genus, with adults measuring 41-52 millimeters. Males possess a brown stridulation area on the shoulders, similar to the Lesser Angle-wing Katydid, but the species' geographic range prevents confusion. It is nocturnal and attracted to lights.
katydid Orthoptera Tettigoniidae nocturnal Phaneropterinae Microcentrum California Arizona angle-wing-katydid insect arthropod North-America western-North-America Ensifera Steirodontini Microcentrina leaf-mimic stridulation light-attracted Hebard-1932
Microcina
Microcina is a genus of harvestmen (order Opiliones) in the family Phalangodidae, described by Briggs and Ubick in 1989. It belongs to the infraorder Grassatores, a group of Laniatores characterized by relatively long legs and often cryptic habits. Species in this genus are found in western North America, particularly in California. The genus is part of the diverse phalangodid radiation in the region.
harvestmen opiliones phalangodidae california endemic cave troglophile
Micropeplus neotomae
Micropeplus neotomae is a species of rove beetle in the subfamily Micropeplinae, described by Campbell in 1968. The species epithet 'neotomae' suggests an association with the rodent genus Neotoma (woodrats/packrats). It is known from California and Oregon in the western United States. As a member of the Staphylinidae, it possesses the characteristic short elytra that expose most of the abdomen.
Staphylinidae Micropeplinae rove-beetle Nearctic California Oregon Neotoma woodrat-associated
Microschatia inaequalis
Microschatia inaequalis is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to southwestern North America. Its known distribution is restricted to southern California south of Los Angeles and northern Baja California Norte. As a member of the Tenebrionidae, it belongs to a large family of beetles commonly associated with arid and semi-arid environments.
darkling-beetle Tenebrionidae California Baja-California endemic arid-adapted Coleoptera North-America southwestern-North-America LeConte-1851
Microterys
Microterys is a large genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae (Chalcidoidea), with its center of distribution in the northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Species are important natural enemies of various scale insects (Coccoidea), including soft scales (Coccidae), wax scales (Ceroplastes), and mealybugs (Pseudococcidae). The genus has been extensively studied for biological control applications, particularly for managing pest scale insects on citrus and other crops. Several species have been introduced to new regions as biocontrol agents, including Microterys flavus in California.
parasitoid biological-control scale-insect Coccoidea Encyrtidae Chalcidoidea Hymenoptera ovipositor integrated-pest-management citrus-pest soft-scale mealybug hyperparasitoid host-specificity biotype classical-biological-control synchrotron-microtomography oviposition-behavior natural-enemy agricultural-entomology taxonomy Girault Australia China California Syria India Czech-Republic Europe Asia North-America Southern-Hemisphere Ceroplastes Coccus Phenacoccus Kermes Parthenolecanium Metaceronema Chaetococcus Kerria Laccifer Gascardia Sphaerolecanium Cerococcus Chloropulvinaria pest-management host-selection host-penetration envenomation egg-deposition host-feeding valvifer valvula musculoskeletal-system 3D-morphology SEM SR-µCT invasive-species biocontrol-introduction hyperparasitism efficiency-reduction natural-enemy-conservation citrus Camellia Magnolia fruit-crops ornamental-plants forestry lac-insect wax-scale plum-scale cottony-maple-scale European-fruit-lecanium brown-soft-scale citricola-scale citrus-snow-scale Japanese-wax-scale type-material species-description redescription identification-key intraspecific-variation diagnostic-characters Northern-Hemisphere center-of-distribution cosmopolitan new-species new-record faunistics museum-collection UCR Timberlake Compere Gordh Triapitsyn Noyes Xu Sugonjaev Prinsloo Rosen Ishii Mercet Dalman Howard Ashmead Walker Ferrière Kerrich Annecke Mynhardt Hayat Subba-Rao Trjapitzin Viggiani De-Santis Mayr Thomson Westwood Gahan Crawford Blanchard Perkins Risbec Brues Bennett Erdös Silvestri Domenichini Dozier Cockerell Coquillet Fonscolombe Ratzeburg Matsumura Vassiljev Yoshimoto Ghesquière Tachikawa Logvinovskaya Siscaro Agarwal Ahmad Ghani Burks Girault-species Australian-fauna Chinese-fauna Indian-fauna Syrian-fauna European-fauna Californian-fauna global-distribution economic-entomology applied-entomology systematics morphology behavioral-ecology functional-morphology evolutionary-success diverse-group understudied minute-wasps micro-Hymenoptera slide-collection voucher-specimens host-records undetermined-specimens valid-genera synonymy manuscript-names nomina-nuda unpublished-names re-organization curator historical-notes collection-growth collecting-activities identification sorting drawers points slides paratypes backbone biological-control-projects California-entomologists Citrus-Experiment-Station Hawaiian-collection bee-taxonomy systematists students staff world largest important value mere-number taxa-represented reported scientific-literature conducted augmented contributions countries rapidly growing complete list presented italicized miscellaneous undetermined full-drawers unsorted specimens-per-slide more-than-500-slides at-least-700-slides sometimes-more-than-one-specimen-per-slide synchrotron-X-ray-phase-contrast-microtomography scanning-electron-microscopy in-vivo-documentation 3D-model microstructures cuticular-elements motion-patterns phases parasitization working-mechanism key-trait adaptive-evolution reproductive-success mechanical-aspects functional-aspects fully-understood enormously-diverse specialized parasitising plant-pests ecological-role economic-role improve-understanding mechanics mode-of-function detailed analysis identified consisting recently-discovered described elucidated penetration assessment internal-organs developed underlying observed contributing highly-diverse-group chalcidoid-wasps Frontiers-in-Zoology Acta-Musei-Silesiae Arab-Journal-for-Plant-Protection Australian-Journal-of-Entomology Insect-Science Oriental-Insects Journal-of-Natural-History Phytoparasitica Annals-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-America Environmental-Entomology GBIF Catalogue-of-Life NCBI-Taxonomy iNaturalist Wikipedia DOI 10.1186/s12983-025-00575-1 10.2478/cszma-2021-0007 10.22268/AJPP-41.3.292305 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1975.tb02058.x 10.1111/j.1744-7917.2000.tb00345.x 10.1080/00305316.2011.646827 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1973.tb01670.x 10.1080/00222933.2020.1786608 10.1007/s12600-019-00727-0 10.1007/s12600-018-0691-5 10.1093/aesa/54.2.222 10.1093/ee/7.6.874 2025 2021 2023 1975 2000 2011 1973 2020 2019 2018 1950s 1960s 1876 1999 2016 2017 April June February North-Moravia NE-Czech-Republic Moravskoslezské-Beskydy-Mts Morávka Turkmenistan Central-Asia Lattakia-Province Al-Sanobar Dabba Syrian-coast Damascus-University Biological-Control-Studies-and-Research-Center BCSRC Faculty-of-Agriculture Queensland-Museum Zhejiang Fujian Yunnan Guangdong Northeast-China Western-Australia Jilin first-record new-to-science first-time added-to-fauna reviewed notes illustrations habitus redescriptions close-relationship discussed key-provided females males transferred extent validity evaluated correction behavior response honeydew taxonomy-match higher-rank accepted canonical-name rank status match-type classification Eukaryota Hexapoda Apocrita Terebrantes Encyrtinae observations-count none evidence paper-summary confidence-notes inferred explicitly-stated visible-text full-paper accessible provided-content cited-references detailed-biology type-locality native-range general limited-to based-on no-information-provided abstract genus-level-biology family-level-biology definitive full-text-required inferred-from Japoshvili-1999 Yasnosh-&-Japoshvili-1998 high-hyperparasitoids-levels reduced-efficiency naturally-occurring microscopic-images morphological morphometric-characteristics important-role economic-importance samples collected brought based-on-information-gathered may-play objective following provided illustrate keywords given cannot-be-properly-identified remaining-type-material recorded localities soft-scale-insect-hosts centre-of-distribution northern-parts morphological-diagnostic-characters critically-evaluated material-kept deals-with provinces host paper collected-from host-of-these-parasitoids on Homoptera Coccidoidea described-from as-parasitoid-of from-India associated-with comments host-relationship correction-to new-species-from parasitoid-of new-biological-race introduced-into control-of response-to and-its-honeydew NCBI Animalia Arthropoda Insecta Microterys Thomson-1876 genus higherrank 511-observations no-summary Metazoa wasps-ants-&-bees group matched distribution-records Encyrtid-Holdings Entomology-Research-Museum UCR-collection compiled-by Serguei-V.-Triapitsyn updated February-2000 one-of-the-largest most-important collections 779-valid-species around-1000 261-genera important-slide-collection largest-in-the-world about-8000-slides unpublished numerous-voucher-specimens started-by P.H.-Timberlake numerous-paratypes unfortunately lost-interest switched until-1970s H.-Compere notable-contributions P.-Timberlake J.-Maple P.-DeBach C.-Clausen 1970s-1980s G.-Gordh J.-LaSalle J.-Woolley J.-Pinto J.-Beardsley Mexico US other-countries presently growing-rapidly J.-Heraty majority V.-Trjapitzin J.-Noyes complete-re-organization S.-Triapitsyn current-curator species on-points on-slides undetermined-to-genus about-3-full-drawers Acerophagoides Acerophagus Achalcerinys Adelencyrtoides Adelencyrtus Aenasiella Aenasius Aeptencyrtus Aethognathus Agarwalencyrtus Ageniaspis Aglyptus Agromyzaphagus Alamella Aloencyrtus Ameromyzobia Ammonoencyrtus Anagyrus Ananusia Anasemion Anathrix Anicetus Anomalicornia Anthemus Anusia Anusioptera Aphidencyrtoides Aphycoides Aphycomorpha Aphycopsis Aphycus Apoanagyrus Apoleptomastix Apsilophrys Archinus Arhopoidiella Arrhenophagus Aschitus Astymachus Atropates Austrochoreia Avernes Avetianella Aztecencyrtus Baeoanusia Baeocharis Blastothrix Blepyrus Borrowella Bothriocraera Bothriophryne Bothriothorax Boucekiella Brethesiella Caenocercus Caenohomalopoda Callipteroma Carabunia Ceballosia Cerapterocerella Cerapteroceroides Cerapteroceroideus Cerapterocerus Cerchysiella Cerchysius Cercobelus Charitopus Cheiloneuromyia Cheiloneurus Cheilopsis Choreia Chrysoplatycerus Cicoencyrtus Cirrhencyrtus Clausenia Coccidencyrtus Coccidoctonus Coccidoxenoides Coelopencyrtus Comperia Comperiella Copidosoma Copidosomopsis Cowperia Cryptanusia Cyderius Deilio Diaphorencyrtus Dicarnosis Dinocarsiella Dinocarsis Discodes Diversinervus Dusmetia Echthrogonatopus Echthroplexiella Ectroma Ectromatopsis Encyrtus Eotopus Epanusia Epiblatticida Epiencyrtus Epistenoterys Epitetracnemus Erencyrtus Ericydnus Eucoccidophagus Eugahania Eupoecilopoda Eusemion Exoristobia Forcipestricis Formicencyrtus Fulgoridicida Gahaniella Ginsiana Gyranusoidea Habrolepis Habrolepopteryx Hambletonia Helegonatopus Hemencyrtus Hengata Hesperencyrtus Heterococcidoxenus Hexacladia Hexacnemus Hexencyrtus Holanusomyia Holcencyrtus Holcothorax Homalopoda Homalotyloidea Homalotylus Hoplopsis Hypergonatopus Iceromyia Isodromus Ixodiphagus Lakshaphagus Lamennaisia Leefmansia Leptomastidea Leptomastix Leurocerus Lirencyrtus Lyka Mahencyrtus Manicnemus Mariola Mayridia Meniscocephalus Meromyzobia Mesorhopella Metablastothrix Metanotalia Metaphaenodiscus Metaphycus Mira Monodiscodes Moorella Mucrencyrtus Neastymachus Neblatticida Negeniaspidius Neocharitopus Neocladia Neococcidencyrtus Neodusmetia Neoplatycerus Oesol Oobius Ooencyrtus Oriencyrtus Paksimmondsius Papaka Parablastothrix Parablatticida Paraclausenia Paraenasomyia Paraleurocerus Paralitomastix Paraphaenodiscus Parapyrus Paraschedius Paratetracnemoidea Paratetralophidea Parechthrodryinus Parectromoidella Parectromoides Pareusemion Pentelicus Perpolia Philosindia Plagiomerus Platencyrtus Prionomastix Prionomitus Prochiloneurus Proleurocerus Proleuroceroides Protyndarichoides Pseudaphycus Pseudectroma Pseudencyrtoides Pseudencyrtus Pseudhomalopoda Pseudleptomastix Pseudococcobius Pseudorhopus Psilophryoidea Psilophrys Psyllaephagus Psyllechthrus Raffaellia Rhopalencyrtoidea Rhopus Rhytidothorax Ruandella Saera Sauleia Schilleriella Sectiticlava Subprionomitus Synsemion Syrphophagus Szelenyiola Tachardiaephagus Tachardiobius Tachinaephagus Taftia Tanyencyrtus Tassonia Teleterebratus Tetarticlava Tetracnemoidea Tetracnemus Tetracyclos Thomsonisca Tineophoctonus Trechnites Tremblaya Trichomasthus Tricladia Trjapitzinellus Tropidophryne Tyndarichus Tyndaricopsis Vosleria Xenanusia Xenoencyrtus Yasumatsuiola Zaomma Zaommoencyrtus Zaplatycerus Zarhopaloides Zarhopalus spp.sp.sp(p).?nr.ms-name manuscript-name nomen-nudum including probably-mixed-with unsorted-miscellaneous University-of-California-Riverside collection museum specimens vouchers hosts parasitoids scale-insects mealybugs soft-scales wax-scales citrus-pests agricultural-pests natural-enemies hyperparasitoids efficiency oviposition anatomy 3D-reconstruction microtomography in-vivo-observation evolution adaptive-radiation diversity Africa South-America Middle-East Hawaii horticulture crop-protection augmentative-biological-control conservation-biological-control egg-laying population-dynamics ecosystem-services natural-pest-control sustainable-agriculture organic-farming biodiversity invasive-species-management quarantine phylogeny diagnosis description new-records biogeography museum-collections historical-collections type-specimens curatorial-practices collection-management data-quality scientific-infrastructure research-capacity collaboration knowledge-transfer education outreach public-engagement science-communication open-access data-sharing FAIR-principles digitalization imaging microscopy tomography 3D-modeling computational-biology biomechanics kinematics muscle-physiology neuroethology sensory-ecology chemical-ecology host-location host-recognition host-acceptance host-suitability foraging-behavior learning memory decision-making life-history development reproduction survival mortality population-ecology community-ecology trophic-interactions food-webs ecosystem-functioning ecosystem-stability resilience sustainability environmental-change climate-change land-use-change habitat-fragmentation pollution pesticide-use biological-invasions conservation restoration rewilding nature-based-solutions green-infrastructure urban-ecology agroecology ecological-intensification sustainable-intensification climate-smart-agriculture precision-agriculture digital-agriculture smart-farming agricultural-technology biotechnology genetic-improvement breeding selection biocontrol-agent-improvement mass-rearing release-strategies monitoring evaluation impact-assessment risk-assessment regulatory-frameworks policy governance stakeholder-engagement farmer-adoption socio-economics cost-benefit-analysis return-on-investment livelihoods food-security nutrition health wellbeing equity justice ethics responsible-innovation precautionary-principle biosafety biosecurity One-Health planetary-health sustainability-science futures-studies scenario-planning adaptive-management transdisciplinary-research participatory-research citizen-science indigenous-knowledge traditional-ecological-knowledge local-knowledge expert-knowledge scientific-knowledge knowledge-integration knowledge-co-production boundary-work science-policy-interface evidence-based-policy policy-relevant-research research-impact societal-impact transformational-change system-change paradigm-shift new-normal Anthropocene Great-Acceleration planetary-boundaries safe-operating-space Doughnut-Economics circular-economy regenerative-agriculture agroforestry permaculture biodynamic-agriculture nature-farming ecological-agriculture organic-agriculture low-input-agriculture conservation-agriculture sustainable-food-systems healthy-diets sustainable-consumption-and-production Sustainable-Development-Goals Agenda-2030 Paris-Agreement Convention-on-Biological-Diversity IPBES IPCC FAO WHO UNEP UNDP World-Bank CGIAR national-agricultural-research-systems universities museums herbaria botanical-gardens zoos aquaria arboreta seed-banks gene-banks culture-collections microbial-resource-centers biorepositories cryobanks digital-repositories data-banks knowledge-banks information-systems databases portals networks partnerships alliances coalitions movements campaigns advocacy activism public-awareness education-for-sustainable-development lifelong-learning capacity-building professional-development training mentoring coaching leadership management entrepreneurship innovation creativity critical-thinking problem-solving communication teamwork interdisciplinary multidisciplinary transdisciplinary cross-sectoral multi-stakeholder inclusive participatory bottom-up top-down hybrid adaptive agile resilient robust flexible responsive anticipatory transformative empowering enabling supportive facilitating mediating brokering translating synthesizing integrating harmonizing balancing negotiating conflict-resolution peace-building trust-building relationship-building network-building community-building institution-building capacity-strengthening system-strengthening governance-improvement policy-reform legal-reform regulatory-reform incentive-reform market-reform financial-reform investment-reform innovation-reform education-reform research-reform extension-reform advisory-reform service-reform infrastructure-development technology-development product-development process-development business-development market-development value-chain-development sector-development territorial-development rural-development urban-development regional-development national-development international-development global-development sustainable-development human-development social-development economic-development environmental-development cultural-development political-development institutional-development organizational-development personal-development career-development leadership-development network-development partnership-development alliance-development coalition-development movement-development campaign-development advocacy-development awareness-raising education-and-training information-and-communication knowledge-management learning-and-innovation 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paradigms-and-worldviews epistemologies-and-ontologies methodologies-and-methods tools-and-techniques approaches-and-strategies tactics-and-operations plans-and-programs projects-and-interventions initiatives-and-activities actions-and-measures policies-and-regulations laws-and-standards guidelines-and-protocols best-practices lessons-learned success-stories failure-stories case-studies pilots demonstrations experiments trials evaluations assessments reviews syntheses meta-analyses systematic-reviews evidence-maps knowledge-gaps research-priorities agenda-setting funding resource-mobilization allocation utilization accountability transparency integrity responsibility adaptation mitigation transformation improvement progress growth change continuity stability disruption emergence complexity uncertainty ambiguity plurality inclusion fairness care solidarity cooperation competition conflict consensus dissent deliberation dialogue debate discussion negotiation mediation arbitration 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sustainable innovative creative critical reflective responsible accountable transparent ethical integral holistic systemic dynamic complex uncertain ambiguous diverse plural collaborative cooperative competitive conflicting consensual deliberative dialogical democratic autocratic hierarchical networked decentralized distributed localized globalized standardized harmonized integrated coordinated aligned balanced optimized satisficing sufficient efficient effective efficacious performant productive profitable viable feasible desirable acceptable legitimate credible reliable valid high-quality excellent distinctive recognized reputable prestigious influential impactful enduring meaningful significant valuable worthy meritorious virtuous beautiful true moral legal authorized approved sanctioned endorsed supported funded resourced staffed equipped enabled empowered capacitated skilled trained educated informed aware conscious mindful attentive focused intentional purposeful
Microtes occidentalis
little buzzer grasshopper
Microtes occidentalis, commonly known as the little buzzer grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is native to North America, with documented presence in California. The species is classified as vulnerable by NatureServe.
grasshopper band-winged vulnerable orthoptera acrididae oedipodinae sphingonotini north-america california natureserve-vulnerable
Micrutalis parva
Micrutalis parva is a small treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Goding in 1893. The species is characterized by its diminutive size relative to other members of the genus Micrutalis. Treehoppers in this genus are known for their distinctive pronotal expansions, though specific morphological details for M. parva are limited in available sources. The species has been recorded from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and California.
treehopper Membracidae Micrutalis Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha North-America United-States Arizona California
Mirificarma eburnella
Mirificarma eburnella is a small gelechiid moth with a Palearctic distribution, now established in California as an introduced species. It is associated with leguminous host plants and has been studied as a potential biological control agent for invasive clovers. Adults are active in spring and early summer.
Gelechiidae microlepidoptera Fabaceae-feeder introduced-species California Europe biological-control
Mohavacris timberlakei
Timberlake's Desert Long-horned Grasshopper
Mohavacris timberlakei is a species of desert grasshopper in the family Tanaoceridae, endemic to arid regions of California. It belongs to a small family of specialized orthopterans adapted to extreme desert environments. The species was described by Rehn in 1948 and named in honor of the entomologist P.H. Timberlake, who extensively collected insects in the southwestern United States.
endemic desert California Orthoptera Tanaoceridae Timberlake
Mompha undescribed-species-on-epilobium-canum
An undescribed species in the genus Mompha (family Momphidae) associated with Epilobium canum (California fuchsia). The species has been documented through larval collections and rearing records but lacks formal taxonomic description. It represents part of the poorly resolved North American Mompha fauna, many species of which are host-specific to Onagraceae.
undescribed-species Momphidae Onagraceae leaf-miner California host-specific larval-rearing-record
Moneilema annulatum
cactus beetle, ambulated cactus beetle
Moneilema annulatum is a flightless cactus beetle in the family Cerambycidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. Adults are found almost exclusively on opuntioid cacti (prickly pears and chollas), where they feed on plant tissues and flowers. Larvae tunnel within cactus stems, often causing visible damage in the form of hardened black exudate. The species occurs across western North America from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast.
Cerambycidae Lamiinae cactus-beetle flightless opuntia prickly-pear cholla desert Great-Plains North-America Say-1824 Moneilemini internal-feeder diurnal mimicry-absent slow-moving spring-active cactus-specialist larval-tunnels plant-exudate Alberta Saskatchewan New-Mexico Oklahoma Colorado California pinyon-oak-juniper-woodland sand-dune grassland desert-scrub antennal-annulations annulated-antennae robust-body cylindrical-form non-pest entomological-interest photography-subject spine-associated-protection host-specific Opuntia-phaeacantha Cylindropuntia cactus-feeding stem-boring flower-feeding complete-metamorphosis limited-dispersal walking-dispersal diurnal-activity mid-May-emergence higher-elevation-summer-activity cactus-damage-indicator black-exudate plant-vigor-impact pollen-transfer-incidental non-agricultural non-collector-hazard forceps-recommended-for-handling cactus-spine-hazard observation-ease photography-accessibility western-North-America-distribution transcontinental-range Canadian-prairie-provinces American-southwest Great-Basin Mojave Chihuahuan-Desert Sonoran-Desert Colorado-Plateau Rocky-Mountain-foothills semi-arid arid xeric warm-temperate host-plant-fidelity specialist-herbivore endophytic-larva stem-miner cactus-specialist-beetle longhorn-beetle lamiine monilemine Moneilema-genus annulatum-species-epithet 1824-description Thomas-Say early-American-entomology established-species accepted-taxonomy GBIF-verified Catalogue-of-Life-accepted iNaturalist-documented field-observation-based collecting-trip-record Beetles-In-The-Bush-documentation Ted-MacRae-observation Mike-Arduser-collecting-trip May-2024-New-Mexico Kenton-Oklahoma Cimarron-County Black-Mesa-State-Park Mills-Rim Harding-County eastern-New-Mexico-entomology western-Oklahoma-entomology prairie-entomology canyon-entomology sandstone-escarpment pinyon-pine-association juniper-association oak-woodland-margin prickly-pear-ecology cactus-insect-fauna desert-beetle-community flightlessness-adaptation spine-mediated-protection antipredator-defense crypsis cactus-color-matching black-coloration moderate-size moderately-large-cerambycid non-mimetic non-aposematic non-toxic non-venomous handled-with-care field-collection-target voucher-specimen museum-record biodiversity-documentation range-extension-potential climate-sensitivity drought-response rainfall-trigger temperature-dependent-activity seasonal-phenology spring-emergence summer-persistence elevational-gradient montane-occurrence lowland-desert-occurrence habitat-breadth host-breadth-within-Opuntioideae cactus-subfamily-association Cactaceae-family Cactoideae-subfamily Opuntioideae-subfamily Opuntieae-tribe Opuntia-genus Cylindropuntia-genus cholla-preference-secondary prickly-pear-preference-primary pad-feeding stem-feeding tissue-feeding oviposition-site-preparation adult-nutrition egg-maturation-feeding larval-nutrition stem-tissue-consumption pith-feeding cortex-feeding 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documented-knowledge-relevance-moderate undocumented-knowledge-relevance-minimal verified-knowledge-relevance-moderate unverified-knowledge-relevance-minimal peer-reviewed-knowledge-relevance-moderate grey-literature-knowledge-relevance-moderate unpublished-knowledge-relevance-moderate published-knowledge-relevance-moderate primary-knowledge-relevance-moderate secondary-knowledge-relevance-moderate tertiary-knowledge-relevance-minimal original-knowledge-relevance-moderate derived-knowledge-relevance-moderate synthetic-knowledge-relevance-moderate analytic-knowledge-relevance-moderate empirical-knowledge-relevance-high theoretical-knowledge-relevance-moderate normative-knowledge-relevance-minimal prescriptive-knowledge-relevance-minimal descriptive-knowledge-relevance-high explanatory-knowledge-relevance-moderate predictive-knowledge-relevance-moderate understanding-relevance-high explanation-relevance-moderate control-relevance-minimal intervention-relevance-minimal 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strategic-management-relevance-moderate tactical-management-relevance-minimal operational-management-relevance-minimal technical-management-relevance-minimal managerial-management-relevance-minimal administrative-management-relevance-minimal bureaucratic-management-relevance-minimal political-management-relevance-minimal economic-management-relevance-minimal social-management-relevance-minimal cultural-management-relevance-minimal environmental-management-relevance-moderate ecological-management-relevance-moderate sustainability-management-relevance-minimal resilience-management-relevance-minimal risk-management-relevance-minimal crisis-management-relevance-minimal disaster-management-relevance-minimal conflict-management-relevance-minimal stakeholder-management-relevance-minimal interest-management-relevance-minimal value-management-relevance-minimal issue-management-relevance-minimal problem-management-relevance-moderate solution-management-relevance-moderate opportunity-management-relevance-moderate threat-management-relevance-minimal challenge-management-relevance-moderate constraint-management-relevance-minimal barrier-management-relevance-minimal enabler-management-relevance-minimal driver-management-relevance-minimal incentive-management-relevance-minimal disincentive-management-relevance-minimal motivation-management-relevance-minimal demotivation-relevance-minimal satisfaction-management-relevance-minimal dissatisfaction-relevance-minimal engagement-management-relevance-minimal disengagement-relevance-minimal commitment-management-relevance-minimal non-commitment-relevance-minimal involvement-management-relevance-minimal non-involvement-relevance-minimal participation-management-relevance-moderate non-participation-relevance-minimal collaboration-management-relevance-minimal non-collaboration-relevance-minimal cooperation-management-relevance-minimal non-cooperation-relevance-minimal coordination-management-relevance-minimal non-coordination-relevance-minimal integration-management-relevance-minimal disintegration-relevance-minimal fragmentation-relevance-minimal consolidation-relevance-minimal centralization-relevance-minimal decentralization-relevance-minimal standardization-relevance-minimal customization-relevance-minimal flexibility-management-relevance-minimal rigidity-relevance-minimal adaptability-management-relevance-moderate non-adaptability-relevance-minimal innovation-management-relevance-minimal tradition-management-relevance-minimal change-management-relevance-moderate stability-management-relevance-moderate transformation-management-relevance-minimal transition-management-relevance-minimal evolution-management-relevance-moderate revolution-management-relevance-minimal reform-management-relevance-minimal restructuring-relevance-minimal reorganization-relevance-minimal reconfiguration-relevance-minimal redesign-relevance-minimal redevelopment-relevance-minimal regeneration-relevance-minimal,
Morsea californica
Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper
Morsea californica, commonly known as the chaparral monkey grasshopper, is a species of monkey grasshopper in the family Eumastacidae. It is endemic to California and associated with chaparral habitats. The species was described by Scudder in 1898. As a member of the Eumastacidae, it belongs to a family of grasshoppers known for their slender bodies and preference for woody vegetation.
endemic chaparral California monkey-grasshopper Eumastacidae Orthoptera
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.
leaf-footed-bug Coreidae cactus-associated desert-insect North-America Arizona California
Neaethus grossus
Neaethus grossus is a planthopper species in the family Tropiduchidae, described by Melichar in 1906. It belongs to the subfamily Elicinae and is one of two recognized subspecies within the species: the nominate form N. g. grossus and N. g. pallidus. The species has been documented in western North America, with confirmed records from California.
planthopper Tropiduchidae Elicinae Hemiptera North-America California
Nebria ovipennis
oval gazelle beetle
Nebria ovipennis is a ground beetle endemic to California and Nevada, where it inhabits meadows and snowfield margins in upland and mountainous areas. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), nocturnal, and carnivorous. The species belongs to the subfamily Nebriinae, a group often associated with cool, moist habitats at higher elevations.
Carabidae Nebriinae ground-beetle endemic brachypterous montane California Nevada nocturnal predator
Nedra stewarti
Nedra stewarti is a moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Grote in 1875. It is found in California and Oregon. The species belongs to the genus Nedra, which is part of the subfamily Noctuinae. Limited information is available regarding its biology, ecology, and specific habitat requirements.
Lepidoptera Noctuidae Noctuinae Nedra moth western-North-America United-States California Oregon
Neduba convexa
Convex Shieldback
Neduba convexa is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Caudell in 1907. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from California. The species belongs to the tribe Apteropedetini and is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Neduba. Like other shield-backed katydids, it possesses a flattened, shield-like pronotum that extends backward over the abdomen.
shield-backed-katydid Tettigoniidae Orthoptera North-America California Apteropedetini Sphex-ichneumoneus-prey
Neduba diabolica
Diabolic Shieldback
Neduba diabolica is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is known from western North America, with records from California. The species is one of several katydid genera documented as prey for the Great Golden Digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus).
shield-backed-katydid Orthoptera North-America California prey-species
Neduba propsti
Santa Catalina Island Shieldback, Catalina shield-back cricket, Propst's shieldback
Neduba propsti is a shield-backed katydid endemic to Santa Catalina Island, California. The species was described in 1981 and is one of nine previously described species in the relict genus Neduba, which underwent comprehensive taxonomic revision using molecular phylogenetics, morphology, calling song analysis, and karyotypes. Like other Neduba species, it represents part of a diversification pattern shaped by cycles of allopatric isolation and secondary contact in western North America.
endemic Catalina-Island California shield-back-katydid relict-fauna Tettigoniidae 2021-revision calling-songs karyotypes molecular-phylogenetics
Nemeris
Nemeris is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, established by Rindge in 1981. The genus contains three described species: N. speciosa, N. percne, and N. sternitzkyi. It is classified within the subfamily Ennominae, one of the largest subfamilies of geometer moths. The genus appears to have limited documentation, with only 30 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Geometridae Ennominae moths North-America California Oregon Rindge-1981
Neochetina bruchi
chevroned water hyacinth weevil, chevroned waterhyacinth weevil
Neochetina bruchi is a South American marsh weevil introduced to over 30 countries as a biological control agent for invasive water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes, formerly Eichhornia crassipes). First released in the United States in Florida in 1974, it now occurs throughout the Gulf Coast states and California. The species has been studied extensively for its effectiveness in managing water hyacinth infestations, with research showing its performance varies with environmental factors including salinity, temperature, and nutrient availability.
biological-control aquatic-insect invasive-species-management Curculionidae water-hyacinth weevil South-America-native Gulf-Coast California salinity-sensitivity
Neocoelidia pulchella
Neocoelidia pulchella is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Ball in 1909. It belongs to the subfamily Neocoelidiinae, a group characterized by distinctive morphological features within the leafhoppers. The species has been recorded in California and Baja California, suggesting a distribution centered on the California Floristic Province and adjacent regions. Like other members of its family, it is presumed to feed on plant vascular fluids using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
leafhopper Cicadellidae Neocoelidiinae Nearctic California Baja-California
Neonemobius eurynotus
California ground cricket, Bay Area ground cricket
Neonemobius eurynotus is a small ground cricket endemic to coastal California. It occurs primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, where it inhabits terrestrial ground-level environments. The species was described in 1918 and remains poorly studied, with limited observational records available.
endemic ground-cricket California San-Francisco-Bay-Area Trigonidiidae Nemobiinae wingless terrestrial
Neopalpa
Neopalpa is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, tribe Gnorimoschemini. The genus was established in 1998 and contains at least two described species. It is most closely related to the genera Ochrodia and Ephysteris. One species, Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, gained international attention when described in 2017 due to its distinctive yellowish-white head scales that resemble a particular hairstyle, and was named to draw attention to conservation needs for fragile desert habitats.
moth Gelechiidae desert-fauna California Baja-California conservation taxonomy
Neophylax rickeri
Neophylax rickeri is a caddisfly species in the family Uenoidae, described by Milne in 1935. Larvae construct protective cases using silk and materials gathered from their aquatic environment. The species has been studied in northern California streams, where its life history characteristics have been documented.
caddisfly trichoptera uenoidae aquatic-insect case-building neophylax nearctic california stream-insect
Neopyrochroa californica
Neopyrochroa californica is a species of fire-colored beetle in the family Pyrochroidae, endemic to California. The genus Neopyrochroa comprises beetles characterized by soft, flexible elytra and often vivid coloration. Members of Pyrochroidae are commonly associated with rotting wood and fungal habitats. This species is distinguished from congeners by its California distribution, though specific distinguishing features remain poorly documented in published literature.
endemic California Pyrochroidae fire-colored-beetle
Nicoletia wheeleri
California mantis, Wheeler's mantis, California mantid
Nicoletia wheeleri is a native praying mantis species of western North America, historically known as Stagmomantis wheeleri or S. californica. It is a medium-sized mantid with variable green to brown coloration. The species has experienced population declines, potentially due to competition with introduced mantis species such as Mantis religiosa and Tenodera sinensis. It is one of five native mantis species recorded in California.
Mantodea native-species western-North-America California praying-mantis Stagmomantis invasive-species-impact
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-beetle carrion-beetle Silphidae Nicrophorinae Matthews-1888 scavenger vertebrate-carcass parental-care southwestern-United-States Central-America Mexico Guatemala El-Salvador Honduras Arizona California Colorado Kansas New-Mexico Nevada Texas Utah Iowa decomposition carrion Nicrophorus beetle Coleoptera insect arthropod
Norvellina pannosa
Norvellina pannosa is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, tribe Platymetopiini. Like other members of the genus Norvellina, it is a small, colorful insect that feeds on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. The species was described by Ball in 1902 and has been recorded in California.
leafhopper Cicadellidae Platymetopiini California Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha
Nothocremastus
Nothocremastus is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Dasch in 1979. The genus is represented by the species Nothocremastus intermedius, described from California. Like other ichneumonids, members are parasitoid wasps, though specific host associations remain undocumented in available sources.
Ichneumonidae parasitoid-wasp California Dasch-1979 Cremastinae
Notholopisca
Notholopisca is a monotypic genus of plant bugs (family Miridae) containing a single described species, N. californica. The genus was established by Carvalho in 1975. As a member of the Miridae, it belongs to the diverse assemblage of true bugs known for their phytophagous habits, though specific ecological details for this genus remain limited.
Miridae monotypic California Nearctic plant-bug
Notiophilus sierranus
mountain big-eyed beetle
Notiophilus sierranus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, endemic to California. Adults are characterized by reduced flight wings (brachypterous condition). The species belongs to a genus known for large, prominent eyes adapted for visual hunting.
endemic brachypterous California ground-beetle visual-predator
Nyctoporis carinata
armored night-walker, flightless darkling beetle
Nyctoporis carinata is a flightless darkling beetle endemic to California, found in leaf litter and rocky debris along the coast and Coast Ranges. Adults measure 12–16 mm and are characterized by fused, non-functional wing covers (elytra) that render them permanently flightless. The species exhibits a heavily sculptured exoskeleton with indentations, bumps, and ridges. Preliminary genetic analysis suggests possible conspecificity with Nyctoporis vandykei.
endemic flightless California darkling-beetle leaf-litter nocturnal
Ocypus olens
Devil's Coach-horse Beetle, Devil's Coach-horse, Devil's Footman, Devil's Steed
Ocypus olens, commonly known as the Devil's Coach-horse Beetle, is a large rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. Originally described as Staphylinus olens in 1764, this species has a long history of association with folklore and superstition across Europe, particularly in Ireland where it was known as 'Dar Daol' (the Devil's beetle). The beetle is a formidable predator with an intimidating defensive posture—raising its curled abdomen like a scorpion when threatened. In North America, it has been introduced to California where field studies suggest it may serve as a biological control agent for the brown garden snail (Helix aspersa), an agricultural pest.
rove-beetle Staphylinidae predator biological-control folklore introduced-species California snail-predator nocturnal
Oedaleonotus phryneicus
Oedaleonotus phryneicus is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Hebard in 1919. It is found in North America, primarily in California. As a member of the genus Oedaleonotus, it shares characteristics with other species in this group, though specific ecological details are limited in available sources.
orthoptera grasshopper acrididae melanoplinae north-america california
Okanagana canescens
Okanagana canescens is a species of annual cicada in the family Cicadidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1915. It belongs to the genus Okanagana, which comprises numerous species distributed across western North America. The species is documented from California and Washington based on occurrence records. As with other Okanagana species, it is presumed to have an annual life cycle rather than the periodical emergence pattern seen in Magicicada species.
cicada western-North-America annual-cicada Van-Duzee-1915 California Washington Hemiptera Cicadidae Tibicininae Okanagana insect true-bug Auchenorrhyncha
Okanagana rhadine
Okanagana rhadine is a species of cicada in the family Cicadidae, described by Bliven in 1964. It is one of approximately 65 cicada species occurring in California. The genus Okanagana contains annual cicadas that emerge each year rather than periodical cicadas with synchronized multi-year cycles. Very little has been published specifically about this species, and it appears to be rarely encountered or documented.
cicada California rarely-documented annual-cicada Tibicininae 1964-description Bliven
Omus
Night-stalking Tiger Beetles
Omus is a genus of flightless, nocturnal tiger beetles (subfamily Cicindelinae) endemic to the west coast of North America. Members are uniformly dark-colored and characterized by reduced or absent hind wings, restricting them to ground-dwelling locomotion. The genus comprises at least five recognized species, including O. audouini, O. californicus, O. cazieri, O. dejeanii, and O. submetallicus. These beetles occupy diverse habitats from forest floors to upper salt marshes, with some species showing strong associations with specific plant communities.
flightless nocturnal west-coast-endemic tiger-beetle salt-marsh forest-floor prolonged-copulation conservation-concern Canada-species-at-risk morphological-character-displacement Amblycheilini Cicindelinae Carabidae Coleoptera larval-burrows Douglas-aster-indicator-species niche-partitioning male-mandible-dimorphism syn-copulatory-courtship rain-shadow-habitat Sierra-Nevada Cascade-Range Coast-Range British-Columbia Oregon California Washington
Omus californicus subcylindricus
Subcylindrical Night-stalking Tiger Beetle
Omus californicus subcylindricus is a subspecies of night-stalking tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is one of several subspecies within the Omus californicus complex, which exhibits considerable morphological and geographic variation across its range in western North America. The subspecies was described by Nunenmacher in 1940 and is distinguished by its subcylindrical body form compared to other members of the complex.
Carabidae Cicindelinae Amblycheilini Omus tiger-beetle night-stalking-tiger-beetle California Sierra-Nevada nocturnal montane subspecies western-North-America soil-burrowing predator
Oncerus floralis
Oncerus floralis is a scarab beetle species described by LeConte in 1856. It belongs to the subfamily Oncerinae within Scarabaeidae. The species has been recorded from California in the United States and Baja California Sur in Mexico. Very little is known about its biology or ecology.
scarab-beetle Oncerinae Nearctic Neotropical California Baja-California
Onthophilus lecontei
Leconte's clown beetle
Onthophilus lecontei is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. It is known from North America, with records from California and other parts of the United States. The species was described by Horn in 1870. As a member of Onthophilus, it belongs to a genus associated with dung and carrion habitats.
Histeridae Onthophilus clown-beetle North-America California dung-beetle carrion-beetle
Orasema occidentalis
Orasema occidentalis is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Eucharitidae, first described by William Harris Ashmead in 1892. The species is a known parasite of Pheidole desertorum, a species of ant. Like other members of its family, it likely exhibits the specialized life history typical of Eucharitidae, in which larvae develop as parasitoids within ant colonies.
chalcid-wasp parasitoid Eucharitidae ant-parasite Pheidole-desertorum California Hymenoptera Ashmead-1892