Cave-associated
Guides
Cassidinidea ovalis
Cassidinidea ovalis is a species of isopod crustacean in the family Sphaeromatidae. Originally described by Thomas Say in 1818 as Naesa ovalis, this species has been reclassified into the genus Cassidinidea. The genus Cassidinidea is part of the sphaeromatid isopods, a group commonly known as pill bugs or sow bugs, though this particular genus tends toward more elongated, less strongly convex body forms than the classic 'pill bug' shape.
Elasmia cave
Elasmia cave is a moth species in the family Notodontidae described by Metzler in 2011. The specific epithet "cave" refers to its type locality at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, where "CAVE" is the National Park Service acronym for the site. Adults are active from April through early October.
Emblyna borealis cavernosa
Emblyna borealis cavernosa is a subspecies of mesh-web weaver spider in the family Dictynidae. It is known from high-latitude and high-altitude regions of the northern hemisphere, including Greenland, northern Canada, and northeastern Siberia. The subspecies designation suggests cave-associated or subterranean habitat preferences, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. Like other dictynid spiders, it constructs irregular mesh webs for prey capture.
Horologionini
Horologionini is a relict tribe of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae) containing the enigmatic genus Horologion. The tribe was newly recognized in 2024 based on DNA sequence data and morphological analysis. Phylogenetic analysis places Horologionini in the supertribe Trechitae as sister to the Gondwanan tribe Bembidarenini, rejecting previous hypotheses that placed the genus near Anillini, Tachyini, Trechini, Patrobini, or Psydrini. The tribe has no close relatives in the Northern Hemisphere and represents an important component of Appalachian biodiversity.
Polyctenidae
Polyctenid Bat Bugs
Polyctenidae is a small family of parasitic true bugs comprising 32 described species in five genera and two subfamilies. These insects are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites of bats, exhibiting high host specificity suggestive of co-evolution. The family is sister to Cimicidae (bed bugs) within the superfamily Cimicoidea. Subfamily Polycteninae occurs in the Eastern Hemisphere (Africa, Asia, Australia), while Hesperocteninae is restricted to the Western Hemisphere (North and South America).
Psyllipsocus decoratus
A small barklouse species in the family Psyllipsocidae, described by Mockford in 2011. Members of this genus are typically found in sheltered microhabitats and are characterized by reduced or absent wings. The species name "decoratus" suggests distinctive ornamental or patterned features.
Quatiella
Quatiella is a genus of moth flies (Psychodidae) established in 1970. The genus is placed within the diverse family of moth flies, characterized by their hairy bodies and broad, hairy wings. Members of this genus are small, delicate flies that inhabit moist environments. The genus has accumulated over 2,200 observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate documentation in citizen science records.
Sciodrepoides latinotum
Sciodrepoides latinotum is a small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae, described by Peck & Cook in 2002. It belongs to the subfamily Cholevinae, a group commonly associated with decomposing organic matter and subterranean habitats. The species is known from the eastern and central United States, with records spanning from the Mid-Atlantic to the Great Plains and Gulf Coast.
Sigmocheir
Sigmocheir is a genus of flat-backed millipedes in the family Xystodesmidae, endemic to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. The genus contains three species: S. maculifer, S. calaveras, and S. furcata. All species share a distinctive color pattern of three lemon yellow spots per segment. The genus was established by R.V. Chamberlin in 1951, with a complex taxonomic history involving synonymies that were not fully resolved until 1995.
Sitalcina seca
Sitalcina seca is a species of armoured harvestman described by Ubick & Briggs in 2008. It belongs to the family Phalangodidae, a group of small, often cave-dwelling or soil-associated harvestmen characterized by compact bodies and reduced eyes. The species is known from North America. As with many phalangodid harvestmen, detailed biological information remains limited.
Spinturnicidae
bat wing mites
Spinturnicidae is a family of hematophagous mites in the order Mesostigmata. All species are obligate ectoparasites of bats, living their entire life cycle on the host. They infest wing membranes, tail membranes, and occasionally eyelids and eye canthi. The family has a worldwide distribution in bat habitats and comprises 11 genera.
Superstitioniidae
Superstitioniidae is a monotypic family of scorpions containing only the genus Superstitionia and its sole species, Superstitionia donensis. The family is endemic to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where it inhabits rocky desert environments. It was established by Stahnke in 1940 and represents one of the most taxonomically restricted lineages within Scorpiones.
Tidesmus
Tidesmus is a genus of small-bodied millipedes in the family Macrosternodesmidae, order Polydesmida. The genus was revised in 2007, with Phreatodesmus and Oodedesmus synonymized under it. It currently contains four valid species distributed in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The type species is T. episcopus Chamberlin, 1943.
Trichocera garretti
winter crane fly
Trichocera garretti is a species of winter crane fly in the family Trichoceridae. Adults are active during winter months, a rare trait among insects. The species is part of the genus Trichocera, which contains most North American winter crane flies. Larvae are scavengers in decaying organic matter.
Trichocera salmani
Winter crane fly
Trichocera salmani is a species of winter crane fly in the family Trichoceridae. Like other members of this family, adults are active during cold months when few other insects fly. The species was described by Alexander in 1927 and has been recorded from Vermont and other parts of the United States.