Central-america
Guides
Altica guatemalensis
Altica guatemalensis is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is one of many species in the large and diverse genus Altica, which is distributed across much of North and Central America. The genus is known for species associated with various host plants, though specific host relationships for A. guatemalensis remain poorly documented. Like other flea beetles, adults possess enlarged hind femora that enable their characteristic jumping escape response.
Amblycorypha
Round-headed Katydids, False Katydids, Bush-crickets
Amblycorypha is a genus of North American round-headed katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, containing approximately 14 described species. These insects are renowned for their exceptional leaf-mimicry, with wing venation closely matching the vein patterns of leaves. They are known for their acoustic communication, with males producing songs via stridulation to attract females. Some species reach prodigious sizes in tropical regions, and males provide nuptial gifts to females during mating.
Amblyderus parviceps
Amblyderus parviceps is a species of antlike flower beetle in the family Anthicidae, described by Casey in 1895. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species belongs to a family commonly known as antlike flower beetles due to their resemblance to ants in form and behavior. Like other members of Anthicidae, it is likely associated with flowers and vegetation, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Amblyscirtes elissa
Elissa Roadside-Skipper
Amblyscirtes elissa, commonly known as the Elissa Roadside-Skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species was described by Godman in 1900 and occurs in Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: A. e. elissa (the nominate subspecies) and A. e. arizonae, described by Freeman in 1993. Like other members of its genus, it is a small, rapid-flying butterfly associated with grassy habitats.
Amblyscirtes eos
Dotted Roadside-Skipper
Amblyscirtes eos, commonly known as the Dotted Roadside-Skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species was originally described as Hesperia eos by W.H. Edwards in 1871. Like other members of the genus Amblyscirtes, it is associated with grassy habitats and roadside environments.
Amblyscirtes exoteria
Large Roadside-Skipper
Amblyscirtes exoteria, commonly known as the large roadside skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species belongs to the genus Amblyscirtes, a group of small to medium-sized skippers often associated with grassy habitats and roadsides.
Amblyscirtes fimbriata
orange-edged roadside skipper
Amblyscirtes fimbriata, the orange-edged roadside skipper, is a grass skipper in the butterfly family Hesperiidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species was described by Plötz in 1882, originally as Hesperia fimbriata. Two subspecies are recognized: A. f. fimbriata and A. f. pallida.
Amblyscirtes tolteca
Toltec Roadside-Skipper, Toltec Roadside Skipper
Amblyscirtes tolteca, commonly known as the Toltec Roadside-Skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It was described by Scudder in 1872. The species is found in Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: A. t. prenda (Evans, 1955) and the nominate A. t. tolteca (Scudder, 1872).
Ambrysus circumcinctus
creeping water bug
Ambrysus circumcinctus is a species of creeping water bug in the family Naucoridae, distributed across Central America and North America. As a member of the subfamily Cryphocricinae, it inhabits aquatic environments including running streams. The genus Ambrysus is widespread in the New World, with its greatest diversity in Mexico. Like other naucorids, this species has adaptations for clinging to substrates in flowing water.
Ambrysus pulchellus
Ambrysus pulchellus is a creeping water bug in the family Naucoridae, part of the A. pulchellus species complex characterized by distinctive male phallosoma morphology and medial lobes of abdominal tergum VIII. The species exhibits the widest distribution within the subgenus Ambrysus, spanning parts of both the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographic realms. Recent taxonomic revision has synonymized the subspecies A. pulchellus nitidulus and A. pulchellus pallidulus with the nominate form, and documented new country records from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Amithao erythropus
Amithao erythropus is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Cetoniinae (flower chafers). The species occurs in the Neotropical region from Mexico through Central America to Nicaragua, with records also from Texas in the Nearctic region. Like other members of the Gymnetini tribe, this species is likely associated with flowers and rotting vegetation, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented.
Amnestus pallidus
pallid burrowing bug
Amnestus pallidus is a burrowing bug species in the family Cydnidae, characterized by its subterranean lifestyle and association with soil habitats. The species occurs across Central America and North America, with documented records from the United States including Vermont. As a member of the burrowing bug family, it possesses morphological adaptations for digging and is typically found in contact with soil or ground-level vegetation. The species was described by Zimmer in 1910 and remains relatively poorly known in terms of detailed natural history.
Amphicrossus ciliatus
sap-feeding beetle
Amphicrossus ciliatus is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean Sea, Central America, and North America. As a member of Nitidulidae, it is associated with fermenting plant materials, sap flows, and fungal substrates.
Amphigerontia petiolata
common barklouse
Amphigerontia petiolata is a species of barklouse in the family Psocidae. It occurs across North America and Central America. Barklice in this family are typically found on tree bark and foliage, where they feed on microflora.
Anartia fatima
Banded Peacock, Fatima
Anartia fatima, the banded peacock, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It occurs from southern Texas through Mexico and Central America to Panama, inhabiting subtropical open areas and disturbed habitats such as second-growth woodlands. Males defend territories around host plants to secure mating opportunities, a behavior documented in both this species and its congener Anartia jatrophae. The species exhibits wing color polymorphism, with individuals bearing either white or yellow median bands.
Anax walsinghami
giant darner, giant green darner
Anax walsinghami is the largest dragonfly species in North America, with a wingspan reaching up to 120 mm and body length of 89–117 mm. Commonly known as the giant darner or giant green darner, this species belongs to the family Aeshnidae and is distributed across Central America and North America. Despite its impressive size, it is exceeded by the closely related giant Hawaiian darner (A. strenuus). The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern with a stable population.
Andrena apacheorum
Andrena apacheorum is a species of mining bee (family Andrenidae) described by Cockerell in 1897. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other Andrena species, it is a solitary, ground-nesting bee. Specific ecological details for this species remain limited in available sources.
Andrena cerasifolii
Cherry Leaf Miner Bee, Cherry Plum Miner Bee
Andrena cerasifolii, commonly known as the Cherry Leaf Miner Bee or Cherry Plum Miner Bee, is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is found in Central America and North America. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it exhibits the typical traits of mining bees: ground-nesting behavior and solitary reproduction without colonial structure.
Andrena impolita
Unpolished Mining Bee, unpolished miner
Andrena impolita is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by LaBerge in 1987. The species is known from Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Andrena, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to create nest cells provisioned with pollen for its larvae. The common name "unpolished miner" refers to the relatively dull or unpolished appearance of the integument compared to some related species.
Andrena melliventris
Honey-bellied Andrena, Honey-tailed Miner
Andrena melliventris, commonly known as the honey-bellied andrena or honey-tailed miner, is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is a solitary, ground-nesting bee found in North America and Central America. As with other Andrena species, it excavates tunnels in soil to create nest cells provisioned with pollen for its larvae. The species was described by Cresson in 1872.
Andrena miserabilis
Miserable Mining Bee, Miserable Andrena
Andrena miserabilis, commonly known as the Miserable Mining Bee, is a solitary mining bee species in the family Andrenidae. The species was described by Cresson in 1872 and occurs in Central America and North America. As with other Andrena species, it is a ground-nesting solitary bee that plays a role in pollination.
Andrena nubecula
Cloudy-winged Mining Bee, Cloudy-winged Miner Bee
Andrena nubecula is a mining bee species in the family Andrenidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species is a solitary ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it contributes to pollination services in its range.
Andrena principalis
Andrena principalis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by LaBerge in 1986. It belongs to a large genus of solitary, ground-nesting bees that are important pollinators in temperate regions. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other Andrena species, it is presumed to nest in burrows excavated in soil and to provision its larvae with pollen and nectar, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Androlyperus incisus
Androlyperus incisus is a skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1906. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. It belongs to a genus of leaf beetles whose members feed on plant foliage, creating distinctive skeletonized damage patterns. Observations of this species remain relatively sparse, with limited published documentation of its biology.
Anelaphus debilis
Anelaphus debilis is a species of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1854. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a group of cerambycids commonly known as flat-faced longhorns. The species is known from North and Central America, with records from the United States, Mexico, and Honduras.
Anomis editrix
Gulf scalloped moth
Anomis editrix, known as the Gulf scalloped moth, is an owlet moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Achille Guenée in 1852, this species occurs in North and Central America. It is assigned Hodges number 8553 in the North American moth classification system.
Anopina
Anopina is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Tortricinae, tribe Cochylini. The genus was erected by Obraztsov in 1962 and contains approximately 70 described species, most of which were described by Brown & Powell in a 2000 revision. Species are distributed primarily in North and Central America, with many endemic to Mexico. The genus is characterized by distinctive genitalic morphology, particularly in the male valvae.
Antepione
variable antepione
Antepione is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, established by Packard in 1876. The genus contains three recognized species distributed across North and Central America. One species, Antepione thisoaria, is commonly referred to as the variable antepione. These moths belong to the subfamily Ennominae, a diverse group within the Geometridae.
Anthanassa
crescents, crescent butterflies
Anthanassa is a genus of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, found from the United States through Central America to South America. The genus comprises approximately 17 described species, many bearing common names with "crescent" (e.g., Texan crescent, orange-patched crescent, chestnut crescent). Taxonomic placement remains debated; one authority treats Anthanassa as a subgenus of Phyciodes. Adults typically display orange and black patterned wings with crescent-shaped markings.
Anthanassa tulcis
Pale-banded Crescent, Tulcis Crescent
Anthanassa tulcis, commonly known as the Pale-banded Crescent or Tulcis Crescent, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Henry Walter Bates in 1864. The species ranges from Argentina northward through Central America and Mexico to southern Texas, with occasional strays to west Texas. Some taxonomic authorities treat A. tulcis as a subspecies of A. frisia (the Cuban Crescent), but it is widely accepted as a distinct species in modern classifications.
Anthicus dilaticollis
Anthicus dilaticollis is a species of antlike flower beetle in the family Anthicidae, first described by Champion in 1890. The species is characterized by its broadened pronotum, as indicated by its specific epithet 'dilaticollis' (from Latin 'dilatus' meaning broadened and 'collis' meaning neck, referring to the pronotum). It occurs in Central America and North America, though detailed natural history information remains limited.
Anthicus lecontei
Leconte's Antlike Flower Beetle
Anthicus lecontei is a species of antlike flower beetle in the family Anthicidae. The species is found in Central America and North America, with distribution records from Alberta, Canada to Middle America. As an anthicid beetle, it exhibits the characteristic ant-like appearance common to this family. Published observations of this species remain limited.
Anthicus lutulentus
antlike flower beetle
Anthicus lutulentus is a species of antlike flower beetle described by Casey in 1895. The species belongs to the family Anthicidae, a group of small beetles that often mimic ants in appearance and behavior. It has been recorded across North America and Central America, with observations spanning from Canada (Alberta) through the United States to Middle America. The species is one of approximately 28 documented observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is not frequently encountered by naturalists.
Anthicus maritimus
antlike flower beetle
Anthicus maritimus is a species of antlike flower beetle in the family Anthicidae, described by LeConte in 1851. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Anthicus, it exhibits the characteristic ant-like appearance that gives the group its common name. The specific epithet 'maritimus' suggests an association with coastal or maritime environments, though the precise habitat preferences remain poorly documented.
Anthicus nanus
Anthicus nanus is a species of antlike flower beetle in the family Anthicidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The species exhibits the characteristic compact body form and ant-mimicking appearance typical of the genus Anthicus. It occurs across a broad geographic range spanning temperate and subtropical regions of North America and Central America.
Anthidiellum notatum
Northern Rotund-Resin Bee
Anthidiellum notatum, commonly known as the northern rotund-resin bee, is a solitary bee in the family Megachilidae. It is distributed across North America, with five recognized subspecies showing regional variation. As a member of the tribe Anthidiini, it belongs to a group commonly called resin bees for their use of plant resins in nest construction.
Anthonomus grandis
Cotton Boll Weevil, Boll Weevil
Anthonomus grandis, the cotton boll weevil, is a beetle in the family Curculionidae and a historically destructive pest of cotton (Gossypium spp.). Native to Central America, it spread into the United States in the late 19th century and infested all U.S. cotton-growing regions by the 1920s, causing severe economic damage to the cotton industry. Extensive eradication programs have eliminated populations from most of the United States, though persistent populations remain in extreme South Texas and northern Mexico that threaten reinfestation of adjoining areas. The species also remains a critical pest in South America.
Antiplecta triangularis
Antiplecta triangularis is a scoopwing moth in the family Uraniidae, first described by Warren in 1906. The species occurs across the Caribbean, Central America, and North America. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 7652. As a member of subfamily Epipleminae, it belongs to a group of small moths characterized by distinctive wing shapes and postures.
Apenes lucidula
Apenes lucidula is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, and North America. The species was originally described as Cymindis lucidula by Dejean in 1831. It includes three recognized subspecies: A. l. lucidula (the nominate subspecies), A. l. dulculia, and A. l. michelii, the latter two described by Ball & Shpeley in 1992. Like other members of the genus Apenes, it belongs to the diverse tribe Lebiini within the subfamily Lebiinae.
Apenes nebulosa
Apenes nebulosa is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It occurs in Central America and North America, with distribution records from Mexico and the United States. The species was described by LeConte in 1867. Very little is known about its biology, ecology, or specific habitat requirements.
Aphrissa
sulphurs, sulfurs
Aphrissa is a genus of sulphur butterflies in the family Pieridae, comprising approximately eight species distributed across Central and South America, with some species extending into the Caribbean and southern Florida. The genus was established by Butler in 1873. Species within Aphrissa are characterized by yellow to pale orange wings and are commonly known as sulphurs or sulfurs. Several species exhibit migratory behavior, most notably Aphrissa statira, which undertakes seasonal movements in large numbers.
Apiomerus longispinis
Black Bee Assassin
Apiomerus longispinis is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Apocellus sphaericollis
spiny-legged rove beetle
Apocellus sphaericollis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Oxytelinae. It is one of the larger species in the genus Apocellus and has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning North and Central America. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1831. Records indicate it occurs from southern Canada through the United States and into Mexico and Guatemala.
Aradus quadrilineatus
four-lined flat bug
Aradus quadrilineatus is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, described by Thomas Say in 1825. It is distributed across Central America and North America. As with other members of Aradidae, it is presumed to inhabit dead wood habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Archirhoe neomexicana
New Mexico Carpet Moth
Archirhoe neomexicana is a geometrid moth in the subfamily Larentiinae, commonly known as the New Mexico Carpet Moth. The species was originally described by George D. Hulst in 1896 under the name Hydriomena neomexicana. It has been recorded across Central America and North America, with 2,802 observations documented on iNaturalist.
Archodontes
Archodontes is a monotypic genus of root-boring beetles in the family Cerambycidae, containing the single species Archodontes melanopus. The genus is endemic to Central America and the south-eastern United States, where larvae bore into the roots of oaks and other hardwood trees. Adults are large, robust beetles with distinctive spiny thoracic margins and dark coloration.
Ardistomis schaumii
Ardistomis schaumii is a species of ground beetle first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1857. It belongs to the tribe Clivinini within the subfamily Scaritinae, a group characterized by fossorial (burrowing) adaptations. The species occurs in both North America and Central America. Published records remain sparse, with only 12 observations documented on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Arenivaga tonkawa
tonkawa sand cockroach
Arenivaga tonkawa, the tonkawa sand cockroach, is a species of desert cockroach in the family Corydiidae. It occurs in Central America and North America, with records from Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Like other Arenivaga species, it exhibits dramatic sexual dimorphism, with males and females differing substantially in appearance. The species belongs to a genus of sand cockroaches adapted to harsh, arid environments.
Argia anceps
Cerulean Dancer
Argia anceps, commonly known as the cerulean dancer, is a narrow-winged damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. The species was described by Rosser Garrison in 1996 and is found in Central America. Its IUCN conservation status is Least Concern with a stable population.
Argia immunda
Kiowa Dancer
Argia immunda, the Kiowa dancer, is a species of narrow-winged damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern with a stable population. Like other members of the genus Argia, it is commonly referred to as a 'dancer' due to its distinctive flight pattern.