Central-america
Guides
Chelymorpha phytophagica
Chelymorpha phytophagica is a species of tortoise beetle in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: C. p. luteata and C. p. phytophagica. Like other members of the genus Chelymorpha, this species is associated with plants in the family Convolvulaceae, including morning glories and related vines.
Chinavia marginata
Margined Stink Bug
Chinavia marginata is a species of shield bug (family Pentatomidae) native to Florida, Central America, and the Caribbean. The species belongs to a genus of stink bugs commonly known as green stink bugs, characterized by their green coloration and agricultural pest status. Like other Chinavia species, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts used for feeding on plant tissues. The species has undergone taxonomic revision, previously classified under Acrosternum and Pentatoma.
Chlaenius leucoscelis monachus
Chlaenius leucoscelis monachus is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by LeConte in 1851. It belongs to the genus Chlaenius, a diverse group of predatory beetles commonly known as vivid metallic ground beetles. The subspecies is part of the Chlaenius (Lithochlaenius) subgenus, a group characterized by distinctive coloration patterns. Like other carabids, it possesses the family-typical traits of exposed mandibles and thread-like antennae segments longer than wide.
Chlamisus foveolatus
warty leaf beetle
Chlamisus foveolatus is a species of warty leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species was described by Knoch in 1801. Beyond its taxonomic placement and geographic distribution, detailed biological information about this species is sparse in the available literature.
Chlamisus texanus
warty leaf beetle
Chlamisus texanus is a species of warty leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It belongs to the tribe Chlamisini, a group known for their distinctive sculptured, warty appearance. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with woody vegetation, though specific host plant relationships remain poorly documented.
Chlorochroa faceta
Chlorochroa faceta is a species of stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, placed in the subgenus Rhytidolomia. It inhabits inland saline wetlands in North America and Central America. The species is poorly known, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Chlorochroa ligata
conchuela bug, conchuela stink bug
Chlorochroa ligata, commonly known as the conchuela bug, is a stink bug species in the family Pentatomidae. It occurs across North America and Central America, with documented presence in the southwestern United States including New Mexico and Texas. The species is associated with mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and other woody plants, where adults have been observed mating on seedpods. It is recognized as a pest of grain sorghum and other crops, with piercing-sucking mouthparts that damage developing kernels.
Chlorochroa osborni
Black-winged Chlorochroa
Chlorochroa osborni is a species of stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, commonly known as the Black-winged Chlorochroa. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species belongs to a genus of green stink bugs, though specific distinguishing features of this species include its black-winged appearance. It has been documented in field observations in mixed-grass prairie habitats.
Chlorochroa uhleri
Uhler's Stink Bug
Chlorochroa uhleri, commonly known as Uhler's stink bug, is a species of stink bug in the family Pentatomidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species belongs to the genus Chlorochroa, which includes several stink bug species characterized by their green coloration. Limited specific biological information is available for this species in the provided sources.
Chloropteryx nordicaria
Chloropteryx nordicaria is an emerald moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Schaus in 1901. It belongs to the subfamily Geometrinae, commonly known as emerald moths due to their characteristic green coloration. The species is distributed across Central and North America. It is cataloged under Hodges number 7076 in the North American moth numbering system.
Chlosyne rosita
Rosita Patch
Chlosyne rosita is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae, characterized by distinctive orange-red patches on the wings. It occurs throughout Central America and Mexico, with occasional records in the southwestern United States. The species is similar in appearance to the more widespread crimson patch (Chlosyne janais).
Chortophaga viridifasciata viridifasciata
Greenstriped Grasshopper, Northern Green-striped Locust
The greenstriped grasshopper is a medium-sized bandwinged species widely distributed across North America, extending into Central America. Northern populations are univoltine, overwintering as late-instar nymphs and maturing in early spring, while southern populations may produce two or more generations annually. Adults exhibit strong sexual dimorphism in coloration: most females are green, most males are brown. The species is a strong flier with long wings extending beyond the abdomen, and males produce crepitation during flight. Though abundant in the eastern United States, populations remain patchy in western regions where the species is restricted to moist microhabitats.
Chrysobothris basalis
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, distributed across Central and North America. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it likely develops in dead or dying wood, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris beyeri
Chrysobothris beyeri is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species was described by Schaeffer in 1904. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is presumed to be associated with woody plants, though specific host relationships for this species remain poorly documented.
Chrysobothris fiskei
Chrysobothris fiskei is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Fisher in 1942. The species is known to occur in Central America and North America, though specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and morphology remain poorly documented in the available literature. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it likely develops as a larva in woody plant tissue.
Chrysobothris lateralis
Chrysobothris lateralis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Waterhouse in 1887. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. As with other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is presumed to have wood-boring larvae that develop within host plants, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris lixa
Chrysobothris lixa is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by George Henry Horn in 1886. Like other members of this large genus, it exhibits the characteristic jewel-like metallic coloration typical of buprestid beetles. The species occurs across Central America and North America, though specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and ecology remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as those in the C. femorata species-group.
Chrysobothris ludificata Horn, 1886
Chrysobothris ludificata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1886. It is a member of the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous species that are often difficult to distinguish from one another. The species is known to occur in Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology, host associations, and habitat preferences remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Chrysobothris pseudacutipennis
Chrysobothris pseudacutipennis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle (Buprestidae) described by Obenberger in 1940. It belongs to the large genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous North American species often associated with woody host plants. The species is recorded from both North America and Central America. Like other members of its genus, it likely develops as a larva in dead or dying wood, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Chrysobothris purpureoplagiata
A metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Schaeffer in 1904. The specific epithet refers to purple markings on the elytra. It belongs to the speciose genus Chrysobothris, which contains numerous species with difficult taxonomy and often subtle diagnostic characters.
Chrysopa nigricornis
Black-horned Green Lacewing
Chrysopa nigricornis, commonly known as the Black-horned Green Lacewing, is a species of green lacewing in the family Chrysopidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species exhibits a facultative larval diapause during the third instar within its cocoon, induced by short-day photoperiods acting on the first three free-living larval stages. As both larvae and adults, it is predatory, feeding on soft-bodied insects such as aphids.
Cis versicolor
Cis versicolor is a minute tree-fungus beetle in the family Ciidae, first described by Casey in 1898. The species inhabits Central America and North America, where it is associated with fungal communities on decaying wood. Like other members of the genus Cis, it is small-bodied and cryptic, living in microhabitats within forest ecosystems.
Cissites auriculata
big-eared blister beetle
Cissites auriculata is one of two described species in the genus Cissites (family Meloidae), distinguished from the closely related C. maculata by constant morphological features including head shape, antennae length, thorax shape, first metatarsal segment length, and elytral coloration. Mitochondrial COI sequence divergence of 14.5% from C. maculata indicates ancient cladogenetic separation. The species is widely distributed in Central America and the Caribbean, with regional sympatry with C. maculata occurring in central Mexico. It has not colonized South America.
Clavilispinus rufescens
unmargined rove beetle
Clavilispinus rufescens is a species of unmargined rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is distributed across the southeastern United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and Brazil. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863. As a member of the Osoriinae subfamily, it belongs to a group of small, typically soil-dwelling rove beetles with reduced or absent elytral margins.
Cligenes distinctus
Cligenes distinctus is a dirt-colored seed bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, first described by Distant in 1893. The species has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Caribbean Sea, Central America, and North America. Records indicate presence across numerous Caribbean islands including Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Lesser Antilles, as well as mainland locations in Mexico, Central America, and the United States. The species belongs to the tribe Antillocorini within the subfamily Rhyparochrominae.
Closterocoris amoenus
Closterocoris amoenus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, distributed across Central America and North America. The species is distinguished from other Miridae by its slender, straplike parempodia with striated inner surfaces and a reduced, apomorphic apex. It has been recorded from Canada (Quebec), Mexico, and the United States (California).
Codatractus arizonensis
Arizona skipper
Codatractus arizonensis, commonly known as the Arizona skipper, is a species of dicot skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species was first described by Skinner in 1905, originally as a subspecies of Heteropia melon. It is distributed across North America and Central America. As a member of the Pyrginae subfamily, it belongs to a group of skippers characterized by their rapid, darting flight patterns and association with dicotyledonous host plants.
Colonus sylvanus
Sylvan Jumping Spider
Colonus sylvanus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae, found from the United States through Central America to Panama. As a member of Salticidae, it possesses the characteristic large anterior median eyes and jumping locomotion typical of the family. The species is relatively well-documented with over 10,000 observations on iNaturalist, suggesting it is common and conspicuous within its range. It was originally described as Attus sylvanus by Hentz in 1846 before being transferred to the genus Colonus.
Colopterus posticus
Colopterus posticus is a species of sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The species belongs to a genus of small beetles commonly associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal growth.
Compsodes
hooded cockroach, sand cockroach
Compsodes is a genus of small, hooded cockroaches in the family Corydiidae, established by Hebard in 1917. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across Central America, the Caribbean, and the southern United States. Members are characterized by a distinctive hood-like pronotal structure that covers much of the head. These cockroaches are primarily associated with sandy habitats.
Conchylodes salamisalis
Blush Conchylodes Moth
Conchylodes salamisalis, commonly known as the Blush Conchylodes Moth, is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Herbert Druce in 1895. The species is distributed across Central America and the southern United States, with confirmed records from Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Mexico, and Texas. The moth exhibits distinctive wing patterning with silky hyaline white forewings and hindwings marked with dark brown streaks, bands, and spots.
Conozoa carinata
Ridged Grasshopper
Conozoa carinata, commonly known as the Ridged Grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is distributed across North America and Central America. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, including New Mexico, where it has been observed in open, disturbed habitats such as parking areas. As a member of the Oedipodinae subfamily, it possesses the characteristic banded wings typical of this group.
Copaeodes aurantiaca
orange skipperling
Copaeodes aurantiaca, commonly known as the orange skipperling, is a grass skipper in the family Hesperiidae. It is native to Central America and North America, with documented presence in the southwestern United States including Arizona. The species is active during late summer and early autumn, and has been observed in botanical gardens and natural habitats with abundant flowering vegetation.
Cordulegaster diadema
Apache spiketail
Cordulegaster diadema, commonly known as the Apache spiketail, is a dragonfly species in the family Cordulegastridae. Adults typically measure 74–88 millimeters in length. The species ranges from the southwestern United States through Mexico to Costa Rica. Females possess a prominent ovipositor that gives the species its common name 'spiketail'.
Corimelaena pulicaria
Little Ebony Bug, black bug
Corimelaena pulicaria is a small true bug in the family Thyreocoridae, commonly known as the Little Ebony Bug or black bug. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species belongs to a family whose members are often called ebony bugs due to their dark coloration.
Cortodera falsa
flower longhorn
Cortodera falsa is a species of flower longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1859. Like other members of the subfamily Lepturinae, it is associated with flowers.
Corydalus
dobsonflies, hellgrammites (larvae), go-devil, grampus
Corydalus is a genus of large flying insects in the family Corydalidae, commonly known as dobsonflies. The genus contains approximately 35 species endemic to North, Central, and South America. Adults are among the largest winged insects in their range, with wing lengths reaching up to 85 millimetres. The genus exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: males possess greatly elongated, sickle-shaped mandibles used in male-male combat and to grasp females during mating, while females have smaller but still formidable jaws capable of delivering a painful bite. The aquatic larvae, known as hellgrammites, are predatory and serve as important indicators of stream health.
Cosmariomyia
Cosmariomyia is a genus of soldier flies in the family Stratiomyidae, subfamily Pachygastrinae. The genus was established by Kertész in 1914 and contains three described species distributed in the Neotropical region. Members are small to medium-sized flies with relatively limited published information on their biology.
Cosmopepla binotata
twice-marked stink bug
Cosmopepla binotata is a small stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, characterized by a distinctive color pattern with two dark spots on the pronotum. The species occurs in Central America and North America, where it inhabits vegetation and feeds on plant material. Like other pentatomids, it possesses scent glands for chemical defense.
Cosmopepla decorata
Elegant Stink Bug
Cosmopepla decorata, commonly known as the Elegant Stink Bug, is a species of stink bug in the family Pentatomidae. The species was described by Hahn in 1834. It occurs across North America and Central America. As a member of the stink bug family, it possesses the characteristic scent glands that produce defensive compounds.
Crabro cingulatus
Crabro cingulatus is a species of square-headed wasp in the family Crabronidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Crabro, it belongs to a group of solitary wasps that provision nests with prey for their developing larvae. The species was described by Packard in 1867.
Cryphula trimaculata
dirt-colored seed bug
Cryphula trimaculata is a species of true bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, commonly known as dirt-colored seed bugs. The species was described by Distant in 1882 and occurs in Central America and North America. Records indicate presence in the United States and Guatemala.
Cryptocephalus atrofasciatus
Cryptocephalus atrofasciatus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Jacoby in 1880. It belongs to a large genus of leaf beetles known for their rounded, compact bodies and enlarged hind femora. The species has been recorded from both Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented. Like other members of Cryptocephalus, adults likely feed on foliage of various plants, with larvae developing in protective cases constructed from fecal material and plant debris.
Cryptocephalus triundulatus
Third-wave Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus triundulatus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by R. White in 1968. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with herbaceous vegetation and has been collected by sweeping plants in prairie and sand prairie habitats.
Cryptocephalus trizonatus
Tri-banded Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus trizonatus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species is characterized by three distinct bands or zones on its elytra, which gives rise to both its scientific name ('trizonatus' meaning 'three-zoned') and its common name. It occurs across Central America and North America, with 43 observations documented on iNaturalist. Like other members of the genus Cryptocephalus, it is associated with vegetation and has been collected by sweeping herbaceous plants.
Ctenisis raffrayi
Ctenisis raffrayi is a species of rove beetle in the subfamily Pselaphinae, a group of small, often ant-associated beetles characterized by reduced elytra and compact bodies. The species was described by Casey in 1893 and belongs to the tribe Ctenistini. It occurs in southwestern North America and Central America. Like other pselaphines, it is likely associated with leaf litter and soil habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Curicaberis ferrugineus
Curicaberis ferrugineus is a species of huntsman spider (family Sparassidae) native to North and Central America. It was originally described by C. L. Koch in 1836 under the genus Olios and later designated as the type species of the newly erected genus Curicaberis in 2015. The male was described and illustrated for the first time in the 2015 taxonomic revision. The species is one of nine transferred from Olios to Curicaberis, part of a broader reorganization of Sparassidae systematics in the Americas.
Curtonotum prolixum
Curtonotum prolixum is a species of fly in the family Curtonotidae, described by Lindsay in 2019 from Central America and Mexico. It belongs to the Curtonotum murinum species complex, a group of five newly described species from the region. The species was formally described with photographic images as part of a taxonomic revision.
Cydamus borealis
Cydamus borealis is a species of broad-headed bug in the family Alydidae, described by Distant in 1881. It belongs to the subfamily Micrelytrinae and tribe Micrelytrini. The species has been recorded from Central America and North America, with specific distribution records from Guatemala and Texas.
Cylindrocopturinus pictus
Cylindrocopturinus pictus is a species of true weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae, first described by Sleeper in 1963. It belongs to the genus Cylindrocopturinus, a group of weevils within the diverse Curculionidae family. The species has a documented distribution across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.