Central-america
Guides
Gnathium nitidum
Gnathium nitidum is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, subfamily Nemognathinae. It was described by George Henry Horn in 1870. The species is found in Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Gnathium, it possesses the characteristic elongated maxillary mouthparts adapted for nectar feeding on flowers.
Graminella sonora
Lesser Lawn Leafhopper
Graminella sonora is a small leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, commonly known as the Lesser Lawn Leafhopper. It is widely distributed across the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America, with records from Arizona, California, Florida, and Honduras. As a member of the subfamily Deltocephalinae, it likely feeds on grasses and herbaceous plants, though specific host associations remain poorly documented. The species was described by Ball in 1900 and remains relatively understudied despite its broad geographic range.
Grammonota
Grammonota is a genus of dwarf spiders in the family Linyphiidae, first described by James Henry Emerton in 1882. The genus contains approximately 40-41 species distributed across the Americas, from Alaska in the north to Colombia in the south. Species occur in diverse habitats including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The genus is part of the sheet-web weaving spiders, though specific web-building behaviors vary among species.
Gyascutus dianae
Gyascutus dianae is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Gyascutus, it belongs to a group of buprestid beetles known for their large size and often distinctive waxy bloom covering the elytra. The species was originally described as Hippomelas dianae by Helfer in 1954.
Gymnandrosoma
Gymnandrosoma is a genus of tortricid moths in the tribe Grapholitini. The genus includes at least eight described species distributed primarily in the Americas. Gymnandrosoma aurantianum, the most economically significant species, is a major agricultural pest known as the citrus fruit borer in Brazil and the macadamia nut borer in Central America. Other species in the genus have been described from North and South America, with limited biological information available.
Hadena lafontainei
Lafontaine's Hadena
Hadena lafontainei is a noctuid moth described by Troubridge and Crabo in 2002. The species is named in honor of Canadian lepidopterist J. Donald Lafontaine. It belongs to the diverse genus Hadena, which includes many species associated with flowering plants.
Haematochiton carbonarius
pleasing fungus beetle
Haematochiton carbonarius is a species of pleasing fungus beetle in the family Erotylidae. The species is known from Central America and North America. Beyond its taxonomic placement and geographic distribution, detailed information about its biology remains limited in available sources.
Haematomis
Haematomis is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, tribe Lithosiini. The genus was erected by Schaus in 1899 and contains three recognized species: H. mexicana, H. radians, and H. uniformis. Members of this genus are found in the Americas, with records from Mexico and Central America.
Hahncappsia mancalis
Common Hahncappsia Moth
Hahncappsia mancalis is a small crambid moth described by Julius Lederer in 1863. It has a wingspan of approximately 18 mm and is distributed across eastern and southern North America, extending into Central America. The larvae feed on a diverse range of host plants including pigweed, mint, morning glory, tobacco, and dock.
Hahncappsia mellinialis
Hahncappsia mellinialis is a crambid moth described by Herbert Druce in 1899. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Central America, with adults active during late summer. The species exhibits moderate sexual dimorphism in wingspan, with males slightly larger than females.
Hamotus electrae
ant-loving beetle
Hamotus electrae is a species of ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by O. Park in 1942. It belongs to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a group of small rove beetles frequently associated with ant colonies. The species is documented from Texas in the United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Hamotus, it is presumed to be myrmecophilous, living in association with ants, though specific details of this relationship remain unrecorded in published literature.
Helichus suturalis
long-toed water beetle
Helichus suturalis is a species of long-toed water beetle in the family Dryopidae. It has been recorded from Central America and North America. Like other members of Dryopidae, it is associated with aquatic environments. The species was described by LeConte in 1852.
Helochares normatus
Helochares normatus is a species of water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae, first described by LeConte in 1861. It occurs in western North America and Central America, with records from the southwestern United States through Mexico to Costa Rica. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The species is documented through limited but geographically dispersed observations.
Hemeroblemma mexicana
Hemeroblemma mexicana is a moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Guenée in 1852. The species is distributed across Mexico and Central America, with a single documented occurrence in southern Texas (Starr County, 2012). Larvae have been recorded feeding on cacao leaves, causing damage in some years.
Hemileuca electra
electra buckmoth
Hemileuca electra, the electra buckmoth, is a species of buck moth in the family Saturniidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species was described by W. G. Wright in 1884. Three subspecies are recognized: H. e. clio, H. e. electra, and H. e. mojavensis. Like other Hemileuca species, it is a day-flying moth with larvae that possess urticating spines.
Hemileuca juno
Juno buck moth, Juno buckmoth
Hemileuca juno is a saturniid moth in the subfamily Hemileucinae, commonly known as the Juno buck moth. First described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1872, this species occurs in Central and North America. Like other members of the genus Hemileuca, it is a day-flying moth with larvae that possess urticating spines capable of delivering painful stings. The species is assigned Hodges number 7735.
Hemileuca stonei
Stone's buckmoth, pangola-grass moth
Hemileuca stonei is a day-flying buck moth in the family Saturniidae, first described by Claude Lemaire in 1993. The species occurs in Central and North America and is one of approximately 24 Hemileuca species in North America. Like other members of its genus, it likely has urticating (stinging) caterpillars that feed on specific host plants. The species is relatively poorly documented compared to some congeners.
Hemipeplus chaos
Hemipeplus chaos is a beetle species in the family Mycteridae, described in 1985 by entomologist Michael C. Thomas. The species name refers to the taxonomic confusion surrounding its identification—specimens had been previously misidentified as females of the related species Hemipeplus marginipennis. It is found in Central and North America, where it shelters between unopened fronds of Sabal palmetto palms without causing feeding damage to the plant.
Heptagenia flavescens
flatheaded mayfly
Heptagenia flavescens is a species of flatheaded mayfly in the family Heptageniidae. The species has been documented in North America and Central America, with records indicating a southwestern range extension. As with other members of Heptageniidae, it possesses the characteristic flattened head morphology associated with this group of mayflies.
Hesperia columbia
Columbian skipper
Hesperia columbia, the Columbian skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in North America and Central America. The species was originally described as Pamphila columbia by Scudder in 1872. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 4026.
Hesperia viridis
Green Skipper
Hesperia viridis, commonly known as the green skipper, is a species of grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 4028.
Hesperolabops
cactus bugs
Hesperolabops is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Kirkaldy in 1902. The genus contains nine described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with several species associated with cactus hosts. The most well-known member is Hesperolabops gelastops, commonly called the cactus bug. Species in this genus are generally found in arid and semi-arid regions where their host plants occur.
Hesperopsis alpheus
saltbush sootywing
Hesperopsis alpheus, commonly known as the saltbush sootywing, is a species of spread-wing skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in Central America and North America, with three recognized subspecies showing geographic variation across this range. The species was first described by W. H. Edwards in 1876 and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 3980.
Hetaerina americana
American rubyspot
A damselfly species in the family Calopterygidae, commonly known as the American rubyspot. Males exhibit a lustrous red head and thorax with a brilliant green abdomen; females have a green abdomen with either green or copper thoracic markings. The species occupies riverine habitats in arid and semi-arid regions and demonstrates strong site fidelity, with adults rarely dispersing more than 100 meters from emergence sites. Research indicates sensitivity to urbanization, with documented declines in abundance, body condition, and reproductive success correlated with reduced riparian vegetation and increased wastewater discharge.
Heterelmis obscura
Heterelmis obscura is a species of riffle beetle in the family Elmidae, first described by Sharp in 1882. It inhabits freshwater environments in Central and South America. Like other elmid beetles, it is fully aquatic throughout its life cycle, with adults possessing a plastron—a layer of air trapped by body hairs that enables underwater respiration.
Heterelmis vulnerata
riffle beetle
Heterelmis vulnerata is a species of riffle beetle in the family Elmidae, first described by LeConte in 1874. It is distributed across Central America and North America. Riffle beetles are aquatic insects that inhabit fast-flowing, oxygen-rich waters where they spend their entire life cycle submerged. Adults possess a plastron—a layer of air trapped by body hairs that allows them to breathe underwater without surfacing.
Heterobrenthus
Heterobrenthus is a genus of straight-snouted weevils (family Brentidae) established by Sharp in 1895. The genus contains at least three described species distributed in Central America and the southern United States. As members of Brentidae, these weevils possess elongated, non-geniculate antennae and an extended rostrum, distinguishing them from the more familiar Curculionidae (true weevils).
Heterocerus mexicanus
variegated mud-loving beetle
Heterocerus mexicanus is a species of variegated mud-loving beetle in the family Heteroceridae. The species was described by Sharp in 1882. It is distributed across Central America and North America, with records from Ontario, Canada and the United States. The species has been moved to the genus Dampfius in some taxonomic treatments, though it is still widely referenced under Heterocerus.
Heterocerus unicus
variegated mud-loving beetle
Heterocerus unicus is a species of variegated mud-loving beetle in the family Heteroceridae, described by W.V. Miller in 1988. The species occurs in Central and North America, including Alberta, Canada. As a member of Heteroceridae, it is associated with muddy habitats. The species is distinguished from related taxa by specific morphological characteristics described in the original species description.
Hexacylloepus ferrugineus
Rusty Riffle Beetle, rusty elmid
Hexacylloepus ferrugineus, commonly known as the rusty riffle beetle or rusty elmid, is a species of riffle beetle in the family Elmidae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species was first described by Horn in 1870. Riffle beetles in this family are typically associated with aquatic habitats, particularly flowing water environments.
Hibana futilis
ghost spider
Hibana futilis is a small cursorial spider in the family Anyphaenidae, commonly known as ghost spiders. Adults reach a maximum body length of slightly over 8 millimeters. The species is nocturnal, hunting insects on foliage at night and hiding in silk-lined curled leaves by day. It is found from the United States through Central America to Venezuela and Cuba. Research has documented its restricted area searching behavior following consumption of both prey and non-prey food, suggesting cognitive flexibility in foraging.
Hibana incursa
ghost spider
Hibana incursa is a species of ghost spider in the family Anyphaenidae, first described by Chamberlin in 1919. It is a small, pale-colored, nocturnal hunting spider distributed from the United States through Panama. Like other ghost spiders, it does not build webs to capture prey but instead actively prowls vegetation for insects.
Hippopedon capito
Apache grasshopper
Hippopedon capito, commonly known as the Apache grasshopper, is a band-winged grasshopper species in the family Acrididae. It was first described by Stål in 1873 under the basionym Psinidia capito. The species is distributed across parts of North America and Central America, with confirmed records from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Hippopedon gracilipes
Rehn's slender grasshopper
Hippopedon gracilipes, commonly known as Rehn's slender grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in Central America and North America, with distribution records including Arizona. The species belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae, a group characterized by banded wings and often associated with open habitats.
Hister coenosus
clown beetle
Hister coenosus is a predatory clown beetle in the family Histeridae. It has been documented across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Laboratory studies indicate it develops in soil and preys on dipteran larvae.
Hister humilis
clown beetle
Hister humilis is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Fall in 1910. It is distributed across Central America and North America, with records from the southwestern United States (Arizona), Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. As a member of the genus Hister, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory beetles commonly associated with decomposing organic matter.
Hister lucanus
clown beetle
Hister lucanus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Horn in 1873. It is distributed across parts of North America and Central America. Like other members of its family, it possesses the characteristic flattened legs that give clown beetles their common name.
Hister sarcinatus
clown beetle
Hister sarcinatus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Lewis in 1898. The species belongs to the genus Hister, one of the most diverse genera within this family of predatory beetles. It is distributed across parts of North America and Central America. Like other hister beetles, it is likely predatory, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Hister servus
clown beetle
Hister servus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, characterized by its compact, shiny black body typical of the genus. It belongs to the H. servus species group, a Neotropical radiation centered in Mexico and Central America with some lineages extending into the southeastern United States. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, and North America.
Holcostethus abbreviatus
Holcostethus abbreviatus is a species of stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, first described by Uhler in 1872. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species is part of the genus Holcostethus, which comprises small to medium-sized pentatomid bugs. Based on iNaturalist records, it has been documented in at least 415 observations.
Hololepta populnea
clown beetle
Hololepta populnea is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The species is distributed across southwestern United States and Mexico, extending into Central America. As a member of the genus Hololepta, it exhibits the characteristic flattened body form adapted for life under bark and in tight spaces. The specific epithet 'populnea' suggests an association with Populus (poplar/cottonwood) trees, though this host relationship requires confirmation.
Homalodisca ichthyocephala
Homalodisca ichthyocephala is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, tribe Proconiini, first described by Signoret in 1854. The species has been documented exhibiting thanatosis (death-feigning), representing the first comprehensive report of this antipredator behavior in the family Cicadellidae. Research from Zirándaro, Guerrero, Mexico identified five sequential phases of thanatosis: mechanical disturbance, catatonic, myoclonic, motor recovery, and escape. Females demonstrate significantly longer motor recovery phases than males. The species belongs to a genus containing important vectors of plant pathogens, including Xylella fastidiosa.
Hoplisoides punctifrons
sand wasp
Hoplisoides punctifrons is a species of solitary sand wasp in the family Crabronidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. Like other members of its genus, it is a ground-nesting wasp that provisions its brood with paralyzed prey.
Hoplisoides tricolor
sand wasp
Hoplisoides tricolor is a species of solitary sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, originally described by Cresson in 1868. It is one of approximately eighteen Hoplisoides species found in North America north of Mexico. Like congeners, it is a ground-nesting wasp that hunts treehoppers (Membracidae) as prey for its larvae. The species occurs across Central America and North America, with most Hoplisoides species concentrated in western North America.
Horama plumipes
Horama plumipes is a moth in the subfamily Arctiinae, first described by Dru Drury in 1773. It is distributed from southern Texas through Mexico and Central America to Nicaragua. The species exhibits distinctive black and white coloration with prominent tufted hind legs that give it its specific epithet 'plumipes' (feather-footed). The original description provides detailed morphological information including a wingspan of approximately 45 mm.
Hoterodes ausonia
Hoterodes ausonia is a small crambid moth described by Pieter Cramer in 1777. It is distributed across the Caribbean and mainland Neotropics, ranging from Florida through Central America to northern South America. The species is characterized by a wingspan of approximately 32 mm. It belongs to the subfamily Spilomelinae, a diverse group of grass moths.
Hyadina albovenosa
shore fly
Hyadina albovenosa is a species of shore fly in the family Ephydridae, first described by Coquillett in 1900. The specific epithet 'albovenosa' likely refers to white-veined wing characteristics. Shore flies in this family are generally associated with moist or aquatic habitats. This species has been documented across North America and Central America.
Hyboptera auxiliadora
Auxiliadora's humped-wing carabid beetle
Hyboptera auxiliadora is a species of ground beetle described by Erwin in 2004. It belongs to the genus Hyboptera, which is characterized by humped-wing morphology. The species occurs in Central America and parts of North America, with confirmed records from Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, and Panama. It is a member of the subfamily Lebiinae within the family Carabidae.
Hydrophilus insularis
Hydrophilus insularis is a water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae. It is distributed across a broad geographic range from northern South America through the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico into the southern United States. The species is aquatic and belongs to a genus known for scavenging behavior in freshwater habitats.
Hydroptila icona
Hydroptila icona is a species of microcaddisfly described by Mosely in 1937. It belongs to the family Hydroptilidae, commonly known as microcaddisflies due to their small size. The species is known from Central America and surrounding regions. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with freshwater habitats. Specific biological details remain poorly documented.