Channel-islands
Guides
Apantesis ursina
Apantesis ursina is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, described by Schmidt in 2009. The species was originally placed in the genus Grammia but was transferred to Apantesis in a 2009 taxonomic revision that consolidated several related genera. It is endemic to a restricted range in southern California and the Channel Islands, with likely extension into Baja California. Adults fly in autumn, with peak activity from mid-September to early October.
Calathus ruficollis ruficollis
A flightless ground beetle subspecies distributed across southern California from Santa Barbara County to northern Baja California, including several Channel Islands. The subspecies is distinguished from the southern Sierra Nevada population (C. r. ignicollis) by genetic and geographic separation. Despite being flightless, populations show limited phylogeographic structure across the species' range, suggesting recent population expansion and gene flow across potential geographic barriers.
Camponotus bakeri
Baker's Carpenter Ant
Camponotus bakeri is a species of carpenter ant endemic to the Channel Islands of California, with additional populations in mainland California and Arizona. It nests in dead wood, including decaying stumps, fallen branches, and hollow trees. Like other members of the genus Camponotus, it excavates galleries rather than consuming wood for nutrition. The species is named in honor of an individual with the surname Baker, following standard entomological naming conventions of the early 1900s.
Coelus globosus
Globose Dune Beetle
Coelus globosus is a coastal sand-dwelling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the Globose Dune Beetle. It occupies a narrow geographic range along the Pacific coast from northern California to Baja California, with additional populations on most of the Channel Islands. The species is restricted to active coastal dune systems, where it inhabits foredunes and sand hummocks.
Conozoa clementina
San Clemente grasshopper
Conozoa clementina, the San Clemente grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It was described by Rentz and Weissman in 1981. The species is endemic to San Clemente Island, California, and is considered a rare and localized taxon with limited available ecological data.
Conozoa nicola
San Nicolas Grasshopper
Conozoa nicola, the San Nicolas Grasshopper, is a band-winged grasshopper species in the family Acrididae. It is endemic to San Nicolas Island, California, and was described by Rentz and Weissman in 1981. The species belongs to a genus of grasshoppers commonly associated with arid and semi-arid habitats in western North America.
Insulaphylus
Insulaphylus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Weirauch in 2006. The genus is characterized by morphological features typical of the family, including the distinctive hemelytra with membranous apical portions. At least one species, Insulaphylus cruz, has been formally described and documented in museum collections. The genus belongs to the large and diverse mirid fauna of the Western Hemisphere.
Insulaphylus meridianus
Insulaphylus meridianus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Weirauch in 2006. The species is endemic to the Channel Islands of California, specifically recorded from San Clemente Island and Santa Catalina Island. As a member of the genus Insulaphylus, it represents part of a lineage associated with island habitats.
Lophocampa indistincta
A tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, described in 1910. Males exhibit dark ocherous coloration with obscure wing markings and hyaline secondaries. Known exclusively from California's Channel Islands, making it a geographically restricted endemic with a wingspan of approximately 43 mm.
Lutica
Lutica is a genus of zodariid spiders endemic to the California coast and Channel Islands. The genus comprises four described species, each with restricted distributions: two on mainland coastal dunes and two on specific islands. These spiders are notable for their unique sand-covered web tubes used in prey detection and their limited dispersal ability.
Lutica nicolasia
Lutica nicolasia is a species of ant spider in the family Zodariidae, described by Willis J. Gertsch in 1961. It belongs to a genus of spiders known for myrmecophagy—specialized predation on ants. The species has been recorded from the United States, though detailed ecological and behavioral studies remain limited.
Maculamiris insulanus
Maculamiris insulanus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Weirauch in 2006. The species is endemic to the Channel Islands of California, specifically Santa Catalina Island and San Clemente Island. As a member of the diverse Miridae family, it belongs to one of the largest families of true bugs, though specific ecological details for this island-endemic species remain poorly documented.
Metepeira pimungan
San Miguel Island Orbweaver
Metepeira pimungan is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, described by Piel in 2001. It is endemic to the United States, specifically known from San Miguel Island off the coast of California. As a member of the labyrinth spider genus Metepeira, it likely constructs the characteristic combination of an orb web with a tangled labyrinthine retreat structure. The species is poorly known, with limited published information beyond its original description.
Morsea catalinae
Catalina monkey grasshopper
Morsea catalinae, described by Rentz and Weissman in 1981, is a species of monkey grasshopper endemic to the family Eumastacidae. The common name "Catalina monkey grasshopper" references its association with Santa Catalina Island, California. Like other eumastacids, it possesses a distinctive body plan with elongated hind legs adapted for jumping and a pronotum that extends backward over the abdomen. The species has been documented from California and is considered present in North America, though specific habitat details and ecological data remain limited in published literature.
Pheidole clementensis
San Clemente Island Big-headed Ant
Pheidole clementensis is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, described by Gregg in 1969. It is endemic to San Clemente Island, California, and is recognized as a distinct species within the highly diverse genus Pheidole, which contains over 1,000 species globally. Like other Pheidole species, it exhibits worker polymorphism with distinct soldier and minor worker castes.
Tiaja cruzensis
Tiaja cruzensis is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Megophthalminae. The species was described in 1982 by Gill and Oman from specimens collected on Santa Cruz Island, California. As a member of the Megophthalmini tribe, it belongs to a group characterized by enlarged eyes and associated with coastal and insular habitats in western North America. The genus Tiaja contains few described species, and T. cruzensis is among the more geographically restricted members.
Trigonoscuta miguelensis
broad-nosed weevil
Trigonoscuta miguelensis is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae, first described by Pierce in 1975. It belongs to the subfamily Entiminae, a group characterized by their broad, short rostrums. The species is known from California and is part of the North American weevil fauna. Like other members of its genus, it likely inhabits coastal or near-coastal environments given the specific epithet referencing San Miguel Island or the broader Channel Islands region of California.
Trigonoscuta stantoni
Santa Cruz Island weevil, Stanton's trigonoscuta weevil, Santa Cruz island shore weevil
Trigonoscuta stantoni is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae. The species is endemic to the Channel Islands of California, specifically documented from Santa Cruz Island. It is a member of a genus containing several insular species with restricted distributions.