Cryptic-larvae
Guides
Allantus viennensis
Curled Rose Sawfly, Rose Sawfly
Allantus viennensis is a sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, commonly known as the curled rose sawfly. The larvae are significant pests of roses, feeding on leaf margins and causing defoliation. Adults are small, wasp-like insects with saw-like ovipositors used to insert eggs into rose tissue. The species is distinguished by the larval habit of curling cryptically on leaves when not feeding.
Anamorphidae
Anamorphidae is a family of small fungus-feeding beetles in the superfamily Coccinelloidea, containing over 175 extant species across approximately 36 genera. The family was separated from Endomychidae by Robertson et al. (2015) based on morphological and molecular evidence. Members are obligate consumers of fungal spores in both adult and larval stages. A distinctive feature of the family is the presence of debris-cloaking behavior in larvae—a unique defensive strategy among Coccinelloidea that has evolved only once in this lineage.
Chionea valga
snow fly
Chionea valga is a wingless crane fly commonly known as the snow fly. It is active during winter months, crawling across snow surfaces in cold conditions when most other insects are dormant. Adults are dark-bodied and lack wings entirely, with females storing eggs in the thoracic cavity normally occupied by flight muscles. The species occupies subnivean microhabitats—spaces beneath snow created by vegetation and rodent tunnels—where temperatures remain milder than surface conditions.
Coleophora
Casebearers, Case-bearing moths
Coleophora is a large genus of case-bearing moths in the family Coleophoridae, comprising approximately 1,350 described species. The genus occurs on all continents but is most diverse in the Nearctic and Palaearctic regions. Larvae construct distinctive portable silken cases from host plant material, which serve as key identification characters and provide protection. Many species exhibit narrow host plant specificity, with larvae feeding on seeds, flowers, or leaves.
Cylindrotomidae
long-bodied craneflies
Cylindrotomidae, commonly known as long-bodied craneflies, are a small family of crane flies (Diptera: Tipuloidea) comprising approximately 65–71 extant species in 9 genera and more than 16–20 extinct species. The family represents a classic 'ghost lineage' with no fossil record during the Mesozoic despite diversification of their sister family Tipulidae in the Cretaceous. Crown group diversification began in the Paleogene, with the oldest fossils dating to approximately 56 million years ago. The family is divided into two subfamilies: Cylindrotominae, which are primarily Holarctic in distribution, and Stibadocerinae, which exhibit a Gondwanan distribution with genera restricted to Australia, Chile, and East Asia.
Ennominae
geometer moths
Ennominae is the largest subfamily of Geometridae, containing approximately 9,700 described species in 1,100 genera. Adults range from small to moderately large, with wingspans typically between 15 and 50 mm. The subfamily has a global distribution and includes several economically significant defoliating pest species. Larvae are characterized by having only two pairs of prolegs at the posterior end, producing the distinctive looping locomotion that gives the family its common name of inchworms or loopers.
Geometridae
geometer moths, geometrid moths, inchworms, spanworms, loopers, cankerworms, measuring worms
Geometridae is one of the largest families of moths, with approximately 23,000 described species worldwide. The family name derives from Greek "geo" (earth) and "metron" (measure), referring to the distinctive looping locomotion of their larvae, commonly called inchworms or loopers. These caterpillars possess only two or three pairs of prolegs at the posterior end, compared to five or more pairs in most other Lepidoptera, forcing them to arch their bodies in a characteristic "measuring" gait. Adults are typically nocturnal with slender bodies and broad wings, often exhibiting cryptic coloration that provides camouflage against bark and vegetation.
Hyperaspis pleuralis
Side-spotted Sigil Lady Beetle
Hyperaspis pleuralis is a small lady beetle native to western North America, measuring 1.95–2.85 mm in length. Males are distinguished by yellow coloration on the lateral and anterolateral areas of the pronotum. The species exhibits typical Hyperaspis biology: larvae produce a white waxy coating that camouflages them among scale insects while providing protection from predators and ants. Both larvae and adults are specialized predators of scale insects, making them valuable biological control agents in natural and ornamental ecosystems.
Myrmeleon
antlion, doodlebug
Myrmeleon is a cosmopolitan genus of antlions in the family Myrmeleontidae, distinguished by larvae that construct conical pitfall traps in sandy substrates. The larvae, commonly called doodlebugs, bury themselves at the bottom of these pits and use specialized mandibles to capture prey that falls in. Adults are delicate, lacy-winged insects resembling damselflies but with short, clubbed antennae. The genus is notable for being one of few antlion genera in North America that exhibits pit-building behavior, and it has been documented across multiple continents including North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Syssphinx montana
Montana Silkmoth
Syssphinx montana is a silkmoth in the family Saturniidae. Adults have a wingspan of 62–82 mm, with males smaller than females. The species is found in Mexico and rarely in southeastern Arizona. Adults are active from mid-July to early August and do not feed. Larvae feed on several leguminous host plants.
Toxomerus
Calligrapher Flies
Toxomerus is a large genus of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) distributed across the Americas, with over 130 described Neotropical species and additional Nearctic endemics. Species are small (typically 6–9 mm), characterized by large eyes with posterior indentation and diagnostic abdominal patterns. Most larvae are predatory on soft-bodied insects, particularly aphids, though at least three species are known pollen-feeders. Adults are pollinivorous, feeding on nectar and pollen from diverse flowering plants. The genus includes notable ecological specialists such as Toxomerus basalis, a kleptoparasite of sundews (Drosera), and several species introduced to the Afrotropics.
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