Desert-beetles
Guides
Agaeocera
Agaeocera is a genus of metallic wood-boring beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing three described species: A. gentilis, A. gigas, and A. scintillans. The genus was established by Saunders in 1871. Based on field observations, adults of A. gentilis have been collected from Sphaeralcea (globemallow) plants in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Aneflus
Aneflus is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) established by LeConte in 1873. The genus comprises approximately 25 described species distributed primarily in western North America, with concentrations in the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Species are associated with woody vegetation, particularly oaks and desert shrubs. The genus belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a diverse group of cerambycine beetles often characterized by relatively small to medium size and cryptic habits.
Anepsiini
Anepsiini is a tribe of darkling beetles within the subfamily Pimeliinae of the family Tenebrionidae. It was established by J.L. LeConte in 1862. The tribe contains at least four genera distributed in North America. Members of this tribe are part of a diverse group of beetles commonly known as darkling beetles, which are primarily associated with arid and semi-arid environments.
Blaptinae
darkling beetles
Blaptinae is a large subfamily of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) containing approximately 283 genera and 4,000 species, classified into 8 tribes. The subfamily was resurrected and redefined in 2021 based on morphological and molecular evidence, with seven tribes transferred from Tenebrioninae. Members are among the most widespread and abundant darkling beetles in arid regions globally, often dominating local invertebrate faunas in desert ecosystems. Ovoviviparity has been documented in at least one tribe (Platynotini), where females carry fully developed first-instar larvae.
Chalcolepidius
click beetles
Chalcolepidius is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) comprising approximately 63 species, with the majority distributed in the Americas. Species within this genus are typically large, metallic-colored beetles associated with woody vegetation. The genus was revised by Casari in 2002, and new distribution records continue to be documented, particularly in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Cymindis
Cymindis is a genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, established by Latreille in 1805. The genus comprises over 50 described species distributed across the Palearctic region, with particularly high diversity in Central Asia and the Near East. Many species are associated with arid and semi-arid habitats. The genus is divided into numerous subgenera, reflecting substantial morphological and ecological variation among its constituent species.
Dendrobias
Dendrobias is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) established by Dupont in 1834. The genus was restored from synonymy under Trachyderes in 2018, having been previously included within that genus for several years. It contains three described species distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Members are associated with desert thorn-scrub and riparian habitats, particularly with Baccharis and Acacia vegetation.
Eremosaprinini
Eremosaprinini is a tribe of small carrion beetles in the family Histeridae, subfamily Saprininae. Members are primarily distributed in arid and semi-arid regions, reflecting adaptations to xeric environments. The tribe comprises several genera of tiny, compact beetles associated with decomposing organic matter.
Hyporhagus
opossum beetles
Hyporhagus is a genus of opossum beetles in the family Zopheridae, established by Thomson in 1860. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed across North America. These beetles belong to the group commonly known as "opossum beetles" or "ironclad beetles," recognized for their heavily sclerotized exoskeletons. Species have been recorded from the southwestern United States through Mexico.
Microschatia
Microschatia is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) found in arid regions of southwestern North America. The genus was established by Solier in 1836 and contains approximately 15 described species. These beetles inhabit dryland environments and are adapted to xeric conditions. The genus is taxonomically well-established within the Tenebrionidae, though detailed biological studies remain limited for many species.
Neocallotillus
Calloused Clerids
Neocallotillus is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, subfamily Tillinae. It was erected in 2016 by Burke and Zolnerowich to accommodate species formerly placed in Callotillus. The genus is distinguished by specific morphological features of the pronotum and elytra. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Notoxus haustrus
Notoxus haustrus is a species of ant-like flower beetle in the family Anthicidae. Members of the genus Notoxus are characterized by their elongated, narrow prothorax that projects forward into a distinct snout-like structure. The genus is diverse in North America, with many species found in arid and semi-arid regions. Like other anthicids, adults are typically found on flowers, foliage, or ground debris where they feed on pollen and small organic particles.
Phobetus
May beetles, junebugs
Phobetus is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, commonly known as May beetles or junebugs. The genus was established by LeConte in 1856 and contains approximately 11 described species. Species in this genus are distributed in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America, with several species endemic to specific desert mountain ranges. The genus is classified in the tribe Phobetusini, which is endemic to the Nearctic region.
Sphaerobothris
Sphaerobothris is a genus of jewel beetles in the family Buprestidae, subfamily Buprestinae, and tribe Chrysobothrini. The genus was established by Semenov-Tian-Shanskij and Richter in 1934. It contains five described species distributed in North America, with S. ulkei being the most frequently encountered and collected by entomologists. Members of this genus are associated with Ephedra (joint-fir) as host plants.
Stenaspis
Stenaspis is a genus of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) established by Audinet-Serville in 1834. The genus comprises seven recognized species distributed across North and Central America. Members are robust, medium-to-large cerambycids associated with woody vegetation, particularly leguminous trees and shrubs. Several species have been documented from Arizona and the southwestern United States, where they occur in desert scrub and oak woodland habitats.
Stenomorpha
Stenomorpha is a large genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) comprising more than 160 described species and subspecies. The genus was established by Solier in 1836 and belongs to the tribe Asidini within subfamily Pimeliinae. Species-level taxonomy has been historically neglected, with no modern revision for nearly 175 years until recent work by Keller (2008) and others. The genus exhibits notable diversity in the southwestern United States and Mexico, with some species occurring in specialized habitats including California vernal pools and the Cuatrociénegas Protected Area in Coahuila, Mexico.
Trichinorhipis
Trichinorhipis is a monotypic genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) endemic to southern California. The sole species, Trichinorhipis knulli, measures under 4 mm and exhibits distinctive sexual dimorphism in antennae: males possess fan-like (flabellate) antennae adapted for detecting female sex pheromones, while females have unmodified serrate antennae. The genus is placed in its own subtribe (Trichinorphidina) within the tribe Xenorhipidini due to unique morphological characters distinguishing it from related genera Hesperorhipis and Xenorhipis.
Vacronini
Vacronini is a tribe of darkling beetles within the subfamily Pimeliinae, family Tenebrionidae. The tribe was established by Gebien in 1910 and comprises at least four genera with a disjunct distribution across North America and Australasia. Members are classified within the superfamily Tenebrionoidea, a diverse group of beetles commonly associated with arid and semi-arid environments.
Xeropsamobeus
Xeropsamobeus is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, containing approximately 10 described species. The genus was established by Saylor in 1937. Species in this genus are native to arid regions of western North America, with several species described from desert habitats in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Most species were described or revised by Gordon and Skelley in 2007.