Desert-fauna
Guides
Faculta synthetica
Faculta synthetica is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Walsingham in 1911. It is known from a single locality in Sonora, Mexico. The species has a wingspan of 11–12 mm and exhibits distinctive blackish forewings with purplish tinge, ochreous markings, and complex spotting patterns. Very little is known about its biology beyond the original description.
Gloveria
Gloveria is a genus of lappet moths in the family Lasiocampidae, established by Packard in 1872. All species are endemic to southern North America, ranging from the southwestern United States through Mexico. The genus is notable for caterpillars that exhibit communal foraging behavior using trail-marking pheromones. Ten species are currently recognized, with distributions centered in arid and semi-arid regions of California, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Utah, and Mexico.
Gnorimoschema powelli
Desert Broom Stem Gall Moth
Gnorimoschema powelli is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Povolný in 1998. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically California and Arizona. The species is notable for its larval biology: the caterpillars induce stem galls on Baccharis sarothroides, a shrub commonly known as desert broom.
Gryllita
Gryllita is a genus of crickets in the family Gryllidae, subfamily Gryllinae, established by Hebard in 1935. The genus contains at least 26 described species, with most described by Otte & Perez-Gelabert in 2009. Species are distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico, with some Caribbean records. The type species is Gryllita arizonae, commonly known as the Arizona cricket.
Hadoa inaudita
Dappled Sun-Singer
Hadoa inaudita, commonly known as the Dappled Sun-Singer, is a cicada species in the family Cicadidae. It is native to the southwestern and south-central United States, with documented occurrences in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The species was first described by Davis in 1917 and has been observed in arid and semi-arid habitats including sand dunes, juniper woodlands, and desert grasslands. Adults are active during the summer months and are associated with yucca and other desert vegetation.
Haroldiataenius semipilosus
Haroldiataenius semipilosus is a small dung beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Van Dyke in 1928. As an aphodiine, it belongs to a group often associated with dung decomposition, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Hellinsia auster
Austere Plume Moth
Hellinsia auster is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, restricted to Arizona in the southwestern United States. First described in 1921, this small moth exhibits the characteristic wing structure of its family, with wings split into feathery plumes. Adults are active during spring and late summer to early autumn. The species is known from limited collections, with the type locality in Mohave County.
Helochara forceps
Helochara forceps is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 1986. It belongs to the genus Helochara within the tribe Cicadellini. The species epithet "forceps" likely refers to some morphological feature of the male genitalia, a common naming convention in leafhopper taxonomy. It is one of relatively few described species in this genus, which is part of the diverse leafhopper fauna of North America.
Hemerotrecha sevilleta
windscorpion, sun spider, camel spider
Hemerotrecha sevilleta is a species of solifuge (windscorpion) in the family Eremobatidae, described in 2002 from New Mexico. The species epithet references the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, where long-term ecological research has been conducted. As with other solifuges, it is a fast-moving, non-venomous arachnid often mistaken for a spider or scorpion.
Hemileuca electra mojavensis
Hemileuca electra mojavensis is a subspecies of buck moth in the family Saturniidae, first described by Tuskes & McElfresh in 1993. As a member of the Hemileucinae subfamily, its larvae bear venomous spines characteristic of this group. The subspecies is associated with the Mojave Desert region and exhibits geographic variation typical of the Hemileuca electra species complex.
Hoplitis biscutellae
Creosote Small-Mason
Hoplitis biscutellae is a solitary mason bee in the family Megachilidae, first described by Cockerell in 1897. It is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Hoplitis, it is a cavity-nesting bee that constructs nests using mud or plant materials. The common name "Creosote Small-Mason" suggests an association with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), though specific host plant relationships remain poorly documented.
Insara
western bush katydids
Insara is a genus of katydids commonly known as western bush katydids, established by Walker in 1869. The genus belongs to the tribe Insarini within the subfamily Phaneropterinae of family Tettigoniidae. Species in this genus are found primarily in western North America and Mexico, with at least 20 described species recognized. The genus is notable as a host for predatory wasps, particularly Sphex lucae, which paralyzes species such as Insara elegans (elegant bush katydid) to provision its nests.
Itolia
Itolia is a small genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) containing five described species. The genus was established by Wilcox in 1936. Species within Itolia are distributed in North America, with records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other asilids, members of this genus are predatory flies, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented.
Lampetis
Eyed Jewel Beetles
Lampetis is a large genus of jewel beetles (Buprestidae) comprising nearly 300 species worldwide. Adults are typically large, conspicuous beetles with brilliant metallic coloration. The genus has a broad geographic distribution spanning North America, South America, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Larval biology remains poorly known for most species, with development suspected to occur in living wood below the soil line—a habit that explains the rarity of larval discoveries.
Lepidanthrax eremicus
Lepidanthrax eremicus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, described by Hall in 1976. The species is known only from California. As a member of the bee fly family, it likely exhibits the characteristic parasitoid lifestyle of many bombyliids, though specific biological details remain undocumented.
Ligurotettix planum
Pecos Clicker Grasshopper
Ligurotettix planum, the Pecos Clicker Grasshopper, is a species of slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It belongs to the genus Ligurotettix, which includes several species known for their acoustic territorial displays. The species occurs in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with creosote bush and other desert vegetation.
Loxosceles deserta
Desert Recluse
Loxosceles deserta, commonly known as the desert recluse, is a venomous brown spider in the family Sicariidae. It is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The species is frequently misidentified as the brown recluse (L. reclusa) or L. unicolor, despite occupying a geographically distinct range. Its venom contains cytotoxic compounds that can cause necrotic skin lesions in humans, though bites are rare and typically defensive.
Loxostege oberthuralis
Loxostege oberthuralis is a moth in the family Crambidae, described by Charles H. Fernald in 1894. It is known from arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 32 mm and exhibits distinctive coloration with pale sulfur yellow forewings marked with reddish brown and white hindwings with a fuscous terminal line.
Lytta funerea
Lytta funerea is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Fall in 1901. It belongs to the subgenus Paralytta within the genus Lytta. The species is known from North America, with museum records indicating specimens have been collected in the southwestern United States. As a member of Meloidae, it possesses the family-characteristic chemical defense system involving cantharidin, a blistering compound. The specific epithet "funerea" suggests a dark or somber coloration typical of many Paralytta species.
Lytta magister
desert blister beetle, master blister beetle
Lytta magister is a large, conspicuous blister beetle native to southwestern North America. Adults are readily identified by their striking aposematic coloration: bright red head, legs, and prothorax contrasting sharply with black elytra. The species is strongly associated with desert environments, where adults emerge in spring and are frequently observed in aggregations on flowers. Larvae are predatory or parasitic on ground-nesting bees, a common life history pattern in the family Meloidae. The species possesses chemical defenses typical of the family, including cantharidins that can cause blistering upon contact with skin.
Macrotera echinocacti
barrel cactus macrotera, barrel cactus goblin bee
Macrotera echinocacti is a small solitary bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the barrel cactus goblin bee. The species was described by Timberlake in 1954 under the basionym Perdita echinocacti. It is known from Central America and North America, with extremely limited observational records.
Marginitermes
Marginitermes is a genus of drywood termites in the family Kalotermitidae, established by Krishna in 1961. The genus contains three described species: M. absitus, M. cactiphagus, and M. hubbardi (the light western drywood termite). Species in this genus are found in arid and semi-arid regions of North America.
Maricopodynerus maricoporum
Maricopodynerus maricoporum is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, first described by Viereck in 1908. The genus Maricopodynerus is a small group of solitary wasps endemic to arid regions of southwestern North America. As with other eumenine wasps, females construct mud nests provisioned with paralyzed caterpillars for their larvae. The species epithet 'maricoporum' refers to the Maricopa people or region in Arizona, indicating the type locality.
Megalopsallus humeralis
Megalopsallus humeralis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, originally described by Van Duzee in 1923 as Sthenarus humeralis. It belongs to the subfamily Phylinae, a group of small predatory or phytophagous true bugs commonly known as leaf bugs or plant bugs. The genus Megalopsallus comprises small mirids distributed primarily in western North America and adjacent regions of Mexico. This species has been documented from arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Metapogon amargosae
Metapogon amargosae is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1972. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, a group characterized by reduced wing venation and generally small to medium body size. The specific epithet references the Amargosa region, suggesting a geographic association with desert environments in the southwestern United States. Like other asilids, it is presumed to be an aerial predator, though direct observations of its biology remain limited.
Microphotus
Microphotus is a genus of fireflies (family Lampyridae) endemic to the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The genus comprises ten described species, with seven occurring in the United States and three in Mexico. Members are commonly known as desert fireflies, with Microphotus octarthrus specifically bearing this common name. The genus was established by LeConte in 1866 and has been the subject of recent taxonomic revisions describing several new species in 2021.
Miloderes nelsoni
Nelson's Miloderes Weevil
Miloderes nelsoni is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Entiminae. The species was described by David G. Kissinger in 1960. It belongs to the tribe Byrsopagini, a group of flightless weevils characterized by their fused elytra and reduced hind wings. The specific epithet honors an individual named Nelson, though the exact honoree has not been documented in available sources. Records indicate presence in California, specifically Inyo County.
Myrmecophilus manni
Desert Ant Cricket, Mann's Ant Cricket
Myrmecophilus manni is a small ant cricket species in the family Myrmecophilidae, commonly known as the Desert Ant Cricket or Mann's Ant Cricket. Like other members of its genus, it lives in close association with ant colonies, where it feeds on ant secretions and nest materials. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America, from southern Washington through Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona. Adult specimens typically measure under 5 millimeters in length, with reduced eyes and elongated antennae adapted for life in subterranean ant nests.
Mythicomyiidae
micro bee flies, mythicomyiids, microbombyliids
Mythicomyiidae are minute flies (0.5–5.0 mm) historically treated as a subfamily of Empididae or Bombyliidae, but elevated to family rank based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The family comprises 35 genera and over 450 described species, with hundreds more awaiting description. They exhibit highest diversity in Africa and are especially abundant in desert and semi-desert regions globally. The lineage dates to the Middle Jurassic, making it older than any known Bombyliidae.
Nannocyrtopogon
Nannocyrtopogon is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) comprising at least 20 described species. Members of this genus are aerial predators that capture other insects in flight. The genus was established by Wilcox and Martin in 1936 and is classified within the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae and tribe Ceraturgini. These flies are found in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions.
Neopalpa
Neopalpa is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, tribe Gnorimoschemini. The genus was established in 1998 and contains at least two described species. It is most closely related to the genera Ochrodia and Ephysteris. One species, Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, gained international attention when described in 2017 due to its distinctive yellowish-white head scales that resemble a particular hairstyle, and was named to draw attention to conservation needs for fragile desert habitats.
Neopalpa neonata
Neopalpa neonata is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Povolný in 1998. It is one of only two species in the genus Neopalpa, which is restricted to the southwestern North American desert region. The species has been recorded from California, Arizona, and western Mexico. Its congener, Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, was described in 2017 and shares the same general distribution.
Norape tener
Mesquite Stinger Moth
Norape tener is a flannel moth in the family Megalopygidae, described by Herbert Druce in 1897. The common name "mesquite stinger moth" refers to the larval host plants and the defensive stinging hairs possessed by caterpillars in this genus. Adults are small white moths with distinctive dark markings on the wings and thorax. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Ogdoconta moreno
Ogdoconta moreno is a small noctuid moth described by William Barnes in 1907. It is known only from southern Arizona in the United States, though its range likely extends into adjacent Mexico. The species exhibits distinctive wing patterning with contrasting light patches and angled transverse lines. Adults are active during the summer monsoon season.
Onthophagus coproides
Onthophagus coproides is a small dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Horn in 1881. It measures 11–14 mm in length. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it participates in dung decomposition and nutrient cycling in arid and semi-arid environments.
Opharus muricolor
mousey-gray tiger moth
Opharus muricolor, commonly known as the mousey-gray tiger moth, is a moth species in the family Erebidae. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1898. The species occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Adults are active during the warmer months of the year.
Pachybrachis calidus
case-bearing leaf beetle
Pachybrachis calidus is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae) described by Fall in 1915. It occurs in Central and North America, where it inhabits mesquite-acacia scrub and oak-juniper woodland habitats. The species has been documented at light traps in southeastern Arizona, with adults active in late July. Like other members of the genus, it likely carries its eggs in a protective case constructed from fecal material.
Paradascalia edax
Paradascalia edax is a species of planthopper in the family Flatidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1923. It belongs to the tribe Selizini and is one of relatively few documented species in the genus Paradascalia. Like other flatid planthoppers, it likely possesses the broad, flattened body form characteristic of this family. The species has been recorded from limited localities in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Paraneotermes
desert dampwood termites
Paraneotermes is a genus of dampwood termites in the family Kalotermitidae, established by Light in 1934. Species in this genus inhabit arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. The genus includes at least one well-studied species, Paraneotermes simplicicornis, known from the southwestern United States. Members exhibit distinctive collective nest-building behaviors, including a unique "kicking" method of soil excavation that differs from other termite genera.
Paranomada
Paranomada is a genus of cleptoparasitic cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, tribe Brachynomadini. The genus contains three described species, all endemic to western North America. As cleptoparasites, these bees do not construct their own nests or provision their own young, but instead lay eggs in the nests of host bees.
Paraphidippus basalis
Agave Jumping Spider
Paraphidippus basalis is a jumping spider in the family Salticidae, commonly known as the Agave Jumping Spider. It is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The species exhibits a notable ecological specialization, being strongly associated with rosette-forming plants including agaves, sotols, and yuccas. This degree of plant-specific habitat association is uncommon among jumping spiders, which are typically generalist predators.
Paratyndaris
Paratyndaris is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae, subfamily Polycestinae) comprising 36 described species distributed across southwestern North America, Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies. The genus was revised by Nelson & Bellamy (2004), who recognized three subgenera: Knulliella (6 species), Paratyndaris (26 species), and Waltersia (4 species). Species in this genus are typically associated with dead or dying wood of woody plants, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The genus is taxonomically significant as one of the more diverse lineages within the tribe Tyndarini.
Paravilla deserta
Paravilla deserta is a species of bee fly (Bombyliidae) described by Hall in 1981. It belongs to the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Villini. The species is known from arid and semi-arid regions of western North America.
Pepsis
tarantula hawks, New World Tarantula-hawk Wasps
Pepsis is a genus of large spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as tarantula hawks. These wasps are among the largest stinging insects in the world and are restricted to the Americas. Females hunt tarantulas and other large mygalomorph spiders, paralyzing them with a sting to serve as living food for their larvae. Adults feed primarily on nectar, especially from milkweed flowers. The genus is closely related to Hemipepsis, which occurs in both Old and New Worlds.
Pepsis mexicana
Mexican tarantula-hawk wasp
Pepsis mexicana is a species of tarantula hawk wasp in the family Pompilidae. Females hunt and paralyze large theraphosid spiders to provision nests for their larvae. The species is notable for its relatively small size compared to other Pepsis species and its distinctive wing markings. Both sexes feed on nectar from flowering plants.
Phtheochroa perspicuana
Phtheochroa perspicuana is a small tortricid moth described in 1920 from the southwestern United States. The species is known from limited records in Arizona and Texas. Adults are active in at least two distinct periods, with observations in January and August.
Piabuna
Piabuna is a genus of small, ground-dwelling spiders in the family Phrurolithidae, endemic to North America. First described in 1933, it has undergone multiple family reassignments, reflecting ongoing revisions in spider systematics. The genus contains six described species distributed primarily in the southwestern United States and Mexico. These spiders are rarely encountered and poorly known in terms of natural history.
Pilophorus clavicornis
Pilophorus clavicornis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Poppius in 1914. It is known from arid regions of western North America, with records from Arizona, California, and Nevada. The species belongs to a genus noted for ant-mimicking morphology and behavior.
Plagiostira gillettei utahensis
Plagiostira gillettei utahensis is a subspecies of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Tinkham in 1962. It belongs to a genus characterized by large body size and brachypterous (short-winged) adults. The subspecies is distributed across the western United States including California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with arid and semi-arid habitats.
Platynota larreana
Platynota larreana is a species of tortricid moth found in the southwestern United States, ranging from the Mojave Desert in California to western Arizona. It was described by Comstock in 1939 and was originally placed in the genus Sparganothis before being transferred to Platynota. Very little is known about the biology of this species compared to other members of the genus.