Diurnal
Guides
Syntomeida ipomoeae
Yellow-banded Wasp Moth, Orange-banded Wasp Moth
Syntomeida ipomoeae is a wasp-mimicking moth in the subfamily Arctiinae, described by Thaddeus William Harris in 1839. The species exhibits aposematic coloration and is known for its diurnal activity pattern, unusual among moths. Its common names derive from the distinctive yellow or orange banding on the body. The species has a restricted distribution in the southeastern United States.
Syntomeida melanthus
Black-banded Wasp Moth
Syntomeida melanthus, the black-banded wasp moth, is a day-flying arctiine moth native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Adults exhibit wasp-mimicry with contrasting coloration and are active during spring and fall in the United States. The species was described by Pieter Cramer in 1779 and belongs to a genus known for sequestering cardiac glycosides from host plants.
Tabanus
True Horse Flies, Horse Flies
Tabanus is a large genus of biting horse flies in the family Tabanidae, containing hundreds of species distributed worldwide. Females possess scissor-like mouthparts adapted for cutting skin to access blood meals from mammals, including livestock and humans. The genus includes some of the largest horse flies in North America, with species such as Tabanus americanus reaching up to 30 mm in body length. Members of this genus are significant from a veterinary and medical perspective as potential vectors of pathogens including anthrax, worms, and trypanosomes.
Tetraopes discoideus
Tetraopes discoideus is a small milkweed longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1847. Adults measure 7–9 mm in length, making this species notably smaller than congeners. The species is associated with milkweed plants (Asclepias spp.) throughout its range in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults have been observed resting, feeding, and mating on milkweed stems and flowers. Larvae develop by feeding on milkweed roots, either tunneling directly into large taproots or living in surrounding soil when roots are small.
Thyreodon
Thyreodon is a genus of parasitic wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Brullé in 1846. Members of this genus are koinobiont endoparasitoids that attack caterpillars, particularly those of sphinx moths (Sphingidae). The genus is part of the Thyreodon genus-group, with species distributed across the Americas from the southwestern United States through Central America. Costa Rican species have been subject to dedicated systematic study.
Thyreodon atricolor
Thyreodon atricolor is a large ichneumonid wasp in the subfamily Ophioninae, described by Olivier in 1811. Members of this genus are among the largest Ophioninae in North America. The species is known from the southwestern United States and has been subject to taxonomic confusion with related species. Like other Ophioninae, it possesses a short, sharp ovipositor capable of delivering a sting, distinguishing it from many other ichneumonid subfamilies.
Thyreodon atricolor atricolor
Thyreodon atricolor atricolor is a subspecies of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. The genus Thyreodon includes large, striking wasps that are often mistaken for tarantula hawks due to their similar coloration. Members of this genus are diurnal and have been observed visiting flowers for nectar. This subspecies has been recorded from California and Vermont in the United States.
Thyris
window-winged moths
Thyris is a genus of window-winged moths in the family Thyrididae, characterized by distinctive square or rectangular translucent spots in their wings that give the group its common name. These small, often diurnal moths are primarily pantropical in distribution, with approximately 12 species known from North America among over 760 species worldwide. The genus includes species such as Thyris maculata, which ranges widely across North America from Ontario to Georgia, Texas, and west to Colorado, Idaho, and Montana. Adults typically fly between March and October, with peak activity in May through July.
Thyris maculata
Spotted Thyris, Spotted Thyris Moth
Thyris maculata, commonly known as the spotted thyris, is a window-winged moth in the family Thyrididae. It is recognized by the distinctive square or rectangular translucent spots in its wings that give the family its common name. The species exhibits a broad geographic range across North America and has been observed in both eastern and western regions. Adults are diurnal and visit flowers for nectar, while larvae are generalist feeders that roll leaves of host plants.
Trachyderini
Trachyderini is a tribe of long-horned beetles (Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) comprising at least 140 genera and 650 described species. Members are predominantly diurnal, medium to large-sized, and frequently exhibit bright coloration. The tribe has a primarily New World distribution, with notable diversity in southwestern North America, Mexico, Central America, and South America, though some genera extend into the Palearctic region including Mongolia. Several genera display striking mimicry of wasps or other beetles.
Trichiotinus
Bee-like Flower Scarabs, Flower Scarabs
Trichiotinus is a genus of flower chafers in the family Scarabaeidae, comprising approximately 8 described species native to the New World. The genus is commonly known as bee-like flower scarabs due to the resemblance of some species to bees. Members are primarily associated with flowers, where adults feed and mate. Several species have restricted distributions, making them regional specialties in Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida.
Trigonarthris
flower longhorn beetles
Trigonarthris is a genus of flower longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae: Lepturinae) established by Haldeman in 1847. The name derives from Greek 'trigonon' (triangle) and 'arthron' (joint), referring to a triangular joint structure. The genus contains three recognized species: T. atrata, T. minnesotana, and T. proxima. Members are diurnal flower visitors, though individual species remain poorly documented biologically.
Trigonopeltastes delta
delta flower scarab, D beetle
Trigonopeltastes delta is a diurnal scarab beetle in the subfamily Cetoniinae, commonly known as the delta flower scarab or D beetle. Adults measure 8–10 mm in length and are distinguished by a prominent yellow triangle on the pronotum that resembles the Greek letter delta, giving the species its name. This marking has been theorized to function in Batesian mimicry of wasp defensive coloration. The beetle is native to the southeastern United States with range extending north to New Jersey, and is frequently observed on flowers from late spring through summer.
Typocerus lunulatus
Typocerus lunulatus is a flower longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Lepturinae. Adults are diurnal and visit flowers for feeding. The species occurs in North America with two recognized subspecies: the nominate form and T. l. texanus (Texas stallingia beetle). It is one of several mostly black Typocerus species that can be distinguished from congeners by specific elytral markings.
Typocerus octonotatus
Eight-spotted Flower Longhorn Beetle
Typocerus octonotatus is a species of flower longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, occurring in North America. Adults are diurnal and frequently observed visiting flowers. The species is one of several common flower longhorns in the eastern United States and is often encountered on a variety of flowering plants during summer months.
Typocerus velutinus
Banded Longhorn, Banded Longhorn Beetle
Typocerus velutinus is a common and widespread flower longhorn beetle (subfamily Lepturinae) found across eastern North America. Adults are diurnal and feed on flowers, while larvae develop in decaying wood of hardwood trees. The species is frequently encountered on wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) and other flowering plants during summer months. It serves as a pollinator and is an important component of forest ecosystem food webs. Two subspecies are recognized: T. v. velutinus and T. v. nobilis.
Typocerus velutinus nobilis
Typocerus velutinus nobilis is a subspecies of the flower longhorn beetle T. velutinus, belonging to the subfamily Lepturinae. Adults are diurnal and visit flowers for feeding. The species is part of a complex of similar-looking Typocerus species that can be difficult to distinguish in the field. Based on the parent species, adults likely have distinct transverse yellow elytral bands and a continuous band of dense yellow pubescence along the basal margin of the pronotum.
Typocerus zebra
Zebra Longhorn Beetle, Zebra Longhorn
Typocerus zebra, commonly known as the zebra longhorn or zebra longhorn beetle, is a species of flower longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. Adults are diurnal and frequently observed on flowers, where they feed on pollen and nectar. The species is distributed across North America and is particularly associated with open habitats where its host flowers grow. Like other members of the subfamily Lepturinae, it exhibits elongated antennae and a slender body form adapted for floral visitation.
Uraniidae
Swallowtail Moths, Sunset Moths
Uraniidae is a family of moths in the order Lepidoptera, comprising approximately 700 species across 90 genera and four subfamilies. The family exhibits striking diversity in appearance and behavior: diurnal species are often brightly colored with iridescent scales and tail-like hindwing extensions, while nocturnal species are typically small and pale. Uraniidae are distributed throughout tropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Indo-Australia. The family is closely related to Geometridae but distinguished by unique wing venation patterns. Some species, notably in the genus Chrysiridia, are known as 'sunset moths' and are apparently toxic, with aposematic coloration serving as predator warnings.