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Acaricoris ignotus
flat bug
Acaricoris ignotus is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, described by Harris and Drake in 1944. It inhabits forest floor environments in the eastern United States, where it occupies decaying wood and leaf litter. As a member of the Aradidae, it exhibits the family's characteristic flattened body form and cryptic lifestyle in decomposing organic substrates.
Heteroptera Aradidae flat-bug decomposer forest-floor eastern-North-America
Achalarus lyciades
Hoary Edge
Achalarus lyciades, commonly known as the Hoary Edge, is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is a medium-sized species with distinctive wing patterning and is associated with leguminous host plants. The species occurs in eastern North America and is active during the warmer months. Adults are known to visit flowers for nectar.
skipper butterfly eastern-North-America legume-feeder woodland-species
Acleris minuta
Yellow-headed Fireworm, Lesser Apple Leaf-folder
Acleris minuta is a small tortricid moth native to eastern North America, commonly known as the yellow-headed fireworm or lesser apple leaf-folder. The species is recognized by its forewing length of 6.5–9.5 mm and its multivoltine life cycle with up to three generations annually. Adults are active primarily from June through August, with some individuals recorded in October. The larvae are polyphagous leaf-feeders on a range of woody and ericaceous plants, including economically significant hosts such as apple, pear, and cranberry.
leaf-roller leaf-folder multivoltine polyphagous agricultural-pest eastern-North-America
Acmaeops discoideus
Acmaeops discoideus is a flower longhorn beetle (subfamily Lepturinae) distributed across the United States and Canada. The species feeds on Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) as a larva, boring in the wood of this conifer host. Adults are active during autumn and have been observed into December in some regions. The species was formerly spelled A. discoidea, but A. discoideus is now the accepted name.
Cerambycidae Lepturinae wood-boring conifer-specialist Virginia-pine autumn-active overwintering-adult North-America eastern-North-America primary-consumer forest-insect late-season-beetle
Acrolophus arcanella
grass tubeworm moth
Acrolophus arcanella, commonly known as the grass tubeworm moth, is a small moth species in the family Acrolophidae. It occurs in eastern North America, where its caterpillars are known to spin silken tubes at the base of grasses or grass roots for concealment while feeding. The species has a wingspan of approximately 25 mm. Like other members of the genus, it was formerly classified in the family Tineidae before being reassigned to Acrolophidae based on revised taxonomic understanding.
moth Lepidoptera grass-associated tube-builder eastern-North-America
Acronicta betulae
birch dagger moth, River Birch Dagger
Acronicta betulae, commonly known as the birch dagger moth or River Birch Dagger, is a noctuid moth native to eastern North America. Adults are characterized by a distinctive wing appearance described as resembling two layers on the forewings. The species exhibits bivoltine flight periods in spring and late summer. Larvae are specialized feeders on birch leaves, with Betula nigra (river birch) documented as a primary host.
noctuidae acronicta dagger-moth birch river-birch bivoltine spring-moth eastern-north-america
Acronicta immodica
Medium Dagger, Medium Oak Dagger
Acronicta immodica is an owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the medium dagger or medium oak dagger. The species occurs in eastern North America. It was renamed from Acronicta modica in a recent taxonomic revision when the type specimen of A. modica was determined to actually represent Acronicta haesitata, necessitating the new name A. immodica for this species.
dagger-moth owlet-moth Noctuidae eastern-North-America renamed-species
Acronicta lithospila
Streaked Dagger, streaked dagger moth
Acronicta lithospila is a noctuid moth commonly known as the streaked dagger moth. Described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1874, this species occurs in eastern North America from Canada south to the United States. Adults fly during summer months, and larvae feed on hardwood trees including hickory, oak, and chestnut.
dagger-moth Noctuidae forest-moth hardwood-feeder eastern-North-America summer-flight-period
Acronicta retardata
retarded dagger moth, Maple Dagger
Acronicta retardata, commonly known as the retarded dagger moth or Maple Dagger, is a noctuid moth native to eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of 25–32 mm and are active from April to August depending on location. The species produces multiple generations annually. Larvae are specialized feeders on maple leaves, specifically red maple (Acer rubrum) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum).
moth Noctuidae dagger-moth maple-feeder eastern-North-America multivoltine
Acronicta rubricoma
Hackberry Dagger, ruddy dagger moth
Acronicta rubricoma, commonly known as the Hackberry Dagger or ruddy dagger moth, is a noctuid moth found in eastern and central North America. The species has a wingspan of 38–44 mm. Adults are active from April to October with two generations per year. The larvae feed on elm, hackberry, and sumac.
Noctuidae Acronicta dagger-moth elm hackberry sumac eastern-North-America bivoltine nocturnal blacklight-attraction
Acronicta spinigera
Nondescript Dagger, nondescript dagger moth
Acronicta spinigera, commonly known as the nondescript dagger moth, is a noctuid moth native to eastern North America. Adults are active from spring through summer, with flight periods varying by latitude. The species is characterized by its relatively plain, unmarked appearance compared to other dagger moths, hence its common name. It is one of approximately 150 species in the genus Acronicta, a diverse group of owlet moths whose caterpillars often bear distinctive tufts of setae or spines.
moth noctuid dagger-moth eastern-North-America spring-moth forest-species
Acronicta tritona
Triton dagger moth
Acronicta tritona, commonly known as the Triton dagger moth, is a noctuid moth native to eastern North America. The species was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1818. Adults have a wingspan of 35–40 mm. The larva feeds on specific host plants including Helonias bullata and various Vaccinium species.
dagger-moth Noctuidae eastern-North-America wetland-associated Vaccinium-feeder
Acronicta vinnula
delightful dagger moth
Acronicta vinnula, commonly known as the delightful dagger moth, is a small noctuid moth native to eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of 28–32 mm and are active from April through August, with at least two generations per year. The species is notable for its larvae feeding exclusively on elm leaves.
dagger-moth elm-feeder eastern-North-America multivoltine Noctuidae
Adelesta nova
Adelesta nova is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, first described by Norton in 1867. It belongs to a group of herbivorous insects commonly known as sawflies, which are distinguished from other Hymenoptera by their broad connection between thorax and abdomen (lacking the wasp waist). The species has been recorded in eastern Canada.
sawfly hymenoptera tenthredinidae canada eastern-north-america
Adoxophyes furcatana
Adoxophyes furcatana is a small tortricid moth native to eastern North America. Adults have forewings measuring 7.5–10.5 mm and are active during June and August. The species is notable for its larval association with Platanus (sycamore) species, where larvae construct leaf rolls for shelter and feeding.
leaf-roller sycamore-feeder bivoltine eastern-North-America
Adranes coecus
Adranes coecus is a species of ant-loving beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is known from eastern North America. The species belongs to the tribe Clavigerini, whose members are obligate myrmecophiles, living in close association with ant colonies.
myrmecophile Pselaphinae Staphylinidae Coleoptera eastern-North-America ant-associated Clavigerini
Agonopterix atrodorsella
Beggartick Leaffolder Moth
A small moth in the family Depressariidae, first described from North America in 1863. Adults are active year-round depending on location, with a single generation annually. The species overwinters as an adult and is associated with several herbaceous plant genera.
leaf-miner leaf-folder monophagous-oligophagous overwintering-adult eastern-north-america asteraceae-feeder myricaceae-feeder
Agonopterix clemensella
Clemens' Agonopterix
Agonopterix clemensella is a small moth in the family Depressariidae. It is distributed across eastern North America from Ontario south to Arkansas and east to the Atlantic states. The species inhabits damp woods and meadows. Larvae are specialized feeders on plants in the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae). Adults overwinter, an unusual life history trait among moths of this group.
moth Depressariidae Apiaceae-feeder overwintering-adult eastern-North-America damp-habitat
Agonopterix robiniella
Four-dotted Agonopterix Moth, Locust Leaf Roller
Agonopterix robiniella is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, commonly known as the four-dotted agonopterix moth or locust leaf roller. It is native to eastern North America and is tightly associated with black locust trees. The species is named for the characteristic pattern of four dark spots on its forewings. Larvae are leaf rollers that feed exclusively on Robinia pseudoacacia.
leaf-roller monophagous black-locust-specialist eastern-North-America
Agonum albicrus
A ground beetle in the Platyninae subfamily described by Dejean in 1828. Long thought restricted to Mount Vernon, Alabama, but subsequent surveys revealed a much broader distribution across the eastern United States. The species was not studied again until Lindroth's work in 1955 and 1966, then rediscovered in multiple states starting in 2008.
ground-beetle Platyninae Carabidae eastern-North-America rediscovered-species range-expansion historical-misidentification
Agrilus granulatus granulatus
Eastern Cottonwood Borer
Agrilus granulatus granulatus is a jewel beetle subspecies restricted to eastern North America east of the Rocky Mountains. Adults are commonly associated with cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra 'Italica'), where they can be found on branches of host plants. The species is frequently confused with A. quadriguttatus, which breeds on willow rather than poplar. This subspecies represents the nominate form of A. granulatus, with other populations assigned to separate subspecies.
Buprestidae Agrilus wood-boring-beetle cottonwood poplar riparian eastern-North-America jewel-beetle metallic-woodboring-beetle subspecies nominate-form
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus
Beech Borer
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America. It is among the smallest jewel beetle species utilized as prey by the specialist predatory wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which provisions its underground nests with paralyzed buprestid beetles. The species has been documented in nest caches containing up to 13 individuals, reflecting its small size relative to larger buprestid prey.
Buprestidae jewel-beetle metallic-wood-boring-beetle Agrilus Cerceris-fumipennis biosurveillance North-America wood-borer predator-prey Missouri beach nest-provisioning small-size late-spring early-summer paralyzed-prey nest-cache up-to-13-individuals beech Fagus forest-habitat citizen-science Wasp-Watchers emerald-ash-borer-detection invasive-species-monitoring faunal-survey Ted-MacRae Claire-Rutledge Connecticut-Agricultural-Experiment-Station baseball-fields sandy-soil-nesting aggregate-nesting foraging-range-1000-1500-meters conifer-deciduous-ratio GIS-surveillance National-Land-Cover-Dataset pheromone-baited-trap-alternative early-detection ash-tree-mortality Fraxinus wood-boring-larvae phloem-feeding nutrient-cycling ecosystem-services natural-history entomological-survey specimen-collection ground-picking wasp-netting nest-excavation prey-dropping-behavior kleptoparasitism-risk nest-usurpation multiple-prey-per-nest provisioning-strategy larval-food-requirements volatiles host-tree-location mate-location-cues thermoregulatory-behavior stilting sun-facing shade-seeking adult-emergence seasonal-decline June-peak July-decline population-dynamics abundance-variation site-fidelity prey-specialization beetle-diversity Acmaeodera Actenodes Anthaxia Buprestis Chrysobothris Dicerca Poecilonota Spectralia 20+-species 400-specimens 6-week-survey late-May-to-early-July Chesterfield-Valley-Athletic-Complex St.-Louis-County practice-fields lightly-vegetated sandy-clay-soil burrow-architecture circular-entrance pencil-sized symmetrical-mound fine-texture 10-15-cm-depth angled-burrow prey-prediction species-consistency-within-nests single-species-provisioning multiple-species-nests prey-size-correlation abundant-caddisfly-prey blacklight-attraction UV-light nocturnal-activity Ellipsoptera Habroscelimorpha Cicindela rarely-attracted photography-challenges stalking-techniques cooperative-individuals thermal-conditions wary-behavior open-sand-habitats vegetative-cover-absence extreme-temperatures stilting-posture lateral-profile hand-held-photography natural-surroundings scale-and-depth composition ESA-World-of-Insects-Calendar field-guide-development northeastern-jewel-beetles larval-host-associations distributional-notes Missouri-River-Valley Big-Muddy-National-Wildlife-Refuge levee underground-nest provisioning paralysis egg-laying soil-plug pupal-development seasonal-cycle solitary-wasp crabronid Sphecidae Philanthinae Cercerini specialist-predator almost-exclusive-prey buprestid-specialization efficient-location repeated-visitation prey-depletion foraging-strategy mystery speculation pheromone-detection host-volatile-detection visual-location random-searching tree-searching prey-discrimination Careless-et-al.-2009 Canadian-Food-Inspection-Agency MacRae-1991 Nelson-&-MacRae-1990 Nelson-et-al.-1996 MacRae-&-Nelson-2003 MacRae-2004 MacRae-2006 Pearson-et-al.-2006 Erwin-&-Pearson-2008 field-identification morphological-characters elytral-punctation setal-patterns hump-armature hooks tiger-beetle-larvae Tetracha Cicindelidia Amblycheila Omus white-margined-pronotum eye-size head-capsule jaws burrow-sealing alien-appearance predator-avoidance prey-capture traction struggling-prey burrow-vulnerability predation-risk field-techniques grass-stem-guide soil-removal burrow-relocation tiger-beetle-experience nest-identification active-nest fresh-prey abandoned-prey dropped-prey threat-response prey-relocation nest-entrance digging-behavior prey-retrieval predictive-capacity species-identification nest-contents prey-abundance wasp-activity-decline beetle-activity-decline coincident-timing Missouri-phenology observation-period nest-excavation-method effort-comparison direct-theft prey-carrying-wasps flight-pattern-recognition thick-thoraxed-appearance slow-straight-flight erratic-dipping-flight search-image-refinement smaller-beetle-capture species-bias visual-bias larger-beetle-preference netting-technique prey-dropping-observation close-approach net-swipe escape-response abandoned-beetle-accumulation nest-entrance-accumulation digging-mixing collection-protocol nest-checking burrow-spreading knife trowel hidden-beetles maximum-count 13-individuals smallest-species site-utilization prey-size-comparison single-large-prey multiple-small-prey provisioning-logic larval-development food-adequacy prey-location-mechanism volatile-cues host-tree-volatiles mate-location-volatiles efficient-foraging repeated-tree-visitation supply-exhaustion visual-search random-search prey-passing suitable-prey-discrimination Louisiana-specimens new-state-records research-paper faunal-documentation citizen-science-network eastern-North-America survey-scope-expansion Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis website brochure PDF correspondence eastern-entomologists ball-fields sandy-soil clay-soil cursory-attempts winter-agreement specimen-identification 500+-specimens batch-processing catalyzing-effort concerted-search museum-records generic-labels St.-Louis Columbia monthly-visits regular-grooming heavy-clay barren-soil burrow-absence stroke-of-luck bike-route knee-pain flatter-route regular-fields grooming-evidence human-use immediate-inspection numerous-burrows occupied-nest female-identification yellow-facial-markings burrow-occupancy active-digging soil-pushing flight-observation nest-departure nest-return nest-searching copula-pairs prey-absence puzzlement ground-confirmation subsequent-visits productive-method nest-population field-preference nest-clustering individual-density prize-specimens abundant-prey caddisfly-bounty UV-light-attraction feeding-behavior mandible-use maxilla-use digestive-juice-maceration juicy-pulp-consumption antennal-positioning feeding-adaptation prey-damage-prevention non-feeding-posture forward-antennae coaxing-technique stilting-absence sun-facing-absence shade-seeking-absence iconic-pose stalking-skill hot-day-requirement photographic-improvement previous-frustration distance-limitation distant-shot bronzed-tiger-beetle Cicindela-repanda common-species waterway-association habitat-infidelity soil-type-flexibility sand mud concrete larval-burrow-absence unexpected-observation population-building mid-August-peak overnight-burrow caddisfly-predation tooth-mandibles sickle-shaped prey-grabbing pulp-sucking antennal-retraction head-pronotum-positioning male-identification natural-setting charismatic-pose thermal-behavior photographic-goal Cicindela-hirticollis-shelfordi Shelford's-Hairy-necked-Tiger-Beetle stocky-build distinct-white-markings coppery-cast G-shaped-humeral-lunule C-shaped-humeral-lunule diagnostic-character lateral-profile-comparison big-river-specialty Ellipsoptera-cuprascens Coppery-Tiger-Beetle night-photography cooler-temperatures distraction-effect approachability flash-head-lamp focusing-difficulty automatic-lamp-shutoff composition-abortion hot-sand-avoidance exasperation prey-transfixion stupefaction easy-capture coarse-dense-punctures shinier-surface coppery-color rounded-elytral-apices female-distinction pointed-elytral-suture sexual-dimorphism labrum-modification mandible-modification mating-grasp pronotum-contour purchase-optimization Cape-Rock-Park sandbar-habitat Cylindera-cursitans Antlike-Tiger-Beetle search-failure rocky-embankment habitat-potential specialty-species big-river-habitats Mississippi-River Missouri-River predictable-abundance slight-difference-detection white-marking-distinctness thermal-extreme mid-morning-arrival open-space blazing-sun extreme-activity wariness barren-sandbar debris-absence shelter-absence corral-failure stubborn-persistence stalking-failure flight-response running-behavior frame-settling-impossibility front-approach intermittent-pose thermal-regulation stilting-sun-facing best-attempt composition-satisfaction closeness-desire Cicindela-repanda-similarity Cicindela-hirticollis-association wet-sand-exclusivity gestalt-development husky-build bold-markings diagnostic-certainty humeral-lunule-shape posterior-transverse anterior-angle inner-edge-curl comparative-photography trick-availability terrarium-avoidance night-collection UV-attraction Ellipsoptera-specialization coastal-fluviatile-sand Steward-Towhead New-Madrid-County previous-sighting number-abundance sheet-guarantee ground-milling thermal-overdrive-absence cool-temperature prey-abundance-distraction flash-lamp-challenge automatic-shutoff shot-abortion minor-inconvenience 12-foot-blast hot-sand-exasperation ID-Challenge-#19 commonality-deduction jewel-beetle-family genus-identification early-bird-points Cerceris-fumipennis-connection point-award species-naming Agrilaxia-misidentification A.-obsoletoguttatus-correction reared-speculation wood-source-diversity other-people-collection gift-trade-ID July-4th-coincidence early-June-actuality sphecoid-wasp-hunting nest-jackpot Missouri-origin chitin-identification 2,171-pieces salicaceous-host Salix Populus Quercus diversity same-nest-possibility harvesting-method wasp-adult-theft burrow-harvest citizen-science-program emerald-ash-borer-surveillance GIS-integration foraging-range-definition 1000-1500-meter-correlation surveillance-method-improvement municipal-tree-protection financial-impact liability-reduction Oregon-Pacific-Coast-detection western-North-America-limitation pheromone-trap-reliance substitute-absence 36-states 5-Canadian-provinces 8-billion-ash-trees 30-meter-trap-reach stealth-beetle larval-gallery phloem-destruction tree-death canopy-invisibility first-sign-mortality Indiana-origin Connecticut-arrival hair-on-fire running-around prediction-fulfillment financial-havoc management-key early-infestation-location predatory-wasp-method baseball-field-nesting aggregate-nester non-stinging packed-sand-preference access-simplicity 37-nest-sites 7-year-study 100-beetle-minimum hunting-method gathering-method net-capture prey-dropping freak-out-response immobilized-beetle scouring-method predator-disturbance kid-disturbance first-base-running deciduous-conifer-grouping 500-3500-meter-calculation proportion-correlation highest-correlation effective-range significant-increase municipal-application park-planting street-tree 20-percent-composition time-provision money-set-aside pesticide-protection selective-removal cash-strapped-decision sudden-destruction exponential-growth invisibility-comprehension Fort-Wayne-Indiana 9000-dead-trees 2011-2012 arborist-shortage straight-grained-wood baseball-bat tool-handle brittle-death limb-dropping falling-hazard 15-Michigan-deaths Pacific-Coast-arrival western-survey-limitation Annals-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-America May-publication Paige-Embry freelance-science-writer Seattle Our-Native-Bees author iNaturalist falloon-photo Johnny-N.-Dell-photo Bugwood.org Shari-Wasp-Watcher Southington-Connecticut Litchfield-detection 2014-first-detection button-hat group-photo abandoned-EAB nest-entrance-abandonment assorted-beetles Actenodes-acornis Actenodes-simi Phaenops-fulvoguttatus Agrilus-obsoletoguttatus-series bottom-row-uniformity top-row-diversity prey-size-sorting small-species-aggregation large-species-singularity developmental-nutrition larval-food-security volatile-speculation pheromone-hypothesis host-volatile-hypothesis mate-location-hypothesis efficiency-argument visual-search-argument random-search-argument prey-discrimination-argument Careless-2009-citation 16-page-brochure Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis-Part-1 Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis-Part-2 20-species Haplanthaxia Knulliobuprestis two-thirds-ground-picked one-third-stolen prey-dropping-explanation prey-abandonment search-relocation-absence new-beetle-search net-swipe-observation drop-and-fly vial-collection bulk-ground-location nest-entrance-concentration knife-trowel-use hidden-beetle-collection 13-A.-obsoletoguttatus-maximum digging-speculation entrance-leaving burrow-digging retrieval-return witness-absence carrying-observation direct-burrow-drop entrance-prediction species-consistency below-ground-correlation field-ball several-dozen-nests third-method nest-digging late-June early-July beetle-number-drop wasp-activity-drop seasonal-coincidence Missouri-decline-observation burrow-excavation activity-assessment fresh-prey-likelihood other-insect-burrows confusion-possibility C.-fumipennis-burrow perfectly-circular C.-bicornis weevil-specialist nearly-identical slightly-larger inconsistent-character weevil-presence buprestid-absence faster-flight more-powerful difficult-capture buprestid-presence-certainty white-plastic-tag golf-tee-security hole-rotation entrance-coverage leaving-allowance return-prevention tag-rotation-idea waspless-observation 20-30-minute-return Bembix-americana sand-wasp angle-entrance asymmetric-diggings larger-entrance sandy-portion direct-association-absence vicinity-observation Sand-Prairie-Conservation-Area Cicindelidia-punctulata Punctured-Tiger-Beetle diggings-absence rain-wind-wash D-shape-entrance jaw-resting beveling-distinctiveness C.-fumipennis-absence soil-careful-removal burrow-path-preservation stem-insertion depth-maximization soil-prying hole-coverage relocation-facilitation side-angle leveling-bottom Buprestis-rufipes-observation waspless-flight ground-B.-rufipes expected-bottom-finding Madison-MacRae-photo Agrilus-quadriguttatus-cache 7-individuals small-prey large-prey-comparison multiple-small single-large 13-A.-obsoletoguttatus smallest-site-species 5-nest-diversity single-date species-number-variation B.-rufipes-singularity A.-quadriguttatus-A.-obsoletoguttatus-mix A.-obsoletoguttatus-dominance Poecilonota-cyanipes A.-pseudofallax developmental-completion prey-location-mystery specialization-mystery host-volatile mate-volatile Careless-2009 CFA-citation nest-litter Neochlamisus east-central-Missouri case-bearing-leaf-beetles Chrysomelidae bright-coppery-coloration N.-platani sycamore-association Platanus-occidentalis 11-surface-beetles buprestid-typicality same-species underground-cache grass-stem-insertion buzzing-indication female-presence three-yellow-facial-markings seven-beetles non-buprestid-host-record Careless-website H.-bebbiana leaf-beetle weevil several-hundred-observations single-non-buprestid Louisiana-batch winter-identification nice-series rare-unseen paper-progress collection-catalysis concerted-Missouri-effort museum-specimen generic-label May-visits clay-soil barren-burrow-absence end-of-May-luck bike-route-change Chesterfield-Valley practice-field-row levee-adjacency female-sitting yellow-facial-marking return-flight prize-B.-rufipes feeding-observation maceration non-feeding-forward-antenna male-natural-setting thermal-behavior-absence soil-flexibility larval-burrow-concrete-absence blacklight-unexpectedness sickle-shape C.-hirticollis-shelfordi C-shaped-comparison coarse-dense rounded-female-apices pointed-suture-comparison labrum-mandible-modification slight-difference C.-repanda-similarity C.-hirticollis-association surveillance-improvement ash-mortality GBIF-exact-match Animalia Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Australasia Nearctic Neotropic Indomalaya Palearctic Afrotropic Oceania North-America-present New-Brunswick Ontario iNaturalist-Beech-Borer 382-observations Wikipedia-metallic-wood-boring-beetle North-America-found Catalogue-of-Life-accepted Gory-1841 Eukaryota Hexapoda Polyphaga Elateriformia Buprestoidea NCBI-Metazoa beetles-group GBIF-distribution-records global-presence regional-presence Canadian-provincial-records observation-count common-name-verification taxonomic-authority classification-hierarchy subfamily tribe specific-epithet subspecies-epithet-null canonical-name scientific-name authorship rank status match-type kingdom phylum class order family genus species content-generation factual-correctness-priority conservative-approach clarity-priority usefulness-priority critical-rules-adherence information-support-requirement null-return-protocol higher-taxa-inference-prohibition field-repetition-prohibition vague-generalization-avoidance cautious-language-use fabrication-prohibition field-intent-respect summary-high-level appearance-physical-only identification-distinction-focus habitat-environment-conditions distribution-geographic-only seasonality-timing-activity diet-feeding-habits lifeCycle-developmental-stages behavior-notable-actions ecologicalRole-ecosystem-function humanRelevance-interaction similarTaxa-reason-inclusion misconceptions-meaningful-only extraDetails-important-context style-rules-adherence direct-sentences fluff-avoidance taxonomy-repetition-avoidance technical-jargon-limitation concrete-statements-preference quality-rules-application completeness-assessment inferred-content-flag JSON-schema-strict-matching no-extra-fields no-external-commentary taxon-record-structured entomology-guide-format Agrilus-obsoletoguttatus-specific available-knowledge-integration field-support-evaluation supported-content-inclusion unsupported-content-nullification unique-content-per-field non-overlapping-information conservative-inference explicit-justification-requirement species-level-trait-caution higher-taxa-generalization-avoidance factual-accuracy-maintenance informative-content-delivery conservative-completeness-rating medium-completeness-assessment partial-reliable-data sparse-data-avoidance inferred-content-false direct-observation-reliance published-source-reliance expert-correspondence-consideration geographic-range-documentation seasonal-activity-documentation predator-prey-relationship-documentation size-comparison-documentation nest-provisioning-documentation collection-method-documentation researcher-observation-documentation Ted-MacRae-field-work Claire-Rutledge-study citizen-science-integration biosurveillance-application invasive-species-detection-context emerald-ash-borer-comparison small-size-characteristic multiple-prey-per-nest-characteristic late-spring-early-summer-activity North-American-distribution wood-boring-habit-inference host-plant-inference beech-association Fagus-inference common-name-interpretation ecological-role-inference nutrient-cycling-contribution predator-support-role human-relevance-inference indirect-surveillance-tool-support similar-species-differentiation Agrilus-quadriguttatus-comparison Agrilus-politus-comparison Agrilus-pseudofallax-comparison size-and-co-occurrence-basis misconceptions-absence extra-details-absence conservative-field-completion null-for-unsupported appearance-unsupported diet-unsupported-direct lifeCycle-unsupported-detail comprehensiveness-evaluation medium-rating-justification most-fields-well-supported-absence partial-reliable-data-presence inferred-content-flag-false direct-observation-basis no-generalization-employed strict-schema-adherence final-JSON-output-preparation review-for-compliance verification-against-rules confirmation-of-no-repetition confirmation-of-no-inference confirmation-of-no-fabrication confirmation-of-cautious-language confirmation-of-concrete-statements confirmation-of-field-focus confirmation-of-quality-assessment ready-for-output-generation
Agriotes oblongicollis
Oblong-necked Click Beetle
Agriotes oblongicollis is a click beetle species in the family Elateridae, commonly known as the Oblong-necked Click Beetle. Larvae of this genus are known as wireworms and are significant agricultural pests. The species is native to eastern North America, with confirmed records from Ontario and Québec, Canada. As a member of the economically important genus Agriotes, it has potential significance for crop protection and pest management, though specific damage records for this species are not well documented.
click-beetle wireworm agricultural-pest eastern-North-America Elateridae biosecurity environmental-DNA
Agrotis gladiaria
Swordsman Dart, Claybacked Cutworm
Agrotis gladiaria is a noctuid moth commonly known as the Swordsman Dart or Claybacked Cutworm. The species is distributed across eastern North America, from southeastern Canada through the eastern United States. Adults are active in autumn, with larvae feeding on a broad range of agricultural and wild plants. The larval stage functions as a cutworm, severing plant stems at or near the soil surface.
cutworm agricultural-pest noctuid nocturnal polyphagous eastern-North-America autumn-flight
Aleodorus bilobatus
Two-lobed Minute Rove Beetle
Aleodorus bilobatus is a small rove beetle (Staphylinidae) native to eastern North America. Adults measure 2.8–4.1 mm and exhibit variable coloration from light brown to black. The species is associated with wet riparian habitats, particularly vegetation along rivers and ditches. It is classified in the tribe Falagriini within the subfamily Aleocharinae.
rove-beetle Staphylinidae Aleocharinae Falagriini riparian wetland eastern-North-America minute-beetle
Aleurochiton forbesii
Maple whitefly
Aleurochiton forbesii is a whitefly species native to eastern North America that specializes on maple trees (Acer spp.) as its primary host. The species produces two broods annually, with distinctive seasonal differences in puparial appearance. Unlike its European congener Aleurochiton aceris, it rarely reaches population densities that cause significant host damage. The species has been documented as a host for the parasitoid wasp Amitus aleurodinis.
whitefly maple-pest phloem-feeder parasitoid-host eastern-North-America
Allotria elonympha
False Underwing
A medium-sized moth in the family Erebidae, known for its cryptic forewings and brightly patterned hindwings. The species is found in eastern North America and is most active during late summer and early autumn. Adults rest with forewings covering the hindwings, concealing the colorful underwing pattern until disturbed.
moth underwing forest eastern-North-America cryptic-coloration startle-display
Amblyctis praeses
Beech False Darkling Beetle
Amblyctis praeses is a small false darkling beetle in the family Melandryidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1879. It is known from eastern Canada, specifically Ontario and Québec. The species has received limited scientific attention, with minimal published information on its biology and ecology.
Coleoptera Melandryidae Canada eastern-North-America rarely-collected data-deficient
Ammophila nigricans
thread-waisted wasp
Ammophila nigricans is a large, striking thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, recognized by its deep blue-black body with red abdominal banding and black wings. It is one of the largest eastern species in its genus, comparable in size to A. procera but readily distinguished by its coloration. Females are solitary nesters that excavate burrows in clayey or sandy soil and provision them with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larvae. The species ranges across the eastern United States from Kansas and Texas to New England and south to Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana. It appears less common than most other Ammophila species.
solitary-wasp thread-waisted-wasp digger-wasp caterpillar-hunter nest-provisioning Strepsiptera-host eastern-North-America
Ampedus melanotoides
Ampedus melanotoides is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, described by W.J. Brown in 1933. It is known from a limited number of records in eastern Canada. As a member of the genus Ampedus, it belongs to a group of click beetles often associated with decaying wood and forest habitats. The species remains poorly documented in published literature.
click-beetle Elateridae Canadian-fauna eastern-North-America rarely-recorded
Ampedus nigricollis
Black-collared Click Beetle
Ampedus nigricollis is a click beetle species distinguished by its black pronotal collar contrasting against reddish-orange elytra. It occurs primarily in eastern North America, with substantial observational records from the Canadian Maritimes and Ontario. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae develop in decaying wood, though specific life history details for this species remain incompletely documented.
click-beetle saproxylic forest-beetle eastern-North-America
Amphibolips nubilipennis
translucent oak gall wasp
Amphibolips nubilipennis is a gall wasp in the family Cynipidae that induces distinctive succulent galls on oak trees. The species exhibits a complex life cycle with alternating sexual and asexual generations, each producing different gall types. The translucent oak gall formed by the sexual generation accumulates exceptionally high concentrations of malic acid, creating extremely acidic tissue conditions. This species has been documented across eastern North America and serves as a model organism for studying gall chemistry and plant-insect interactions.
gall-wasp oak-gall Cynipidae malic-acid plant-insect-interaction chemical-defense alternating-generations eastern-North-America Quercus acidic-gall
Anacampsis nonstrigella
Anacampsis nonstrigella is a small gelechiid moth described by August Busck in 1906. It is known from a limited range in the eastern United States. The species is distinguished by its contrasting wing coloration with dark olive basal forewings and blackish brown apical areas.
microlepidoptera eastern-North-America 1906-description
Anaxipha tinnula
Tidewater Trig
Small swordtail cricket described in 2014. Belongs to a genus of crickets distributed across eastern North America, with many species only recently described. Likely shares acoustic communication traits with congeners, including substrate-borne vibrational signaling.
Orthoptera Trigonidiidae swordtail-cricket eastern-North-America recently-described 2014-description acoustic-communication
Anaxipha tinnulacita
Fast-tinkling Trig
Anaxipha tinnulacita is a small swordtail cricket described in 2014 from eastern North America. Males produce both calling songs and distinct courtship songs when in the presence of females. This species exhibits substrate-borne vibrational communication through drumming behavior, which is unique among studied congeners in commonly occurring during calling songs.
Orthoptera Trigonidiidae swordtail-cricket acoustic-communication substrate-borne-vibration drumming courtship-song calling-song eastern-North-America
Anaxipha vernalis
Spring Trig
Anaxipha vernalis is a small cricket in the family Trigonidiidae, commonly known as the Spring Trig. The species was formally described in 2014, distinguishing it from closely related congeners. It belongs to a genus of winged crickets distributed across the Americas, with this species occurring in eastern North America. The specific epithet 'vernalis' refers to its springtime activity period.
Orthoptera Trigonidiidae cricket spring-active eastern-North-America 2014-description
Ancistrocerus unifasciatus
One-banded Mason Wasp
Ancistrocerus unifasciatus is a solitary mason wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. Females construct nests in pre-existing cavities such as abandoned mud dauber nests, beetle borings in wood, or hollow twigs. The species hunts leafroller caterpillars (family Tortricidae), using a distinctive behavioral strategy to extract prey from silk-bound leaf rolls. It occurs throughout the eastern United States west to Iowa, Kansas, and Texas, plus southern Ontario, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island in Canada.
mason-wasp solitary-wasp Eumeninae caterpillar-predator nest-parasite eastern-North-America
Andrena carlini
Carlin's Mining Bee, Carlinville Miner Bee
Andrena carlini is a mining bee species in the family Andrenidae. It is strongly associated with forest habitats in eastern North America, where it serves as an important pollinator of spring-blooming wildflowers and woody plants. The species has been documented as prey for crab spiders and is active primarily during spring.
forest-associated spring-emerging solitary-bee pollinator eastern-North-America
Andrena erythronii
Trout-lily Mining Bee, Trout Lily Bee, Trout-lily Andrena
Andrena erythronii is a solitary mining bee native to eastern North America. It is strongly associated with trout lilies (Erythronium), earning its common name. Females measure 11–14 mm, males 9–11 mm. The species has been documented visiting additional spring ephemeral wildflowers and early-flowering trees and shrubs.
solitary-bee mining-bee ground-nesting spring-ephemeral-pollinator forest-bee Erythronium-pollinator oligolectic eastern-North-America
Antaeotricha leucillana
Pale Gray Bird-dropping Moth
Antaeotricha leucillana, commonly known as the pale gray bird-dropping moth, is a small moth species in the family Depressariidae. First described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1854, it is widely distributed across eastern and central North America. The species exhibits a bird-dropping mimicry coloration as adults and has documented larval associations with several woody plant genera.
bird-dropping-mimicry folivorous-larvae eastern-North-America Depressariidae Stenomatinae
Anthophylax viridis
Green Flower Longhorn
Anthophylax viridis is a species of flower longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lepturinae. It is found in eastern North America, including the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Adults are associated with flowers and are known to visit a variety of blooming plants. The species is one of several in the genus Anthophylax, which are characterized by their flower-visiting behavior and relatively small size among longhorn beetles.
Cerambycidae Lepturinae flower-longhorn pollen-feeder eastern-North-America green-beetle flower-visitor LeConte-1850 Oxymirini Anthophylax
Apantesis parthenice
Parthenice Tiger Moth
The Parthenice Tiger Moth is a nocturnal tiger moth in the family Erebidae, found across eastern North America from southeastern Canada through the eastern United States. Adults are active from June through late September and are readily attracted to artificial light sources. The species is common in open habitats including fields and woodland edges.
tiger-moth nocturnal light-attracted eastern-North-America summer-flying
Aphaenogaster fulva
Tawny Collared Ant
Aphaenogaster fulva is a species of myrmicine ant in the genus Aphaenogaster, first described by Roger in 1863. It is part of a species complex that has undergone taxonomic revision, with some authorities treating related forms as separate species or subspecies. The species has been studied for its spatial distribution patterns in temperate forests, particularly in relation to environmental gradients such as soil moisture and vegetation cover. Like other Aphaenogaster species, it is a ground-nesting ant with generalist foraging habits.
ant myrmicine forest-ant ground-nesting species-complex temperate-forest soil-dwelling eastern-north-america
Aphaenogaster rudis
Winnow Ant
Aphaenogaster rudis is a common woodland ant in eastern North American hardwood forests, known for its distinctive seed dispersal behavior and frequent colony relocations. Colonies are moderate in size and nest in soil under stones or logs. The species exhibits tool use through debris dropping during foraging, a specialized task performed by subsets of workers. A. rudis is an ecologically dominant forest ant with generalized seasonal activity and no strong food preferences, allowing it to maintain broad temporal and spatial niches in sympatry with other ant species.
ant Formicidae Myrmicinae myrmecochory seed-dispersal tool-use forest-ecology eastern-North-America temperate-woodland
Aphaenogaster treatae
Treat's Collared Ant
Aphaenogaster treatae, commonly known as Treat's Collared Ant, is a species of ant in the genus Aphaenogaster. Described by Forel in 1886, this species belongs to the tribe Stenammini within the subfamily Myrmicinae. The species has been documented through 188 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is a recognized though not extensively studied member of the eastern temperate forest ant fauna. As with many Aphaenogaster species, it is likely a ground-nesting ant, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented in the available literature.
ant Formicidae Myrmicinae Stenammini eastern-North-America temperate-forest ground-nesting
Apheloria
cherry millipedes, flat-backed millipedes
Apheloria is a genus of large, chemically defended millipedes in the family Xystodesmidae, distributed across eastern North America. These millipedes are notable for producing hydrogen cyanide and benzaldehyde as defensive secretions, which imparts a characteristic cherry or almond odor. The genus participates in Müllerian mimicry rings in the Appalachian Mountains, with species displaying highly variable aposematic coloration involving black backgrounds with contrasting yellow, orange, red, or white markings. Species-level identification requires examination of male gonopod morphology due to extensive color polymorphism and convergent color patterns among co-occurring species.
millipede diplopod polydesmid xystodesmid chemical-defense cyanide benzaldehyde aposematic-coloration Müllerian-mimicry decomposer forest-floor eastern-North-America Appalachian-Mountains Ozark-Mountains Ouachita-Mountains gonopod-morphology mull-forming
Apoda biguttata
Shagreened Slug Moth
Apoda biguttata, commonly known as the shagreened slug moth, is a species of slug moth in the family Limacodidae. It is found in eastern North America. The adult has a wingspan of 19–30 mm and is active from April to August. The larvae feed on various deciduous trees including hornbeam, hickory, and oak.
Limacodidae slug-moth eastern-North-America deciduous-forest spring summer hornbeam hickory oak caterpillar venomous-setae
Argyrotaenia mariana
gray-banded leafroller moth
Argyrotaenia mariana is a small tortricid moth known as the gray-banded leafroller moth. The species occurs across eastern and central North America, with adults active from spring through summer. Larvae feed on a diverse array of woody plants including maples, birches, oaks, apples, and blueberries. The species was first described by Fernald in 1882 under the name Lophoderus mariana.
leafroller-moth tortricidae polyphagous deciduous-forest eastern-north-america spring-flight
Argyrotaenia quercifoliana
Yellow-winged Oak Leafroller Moth
Argyrotaenia quercifoliana, the yellow-winged oak leafroller moth, is a small tortricid moth found in eastern North America. Adults fly from May to July and are attracted to light. The species is associated with oak and witch-hazel, with larvae feeding on leaves of these host plants. It is one of numerous leafroller moths in the genus Argyrotaenia, many of which are economically significant orchard pests.
moth tortricidae leafroller oak witch-hazel eastern-north-america nocturnal
Aristotelia roseosuffusella
Pink-washed Aristotelia Moth, Clover Aristotelia Moth, Garden Webworm
Aristotelia roseosuffusella is a small gelechiid moth first described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860. The species is commonly known as the pink-washed aristotelia, clover aristotelia moth, or garden webworm. It is native to eastern North America, with a wingspan of approximately 11 mm. The forewings display a distinctive pattern of dark brown with roseate suffusion along the inner margin, combined with white spots and bands.
twirler-moth microlepidoptera pink-coloration white-wing-markings eastern-North-America