Eastern-north-america
Guides
Tipula sackeniana
Tipula sackeniana is a crane fly species in the family Tipulidae, described by Charles Paul Alexander in 1918. It belongs to the large genus Tipula, which contains hundreds of species worldwide. The species is known from the eastern United States, with records spanning from New York and Connecticut south to Tennessee and Georgia. Like other crane flies, adults are characterized by their elongated legs and slender bodies, though specific distinguishing features for this species require close examination.
Toxorhina magna
Toxorhina magna is a species of limoniid crane fly found in eastern North America. Adults are characterized by yellowish-brown coloration, which distinguishes them from the grayish congener Toxorhina muliebris. The species has been documented from the Atlantic coast west to Michigan and south to Florida. Like other crane flies, it belongs to a group of delicate, long-legged flies whose larvae typically develop in moist soil or decaying organic matter.
Trachelas tranquillus
Broad-faced Sac Spider, Ground Sac Spider
Trachelas tranquillus, commonly known as the broad-faced sac spider, is a hunting spider native to eastern North America. This species is frequently encountered indoors during autumn when males wander in search of mates. It does not construct webs for prey capture but instead hunts actively at night, often around porch lights where insects congregate. Once considered mildly venomous to humans, it is now classified as harmless, though rare bites can cause localized pain and swelling.
Tramea carolina
Carolina Saddlebags
Tramea carolina, commonly known as the Carolina saddlebags, is a dragonfly species native to eastern North America. Adults are recognized by their distinctive wing markings and colored abdominal segments. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in coloration, with males displaying brighter red tones. It occupies a range of aquatic habitats and has been observed year-round in southern portions of its range.
Trichapion nigrum
Trichapion nigrum is a species of straight-snouted weevil in the family Brentidae, first described by Herbst in 1797. It belongs to a genus of small weevils characterized by elongated rostrums. The species has been documented in eastern Canada, with records from New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec. Like other members of Brentidae, it is likely associated with plant material, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Trichonephila clavata
Jorō spider, Joro Spider, Parachute spider
Trichonephila clavata, commonly known as the Jorō spider, is a large orb-weaving spider native to East Asia that has become established as an invasive species in the southeastern United States since approximately 2010. First confirmed in Georgia in 2014, it has expanded rapidly across multiple states through a combination of ballooning dispersal and human-mediated transport. The species is notable for its substantial size, striking coloration, and extensive golden webs, but poses minimal risk to humans due to small fangs and docile behavior. Its physiological adaptations—including higher metabolic rate, faster heart rate, and greater cold tolerance than its congener Trichonephila clavipes—suggest potential for continued northward range expansion.
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legitima
Striped Garden Caterpillar Moth, Striped Garden Caterpillar
Trichordestra legitima is a noctuid moth species first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1864. The species occurs across eastern North America, with records spanning from Newfoundland to Florida and westward to Texas and Saskatchewan. The common name references the larval stage, though specific details of larval morphology and host plant associations remain poorly documented in available sources. Adult moths are attracted to light and have been documented through citizen science observations.
Trioza magnoliae
Red Bay Psyllid
Trioza magnoliae, commonly known as the Red Bay Psyllid, is a gall-forming psyllid native to eastern North America. This species induces characteristic galls on the leaves of native Persea bay trees, particularly red bay (Persea borbonia) and related species. The insect has a wide distribution across the eastern and central United States. While primarily an ecological curiosity due to its gall-forming habit, it has gained attention in relation to the decline of red bay populations caused by the invasive laurel wilt disease, as the psyllid's host trees face significant mortality.
Urgleptes querci
Oak Long-horned Beetle
Urgleptes querci is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, first described by Asa Fitch in 1858. It is a small to medium-sized cerambycid native to eastern North America, where it develops in dead wood of various hardwood trees. The species is highly polyphagous and has been recorded from multiple host plants including oak, pawpaw, and other deciduous trees. Adults are active during the growing season and are likely nocturnal or crepuscular, as is typical for many Lamiinae.
Urola nivalis
Snowy Urola Moth
Urola nivalis, commonly known as the snowy urola moth, is a small crambid moth found across eastern and central North America. Adults are active from May through September, producing two generations annually. The species has a wingspan of 15–23 mm. Larvae feed on grasses and have been recorded as pests of Ligustrum species.
Venusia comptaria
brown-shaded carpet moth
Venusia comptaria is a small geometrid moth found in eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 20 mm. The species inhabits woodland environments across a broad latitudinal range from Florida to Newfoundland. It was first described by Francis Walker in 1860.
Vespula maculifrons
Eastern yellowjacket, Eastern yellow jacket
Vespula maculifrons is a social wasp native to eastern North America, commonly known as the Eastern yellowjacket. It is among the most aggressive stinging insects in its range, known for vigorously defending nests and delivering painful stings with minimal provocation. Colonies are typically founded by a single queen in spring and can grow to contain thousands of workers by late summer. The species is polyandrous, with females mating with multiple males, and exhibits cooperative colony dynamics without significant reproductive conflict among patrilines.
Xanthonia decemnotata
ten-spotted leaf beetle
Xanthonia decemnotata is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the ten-spotted leaf beetle. It is native to eastern North America, with a range extending from the Canadian prairies to the northeastern United States. The species is characterized by its reddish-brown elytra marked with ten black spots. It is one of several species in the genus Xanthonia, which are generally associated with leaf-feeding habits on various plants.
Xestia badicollis
Northern Variable Dart, Northern Conifer Dart, White Pine Cutworm
A noctuid moth native to eastern North America. Adults fly from July to October with one generation per year. The larval stage, known as the white pine cutworm, feeds primarily on eastern white pine and occasionally other conifers. The species belongs to the elimata species group, within which genetic and morphological boundaries remain unresolved.
Xestia elimata
Southern Variable Dart, Variable Climbing Caterpillar
Xestia elimata is a noctuid moth native to eastern North America. Adults are active in autumn with a single generation per year. The species is part of a cryptic complex with X. praevia and X. badicollis, which may represent a single species based on genital and DNA similarities. Larvae feed on hard pines.
Xylocopa virginica virginica
Virginia Carpenter Bee, Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica virginica is a large carpenter bee native to eastern North America. It is facultatively social, forming small colonies with linear dominance hierarchies where one female monopolizes both reproduction and foraging. Females excavate tunnels in wood to create brood galleries, provisioning cells with bee bread (pollen and nectar mixture). Males defend nest-side territories and mate in early spring, then die; females may live two years. The subspecies is distinguished by the nominate form's distribution and morphology.
Xylotrechus colonus
rustic borer, rustic borer beetle
A medium-sized longhorn beetle in the tribe Clytini, known for its distinctive black elytra with variable grey bands and a sinuous yellow mark near the base. The species was described by Fabricius in 1775 and is common in eastern North American woodlands. Larvae are wood-borers in oak sapwood, while adults feed on nectar of composite flowers including goldenrod.
Zale lunifera
bold-based zale, pine barrens zale
Zale lunifera is a nocturnal moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Jacob Hübner in 1818. It is primarily associated with pine barren and scrub oak habitats in eastern North America. The species is notable for its specific larval host relationship with scrub oak species, particularly Quercus ilicifolia. Adults exhibit bivoltine flight periods in spring and mid-summer.
Zale squamularis
Gray-banded Zale Moth, Gray-banded Zale
Zale squamularis, the gray-banded zale moth, is a noctuid moth species first described by Dru Drury in 1773. It occurs in the eastern and southeastern United States, where its larvae feed on pine needles. The species produces two to three generations annually in New Jersey, with adults active from spring through fall.
Zanclognatha lituralis
Lettered Zanclognatha, Lettered Fan-foot
Zanclognatha lituralis is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae, commonly known as the Lettered Zanclognatha or Lettered Fan-foot. It was described by Jacob Hübner in 1818. The species is widespread across eastern North America and is notable for its detritivorous larval diet.