Eastern-united-states
Guides
Metacmaeops
Metacmaeops is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Lepturinae, tribe Rhagiini. The genus is monotypic, containing only Metacmaeops vittata, a species distributed in the eastern United States. Members of this genus are associated with mesic forest habitats and have been documented as flower visitors.
Miktoniscus spinosus
Eastern Mikto
Miktoniscus spinosus is a small terrestrial isopod in the family Trichoniscidae, commonly known as the Eastern Mikto. It belongs to the suborder Oniscidea, which encompasses the familiar woodlice and pill bugs. The species is native to the eastern United States, with documented presence in New England. As a member of the Synocheta, it represents one of the more derived lineages of terrestrial isopods.
Miogryllus saussurei
eastern striped cricket
Miogryllus saussurei, commonly known as the eastern striped cricket, is a cricket species in the family Gryllidae. It is native to the eastern United States. The species was described by Scudder in 1877.
Monocrepidius lividus
Click beetle, Wireworm beetle
Monocrepidius lividus is a click beetle in the family Elateridae, native to Europe and introduced to the eastern United States. It is one of the most frequently observed elaterid species on iNaturalist, with over 5,700 records. The species belongs to a genus that was historically conflated with related click beetle taxa, and its nomenclature has undergone revision.
Morrisonia mucens
Gray Woodgrain Moth, gray woodgrain
Morrisonia mucens, commonly known as the gray woodgrain moth, is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 29 mm. It occurs across the southeastern and eastern United States, from coastal Massachusetts south to Florida and west to Texas. The species has one generation per year.
Myolepta varipes
Orange-banded Pegleg, Orange-banded Spineleg
Myolepta varipes is an uncommon syrphid fly found in the eastern United States. Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen. The species is distinguished by orange banding on the legs. Larvae of the genus develop in rot holes of deciduous trees.
Nearctitychus sternalis
Nearctitychus sternalis is a small rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) described by Raffray in 1904. It belongs to the tribe Tychini, a group of minute beetles often associated with leaf litter and soil habitats. The species is known from the eastern United States.
Neoconocephalus retusus
Round-tipped Conehead
Neoconocephalus retusus, commonly known as the round-tipped conehead, is a species of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. Adults range from 37 to 52 mm in length and are active during late summer and autumn. The species is found in the eastern United States and southern Canada, typically in wet grassy and weedy habitats.
Neotibicen davisi
Davis's Southeastern Dog-day Cicada, Southern Dog-day Cicada, Davis' Southeastern Dog-day Cicada
Neotibicen davisi is an annual cicada species in the family Cicadidae, named in honor of North American cicada specialist William Thompson Davis. The species comprises two recognized subspecies: N. d. davisi and N. d. harnedi. Like other dog-day cicadas, it emerges during mid- to late summer rather than in spring like periodical cicadas.
Neotibicen davisi harnedi
Mississippi Scissor-Grinder
Neotibicen davisi harnedi is a subspecies of annual cicada in the family Cicadidae. It is part of the dog-day cicada group, which emerge during mid- to late summer. The species was originally described as Tibicen davisi var. harnedi by Davis in 1918. Like other Neotibicen species, it spends multiple years underground as a nymph before emerging as an adult.
Onomeris
Onomeris is a genus of pill millipedes endemic to the eastern United States. First described by Orator F. Cook in 1896, the genus was briefly considered the type of its own family Onomeridae before being placed in Glomeridae based on similarities to the European genus Glomeris. The genus contains three recognized species: O. underwoodii, O. sinuata, and O. australora. Onomeris millipedes are notably smaller than other Glomeridae genera, measuring less than 5 mm in length.
Pandeleteius hilaris
Eastern Diamond-necked Weevil
Pandeleteius hilaris is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae, first described by Herbst in 1797. It is native to and distributed across eastern and southeastern North America. The species is commonly known as the Eastern Diamond-necked Weevil. As a member of the broad-nosed weevil group, it possesses the characteristic short, broad rostrum typical of this subfamily. Based on iNaturalist observations, it appears to be relatively well-documented in its native range.
Paraphlepsius dentatus
Paraphlepsius dentatus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. The species was first described by Baker in 1898. It is a member of the genus Paraphlepsius, which belongs to the tribe Pendarini. This leafhopper has been documented as a prey item for the sand wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata, indicating it occupies a position in food webs involving predatory wasps.
Parhelophilus integer
Shiny Bog Fly
Parhelophilus integer, commonly known as the shiny bog fly, is a rare syrphid fly species found in the Eastern United States. Adults are flower-associated, feeding on nectar and pollen. The species exhibits typical hoverfly flight behavior, capable of remaining nearly motionless in flight. Larvae develop in aquatic or semi-aquatic environments with the characteristic long-tailed 'rat-tailed' morphology shared by other members of the genus.
Perimede ricina
Perimede ricina is a small moth described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1962. The species is currently classified in the family Momphidae, though it was historically placed in Cosmopterigidae. It occurs in eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Louisiana to Massachusetts. Adults are active primarily during spring through fall, with some late-season activity in November.
Photuris frontalis
Snappy Single Sync
Photuris frontalis is a firefly species distinguished by its synchronous-flashing behavior, where males coordinate their light displays in unison. It occurs in isolated sub-populations across the Eastern United States, with notable abundance in several State and National Parks where its mating displays attract tourists. The species inhabits diverse environments ranging from cypress wetlands in Florida to semi-xeric pine-oak-hickory woodlands in Delaware. Its common name 'Snappy Single Sync' refers to its characteristic flash pattern.
Photuris hebes
heebie-jeebies, slow-hitch firefly
Photuris hebes is a medium-sized firefly species in the family Lampyridae, native to the eastern United States. Adults measure 10–12 mm and are distinguished by their brown to nearly black elytra with pale margins and variable pronotal coloration. Males signal with quick single flashes repeated approximately every second during summer evenings, with flash rate varying by temperature. The species is one of several in the genus Photuris known for aggressive mimicry of other firefly species.
Phyllecthris dorsalis
Leaf beetle
Phyllecthris dorsalis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It has been recorded from the eastern United States. The species is associated with Fabaceae host plants, specifically Amorpha and Desmodium species.
Phyllocnistis liriodendronella
Tulip Tree Leaf Miner
Phyllocnistis liriodendronella is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the Tulip Tree Leaf Miner. The species is known from the eastern United States, where its larvae create distinctive serpentine mines on the leaves of host plants in the magnolia family. It is one of numerous Phyllocnistis species specialized as leaf miners on woody plants.
Phyllonorycter mildredae
A small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, described in 2001. Adults have forewings 2.4–3 mm in length. The species is likely more widespread than current records indicate, with confirmed reports from Washington D.C., Kentucky, and Ohio. Larvae create blotch mines on leaves of poplars and willows.
Phyllophaga latifrons
May beetle, junebug
Phyllophaga latifrons is a species of scarab beetle in the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or junebugs. The species was originally described by LeConte in 1856 under the name Lachnosterna latifrons. It is found in the eastern and southeastern United States, with records from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Phytocoris erectus
Phytocoris erectus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Van Duzee in 1920. Like other members of the genus Phytocoris, it is typically gray or brown in coloration and primarily associated with plant-feeding habits, though some predation on smaller insects has been observed in related species. The species occurs in the eastern United States.
Pilophorus gracilis
Pilophorus gracilis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Uhler in 1895. It is native to North America and has been documented in the eastern United States, with records from states including Alabama, Colorado, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, and West Virginia. As a member of the genus Pilophorus, it belongs to a group of mirid bugs commonly known as thread bugs or moss bugs, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Pilophorus laetus
Pilophorus laetus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Heidemann in 1892. It belongs to a genus known for ant-mimicking morphology and behavior. The species has been documented in eastern United States including Georgia, Mississippi, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.
Pisaurina dubia
Pisaurina dubia is a nursery web spider in the family Pisauridae, found across the southern two-thirds of the eastern United States. It is smaller than most pisaurids, measuring 12–15 mm in body length, and overwinters as a subadult before maturing in spring. The species is distinguished by a central tuft of hair projecting from between the eyes on the cephalothorax. Females construct nursery webs in vegetation to protect their egg sacs and guard spiderlings until they disperse.
Plagiognathus blatchleyi
Blatchley's mirid
Plagiognathus blatchleyi, commonly known as Blatchley's mirid, is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae. It belongs to the large genus Plagiognathus, which contains numerous mirid species primarily associated with vegetation. The species was described by Reuter in 1912. It is recorded from the eastern United States.
Pleuroloma
Pleurolomas
Pleuroloma is a genus of flat-backed millipedes in the family Xystodesmidae, distinguished by its great age, extensive geographic range, and ecological adaptability. The genus comprises four recognized species, with P. flavipes being the most widespread, ranging from the eastern Atlantic Coast to the central Great Plains. Members exhibit distinctive aggregating and migrating behaviors, particularly P. flavipes, which may contribute to its broad distribution. The genus is unique within Xystodesmidae for these behavioral traits and its ability to colonize diverse habitats.
Polistes annularis
Ringed Paper Wasp, Jack Spaniard Wasp, Red Paper Wasp
Polistes annularis is a primitively eusocial paper wasp native to the eastern United States, distinguished by its large size and distinctive red-and-black coloration with a prominent yellow ring on the abdomen. The species exhibits complex social behavior including cooperative nest founding by multiple foundresses, dominance hierarchies, and unique overwintering strategies involving honey storage. Nests are constructed in aggregations under overhangs near water bodies, with colonies typically containing 500 or more cells. Unlike many temperate Polistes species, P. annularis shows relatively robust cold tolerance and has been extensively studied as a model organism for social insect behavior and kin recognition.
social-wasppaper-waspprimitively-eusocialnest-aggregationoverwinteringhoney-storageMüllerian-mimicryfoundress-associationdominance-hierarchykin-recognitioncold-tolerancemodel-organismcaterpillar-predatorriparian-habitatannual-colony-cyclequeen-successioncuticular-hydrocarbonssubgenus-AphanilopterusPolistinaeVespidaeHymenopteraeastern-United-Statesred-and-black-colorationringed-abdomenorange-antennaecliff-nestinghibernaculausurpationaltruismreproductive-competitionjuvenile-hormoneovarian-developmentmicrosatellite-markersmaternity-assignmentbehavioral-ecologysocial-insectnest-architecturepetiole-constructionfoundress-evictionworker-emergencesexual-dimorphismstructural-sex-determinationtrehalosecold-survivalant-predationparasitoidElasmus-polistisChalcoela-iphitalisbiological-controlpollinatorsting-allergenantigen-5Linnaeus-1763Fabricius-1804etymology-Greek-polistesLatin-annularis-ringedPolyamia interrupta
Polyamia interrupta is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. It was described by DeLong in 1916 and is currently accepted as a valid species. The genus Polyamia belongs to the tribe Deltocephalini, a diverse group of leafhoppers within the superfamily Membracoidea. Distribution records indicate occurrence in the eastern and midwestern United States.
Pseudoxenetus regalis
Eastern Regal Oak Mirid
Pseudoxenetus regalis is a plant bug in the family Miridae, commonly known as the Eastern Regal Oak Mirid. This species belongs to the order Hemiptera, the true bugs, characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts. It has been documented across the eastern and southeastern United States.
Rupela segrega
Rupela segrega is a moth species in the family Crambidae, described by Carl Heinrich in 1937. It is known from a limited range in the eastern United States, with records from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Maryland. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wingspan, with males measuring 26–33 mm and females 28–38 mm. Adults are active during two distinct periods: spring (April–July) and fall (September–October).
Scaphytopius fulvus
Scaphytopius fulvus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. Described by Osborn in 1905, this small true bug belongs to a genus containing numerous North American species. Leafhoppers in this genus are known to feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. The specific epithet "fulvus" refers to the tawny or yellowish-brown coloration typical of many species in this group.
Staphylus hayhurstii
Hayhurst's scallopwing
Hayhurst's scallopwing is a small skipper butterfly found across the eastern and central United States. Adults have a wingspan of 25–32 mm and are active from spring through late summer, with extended flight periods in southern regions. The species shows variable seasonality, with two generations in most of its range but year-round activity possible in Florida.
Strigodius robinsoni
Strigodius robinsoni is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Cartwright in 1939. The species is known from the eastern United States, with records from Alabama, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia. Like other members of the genus Strigodius, it is presumably associated with decaying organic matter and dung.
Suphisellus semipunctatus
Suphisellus semipunctatus is a small burrowing water beetle in the family Noteridae, measuring 2.3–2.6 mm in length. The species was originally described as Suphis semipunctatus by LeConte in 1878 and has also been placed in the genus Pronoterus. It occurs in the eastern United States, ranging west to Texas and Michigan.
Temnostoma daochus
Yellow-spotted Falsehorn
Temnostoma daochus is a rare syrphid fly species in the eastern United States, notable for its elaborate Batesian mimicry of solitary mason wasps. It exhibits both morphological and behavioral mimicry, including darkened wing edges that imitate vespid wing folds and deliberate foreleg movements that mimic wasp antennae. The species is closely related to T. barberi, with which it forms a lineage sister to the rest of the genus. Larvae develop in moist decayed wood.
Thaumatographa jonesi
Psychedelic Jones Moth
Thaumatographa jonesi, commonly known as the Psychedelic Jones Moth, is a tortricid moth species found in pine forests of the eastern and southeastern United States. The species was described by Brower in 1953 and is currently classified in the genus Thaumatographa, though it was previously placed in Hilarographa. Its range extends from Massachusetts south to Florida and west to Louisiana.
Theromaster
armoured harvestmen
Theromaster is a genus of armoured harvestmen (Opiliones) established by Briggs in 1969. The genus contains at least two described species: Theromaster archeri and Theromaster brunneus. Members of this genus are found in the eastern United States. Theromaster belongs to the family Cladonychiidae, though some sources historically placed it in Travuniidae.
Timulla hollensis
Timulla hollensis is a species of wingless wasp in the family Mutillidae, commonly known as velvet ants. The species is part of a genus noted for aposematic coloration and a potent sting. Males are winged while females are wingless and ant-like in appearance. The species has been documented in the eastern United States, with observations spanning multiple states.
Tipula aprilina
Tipula aprilina is a species of large crane fly in the family Tipulidae. It was described by Alexander in 1918 and is found in the eastern United States, ranging from Maine south to Tennessee and South Carolina. As a member of the genus Tipula, it belongs to one of the most species-rich genera of crane flies.
Tipula subeluta
Tipula subeluta is a species of crane fly in the family Tipulidae, described by Johnson in 1913. It is a member of the large genus Tipula, which contains hundreds of species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. The species is recorded from the eastern United States, with distribution extending from Massachusetts southward to Louisiana and Florida. Like other crane flies, it is a delicate, long-legged insect often mistaken for a giant mosquito, though adults do not bite and most species have short adult lifespans focused on reproduction.
Torymus rugglesi
Torymus rugglesi is a species of chalcidoid wasp in the family Torymidae, described by Milliron in 1959. The species is known from the eastern United States, with distribution records from Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Torymid wasps are typically parasitoids, with many species associated with gall-forming insects or plant galls. Specific biological details for T. rugglesi remain limited in published literature.
Zethus spinipes
Zethus spinipes is a species of stinging wasp in the family Vespidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1837. It is distributed across the eastern United States, with recognized subspecies occupying distinct geographic ranges. The species belongs to the subfamily Eumeninae, commonly known as potter or mason wasps.