Endemic
Guides
Mexalictus
Mexican sweat bees
Mexalictus is a genus of sweat bees established by Eickwort in 1978. The genus comprises more than 20 described species distributed in the Halictidae family. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized bees characterized by metallic coloration typical of many halictids. The genus is native to Mexico and adjacent regions.
Mexalictus arizonensis
Arizona mexalictus
Mexalictus arizonensis, commonly known as the Arizona mexalictus, is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is a small, solitary bee endemic to the southwestern United States. The species was described by Eickwort in 1978 and is one of the few members of the genus Mexalictus, a group of bees restricted to North America. Like other halictids, it is likely a generalist pollinator, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Micracidini
Micracidini is a tribe of Afrotropical bark beetles within Scolytinae. The tribe comprises 11 valid genera following a 2021 taxonomic revision that erected five new genera (Neomicracis, Leiomicracis, Diplotrichus, Pseudolanurgus, Microlanurgus) and synonymized one genus. Phylogenetic analyses based on five molecular markers and morphological characters support this classification. The tribe originated in the late Cretaceous and exhibits a biogeographic pattern centered on Madagascar, which was colonized once from East Africa followed by multiple re-colonizations to the mainland.
Micratopus insularis
Micratopus insularis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Darlington in 1934. The species is endemic to the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. As a member of the tribe Bembidiini, it belongs to a diverse group of small carabid beetles often associated with riparian or moist habitats. The genus Micratopus is part of the subtribe Tachyina, which contains numerous species with reduced or modified wings and island-associated distributions.
Micratopus parviceps
Micratopus parviceps is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Darlington in 1934. It belongs to the subfamily Trechinae and tribe Bembidiini. The genus name Micratopus suggests small feet, while the specific epithet parviceps refers to a small head. Very little detailed information is available about this species beyond its taxonomic classification and geographic origin in Cuba.
Microcina
Microcina is a genus of harvestmen (order Opiliones) in the family Phalangodidae, described by Briggs and Ubick in 1989. It belongs to the infraorder Grassatores, a group of Laniatores characterized by relatively long legs and often cryptic habits. Species in this genus are found in western North America, particularly in California. The genus is part of the diverse phalangodid radiation in the region.
Microcrambus polingi
Microcrambus polingi is a small moth species in the family Crambidae, described by William D. Kearfott in 1908. The species is known only from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona. It belongs to a genus of grass-veneer moths, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Micronaspis
Florida intertidal firefly
Micronaspis is a monotypic genus of fireflies (Lampyridae) containing a single species, Micronaspis floridana, commonly known as the Florida intertidal firefly. This rare, endemic species is restricted to intertidal salt marsh habitats along the coast of Florida and the Bahamas. It represents a classic example of geographic isolation due to its highly specialized habitat requirements.
Micronaspis floridana
Florida Intertidal Firefly, fiddler crab firefly
Micronaspis floridana is a rare, endemic firefly restricted to intertidal salt marshes along the peninsular coast of Florida and the Bahamas. The genus is monotypic, containing only this single species. It serves as a model organism for studying genetic isolation and speciation due to its highly restricted 'shoestring' geographic distribution. The species is threatened by coastal development, storm surges, and sea level rise; Hurricane Dorian severely impacted populations on Grand Bahama island.
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.
Microschatia inaequalis
Microschatia inaequalis is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to southwestern North America. Its known distribution is restricted to southern California south of Los Angeles and northern Baja California Norte. As a member of the Tenebrionidae, it belongs to a large family of beetles commonly associated with arid and semi-arid environments.
Milgithea alboplagialis
Milgithea alboplagialis is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, first described by Harrison G. Dyar in 1905. It is known only from the Huachuca Mountains in southeastern Arizona, where it inhabits montane environments. The species is characterized by a relatively modest wingspan of 23–27 mm. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to the subfamily Epipaschiinae, a group of pyralid moths whose larvae are generally associated with dead or decaying plant material.
Mimobarathra
Mimobarathra is a genus of noctuid moths erected by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1915. The genus is monotypic, containing only the single species Mimobarathra antonito, which was described by Barnes in 1907. It is endemic to Arizona in the southwestern United States. The genus belongs to the tribe Eriopygini within the subfamily Noctuinae.
Mohavacris timberlakei
Timberlake's Desert Long-horned Grasshopper
Mohavacris timberlakei is a species of desert grasshopper in the family Tanaoceridae, endemic to arid regions of California. It belongs to a small family of specialized orthopterans adapted to extreme desert environments. The species was described by Rehn in 1948 and named in honor of the entomologist P.H. Timberlake, who extensively collected insects in the southwestern United States.
Molytinae
Molytinae is a large and diverse subfamily of weevils (Curculionidae) described by Carl Johan Schönherr in 1823. The subfamily contains numerous tribes and genera distributed worldwide, with particularly high diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Many Molytinae species are associated with specific host plants, including conifers, oaks, and various flowering plants. Some species are economically important as pests of forestry and agricultural crops, while others are restricted to specialized habitats such as leaf litter, caves, or high-elevation ecosystems. The subfamily has undergone significant taxonomic revision in recent decades, with many new species described particularly from Central America, Africa, and Asia.
Monarthrum huachucae
A small weevil species in the family Curculionidae, described by Wood in 1959. The specific epithet 'huachucae' refers to the Huachuca Mountains of southeastern Arizona, suggesting a geographic association with this Sky Island region. Like other members of the genus Monarthrum, this species is likely associated with woody vegetation, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Moneilema appressum
Moneilema appressum is a flightless longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) endemic to the Madrean sky islands of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. First described by LeConte in 1852, this species exhibits significant geographic genetic structure across its mountain range distribution. Phylogeographic studies indicate population divergence patterns consistent with Pleistocene climate fluctuations, with estimated divergence times coinciding with interglacial warming events rather than the most recent glacial maximum. Like other members of the genus, adults are associated with cacti.
Morsea
monkey grasshopper
Morsea is a genus of monkey grasshoppers in the family Eumastacidae, comprising approximately seven described species. These insects are endemic to the southwestern United States, with species distributed across California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. The genus was established by Scudder in 1898. Species within Morsea are typically associated with arid and semi-arid habitats including chaparral, pinyon-juniper woodland, and sand dune environments.
Morsea californica
Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper
Morsea californica, commonly known as the chaparral monkey grasshopper, is a species of monkey grasshopper in the family Eumastacidae. It is endemic to California and associated with chaparral habitats. The species was described by Scudder in 1898. As a member of the Eumastacidae, it belongs to a family of grasshoppers known for their slender bodies and preference for woody vegetation.
Morsea kaibabensis
kaibab monkey grasshopper
Morsea kaibabensis is a species of monkey grasshopper in the family Eumastacidae, endemic to the Kaibab Plateau region of northern Arizona. The species was described by Rehn and Grant in 1958 and is one of few documented members of its genus. Monkey grasshoppers in this family are characterized by their distinctive body proportions and reduced wing development compared to typical grasshoppers.
Motyxia
Sierra luminous millipedes, motyxias
Motyxia is a genus of blind, cyanide-producing millipedes endemic to three mountain ranges in California. All 11 species exhibit bioluminescence, making them one of only three known bioluminescent millipede groups worldwide. Adults range 3–4 cm in length with 20 body segments and prominent lateral keels (paranota). The genus was established by Chamberlin in 1941 and belongs to the tribe Xystocheirini within the family Xystodesmidae.
Mulsanteus arizonensis
A click beetle species in the family Elateridae, known from very limited observations in the southwestern United States. The specific epithet 'arizonensis' indicates association with Arizona, though detailed biological information remains sparse due to minimal documented encounters.
Mulsantina luteodorsa
clay-colored lady beetle, Saffron Lady Beetle
A small lady beetle measuring 3.8–4.6 mm, endemic to the southeastern United States. The pronotum is yellow with two black vittae, and the elytra are unmarked. It is one of the lesser-known species in the genus Mulsantina.
Mycetaea subterranea
Mycetaea subterranea is a small beetle species in the family Mycetaeidae, historically classified in Endomychidae. It is distributed across the Azores archipelago, with records from Faial, Flores, and São Miguel islands. The species was originally described by Fabricius in 1801 as Dermestes subterranea. Limited biological information is available for this insular species.
Mycotrupes cartwrighti
Cartwright's Mycotrupes
Mycotrupes cartwrighti is an earth-boring scarab beetle in the family Geotrupidae, described by Olson and Hubbell in 1954. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States, with confirmed records from Florida and Georgia. Like other members of its genus, it is a fossorial beetle adapted to burrowing in sandy soils. The common name honors American entomologist John B. Cartwright.
Mycotrupes gaigei
North peninsular mycotrupes beetle
Mycotrupes gaigei is a flightless, allopatric earth-boring scarab beetle endemic to deep sand ridges in northwestern peninsular Florida. It is considered the most morphologically aberrant member of its genus, characterized by metathoracic wing degradation and median fusion of prothoracic elytrae. The species is an efficient burrower, tunneling through sand to depths exceeding six feet. It maintains an exclusive phoretic relationship with the mite Geotrupacarus mycotrupetes, which does not occur on any other Mycotrupes species.
Mycotrupes lethroides
Mycotrupes lethroides is a flightless species of earth-boring scarab beetle in the family Geotrupidae. It is endemic to the southeastern United States, with confirmed records from Florida and Georgia. The species is notable among Geotrupidae for its complete wing reduction and associated inability to fly.
Mycotrupes retusus
Sandhills Earth-boring Scarab Beetle
Mycotrupes retusus is a species of earth-boring scarab beetle in the family Geotrupidae. It is endemic to the sandhills region of the southeastern United States, specifically North Carolina and South Carolina. The species is poorly known, with only eight documented observations on iNaturalist and minimal published biological information. As a member of the Geotrupidae, it likely exhibits fossorial behavior typical of the family.
Mymar taprobanicum
Mymar taprobanicum is a species of fairyfly in the family Mymaridae, described by Ward in 1875 from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon). The genus Mymar is one of the oldest-established genera in Mymaridae and serves as the type genus for the family. Mymar taprobanicum represents one of approximately 100 species currently recognized in this genus, though species-level taxonomy within Mymar remains challenging due to the minute size of these wasps and subtle morphological differences.
Myoplatypus
Myoplatypus is a rare genus of pinhole borer beetles in the subfamily Platypodinae, comprising nine tropical and one temperate American species. The genus was described by Wood in 1993 and remained known only from North and Central America until the first South American records from Peru were documented. Most species are represented by very few specimens, suggesting either narrow geographic ranges or specialized ecological requirements.
Myrmeleontidae
Antlions, Antlion lacewings, Doodlebugs, Owlflies
Myrmeleontidae is a family of neuropteran insects comprising approximately 2,000 species, commonly known as antlions or antlion lacewings. The family is best known for the distinctive predatory behavior of its larvae, which in many species construct conical pit traps in sandy soil to capture prey. Adults are aerial insects with delicate, often patterned wings, and are frequently mistaken for dragonflies or damselflies. The family includes two traditional subfamilies: Myrmeleontinae (antlions) and Ascalaphinae (owlflies), though the latter is sometimes treated as a separate family. Antlions exhibit remarkable diversity in larval hunting strategies, with pit-digging behavior restricted to certain genera while others employ ambush or roaming predation.
Nannaria ohionis
Ohio Twisted-Claw
Nannaria ohionis is a species of flat-backed millipede in the family Xystodesmidae, first described by Loomis & Hoffman in 1948. It belongs to the genus Nannaria, commonly known as twisted-claw millipedes, characterized by modified male gonopods. The species is endemic to the Midwestern United States, with confirmed records from Ohio.
Nanularia monoensis
Nanularia monoensis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Described by Charles L. Bellamy in 1987, it is known from a restricted area in the Benton Range of Mono County, California. The species is considered rare, with few documented observations.
Naphrys xerophila
Naphrys xerophila is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is a small spider, with adults measuring 2–4 mm in body length. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States, where it inhabits dry, xeric environments.
Nasusina vallis
Nasusina vallis is a small geometrid moth described by Ferris in 2004. It is known from a restricted locality in western Colorado, specifically John Brown Canyon. The species inhabits arid canyon terrain and has been documented with forewing lengths of 9–10 mm. Adults are active in mid to late spring.
Nealyda kinzelella
Nealyda kinzelella is a minute gelechiid moth described by August Busck in 1900, named in honor of botanist F. Kinzel. The species is known only from Florida and is distinguished by its striking forewing pattern of light brown basal, dark velvety median, and silvery-white apical regions. The larvae are leaf miners on Guapira obtusata, forming distinctive trumpet-shaped blotch mines on the upper leaf surface.
Nebria
Gazelle Beetles
Nebria is a large genus of ground beetles (Carabidae) comprising over 500 described species distributed across the Palearctic, Near East, and North Africa. Members are commonly known as Gazelle Beetles. The genus exhibits notable diversity in alpine and montane habitats, with many species showing flightlessness and narrow endemic ranges. Species-level taxonomy relies heavily on male genitalia morphology and geometric morphometrics of external features such as the pronotum.
Nebria appalachia
southern Appalachian gazelle beetle
Nebria appalachia is a flightless ground beetle endemic to the southern Appalachian Mountains. Adults are brachypterous, with reduced wings preventing aerial dispersal. The species occupies a restricted geographic range limited to mid- to upland mixed forests in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Nebria coloradensis
Colorado gazelle beetle
Nebria coloradensis is a flightless ground beetle endemic to the mountainous regions of Colorado. Adults possess reduced wings (brachypterous) and are active nocturnally. The species inhabits wet ground in alpine and subalpine environments.
Nebria labontei
Labonte's gazelle beetle
Nebria labontei is a ground beetle endemic to the mountains of Oregon, United States. It belongs to the genus Nebria, a group commonly known as gazelle beetles for their running speed. The species was described by Kavanaugh in 1984 and is one of several Nebria species restricted to western North American mountain ranges.
Nebria lituyae
Lituya's gazelle beetle
Nebria lituyae, known as Lituya's gazelle beetle, is a ground beetle species in the subfamily Nebriinae. It is endemic to a restricted alpine region spanning Alaska and British Columbia. The species inhabits moist ground on hill summits at high elevations. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), nocturnal, and carnivorous.
Nebria ovipennis
oval gazelle beetle
Nebria ovipennis is a ground beetle endemic to California and Nevada, where it inhabits meadows and snowfield margins in upland and mountainous areas. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), nocturnal, and carnivorous. The species belongs to the subfamily Nebriinae, a group often associated with cool, moist habitats at higher elevations.
Neduba carinata
shield-backed katydid
Neduba carinata is a shield-backed katydid endemic to Fremont Peak in San Benito County, California. Formerly applied broadly to katydids across the western United States, this name now applies only to a restricted population following elevation of most subspecies to full species status. It is distinguished from the similar N. diabloica by a pronotum that is slightly longer and narrower.
Neduba propsti
Santa Catalina Island Shieldback, Catalina shield-back cricket, Propst's shieldback
Neduba propsti is a shield-backed katydid endemic to Santa Catalina Island, California. The species was described in 1981 and is one of nine previously described species in the relict genus Neduba, which underwent comprehensive taxonomic revision using molecular phylogenetics, morphology, calling song analysis, and karyotypes. Like other Neduba species, it represents part of a diversification pattern shaped by cycles of allopatric isolation and secondary contact in western North America.
Neduba sierranus
sierra shieldback
Neduba sierranus, the sierra shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid endemic to western North America. It belongs to a relict genus whose diversification reflects cycles of allopatric isolation and secondary contact in the tumultuous geological history of the region. The species was redescribed in a 2021 comprehensive revision of the genus Neduba using molecular phylogenetics, morphology, calling song analysis, and karyotypes. Like other Neduba species, it is flightless and characterized by a distinctive shield-like pronotum that extends backward over the abdomen.
Negalasa
Negalasa is a monotypic genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, containing the single species N. fumalis. The genus and its sole species were described together by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1913. It is endemic to the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona. The genus belongs to the subfamily Chrysauginae, a diverse group within Pyralidae.
Nehalennia pallidula
Everglades Sprite
A small damselfly endemic to the southeastern United States, restricted to Florida and Texas. It inhabits swamps and freshwater marshes, where its preference for dense vegetation and diminutive size make it difficult to detect. The species faces significant threats from habitat loss due to water diversion, peat fires, and invasive species.
Nemomydas melanopogon
Nemomydas melanopogon is a species of mydas fly in the family Mydidae, a group of large, predatory flies. It is endemic to Florida scrub habitat, a rare and threatened ecosystem type. The species was described by Steyskal in 1956. Like other mydas flies, it likely has a long larval development period in sandy soils.
Neoapachella rothi
Neoapachella rothi is a mygalomorph trapdoor spider and the sole species in its genus. It was described in 2002 and is endemic to the southwestern United States. The species name honors arachnologist Vincent D. Roth, while the genus name references the Apache peoples. Adults reach approximately 20.7 mm in body length.
Neocrania
Neocrania is a genus of small moths in the family Eriocraniidae, established by Davis in 1978. The genus is monotypic, containing only Neocrania bifasciata, a species endemic to the Coast Ranges of southern California. Adults are diurnal and active in early June, with a single generation annually. The larvae are leaf miners on Quercus chrysolepis (canyon live oak).