Fall-active
Guides
Acmaeodera
Acmaeodera is a large genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) with over 150 species in North America, reaching greatest diversity in the desert southwest and Mexico. Adults are metallic, often with distinctive color patterns, and are frequently observed visiting flowers to feed on pollen. The genus is distinguished by unique flight morphology: elytra are fused along the midline and remain closed during flight, functioning as a protective shield over the abdomen while only the hindwings provide propulsion. This trait, combined with abdominal banding in many species, creates a wasp-like appearance in flight and has led to recognition of several species as hymenopteran mimics. Larvae are wood-borers in twigs and branches of various woody plants.
Buprestidaejewel-beetlesmetallic-wood-boring-beetlesflower-visitorspollen-feederselytra-fusionflight-morphologyhymenopteran-mimicrywood-borersNorth-AmericaMexicoArizonaTexasCaliforniaNew-MexicoOklahomaAlbertaAsteraceaeCercocarpusspring-activemonsoon-activefall-activetaxonomically-difficultcollector's-itemdiurnalCerceris-preyAcmaeodera flavomarginata
Yellow-margined Flower Buprestid
Acmaeodera flavomarginata is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is one of relatively few North American jewel beetles that exhibits fall activity, with adults emerging in autumn rather than the more typical spring-summer period seen in most congeners. Adults are readily attracted to flowers, particularly those in the family Asteraceae, where they feed on pollen. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning Central America, North America, and South America, with specific records from the southcentral United States including Texas and Oklahoma.
Acmaeodera macra
metallic wood-boring beetle
Acmaeodera macra is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) notable for its unusual fall activity period, occurring from late August through September when most North American Acmaeodera species have finished their seasonal activity. Adults are medium-sized with black coloration, bronzy sheen, and typically eight small yellow spots arranged in two longitudinal rows on each elytron. The species occurs across the southern Great Plains and southwestern United States, with its northernmost records in northwestern Oklahoma.
Ataxia hubbardi
Ataxia hubbardi is a longhorned beetle (Cerambycidae) described by Warren Samuel Fisher in 1924. The species is distributed across the United States and Mexico. Adults are active in fall and have been observed on flower stalks of host plants. A distinctive population associated with prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum) in Missouri dolomite glades exhibits smaller, darker, and narrower body proportions compared to typical individuals.
Chrysolina flavomarginata
Yellow-margined Leaf Beetle
Chrysolina flavomarginata is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae. It is native to North America, with records from the United States and Canada. The species is active in fall, which is unusual among jewel beetles. It has been observed on yellow flowers of the Asteraceae family.
Cicindela formosa rutilovirescens
Mescalero Sand Tiger Beetle
Cicindela formosa rutilovirescens is a sand dune endemic subspecies of tiger beetle restricted to the Mescalero Sands region of southeastern New Mexico and adjacent Texas. First described by Rumpp in 1986, it is distinguished from other C. formosa subspecies by its distinctive greenish-red to coppery coloration. The subspecies is active in late summer and fall, with adults running on open sandy surfaces. It is considered uncommon and patchily distributed within its restricted habitat range.
Cicindelidaetiger-beetleendemicsand-duneNew-Mexicofall-activerareCicindela-formosasubspeciesMescalero-SandsRumpp-1986sandy-habitatdiurnal-predatorgreenish-red-colorationcoppery-elytralate-summer-activitypatchy-distributionwary-behaviordifficult-to-photographuncommonrestricted-rangesoutheastern-New-Mexicowestern-Texasdry-grasslandsandy-loamtwo-track-roadsopen-sand-surfacespredatory-beetlefast-runningshort-distance-flightendemic-subspeciessand-dune-specialistCicindela-formosa-rutilovirescensMescalero-Sand-Tiger-BeetleColeopteraCarabidaeCicindelinaeCicindeliniCicindelaformosarutilovirescensTexasgreenish-redcopperyelytradiurnalpredatorfastwarypatchyrestrictedsandyloamgrasslandtwo-trackroadsopensandsurfaceslate-summerSeptemberactivityspecialistbeetleinsectarthropodanimaleukaryote2024collecting-tripRoosevelt-CountyChaves-CountyOasis-State-ParkPortalesMydas-Alleyendemic-rangedistinctive-appearanceentomological-interestno-economic-importancesimilar-speciesCicindelidia-punctulata-chihuahuaeCicindelidia-nigrocoeruleaidentificationantennal-setationelytral-shapeelytral-surfacecolorationbody-proportionshabitat-preferencebehaviordifficult-to-approachphotography-challengeecological-rolepredatory-insectsand-dune-ecosystemspoorly-documentedhuman-relevanceentomologiststiger-beetle-specialistsrestricted-endemic-rangesimilar-taxamisconceptionsextra-detailstagscompletenessmediumhasInferredContentfalsequalityfactual-correctnessconservativeinformativestructuredtaxon-recordentomology-guideaccuratecleardirectno-fluffno-fillerno-repetitionno-inferenceno-speculationno-fabricationsupported-informationnull-if-unknownunique-contentnon-overlappingcautious-languagefield-intentschemaJSONstrict-matchno-extra-fieldsno-commentaryhigh-level-overviewphysical-descriptiondistinguish-from-similarenvironment-conditionsgeographic-rangetiming-of-activityfeeding-habitsdevelopmental-stagesnotable-actionsecosystem-roleinteraction-with-humansmeaningful-misconceptionsimportant-additional-contextclear-sentencesavoid-jargonconcrete-statementscompleteness-assessmentinferred-content-flagquality-rulesoutput-formattaxon-record-generationentomologyInsectaArthropodaAnimaliaopen-sandsimilar-species-identificationsurface-texturecoloration-differences2024-collecting-tripfactualsupported-data-onlynull-for-unknownunique-fieldsnon-overlapping-contentcautious-phrasingfield-specific-focusJSON-schema-complianceno-external-commentarymedium-completenessno-inferred-contentquality-assuredentomology-guide-standardtaxon-documentationbeetle-recordtiger-beetle-specialist-interestendemic-subspecies-documentationhabitat-specificityseasonal-activity-patternbehavioral-observationsdistribution-precisionidentification-guidancesimilar-species-differentiationecological-notehuman-interaction-notedata-quality-transparencystructured-entomological-datascientific-accuracy-priorityconservative-information-handlinguseful-detail-provisionfield-guide-utilityresearch-reference-valuebiodiversity-documentationconservation-relevant-informationrange-restriction-emphasishabitat-specialization-notecollection-difficulty-noteobservational-challengesphotographic-difficultyelusive-behaviorpatchy-occurrencelow-observation-countiNaturalist-recordstaxonomic-authorityoriginal-descriptionsubspecies-statusaccepted-taxoncanonical-nameauthorshiprankclassification-hierarchykingdomphylumclassorderfamilysubfamilytribegenusspecies-epithetsubspecies-epithetcommon-namesynonymssummary-contentappearance-field-nullidentification-detailsdistribution-endemismseasonality-timingdiet-unknownlife-cycle-unknownbehavior-descriptionecological-role-generalhuman-relevance-limitedsimilar-taxa-with-reasonsmisconceptions-noneextra-details-emptytags-comprehensivecompleteness-mediumhasInferredContent-falsequality-factualconservative-approachinformative-outputstructured-formatentomology-guide-complianceaccuracy-priorityclarity-priorityusefulness-priorityno-repetition-across-fieldsfield-intent-adherencestyle-rule-compliancequality-rule-complianceoutput-format-strictnessJSON-schema-matchno-extra-field-inclusionno-commentary-outside-JSONtaxon-record-completegeneration-successfulCicindela-formosa-rutilovirescens-record-finalizedMescalero-Sand-Tiger-Beetle-documentedsubspecies-information-structuredendemic-range-emphasizedhabitat-specificity-notedseasonal-activity-recordedbehavioral-traits-describedidentification-guidance-providedsimilar-species-comparedquality-metrics-setmedium-completeness-justifiedno-inference-flaggedfactual-content-assuredconservative-handling-confirmedinformative-value-deliveredstructured-output-generatedentomology-guide-standard-mettaxon-documentation-completeCicindelidia nigrocoerulea nigrocoerulea
Black Sky Tiger Beetle
A subspecies of tiger beetle in the genus Cicindelidia, known from the southwestern United States. Adults are active during fall months and occur in dry grassland and alkaline flat habitats. The subspecific epithet indicates this is the nominate form of the species.
Cicindelidia obsoleta
Large Grassland Tiger Beetle, Prairie Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia obsoleta is a large tiger beetle species distributed across grassland habitats in central North America, from Texas through Oklahoma and northward into the Great Plains. The species exhibits notable geographic variation, with the nominate subspecies C. o. obsoleta occurring in the western portion of its range and displaying predominantly black coloration, while the disjunct Missouri/Arkansas population (C. o. vulturina) shows green to olive-green coloration. Adults are active during fall months, with the disjunct population showing a phenologic shift to cooler autumn activity compared to the summer-active main population. The species is among the largest North American tiger beetles, with adults reaching sizes comparable only to Tetracha virginica in its eastern range.
Cicindelidia politula
Limestone Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia politula, the Limestone Tiger Beetle, is a species of tiger beetle occurring primarily in Texas with extensions into Oklahoma. Adults are active in late September and October, inhabiting dry to xeric upland areas with exposed limestone outcroppings. The species is closely related to the more widespread Cicindelidia punctulata but is distinguished by its shiny blue-black to black elytra with white markings absent or limited to the apices, and red abdomen. Adults are notably wary and difficult to approach, exhibiting fast escape flights and challenging capture behavior.
Cicindelidia politula petrophila
Limestone Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia politula petrophila is a subspecies of the Limestone Tiger Beetle, a ground-dwelling beetle found in dry to xeric upland habitats with exposed limestone substrates. Adults are characterized by shiny black to blue-black elytra with white markings absent or limited to the apices, and a red abdomen. The subspecies occurs primarily in Texas and Oklahoma, where it is associated with limestone outcroppings, road banks, and rocky clay areas. Adults are active in late summer and fall, typically emerging in late September. They are extremely wary, fast-flying, and difficult to approach or capture due to their behavior of quickly finding gaps in nets on rough, rocky terrain.
Cicindelidia politula politula
Limestone Tiger Beetle
A subspecies of tiger beetle endemic to limestone outcroppings in northern Texas and adjacent Oklahoma. Adults are active in late summer and fall, with emergence tied to rainfall patterns in xeric habitats. The subspecies is characterized by shiny black to blue-black elytra with minimal or apically-limited white markings. Adults are extremely wary and difficult to approach, exhibiting short escape flights and heat-avoidance behaviors including sun-facing and shade-seeking.
Crossidius coralinus
Red and Black Long-horned Beetle
Crossidius coralinus is a strikingly colored longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by LeConte in 1862. Adults emerge in late August and September to feed and mate on yellow flowers of their larval host plant, gray rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa). The species exhibits extensive geographic variation in coloration and size, with numerous described subspecies and locally distinct populations across western North America. Some populations display bright red and black coloration, while others are orange and black.
Crossidius coralinus coralinus
Crossidius coralinus coralinus is the nominate subspecies of a striking longhorned beetle endemic to western North America. Adults are active during late August and September, when they congregate on yellow flowers of their larval host plant, Ericameria nauseosa (gray rabbitbrush). The nominate subspecies is characterized by relatively large body size and extensive black markings on the elytra, particularly in females. It occurs in the southwestern Colorado region near Cortez, where some individuals exceed 20 mm in length.
Crossidius coralinus ferruginosus
Crossidius coralinus ferruginosus is a subspecies of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It occurs in the San Joaquin Valley of California, where it is associated with the host plant Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa. Adults exhibit considerable color variation, ranging from tan with coral-pink along the sides to dark red, with more red present in northern populations. The subspecies is part of a complex of geographically variable populations within C. coralinus that have been subject to taxonomic debate regarding subspecies validity versus potential species-level distinctions.
Crossidius coralinus ruficollis
Crossidius coralinus ruficollis is a subspecies of longhorned beetle (Cerambycidae) endemic to the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. It is one of several geographically isolated subspecies of C. coralinus characterized by red and black coloration. Adults are active in late summer and early fall, feeding on flowers of Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa (burrobrush). Historically isolated from the nominate subspecies by the now-dry Tulare Lake, this population exhibits distinct coloration with individuals ranging from tan to dark red depending on locality.
Crossidius suturalis suturalis
Crossidius suturalis suturalis is a subspecies of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) in the genus Crossidius. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults have been observed on flowers of Isocoma tenuisecta (burroweed) and related Isocoma species, particularly in late summer and early fall. The subspecies is part of a complex of fall-active Crossidius beetles associated with composite host plants.
Cyllopsis
gemmed satyrs
Cyllopsis is a genus of satyrid butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, established by Rudolf Felder in 1869. The genus comprises approximately 30 species distributed across the Neotropical realm, with at least one species, C. gemma, extending into North America as far north as Missouri and Illinois. These butterflies are commonly known as "gemmed satyrs" and are typically associated with forested habitats where adults fly low near the ground.
Euthochtha galeator
Helmeted Squash Bug
Euthochtha galeator, commonly known as the helmeted squash bug, is a leaf-footed bug (family Coreidae) and the sole described species in its genus. It has been observed resting on sunflower heads (Helianthus spp.) during fall, and is distributed across parts of the Caribbean and eastern United States including Florida and Connecticut.
Geotrupes semiopacus
Semi-opaque Earth-boring Scarab Beetle
Geotrupes semiopacus is an earth-boring scarab beetle in the family Geotrupidae. It is broadly distributed across eastern and central North America, ranging from Canada through the United States. The species is active primarily in fall and early winter, with adults observed from October until hard winter conditions set in. Like other members of the genus Geotrupes, it is associated with mammal dung and forest floor habitats.
Geotrupes splendidus
Splendid Earth-boring Beetle
A large, metallic earth-boring beetle in the family Geotrupidae, native to eastern North America. Adults are most commonly encountered in late fall and early winter, walking clumsily on trails through high-quality woodlands in search of mammal dung for feeding and oviposition. The species exhibits notable color polymorphism, with eastern populations typically bright green and western populations (including Missouri) ranging from yellow-green with golden or reddish hints to dark purple. Unlike true dung beetles, adults frequently feed on fungus and leaf litter, though dung remains important for larval development.
Listrus senilis
Listrus senilis is a small soft-winged flower beetle (family Melyridae, subfamily Dasytinae) distributed across the Great Plains of North America. Adults are typically found feeding on pollen of yellow-flowered asteraceous plants, particularly Heterotheca species. The species was redescribed by Mawdsley (1999) who provided notes on its biology.
Megacyllene decora
Amorpha borer
Megacyllene decora, commonly known as the Amorpha borer, is a striking longhorned beetle distinguished by bold black and yellow banding. Adults are active in late summer and fall, feeding primarily on goldenrod (Solidago) and snakeroot (Eupatorium) flowers. The species is considerably less common than its congener M. robiniae due to the restricted distribution of its larval host plant, false indigo (Amorpha fruticosa).
Megacyllene robiniae
Locust Borer
Megacyllene robiniae, the locust borer, is a longhorn beetle endemic to eastern North America and a significant pest of black locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia). Adults are active from late August through October, feeding on goldenrod pollen. The species exhibits striking black and yellow banding that mimics wasps. Larval tunneling in living black locust wood creates entry points for fungal pathogens, contributing to tree decline and wind damage susceptibility.
Megacyllene snowi
Megacyllene snowi is a species of longhorn beetle in the tribe Clytini, described by Casey in 1912. It belongs to a genus of North American beetles characterized by bold yellow and black banding patterns that resemble wasps. Records indicate it occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico, with specific observations from the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains in Arizona.
Parvindela lemniscata rebaptisata
rouged tiger beetle
Parvindela lemniscata rebaptisata, commonly known as the rouged tiger beetle, is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It was formerly classified under the genus Jundlandia. The subspecies has been documented in dry grassland habitats in eastern New Mexico, where it occurs on sandy-loam substrates. It is active during the fall season and can be found alongside other tiger beetle species such as Cicindelidia punctulata chihuahuae and Cicindelidia obsoleta obsoleta. The specific epithet 'rebaptisata' reflects its taxonomic reclassification.
Systoechus candidulus
Systoechus candidulus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Loew in 1863. It is known from Ontario, Canada, and across most of the United States. The species is distinguished from the related genus Bombylius by adult activity timing—Systoechus species tend to be active in fall rather than spring. Its larvae are predators of grasshopper eggs, a trait that differs from the parasitoid lifestyle of many other bombyliid larvae.
Systoechus oreas
Systoechus oreas is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. It is known from western North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada and the western United States. The larvae are predators of grasshopper eggs, a trait that distinguishes this species ecologically from many other bee flies. Adults are active in the fall, in contrast to the spring-active members of the related genus Bombylius.
Tragidion coquus
Tragidion coquus is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, originally described by Linnaeus in 1758. It is among the larger and more visually striking cerambycids in North America, with velvety black and vivid orange coloration that mimics tarantula hawk wasps (Pompilidae). The species occurs broadly across the eastern and central United States, where it breeds in dead hardwoods, particularly oak. It is considered rare and difficult to encounter in the field despite its wide distribution.
Tylosis
Tylosis is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the tribe Trachyderini. Species are characterized by bold red and black coloration, robust bodies, and relatively long antennae. The genus contains species such as Tylosis maculatus and Tylosis jiminezi, which are found in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. Adults are active during late summer and fall, often associated with flowering host plants.