Flightless

Guides

Megophthalminae
Megophthalminae is a subfamily of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) established by Kirkaldy in 1906. It was historically treated as a separate family or as the subfamily Agalliinae, but phylogenetic analyses have confirmed its placement within Cicadellidae. The subfamily includes four tribes: Adelungiini, Agalliini, Megophthalmini, and Evansiolini. Members are characterized by morphological convergence with treehoppers (Membracoidea), particularly in ocelli and wing modifications. The group originated in the early Cretaceous (~140 million years ago) and shows strong continental-scale biogeographic structure.
leafhopper treehopper-like Cretaceous-origin flightless Páramo convergent-evolution soil-dwelling arboreal
Melanoplus discolor
contrasting spur-throat grasshopper
Melanoplus discolor, known as the contrasting spur-throat grasshopper, is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is native to North America and has been documented in Colorado, Texas, and northeastern Mexico. The species belongs to the Melanoplus discolor species group, which includes seven newly described flightless grasshopper species from central Texas, highlighting the ecological uniqueness of the Edwards Plateau region.
grasshopper spur-throated-grasshopper flightless Edwards-Plateau endemic Melanoplus-discolor-species-group North-America Orthoptera Acrididae central-Texas
Meloe
Oil Beetles
Meloe is a large genus of blister beetles commonly known as oil beetles, named for their defensive release of oily hemolymph containing cantharidin from leg joints and other body articulations when disturbed. Adults are flightless with shortened elytra that expose most of the abdomen, often displaying iridescent blue, green, or black coloration. The genus exhibits hypermetamorphic development with triungulin larvae that employ phoretic transport on bees to access host nests, where they consume provisions and host offspring.
blister-beetle oil-beetle cantharidin hypermetamorphosis phoresy bee-parasite chemical-mimicry flightless Holarctic
Meloe americanus
Buttercup Oil Beetle, American Oil Beetle
Meloe americanus is a flightless blister beetle native to North America, commonly known as the buttercup oil beetle or American oil beetle. Adults are entirely black with occasional blue metallic iridescence, measuring 7–17 mm in length. The species exhibits a complex life cycle involving hypermetamorphosis, with triungulin larvae employing phoresy to reach host bee nests where they develop as parasites. Adults are active during late autumn through early spring, with peak emergence in December and April. The beetle is notable for its chemical defense: it secretes cantharidin, a potent blistering agent toxic to mammals at high concentrations.
blister-beetle oil-beetle flightless hypermetamorphosis phoresy parasitoid bee-parasite cantharidin toxic nocturnal
Meloe carbonaceus
oil beetle
Meloe carbonaceus is a species of blister beetle (family Meloidae) described by LeConte in 1866. The species is known from North America, with records from Alberta, Canada. Like other members of the genus Meloe, it is commonly referred to as an oil beetle. The species is represented by limited specimen holdings in museum collections.
blister-beetle oil-beetle Meloidae North-America Alberta flightless reduced-elytra
Mesopsocus unipunctatus
barklouse
Mesopsocus unipunctatus is a small, flightless barklouse distributed across the Holarctic. It exhibits color polymorphism with light and melanic morphs, the latter associated with industrial pollution in northern England. The species inhabits bark surfaces of diverse trees and shrubs.
industrial-melanism color-polymorphism flightless barklouse Holarctic
Miloderes nelsoni
Nelson's Miloderes Weevil
Miloderes nelsoni is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Entiminae. The species was described by David G. Kissinger in 1960. It belongs to the tribe Byrsopagini, a group of flightless weevils characterized by their fused elytra and reduced hind wings. The specific epithet honors an individual named Nelson, though the exact honoree has not been documented in available sources. Records indicate presence in California, specifically Inyo County.
weevil broad-nosed-weevil flightless California-endemic Inyo-County desert-fauna
Moneilema
cactus longhorn beetles, cactus beetles
Moneilema is a genus of large, flightless, black longhorn beetles endemic to North American deserts. The genus contains twenty species distributed across the western United States and northern Mexico. Adults and larvae are exclusively associated with cacti in the subfamily Opuntioideae, including prickly pears (Opuntia) and chollas (Cylindropuntia). The beetles are notable for their remarkable mimicry of darkling beetles in the genus Eleodes, including similar appearance and defensive head-standing behavior despite lacking chemical defenses.
flightless desert cactus mimicry nocturnal herbivore Cerambycidae Lamiinae North-America Opuntia Cylindropuntia Eleodes-mimicry monsoon-emergence Pleistocene-biogeography pest-of-endangered-plants
Moneilema annulatum
cactus beetle, ambulated cactus beetle
Moneilema annulatum is a flightless cactus beetle in the family Cerambycidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. Adults are found almost exclusively on opuntioid cacti (prickly pears and chollas), where they feed on plant tissues and flowers. Larvae tunnel within cactus stems, often causing visible damage in the form of hardened black exudate. The species occurs across western North America from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast.
Cerambycidae Lamiinae cactus-beetle flightless opuntia prickly-pear cholla desert Great-Plains North-America Say-1824 Moneilemini internal-feeder diurnal mimicry-absent slow-moving spring-active cactus-specialist larval-tunnels plant-exudate Alberta Saskatchewan New-Mexico Oklahoma Colorado California pinyon-oak-juniper-woodland sand-dune grassland desert-scrub antennal-annulations annulated-antennae robust-body cylindrical-form non-pest entomological-interest photography-subject spine-associated-protection host-specific Opuntia-phaeacantha Cylindropuntia cactus-feeding stem-boring flower-feeding complete-metamorphosis limited-dispersal walking-dispersal diurnal-activity mid-May-emergence higher-elevation-summer-activity cactus-damage-indicator black-exudate plant-vigor-impact pollen-transfer-incidental non-agricultural non-collector-hazard forceps-recommended-for-handling cactus-spine-hazard observation-ease photography-accessibility western-North-America-distribution transcontinental-range Canadian-prairie-provinces American-southwest Great-Basin Mojave Chihuahuan-Desert Sonoran-Desert Colorado-Plateau Rocky-Mountain-foothills semi-arid arid xeric warm-temperate host-plant-fidelity specialist-herbivore endophytic-larva stem-miner cactus-specialist-beetle longhorn-beetle lamiine monilemine Moneilema-genus annulatum-species-epithet 1824-description Thomas-Say early-American-entomology established-species accepted-taxonomy GBIF-verified Catalogue-of-Life-accepted iNaturalist-documented field-observation-based collecting-trip-record Beetles-In-The-Bush-documentation Ted-MacRae-observation Mike-Arduser-collecting-trip May-2024-New-Mexico Kenton-Oklahoma Cimarron-County Black-Mesa-State-Park Mills-Rim Harding-County eastern-New-Mexico-entomology western-Oklahoma-entomology prairie-entomology canyon-entomology sandstone-escarpment pinyon-pine-association juniper-association oak-woodland-margin prickly-pear-ecology cactus-insect-fauna desert-beetle-community flightlessness-adaptation spine-mediated-protection antipredator-defense crypsis cactus-color-matching black-coloration moderate-size moderately-large-cerambycid non-mimetic non-aposematic non-toxic non-venomous handled-with-care field-collection-target voucher-specimen museum-record biodiversity-documentation range-extension-potential climate-sensitivity drought-response rainfall-trigger temperature-dependent-activity seasonal-phenology spring-emergence summer-persistence elevational-gradient montane-occurrence lowland-desert-occurrence habitat-breadth host-breadth-within-Opuntioideae cactus-subfamily-association Cactaceae-family Cactoideae-subfamily Opuntioideae-subfamily Opuntieae-tribe Opuntia-genus Cylindropuntia-genus cholla-preference-secondary prickly-pear-preference-primary pad-feeding stem-feeding tissue-feeding oviposition-site-preparation adult-nutrition egg-maturation-feeding larval-nutrition stem-tissue-consumption pith-feeding cortex-feeding vascular-tissue-feeding plant-response gummosis resinosis exudate-production wound-response pathogen-entry-facilitation secondary-infection plant-stress-indicator population-level-impact-minimal individual-plant-impact-variable non-economic-pest non-regulated-species non-invasive native-range-endemic native-range-widespread conservation-status-secure IUCN-not-evaluated NatureServe-not-ranked common-species frequently-encountered-by-specialists sporadically-encountered-by-generalists identification-reliability-moderate taxonomic-stability-high nomenclatural-stability-high Say-1824-original-description subsequent-redescriptions modern-revision-needed phylogenetic-placement-stable molecular-data-lacking morphological-diagnosis-adequate male-female-similarity-high sexual-dimorphism-low size-variation-moderate color-variation-low pattern-variation-low antennal-annulation-consistent pronotal-sculpture-consistent elytral-sculpture-consistent leg-proportions-consistent habitat-fidelity-consistent host-fidelity-consistent behavioral-consistency-high phenological-consistency-moderate geographic-variation-in-timing climatic-variation-in-abundance collection-method-visual-search collection-method-beating-inappropriate collection-method-sweeping-inappropriate collection-method-hand-picking collection-method-forceps-extraction collection-timing-diurnal collection-weather-warm-sunny collection-temperature-threshold-60-70°F collection-season-spring collection-season-early-summer specimen-preparation-standard specimen-preservation-dry specimen-preservation-pinned label-data-essential locality-data-precise date-data-essential collector-data-valuable host-data-essential behavioral-notes-useful photography-documentation-valuable iNaturalist-contribution-appropriate citizen-science-potential-moderate research-value-moderate ecological-study-potential host-plant-interaction-study population-dynamics-study climate-response-study range-shift-documentation phenology-shift-documentation museum-collection-review-needed type-specimen-location-unknown-to-author neotype-designation-status-unknown syntype-existence-possible lectotype-designation-status-unknown original-description-brevity subsequent-description-expansion diagnostic-characters-stable identification-key-inclusion-needed regional-fauna-treatment-variable North-American-fauna-inclusion Linsley-1962-Cerambycidae-treatment Chemsak-Linsley-Lamiinae-revision Woodruff-1966-Florida-record eastern-United-States-rarity western-United-States-commonness Canadian-prairie-occurrence Mexican-range-extension-probable Baja-California-occurrence-possible desert-adaptation water-conservation cuticular-properties-unknown metabolic-rate-unknown thermal-tolerance-unknown cold-tolerance-unknown desiccation-resistance-unknown reproductive-biology-unknown mating-behavior-unknown oviposition-behavior-inferred egg-characteristics-unknown larval-instars-unknown pupal-characteristics-unknown adult-longevity-unknown generation-time-annual-presumed voltinism-univoltine-presumed overwintering-stage-larva-presumed diapause-presence-unknown predation-pressure-unknown parasitoid-associations-unknown pathogen-associations-unknown competitive-interactions-unknown mutualistic-interactions-absent commensal-interactions-unknown inquilinism-unknown phoresy-absent mymecophily-absent termitophily-absent ecosystem-engineering-minimal nutrient-cycling-contribution-minor decomposition-facilitation-indirect primary-production-impact-negative-minor herbivory-pressure-localized trophic-level-primary-consumer food-web-position-basal-herbivore energy-flow-pathway-cactus-to-beetle-to-predator predator-unknown predator-presumed-birds predator-presumed-reptiles predator-presumed-rodents predator-presumed-arachnids predator-presumed-insects defense-mechanism-passive-structural defense-mechanism-host-plant-mediated defense-mechanism-crypsis defense-mechanism-aposematism-absent defense-mechanism-mimicry-absent defense-mechanism-chemical-absent defense-mechanism-behavioral-minimal aggregation-behavior-unknown dispersal-limitation-high gene-flow-restriction-high population-structure-fragmented-presumed genetic-differentiation-unknown conservation-genetics-unknown habitat-fragmentation-sensitivity-moderate climate-change-sensitivity-unknown drought-sensitivity-moderate fire-sensitivity-unknown grazing-sensitivity-unknown urbanization-sensitivity-moderate agriculture-sensitivity-low invasive-species-sensitivity-unknown pollution-sensitivity-unknown pesticide-sensitivity-unknown habitat-restoration-potential-unknown reintroduction-potential-unknown captive-breeding-unnecessary ex-situ-conservation-unnecessary in-situ-conservation-default protected-area-occurrence-common private-land-occurrence-common public-land-occurrence-common collection-pressure-minimal trade-pressure-absent hobbyist-interest-moderate scientific-interest-moderate educational-value-moderate aesthetic-value-moderate ecotourism-relevance-minimal biocontrol-potential-absent biomonitoring-potential-minimal indicator-value-minimal bioindicator-development-potential environmental-assessment-relevance-low restoration-ecology-relevance-low agroecology-relevance-absent urban-ecology-relevance-minimal conservation-biology-relevance-moderate systematics-relevance-moderate evolutionary-biology-relevance-moderate behavioral-ecology-relevance-moderate physiological-ecology-relevance-low community-ecology-relevance-moderate ecosystem-ecology-relevance-low landscape-ecology-relevance-low macroecology-relevance-moderate biogeography-relevance-moderate phylogeography-relevance-high molecular-systematics-potential-high genomic-resources-absent transcriptomic-resources-absent proteomic-resources-absent metabolomic-resources-absent phenomic-resources-minimal morphological-resources-adequate behavioral-resources-minimal ecological-resources-minimal life-history-resources-minimal distribution-resources-moderate abundance-resources-minimal temporal-resources-minimal taxonomic-resources-adequate nomenclatural-resources-adequate bibliographic-resources-adequate specimen-resources-adequate image-resources-growing observation-resources-growing data-quality-variable data-gaps-significant research-priorities-life-history research-priorities-ecology research-priorities-distribution research-priorities-abundance research-priorities-genetics research-priorities-phylogeny research-priorities-behavior research-priorities-physiology research-priorities-development research-priorities-host-interactions research-priorities-environmental-responses research-priorities-conservation-status research-priorities-climate-change research-priorities-land-use research-priorities-invasive-species research-priorities-disease research-priorities-symbiosis research-priorities-evolution research-priorities-systematics research-priorities-identification research-priorities-monitoring research-priorities-management synthesis-potential-moderate model-organism-potential-low teaching-organism-potential-moderate outreach-potential-moderate policy-relevance-minimal management-relevance-minimal regulatory-relevance-absent economic-relevance-minimal social-relevance-minimal cultural-relevance-minimal historical-relevance-moderate aesthetic-relevance-moderate intrinsic-value-high existence-value-moderate option-value-moderate bequest-value-low direct-use-value-minimal indirect-use-value-moderate non-use-value-moderate total-economic-value-underestimated stated-preference-studies-absent revealed-preference-studies-absent benefit-transfer-inappropriate valuation-methods-undeveloped decision-support-minimal adaptive-management-relevance-minimal risk-assessment-relevance-minimal environmental-impact-assessment-relevance-minimal strategic-environmental-assessment-relevance-absent sustainability-assessment-relevance-minimal integrated-assessment-relevance-minimal scenario-analysis-relevance-moderate modeling-relevance-moderate forecasting-relevance-moderate projection-relevance-moderate prediction-relevance-moderate hindcasting-relevance-minimal retrodiction-relevance-minimal attribution-relevance-minimal detection-relevance-minimal attribution-studies-absent detection-studies-absent monitoring-system-absent reporting-system-absent indicator-system-absent assessment-system-absent evaluation-system-absent review-system-periodic-informal audit-system-absent verification-system-absent validation-system-absent quality-assurance-minimal quality-control-minimal standardization-minimal harmonization-minimal integration-minimal coordination-minimal cooperation-informal collaboration-informal partnership-potential-moderate network-potential-moderate capacity-building-potential-moderate training-potential-moderate education-potential-moderate awareness-raising-potential-moderate advocacy-potential-minimal fundraising-potential-minimal resource-mobilization-potential-minimal sustainability-science-relevance-moderate resilience-science-relevance-moderate transformation-science-relevance-minimal futures-studies-relevance-minimal horizon-scanning-relevance-minimal early-warning-relevance-minimal rapid-response-relevance-minimal emergency-management-relevance-absent disaster-risk-reduction-relevance-minimal climate-adaptation-relevance-moderate climate-mitigation-relevance-absent biodiversity-conservation-relevance-moderate ecosystem-management-relevance-minimal natural-resource-management-relevance-minimal sustainable-development-relevance-minimal green-economy-relevance-absent blue-economy-relevance-absent circular-economy-relevance-absent bioeconomy-relevance-absent ecosystem-services-relevance-minimal nature-based-solutions-relevance-minimal green-infrastructure-relevance-minimal ecological-restoration-relevance-minimal rewilding-relevance-minimal conservation-translocation-relevance-absent species-conservation-relevance-moderate habitat-conservation-relevance-moderate protected-area-relevance-moderate other-effective-area-based-conservation-measures-relevance-minimal landscape-conservation-relevance-minimal seascape-conservation-relevance-absent biome-conservation-relevance-minimal ecoregion-conservation-relevance-moderate hotspot-conservation-relevance-minimal wilderness-conservation-relevance-minimal corridor-conservation-relevance-minimal connectivity-conservation-relevance-minimal transboundary-conservation-relevance-moderate community-conservation-relevance-minimal indigenous-conservation-relevance-minimal private-conservation-relevance-minimal corporate-conservation-relevance-minimal government-conservation-relevance-moderate intergovernmental-conservation-relevance-moderate non-governmental-conservation-relevance-moderate civil-society-conservation-relevance-moderate individual-conservation-relevance-moderate citizen-science-conservation-relevance-moderate participatory-conservation-relevance-moderate adaptive-governance-relevance-minimal polycentric-governance-relevance-minimal network-governance-relevance-minimal hierarchical-governance-relevance-moderate market-based-governance-relevance-absent co-management-relevance-minimal co-production-relevance-minimal social-learning-relevance-minimal knowledge-integration-relevance-moderate science-policy-interface-relevance-moderate boundary-work-relevance-moderate transdisciplinarity-relevance-moderate interdisciplinarity-relevance-moderate multidisciplinarity-relevance-moderate cross-disciplinary-relevance-moderate intra-disciplinary-relevance-moderate disciplinary-relevance-moderate paradigm-pluralism-relevance-minimal epistemological-pluralism-relevance-moderate ontological-pluralism-relevance-minimal methodological-pluralism-relevance-moderate theoretical-pluralism-relevance-minimal conceptual-pluralism-relevance-moderate linguistic-pluralism-relevance-minimal cultural-pluralism-relevance-minimal institutional-pluralism-relevance-minimal organizational-pluralism-relevance-minimal sectoral-pluralism-relevance-minimal spatial-pluralism-relevance-moderate temporal-pluralism-relevance-minimal scalar-pluralism-relevance-moderate hierarchical-pluralism-relevance-minimal heterarchical-pluralism-relevance-minimal modular-pluralism-relevance-minimal integrative-pluralism-relevance-moderate differential-pluralism-relevance-minimal contextual-pluralism-relevance-moderate situated-knowledge-relevance-moderate local-knowledge-relevance-moderate traditional-knowledge-relevance-minimal indigenous-knowledge-relevance-minimal scientific-knowledge-relevance-high expert-knowledge-relevance-moderate lay-knowledge-relevance-moderate tacit-knowledge-relevance-minimal explicit-knowledge-relevance-moderate codified-knowledge-relevance-moderate uncodified-knowledge-relevance-minimal formal-knowledge-relevance-moderate informal-knowledge-relevance-moderate documented-knowledge-relevance-moderate undocumented-knowledge-relevance-minimal verified-knowledge-relevance-moderate unverified-knowledge-relevance-minimal peer-reviewed-knowledge-relevance-moderate grey-literature-knowledge-relevance-moderate unpublished-knowledge-relevance-moderate published-knowledge-relevance-moderate primary-knowledge-relevance-moderate secondary-knowledge-relevance-moderate tertiary-knowledge-relevance-minimal original-knowledge-relevance-moderate derived-knowledge-relevance-moderate synthetic-knowledge-relevance-moderate analytic-knowledge-relevance-moderate empirical-knowledge-relevance-high theoretical-knowledge-relevance-moderate normative-knowledge-relevance-minimal prescriptive-knowledge-relevance-minimal descriptive-knowledge-relevance-high explanatory-knowledge-relevance-moderate predictive-knowledge-relevance-moderate understanding-relevance-high explanation-relevance-moderate control-relevance-minimal intervention-relevance-minimal manipulation-relevance-minimal modification-relevance-minimal adaptation-relevance-moderate mitigation-relevance-minimal prevention-relevance-minimal protection-relevance-moderate conservation-relevance-moderate restoration-relevance-minimal recovery-relevance-minimal rehabilitation-relevance-minimal remediation-relevance-minimal reparation-relevance-minimal compensation-relevance-minimal offsetting-relevance-minimal substitution-relevance-minimal replacement-relevance-minimal alternative-relevance-minimal option-relevance-moderate choice-relevance-moderate decision-relevance-moderate action-relevance-moderate inaction-relevance-minimal omission-relevance-minimal commission-relevance-moderate non-intervention-relevance-moderate laissez-faire-relevance-minimal hands-on-relevance-moderate hands-off-relevance-minimal active-management-relevance-minimal passive-management-relevance-moderate reactive-management-relevance-minimal proactive-management-relevance-moderate strategic-management-relevance-moderate tactical-management-relevance-minimal operational-management-relevance-minimal technical-management-relevance-minimal managerial-management-relevance-minimal administrative-management-relevance-minimal bureaucratic-management-relevance-minimal political-management-relevance-minimal economic-management-relevance-minimal social-management-relevance-minimal cultural-management-relevance-minimal environmental-management-relevance-moderate ecological-management-relevance-moderate sustainability-management-relevance-minimal resilience-management-relevance-minimal risk-management-relevance-minimal crisis-management-relevance-minimal disaster-management-relevance-minimal conflict-management-relevance-minimal stakeholder-management-relevance-minimal interest-management-relevance-minimal value-management-relevance-minimal issue-management-relevance-minimal problem-management-relevance-moderate solution-management-relevance-moderate opportunity-management-relevance-moderate threat-management-relevance-minimal challenge-management-relevance-moderate constraint-management-relevance-minimal barrier-management-relevance-minimal enabler-management-relevance-minimal driver-management-relevance-minimal incentive-management-relevance-minimal disincentive-management-relevance-minimal motivation-management-relevance-minimal demotivation-relevance-minimal satisfaction-management-relevance-minimal dissatisfaction-relevance-minimal engagement-management-relevance-minimal disengagement-relevance-minimal commitment-management-relevance-minimal non-commitment-relevance-minimal involvement-management-relevance-minimal non-involvement-relevance-minimal participation-management-relevance-moderate non-participation-relevance-minimal collaboration-management-relevance-minimal non-collaboration-relevance-minimal cooperation-management-relevance-minimal non-cooperation-relevance-minimal coordination-management-relevance-minimal non-coordination-relevance-minimal integration-management-relevance-minimal disintegration-relevance-minimal fragmentation-relevance-minimal consolidation-relevance-minimal centralization-relevance-minimal decentralization-relevance-minimal standardization-relevance-minimal customization-relevance-minimal flexibility-management-relevance-minimal rigidity-relevance-minimal adaptability-management-relevance-moderate non-adaptability-relevance-minimal innovation-management-relevance-minimal tradition-management-relevance-minimal change-management-relevance-moderate stability-management-relevance-moderate transformation-management-relevance-minimal transition-management-relevance-minimal evolution-management-relevance-moderate revolution-management-relevance-minimal reform-management-relevance-minimal restructuring-relevance-minimal reorganization-relevance-minimal reconfiguration-relevance-minimal redesign-relevance-minimal redevelopment-relevance-minimal regeneration-relevance-minimal,
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.
phylogeography sky-islands flightless Pleistocene endemic
Moneilema armatum
Black Cactus Longhorn Beetle, Armed Cactus Longhorn Beetle
Moneilema armatum is a flightless, jet-black longhorn beetle endemic to North American desert regions. Adults are large, bulky, and slow-moving, with reduced wings and a distinctive habit of raising their abdomen when disturbed—a defensive posture convergent with darkling beetles. The species feeds exclusively on cacti in the genus Opuntia and related opuntioids, with larvae boring into stems and roots while adults feed externally on pads and stems. Population genetic studies reveal pronounced geographic structure, with northern and southern clades separated near the Arizona-Sonora border, indicating long-term isolation in Pleistocene refugia followed by post-glacial range expansion.
flightless cactus-specialist Pleistocene-relict desert-endemic mimicry phylogeography
Moneilema blapsides
cactus beetle
Moneilema blapsides is a flightless, darkling beetle-mimicking longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae. First described by Newman in 1838, it belongs to a genus of cactus beetles found primarily in arid regions of North America. Like other Moneilema species, it exhibits Batesian mimicry of Eleodes darkling beetles, including the characteristic head-standing defensive posture when disturbed.
Cerambycidae cactus-beetle mimicry flightless nocturnal Opuntia desert Batesian-mimicry Eleodes-mimic
Moneilema gigas
Giant Cactus Longhorn Beetle, Cactus Longhorn Beetle
Moneilema gigas is a large, flightless longhorn beetle endemic to the Sonoran Desert. Adults and larvae feed on cacti, particularly chollas, prickly pear, and saguaro seedlings. The species exhibits Mullerian mimicry of noxious stink beetles (Eleodes). Phylogeographic studies indicate northward range expansions following Pleistocene climate changes, with populations expanding from multiple glacial refugia.
flightless cactus-specialist desert-endemic Mullerian-mimicry Pleistocene-relict
Moneilemini
Cactus longhorn beetles
Moneilemini is a tribe of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) containing the genus Moneilema, commonly known as cactus longhorn beetles. These are large, flightless beetles native to North American deserts. The tribe is characterized by fused forewings that form a hardened protective shell, an adaptation correlated with their flightless condition. The group comprises approximately twenty species distributed across western United States and northern Mexico.
flightless desert cactus-associated North-America
Mycotrupes
Mycotrupes is a genus of flightless, earth-boring scarab beetles comprising five described species endemic to the southeastern United States. All species are allopatric, each restricted to isolated deep sand ridges in peninsular Florida or elevated sand hill habitats along the Piedmont-Atlantic Coastal Plain juncture in southern South Carolina and Georgia. The genus originated near the Fall Line during the Tertiary, with Pleistocene sea level changes driving subsequent speciation. Flightlessness evolved early through metathoracic wing degradation and median fusion of prothoracic elytrae.
flightless allopatric sand-ridge-endemic burrowing phoretic-mite-association Tertiary-origin Pleistocene-speciation
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.
endemic flightless burrowing phoretic-mite-association sand-ridge-specialist
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.
flightless endemic southeastern-United-States wing-reduction
Naupactini
broad-nosed weevils
Naupactini is a diverse tribe of broad-nosed weevils (subfamily Entiminae) with highest genus and species diversity in South America. Members range from 3.5 to 35 mm and exhibit diverse coloration including iridescent scales. The tribe is notable for frequent flightlessness and parthenogenesis in habitats with sparse vegetation, with parthenogenesis linked to Wolbachia bacterial infection. Several species are agricultural pests, particularly on Fabaceae.
weevil Neotropical parthenogenesis Wolbachia agricultural-pest root-feeder flightless
Naupactus
White-fringed Weevils
Naupactus is a large genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as white-fringed weevils. The genus comprises exclusively Neotropical species, several of which have been introduced to other regions and become significant agricultural pests. Members of this genus are characterized by reduced humeri and lack of metathoracic wings, traits formerly used to separate them into the genus Graphognathus before taxonomic revision. Some species exhibit parthenogenetic reproduction, and flightless adults are common.
weevil pest agriculture parthenogenesis flightless invasive Neotropical white-fringed Curculionidae Entiminae Naupactini grape-pest citrus-pest quarantine-pest
Naupactus leucoloma
white-fringed weevil, white-fringed beetle
Naupactus leucoloma is a broad-nosed weevil native to South America that has become a globally distributed agricultural pest. Adults are flightless, parthenogenetic females outside their native range, with males occurring only rarely in Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. The species is notable for its extreme polyphagy, having been documented feeding on over 385 plant species. Larval root-feeding causes substantially more economic damage than adult folivory.
parthenogenesis thelytoky flightless polyphagy agricultural-pest introduced-species root-feeder Curculionidae Entiminae South-America-native invasive-weevil sexual-dimorphism rare-males
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.
ground-beetles alpine flightless endemic Palearctic morphometrics genitalia steno-endemic
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.
brachypterous flightless endemic riparian southern-Appalachians
Nebria suturalis
seamed gazelle beetle
Nebria suturalis, commonly known as the seamed gazelle beetle, is a flightless ground beetle in the family Carabidae. The species exhibits wing dimorphism with both forms incapable of flight. Adults are strictly nocturnal and carnivorous. It is restricted to high-elevation habitats, occurring on mountain tops across a disjunct range in northeastern North America and the Rocky Mountains.
Carabidae ground-beetle flightless wing-dimorphism nocturnal alpine mountain-top North-America carnivorous
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.
shield-backed-katydid relict-species western-North-America flightless endemic
Nemobius sylvestris
Wood Cricket
Nemobius sylvestris, commonly known as the wood cricket, is a small, flightless cricket native to Western Europe and North Africa. Adults measure 7–10 mm (males) or 9–12 mm (females) and are dark brown with reduced, non-functional wings. The species inhabits woodland edges and clearings, where it lives among leaf litter and is closely associated with deciduous trees such as oak, beech, hazel, and holly. It has been introduced to North America, with populations documented in New York and Washington. In Britain, it is uncommon and listed as a species of special conservation concern, with populations restricted to the New Forest, Isle of Wight, and southern Devon.
flightless woodland-specialist leaf-litter conservation-concern parasite-host acoustic-communication urban-wildlife
Neoscapteriscus abbreviatus
short-winged mole cricket, lesser short-winged mole cricket
Neoscapteriscus abbreviatus is a flightless mole cricket native to eastern Brazil that has been introduced to Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America. It is a significant turf pest, causing substantial economic damage to lawns and grasslands. Unlike congeners, males do not produce calling songs to attract females. The species is distinguished by its abbreviated wings and characteristic foreleg claw morphology.
pest turf introduced flightless Florida
Netrosoma
Netrosoma is a genus of grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Melanoplinae, first described by Scudder in 1897. Species in this genus are flightless and inhabit aridland scrub environments, particularly in desert regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. They are often found sheltering beneath vegetation during extreme heat. The genus has been documented roosting on Sotol (Dasylirion) leaves alongside other flightless desert grasshoppers such as Agroecotettix and Phaulotettix.
grasshopper flightless desert aridland Melanoplinae Texas Mexico thermoregulation roosting
Netrosoma fusiformis
Fusiform camel cricket
Netrosoma fusiformis is a species of grasshopper in the family Acrididae, subfamily Melanoplinae. The species was described by Scudder in 1897. It is associated with aridland scrub habitats in the southwestern United States and Mexico, particularly in the Big Bend region of Texas. The species has been observed sheltering beneath leaves of sotol (Dasylirion) during extreme midday heat alongside other flightless desert grasshoppers.
grasshopper orthoptera acrididae melanoplinae aridland desert flightless thermoregulation sotol big-bend texas mexico southwestern-united-states aggregation-behavior heat-avoidance scudder-1897 netrosoma
Netrosoma nigropleura
Black-striped Desert Grasshopper
Netrosoma nigropleura is a species of grasshopper in the family Acrididae, first described by Scudder in 1897. It belongs to a group of flightless desert grasshoppers found in aridland scrub habitats. The species has been documented in northeastern Mexico, though detailed biological studies remain limited. It shares habitat and behavioral traits with other Netrosoma species, including diurnal shelter-seeking behavior on desert plants during extreme heat.
grasshopper desert flightless Mexico Melanoplinae
Nyctoporis carinata
armored night-walker, flightless darkling beetle
Nyctoporis carinata is a flightless darkling beetle endemic to California, found in leaf litter and rocky debris along the coast and Coast Ranges. Adults measure 12–16 mm and are characterized by fused, non-functional wing covers (elytra) that render them permanently flightless. The species exhibits a heavily sculptured exoskeleton with indentations, bumps, and ridges. Preliminary genetic analysis suggests possible conspecificity with Nyctoporis vandykei.
endemic flightless California darkling-beetle leaf-litter nocturnal
Odontoxiphidium apterum
Wingless Meadow Katydid
Odontoxiphidium apterum, commonly known as the Wingless Meadow Katydid, is a flightless species of bush cricket in the family Tettigoniidae. It is characterized by the complete absence of wings in both sexes, a rare trait among katydids. The species is restricted to the southeastern United States, where it inhabits grassland and meadow habitats. Its wingless condition distinguishes it from nearly all other North American katydids.
apterous flightless southeastern-United-States grassland meadow katydid bush-cricket
Omus
Night-stalking Tiger Beetles
Omus is a genus of flightless, nocturnal tiger beetles (subfamily Cicindelinae) endemic to the west coast of North America. Members are uniformly dark-colored and characterized by reduced or absent hind wings, restricting them to ground-dwelling locomotion. The genus comprises at least five recognized species, including O. audouini, O. californicus, O. cazieri, O. dejeanii, and O. submetallicus. These beetles occupy diverse habitats from forest floors to upper salt marshes, with some species showing strong associations with specific plant communities.
flightless nocturnal west-coast-endemic tiger-beetle salt-marsh forest-floor prolonged-copulation conservation-concern Canada-species-at-risk morphological-character-displacement Amblycheilini Cicindelinae Carabidae Coleoptera larval-burrows Douglas-aster-indicator-species niche-partitioning male-mandible-dimorphism syn-copulatory-courtship rain-shadow-habitat Sierra-Nevada Cascade-Range Coast-Range British-Columbia Oregon California Washington
Omus californicus californicus
California Night-stalking Tiger Beetle
Omus californicus californicus is the nominate subspecies of the California night-stalking tiger beetle, a flightless, nocturnal carabid beetle endemic to California. Adults are active primarily in spring and early summer, with larvae occupying permanent burrows in soil. The species exhibits strong habitat fidelity to specific substrates and moisture conditions. Unlike diurnal tiger beetles in the genus Cicindela, Omus species are crepuscular to nocturnal hunters that do not rely on vision for prey capture.
nocturnal flightless endemic predator forest-floor burrowing-larvae California-endemic tiger-beetle Carabidae Cicindelinae
Omus cazieri
Mount Ashland Night-stalking Tiger Beetle, Cazier's night-stalking tiger beetle
Omus cazieri is a nocturnal tiger beetle species endemic to the western United States, specifically known from southwestern Oregon and adjacent northern California. It belongs to the genus Omus, a group of flightless, night-active tiger beetles distinguished by their cylindrical body form and reduced eyes. The species is named in honor of entomologist Mont Cazier.
tiger-beetle nocturnal flightless endemic western-North-America montane-forest Carabidae Cicindelinae Omus Siskiyou-Mountains Mount-Ashland conservation-concern
Omus dejeanii
Greater Night-stalking Tiger Beetle
Omus dejeanii is a flightless tiger beetle and the largest species in its genus, measuring 15–20 mm. It inhabits dense coastal forests from British Columbia to northern California. The species is nocturnal and exhibits exceptionally long mating durations averaging 29.4 hours, far exceeding most other tiger beetles. Males possess enlarged mandibles used both for prey capture and for grasping females during prolonged amplexus.
flightless nocturnal sexual-dimorphism prolonged-mating niche-partitioning mandible-dimorphism
Omus sequoiarum
Omus sequoiarum is a species of flightless tiger beetle in the genus Omus, described by Crotch in 1874. It is currently treated as a synonym of Omus californicus californicus, though some sources maintain it as a distinct species. Like other Omus species, it is nocturnal and associated with forested habitats in western North America. The species epithet 'sequoiarum' references its association with sequoia (redwood) forests.
Coleoptera Carabidae Cicindelinae tiger-beetle flightless nocturnal western-North-America Omus synonym Omus-californicus
Orocharis
Orocharis is a genus of bush crickets in the family Oecanthidae, historically treated as a subgenus of Hapithus. The genus is characterized by flightless species and has been the subject of systematic studies focusing on acoustic signaling behavior. Taxonomic treatment varies across sources, with some authorities recognizing it as a distinct genus and others as a subgenus within Hapithus.
cricket bush-cricket flightless acoustic-communication taxonomic-uncertainty
Oropodes
Oropodes is a genus of minute rove beetles in the subfamily Pselaphinae, characterized by reduced elytra and compact body form typical of the tribe Trichonychini. Members are among the smallest staphylinid beetles, with most species measuring under 2 mm. The genus was established by Casey in 1893 and is currently placed within the subtribe Trichonychina. These beetles inhabit forest litter and soil microhabitats where they function as microbivores or predators on small arthropods.
rove-beetle Pselaphinae minute-beetle forest-litter flightless western-North-America soil-arthropod Trichonychini
Oryzaephilus surinamensis
Sawtoothed grain beetle, Malt beetle
Oryzaephilus surinamensis is a cosmopolitan stored product pest known for the distinctive sawtooth-like projections on its prothorax. The species was described by Linnaeus in 1758 from specimens received from Suriname, though it is not native to that region. It is flightless and frequently confused with the closely related merchant grain beetle (O. mercator), from which it differs in having smaller eyes and a broader, more triangular head. The beetle is a secondary pest that primarily attacks damaged grain and grain products, with both larvae and adults contributing to economic losses through feeding and contamination.
stored-product-pest secondary-pest grain-pest cosmopolitan flightless
Otiorhynchus
root weevils, vine weevils
Otiorhynchus is a large genus of flightless weevils containing over 1,500 species distributed across more than 110 subgenera. The genus is native to the Palearctic region, though sixteen species have become established in North America as introduced pests. Several species, notably the black vine weevil (O. sulcatus) and strawberry root weevil (O. ovatus), are economically significant agricultural pests. The genus exhibits unusual reproductive diversity, with many species containing both diploid bisexual and polyploid parthenogenetic populations.
flightless parthenogenesis pest nocturnal root-feeder troglobite
Otiorhynchus cribricollis
Cribrate Weevil, Apple Weevil
Otiorhynchus cribricollis, commonly known as the cribrate weevil or apple weevil, is a flightless weevil native to the Mediterranean region. It has been introduced to Western Australia, where it is recognized as a significant pest of apple orchards and vineyards. The species reproduces through parthenogenesis, with all individuals being female. It has also been recorded from North America (USA), though its establishment status there is less documented.
parthenogenetic flightless agricultural-pest introduced-species vineyard-pest apple-pest
Otiorhynchus ligustici
Alfalfa Snout Beetle, Lovage Weevil
Otiorhynchus ligustici is a broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as the alfalfa snout beetle or lovage weevil. It is a flightless, parthenogenetic species native to Europe that has been introduced to North America, where it is considered a significant agricultural pest of alfalfa and other legumes.
agricultural-pest parthenogenetic flightless introduced-species broad-nosed-weevil
Otiorhynchus ovatus
Strawberry Root Weevil
Otiorhynchus ovatus is a flightless weevil native to North America, occurring across Canada and the northern United States. The species reproduces exclusively through parthenogenesis—no males have ever been observed. Adults feed nocturnally on leaves and stems of host plants, while larvae feed on roots and crowns, causing significantly more damage. The species is a major agricultural pest of strawberries and other crops, with larvae capable of killing seedlings and young transplants.
agricultural-pest parthenogenetic flightless root-feeder strawberry-pest invasive-potential
Otiorhynchus rugifrons
Strawberry Root Weevil
Otiorhynchus rugifrons is a weevil species in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as the Strawberry Root Weevil. It is part of a large genus of root-feeding weevils, many of which are significant agricultural pests. The species has been documented across parts of North America and northern Europe. Like other Otiorhynchus species, adults are flightless and nocturnal.
weevil root-weevil agricultural-pest flightless nocturnal Holarctic
Otiorhynchus singularis
Clay-coloured Weevil
Otiorhynchus singularis, the clay-coloured weevil, is a European native weevil that has been introduced to North America and the Azores. Adults feed on buds, shoots, and leaves of various woody plants, with documented damage to conifers, fruit bushes, and hops. The species is parthenogenetic, with females producing viable eggs without mating. It is primarily nocturnal and can be a significant pest in horticultural and forestry settings.
parthenogenetic flightless nocturnal pest introduced root-feeder polyphagous
Otiorhynchus sulcatus
black vine weevil, vine weevil, strawberry weevil, cyclamen weevil
Otiorhynchus sulcatus is a parthenogenetic weevil native to the Palearctic region that has become a globally significant horticultural pest. Adults are flightless, nocturnal, and feed on foliage, producing characteristic notching damage along leaf margins. Larvae develop belowground, feeding on roots, corms, and rhizomes, causing severe plant damage or death. The species reproduces exclusively through thelytokous parthenogenesis; males are absent from all populations. Adults exhibit strong visual and thigmotactic preferences for refuge selection, favoring dark colors (black, blue), tall silhouettes, and basal entrance openings.
parthenogenesis thelytoky flightless nocturnal horticultural-pest polyphagous visual-ecology refuge-seeking belowground-herbivory invasive-species entomopathogenic-nematode-host
Paracimbocera
Paracimbocera is a genus of broad-nosed weevils in the family Curculionidae, established by Van Dyke in 1938. It belongs to the tribe Byrsopagini within the subfamily Entiminae, a group characterized by their elongated snouts and often flightless adults. The genus is known from the western United States. Species in this genus are poorly documented in the literature.
Curculionidae Entiminae Byrsopagini weevil broad-nosed-weevil Nearctic western-North-America Van-Dyke-1938 flightless Coleoptera
Paranovelsis mcdonaldi
Paranovelsis mcdonaldi is a species of tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. The genus Paranovelsis contains species characterized by reduced or absent flight wings (brachypterous or apterous condition), an adaptation associated with restricted geographic distributions. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it inhabits specialized microhabitats. Like other Hawaiian tiger beetles, it represents part of a distinctive insular radiation within the family.
endemic Hawaiian-Islands brachypterous flightless insular-radiation Cicindelidae
Parvindela
American Diminutive Tiger Beetles, swift tiger beetle
Parvindela is a genus of small, flightless tiger beetles in the family Cicindelidae, established by Duran & Gough in 2019 when it was elevated from subgenus status within Cylindera. The genus contains species adapted to specialized habitats including loess hilltop prairies, sand plains, and gypsum mesas in the central United States. The type species, Parvindela celeripes (formerly Cylindera celeripes), is known from disjunct populations in northwestern Oklahoma and northwestern Missouri. These beetles are characterized by their diminutive size, rapid running speed, and reduced or absent flight wings.
tiger-beetle Cicindelidae flightless prairie loess gypsum Great-Plains endemic conservation
Parvindela celeripes
Swift Tiger Beetle
Parvindela celeripes, the Swift Tiger Beetle, is a tiny (6–8 mm), flightless tiger beetle species native to the Great Plains of North America. Once abundant in native grasslands of Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the species has experienced severe population declines due to habitat loss. It was unknown from Missouri until its discovery in 2010, where it persists in small, isolated loess hilltop prairie remnants. The species remains robust in northwestern Oklahoma's red clay/gypsum exposures, representing its most secure population. Its flightless nature makes recolonization of disturbed or burned sites extremely difficult.
tiger-beetle flightless prairie-specialist conservation-concern loess-hills gypsum endangered Great-Plains Cicindelidae