Florida-endemic
Guides
Peltotrupes profundus
Florida Deep-digger Scarab, Florida deepdigger scarab
Peltotrupes profundus is an earth-boring scarab beetle in the family Geotrupidae, endemic to Florida. The species was described by Henry Howden in 1952 and belongs to a genus of deep-burrowing beetles adapted to sandy substrates. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate P. p. profundus and P. p. dubius. Like other geotrupids, adults construct deep burrows for larval development.
Phanogomphus australis
Clearlake Clubtail
Phanogomphus australis, commonly known as the Clearlake Clubtail, is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is a North American endemic with a restricted distribution centered on Florida. The species inhabits lake margins and associated wetland habitats. Like other clubtails, it is characterized by the expanded, club-like tip of the male abdomen.
Pheidole floridana
Pheidole floridana is a species of ant in the genus Pheidole, first described by Carlo Emery in 1895. The species is part of the highly diverse and ecologically significant genus Pheidole, which is characterized by its distinctive worker caste polymorphism featuring minor workers and major workers (soldiers) with enlarged heads. Specific biological details for P. floridana are limited in available sources.
Philonthus gopheri
Gopher Tortoise Rove Beetle
Philonthus gopheri is a species of rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) described by Hubbard in 1894. It is commonly known as the Gopher Tortoise Rove Beetle due to its documented association with gopher tortoise burrows. The species is known from Florida, USA, and like other members of the genus Philonthus, it is likely predatory. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases.
Philothermus floridensis
Philothermus floridensis is a species of minute bark beetle in the family Cerylonidae, first described from Florida in 1973. Members of the genus Philothermus are small, inconspicuous beetles associated with dead wood and bark habitats. The species epithet "floridensis" indicates its type locality in Florida.
Phoenicocoris australis
Phoenicocoris australis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Blatchley in 1926. It is a member of the genus Phoenicocoris, a group of mirids associated with conifers. The species is known from Florida, USA, and appears to have a restricted distribution within the southeastern United States. As with many mirids, specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Photomorphus archboldi
Photomorphus archboldi is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae) described from central Florida. The species is known only from male specimens, which were collected in malaise traps at Archbold Biological Station in Highlands County. The female remains undescribed.
Phyllomydas parvulus
Phyllomydas parvulus is a species of mydas fly (family Mydidae) in the order Diptera. The species was originally described as Midas parvulus by Westwood in 1841 before being transferred to the genus Phyllomydas. It is known from Florida. Mydas flies are generally among the largest flies in North America, though specific size information for this species is not documented in available sources.
Phyllophaga okeechobea
Phyllophaga okeechobea is a species of scarab beetle in the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species was described by Robinson in 1948 and is known from Florida. Like other members of this large genus, it likely exhibits the typical life history of Phyllophaga species, with larvae feeding on plant roots underground and adults emerging to feed on foliage. However, specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Physoconops floridanus
Florida physoconops
Physoconops floridanus is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae, described by Camras in 1955. The species is endemic to Florida. Thick-headed flies are known for their parasitoid lifestyle, with larvae developing inside other insects, primarily Hymenoptera.
Pleuroloma cala
Pleuroloma cala is a flat-backed millipede in the family Xystodesmidae, endemic to peninsular Florida south of the Suwannee River. It is one of four recognized species in the genus Pleuroloma, distinguished from the widespread P. flavipes by subtle morphological differences in segmental profile, sternal configuration, and male gonopod structure. The species was originally described as Zinaria cala by Chamberlin in 1939.
Pogonomyrmex badius
Florida Harvester Ant
Pogonomyrmex badius, the Florida harvester ant, is the only Pogonomyrmex species found on the east coast of the United States and the only North American member of the genus known to exhibit worker polymorphism. This species inhabits sandy, well-drained soils in Florida scrub and similar Atlantic coastal plain habitats. Colonies construct deep nests reaching 2.5–3.0 meters, with underground seed granaries and distinctive surface middens of charcoal and detritus. Workers display pronounced size variation (6.35–9.52 mm), with task allocation based on worker size and age-based vertical stratification within the nest. The species is notable for seasonal nest relocation, tool use for liquid food transport, and highly toxic venom delivered through a barbed stinger capable of autotomy.
Ponana floridana
Ponana floridana is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Iassinae, described by DeLong in 1942. The genus Ponana belongs to the tribe Gyponini, a group of leafhoppers characterized by their distinctive head shape and wing venation. This species is known from the southeastern United States, with records from Florida and Texas.
Procambarus fallax
Slough Crayfish, Deceitful Crayfish
Procambarus fallax is a freshwater crayfish native to peninsular Florida and southern Georgia, USA, where it inhabits tributaries of the Satilla River. The species is notable as the sexual parental species of the parthenogenetic Marmorkrebs (marbled crayfish), which originated as a single lineage from P. fallax through apomictic parthenogenesis. While P. fallax reproduces sexually with separate males and females, its parthenogenetic derivative has achieved global distribution through the aquarium trade and exhibits high invasive potential due to single-female founding capability.
Proctacanthus fulviventris
Proctacanthus fulviventris is a large robber fly in the nominate subfamily Asilinae, reaching 25–30 mm in length. The species is a Florida near-endemic with its distribution extending minimally into southern Georgia. It is distinguished by a bright yellow mystax (beard), black femora with red tibiae, and reddish abdominal terga. Females have been observed ovipositing in loose sandy soils.
Protambulyx carteri
Carter's sphinx, Carter's Streaked Sphinx
Protambulyx carteri is a species of sphinx moth (Sphingidae) first described by Rothschild and Jordan in 1903. It is commonly known as Carter's sphinx or Carter's Streaked Sphinx. The species is known from the US state of Florida. As a member of the genus Protambulyx, it belongs to a group of hawkmoths characterized by their streamlined bodies and powerful flight capabilities. Published records indicate it is a rarely encountered species with limited observational data available.
Pseudomyrmex seminole
Seminole Twig Ant
Pseudomyrmex seminole is a species of twig ant described by Ward in 1985. The common name references the Seminole people of Florida, where this species occurs. Like other members of the genus Pseudomyrmex, it exhibits the characteristic elongate, wasp-like body form and notably large compound eyes that distinguish this group from most other ants. The species belongs to a diverse Neotropical genus containing over 200 species, many of which are associated with woody vegetation.
Rhopalotria slossoni
Rhopalotria slossoni is a belid weevil endemic to Florida that serves as an obligate pollinator of the cycad Zamia integrifolia. The species exhibits highly specialized mutualism with its host, with both life stages intimately associated with cycad male cones. Adults actively collect pollen using specialized body cavities and deliberately transfer it to female cones during visitation. This represents one of the few documented cases of beetle-mediated pollination in cycads.
Rivellia floridana
Florida signal fly
Rivellia floridana is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, described by Johnson in 1900. As a member of the genus Rivellia, it shares the family's characteristic wing-waving behavior used for intraspecific signaling. The species is known from Florida, though detailed biological information is sparse. Signal flies in this genus typically have larvae that develop in association with plant root nodules, particularly in leguminous plants.
Salebriaria floridana
Salebriaria floridana is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It is one of multiple Florida-endemic insect species bearing the epithet 'floridana,' including the well-documented tiger beetles Cicindelidia floridana and Tetracha floridana. The genus Salebriaria contains small moths associated with dry, sandy habitats. Unlike the tiger beetles with which it shares its specific epithet, this moth has received limited scientific attention and its biology remains poorly documented.
Sandalus randyi
Sandalus randyi is a species of click beetle relative in the family Rhipiceridae, described from Florida in 2018. It belongs to a small genus of beetles known for their distinctive appearance and association with wood-boring beetle larvae. The species was named in honor of Randy Hardy, a coleopterist who contributed significantly to the study of North American beetles. Like other members of Sandalus, it is likely a predator or parasitoid of wood-boring beetle larvae, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Sarasota plumigerella
Sarasota plumigerella is a species of moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, first described by George D. Hulst in 1900. The genus Sarasota is monotypic, containing only this single species. Like other members of the Phycitinae, it is presumed to be a small moth with larvae that likely feed on plant material, though specific life history details remain poorly documented. The species epithet and genus name reference Sarasota, Florida, suggesting a type locality or association with this region.
Scaphomorphus
Scaphomorphus is a genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae, first described by Motschulsky in 1860. The genus contains species that appear to be associated with specific host plants, particularly legumes. One documented species, Scaphomorphus subcylindricus, has been recorded from Florida where it was found on the endemic plant Lupinis ocalensis (Ocala lupine). The genus is part of the diverse weevil fauna of North America, with records from the southeastern United States.
Scleropogon floridensis
Scleropogon floridensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1951. The genus Scleropogon comprises predatory flies characterized by their elongated bodies and distinctive leg morphology. This species is part of a group of asilids that inhabit sandy or scrub environments. As with other robber flies, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Scopula timandrata
Black-patched Wave
Scopula timandrata is a moth in the family Geometridae, commonly known as the Black-patched Wave. This species is known only from Florida, with a wingspan of approximately 24–27 mm. It belongs to a large genus of geometer moths whose larvae are typically inchworm-like and feed on a variety of plants. The specific epithet 'timandrata' refers to a characteristic feature of the species, though detailed biological information remains limited due to its restricted distribution and apparent rarity.
Selenophorus nonellipticus
Selenophorus nonellipticus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described in 2021 from Florida, USA. The species name refers to its non-elliptical body shape, distinguishing it from congeners. It belongs to a genus of nocturnal, soil-dwelling beetles primarily found in the Americas.
Sepedon floridensis
Florida snail-killing fly
A species of snail-killing marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, endemic to Florida. Adults are active in early spring and are associated with aquatic habitats where their predatory larvae feed on pulmonate snails. The species was described by Steyskal in 1951 and belongs to a genus with 20 recognized species in North America, many of which have been investigated for potential biological control of snail vectors of parasitic diseases.
Stelis australis floridensis
Stelis australis floridensis is a subspecies of cleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae. It was described by Mitchell in 1962. Like other members of the genus Stelis, this bee is a kleptoparasite (cuckoo bee) that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees, primarily megachilid hosts. The subspecific epithet 'floridensis' indicates its association with Florida. Very few observations of this taxon have been recorded.
Stizocera floridana
Stizocera floridana is a small longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) described by Linsley in 1949. It is known from a single specimen collected in Lee County, Florida, and reaches approximately 13 mm in length. The species belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini within the subfamily Cerambycinae. Very little is known about its biology or ecology due to its rarity and limited documentation.
Sumitrosis triplehorni
Sumitrosis triplehorni is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is known only from southern Florida and the Florida Keys, making it a geographically restricted species. Adults are among the smallest members of the genus, measuring under 3.5 mm in length.
Synanthedon sapygaeformis
Florida Oakgall Moth, Florida Oakgall Borer Moth
Synanthedon sapygaeformis is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, commonly known as the Florida Oakgall Moth or Florida Oakgall Borer Moth. A subspecies, S. sapygaeformis floridensis, has been documented in Florida with biological notes published in 1964. As with other sesiids, this species exhibits wasp mimicry through its transparent wings and hymenopteran-like appearance. The specific epithet 'sapygaeformis' references a resemblance to wasps in the genus Sapyga.
Tachytrechus floridensis
Tachytrechus floridensis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Aldrich in 1896. The genus Tachytrechus belongs to the diverse subfamily Dolichopodinae, which includes small to medium-sized predatory flies often found in sunny habitats. Members of this genus share the family's characteristic metallic coloration and elongated legs. The specific epithet "floridensis" indicates a connection to Florida, though detailed natural history information for this particular species remains limited in available sources.
Tortyra iocyaneus
Tortyra iocyaneus is a small moth in the family Choreutidae, known from Florida, United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 14 mm. It is a member of a genus characterized by metallic coloration and distinctive wing patterns.
Tortyra slossonia
Slosson's metalmark moth, reflective tortyra moth, ficus budworm
A small moth in the family Choreutidae, known from Florida. The species was described by Fernald in 1900 and named for entomologist Annie Trumbull Slosson. It has a wingspan of approximately 13 mm. The common name "ficus budworm" suggests an association with Ficus plants, though specific host relationships require confirmation.
Trichiotinus rufobrunneus
Florida flower scarab
Trichiotinus rufobrunneus is a species of flower scarab beetle endemic to Florida, commonly known as the Florida flower scarab. It belongs to the genus Trichiotinus, a North American endemic group of trichiine scarabs. The species is associated with the flowers of Opuntia australis (Florida pricklypear cactus), an endemic plant, and has been observed mating within these flowers. Its distribution is limited to Florida, making it a species of conservation concern due to habitat loss from urban development and agriculture.
Xyleborus bispinatus
Xyleborus bispinatus is a tropical ambrosia beetle in the tribe Xyleborini. Native to the Americas, it has established populations in Florida and been introduced to the Iberian Peninsula. The beetle maintains nutritional mutualisms with ambrosia fungi and has demonstrated unusual flexibility in acquiring symbionts from invasive beetle species, including plant pathogens. It is a potential vector for laurel wilt disease and has been associated with avocado decline in multiple regions.
Xylocopa virginica krombeini
South Florida Eastern Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa virginica krombeini is a subspecies of the eastern carpenter bee restricted to southern Florida. As part of the Xylocopini tribe, it shares the robust body form and wood-nesting behavior characteristic of large carpenter bees. The subspecies designation reflects geographic isolation and potential morphological differentiation from nominate X. virginica populations in the eastern United States. Like other Xylocopa, it is a solitary bee with incipient social traits, including prolonged maternal care and cohabitation of daughters with mothers.