Florida-fauna
Guides
Balclutha frontalis
Balclutha frontalis is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. It is one of several Balclutha species documented in Florida, United States, where COI barcode data have been generated for phylogenetic studies. The species has been recorded from California and Mediterranean localities including Turkey (Adana, Antalya, Aydin) and Greece (Athens). As a member of the genus Balclutha, it likely shares characteristics with other microleafhoppers in the group, though species-specific ecological details remain limited.
Balclutha lucida
Balclutha lucida is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, originally described as Jassus lucidus by Butler in 1877. It belongs to the genus Balclutha, a group of small, often colorful leafhoppers commonly referred to as microleafhoppers. COI barcode data have been generated from specimens collected in Florida, where it is one of several Balclutha species documented. The species has a broad geographic distribution with records from the Galápagos Islands, China, Papua New Guinea, and the United States.
Davara caricae
Papaya Webworm Moth
Davara caricae, commonly known as the papaya webworm moth, is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1913. The species is associated with papaya (Carica papaya), as indicated by its specific epithet. It occurs in parts of the Caribbean and southern Florida.
Decadiomus bahamicus
Rubin Vase Lady Beetle
Decadiomus bahamicus is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is native to the Caribbean region and has been recorded in southern Florida. The species is known by the common name "Rubin Vase Lady Beetle." Knowledge of this species is limited, with few documented observations.
Diaphania lualis
Diaphania lualis is a small crambid moth with a wingspan of approximately 19 mm. It occurs in the Caribbean, Mexico, and the southern United States. Adults have been documented in Florida during two distinct periods: September through January and May through June.
Empoasca hastosa
Empoasca hastosa is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae, described by Ross and Moore in 1957. The species is part of the large and economically significant genus Empoasca, which includes several major agricultural pests. Distribution records indicate occurrence in Florida and Cuba (CU), with the DO code likely representing the Dominican Republic. Like other Empoasca species, E. hastosa likely shares the characteristic leafhopper morphology and plant-feeding habits of the genus, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Junonia neildi
West Indian Mangrove Buckeye
Junonia neildi, the West Indian Mangrove Buckeye, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It was elevated from subspecies status under Junonia genoveva to full species rank in 2004. The species occurs in coastal regions of the southeastern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It is one of three Junonia species currently documented in Florida, alongside J. coenia and J. zonalis.
Liriomyza schmidti
Liriomyza schmidti is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Aldrich in 1929. It is known from Florida, the West Indies, and Costa Rica. As a member of the genus Liriomyza, it is presumed to be a leaf miner, though specific details of its biology are poorly documented in accessible literature.
Microphysetica hermeasalis
Microphysetica hermeasalis is a small crambid moth described by Francis Walker in 1859. It has a wingspan of 9–10 mm and occurs across the Caribbean Basin, including Florida, Mexico, Central America, the Antilles, and northern South America. Adults are active during specific periods in Florida, with flight records from March through June and again from November through December.
Platynota calidana
Platynota calidana is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of approximately 15 mm. The species is known from limited geographic records in Cuba and Florida, USA. As a member of the leafroller moth genus Platynota, its larvae likely feed on plant foliage, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Salbia tytiusalis
Salbia tytiusalis is a crambid moth described by Francis Walker in 1859. Adults display distinctive pale ash-gray coloration with iridescent, semihyaline wings marked by dark costal shading, a lunulate reniform spot, and marginal black points. The species occurs in subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas, with adults active nearly year-round.
Synchlora cupedinaria
Brown-bordered Emerald
Synchlora cupedinaria is a small emerald moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1880. The species is restricted to the Caribbean region and extreme southeastern United States, with confirmed records from Florida, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form and S. c. guadelupensis described by Herbulot in 1988. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 14–17 mm. Like other members of the genus Synchlora, the larvae are known for their remarkable camouflage behavior, adorning their bodies with fragments of host plant material.