Florida
Guides
Epitheca stella
Florida baskettail
Epitheca stella, the Florida baskettail, is a species of emerald dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found in North America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats to survival; this status was reviewed in 2017.
Erythridula similalis
Erythridula similalis is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae. It belongs to a diverse genus of microleafhoppers found primarily in North America. The species was described by Ross and DeLong in 1953. Like other members of Typhlocybinae, it is likely a plant sap-feeder, though specific host plant associations and detailed biology remain poorly documented.
Ethmia submissa
Ethmia submissa is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae, found in the Caribbean and southern Florida. The species is one of approximately 50 Ethmia species known north of Mexico, with most occurring in the southwestern United States. Adults are active during multiple periods throughout the year, with flight times varying by region. The species is notable for its distinctive wing pattern that distinguishes it from similar congeners.
Eucosmophora pithecellobiae
Eucosmophora pithecellobiae is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae, described by Davis and Wagner in 2005. The species is known from Florida in the United States and Belize. As a member of Gracillariidae, it is likely a leaf-mining species, though specific biology remains incompletely documented. The species epithet references Pithecellobium, a genus of leguminous plants, suggesting a possible host association.
Eucosmophora sideroxylonella
Eucosmophora sideroxylonella is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. It occurs in Cuba and Florida. The species exhibits slight sexual dimorphism in forewing length. Larvae are specialized leaf miners on several host plants in the Sapotaceae family.
Euparia castanea
Euparia castanea is an aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species is distributed across Central America and North America, with records from Mexico through Central America to Florida and Texas in the United States. As a member of the tribe Eupariini, it belongs to a group of scarab beetles often associated with ant colonies.
Eurhinus magnificus
Jewel Weevil, Iridescent Weevil
Eurhinus magnificus, commonly known as the jewel weevil, is a brilliantly colored weevil native to Central America. Adults are small (5–6 mm long, 3–4 mm wide) with striking metallic blue-green bodies accented by metallic red-copper on the humeri, elytra apex, pronotum, rostrum, and legs. The species was first described by Leonard Gyllenhaal in 1836 and has been introduced to southern Florida, where it was first detected in 2002. It is a gall-forming herbivore whose larvae develop within stem galls on its primary host plant, Cissus verticillata.
Eustictus pilipes
Eustictus pilipes is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1926. It belongs to the large and diverse family of true bugs commonly known as plant bugs or leaf bugs. The species is documented from North America, with specific records from Florida.
Euwallacea perbrevis
tea shot-hole borer
Euwallacea perbrevis, the tea shot-hole borer, is an invasive ambrosia beetle native to South and Southeast Asia through Australia. It is part of the Euwallacea fornicatus cryptic species complex, distinguished from its three sibling species (E. fornicatus, E. fornicatior, and E. kuroshio) primarily through molecular genetics rather than morphology. The beetle cultivates symbiotic fungi in galleries bored into host trees and vectors fungal pathogens causing Fusarium branch dieback. It has been introduced to the United States (Florida, Hawaii), Costa Rica, and Panama, where it poses significant economic threats to avocado production and urban trees.
Euxesta annonae
cornsilk fly
Euxesta annonae is a picture-winged fly in the family Ulidiidae, one of four 'cornsilk fly' species documented as pests of sweet corn in Florida. The species has a broad distribution spanning from Florida to Hawaii. Like other cornsilk flies, it exhibits distinctive wing patterning and wing-flapping behavior.
Fissicrambus minuellus
Fissicrambus minuellus is a species of grass moth in the family Crambidae, described by Francis Walker in 1863. It is distributed across the Caribbean and southeastern United States, with records from Honduras, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Florida. As a member of the subfamily Crambinae, it likely exhibits the slender body form and grass-associated habits characteristic of this group.
Flatoidinus punctatus
Flatoidinus punctatus is a planthopper species in the family Flatidae, characterized by its flattened, often leaf-like body form typical of flatid planthoppers. The species was described by Walker in 1851 and occurs in the southeastern United States and Cuba. Like other flatids, adults possess wings that fold tent-like over the body, and nymphs produce waxy filaments for protection. The specific epithet 'punctatus' refers to punctate (spotted or dotted) markings on the body.
Floridacris
Floridacris is a genus of grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Melanoplinae. It was described by Otte in 2014 and is endemic to Florida. The genus belongs to the tribe Melanoplini, which contains many North American short-horned grasshoppers. Based on iNaturalist observations, the genus appears to be represented by relatively few documented occurrences.
Floridacris mariona
Floridacris mariona is a species of grasshopper in the family Acrididae, first described by Daniel Otte in 2014. It is endemic to Florida and belongs to a genus with limited species diversity. The species is known from very few observations, reflecting either genuine rarity or restricted habitat specificity.
Floritettix borealis
Floritettix borealis is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Hebard in 1936. The species is distributed in the southeastern United States, with records from Florida and Georgia. It belongs to a genus of small grasshoppers that inhabit grassy and herbaceous environments. Relatively little detailed biological information has been published for this species compared to its better-known western relatives in the Melanoplinae subfamily.
Floritettix coquinae
Floritettix coquinae is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is endemic to Florida and belongs to a genus of small, slender grasshoppers restricted to the southeastern United States. The species was described by Hebard in 1936. Records suggest it is a habitat specialist with limited geographic range.
Geomysaprinus floridae
Equal-clawed Gopher Tortoise Hister Beetle, clown beetle
Geomysaprinus floridae is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. It is known by the common name Equal-clawed Gopher Tortoise Hister Beetle, indicating a likely association with gopher tortoise burrows. The species was described by Horn in 1873 and occurs in North America, with records from Florida. Like other members of Histeridae, it belongs to a family of beetles commonly known as clown beetles or hister beetles, many of which are associated with decaying organic matter and animal burrows.
Geopsammodius morrisi
Geopsammodius morrisi is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Paul Skelley in 2006. It belongs to a genus of psammophilic (sand-dwelling) beetles within the tribe Psammodiini. The species is known from a limited number of records in Florida, USA. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with sandy habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Geopsammodius relictillus
relictual tiny sand-loving scarab
Geopsammodius relictillus is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described from Florida in 1991. The species epithet "relictillus" refers to its relictual status, suggesting it may represent a remnant population of a formerly more widespread group. It belongs to the tribe Psammodiini, whose members are commonly known as sand-loving scarabs due to their association with sandy habitats.
Glutophrissa drusilla
Florida White, tropical white
Glutophrissa drusilla is a pierid butterfly known as the Florida White or tropical white. It occurs from tropical America northward to southern Florida and the Florida Keys, with occasional records as far north as Nebraska and Colorado. The species is associated with tropical lowland forests and is the only representative of its genus in North America. It is frequently observed in coastal Texas and has been recorded from multiple localities in Colombia.
Glyphodes floridalis
Florida milkweed vine moth
Glyphodes floridalis, commonly known as the Florida milkweed vine moth, is a small moth in the family Crambidae. It is endemic to Florida and has been recorded there year-round as an adult. The larvae feed specifically on Cynanchum angustifolium, a milkweed vine native to the region. This species represents a narrow geographic and ecological specialization within its genus.
Gonoporomiris mirificus
Gonoporomiris mirificus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae. It has been recorded from the Caribbean region, Mexico, and the southeastern United States. The species was described by Distant in 1893. Like other mirids, it belongs to the true bug suborder Heteroptera and possesses the characteristic piercing-sucking mouthparts of this group.
Gronocarus inornatus
lobeless spiny burrowing beetle
Gronocarus inornatus is a small scarab beetle described by Skelley in 2003. It is endemic to a restricted coastal region of the Florida panhandle. The species is characterized by its glabrous, shining brown body and moderately elongate form. It is known by the common name 'lobeless spiny burrowing beetle,' though detailed ecological data remain limited.
Gyponana gibbera
Gyponana gibbera is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by DeLong in 1942. Like other members of the genus Gyponana, it produces distinctive brochosomes—nanoparticles that form a superhydrophobic, anti-reflective coating on its cuticle. The species has been recorded in Florida.
Gyponana tenella
Gyponana tenella is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae. Leafhoppers in the genus Gyponana have been documented producing distinctive brochosomes—nanoparticles that create a water-repellent, anti-reflective coating on the exoskeleton. The species has been recorded in multiple U.S. states including California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and Illinois. As a member of the subfamily Iassinae, it belongs to a diverse group of plant-feeding insects typically associated with woody vegetation.
Gyponana toxotes
Gyponana toxotes is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 1982. Like other members of the genus Gyponana, it produces brochosomes—hollow, soccer ball-shaped nanoparticles that create a superhydrophobic and anti-reflective coating on its body. The species has been documented in Florida. Brochosomes produced by Gyponana species feature more angled, geometric pits compared to those of some other leafhopper genera.
Habronattus alachua
Habronattus alachua is a small jumping spider in the family Salticidae, described by Griswold in 1987. It belongs to a large genus of ground-dwelling spiders known for elaborate male courtship displays involving visual and vibratory signals. The species is found in the United States, with the specific epithet referencing Alachua County, Florida.
Habronattus brunneus
Habronattus brunneus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae, first described by George and Elizabeth Peckham in 1901. It occurs in the United States and Caribbean, including the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Hispaniola, and the Virgin Islands. Males discriminate between substrate-borne cues from females based on age and mating status, spending more time exploring cues from mature, non-mated females. Populations exhibit differing prey colour biases, with some showing strong avoidance of red prey and others showing no colour bias.
Habronattus trimaculatus
Three-spotted Paradise Spider
Habronattus trimaculatus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae, endemic to peninsular Florida. Like other members of the genus Habronattus, males likely possess elaborate courtship displays combining visual and vibratory signals. The species name 'trimaculatus' (three-spotted) refers to a presumed diagnostic color pattern.
Hadrosomus teapensis
Hadrosomus teapensis is a seed bug in the family Lygaeidae, first described by Distant in 1893. The species is known from both Mexico and the United States, with records extending from the type locality at Teapa, Tabasco, Mexico to southern Florida. As a member of the Lygaeinae subfamily, it belongs to a group of true bugs adapted for seed feeding. The species remains poorly documented in the primary literature, with most records derived from specimen databases and limited field observations.
Hamatabanus floridensis
Hamatabanus floridensis is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae. The genus Hamatabanus is a small group within the tabanid flies, and this species appears to be associated with Florida based on its specific epithet. Like other horse flies, adults are likely to be blood-feeders, though specific details about this species remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Haplaxius lunatus
Haplaxius lunatus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1909 as Myndus lunatus. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species is part of the diverse Hemipteran fauna of North America, with records from Florida. Like other cixiids, it is a small, delicate planthopper with reduced wings in some individuals.
Haplopus scabricollis
Mayer's Walkingstick
Haplopus scabricollis is a Caribbean walkingstick known as Mayer's Walkingstick. It inhabits island and coastal environments in the Caribbean Sea and southern Florida, including the Florida Keys, Dry Tortugas, Cayman Islands, and Swan Islands. The species shows a restricted insular distribution pattern characteristic of many Caribbean phasmids.
Hemiblabera tenebricosa
Broad Keys Cockroach
Hemiblabera tenebricosa is a species of cockroach in the family Blaberidae, commonly known as the Broad Keys Cockroach. It occurs in the Caribbean region and southeastern United States, with documented records from Florida, the Bahamas, and Haiti. As a member of Blaberidae, it belongs to a family of primarily tropical and subtropical cockroaches, many of which exhibit ovoviviparous reproduction.
Hesperotettix osceola
Osceola Grasshopper
Hesperotettix osceola, commonly known as the Osceola grasshopper, is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is a North American species with documented presence in Florida. As a member of the genus Hesperotettix, it belongs to a group of grasshoppers that includes other species with specialized feeding habits on composite family plants. The species was described by Hebard in 1918.
Hexagenia orlando
Florida Hex
Hexagenia orlando is a burrower mayfly in the family Ephemeridae, described by Traver in 1931. The species is endemic to North America, with the common name "Florida Hex" suggesting a primary association with Florida. As a member of the genus Hexagenia, it exhibits the subterranean burrowing habits characteristic of this group during its nymphal stage. Adult mayflies in this genus typically emerge in synchronized swarms.
Hexeris
Hexeris is a genus of moths in the family Thyrididae. The genus includes the seagrape borer (Hexeris enhydris), a species native to Florida and the Caribbean whose larvae bore into twigs of seagrape and pigeon-plum.
Hexeris enhydris
Seagrape borer
A moth in the family Thyrididae whose larvae bore into the twigs of seagrape and pigeon-plum, causing damage to these coastal plants. Native to Florida and the Caribbean, it is primarily known for its larval boring behavior rather than adult activity. The species has been studied for its economic impact on ornamental and native coastal vegetation.
Hippelates nobilis
Hippelates nobilis is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Loew in 1863. The species has been documented in Florida with a newly recorded host plant association, though the specific host plant identity was not detailed in available source material. As a member of the Hippelates genus, it belongs to a group of small flies commonly known as eye gnats or frit flies, though species-specific biological details for H. nobilis remain limited in published literature.
Hogna ericeticola
Rosemary Wolf Spider
Hogna ericeticola, known as the rosemary wolf spider, is a species of wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. It was described by Howard K. Wallace in 1942. The species is endemic to Florida scrub habitats in Putnam County, Florida, United States. As a member of the genus Hogna, it is a large, active ground-dwelling spider.
Hogna lenta
Field Wolf Spider
Hogna lenta is a species of wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, commonly known as the Field Wolf Spider. It is native to the southeastern United States, with particular abundance in Florida. This large, ground-dwelling spider constructs vertical burrows in sandy substrates and hunts using vibration detection. The species has been used in neuroanatomical research to study catecholaminergic neuron distribution in spider central nervous systems.
Hogna miami
Miami wolf spider, Florida wolf spider
Hogna miami is a species of wolf spider endemic to southern Florida, first described by Wallace in 1942. It is a terrestrial burrower that constructs small tubular burrows in the ground. The species is characterized by distinctive coloration and eye arrangement typical of the family Lycosidae. Its range is restricted to the southern portion of Florida below 28-29° latitude, with most records from Miami-Dade County.
Hoterodes ausonia
Hoterodes ausonia is a small crambid moth described by Pieter Cramer in 1777. It is distributed across the Caribbean and mainland Neotropics, ranging from Florida through Central America to northern South America. The species is characterized by a wingspan of approximately 32 mm. It belongs to the subfamily Spilomelinae, a diverse group of grass moths.
Hydrophilus insularis
Hydrophilus insularis is a water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae. It is distributed across a broad geographic range from northern South America through the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico into the southern United States. The species is aquatic and belongs to a genus known for scavenging behavior in freshwater habitats.
Hylaeus graenicheri
Graenicher's Masked Bee, Graenicher's Yellow-faced Bee
Hylaeus graenicheri is a species of masked bee in the family Colletidae, endemic to southern Florida. It is one of only five Colletidae species restricted entirely to Florida. Like other members of the genus Hylaeus, it is nearly hairless and wasp-like in appearance, with yellow or white facial markings. The species is poorly known due to its restricted range and limited study.
Hypenopsis calusa
Hypenopsis calusa is a moth species in the family Erebidae. It has been documented in bycatch from mosquito surveillance programs in Florida, where examination of non-target organisms has expanded knowledge of its distribution. The species is part of a genus of small moths whose members are often encountered in standardized insect trapping programs.
Hyperaspis nigrosuturalis
Hyperaspis nigrosuturalis is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults reach approximately 3.40 mm in length. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in coloration: males have yellow heads and yellow lateral margins on the pronotum, while females have black heads and entirely black pronota. The elytra are red with black margins in both sexes. It is native to North America, with records from Florida.
Hyperaspis ornatella
Hyperaspis ornatella is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure approximately 2.4–2.6 mm in length. Males have a yellow head and pronotum with a large rectangular black medial area; females have a black head and similar pronotal pattern. The elytra are black with yellow spots. The species name derives from Latin ornamentum, referencing its distinctive color pattern. The species is known from Florida and is part of a genus whose larvae are important biological control agents of scale insects.
Hypocacculus metallescens
clown beetle
Hypocacculus metallescens is a small histerid beetle first described from Europe in 1834. The species has a broad Old World distribution spanning the Mediterranean basin, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, with introduced populations established in Florida, USA. As a member of the clown beetle family Histeridae, it likely occupies habitats associated with decaying organic matter.
Hypotrichia spissipes
Florida Hypotrichia
Hypotrichia spissipes is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1861. The species is native to Florida and has been recorded from sand scrub habitat on the Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida. The common name 'Florida Hypotrichia' reflects its apparent geographic association with the state. Available information on this species is limited, with most records being specimen-based occurrences rather than detailed biological studies.