Flower-visiting
Guides
Rhyphonemognatha rufa
Rose-winged Blister Beetle
Rhyphonemognatha rufa is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, subfamily Nemognathinae. It is commonly known as the Rose-winged Blister Beetle. The species occurs in the Americas, with records from North America, Middle America, and South America. Like other nemognathine blister beetles, adults likely visit flowers for nectar and pollen. The genus Rhyphonemognatha is distinguished by its elongated rostrum and is closely related to Nemognatha and Zonitis.
Scythris inspersella
Norfolk owlet
Scythris inspersella, commonly known as the Norfolk owlet, is a small moth in the family Scythrididae first described by Jacob Hübner in 1817. It has a Holarctic distribution spanning Asia, Europe, and North America. The species is diurnal and has been observed visiting flowers during its July–August flight period. Its larvae feed gregariously on willowherbs (Onagraceae), spinning together the terminal shoots of their host plants.
Spectralia
Spectralia is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) established by Casey in 1909. The genus contains approximately 22 described species distributed primarily in North America. Species within this genus are associated with woody host plants, particularly oaks (Quercus) and persimmons (Diospyros). Larvae develop in dead or dying branches, often in the transition zone between living and dead wood. Adults are active during spring and early summer and have been documented visiting flowers.
Sphaenothecus
Sphaenothecus is a genus of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) in the tribe Trachyderini. The genus was established by Dupont in 1838 and contains seven recognized species distributed in North and Central America. Members of this genus are associated with flowering plants in arid and semi-arid regions. The genus is part of the diverse cerambycid fauna of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Stictoleptura
Stictoleptura is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) distributed across the Holarctic region, with species in Europe, Asia, and North America. The genus includes medium-sized beetles typically associated with broadleaved woodland habitats. The first genome sequence for the genus was published for Stictoleptura scutellata, a scarce species in Britain associated with ancient woodland and wood pasture.
Stonemyia
Stonemyia is a genus of horse flies in the family Tabanidae, established by Brennan in 1935. The genus contains approximately twelve described species distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. Species within this genus are known to visit flowers for nectar feeding.
Strangalia
Strangalia is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) first described by Audinet-Serville in 1835. Species in this genus are frequently observed on flowers, where adults feed on pollen and nectar. Several species have been documented visiting flowers of Coreopsis, Gaillardia, Ratibida, and other Asteraceae in prairie and woodland habitats. Some species, such as Strangalia sexnotata and S. virilis, have been recorded in fermenting bait traps, though this attraction appears less consistent than in related genera.
Trachyderini
Trachyderini is a tribe of long-horned beetles (Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae) comprising at least 140 genera and 650 described species. Members are predominantly diurnal, medium to large-sized, and frequently exhibit bright coloration. The tribe has a primarily New World distribution, with notable diversity in southwestern North America, Mexico, Central America, and South America, though some genera extend into the Palearctic region including Mongolia. Several genera display striking mimicry of wasps or other beetles.
Valgus
Valgus is a genus of small scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Cetoniinae. Most described species occur in Asia, with some extending into northern Africa and Europe. Three species are native to the New World, and one species is found in South Africa. Adults are characterized by their strongly flattened bodies and distinctive scale-like setae covering both dorsal and ventral surfaces.
Valgus seticollis
Bristly-necked Valgus
Valgus seticollis is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Cetoniinae, tribe Valgini. It is one of two Valgus species native to North America, distinguished from the more widespread V. canaliculatus by its setose (bristly) pronotum. Adults are flower visitors, with males possessing brush-like mouthparts adapted for nectar feeding. The species is associated with termite colonies, where larvae develop in wood within termite galleries.