Forest
Guides
Megarhyssa nortoni nortoni
Western Giant Ichneumonid Wasp
Megarhyssa nortoni nortoni is a subspecies of giant ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. Females possess an extraordinarily long ovipositor—among the longest of any insect—that they use to parasitize wood-boring horntail larvae deep within dead or dying hardwood trees. The species is native to western North America and has been introduced to New Zealand as a biological control agent. Despite their formidable appearance, they are harmless to humans and cannot sting.
Melanis
Melanis is a genus of butterflies in the family Riodinidae, restricted to the Neotropical realm. The genus was established by Hübner in 1819 and contains approximately 30 described species distributed across Central and South America, with highest diversity in Brazil. Species within this genus exhibit variation in wing patterns and are typically found in tropical and subtropical forest habitats.
Mesopolobus
Mesopolobus is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, established by Westwood in 1833. The genus contains approximately 135 valid species with cosmopolitan distribution. Most species are parasitoids of pupae, though the genus exhibits diverse life histories. Species have been documented from coniferous foliage, particularly spruce, as well as from gall-forming insects and other hosts.
Metalectra discalis
Common Fungus Moth
Metalectra discalis, known as the common fungus moth, is a small moth in the family Erebidae. It occurs across eastern and central North America, with adults active primarily during summer months. The species is notable for larval associations with fungi rather than plants.
Metapelma spectabile
Metapelma spectabile is a relatively large chalcidoid wasp, measuring approximately six millimeters in body length—exceptional for this group of typically minute parasitoids. The species belongs to the family Eupelmidae and is parasitic on wood-boring insects, likely targeting beetle families such as Buprestidae and Cerambycidae. It can be encountered in the field on tree trunks with exposed dead wood, unlike most eupelmids which require rearing from hosts.
Metaxyphloeus
Metaxyphloeus is a genus of small rostrate beetles in the family Laemophloeidae, endemic to the New World. The genus comprises five described species distributed from southern Texas to Bolivia. Adults are characterized by their elongated heads (rostra), moderate size (~2 mm), and distinctive morphological features. Despite their distinctive appearance, the biology and immature stages remain poorly known. The function of the rostrum is currently unknown.
Micrathena mitrata
white micrathena
Micrathena mitrata is a small orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, commonly known as the white micrathena. Females range from 4 to 9 mm in body length, while males are smaller at 3 to 4 mm. The species is characterized by a shiny black abdomen and spiky, yellowish-brown legs. It constructs circular orb webs to capture flying insects and is found from the United States south to Brazil. Despite its spiny appearance, it poses no danger to humans.
Microscapha
Microscapha is a genus of small beetles in the family Melandryidae, commonly known as false darkling beetles. These beetles are characterized by their compact body form and association with decaying wood and fungal habitats. The genus is relatively obscure with few documented observations, reflecting either genuine rarity or under-sampling of their specialized microhabitats. Microscapha species are part of the diverse stenostirate beetle fauna that inhabits forest ecosystems.
Milesia
Giant Flower Flies
Milesia is a genus of very large hoverflies (family Syrphidae) known for their striking resemblance to social wasps. Adults are among the largest flower flies, with body lengths reaching 18–28.5 mm. The genus is notable for Batesian mimicry of hornets and yellowjackets, including similar coloration and a loud droning buzz. At least three species occur in North America: M. virginiensis (eastern North America), M. bella (southwestern U.S.), and M. scutellata (southeastern U.S.).
Molytinae
Molytinae is a large and diverse subfamily of weevils (Curculionidae) described by Carl Johan Schönherr in 1823. The subfamily contains numerous tribes and genera distributed worldwide, with particularly high diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Many Molytinae species are associated with specific host plants, including conifers, oaks, and various flowering plants. Some species are economically important as pests of forestry and agricultural crops, while others are restricted to specialized habitats such as leaf litter, caves, or high-elevation ecosystems. The subfamily has undergone significant taxonomic revision in recent decades, with many new species described particularly from Central America, Africa, and Asia.
Mycodrosophila
mushroom flies
Mycodrosophila is a genus of small vinegar flies comprising approximately 120-130 described species. Members are obligately mycophagous, meaning they depend on fungi throughout their entire life cycle. The genus belongs to the monophyletic Zygothrica genus group alongside Hirtodrosophila, Paramycodrosophila, and Zygothrica. Species are distributed across the Neotropical and Palearctic regions, with some showing transcontinental ranges.
Myolepta strigilata
Scaled Pegleg
Myolepta strigilata, commonly known as the Scaled Pegleg, is an uncommon syrphid fly found in the eastern and central United States. Adults are flower visitors that feed on nectar and pollen. The species is part of the hoverfly family, capable of sustained hovering flight. Larvae of the genus develop in rot holes of deciduous trees.
Nalassus
A genus of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) comprising more than 70 species distributed across the Palearctic and North America. Species occupy diverse habitats from coniferous forests to alpine zones and steppe landscapes. The genus exhibits pronounced ecological specialization, with distinct species groups adapted to forest, alpine, or steppe environments and corresponding trophic niches.
Narceus americanus-annularis-complex
A species complex of large North American millipedes comprising two closely related, morphologically similar species: Narceus americanus and Narceus annularis. These are among the largest millipedes in eastern North America, reaching lengths over 100 mm. The two species are difficult to distinguish without detailed examination of gonopod morphology, leading to frequent misidentification and the recognition of this unresolved complex. They are slow-moving detritivores found in moist forest habitats.
Nebria lacustris
Lacustrine Gazelle Beetle
Nebria lacustris is a small ground beetle in the subfamily Nebriinae, commonly known as the lacustrine gazelle beetle. The species is characterized by its black body and orange legs, with adults measuring 9–12 mm in length. It is known for its rapid movement and nocturnal activity pattern. The species occurs in southern Canada and the eastern and central United States.
Necydalis cavipennis
Necydalis cavipennis is a long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, characterized by its wasp-mimicking appearance. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records extending into British Columbia. It belongs to the subfamily Necydalinae, a group noted for their striking mimicry of Hymenoptera. The genus Necydalis contains several species with similar mimetic adaptations.
Neoitamus
Bentbristles
Neoitamus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) comprising at least 60 described species. The genus has a worldwide distribution with notable presence in Europe, Asia, and North America. Species within this genus are predatory insects that hunt other insects. The common awl robberfly, Neoitamus cyanurus, has been subject to genome sequencing, revealing a 365.5 Mb chromosome-level assembly.
Neotibicen lyricen
lyric cicada
Neotibicen lyricen, commonly known as the lyric cicada, is a medium-sized cicada species in the family Cicadidae. It is one of several species in the genus Neotibicen that occur across eastern North America. The species is characterized by its distinctive song, which has been described as a continuous, high-pitched trill. Adults emerge in summer and are active during daylight hours when they produce their characteristic calling songs from perches in trees and shrubs.
Neoxorides pilusus
Neoxorides pilusus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the subfamily Poemeniinae. Species in this genus were historically classified under Xorides and Neoxorides before taxonomic revision. Members of Poemeniinae are ectoparasitoids of wood-boring beetle larvae. The genus Neoxorides contains species that target beetle hosts in forested habitats.
Olisthaerus substriatus
Striped Bark Rove Beetle
Olisthaerus substriatus is a small rove beetle in the subfamily Olisthaerinae, one of the few rove beetle lineages adapted to life under bark. It has a Holarctic distribution spanning northern North America and Eurasia. The species is associated with dead and decaying wood, where it inhabits the space beneath bark on standing or fallen trees. Its common name refers to the longitudinal striations on the elytra.
Omus californicus
California night-stalking tiger beetle
Omus californicus is a nocturnal tiger beetle species endemic to western North America, recognized for its distinctive night-stalking predatory behavior. The species exhibits notable taxonomic complexity with six recognized subspecies distributed across California, Oregon, and adjacent regions. Adults are elusive, active primarily during nighttime hours, and are associated with forested and montane habitats. The species has been subject to taxonomic confusion with related taxa, particularly regarding subspecies boundaries.
Omus californicus angustocylindricus
Narrow Night-stalking Tiger Beetle
Omus californicus angustocylindricus is a subspecies of night-stalking tiger beetle endemic to California. It is one of several subspecies within the Omus californicus complex, characterized by its narrow, elongated body form. Adults are nocturnal and difficult to observe, with activity patterns tied to seasonal conditions. Larvae construct burrows in forested habitats, typically found along logging roads or under cover objects. The subspecies is considered rare and has been documented from limited localities in northern California, particularly in Plumas County.
Orchestina
goblin spiders
Orchestina is a species-rich genus of tiny goblin spiders (family Oonopidae) containing over 180 extant species. Members measure 1.0–3.0 mm in body length and possess an enlarged fourth femur enabling jumping. The genus exhibits a nearly global distribution in the Northern Hemisphere south of 45°N, with highest diversity in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. First described by Eugène Simon in 1882.
Orus armiger
Orus armiger is a species of parasitic woodwasp in the family Orussidae, a group notable for their unique evolutionary position and specialized host-finding behavior. The family Orussidae contains only about 75 species worldwide, making it one of the smallest and least understood families of Hymenoptera. Orussid wasps are the only parasitoid wasps that attack wood-boring beetle larvae, using vibrational sounding to locate hosts within solid wood. Adults are rarely encountered in the field and are frequently mistaken for ants due to their appearance and behavior.
Orussus occidentalis
Western Orussid Wasp
Orussus occidentalis is a parasitic woodwasp in the family Orussidae, one of the most evolutionarily basal lineages of parasitic Hymenoptera. Adults are rarely encountered and frequently mistaken for carpenter ants due to their dark coloration and wing-folding posture. The species employs a unique host-location strategy using vibrational sounding: females tap their clubbed antennae against wood surfaces and detect returning echoes through specialized subgenual organs in their front legs to locate concealed wood-boring beetle larvae.
Orussus terminalis
Orussus terminalis is a parasitic woodwasp in the family Orussidae, a group unique among woodwasps for their parasitoid lifestyle. Like other orussids, they are rarely encountered in collections and poorly studied. The species belongs to a family whose members attack immature stages of wood-boring beetles and other woodwasps. Orussus terminalis has been recorded from eastern North America, with distribution records from Canada (Ontario, Quebec) and the United States (Vermont).
Orussus thoracicus
Orussus thoracicus is a parasitic woodwasp in the family Orussidae, one of the rarest and most unusual groups of Hymenoptera. Adults are often mistaken for carpenter ants due to their dark coloration and wing-folding behavior. The species has been recorded from Canada, specifically British Columbia, though its biology and ecology remain poorly documented. Like other orussids, it likely parasitizes wood-boring beetle larvae using specialized vibrational sounding to locate hosts.
Ozotomerus
Ozotomerus is a genus of fungus weevils in the family Anthribidae, established by Perroud in 1853. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles characterized by their distinctive elongated snout and association with fungal substrates. The genus is distributed across various regions with documented observations primarily from the Americas. As with other anthribids, species in this genus are likely mycophagous, feeding on fungal growth on decaying wood and plant material.
Panopoda carneicosta
Brown Panopoda, Brown Panopoda Moth
Panopoda carneicosta, commonly called the Brown Panopoda, is a moth species in the family Erebidae. It was first described by Guenée in 1852. The species is widespread across eastern and central North America, with adults active primarily during late spring and summer months. Larvae feed on the leaves of several deciduous tree species including basswood, oak, hickory, and willow.
Panopoda rufimargo
Red-lined Panopoda, Red-lined Panopoda Moth
Panopoda rufimargo, the red-lined panopoda, is a noctuid moth in the family Erebidae first described by Jacob Hübner in 1818. The species is widely distributed across North America and is a common subject of citizen science observations. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. The caterpillars are documented feeders on hardwood trees including pignut hickory and northern red oak.
Pediacus andrewsi
Andrews' flat bark beetle
Pediacus andrewsi is a species of flat bark beetle in the family Cucujidae, first described by Thomas in 2004. It is native to North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. As a member of the flat bark beetle family, it is presumed to inhabit the spaces beneath bark on trees, where members of this family typically feed on fungal spores and other small organic particles.
Pentodontini
rhinoceros beetles
Pentodontini is the most diverse tribe within the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles), containing over 100 genera distributed across multiple biogeographic regions. Most genera are restricted to a single biogeographic region. The tribe is characterized by substantial morphological diversity, with generic-level identification often relying on mouthpart morphology in females and secondary sexual characters (horns, claw modifications, antennal club length) in males.
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erransella
Gray Perimede Moth
Perimede erransella is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, described by Vactor Tousey Chambers in 1874. It occurs across eastern North America from Canada to the Gulf Coast. The species has a wingspan of approximately 12 mm and is active year-round as an adult. Larvae are known to feed on a diverse range of woody host plants including tulip tree, hickory, oak, bald cypress, and elm.
Phidippus putnami
Putnam's Jumping Spider
Phidippus putnami is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae, native to the United States. Like other members of its genus, it possesses the characteristic large anterior median eyes that provide acute vision for hunting and navigation. The species has gained attention in popular culture through the informal nickname "spooder," reflecting broader trends in anthropomorphizing spiders to foster public appreciation. Observations indicate it occupies wooded habitats and preys on small insects.
Pimoa altioculata
large hammockweb spider
Pimoa altioculata is a large hammockweb spider in the family Pimoidae, found in the western United States and Canada. It was formerly classified in the family Linyphiidae but was separated due to distinct morphological differences, particularly its substantially larger body size. The species constructs fine, horizontal, net-like webs and is primarily associated with coniferous forest habitats.
Pionini
Pionini is a tribe of ichneumonid wasps within the subfamily Pioninae. These parasitoid wasps are characterized by distinctive morphological features including elongated bodies and specialized ovipositor structures. The tribe comprises multiple genera of moderate to large-sized wasps. They are primarily known from the Northern Hemisphere with limited published biological data.
Pityobius
Pityobius is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) in the subfamily Pityobiinae. Members of this genus are associated with woody habitats, particularly dead or decaying wood. The genus was established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853 and is native to North America.
Platyceroides keeni
Keen's Stag Beetle
Platyceroides keeni is a species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae, found in western North America from British Columbia to California. It is one of the smaller members of its genus and is associated with forested habitats. Adult beetles are active during warmer months, with larvae developing in decaying wood.
Platyhydnobius arizonensis
Platyhydnobius arizonensis is a small beetle species in the family Leiodidae. It measures 2.7–3.5 mm in length. The species has a broad distribution across forested northern North America, ranging from Alaska to Newfoundland, with a disjunct population in Arizona.
Platysoma aequum
clown beetle
Platysoma aequum is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. The genus Platysoma comprises small predatory beetles that inhabit spaces beneath bark, where they hunt other insects. This species occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the eastern and central United States. As with other histerid beetles, it likely plays a role in controlling populations of fly and beetle larvae in dead and decaying wood.
Platysoma coarctatum
clown beetle
Platysoma coarctatum is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. It is found throughout North America, with records across Canada and the United States. Like other members of the genus, it inhabits spaces under bark and is a predator of other insects.
Platysoma cylindricum
clown beetle
Platysoma cylindricum is a small predatory beetle in the family Histeridae. It inhabits forested regions of North America, where it lives under bark and preys on the larvae of flies and other beetles. The species is associated with coniferous wood, particularly pine logs, and contributes to natural pest control in forest ecosystems.
Podoschistus
Podoschistus is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the subfamily Poemeniinae. The genus contains at least one North American species, P. vittifrons, which is an ectoparasitoid of wood-boring beetle larvae. These wasps use their elongated ovipositors to penetrate wood and deposit eggs on beetle grubs concealed within tree boles. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, having been previously placed in the genera Xorides and Neoxorides.
Polistes dominula
European Paper Wasp
Polistes dominula is a highly successful invasive social wasp native to Eurasia that has established populations across North America, South America, New Zealand, South Africa, and other regions. First detected in North America near Boston in 1978, it has become one of the most abundant wasps on the continent. The species builds small, exposed paper nests in protected locations and preys primarily on live insects, particularly caterpillars. Unlike yellowjackets, it does not scavenge for meat or sugar. Its rapid spread has been attributed to ecological flexibility, superior competitive ability, and tolerance of human-altered environments.
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gracilis
Hoary Comma
Polygonia gracilis, commonly known as the Hoary Comma, is a butterfly species widespread across boreal North America. It inhabits forested and mountainous regions from Alaska and Canada southward through the Rocky Mountains to New Mexico and the Pacific coast. The species is recognized by its distinctive wing shape with ragged, notched margins. Adults are known to overwinter, allowing for early spring activity in suitable habitats.
Polypleurus perforatus
Eastern Perforated Teneb
Polypleurus perforatus is a darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the Eastern Perforated Teneb. The species is characterized by distinctive perforations or punctations on its elytra. It has been documented primarily in eastern North America, with over 230 observations recorded on iNaturalist. The species was first described by Germar in 1823.
Polyporivora
flat-footed flies
Polyporivora is a genus of flat-footed flies (Platypezidae) comprising approximately eight described species. The genus is distinguished by its obligate association with polypore fungi, where larvae develop within host fruiting bodies. Species occur primarily in the Holarctic region, with documented records from Europe, including recent rediscoveries in Central and Southern Europe. The genus was established by Kessel & Maggioncalda in 1968.
Pristaulacus auricomus
Pristaulacus auricomus is a species of aulacid wasp in the family Aulacidae. These parasitoid wasps are specialized predators of wood-boring beetle larvae, particularly those of longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) and jewel beetles (Buprestidae). Like other members of the genus, they are most commonly encountered in association with freshly cut or decaying wood where their hosts develop. The species is poorly documented in published literature, with limited observational records.
Pristaulacus flavicrurus
Pristaulacus flavicrurus is a species of aulacid wasp in the family Aulacidae, a group of parasitoid wasps that target wood-boring beetle larvae. Like other members of the genus Pristaulacus, this species is associated with forested habitats where its hosts occur. It is found in North America, with records from Canada including Ontario. The species was described by Bradley in 1901.
Pristaulacus melleus
Pristaulacus melleus is a species of aulacid wasp in the family Aulacidae. It is found in North America. Aulacid wasps are parasitoids of wood-boring beetle larvae, particularly longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) and jewel beetles (Buprestidae), as well as wood wasp larvae (Xiphydriidae). Females locate hosts by probing bark crevices with their antennae and deposit eggs using a downcurved ovipositor.