Gopher-tortoise
Guides
Alloblackburneus troglodytes
Little Gopher Tortoise Scarab Beetle
Alloblackburneus troglodytes is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. Commonly known as the Little Gopher Tortoise Scarab Beetle, this species is associated with gopher tortoise burrows in the southeastern United States. The specific epithet "troglodytes" (meaning "cave-dweller") reflects its habit of living in the subterranean burrow systems of its reptilian host.
Amblyomma tuberculatum
gopher tortoise tick
Amblyomma tuberculatum is a hard tick species endemic to the United States, commonly known as the gopher tortoise tick due to its intimate association with the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). Unlike many tick species, its distribution appears more restricted than that of its primary host, with environmental factors such as sand depth and soil composition playing significant roles in habitat suitability. Laboratory studies have documented its complete life cycle, which requires a minimum of 207 days under controlled conditions.
Ceratophaga vicinella
Gopher Tortoise Shell Moth
Ceratophaga vicinella is a highly specialized keratin-feeding moth in the family Tineidae. The larvae feed exclusively on the keratin shells of dead gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), making this species dependent on a single host source that is currently in decline. Adults are small, dark moths with distinctive cream-colored head tufts. The species has a restricted range in the southeastern United States and appears to be declining due to threats facing its tortoise host.
Culex erraticus
Erratic Mosquito
Culex erraticus is a mosquito species in the family Culicidae, subgenus Melanoconion. It is a documented vector of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and West Nile virus, with females exhibiting aggressive biting behavior toward birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. The species shows distinctive seasonal host-shifting behavior, feeding primarily on ectothermic hosts during warmer months and shifting to endothermic hosts during cooler periods. It has been observed overwintering as adults in gopher tortoise burrows in Florida and in swamp habitats elsewhere.
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.
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.