Grass-associated
Guides
Acrolophus arcanella
grass tubeworm moth
Acrolophus arcanella, commonly known as the grass tubeworm moth, is a small moth species in the family Acrolophidae. It occurs in eastern North America, where its caterpillars are known to spin silken tubes at the base of grasses or grass roots for concealment while feeding. The species has a wingspan of approximately 25 mm. Like other members of the genus, it was formerly classified in the family Tineidae before being reassigned to Acrolophidae based on revised taxonomic understanding.
Apinocis punctiger
Apinocis punctiger is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae. The genus Apinocis is closely related to Anacentrinus, with some sources treating them as synonymous. No specific information about this species' biology, distribution, or ecology has been documented in available literature. The genus is known to include species associated with grasses and sedges.
Apinocis validulus
Apinocis validulus is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae. The genus Apinocis includes species associated with grasses, with the sugarcane rootstock weevil (Apinocis deplanatus) being a documented pest of sorghum in Texas. Specific information about A. validulus is extremely limited in available sources.
Arorathrips
A genus of thrips in the family Thripidae, subfamily Thripinae. The genus was described by Bhatti in 1990 and is considered related to Chirothrips. The single species A. mexicanus has been recorded from Iran, where it was collected from mixed grasses in Hormozgan Province.
Bostaera balli
Bostaera balli is a species of delphacid planthopper in the family Delphacidae, first described by Penner in 1952. It belongs to the genus Bostaera, a group of small planthoppers characterized by their reduced wings and association with grasses and sedges. The species is known from limited records in the southeastern United States.
Cerodontha enigma
Cerodontha enigma is a species of leaf miner fly in the family Agromyzidae. The specific epithet "enigma" suggests this species presents identification challenges or has puzzling characteristics. As a member of the genus Cerodontha, its larvae likely develop within leaf tissues of grasses or related plants. The species is known from a small number of observations, indicating it may be rarely encountered or underreported.
Cerodontha feldmani
Cerodontha feldmani is a species of leaf miner fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman and Lonsdale in 2018. The genus Cerodontha contains numerous small flies whose larvae create distinctive mines within plant tissues. As a member of this genus, it shares the characteristic biology of grass- and sedge-associated leaf miners, though species-level documentation remains limited.
Crambini
Grass-Veneers
Crambini is a tribe of moths within the subfamily Crambinae, commonly known as Grass-Veneers. The tribe includes over 1,800 species worldwide. Larvae are predominantly root feeders or stem borers, with many species associated with grasses. The tribe is distinguished by tympanal organ structure and the phallus attached medially to the juxta.
Flexamia areolata
Flexamia areolata is a leafhopper species first described by Ball in 1899. It belongs to the genus Flexamia within the family Cicadellidae, a group known for their plant-specific host associations. The species has been recorded from multiple eastern and central United States locations. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be associated with specific grass host plants, though detailed ecological studies for this particular species appear limited.
Hybolasioptera elymi
Hybolasioptera elymi is a species of gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, described by Gagné in 1969. It belongs to the genus Hybolasioptera, a group of gall-forming midges associated with grasses. The specific epithet 'elymi' suggests an association with Elymus, a genus of wild rye grasses. As with many gall midges, its biology is likely tied to host plant manipulation for larval development.
Macropsis graminea
Macropsis graminea is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Fabricius in 1798. It belongs to the subfamily Eurymelinae and tribe Macropsini, a group associated with grasses and sedges. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning Eurasia and North America.
Mecas femoralis
Mecas femoralis is a small longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) described by Haldeman in 1847. It is found in the southeastern United States and is considered largely endemic to Florida. The species measures 6–8 mm in length and can be distinguished by its rather uniform pubescence, lack of pronotal calluses, and reddish femora. It has been collected by sweeping dried grasses in open oak/pine sandhill woodland habitats.
Mormidea cubrosa
Shady Grass Stink Bug
Mormidea cubrosa is a species of stink bug in the family Pentatomidae. It is known from the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species is commonly referred to as the Shady Grass Stink Bug.
Oulema elongata
Oulema elongata is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by R. White in 1993. The species belongs to the subfamily Criocerinae, a group commonly known as cereal leaf beetles and allies. Members of the genus Oulema are typically associated with monocot plants, particularly grasses. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only two records in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Paromius
dirt-colored seed bugs
Paromius is a genus of seed bugs in the family Rhyparochromidae containing approximately 15 described species. Members are elongate, parallel-sided bugs with glabrous integument and distinctive pronotal structure. The genus has broad geographic distribution spanning the Afrotropical region and subtropical Eurasia, with at least one species extending into temperate Europe. Some species are associated with grasses (Poaceae) and can be agricultural pests, while others occupy dry, xerothermic habitats.
Pissonotus festucae
Pissonotus festucae is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Bartlett in 2000. It belongs to a genus of small, grass-associated delphacids found primarily in the Americas. The specific epithet 'festucae' suggests an association with Festuca (fescue) grasses. Distribution records indicate presence in the southwestern United States (Arizona) and Mexico (Distrito Federal, Jalisco).
Sphenophorus pertinax
Sphenophorus pertinax is a species of billbug weevil in the family Dryophthoridae. It is one of approximately 150 species in the genus Sphenophorus, a group of weevils commonly known as billbugs that are associated with grasses and sedges. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its biology and economic importance remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as the bluegrass billbug (S. parvulus) and southern corn billbug (S. callosus).
Thrypticus willistoni
Thrypticus willistoni is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Wheeler in 1890. The genus Thrypticus comprises small to minute flies associated with grasses and sedges, with larvae that develop within plant stems. Adults are characterized by reduced wing venation and distinctive leg proportions typical of the family.