Great-plains-endemic
Guides
Calosoma obsoletum
old beautiful black searcher
Calosoma obsoletum is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Thomas Say in 1823. It belongs to the 'caterpillar hunter' genus Calosoma, known for arboreal hunting behavior. The species occurs across the Great Plains and western North America, where both adults and larvae prey on lepidopteran caterpillars.
Catocala hermia
Hermia Underwing, Hermia's Underwing Moth
Catocala hermia is an underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1880. The species is endemic to the Great Plains of North America, ranging from southern Canada through the western United States. Adults are active in late summer, and larvae feed on poplar and willow species. Like other underwing moths, it possesses cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings used in startle displays.
Cicindela formosa formosa
big sand tiger beetle
Cicindela formosa formosa is the nominate subspecies of the big sand tiger beetle, occurring in the Great Plains region of North America. It is a large, robust tiger beetle adapted to deep, dry sand habitats. Adults exhibit a spring/fall activity pattern, overwintering in burrows. The subspecies is distinguished from related taxa by its "C"-shaped humeral markings and bulkier body form compared to similar species like C. lengi.
Cicindela lengi
blowout tiger beetle
Cicindela lengi, the blowout tiger beetle, is a flashy tiger beetle species endemic to dry sand habitats of the central and northern Great Plains of North America. Despite its common name suggesting exclusive association with barren sand blowouts, it occupies a broader range of sandy environments including dune margins, sand flats, and sandy roadsides. The species is uncommon throughout most of its range, though locally abundant in certain areas of Nebraska. It is frequently mistaken for the more common Cicindela formosa due to similar coloration, representing a case of convergent evolution between distantly related taxa.
Dactylotum bicolor
Rainbow grasshopper, Painted grasshopper, Barber pole grasshopper
Dactylotum bicolor is a small, flightless grasshopper known for its striking aposematic coloration of black with red, yellow, and green markings. Native to shortgrass prairie and desert grasslands of western North America, it exhibits a complex life cycle with nymphs showing specialized feeding behavior on Wright's false willow (Baccharis wrightii) in parts of its range. The species demonstrates active thermoregulation through behavioral positioning relative to host plants and sunlight. Its bright warning coloration has been experimentally validated as effective aposematism against vertebrate predators.
Lintneria eremitoides
Sage Sphinx
Lintneria eremitoides, known as the sage sphinx, is a hawkmoth in the family Sphingidae. It inhabits sandy prairie habitats in the Great Plains of North America. The species has two generations annually and is strongly associated with Salvia host plants. Adults are active in spring and late summer, feeding on nectar from deep-throated flowers.
Prionus debilis
Prionus debilis is a long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, occurring in the tallgrass prairies of the eastern Great Plains. Males possess hypersegmented, flabellate antennae adapted for detecting female sex pheromones. The species was first documented to be attracted to prionic acid lures in 2015, representing a significant finding for the genus. It is considered uncommonly collected and appears to have a relatively restricted distribution compared to other Prionus species.
Pygarctia spraguei
Sprague's pygarctia, Sprague's tiger moth
Pygarctia spraguei is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1875. It occurs across the Great Plains of North America, from southern Canada to Texas. The species has a wingspan of approximately 31 mm. Larvae are known to feed on Euphorbia species.
Schinia chrysellus
Chrysellus Flower Moth
Schinia chrysellus is a noctuid moth native to the Great Plains of North America. The species belongs to the genus Schinia, a diverse group of flower moths known for their colorful appearance and close association with host plants. Adults are diurnal and visit flowers for nectar. The caterpillars feed on the flowers and seed pods of their host plants, a trait common to many species in this genus.
Schinia jaguarina
Jaguar Flower Moth
Schinia jaguarina, commonly known as the Jaguar Flower Moth, is a noctuid moth species first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. The species is distributed across the Great Plains and adjacent regions of North America, with records from Canada south through Mexico. Adults are active primarily during summer months and are attracted to light. The larvae are specialized feeders on leguminous plants.