Gulf-coast
Guides
Abedus immaculatus
Abedus immaculatus is a species of giant water bug in the family Belostomatidae. It is the only Abedus species found in the eastern United States, with a range extending throughout Florida north into Georgia and west along the Gulf Coast to Mississippi. Adults measure 13–14 mm in length, making them the smallest species in the genus Abedus and the smallest belostomatid in the United States. The species is the sole member of the subgenus Microabedus. It is locally common in parts of the Everglades, where it occurs in shorter hydroperiod sites.
giant-water-bugaquatic-insectfreshwaterwetlandEvergladesendemiceastern-United-Statessmallest-belostomatid-USAmale-parental-careBelostomatidaeHemipteraMicroabedushydroperiodFloridaGeorgiaMississippiGulf-CoastThomas-Say1832Abedus-cantrallisynonymywater-bugtrue-bugNepomorphaHeteropteraInsectaArthropodaAnimaliaAmblycorypha cajuni
Cajun round-headed katydid
Amblycorypha cajuni is a species of round-headed katydid (bush-cricket) in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Walker in 2004. Like other members of its genus, it possesses remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage with wing venation that closely resembles leaf veins. The species is known from the Gulf Coast region of the United States, specifically Louisiana and Mississippi. As with related Amblycorypha species, males produce courtship songs using stridulatory organs on their forewings, and females detect these songs through tympanal organs located on their forelegs.
Amblyomma maculatum
Gulf Coast tick
Amblyomma maculatum, commonly known as the Gulf Coast tick, is a three-host hard tick native to the southeastern and south-central United States. The species has been expanding its range northward and westward in recent decades, with established populations now documented as far north as Virginia and west to Oklahoma. Adults primarily parasitize large mammals including cattle, deer, and humans, while immature stages feed on small mammals and ground-dwelling birds. The species is a vector of Rickettsia parkeri, the causative agent of American tick bite fever, and has been associated with tick paralysis in rare cases. Heavy infestations on livestock can cause significant economic damage through hide degradation and blood loss.
Cicindelidia trifasciata
S-banded Tiger Beetle, Ascendent Tiger Beetle (subspecies)
Cicindelidia trifasciata is a species of tiger beetle known as the S-banded Tiger Beetle, characterized by dark brown dorsal coloration and a thin, sinuous, S-shaped middle elytral maculation. The species includes a recognized subspecies, C. trifasciata ascendens (Ascendent Tiger Beetle), which inhabits coastal salt marsh environments. Adults are diurnal, extremely active and flighty, particularly in hot conditions. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range including the southern United States, Caribbean islands, and South America.
Cicindelidia trifasciata ascendens
Ascendent Tiger Beetle, Three-lined Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia trifasciata ascendens is a subspecies of tiger beetle commonly found in coastal salt marsh habitats along the Gulf Coast of Florida. It is recognized by its dark brown dorsal coloration and distinctive thin, sinuous, S-shaped middle elytral maculation. The subspecies is notably active and flighty, particularly during hot afternoon conditions. It has been documented as far north as Missouri as a rare vagrant, but its core range centers on saline coastal wetlands from Texas through Florida.
Diceroprocta bequaerti
Gulf Saltmarsh Cicada
Diceroprocta bequaerti is a species of annual cicada in the family Cicadidae, native to North America. It is one of several Diceroprocta species found in the southern United States, where it inhabits coastal and near-coastal environments. Like other cicadas in this genus, it produces sound through tymbal organs to attract mates. The species was described by William T. Davis in 1917.
Doryodes tenuistriga
Doryodes tenuistriga is a moth in the family Erebidae described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1918. It is known from coastal regions of Texas and Louisiana. Sexual dimorphism in size is pronounced, with females substantially larger than males.
Eunota pamphila
Gulfshore Tiger Beetle
Eunota pamphila is a small tiger beetle species primarily associated with coastal salt marsh habitats along the Gulf of Mexico. Formerly classified under Cicindela and Habroscelimorpha, this species was historically considered rare outside its core Texas Gulf Coast range, with only occasional straggler records in adjacent states. A breeding population was documented in Mississippi coastal salt marshes during 2006–2008, establishing the species as a resident rather than vagrant in that region. The species co-occurs with other tiger beetles including Eunota togata, Ellipsoptera hamata, and Habroscelimorpha severa in suitable saline habitats.
Eunota severa
Saltmarsh Tiger Beetle
Eunota severa, commonly known as the Saltmarsh Tiger Beetle, is a species of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae (subfamily Cicindelinae). It occurs in coastal salt marsh habitats along the Gulf Coast of the United States and Mexico. The species is notable for its shiny green elytra with reduced maculations appearing as small spots at the middle and rear. It is primarily active during morning and evening hours, making it challenging to observe and photograph during midday. The species has been recorded from south Texas and Florida, where it occurs sympatrically with other salt marsh tiger beetles.
Eunota togata
White-cloaked Tiger Beetle
Eunota togata, the White-cloaked Tiger Beetle, is a species of tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. It was formerly classified under Cicindela but is now the sole species in the genus Eunota. The species is notable for its strong association with saline habitats, with different subspecies occupying distinct geographic regions and habitat types. Adults are small, measuring 10–13 mm in length, and exhibit variable white coloration on the elytra that gives the species its common name. The species demonstrates classic tiger beetle behaviors including rapid running, quick flight when disturbed, and visual predation.
Eunota togata togata
White-cloaked Tiger Beetle
Eunota togata togata is the nominate subspecies of the White-cloaked Tiger Beetle, occurring in salt marshes and tidal flats along the Gulf Coast of the United States and Mexico. Unlike the inland subspecies E. t. globicollis (Alkali Tiger Beetle) and E. t. fascinans (Salt Flat Tiger Beetle), this form shows the least expansion of the characteristic white elytral band that gives the species its name. The species epithet 'togata' derives from Latin 'toga,' referring to this cloaking white margin.
Languria taedata
lizard beetle
Languria taedata is a polymorphic lizard beetle species distributed along the eastern coast of North America. Adults are dark, elongate beetles measuring 9–11 mm. The species exhibits notable color variation, including a distinctive all-piceous form ('Form C') found primarily along the western Gulf Coast—the first such form documented in the genus. Larvae develop internally within stems of Spartina alterniflora, the smooth cordgrass.
Metachroma viticola
Metachroma viticola is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, measuring 4.0–5.8 mm in length. The species was described by Linell in 1898 and is named for its association with grapevines. It is known from the Gulf Coast region of the United States and Mexico.
Neochetina bruchi
chevroned water hyacinth weevil, chevroned waterhyacinth weevil
Neochetina bruchi is a South American marsh weevil introduced to over 30 countries as a biological control agent for invasive water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes, formerly Eichhornia crassipes). First released in the United States in Florida in 1974, it now occurs throughout the Gulf Coast states and California. The species has been studied extensively for its effectiveness in managing water hyacinth infestations, with research showing its performance varies with environmental factors including salinity, temperature, and nutrient availability.
Ophraella notulata
Marsh Elder Leaf Beetle
Ophraella notulata is a Nearctic skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, found in Gulf Coast states of the United States and Mexico. It was previously described as O. integra (LeConte), now synonymized with O. notulata (Fabricius). The species is specialized on host plants in the Asteraceae family, primarily Iva frutescens (marsh elder), with documented ability to utilize Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) as an alternative host. Research has demonstrated complex transgenerational effects of host plant on offspring fitness and behavior.
Panchlora nivea
Cuban cockroach, green banana cockroach, banana cockroach
Panchlora nivea is a small, bright green cockroach native to Cuba and the Caribbean, now established along the Gulf Coast of the United States from Florida to Texas. Unlike most cockroach species, it is primarily an outdoor insect rarely found indoors and is not considered a pest. It has become popular in the pet trade due to its attractive coloration and non-invasive habits.
Protorthodes orobia
Protorthodes orobia is a noctuid moth described in 1876 and currently recognized as a valid species. It is endemic to eastern Texas, with highest abundance along the Gulf Coast. The species is among the smaller members of its genus, with distinctive forewing maculation. Adults are active in autumn, with flight records limited to October.