Gypsum-habitat
Guides
Aleptina arenaria
Aleptina arenaria is a small noctuid moth described in 2011. The species is known exclusively from White Sands National Park in New Mexico, where it inhabits the gypsum sand dune field. Its specific epithet references this specialized sandy habitat. The species is known from only two observations, making it one of the most geographically restricted moths in North America.
Cysteodemus
Desert Spider Beetles, inflated beetle, black bladder-bodied meloid
Cysteodemus is a genus of desert spider beetles in the family Meloidae, containing at least two described species: C. armatus (inflated beetle) and C. wislizeni (black bladder-bodied meloid). The genus is characterized by a highly inflated, bladder-like body form that gives these beetles their common names. Species are found in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Sexual behavior in Cysteodemus represents an intermediate condition between the two major subfamilies of blister beetles, featuring simple courtship, prolonged mating, and high female receptivity.