Hardwood-forest
Guides
Acronicta ovata
ovate dagger moth, Epauleted Oak Dagger
Acronicta ovata is a noctuid moth with a wingspan of 28–35 mm. Adults are active from June to September, with two or more generations per year across its broad North American range. The species is known for its larval association with hardwood trees, particularly oaks.
Agrilus audax
Audacious Elm Agrilus
Agrilus audax is a large, striking jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, distinguished by its black elytra and red pronotum with a densely pubescent median channel. First described from Texas in 1891, it remained exceptionally rare for over a century, with confirmed records from only a handful of specimens across Texas, Arizona, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Ohio. The species is associated with hardwood trees, particularly bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) and slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), and is considered one of the most elusive North American buprestids.
Alsophila pometaria
Fall Cankerworm Moth, Fall Cankerworm, Inchworm
Alsophila pometaria, the fall cankerworm, is a native North American geometrid moth notable for its sexually dimorphic adults: males are winged and capable of flight, while females are wingless, flightless, and lack functional mouthparts. The species exhibits a distinctive life cycle with adult emergence in late autumn and early winter, egg-laying on tree bark, and larval feeding in spring. Caterpillars are known as "inchworms" or "loopers" due to their characteristic looping locomotion. The species is a generalist defoliator of deciduous hardwood trees and can reach outbreak densities, causing significant economic and ecological impact.
Argyrotaenia juglandana
Hickory Leafroller Moth
Argyrotaenia juglandana is a small tortricid moth commonly known as the hickory leafroller moth. It is native to eastern North America, where its larvae feed on the foliage of hickory, walnut, and related hardwood trees. Adults are active from spring through mid-summer and are frequently encountered in deciduous woodlands and parks.
Brachys
Leaf-mining jewel beetles
Brachys is a genus of small metallic wood-boring beetles in the family Buprestidae, tribe Trachyini. The genus contains at least 140 described species distributed primarily in North America, with some species in Central and South America. Adults are characterized by their flattened, compact, wedge-shaped morphology—distinctly different from the more typical elongate, cylindrical form of most jewel beetles. This body plan reflects their unique larval habit of mining within leaves of host plants rather than boring through wood. The genus is strongly associated with oaks (Quercus) and other hardwoods, though some species utilize diverse host plant families.
BuprestidaeAgrilinaeTrachyinileaf-mineroak-associatejewel-beetlemetallic-wood-boring-beetlehardwood-forestphenologyNorth-AmericaSouth-AmericaCerradoQuercusBrachys-ovatusBrachys-aerosusBrachys-aeruginosusBrachys-querciBrachys-cephalicusBrachys-floccosusBrachys-barberiBrachys-rileyiBrachys-apacheiBrachys-cleidecostaeBrachys-tessellatusCallirhipidae
Callirhipid Cedar Beetles, Cedar Beetles
Callirhipidae is a family of elateriform beetles containing approximately 175 valid species in 10 genera. The family is distributed throughout low-latitude regions worldwide, with notable absence from tropical Africa and Madagascar. The only North American representative is Zenoa picea, found across the eastern and central United States. Larvae develop in decaying hardwood, particularly oak and hickory, with a two-year life cycle. Adults are generally nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Catocala palaeogama
Oldwife Underwing, Old Wife Underwing
Catocala palaeogama is a North American underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Guenée in 1852. The species exhibits the characteristic underwing morphology: cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings when at rest. Adults are active from June through October with one generation per year. The larval stage feeds exclusively on hardwood trees in the walnut and hickory family (Juglandaceae), as well as chestnut, apple, and related species. The species ranges across eastern and central North America from Ontario to South Carolina and west to Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Catocala robinsonii
Robinson's Underwing
Robinson's Underwing (Catocala robinsonii) is a medium-sized underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1872. The species is characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings, a defensive trait common to the genus Catocala. It occurs primarily in eastern and central North America, with larvae specializing on hardwood trees including hickory, walnut, and oak.
Catocala similis
Similar Underwing
Catocala similis, commonly known as the similar underwing, is a moth species in the family Erebidae first described by William Henry Edwards in 1864. The species is characterized by its cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings, a trait common to the genus Catocala. Adults are active during late spring and early summer across eastern North America, with larvae feeding on specific hardwood trees.
Catocala vidua
widow underwing
Catocala vidua, commonly known as the widow underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. The species was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797. It is a medium-large underwing moth with a wingspan of 70–80 mm. Adults are active from August to October, with one generation per year. The larvae feed on several tree species including hickories, walnuts, oaks, black locust, and willow.
Ceranemota crumbi
Ceranemota crumbi is a small moth in the family Drepanidae, described by Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1938. It is restricted to a narrow geographic range in the Pacific Northwest, occurring in western Oregon and the Washington Cascade Range. The species inhabits coastal rainforests and mixed hardwood forests, with adults active in late autumn.
Chrysobothris quadriimpressa
Four-impressed Chrysobothris
Chrysobothris quadriimpressa is a jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, belonging to the Chrysobothris femorata species group. This species was originally described in 1837, subsequently synonymized, and resurrected in the 2007 revision by Wellso and Manley. It occurs across eastern North America west to the Continental Divide and is primarily associated with oak (Quercus) hosts. The species is distinguished from closely related members of the C. femorata group by subtle morphological characters of the pygidium and elytra.
Clytus ruricola
Round-necked Longhorn Beetle
Clytus ruricola is a longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, first described by Olivier in 1795. It belongs to the tribe Clytini, a group known for wasp-mimicking coloration. The species occurs across North America and is one of several Clytus species with distinctive yellow and black patterned elytra. It is a hardwood-associated beetle whose larvae develop in dead or decaying wood.
Cossula magnifica
pecan carpenterworm moth
Cossula magnifica, commonly known as the pecan carpenterworm moth, is a species of carpenter moth in the family Cossidae. The species is found in the southeastern United States, where its larvae develop as borers in hardwood trees. Adults are active in spring and early summer. The species is of some economic concern due to larval damage to pecan and other Carya species.
Cymatophora approximaria
Giant Gray Moth
A large geometrid moth native to North America, notable for its substantial size and muted gray coloration. Adults are active during warmer months and are attracted to light. The species is relatively well-documented through citizen science observations.
Cyrtinus pygmaeus
Cyrtinus pygmaeus is an exceptionally small species of longhorned beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae. At only 2–3 millimeters in length, it is the smallest member of the family Cerambycidae in North America. The species exhibits remarkable ant mimicry, with elytra bearing two prominent humps near their bases and bands of white pubescence creating the illusion of a narrow-waisted ant. It has been reared from dead branches of various hardwood trees including river birch, chinquapin oak, willow oak, and black oak. Despite being described in 1847 and considered widespread across eastern North America, it remains infrequently encountered in the field due to its diminutive size and effective mimicry.
Dichorda
Dichorda is a genus of emerald moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Geometrinae. The genus was erected by Warren in 1900 and currently contains nine recognized species distributed primarily in North America. Species such as Dichorda iridaria (showy emerald moth) are known for their distinctive green coloration and are attracted to ultraviolet light at night. The genus is part of the diverse Geometridae family, commonly known as inchworm or geometer moths.
Enaphalodes seminitidus
Enaphalodes seminitidus is a species of longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) in the tribe Elaphidiini, described by George Henry Horn in 1885. The species belongs to a genus of wood-boring beetles whose larvae develop in hardwood trees. Like other Enaphalodes species, it is likely associated with oak or related hardwood hosts, though specific host records for this species are not well documented in the available literature.
Eulogia ochrifrontella
Broad-banded Eulogia Moth
Eulogia ochrifrontella is a small snout moth and the sole member of its genus. It is commonly known as the broad-banded eulogia moth. The species occurs across much of North America and has been documented from Canada through the eastern and central United States. It is associated with hardwood trees including pecan, oak, and apple.
Eupogonius pauper
Pauper Longhorned Beetle
Eupogonius pauper is a small longhorned beetle species in the family Cerambycidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852. It is known from the United States and Canada, with records extending from Manitoba and Ontario to the eastern United States. The species is associated with dead wood of various hardwood trees, including pawpaw (Asimina triloba). It belongs to the tribe Desmiphorini and is one of numerous small, brownish eupogonine species that are often difficult to distinguish without close examination.
Hyperplatys aspersa
Hyperplatys aspersa is a small greyish longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae, described by Thomas Say in 1824. It is one of two Hyperplatys species occurring in Eastern Canada, alongside H. maculata. The species has a history of taxonomic confusion, having been frequently misidentified by early authors.
Ithycerus noveboracensis
New York Weevil
Ithycerus noveboracensis is a primitive weevil and the sole living member of the family Ithyceridae. It is among the largest North American weevils, measuring 12–18 mm. The species is characterized by its distinctive spotted coloration and bristly body texture. It occurs in deciduous forests of eastern North America, where adults feed on fungi and sap flows from hardwood trees.
Longistigma
giant bark aphid
Longistigma is a genus of giant aphids in the family Aphididae, containing at least three described species. These are the largest aphids in North America, with Longistigma caryae (giant bark aphid) being particularly notable for its size. The genus was established by Wilson in 1909 based on the extremely long, slender stigma that extends around the end of the wing. Members of this genus feed on bark and are associated with trees including oak, hickory, walnut, and beech.
Machimia tentoriferella
gold-striped leaftier moth
Machimia tentoriferella, commonly known as the gold-striped leaftier moth, is a small moth in the family Depressariidae. Larvae construct distinctive rolled or tied leaf enclosures, a behavior reflected in the species name derived from Latin 'tentorium' meaning 'a tent'. The species is widespread in eastern North America and is associated with multiple hardwood tree hosts.
Mallodon
hardwood stump borer
Mallodon is a genus of prionine longhorned beetles in the family Cerambycidae. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed across the Americas, with M. dasystomus being the most widely studied and geographically extensive. Species in this genus are characterized by large body size, prominent mandibles, and association with hardwood hosts. The genus was established by Lacordaire in 1830.
Megischus
crown wasp
Megischus is a large genus of crown wasps (family Stephanidae) containing over 90 described species with a cosmopolitan distribution centered in subtropical and tropical regions. The genus is characterized by medium to large body size, with adults ranging from approximately 10–40 mm in length (excluding the ovipositor). Females possess an exceptionally long ovipositor that typically exceeds body length, used to parasitize wood-boring beetle and hymenopteran larvae. The genus serves as an important biological control agent for pest populations of hardwood-damaging insects.
Neoclytus
Neoclytus is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) comprising approximately 93 species native to the New World. Adults are small to medium-sized beetles (4-20 mm) with striking black-and-yellow or black-and-white banded patterns that provide wasp-mimicry protection. The genus is notable for male-produced aggregation pheromones that attract both sexes. Larvae are wood-borers primarily of dead, dying, or stressed hardwood trees, with several species frequently encountered emerging from stored firewood.
Oncideres cingulata
twig girdler, Eastern Twig Girdler
Oncideres cingulata, commonly known as the twig girdler, is a cerambycid beetle notable for its distinctive reproductive behavior where adult females girdle twigs of host trees to create larval habitat. The beetle is brownish-gray, 13–16 mm in length, with antennae 13–25 mm long. Adults are active in late summer and fall, and females cut through bark and wood of small branches (6–12.7 mm diameter) before laying eggs in the severed portion. Larvae develop within the fallen girdled twigs, feeding on woody tissue, and complete a single yearly generation. The species is economically significant as a pest of pecan plantations and other hardwood trees.
Oreta rosea
Rose Hooktip, Rose Hooktip Moth
Oreta rosea, commonly known as the Rose Hooktip or Rose Hooktip Moth, is a species in the family Drepanidae (hooktip moths). Described by Francis Walker in 1855, this moth is distributed across boreal Canada and eastern North America. It inhabits moist temperate hardwood forests and exhibits bivoltine flight patterns, with adults active from May through September. The species is recognized by its distinctive wing shape with hooked apices.
Phidippus whitmani
Whitman's jumping spider
Phidippus whitmani is a species of jumping spider endemic to North America, named after American zoologist Charles Otis Whitman. It displays pronounced sexual dimorphism in coloration, with males exhibiting striking red dorsal surfaces and females typically brown or reddish depending on geographic location. The species matures in late spring and is commonly associated with older mixed hardwood forests.
Phyllobius oblongus
Brown Leaf Weevil
Phyllobius oblongus is a European weevil species in the family Curculionidae that has been introduced to North America, with records dating to 1969. It inhabits northern hardwood forests and has been documented in association with sugar maple reproduction in Michigan. The species has a broad native distribution across Europe and western Russia.
Satyrium caryaevorus
Hickory Hairstreak
Satyrium caryaevorus, the hickory hairstreak, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It is found in eastern North America, where adults are active during summer months. The species has one generation per year and overwinters as an egg. Larvae feed primarily on hickory and related tree species, while adults visit flowers for nectar.
Selenia kentaria
Kent's Geometer Moth, Kent's thorn, Kent's geometer
Selenia kentaria is a geometrid moth native to eastern and central North America. Adults are active from March through August and possess wingspans of 32–52 mm. The species exhibits remarkable crypsis: adults mimic wilted leaves, while larvae resemble twigs. Larvae feed on several hardwood tree genera including Betula and Prunus.
Sericaglaea signata
Variable Sallow, Variable Sallow Moth
Sericaglaea signata, commonly known as the Variable Sallow Moth, is a noctuid moth species found in eastern and central North America. Adults are active from October through May, with a single generation per year and overwintering adults. The species has a wingspan of 35–43 mm. Larvae feed on the leaves of oak (Quercus), cherry/plum (Prunus), and basswood/linden (Tilia) species.
Tilloclytus
Tilloclytus is a genus of longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) established by Bates in 1885, currently comprising 14 recognized species distributed across North America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. The genus is notable for containing ant-mimicking species, most notably Tilloclytus geminatus, which exhibits Batesian mimicry of small ants through body shape, coloration, and behavior. Adults are typically small (<10 mm), with some species occasionally found on flowers though they appear less frequently associated with floral visitation than related ant-mimicking genera such as Molorchus and Euderces.
Tortricidia testacea
warm-chevroned moth, Early Button Slug Moth
Tortricidia testacea, commonly known as the warm-chevroned moth or Early Button Slug Moth, is a species of slug caterpillar moth in the family Limacodidae. It is distributed across eastern and central North America, from Nova Scotia west to Manitoba and south to Missouri and Mississippi, with an additional record from South Carolina. The species is notable for its distinctive wing pattern and its larval association with several hardwood tree species.
Urocerus flavicornis
Yellow-horned Horntail, Yellow-horned Horntail Wasp
Urocerus flavicornis is a large wood-boring wasp in the family Siricidae, commonly known as the yellow-horned horntail. Native to North America, this species develops inside dead or dying hardwood trees. Adults are active primarily in late summer and fall. The species is non-venomous and poses no threat to humans despite its intimidating appearance.
Xantholobus lateralis
Xantholobus lateralis is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, subfamily Smiliinae. It was described by Edward Payton Van Duzee in 1908. The species occurs in eastern and central North America and has been documented feeding on oak and birch trees.