Hymenoptera
Guides
Andrena scotoptera
Andrena scotoptera is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1934. It is found in North America. As a member of the genus Andrena, it is a solitary, ground-nesting bee.
Andrena sperryi
Andrena sperryi is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cockerell in 1937. It belongs to the large genus Andrena, which comprises over 1,500 species of solitary, ground-nesting bees worldwide. As a member of this genus, it likely exhibits the typical Andrena biology of excavating burrows in soil and provisioning nest cells with pollen for larval development. The species is recorded from North America.
Andrena submoesta
Submoesta Mining Bee
Andrena submoesta is a mining bee species in the family Andrenidae, described by Viereck in 1917. As a solitary bee, it excavates underground tunnels for nesting. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its ecology and distribution within that range remain limited. Like other Andrena species, it likely contributes to spring pollination of wildflowers.
Andrena vulpicolor
Andrena vulpicolor is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cockerell in 1897. It belongs to the large genus Andrena, which contains over 250 species of solitary, ground-nesting bees. Like other members of this genus, it is a solitary bee that nests in soil and provisions its young with pollen. The species is native to North America.
Andricus balanella
Andricus balanella is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, a group renowned for inducing distinctive plant galls on oak species. Like other members of the genus Andricus, this species forms intimate associations with oaks (Quercus spp.), with females laying eggs in plant tissues to initiate gall development. The resulting galls serve as both shelter and food source for the developing larva. The specific gall morphology and host oak species for A. balanella are not well documented in available sources, though the genus is characterized by highly species-specific gall forms.
Andricus burnetti
Andricus burnetti is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, a group renowned for inducing diverse and structurally complex galls on oak trees. As a member of the genus Andricus, this species participates in the intricate life cycle characteristic of cynipid wasps, where females lay eggs in oak tissues and the developing larvae secrete substances that redirect plant growth to form specialized galls. The species was described by Burnett, for whom it is named. Like many Andricus species, it likely exhibits host specificity to particular oak species, though detailed biological accounts remain limited in published literature.
Andricus capillatus
Andricus capillatus is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of the genus Andricus, this species induces characteristic galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.), with each cynipid species producing a distinct gall morphology specific to its biology. The genus Andricus is one of the most diverse genera of gall wasps, with numerous species specialized on different oak species and plant tissues.
Andricus coconinoensis
Andricus coconinoensis is a species of cynipid gall wasp described in 2021. As a member of the family Cynipidae, it induces characteristic galls on oak host plants. The specific epithet references Coconino County, Arizona, suggesting a southwestern United States distribution. Like other Andricus species, it exhibits intimate host plant specialization typical of this diverse gall wasp genus.
Andricus cooki
Andricus cooki is a species of cynipid gall wasp described in 2021. As a member of the genus Andricus, it is an oak-associated gall wasp that induces characteristic galls on Quercus species. The genus Andricus is one of the most diverse genera of gall wasps, with each species typically producing distinct gall morphologies on specific oak hosts. Like other Andricus species, this wasp likely has a complex life cycle involving both sexual and asexual generations, though specific details for this recently described species remain to be documented.
Andricus coortus
Andricus coortus is a species of cynipid gall wasp described by Weld in 1947. It belongs to the genus Andricus, one of the most diverse genera of gall wasps associated with oaks. Species in this genus are known for inducing characteristic galls on various parts of oak trees, with each species typically producing a distinct gall morphology on specific host tissues. Like other Andricus species, A. coortus likely exhibits complex life cycles involving alternation between sexual and asexual generations on different oak tissues, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented.
Andricus coquilletti
Andricus coquilletti is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, a group renowned for inducing characteristic plant galls on oaks. Like other members of its genus, this species has an intimate ecological relationship with oak trees (Quercus spp.), where females deposit eggs into developing leaf tissue using their ovipositor, triggering the formation of protective galls that house developing larvae. The species is part of one of the most diverse radiations of gall-forming insects, with each cynipid species typically producing a distinct gall morphology on specific host tissues.
Andricus coronus
Andricus coronus is a cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of this genus, it induces characteristic galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.), serving as both shelter and food source for its developing larvae. The species exemplifies the highly specialized host relationships typical of gall wasps, where each species typically induces a distinct gall form on specific host plant tissues.
Andricus dimorphus
Clustered Midrib Gall Wasp
Andricus dimorphus, commonly known as the clustered midrib gall wasp, is a cynipid wasp that induces distinctive galls on oak leaves. The species forms clusters of up to 50 globular, red-brown galls along the midrib on the abaxial (underside) surface of white oak leaves, beginning in late summer. Adults emerge from galls the following year. The species was first described by William Beutenmuller in 1913 as Cynips dimorphus and later transferred to Andricus via the genus Adleria.
Andricus foliaformis
Andricus foliaformis is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, described by Gillette in 1888. Like other members of the genus Andricus, this species induces characteristic galls on oak hosts (Quercus spp.). The specific epithet "foliaformis" suggests a leaf-associated gall morphology. Cynipid gall wasps in this genus typically exhibit complex life cycles involving alternating sexual and asexual generations, with each generation often producing distinct gall forms on different plant tissues.
Andricus mamillaformis
A cynipid gall wasp in the genus Andricus that induces distinctive galls on oak hosts. Like other members of this large genus, it exhibits high host specificity typical of gall wasps, with each species producing a characteristic gall morphology that serves as both shelter and food source for developing larvae. The species name 'mamillaformis' suggests a nipple- or breast-shaped gall form.
Andricus murtfeldtae
Andricus murtfeldtae is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of the genus Andricus, this species induces characteristic galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.). The wasp exhibits the typical life cycle of gall wasps, with females laying eggs in oak tissue and larvae developing within the protective gall structure. Specific details regarding its host associations and gall morphology are not well documented in available sources.
Andricus nigricens
Andricus nigricens is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of the genus Andricus, this species induces characteristic galls on oak (Quercus) host plants. The species is part of a highly diverse radiation of gall-forming wasps that have evolved intimate relationships with oaks, with each species typically producing a distinct gall morphology on specific plant tissues.
Andricus pilularis
Andricus pilularis is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of its genus, this wasp induces the formation of distinctive galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.). The species exhibits the characteristic life cycle of gall wasps, with larvae developing inside plant tissue structures that provide both food and shelter. Specific details regarding its host associations and gall morphology require further documentation.
Andricus quercusformosus
Andricus quercusformosus is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. The species was originally described by Bassett in 1864 under the basionym Cynips quercusformosa. Like other members of the genus Andricus, this species is associated with oak trees (Quercus spp.) as host plants. The specific epithet "quercusformosus" derives from Latin, combining "quercus" (oak) with "formosus" (beautiful), likely referring to the appearance of the galls it produces. The species belongs to the highly diverse gall wasp family Cynipidae, which contains thousands of species that form characteristic galls on various plant parts.
Andricus reticulatus
Andricus reticulatus is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of the genus Andricus, this species induces characteristic galls on oak (Quercus) host plants. Cynipid gall wasps are highly specialized insects with intimate evolutionary relationships with their host plants, typically forming species-specific gall structures that serve as both shelter and food source for developing larvae. The genus Andricus is one of the most diverse within the Cynipidae, with numerous species associated with various oak species.
Andricus robustus
Andricus robustus is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of the genus Andricus, this species induces characteristic galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.). The specific gall morphology and host associations of A. robustus have not been extensively documented in the available literature. The species follows the typical cynipid life cycle involving an alternation of generations between sexual and asexual forms, though detailed studies of its biology remain limited.
Andricus sessilum
Andricus sessilum is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, a group known for inducing distinctive plant growths called galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.). Like other members of the genus Andricus, this species exhibits high host specificity, with females laying eggs in oak tissues to initiate gall formation. The developing larva secretes chemical signals that manipulate plant growth, creating a specialized structure that provides both food and shelter. Cynipid gall wasps are among the most diverse gall-forming insects, with each species typically producing a characteristic gall morphology on specific host plants or plant parts.
Andricus stropus
leafy-wreath gall
Andricus stropus is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae that induces distinctive galls on oak trees. The species is part of the highly diverse Andricus genus, which contains numerous oak-associated gall wasps, each producing characteristic gall structures. Like other cynipids, A. stropus has a complex life cycle involving manipulation of plant tissue through chemical secretions that redirect host oak growth patterns. The species is known from observations primarily in North America.
Andricus tubularius
A cynipid gall wasp in the genus Andricus that induces distinctive galls on oak hosts. Like other members of this large and diverse genus, this species exhibits high host specificity and complex life cycles typical of oak gall wasps. The specific gall morphology and exact host associations for this species require further documentation.
Andricus weldi
Andricus weldi is a species of cynipid gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of this diverse family, it induces the formation of specialized plant galls on oak hosts. The species was named in honor of Lewis H. Weld, a prominent American cynipidologist who authored foundational works on gall wasps of the eastern United States. Specific details regarding its gall morphology, host associations, and biology remain limited in the available literature.
Andricus wheeleri
Andricus wheeleri is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. Like other members of this genus, it induces distinctive gall formations on oak host plants. The species is part of a highly diverse radiation of cynipid wasps that have evolved intimate associations with Quercus species. Specific details regarding its gall morphology and host relationships are not well documented in the available literature.
Aneugmenini
Aneugmenini is a tribe of sawflies within the family Tenthredinidae. Members of this tribe are phytophagous and associated with various host plants. The tribe contains multiple genera, including the well-known genus *Aneugmenus*. Sawflies in this group are morphologically diverse but share characteristics typical of Tenthredinidae, including a broad connection between the thorax and abdomen (lacking the narrow 'wasp waist' of Apocrita).
Aneugmenus flavipes
Aneugmenus flavipes is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, first described by Norton in 1861. It is recorded from multiple Canadian provinces including Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. As a member of the genus Aneugmenus, it belongs to a group of sawflies whose larvae are associated with ferns. The species epithet 'flavipes' refers to yellow legs, a characteristic coloration feature.
Anisepyris
Anisepyris is a genus of flat wasps in the family Bethylidae, subfamily Epyrinae. The genus contains 13 recognized species-groups and is primarily distributed in the Neotropical region with limited representation in the Nearctic. A recent phylogenetic analysis based on 120 morphological characters across 72 operational taxonomic units resolved well-supported relationships among species and identified key synapomorphies. The genus is hypothesized to have a relatively recent origin, with historical dispersal patterns linked to dense forest habitats.
Anisepyris williamsi
Anisepyris williamsi is a species of wasp in the family Bethylidae, described by Evans in 1959. The genus Anisepyris comprises small, typically non-stinging parasitoid wasps that attack the larvae or pupae of various insects. This species has been recorded from multiple countries in the Americas, including the United States (California), Mexico, and several South American nations. Like other bethylids, it likely plays a role in natural biological control of pest insects, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Anochetus mayri
Mayr's Lesser Trap-jaw Ant
Anochetus mayri is a species of trap-jaw ant in the subfamily Ponerinae, distributed across much of northern and central South America. Like other members of the genus Anochetus, it possesses enlarged mandibles capable of rapid closure to capture prey. The species was described by Carlo Emery in 1884 and remains relatively understudied compared to its congener Anochetus simoni. Records indicate presence in Brazil, Colombia, and other Neotropical regions, primarily in forested habitats.
Anogmus
Anogmus is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, first described by Foerster in 1856. These small parasitoid wasps belong to the subfamily Pteromalinae and are part of the diverse radiation of pteromalid wasps that attack various insect hosts. The genus is documented from parts of northern Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Poland.
Anomalon ejuncidum
Anomalon ejuncidum is a species of ichneumonid wasp in the genus Anomalon. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1835 and is currently recognized as valid. Members of the genus Anomalon are generally parasitoid wasps, though specific host associations for A. ejuncidum remain poorly documented. The species has been recorded from Brazil.
Anomalon picticorne
Anomalon picticorne is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Anomaloninae. The species was described by Viereck in 1912. Members of this genus are parasitoid wasps, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented. The species is known from North America based on museum specimens and citizen science observations.
Anomalon reticulatum
Anomalon reticulatum is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Cresson in 1865. It belongs to the genus Anomalon, a group of parasitoid wasps. The species is documented through limited observations, with occurrence records indicating a sparse but established presence. As with other members of Ichneumonidae, it is presumed to function as a parasitoid, though specific host associations for this species remain undocumented in available sources.
Anoplius
Blue-black Spider Wasps
Anoplius is a large genus of spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, commonly known as the blue-black spider wasps. The genus contains over 200 described species distributed across multiple subgenera, with approximately 26 species occurring in Colorado alone. Most species are characterized by predominantly black or blue-black coloration, making field identification challenging without close examination. Members of this genus are solitary hunters that prey primarily on spiders, with most species specializing on wolf spiders (Lycosidae) and some exhibiting broader prey preferences.
Anoplius semirufus
Anoplius semirufus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. As a member of the genus Anoplius, it belongs to a diverse group of solitary wasps that prey primarily on spiders. The species name 'semirufus' (half-red) suggests distinctive reddish coloration on part of the body, likely the abdomen. Like other Anoplius species, it is presumed to hunt wolf spiders or similar ground-dwelling spiders, paralyzing them with venom to provision underground nest cells for its larvae.
Anoplius subcylindricus
Anoplius subcylindricus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It belongs to a diverse genus of solitary wasps that prey primarily on spiders. Like other members of Anoplius, this species exhibits the characteristic behaviors of spider wasps: females hunt spiders, paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows with these paralyzed prey for their larval offspring. The species was described by Nathan Banks in 1917.
Anoplius toluca
Anoplius toluca is a spider wasp species in the family Pompilidae, first described by Cameron in 1893. As a member of the genus Anoplius, it belongs to a diverse group of solitary wasps that prey primarily on spiders. The species is recorded from Hawaii, though detailed biological information appears limited in available sources. Like other Anoplius species, it likely exhibits the characteristic hunting behavior of paralyzing spiders with its sting to provision nests for its larvae.
Anoplonyx canadensis
Anoplonyx canadensis is a larch sawfly native to eastern Canada, historically confused with A. luteipes and A. laricis due to similar adult morphology. The species belongs to a small genus of sawflies specialized on Larix trees, with larvae that feed on larch foliage. Detailed morphological study is required to distinguish this species from its congeners, particularly in adult stages.
Anoplonyx occidens
Anoplonyx occidens is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. It is known from western Canada, specifically British Columbia. As a member of this genus, it belongs to a group of sawflies whose larvae feed on coniferous trees, though species-level host records for A. occidens remain limited.
Anteon nebulosum
Anteon nebulosum is a species of dryinid wasp in the family Dryinidae, a group of solitary parasitoid wasps. Members of the genus Anteon are known to parasitize leafhoppers (Cicadellidae), with females typically possessing raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing hosts. The specific epithet "nebulosum" suggests a cloudy or indistinct appearance, though detailed species-level documentation remains limited. Like other dryinids, this species likely plays a role in regulating leafhopper populations in natural ecosystems.
Anteon osborni
Anteon osborni is a species of dryinid wasp in the family Dryinidae, subfamily Anteoninae. First described by Fenton in 1918, this species belongs to a genus of parasitoid wasps known for their distinctive raptorial forelegs used to capture and hold host prey. Dryinid wasps are solitary parasitoids that primarily target Hemiptera, particularly leafhoppers and planthoppers. The genus Anteon is one of the most diverse within Dryinidae, with species distributed across multiple continents.
Anteon puncticeps
Anteon puncticeps is a species of dryinid wasp in the family Dryinidae, first described by Ashmead in 1893. The genus Anteon comprises parasitoid wasps that target planthoppers and leafhoppers (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Members of this genus are characterized by their distinctive raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing hosts. Like other dryinids, A. puncticeps likely exhibits the family's typical biology of larval parasitoidism, with females using modified forelegs to grasp hosts while ovipositing. The species is represented in museum collections, including slide-mounted specimens at the University of California, Riverside Entomology Research Museum.
Anteon rugosiceps
Anteon rugosiceps is a species of dryinid wasp in the family Dryinidae. The species was described by Olmi and is part of a genus of parasitoid wasps that target leafhoppers and planthoppers (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). Dryinid wasps are characterized by their distinctive forelegs, which are modified into chelate (pincer-like) structures used to capture and hold their prey. Anteon species are generally small, slender wasps with reduced wing venation.
Anthidiellum robertsoni
Anthidiellum robertsoni is a species of bee in the family Megachilidae, order Hymenoptera. It is a member of the tribe Anthidiini, commonly known as wool-carder bees or potter bees. The species was described by Cockerell in 1904. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a solitary bee that constructs nests using plant materials. The species occurs in North America.
Anthophila
bees
Anthophila is the clade comprising all bees, a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea. With over 20,000 described species across seven recognized families, bees represent one of the most ecologically significant groups of insect pollinators. The clade encompasses diverse life histories, from solitary to eusocial species, and exhibits remarkable morphological variation associated with pollen collection and transport. Bees originated from predatory wasp ancestors and evolved specialized adaptations for exploiting floral resources, making them critical components of terrestrial ecosystems and agricultural systems worldwide.
Anthophora crotchii
Anthophora crotchii is a species of digger bee in the family Apidae, first described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1879 and named after entomologist George Robert Crotch. It belongs to the genus Anthophora, a group of solitary, ground-nesting bees commonly known as digger bees. The species occurs in North America. Like other members of its genus, it is expected to be a solitary bee that excavates nests in soil, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Anthophora hololeuca
Anthophora hololeuca is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1923. Like other members of the genus Anthophora, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates burrows in soil or sand substrates. The species occurs in North America and Middle America, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as Anthophora bomboides.
Anthophora ursina
Anthophora ursina is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, native to North America. As a member of the genus Anthophora, it is part of a group of ground-nesting bees commonly known as digger bees. The species was described by Cresson in 1869.