Alabagrus stigma is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, first described by Brullé in 1846. As a member of the genus Alabagrus, it belongs to a group of braconid wasps known for their role as parasitoids of other insects. The species is documented in the Catalogue of Life and NCBI Taxonomy databases, with 35 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Specific ecological and biological details remain limited in available sources.
Midwest Snowfly
Allocapnia rickeri is a small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae, commonly known as the Midwest Snowfly. It is one of numerous small, dark stoneflies in the genus Allocapnia that emerge during cold months when few other insects are active. The species has been documented across the central and eastern United States. Like other capniids, it is associated with clean, cold streams and is an important indicator of water quality.
Apalonia is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Casey in 1906. The genus contains at least 40 described species, placing it among the more species-rich genera within the aleocharine rove beetles. These beetles belong to the tribe Athetini, a large and diverse group characterized by small body size and complex morphological features. The genus has been documented in entomological collections, though detailed biological studies remain limited for most species.
Aulogymnus is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Eulophidae, first described by Förster in 1851. Members of this genus are small parasitoid wasps, part of a diverse family that primarily parasitizes other insects. The genus has been recorded from Europe and Asia. Specific biological details for the genus as a whole remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
root-eating beetles
Bactridium is a genus of beetles in the family Monotomidae, commonly referred to as root-eating beetles. The genus contains approximately 18 described species. These beetles belong to the order Coleoptera and are part of a family characterized by small size and association with decaying organic matter.
cockroaches and termites
Blattodea is an order of insects comprising approximately 4,400 species of cockroaches and 3,000 species of termites. Formerly treated as separate orders, termites were subsumed into Blattodea based on genetic and molecular evidence demonstrating their evolution from within the cockroach lineage. The order exhibits remarkable diversity in social organization, ranging from solitary cockroaches to eusocial termites with complex caste systems. Together with Mantodea, Blattodea forms the superorder Dictyoptera.
Cratomus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Pteromalidae, first described by Dalman in 1820. Members of this genus are small chalcidoid wasps that develop as parasitoids of other insects. The genus is part of the diverse Pteromalinae subfamily, which contains numerous species associated with various host insects. Cratomus species are known from parts of Europe including Denmark and Sweden.
Delomerista is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Förster in 1869. The genus contains at least two described species: D. borealis and D. mandibularis. Members of this genus have been recorded across Eurasia, North America, and Southern Africa. As ichneumonid wasps, they are presumed to be parasitoids of other insects, though specific host associations remain undocumented in the available sources.
Toltec scoliid wasp
Dielis tolteca is a species of scoliid wasp native to western North America and Mesoamerica. The species is known to parasitize scarab beetle grubs, with females hunting underground hosts to provision their offspring. Adults have been observed feeding on flowering plants, particularly mustards (Brassicaceae) and goldenrods (Solidago). The species has been documented in McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area in western Colorado, where it is active as a spring-emerging species.
Dolichoderini is a tribe of ants within the subfamily Dolichoderinae, established by Forel in 1878. The tribe includes the genus Dolichoderus, which has a global distribution. Members of this tribe are characterized by morphological features that distinguish them from other dolichoderine tribes, particularly in mandibular structure and petiole morphology. The tribe represents a well-supported monophyletic group within the ant phylogeny.
Dryobiini is a small tribe of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) within the subfamily Cerambycinae. The tribe contains at least three genera: Anisotyma (monotypic), Dryobius, and Ornithia. These beetles are characterized by their elongated bodies and antennae, typical of cerambycids. The tribe has been documented from the southwestern United States through Mexico.
Eremotylus subfuliginosus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Ashmead in 1894. Members of the genus Eremotylus are recognized as parasitoid wasps, though specific biological details for this species remain limited. The species has been documented through a small number of observations on iNaturalist, suggesting it is either uncommon or underrecorded.
True crickets
Gryllidae, commonly known as true crickets, is a family of insects in the order Orthoptera, suborder Ensifera. Members are characterized by long, thread-like antennae, cylindrical bodies, enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping, and forewings modified for sound production. The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many former subfamilies (including tree crickets, ground crickets, and sword-tail crickets) elevated to family status. True crickets exhibit worldwide distribution except Antarctica and are known for their acoustic communication, with males producing species-specific calling songs to attract females.
Heterhelus is a genus of short-winged flower beetles in the family Kateretidae, containing at least four described species. The genus was established by Jacquelin du Val in 1858. Species in this genus are found in Europe and North America, with distribution records from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the United States.
Heterocaecilius is a genus of barklice in the family Pseudocaeciliidae, established by Lee and Thornton in 1967. Members of this genus belong to the order Psocodea, a group of small, often overlooked insects commonly found on vegetation and bark. The genus has been recorded from multiple regions including the United States, Japan, and Malaysia.
prominent moths
Heterocampinae is a subfamily of prominent moths within the family Notodontidae. It contains at least 60 described species in North America, with additional species in other regions. The group includes economically and ecologically significant genera such as Heterocampa, Schizura, and Lochmaeus. Adults are nocturnal and larvae often exhibit distinctive defensive postures.
Heteropogon stonei is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1965. The genus Heteropogon belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae. Robber flies in this genus are small to medium-sized predatory flies. Specific details about H. stonei's biology and ecology remain poorly documented in published sources.
Jenkinshelea is a genus of biting midges (family Ceratopogonidae) established by Macfie in 1934. The genus contains approximately 18 described species, placing it within the tribe Sphaeromiini of the subfamily Ceratopogoninae. Like other ceratopogonids, members are small, blood-feeding or predatory flies, though species-level biology remains poorly documented.
owlet moths
Lacinipolia is a genus of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae. Adults are nocturnal and frequently attracted to blacklights. Species within this genus exhibit considerable variation in coloration, including mottled gray forms with reflective wing scales and green forms that likely provide camouflage against lichen-covered substrates. Species-level identification based on external appearance alone is generally not possible.
Laneganus is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae). As a genus within this family, its members possess the characteristic elongated body form and pronotal structure that enables the distinctive clicking mechanism for righting themselves when overturned. The genus contains multiple described species, though detailed biological information remains limited in available literature.
Meronera is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, established by Sharp in 1887. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in North America and Europe. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Aleocharinae, one of the largest groups within rove beetles.
Minettia caesia is a species of true fly in the family Lauxaniidae, a group commonly known as lauxaniid flies or fruit flies. The species was described by Coquillett in 1904. Lauxaniidae is a moderately large family of small to medium-sized flies, with most species exhibiting dull coloration in shades of brown, gray, or yellow. Members of the genus Minettia are found in various habitats across North America and other regions.
Neurotoma is a genus of sawflies in the family Pamphiliidae, established by Konow in 1897. The genus contains approximately twelve described species distributed across Europe, Southeastern Asia, and North America. At least one Nearctic species, N. crataegi, has been documented feeding on hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) as larvae. The genus belongs to the suborder Symphyta, representing one of the more species-rich genera within the relatively small family Pamphiliidae.
crested pygmy grasshopper, crested grouse locust, northern crested grouse locust
Nomotettix cristatus is a small pygmy grasshopper in the family Tetrigidae, commonly known as the crested pygmy grasshopper or crested grouse locust. It is one of approximately 35 Nearctic species of Tetrigidae. The species exhibits three recognized subspecies with distinct geographic distributions across North America. Like other members of its family, it is characterized by an elongated pronotum that extends over the abdomen, a trait distinguishing pygmy grasshoppers from typical grasshoppers in Acrididae.
Checkerspots, Anglewings, Peacocks, and Allies
Nymphalinae is a subfamily of brush-footed butterflies within the family Nymphalidae. The group includes well-known butterflies such as anglewings, tortoiseshells, fritillaries, and admirals. Phylogenetic studies indicate the subfamily diversified following the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction, with subsequent dispersals into the Old World and New World beginning in the Eocene.
Physegenua obscuripennis is a species of lauxaniid fly described by Bigot in 1857. The genus Physegenua contains small to medium-sized flies in the family Lauxaniidae, a group characterized by often patterned wings and bodies. Records of this species are sparse, with limited observational data available.
tube maker caddisflies
Plectrocnemia is a genus of tube maker caddisflies in the family Polycentropodidae comprising more than 120 described species. Larvae are aquatic predators that construct silken capture nets to intercept prey. The genus has been extensively studied for its larval silk production, vibration-mediated predatory behavior, and population genetics. Species occur across Europe and into western Asia, with detailed biological information available for several well-studied species including P. conspersa and P. brevis.
European Paper Wasp
Polistes dominula is a highly successful invasive social wasp native to Eurasia that has established populations across North America, South America, New Zealand, South Africa, and other regions. First detected in North America near Boston in 1978, it has become one of the most abundant wasps on the continent. The species builds small, exposed paper nests in protected locations and preys primarily on live insects, particularly caterpillars. Unlike yellowjackets, it does not scavenge for meat or sugar. Its rapid spread has been attributed to ecological flexibility, superior competitive ability, and tolerance of human-altered environments.
Pseudoleria robusta is a species of true fly in the family Heleomyzidae, described by Garrett in 1925. It belongs to the subfamily Heleomyzinae within the order Diptera. The genus Pseudoleria is part of a diverse family of flies commonly associated with decaying organic matter and fungal habitats. Very little specific biological information is documented for this particular species.
Rysepyris micidus is a species of wasp in the family Bethylidae, a group of small parasitoid wasps. Members of this genus are known to parasitize larvae of beetles and other insects. The species is characterized by its compact body form typical of bethylids. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in published literature.
Silvanus is a genus of beetles in the family Silvanidae, first described by Latreille in 1804. These insects belong to the superfamily Cucujoidea within the suborder Polyphaga. The genus is part of a group commonly known as silvanid or flat bark beetles, though specific ecological details for Silvanus itself are not well documented in the provided sources.
Sphaeromias bifidus is a species of biting midge in the family Ceratopogonidae, described by Wirth & Grogan in 1979. It belongs to the tribe Sphaeromiini within the subfamily Ceratopogoninae. As a member of this family, it is a small, blood-feeding fly. The specific epithet 'bifidus' refers to a forked or divided structure, likely a morphological feature used in its original description.
Scallopwings
Staphylus is a genus of skipper butterflies (family Hesperiidae, subfamily Pyrginae, tribe Carcharodini) commonly known as scallopwings. The genus is found primarily in the Neotropical region, with species distributed across South America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and the southern United States. The subgenus Capilla was revised in 2023, with four new species described and female genitalia illustrated for six species for the first time.
flower flies, hover flies
Tropidia is a genus of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) containing approximately 20 species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. These flower flies are characterized by their distinctive wing venation and often bold color patterns. The genus includes four species recorded from Northeastern North America, with Tropidia albistylum recently documented in Canada. Species in this genus are typically found in forested habitats and are associated with flowers for nectar feeding.
Trotteria is a genus with conflicting taxonomic assignments across major databases. Catalogue of Life classifies it as a fungal genus within Ascomycota (family Trichothyriaceae), while iNaturalist treats it as an insect genus within Diptera (family Cecidomyiidae). This homonymy reflects either a genuine naming collision or a significant taxonomic error in one source. The genus has minimal documented usage, with only 3 observations in iNaturalist and no Wikipedia entry.