Introduced-species
Guides
Abax parallelepipedus
Abax parallelepipedus is a ground beetle (Carabidae) native to Europe with an introduced population in North America. It is among the larger species in its genus and has been studied for its potential as a biological control agent of slugs in agricultural systems. Molecular evidence places this species in a distinct clade with A. fiorii, A. ovalis, and A. pyrenaeus, separate from the 'parallelus' group within the genus.
Acanalonia bivittata
Two-striped Planthopper
Acanalonia bivittata, commonly known as the two-striped planthopper, is a Nearctic species in the family Acanaloniidae. It is the most common and widespread member of the genus Acanalonia. Adults are typically green, occasionally pink, with a distinctive reddish stripe on the inner edge of the wing. The species has been introduced to Europe, with first records from northern Italy.
Acanthococcus azaleae
Azalea Bark Scale
Acanthococcus azaleae, commonly known as the azalea bark scale, is a felt scale insect in the family Eriococcidae. It is native to Asia and has been introduced to North America, Europe, and other regions through global trade. The species feeds on azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) and related ericaceous plants, forming white, felt-like coverings on bark. It was initially confused with the invasive crapemyrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae), which was first identified in Texas in 2004 and later determined to be a distinct species. The azalea bark scale produces honeydew that supports sooty mold growth and can cause branch dieback in heavy infestations.
Acanthoscelides pallidipennis
Acanthoscelides pallidipennis is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, specifically within the seed beetle subfamily Bruchinae. Native to North America, it has been introduced to East Asia including Japan, where it was first recorded in 1997–1999. The species is a specialist seed predator of the introduced legume Amorpha fruticosa, achieving extremely high seed predation rates in its introduced range. It is subject to parasitism by Eupelmus wasps.
Acinia picturata
sourbush seed fly
Acinia picturata, the sourbush seed fly, is a tephritid fruit fly species first described by Snow in 1894. It has been recorded in association with Pluchea odorata (Asteraceae), representing a documented host plant relationship. The species has established populations in both native and introduced ranges across the Americas and Pacific islands.
Acizzia acaciaebaileyanae
Acizzia acaciaebaileyanae is a psyllid species specialized on Acacia baileyana, a widely planted ornamental acacia. Native to Australia, it has spread globally through human transport of its host plant. Despite forming dense populations, it has been observed not to cause visible damage to the host. The species exemplifies inadvertent introduction of specialist herbivores via horticultural trade.
Aclypea opaca
dark carrion beetle, beet carrion beetle
Aclypea opaca is a carrion beetle in the family Silphidae, commonly known as the dark carrion beetle or beet carrion beetle. The species is native to northern and central Europe and has been introduced to North America, where it occurs in Alaska and the Northwest Territories. Unlike many carrion beetles, species in the genus Aclypea are phytophagous, feeding on living plant material rather than carrion.
Acrobasis suavella
Thicket Knot-horn, Blackthorn Knot-horn
Acrobasis suavella is a small pyralid moth native to Europe, with an established introduced population in southwestern Canada. Adults fly nocturnally during summer months and are readily attracted to light. The larva is a concealed feeder, constructing a silken gallery within which it feeds on host plant material over an extended autumn-to-spring period. The species has been the subject of genome sequencing as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project.
Adelphocoris lineolatus
Lucerne bug, alfalfa plant bug
Adelphocoris lineolatus is a mirid bug native to the Old World that has become a significant agricultural pest following its introduction to North America in 1917. It primarily damages alfalfa and other legume crops through feeding on reproductive and vegetative structures. The species exhibits migratory behavior that facilitates rapid population dispersal and range expansion. In northern regions, it typically follows a univoltine life cycle with overwintering eggs, while southern populations may show partial second generation development.
Aegialia arenaria
dune scarab beetle
Aegialia arenaria, commonly known as the dune scarab beetle, is a coastal scarab beetle species restricted to sand dune habitats. It occurs across western and northern Europe and has been introduced to eastern North America, where it is known from coastal areas of Canada and the northeastern United States. The species is specialized to sandy coastal environments and is not found inland.
Aglossa pinguinalis
Large Tabby, Grease Moth
Aglossa pinguinalis is a pyralid moth commonly known as the large tabby or grease moth. The species exhibits a rare feeding strategy among Lepidoptera: coprophagy, with larvae consuming animal feces. Larval development spans approximately two years, and the species shows strong habitat affinity for caves and sheltered environments. It is native to the Palearctic region but has been introduced to North America and New Zealand.
Agonopterix alstroemeriana
Poison hemlock moth, Hemlock moth, Defoliating hemlock moth
Agonopterix alstroemeriana, commonly known as the poison hemlock moth, is a small moth in the family Depressariidae. Native to the Palearctic region, it was accidentally introduced to North America in 1973 and has since established across the contiguous United States. The species is a specialist herbivore exclusively associated with Conium maculatum (poison hemlock), a highly toxic plant containing piperidine alkaloids. Its larval feeding can cause significant defoliation of host plants.
Agrilus cuprescens
Rose Stem Girdler, Bronze Cane Borer
Agrilus cuprescens is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the rose stem girdler or bronze cane borer. Native to the Palearctic region, it has been introduced to North America where it has been documented as far west as Washington State. The species is associated with Rosa species and related Rosaceae as larval hosts, with larvae developing in stems and exhibiting girdling behavior. It serves as host for the parasitoid wasp Baryscapus rugglesi.
Agromyza frontella
alfalfa blotch leafminer
Agromyza frontella, the alfalfa blotch leafminer, is a small dipteran leafminer in the family Agromyzidae. Native to Europe, it has become an established agricultural pest of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in North America, particularly in Canada and the northern United States. Larvae feed between leaf surfaces, creating distinctive blotch-shaped mines. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in daily activity patterns, with males most active during cooler morning and evening periods while females feed and oviposit throughout the day. It has been subject to classical biological control using the introduced parasitoid Dacnusa dryas.
Akamptogonus novarae
Akamptogonus novarae is a flat-backed millipede in the family Paradoxosomatidae, first described from the Austro-Hungarian Novara expedition in 1869. The species exhibits a notably broad geographic distribution spanning Australia, North America, and Oceania, which is unusual for a millipede and suggests possible human-mediated dispersal. It belongs to the order Polydesmida, the largest order of millipedes, characterized by their flattened body form.
Aleochara curtula
Shortened Minute Rove Beetle
Aleochara curtula is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, distributed across the Palearctic region and introduced to North America. Adults measure approximately 7 mm in length with distinctive two-toned elytra and brush-like antennae. The species exhibits complex sexual behaviors including male-male aggression, female mimicry through pheromone production, and active female mate choice. Larvae are ectoparasitoids of fly pupae, developing within carrion habitats.
Aleochara lanuginosa
Woolly Minute Rove Beetle
Aleochara lanuginosa is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, characterized by its minute size and distinctive woolly pubescence. The species is native to the Palearctic region but has been introduced to North America, where it is now established in Canada and the northern United States. It belongs to the subgenus Xenochara, a group of Aleochara species with specialized ecological associations.
Aleochara lata
Large Minute Rove Beetle
Aleochara lata is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It belongs to the subgenus Aleochara Gravenhorst, a group of parasitoid rove beetles. The species is native to the Palearctic region and has been introduced to North America.
Aleochara tristis
A small rove beetle in the subfamily Aleocharinae, notable for the extreme morphological and behavioral specialization of its male reproductive anatomy. Males possess an intromittant organ disproportionately long relative to body size and have evolved a unique post-copulatory behavior termed 'shouldering' to retract this structure. The species has a broad distribution across the Palearctic and has been introduced to North America.
Allantus viennensis
Curled Rose Sawfly, Rose Sawfly
Allantus viennensis is a sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, commonly known as the curled rose sawfly. The larvae are significant pests of roses, feeding on leaf margins and causing defoliation. Adults are small, wasp-like insects with saw-like ovipositors used to insert eggs into rose tissue. The species is distinguished by the larval habit of curling cryptically on leaves when not feeding.
Alphitobius laevigatus
Black Fungus Beetle
Alphitobius laevigatus, commonly known as the black fungus beetle, is a darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The species is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America and other regions including the Galápagos Islands. It is commercially bred in large quantities as animal feed, with larvae marketed under the trade name "buffalo worms"—though this name is also used for the related Alphitobius diaperinus, causing potential confusion. Unlike A. diaperinus, A. laevigatus has not been used or discussed for human consumption.
Amara familiaris
Social Sun Beetle
Amara familiaris is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, native to Europe with introduced populations in North America. It is commonly known as the Social Sun Beetle. The species belongs to the large genus Amara, which contains numerous similar-looking ground beetles. Its distribution spans multiple continents due to human-mediated dispersal.
Amara ovata
Broad-dimpled Sunshiner
Amara ovata is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America. The species is commonly known as the Broad-dimpled Sunshiner. Records indicate it occurs in Canada, the United States, and several European countries including Albania and Algeria.
Amaurobius ferox
black lace-weaver, black lace weaver
Amaurobius ferox is a nocturnal spider known for its distinctive cribellate web with woolly, lace-like silk. The species exhibits a unique subsocial organization among spiderlings, including synchronized molting, cooperative prey capture, and matriphagy—where offspring consume their mother after hatching. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to North America and is commonly found near human structures in dark, moist environments.
Ametastegia glabrata
Dock Sawfly, Dock False-worm
Ametastegia glabrata, commonly known as the dock sawfly or dock false-worm, is a tenthredinid sawfly native to the Palearctic region. The species has been introduced to Australia, where it was first recorded in Victoria attacking raspberries. It is associated with Rumex species (dock and sorrel) as host plants.
Amorbia emigratella
Mexican leaf-roller
Amorbia emigratella, commonly known as the Mexican leaf-roller, is a tortricid moth native to the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. It was first described from Hawaii in 1910 by August Busck, where it has become established on all major islands. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in forewing length and undergoes multiple generations annually. Larvae are polyphagous, feeding on a broad range of cultivated and wild plants.
Anacaena limbata
Anacaena limbata is a water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae. It is native to Europe and parts of Northern Asia, and has been introduced to North America. As a member of the genus Anacaena, it inhabits aquatic and semi-aquatic environments.
Anarsia lineatella
Peach twig borer, Almond fruit moth
Anarsia lineatella, commonly known as the peach twig borer, is a gelechiid moth native to Europe that was introduced to California in the 1880s and has since spread to other regions. It is a significant agricultural pest of stone fruits, particularly peach, almond, plum, and apricot. The species exhibits multivoltine life cycles with two to three generations per year in most regions, with development rates varying by climate. Adults are small moths with a wingspan of 11–14 mm. The species overwinters as second or third instar larvae within buds and bark cracks, with diapause termination synchronized by winter chilling.
Anasaitis canosa
Twin-flagged Jumping Spider
Anasaitis canosa is a small jumping spider in the family Salticidae, commonly known as the twin-flagged jumping spider. It is recognized by the paired white or pale flag-like markings on its dorsal abdomen, which give the species its common name. The species is native to the southeastern United States and has been introduced to Cuba. Like other salticids, it is an active visual hunter that does not build webs to capture prey.
Anatrachyntis badia
Florida Pink Scavenger
A small scavenger moth with a 9–10 mm wingspan, native to the southern United States and introduced to Europe and Hawaii. Larvae feed on decaying plant material, dried fruit, and sooty mold, occasionally causing superficial damage to citrus rinds. First described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1962.
Anatrachyntis rileyi
pink cornworm, pink bud moth, pink scavenger, Pink Scavenger Caterpillar Moth
A small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, described from the southern United States in 1882 but likely introduced to North America from elsewhere. It has established populations across warm and tropical regions worldwide, including the Americas, Pacific islands, and parts of Africa and Asia. The species is known by multiple common names reflecting its association with corn and its scavenging habits.
Ancistrocerus gazella
European potter wasp, European tube wasp
Ancistrocerus gazella is a solitary potter wasp native to Europe, known for constructing mud nests in pre-existing cavities. Females provision single-celled nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larvae, sealing nests with mud. Adults feed on nectar and aphid honeydew. The species has been introduced to New Zealand, where it is now established. Males cannot sting, and female stings are not painful to humans.
Ancistrocerus parietum
Wall Mason Wasp
Ancistrocerus parietum is a solitary mason wasp native to Europe that was introduced to North America, first recorded from Ithaca, New York in 1916. It has since gradually extended its range across the northeastern United States and into Canada. The species is associated with dead deciduous wood for nesting and has shown population decline in parts of its native range, possibly due to habitat loss. Populations in southern Finland may produce two generations per year.
Andrena wilkella
Wilke's Mining Bee, Wilke's Mining-bee
Andrena wilkella is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to North America, possibly via ship ballast. It is active from April to August and nests both singly and in aggregations. The species shows strong pollen specialization on Fabaceae, particularly clover and sweet clover.
Anisodactylus binotatus
common shortspur beetle
A medium-sized ground beetle native to Europe, introduced to New Zealand in 1938 where it has become widely established. Adults measure 10–12.7 mm with distinctive shiny black coloration and a characteristic red spot (or paired spots) on the frons between the eyes. The species exhibits flight capability and has proven to be an exceptionally successful colonist, thriving in both natural and anthropogenic habitats including cultivated fields and urban environments.
Anoecia corni
dogwood aphid, common dogwood-grass aphid, dogwood-grass aphid
Anoecia corni is a subterranean aphid species that alternates between dogwood trees and grass roots during its life cycle. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to North America. The species feeds primarily on xylem tissues and has been recorded as a pest of millets. It maintains associations with bacterial endosymbionts including the obligate symbiont Buchnera aphidicola and several facultative symbionts.
Anomognathus cuspidatus
Anomognathus cuspidatus is a small rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Aleocharinae. It is native to Europe and parts of Asia, with introduced populations established in eastern North America including Canada and the northeastern United States. The species belongs to the tribe Homalotini, a group of aleocharine rove beetles often associated with decaying organic matter and fungal habitats.
Anotylus insecatus
Anotylus insecatus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is native to Europe but has been introduced to North America, with established populations in Canada and the United States. The species was first described by Gravenhorst in 1806 under the basionym Oxytelus insecatus. It belongs to the subfamily Oxytelinae, a group of small to medium-sized rove beetles often associated with decaying organic matter.
Anotylus insignitus
Anotylus insignitus is a species of spiny-legged rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It has an exceptionally broad global distribution spanning six continents, including native ranges in the Neotropics and Caribbean, and introduced populations in North America, Europe, and Oceania. The species belongs to the tribe Oxytelini, a group characterized by fossorial (burrowing) habits and association with decaying organic matter.
Anotylus rugosus
Anotylus rugosus is a spiny-legged rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae with a broad intercontinental distribution spanning Africa, Australia, Europe, Northern Asia, and North America. It is strongly associated with moist, decomposing organic matter in wetland margins, salt marshes, and coastal habitats. The species has been introduced to parts of Canada, the United States, and New Zealand. Adults fly in warm weather, particularly in afternoon and evening hours.
Anstenoptilia marmarodactyla
Sage Plume Moth
Anstenoptilia marmarodactyla, commonly known as the Sage Plume Moth, is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae. Native to western North America from California and Arizona through Mexico to Costa Rica, it has been introduced to Hawaii. The species was originally described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1902 and later moved to the genus Anstenoptilia by Zimmerman in 1958, though a misspelling of the epithet as 'marmorodactyla' has persisted in some literature.
Anthidium oblongatum
oblong woolcarder bee
Anthidium oblongatum is a solitary bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the oblong woolcarder bee. Native to Eurasia and North Africa, it has been introduced to North America and South America, with a first record in central Chile documented in 2025. Females construct nests using plant fibers collected from leaves, earning the 'woolcarder' common name. The species shows strong floral specialization, primarily foraging on Fabaceae, Crassulaceae, and Resedaceae.
Anthocomus equestris
Eurasian Red-and-black Melyrid
Anthocomus equestris is a soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae, characterized by its red-and-black coloration. The species is native to Eurasia and has been introduced to the eastern United States, where it has established populations. It belongs to the subgenus Celidus within the genus Anthocomus.
Anthophora villosula
Asian Shaggy Digger Bee
Anthophora villosula is a solitary digger bee native to Asia that was introduced to North America in 1988. The species has established populations in Maryland and is undergoing ongoing distribution expansion across the United States. As an exotic bee introduced for crop pollination, it has received limited research attention despite its potential ecological impacts on native bee and floral communities.
Anthrenus isabellinus
Anthrenus isabellinus is a carpet beetle in the family Dermestidae, native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and North Africa. The species has been introduced to the eastern United States. Like other Anthrenus carpet beetles, its larvae feed on dried animal products including keratin-based materials. Historical taxonomic confusion with the related A. pimpinellae has complicated understanding of its true distribution.
Anthribus nebulosus
fungus weevil
Anthribus nebulosus is a small fungus weevil in the family Anthribidae. Native to Europe, the Near East, and Northern Asia (excluding China), it has been introduced to North America. Adults overwinter in bark cracks of coniferous trees, particularly those with thicker bark such as Scots pine and larch. Flight activity occurs primarily from early May to mid-June, peaking in late May and early June, though timing varies with weather conditions and altitude.
Apamea unanimis
Small Clouded Brindle
Apamea unanimis, commonly known as the small clouded brindle, is a noctuid moth first described by Jacob Hübner in 1813. Native to Europe, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and western Siberia, it has been introduced to North America and is established in parts of Canada and the northern United States. The species is associated with wetland habitats where its larval host plants grow.
Aphanisticus cochinchinae seminulum
Aphanisticus cochinchinae seminulum is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. The genus Aphanisticus comprises small, cylindrical buprestids often associated with monocot plants. This subspecies was described by Obenberger in 1929 and has been recorded from southern Asia and Hawaii. Members of this genus are typically collected by sweeping vegetation or beating host plants rather than at light traps.
Aphidecta
larch ladybird, larch ladybug
Aphidecta is a genus of Coccinellidae (ladybird beetles) containing at least one well-documented species, A. obliterata, commonly known as the larch ladybird. Members are specialized predators of conifer-infesting adelgids and aphids. The genus has been the subject of biological control research, particularly for management of balsam woolly aphid.
Aphodius fimetarius
farmer scarab beetle
Aphodius fimetarius is a small scarab beetle native to Europe, commonly known as the farmer scarab beetle. The species has been introduced to North America, where it is now widespread in cattle dung. Recent taxonomic work has recognized A. fimetarius as part of a species complex with Aphodius pedellus; in Canada, only A. pedellus has been confirmed present. The beetle serves as a host for multiple parasites, including the tachinid fly Strongygaster triangulifer and the nematode Eudiplogaster aphodii.