Introduced-species
Guides
Strymon bazochii
Lantana Scrub-Hairstreak, Smaller Lantana Butterfly
Strymon bazochii is a small lycaenid butterfly native to the Neotropics, ranging from Paraguay through Central America and the Caribbean to southern Texas. It was deliberately introduced to Hawaii in 1902 as a biological control agent for invasive Lantana species, but failed to establish effective control. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing pattern and has a documented association with Lippia and Lantana host plants.
Subcoccinella vigintiquatuorpunctata
24-spot Ladybird, Alfalfa Lady Beetle
A small ladybird beetle, 3–4 mm long, with a domed shape and velvety, hair-covered wing-cases. Unlike most ladybirds, it is herbivorous, feeding on fungal mycelium rather than aphids. The species shows high variability in spot patterns, typically bearing 20–24 black spots on a dark orange background, though melanic and spotless forms occur. Winglessness is common, particularly in western populations, with flight ability varying geographically.
Sufetula diminutalis
Sufetula diminutalis is a small snout moth in the subfamily Lathrotelinae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1866 from Honduras and has since spread to Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and more recently to Europe. The species is notable for its root-boring larvae that feed on palms.
Sunius melanocephalus
Sunius melanocephalus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Paederinae. It is native to the Palearctic region with a broad distribution across Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. The species has been introduced to North America, where it is established in parts of Canada and the northeastern United States.
Sybra alternans
Sybra alternans is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) native to Southeast Asia and the western Pacific. It has been introduced to Hawaii (1917) and Florida, where it established populations outside its native range. The species feeds on a diverse array of host plants including agricultural crops and ornamental species, suggesting polyphagous habits. Its wide distribution across island and mainland habitats indicates significant dispersal capability.
Symmetrischema striatella
Streaked Twirler
Symmetrischema striatella is a small gelechiid moth described by Mary Murtfeldt in 1900. It is native to North America with a broad distribution across the eastern and southern United States, and has been introduced to New Zealand. The species is associated with Solanum nigrum (black nightshade), on whose berries the larvae feed.
Sympherobius barberi
Barber's brown lacewing
Sympherobius barberi is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae, commonly known as Barber's brown lacewing. The species has a remarkably broad distribution spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), Central America, North America, Oceania, and South America. It was first described by Banks in 1903 and has been recorded from the Galápagos Islands, representing both a new species record for the archipelago and the first record of the genus Sympherobius from the islands. The species was introduced to New Zealand in 1936 as a biological control agent for aphids and mealybugs but failed to establish.
Syritta
Syritta is a genus of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) with approximately 18 recognized species. The genus likely originated in the Afrotropical region, where the majority of species diversity occurs. Only six species are known from the Palearctic region, with two species—S. flaviventris and S. pipiens—occurring in North America, probably introduced by humans. S. pipiens is the most widespread and commonly encountered species, distributed across Eurasia and North America.
Syritta flaviventris
Peg-legged Compost Fly
Syritta flaviventris is a syrphid fly species known from Madagascar, southern Europe, and introduced populations in the Americas (Chile, Brazil, United States, Mexico). Larvae develop in decaying platyclades of Opuntia maxima, with immature stages described from Spanish Mediterranean populations. Adults have been reared from larvae collected in this cactus substrate.
Tachinus rufipes
Tachinus rufipes is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, characterized by reddish legs that give the species its name. Originally described by Linnaeus in 1758 from European material, it has since been introduced to North America where it is now established in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. The species belongs to the subfamily Tachyporinae, a group known for rapid movements and association with decaying organic matter.
Tachyporus atriceps
Tachyporus atriceps is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Tachyporinae. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, with introduced populations in eastern Canada. The species belongs to a genus of predatory beetles commonly found in vegetation and leaf litter. Specific ecological details for this species are sparse in available sources.
Takecallis arundinariae
black-spotted bamboo aphid
Takecallis arundinariae, the black-spotted bamboo aphid, is a globally distributed aphid native to Eurasia. It feeds exclusively on bamboo species (Poaceae: Bambusoideae), particularly Phyllostachys, and has been introduced to multiple continents through human transport of host plants. The species forms small scattered colonies on leaf undersides and reproduces viviparously via alate viviparae. It is considered a pest of ornamental and cultivated bamboo when populations are uncontrolled.
Tapinesthis
Ivy parchment spider
Tapinesthis is a monotypic genus of goblin spiders (family Oonopidae) containing only Tapinesthis inermis, commonly known as the ivy parchment spider. The genus is characterized by its spineless legs, steeply sloping carapace with a dark net-like pattern, and soft body structure. Originally native to Europe, the species has been introduced to North America and shows synanthropic tendencies, frequently inhabiting human dwellings alongside natural habitats. The genus name reflects its distinctive morphological features within the diverse goblin spider family.
Tapinesthis inermis
Tapinesthis inermis is a minute spider species in the family Oonopidae (dwarf goblin spiders). It is the sole member of its genus, which was established by Simon in 1914 based on specimens originally described as Oonops inermis in 1882. The species is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America (Canada and USA).
Tasgius
large rove beetles
Tasgius is a genus of large rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, containing at least 20 described species. Members of this genus are notable for their relatively large size compared to most rove beetles. At least one species, T. winkleri, has been introduced to North America from Europe and has established populations across multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces. The genus is characterized by morphological features including dilated front tarsi in males.
Tasgius ater
Large rove beetle
Tasgius ater is a large rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, native to Europe and now introduced to North America, Australia, and New Zealand. It is among the larger species in this diverse beetle family and exhibits typical rove beetle morphology with shortened elytra exposing most of the abdomen. The species has expanded its range significantly in North America since first detected in the 1930s.
Tasgius winkleri
Tasgius winkleri is a rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) native to Europe that has become established in North America. First reported in New York in 1938, it has since spread to both coasts and westward to Illinois and Colorado. This synanthropic species thrives in human-disturbed habitats and is seldom found far from human activity. Males can be distinguished by their dilated front tarsi (expanded 'feet'). The species was previously confused with T. melanarius under the name Tasgius globulifer until taxonomic revision in 1987.
Tathorhynchus
Tathorhynchus is a monotypic moth genus in the family Erebidae, established by George Hampson in 1894. It contains a single species, Tathorhynchus exsiccata (the Levant blackneck or double-spotted snout), described by Julius Lederer in 1855. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, having been briefly transferred to Lygephila in 2003 before being restored to Tathorhynchus in 2005. The species exhibits two recognized subspecies with distinct geographic distributions.
Tathorhynchus exsiccata
Levant blackneck, Alfalfa Looper Moth
Tathorhynchus exsiccata is a moth species in the family Erebidae, known as the Levant blackneck. The nominate form occurs across the Canary Islands, North Africa, Tropical Asia, and Tropical Africa. It has been introduced to Dominica and Argentina. A distinct subspecies, T. e. fallax, occupies the northern half of Australia, Norfolk Island, and New Zealand.
Tennesseellum formica
Ant Sheet-web Weaver
Tennesseellum formica is a sheet-web weaving spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is native to North America and has been introduced to the Marshall Islands. The species is commonly known as the Ant Sheet-web Weaver.
Tenuiphantes
Tenuiphantes is a genus of sheet-weaving spiders (family Linyphiidae) comprising 44 described species as of 2019. The genus was established by Saaristo and Tanasevitch in 1996 to accommodate species previously placed in other genera, particularly within the Lepthyphantes complex. Species occur across diverse habitats in the Northern Hemisphere and have been introduced to multiple Southern Hemisphere locations, including New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina.
Tenuiphantes tenuis
A minute sheet-web spider native to Europe, Macaronesia, Northern Africa, Turkey, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. It has been introduced to the USA, Chile, Argentina, and New Zealand. Adults measure 2–3 mm in body length and are characterized by a dark brown carapace, brown legs without annulations, and a slender abdomen often bearing distinctive black spots. The species inhabits low vegetation, moss, and leaf litter.
Terellia fuscicornis
Artichoke Fly
Terellia fuscicornis, commonly known as the Artichoke Fly, is a species of tephritid fruit fly first described by Loew in 1844. It is native to the Palearctic region and has been introduced to the United States. The species is associated with artichoke plants, which informs its common name.
Terellia ruficauda
Red-tailed Thistle Fly
Terellia ruficauda is a tephritid gall fly native to the Palearctic region, now introduced to North America. The species is notable for its larval association with Cirsium arvense (creeping thistle), where larvae develop within the flower heads. Adults are recognized by the distinctive reddish coloration of the abdomen referenced in the specific epithet.
Tesarius mcclayi
Tesarius mcclayi is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from California, USA. The species has been introduced to Great Britain, where it has established a presence. As a member of the subfamily Aphodiinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as small dung beetles or lesser dung beetles.
Tetragnatha nitens
Nitens long-jawed spider
Tetragnatha nitens is a long-jawed orb weaver spider with a cosmotropical distribution spanning tropical and subtropical Asia, where it is native, and numerous introduced regions including the Americas, Macaronesia, Mediterranean Europe, Africa, Madagascar, Pacific islands, and New Zealand. The species constructs horizontal orb webs in vegetation and has demonstrated ecological adaptability across diverse biomes including Fynbos, Grassland, Savanna, and Thicket. Listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographic range and presence in multiple protected areas.
Tetragonoderus laevigatus
Tetragonoderus laevigatus is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Chaudoir in 1876. The species is native to South America but has been introduced to the southeastern United States, where it has been recorded in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana. It belongs to the tribe Lebiini, a diverse group of carabid beetles often associated with vegetation and ground-dwelling habitats.
Tetramorium caldarium
Greenhouse Fierce Ant
Tetramorium caldarium is a small ant species in the family Formicidae, commonly known as the Greenhouse Fierce Ant. It belongs to the genus Tetramorium, which includes many species that are morphologically similar and often difficult to distinguish. The species has been documented from several islands in the Azores archipelago. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a generalist forager with opportunistic feeding habits.
Teuchestes fossor
gravedigger dung beetle
Teuchestes fossor is a coprophagous dung beetle native to the Palaearctic region that has become widespread in North America following accidental introduction during European settlement. Both adults and larvae feed on herbivore dung, with adults consuming liquid fractions and larvae consuming fibrous material. The species is readily collected from livestock dung and supports key ecosystem services in cattle systems. It is one of the most frequently observed dung beetles in its range, with over 600 citizen science records.
Thanatus vulgaris
Cricket Thief Spider
Thanatus vulgaris is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae with a remarkably wide global distribution spanning native Palearctic ranges and introduced populations across multiple continents. The species occupies diverse terrestrial habitats from natural grasslands and shrublands to agricultural systems. It is known for ground-dwelling behavior and has been observed engaging in ballooning dispersal. Two subspecies are recognized: T. v. vulgaris and T. v. creticus.
Thereuonema
Thereuonema is a genus of scutigeromorph centipedes in the family Scutigeridae. The genus contains at least one well-documented species, Thereuonema tuberculata, which is native to Asia and has been introduced to Europe and North America. Members of this genus are associated with human-modified environments and have established populations outside their native range.
Thereuonema tuberculata
Japanese House Centipede
Thereuonema tuberculata is a scutigeromorph centipede in the family Scutigeridae. Native to Asia, it has been documented from China, Japan, the Korean peninsula, and Taiwan. The species has established introduced populations in North America, particularly in the eastern United States, with confirmed outdoor populations in forested and lakeside habitats in Nebraska. It is commonly confused with the related Scutigera coleoptrata in its introduced range.
Theridion melanurum
Theridion melanurum is a cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, first described by Hahn in 1831. The species has a broad Palearctic distribution spanning Europe to Siberia, with additional populations in Macaronesia, North Africa, and the Middle East. It has been introduced to the United States, where established populations have been documented. As a member of Theridiidae, it constructs the irregular, three-dimensional webs characteristic of cobweb spiders.
Theridion pictum
Painted Cobweb Weaver
Theridion pictum is a cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae and the type species of the genus Theridion. It has a Holarctic distribution spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, with introduced populations in South Africa. The species constructs three-dimensional webs in damp, low-lying areas, often on vegetation or man-made structures. Adults mature in early to mid-summer, with females persisting into autumn.
Theridion varians
Variable Cobweb Spider
Theridion varians is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae. It has a broad native distribution spanning Europe, North Africa, Turkey, the Caucasus, Russia, Central Asia, and China. The species has been introduced to North America, where it is now established in Canada and the United States. Four subspecies are recognized, reflecting geographic variation across its range.
Theridula gonygaster
Ladybird Spider
Theridula gonygaster is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae. Commonly known as the Ladybird Spider, it has a broad native range across Central and South America and the Caribbean, and has been introduced to multiple regions including parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. The species is notable for its widespread anthropogenic dispersal and distinctive appearance.
Thylodrias contractus
Odd Beetle, tissue paper beetle
Thylodrias contractus, commonly known as the odd beetle or tissue paper beetle, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Thylodrias within the family Dermestidae. Native to Asia, it has been introduced and become widespread in North America and parts of South America. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males and females differing substantially in appearance. It is occasionally reported as a pest.
Thymelicus
skippers
Thymelicus is a Palearctic genus of skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae) and the sole member of the tribe Thymelini. The genus includes approximately 12 described species, several of which have been subjects of conservation and biological study. Two species—Thymelicus sylvestris (small skipper) and Thymelicus lineola (European skipper/Essex skipper)—have been introduced to North America, where T. lineola has become a notable agricultural pest. The genus has served as a model for studies in conservation translocation, parasite-host relationships, and insect developmental biology.
Thymelicus lineola
Essex Skipper, European Skipper
Thymelicus lineola is a small skipper butterfly native to Europe and introduced to North America prior to 1910. In Europe it is known as the Essex Skipper; in North America it is called the European Skipper. The species has spread extensively across eastern Canada and the northern United States, with populations established as far west as British Columbia. It is univoltine with five larval instars. Adults are active in summer and exhibit thermoregulatory basking behavior. Males use perching and patrolling strategies to locate mates and release pheromones from androconial scent scales during courtship.
Tinocallis takachihoensis
Japanese elm aphid
Tinocallis takachihoensis is an aphid species in the family Aphididae, originally described from Japan in 1972. It is closely related to the well-studied crapemyrtle aphid (Tinocallis kahawaluokalani), a specialist pest of crape myrtle trees in the southeastern United States. The species has been recorded in Belgium and the Azores (São Miguel), suggesting some capacity for dispersal or human-mediated introduction. Like other members of the genus Tinocallis, it is likely a specialist herbivore feeding on phloem sap of its host plants.
Tiphia
Tiphia is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Tiphiidae. Species in this genus are specialized ectoparasitoids of scarab beetle larvae (white grubs) that inhabit soil. The genus includes notable biological control agents such as Tiphia vernalis, which was introduced to the United States from Asia in 1925 to manage Japanese beetle populations.
Tiphia vernalis
Spring Tiphia
Tiphia vernalis is a parasitoid wasp in the family Tiphiidae, introduced to North America from Korea in the 1920s as a biological control agent for Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) populations. The species has established populations across the eastern United States, where it parasitizes scarabaeid beetle larvae in soil environments. Females locate host grubs below ground using kairomones from the grubs and their frass, then paralyze and parasitize them externally.
Toxomerus
Calligrapher Flies
Toxomerus is a large genus of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) distributed across the Americas, with over 130 described Neotropical species and additional Nearctic endemics. Species are small (typically 6–9 mm), characterized by large eyes with posterior indentation and diagnostic abdominal patterns. Most larvae are predatory on soft-bodied insects, particularly aphids, though at least three species are known pollen-feeders. Adults are pollinivorous, feeding on nectar and pollen from diverse flowering plants. The genus includes notable ecological specialists such as Toxomerus basalis, a kleptoparasite of sundews (Drosera), and several species introduced to the Afrotropics.
hoverflyflower-flyaphid-predatorpollinatorbiological-controlHymenoptera-mimickleptoparasiteintroduced-speciesNeotropicalNearcticAfrotropical-introductionpolyvoltineSyrphiniSyrphinaeDipteraSyrphidaeToxomerus-marginatusToxomerus-disparToxomerus-pulchellusToxomerus-basalisToxomerus-floralisToxomerus-politusToxomerus-apegiensisDroserasundewpollenivorypredatory-larvaeurban-adapteragricultural-beneficialcryptic-larvaeeye-dimorphismterritorial-behaviorDNA-barcodingcitizen-sciencemuseum-collectionsrange-expansionconservation-concernToxomerus floralis
Florida Calligrapher
Toxomerus floralis is a New World hoverfly (family Syrphidae) native to the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through South America. The species has been introduced to tropical Africa, where it is now established and widespread in West and Central Africa including Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon. It represents only the second known established introduction of a non-African hoverfly species in the Afrotropics.
Toxonevra muliebris
flutter fly
Toxonevra muliebris is a small pallopterid fly native to Europe with introduced populations in western North America. Adults are recognized by their distinctive wing pattern featuring broad brown bands. Males exhibit characteristic wing-fluttering behavior that gives the family its common name. The species is associated with tree bark habitats and has been increasingly observed indoors, particularly in North American residences.
Trachelipus rathkii
Rathke's Woodlouse
Trachelipus rathkii is a medium-sized European woodlouse introduced to North America, where it has established populations across the northern United States and southern Canada. It is distinguished by its tolerance for flooding and poorly drained habitats, often dominating riverside and floodplain communities. The species serves as a documented host for the nematode Caenorhabditis remanei, which associates with it as dauer larvae on its dorsal plates and ventral appendages.
Triarthria setipennis
European earwig parasitoid fly
Triarthria setipennis is a tachinid fly native to Europe that was introduced to North America in the 1920s as a classical biological control agent for the European earwig (Forficula auricularia). It is ovolarviparous, depositing eggs near potential hosts rather than on them. First-instar larvae actively seek out earwigs and attempt to penetrate through intersegmental membranes, though only about 16.7% succeed. The species overwinters as pupae and produces one complete and one partial generation annually in temperate regions. It has established populations in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Newfoundland, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
Trichapion roseae
Trichapion roseae is a small weevil in the family Brentidae, formerly placed in the family Apionidae. It is associated with plants in the genus Rosa (roses), with adults and larvae feeding on various parts of the host. The species is native to the Palearctic region and has been introduced to North America. It is recognized by its elongated rostrum and association with rose hosts.
Trichocera annulata
Winter Gnat, Winter Crane Fly
Trichocera annulata, commonly known as the winter gnat, is a species of winter crane fly in the family Trichoceridae. First described by Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1818, it is one of the few insects regularly active in adult form during winter months. The species has a broad distribution across Europe and North America, with introduced populations in New Zealand.
Trichonephila clavata
Jorō spider, Joro Spider, Parachute spider
Trichonephila clavata, commonly known as the Jorō spider, is a large orb-weaving spider native to East Asia that has become established as an invasive species in the southeastern United States since approximately 2010. First confirmed in Georgia in 2014, it has expanded rapidly across multiple states through a combination of ballooning dispersal and human-mediated transport. The species is notable for its substantial size, striking coloration, and extensive golden webs, but poses minimal risk to humans due to small fangs and docile behavior. Its physiological adaptations—including higher metabolic rate, faster heart rate, and greater cold tolerance than its congener Trichonephila clavipes—suggest potential for continued northward range expansion.
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