Iridescent
Guides
Acanthopteroctetidae
archaic sun moths
Acanthopteroctetidae is a small family of primitive moths containing two genera and seven described species. Commonly known as archaic sun moths, they are diurnal and often exhibit iridescent coloration. The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with molecular evidence now placing it in the superfamily Neopseustoidea rather than as the sole family in Acanthopteroctetoidea. Biological data remain scarce, with larval stages documented for only one species.
Aporus luxus
Aporus luxus is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, recognized by its iridescent blue-black coloration and streamlined body form. Adults measure 8-15 mm in length and are frequently observed on flowers, particularly umbellifers such as Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota), where they feed on nectar. The species is a specialist parasitoid of trapdoor spiders in the family Euctenizidae, with at least one confirmed record of rearing from Aptostichus sp. Females sting spiders into paralysis and deposit a single egg on the host within the spider's own burrow.
Ascalapha odorata
black witch, black witch moth, mariposa de la muerte, duppy bat, mariposa-bruxa, ura, money moth, money bat
The black witch moth (Ascalapha odorata) is a large, bat-shaped nocturnal moth and the largest noctuoid in the continental United States. Females reach wingspans up to 24 cm, while males are smaller at approximately 12 cm. The species ranges from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America to Brazil and Argentina, with migratory populations reaching as far north as Canada. It holds prominent cultural significance across Latin America and the Caribbean, where it is widely associated with death, misfortune, and spiritual beliefs.
nocturnalmigratoryfolklorepestcaterpillarlarge-mothlegume-feederfruit-feedercultural-significancedeath-omenCaribbeanLatin-AmericaHawaii-introducedmothLepidopteraErebidaeAscalaphaAscalapha-odoratablack-witchblack-witch-mothmariposa-de-la-muerteduppy-batmariposa-bruxauramoney-mothmoney-batPhalaena-odorataLinnaeus-1758largest-noctuoidcontinental-USbat-shapediridescentwhite-bargreen-spotorange-spotcomma-spotnine-spot24-cm-wingspan12-cm-wingspan7-cm-caterpillarAcaciaGymnocladus-dioicusKentucky-coffeetreeSenna-alatacandle-bushmesquiteFicusbananaoverripe-fruitrainforestagricultural-pestMexicoCentral-AmericaSouth-AmericaBrazilArgentinaUnited-StatesCanadaHawaiimigrationspringsummerdeathmisfortunespiritualsoulharbingerlotterymoneyhair-lossduppyghostscrewwormDermatobia-hominismisidentificationSilence-of-the-LambsBuffalo-BillKendrick-LamarTo-Pimp-a-ButterflyThysania-agrippinawhite-witchThysania-zenobiaowl-mothnoctuidErebinaehexapodarthropodinsectanimaleukaryotemetazoaanimaliaarthropodainsectanoctuoideaspeciesacceptedexact-match32867-observationsiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIWikipediaentomologyguidestructuredrecordtaxonconservativeaccurateinformativefactualclarityusefulnessno-speculationno-inferenceno-fabricationno-repetitionunique-contentcautious-languagedirect-sentencesconcrete-statementshigh-completenessmedium-completenesslow-completenessno-inferred-contentnull-for-unsupportedfield-intentstyle-rulesquality-rulesJSON-schemaoutput-formatno-commentaryno-extra-fieldsno-fluffno-fillerno-taxonomy-repetitionno-technical-jargonno-vague-generalizationsno-'like-most-insects'no-'typically-feeds-on-plants'has-been-observedis-known-tosupportedjustifiedexplicitly-justifiedspecies-level-traitshigher-taxaphysical-description-onlyhow-to-distinguishenvironment-conditionsgeographic-range-onlytiming-of-activityfeeding-habitsdevelopmental-stagesnotable-actionsecosystem-roleinteraction-with-humansreason-for-similaritymeaningful-misconceptionsimportant-additional-contextcleardirectconciseusefulreliablesparse-datawell-supportedpartialmost-fieldsChrysochus auratus
Dogbane Leaf Beetle, Dogbane Beetle
Chrysochus auratus is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, notable for its striking iridescent blue-green coloration with coppery or golden metallic highlights. This beetle is strictly associated with dogbane plants (Apocynum spp.), feeding on leaves as adults and roots as larvae. It has evolved specialized physiological and behavioral adaptations to overcome the toxic cardenolide defenses of its host plants, including a modified Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme that allows it to process and even sequester these compounds for its own chemical defense against predators.
Cixius yufengi
Cixius yufengi is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Tsaur in 1993. The species belongs to a genus of small, often inconspicuous insects that feed on plant sap. Very little specific information is available about this particular species.
planthopperCixiidaeCalifornia-endemicTsaur-1993AuchenorrhynchaFulgoromorphasap-feederHemipterainsectarthropodHexapodaAnimaliaEukaryotaDelphacoideaCixiinaeCixiiniCixiusspeciesacceptedGBIFCatalogue-of-LifetaxonomydistributionCaliforniaUSAUnited-StatesNorth-Americaendemicinvertebratehemipterantrue-bugbuginsectaanimalhexapodeukaryotearthropodacixius-yufengiyufengiTsaur1993scientific-namecanonical-nameauthorshiprankstatusgenusspecific-epithetclassificationtaxonomy-matchexactkingdomphylumclassorderfamilydistribution-recordsBuglifeendemic-speciesBritish-endemicsIvell's-Sea-AnemoneEdwardsia-ivelliWidewater-LagoonSussexextinctlikely-extinctnot-seen-in-over-forty-years19731983dance-flyPoecilobothrus-majesticusEssex1907Caledonian-PlanthopperCixius-caledonicusnot-seen-for-70-yearsManx-Shearwater-FleaCeratophyllus-fionnus1960sTurk's-Earth-CentipedeNothogeophilus-turkiIsles-of-ScillyIsle-of-Wight1988never-seen-againconservationJames-Harding-MorrisbookBritish-endemic-invertebratesCraig-MacadamCeltic-WoodlouseMetatrichoniscoides-celticusWaleswestern-fringes-of-England1980sChater's-BristletailDilta-chateriiridescentjumping-powers1990sLundy-Cabbage-Flea-BeetlePsylliodes-luridipennisLundy-IslandDevonco-endemismLundy-Cabbageendemic-plantLundy-Cabbage-WeevilCeutorhynchus-contractus-pallipestaxonomic-uncertaintyHorrid-Ground-weaverNothophantes-horridusPlymouthdevelopmentNorthern-February-Red-StoneflyBrachyptera-putataScotlanddrummingabdomen-tappingBritish-Cave-ShrimpNiphargus-glennieiblindghostly-palecavesdamp-rock-fissurestemporary-puddleshumid-cavesrediscoveredprotectedsurvivalconservation-prioritiesglobal-responsibilityevolutionary-twistsecological-intriguehopenatural-heritageBack-from-the-BrinkRSPBBig-Garden-BirdwatchBSBINew-Year-Plant-Huntplantswildlifenaturecommunicationspublic-engagementcampaignsrare-speciesobscure-speciesoverlooked-speciesirreplaceable-specieslocal-wondersglobal-stakesisolationthousands-of-yearsmillions-of-yearsevolutionlandscapesRed-SquirrelHedgehogEuropeshared-speciesnowhere-elseno-backupno-second-chancescelebrationprotectioncherishrecogniseawarenesshabitat-protectionresearchforgotten-creaturesspotlightslipping-through-the-cracksunknown-to-publicrarely-surveyedbarely-hanging-onalready-goneuncomfortable-truthimportant-speciesleast-knownstrangedeeply-unsettlingsole-global-responsibilitylose-them-everywhereorganisationsfighting-to-changeextraordinary-workrarestmost-threatenedentirely-overlookedforgottenevolvedstep-with-Britain's-landscapesfamiliar-speciesshare-with-Europepopulation-overseasreintroducelose-themwrittenjourneyoverlookedirreplaceablefound-nowhere-else-on-Earthcall-to-recogniseprotectuniquely-oursavailable-nowbooksellersspecies-found-nowhere-else-on-Earthpassionate-nature-enthusiastlifelong-loveexploringnatural-worldtrekkingmountainsrare-flowersscouringfenselusive-mothsinvestigatingexotic-invertebrateshothousesfascinationunwaveringprofessional-lifeconservation-sectorhigh-impact-campaignsinspiredEngland's-rarestmost-obscure-speciesmissionBritain-and-Irelandfall-in-love-with-plantsSHAREFacebookLinkedInguest-blogauthorhow-many-speciesfound-only-in-Britainsimple-questioncomprehensive-listresearchingwriting2022referenceburied-in-booksscattered-across-internettucked-awayminds-of-species-expertsresultover-700-speciesat-least-another-100-subspeciesoccur-nowhere-else-on-Earthtotal-global-responsibilityvery-few-peoplename-even-a-single-onestruckmost-irreplaceable-specieslive-or-diedecisions-made-within-our-borderstop-of-conservation-prioritiescelebratedunderstoodset-outtell-their-storiesunique-invertebratesincredibly-fortunateBuglife's-Conservation-Directorfirst-timecompiling-report20-speciesfive-species-of-flyfour-species-of-beetletwo-stonefliesone-eachwoodlousecentipedemillipedefleabristletailspidershrimpsea-anemonetell-storiesgo-out-and-find-thempicked-fivetrack-downbumped-intocouple-moresearched-under-coastal-rocksexquisitepearly-translucenttiny-speciesbarely-2.5mm-longfirst-discoveredknown-only-from-Walesnearbysearched-dampferny-woodlandsalien-lookingastonishing-jumping-powersnamed-new-to-sciencetravelledDevon's-Lundy-Islandtry-and-seeparticularly-rare-pairingonly-known-exampleendemic-beetlepossibly-endemicspend-their-liveswintry-visitsearchelusive-and-threatenedfound-in-just-a-few-siteswithin-the-cityperpetually-under-pressureowes-its-survivaltireless-effortsguided-tourprime-Northern-February-Red-Stoneflyhabitatblew-my-mindmusical-prowessstoneflies-'drum'tapping-their-abdomensslithering-through-tightmuddyunderground-tunnelspersonal-favouriteutterly-gorgeousspends-its-lifechance-searchDevon-coastfirst-sightingalmost-thirty-yearsones-we've-lostimmediately-drawnonly-ever-knownunfortunatelyCraig's-reporthasn't-been-seenover-forty-yearsfirst-collectedlast-seenwithin-a-decadeknowing-this-species-existedgone-foreversadlynot-uncommon-themeendemic-invertebratesdiscoveredhasn't-been-foundover-a-century70-yearsdon't-think-anyonespottedsince-the-1960snot-long-afterfirst-describedfirst-foundstrange-and-uncomfortable-truthsome-of-the-most-important-speciesalso-some-of-the-least-knownby-definitionBritain's-sole-global-responsibilitylose-them-heredespite-that-significancethankfullyorganisations-fightingraising-awarenessrarest-and-most-threatenedotherwise-remainleading-edge-researchevolved-in-stepBritain's-landscapesthousandsunlike-more-familiar-speciesno-population-overseasnowhere-to-reintroducewhy-I-wrote-Endemicutterly-uniquemosseswoodlicebeetlesbuttercupsstories-full-ofright-attentionactionstill-be-savedheld-onpossiblewithin-our-reachall-good-booksellersoverlooked-and-irreplaceableBacks-Goldilocks-ButtercupHeather-StuckeyAbout-the-Authortrekking-up-mountainsscouring-fensinvestigating-exotic-invertebratesfascination-with-wildlifeRSPB's-Big-Garden-BirdwatchBSBI's-New-Year-Plant-HuntBack-from-the-Brink-projectcare-deeplycurrentlyensure-everyoneopportunitywork-with-BSBISHARE-ONDiachrysia balluca
green-patched looper, hologram moth
Diachrysia balluca is a large noctuid moth occurring in northeastern North America, recognized by its metallic green forewing patches. Adults are active from May through September, with peak abundance in July. The species inhabits mature poplar and mixedwood forests, where larvae feed on woody plants including quaking aspen and Canadian woodnettle. It produces one brood annually.
Doxocopa laure
Silver Emperor
Doxocopa laure, commonly known as the silver emperor, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. Males display striking sexual dimorphism with orange forewings and blue iridescence, while females are more subdued in coloration. The species is notable for the silver iridescence on the underside of the hindwing that gives it its common name. It occurs across a broad geographic range from the southern United States through Mexico to Brazil, with multiple described subspecies reflecting this wide distribution.
Epicauta wheeleri
Orange-necked Blister Beetle, ethereal beef weevil
Epicauta wheeleri is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, found in southwestern North America. It exhibits striking iridescence in desert sunlight and has pronounced body segmentation that resembles weevils, leading to the colloquial name "ethereal beef weevil" in southern Utah and Nevada. Despite this resemblance, it is not a true weevil. The species is often observed in and around cattle pastures.
Eriocraniella xanthocara
Eriocraniella xanthocara is a small, iridescent moth in the family Eriocraniidae, described by Donald R. Davis in 1978. It is endemic to California, ranging from Shasta County south to Santa Clara County and Santa Cruz Island. Adults are active in spring from early March to late April, with one generation per year. The larvae are leaf miners on two oak species.
Eunota fulgoris
Eunota fulgoris is a tiger beetle species in the subfamily Cicindelinae, originally described as Cicindela fulgoris by Casey in 1913. The species exhibits striking metallic coloration and is associated with saline or alkaline habitats in the southwestern United States and Mexico. A subspecies, E. fulgoris erronea, is endemic to the Willcox Playa area of Arizona's Sulfur Springs Valley. The species is known for its iridescent appearance, with remarkable iridescence even visible on the legs.
Gargaphia iridescens
Gargaphia iridescens is a species of lace bug in the family Tingidae, first described by Champion in 1897. Like other lace bugs, it is a small true bug characterized by the intricate, reticulated patterns on its wings and body. The species has a broad distribution spanning North, Central, and South America.
Lytta nuttalli
Nuttall's blister beetle
Lytta nuttalli is a North American blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. The specific epithet honors botanist Thomas Nuttall. Adults display brilliant purple and green iridescent coloration. This species is notable for its complex life cycle involving hypermetamorphosis, with larvae developing as parasitoids in the nests of solitary bees. Adults are gregarious feeders on legumes and can occasionally damage agricultural crops. Populations are naturally limited by their dependence on native ground-nesting bees for larval development.
Plinthocoelium suaveolens suaveolens
bumelia borer, cerambycid beetle
Plinthocoelium suaveolens suaveolens is a striking longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, renowned as one of North America's most beautiful cerambycids. Adults display brilliant iridescent green elytra, coppery head and pronotum, and exceptionally long black antennae and legs with contrasting orange femora. The nominate subspecies occurs across the southeastern and south-central United States, where larvae develop in roots of living gum bumelia trees (Sideroxylon lanuginosum). Adults are active primarily during July and August, often seen flying to host flowers or perching on tree trunks. The species is notably wary and difficult to approach for photography.
Salbia tytiusalis
Salbia tytiusalis is a crambid moth described by Francis Walker in 1859. Adults display distinctive pale ash-gray coloration with iridescent, semihyaline wings marked by dark costal shading, a lunulate reniform spot, and marginal black points. The species occurs in subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas, with adults active nearly year-round.
Sassacus
Leaf-beetle Jumping Spiders
Sassacus is a genus of jumping spiders (Salticidae) first described in 1895. Adults are exceptionally small, measuring 3-5 mm (males) or 4.4-5.5 mm (females). Many species exhibit iridescent coloration and compact bodies, suspected to mimic chemically defended leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae). The genus occurs across North America from southern British Columbia through Central America, inhabiting broadleaved plants in open fields and forest edges.
Sassacus paiutus
Sassacus paiutus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae, first described by Gertsch in 1934. It belongs to a genus noted for compact body form, iridescent coloration, and suspected leaf beetle mimicry. The genus name honors Sassacus, the last chief of the Pequot Indians. Like other jumping spiders, it is a visual predator with distinctive courtship behaviors.
Sassacus papenhoei
Sassacus papenhoei is a small jumping spider species in the family Salticidae, native to North America. Adult males measure approximately 3–5 mm, while females are slightly larger at 4.4–5.5 mm. The species exhibits compact body proportions with notably short legs, and is suspected to be a mimic of iridescent leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae). It has been documented in Colorado and across a range extending from southern British Columbia through the United States into Central America.
Serica iricolor
Serica iricolor is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is characterized by its dark, iridescent coloration and dense rusty hairs on the pronotum. The species is found in eastern North America, with records spanning from Florida north to New England and west to Ohio and Tennessee. It belongs to a large genus of chafers whose larvae typically feed on plant roots.
Strobisia
Strobisia is a genus of micro-moths in the family Gelechiidae, established by Clemens in 1860. The genus contains seven described species distributed primarily in North America. The best-known species, Strobisia iridipennella, is notable for its striking iridescent wing coloration and diminutive size, with a wingspan of approximately 1 centimeter. Members of this genus are part of the diverse gelechiid fauna but remain poorly studied compared to many larger moth groups.
Strobisia iridipennella
Iridescent Strobisia Moth
Strobisia iridipennella is a micro-moth in the family Gelechiidae, notable for its striking iridescent wing coloration. First described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860, this species is among the smallest moths in North America, with a wingspan of approximately 1 centimeter. It inhabits the southeastern and central United States, ranging from New York south to Florida and west to Texas and Illinois, with records extending into Mexico.
Tomocerus minor
Tomocerus minor is a cosmopolitan springtail species in the family Tomoceridae. It reaches up to 4.5 mm in body length and exhibits a characteristic uniform bluish iridescence. The species has been recorded across a remarkably broad geographic range, spanning from Arctic regions to temperate and tropical zones across multiple continents and oceanic islands.
Urania
Urania is a genus of day-flying moths in the family Uraniidae, established by Fabricius in 1807. The genus name derives from Greek mythology, meaning 'heavenly' or 'of heaven,' referencing the muse of astronomy. These moths are notable for their exceptionally bright, iridescent coloration that rivals or exceeds that of butterflies. The genus includes species that exhibit distinctive behaviors such as puddling along riverbanks to obtain mineral salts.
Uraniidae
Swallowtail Moths, Sunset Moths
Uraniidae is a family of moths in the order Lepidoptera, comprising approximately 700 species across 90 genera and four subfamilies. The family exhibits striking diversity in appearance and behavior: diurnal species are often brightly colored with iridescent scales and tail-like hindwing extensions, while nocturnal species are typically small and pale. Uraniidae are distributed throughout tropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Indo-Australia. The family is closely related to Geometridae but distinguished by unique wing venation patterns. Some species, notably in the genus Chrysiridia, are known as 'sunset moths' and are apparently toxic, with aposematic coloration serving as predator warnings.
Uraniinae
uraniine moths
Uraniinae is a subfamily of moths in the family Uraniidae, containing seven genera distributed in tropical regions worldwide. The group exhibits striking ecological and morphological dichotomy: three genera (Alcides, Chrysiridia, Urania) are diurnal, brightly colored with iridescent markings, and chemically defended, while the remaining four genera (Cyphura, Lyssa, Urapteritra, Urapteroides) are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular with subdued coloration. Lyssa species are notable for their large size, with wingspans reaching 10–16 cm. The subfamily includes approximately 80 described species, with the Madagascan sunset moth (Chrysiridia rhipheus) being among the most celebrated lepidopterans for its coloration.