Late-summer
Guides
Abagrotis cupida
Cupid dart, brown climbing cutworm
Abagrotis cupida is a noctuid moth found across southern Canada and the eastern United States. Adults have a wingspan of 33–35 mm and fly in late summer, with one generation per year. Larvae feed on woody plants including willow, apple, grape, and peach. The species is known by two common names reflecting different life stages: 'Cupid dart' for the adult moth and 'brown climbing cutworm' for the larva.
Acmaeodera amplicollis
Acmaeodera amplicollis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. It is frequently observed visiting flowers of various composite plants (Asteraceae), particularly species of Isocoma, Heterotheca, Heliomeris, and Gutierrezia. Adults are active during late summer and early autumn.
Acmaeodera scalaris
ladder buprestid
Acmaeodera scalaris, commonly known as the ladder buprestid, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It occurs across Central America and North America. The species has been documented visiting flowers of various composite and other plant species, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Apantesis obliterata
Steppe Tiger Moth
Apantesis obliterata is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, originally described from North America in 1885. It exhibits a transcontinental distribution spanning northern Eurasia and North America, with populations in Russia, Mongolia, and the Canadian prairie provinces. The species inhabits grassland ecosystems and is active in late summer and early autumn. It was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis as part of a broader taxonomic reorganization of tiger moths.
Catocala parta
Mother Underwing Moth, Mother Underwing
Catocala parta, the mother underwing, is a North American moth in the family Erebidae. Adults are active from August to September and possess a wingspan of 70–78 mm. The species exhibits the characteristic underwing pattern of cryptic forewings concealing brightly colored hindwings. Larvae feed on Populus and Salix species.
Chauliognathus limbicollis
soldier beetle
Chauliognathus limbicollis is a soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. Adults have been observed feeding on flowers of yellow Asteraceae, particularly Helianthus annuus (annual sunflower) and Heterotheca species, in shortgrass prairie and mesquite chaparral habitats. The species was historically documented from southwestern states including Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, but more recent observations extend its range into Oklahoma.
Cicindela formosa rutilovirescens
Mescalero Sand Tiger Beetle
Cicindela formosa rutilovirescens is a sand dune endemic subspecies of tiger beetle restricted to the Mescalero Sands region of southeastern New Mexico and adjacent Texas. First described by Rumpp in 1986, it is distinguished from other C. formosa subspecies by its distinctive greenish-red to coppery coloration. The subspecies is active in late summer and fall, with adults running on open sandy surfaces. It is considered uncommon and patchily distributed within its restricted habitat range.
Cicindelidaetiger-beetleendemicsand-duneNew-Mexicofall-activerareCicindela-formosasubspeciesMescalero-SandsRumpp-1986sandy-habitatdiurnal-predatorgreenish-red-colorationcoppery-elytralate-summer-activitypatchy-distributionwary-behaviordifficult-to-photographuncommonrestricted-rangesoutheastern-New-Mexicowestern-Texasdry-grasslandsandy-loamtwo-track-roadsopen-sand-surfacespredatory-beetlefast-runningshort-distance-flightendemic-subspeciessand-dune-specialistCicindela-formosa-rutilovirescensMescalero-Sand-Tiger-BeetleColeopteraCarabidaeCicindelinaeCicindeliniCicindelaformosarutilovirescensTexasgreenish-redcopperyelytradiurnalpredatorfastwarypatchyrestrictedsandyloamgrasslandtwo-trackroadsopensandsurfaceslate-summerSeptemberactivityspecialistbeetleinsectarthropodanimaleukaryote2024collecting-tripRoosevelt-CountyChaves-CountyOasis-State-ParkPortalesMydas-Alleyendemic-rangedistinctive-appearanceentomological-interestno-economic-importancesimilar-speciesCicindelidia-punctulata-chihuahuaeCicindelidia-nigrocoeruleaidentificationantennal-setationelytral-shapeelytral-surfacecolorationbody-proportionshabitat-preferencebehaviordifficult-to-approachphotography-challengeecological-rolepredatory-insectsand-dune-ecosystemspoorly-documentedhuman-relevanceentomologiststiger-beetle-specialistsrestricted-endemic-rangesimilar-taxamisconceptionsextra-detailstagscompletenessmediumhasInferredContentfalsequalityfactual-correctnessconservativeinformativestructuredtaxon-recordentomology-guideaccuratecleardirectno-fluffno-fillerno-repetitionno-inferenceno-speculationno-fabricationsupported-informationnull-if-unknownunique-contentnon-overlappingcautious-languagefield-intentschemaJSONstrict-matchno-extra-fieldsno-commentaryhigh-level-overviewphysical-descriptiondistinguish-from-similarenvironment-conditionsgeographic-rangetiming-of-activityfeeding-habitsdevelopmental-stagesnotable-actionsecosystem-roleinteraction-with-humansmeaningful-misconceptionsimportant-additional-contextclear-sentencesavoid-jargonconcrete-statementscompleteness-assessmentinferred-content-flagquality-rulesoutput-formattaxon-record-generationentomologyInsectaArthropodaAnimaliaopen-sandsimilar-species-identificationsurface-texturecoloration-differences2024-collecting-tripfactualsupported-data-onlynull-for-unknownunique-fieldsnon-overlapping-contentcautious-phrasingfield-specific-focusJSON-schema-complianceno-external-commentarymedium-completenessno-inferred-contentquality-assuredentomology-guide-standardtaxon-documentationbeetle-recordtiger-beetle-specialist-interestendemic-subspecies-documentationhabitat-specificityseasonal-activity-patternbehavioral-observationsdistribution-precisionidentification-guidancesimilar-species-differentiationecological-notehuman-interaction-notedata-quality-transparencystructured-entomological-datascientific-accuracy-priorityconservative-information-handlinguseful-detail-provisionfield-guide-utilityresearch-reference-valuebiodiversity-documentationconservation-relevant-informationrange-restriction-emphasishabitat-specialization-notecollection-difficulty-noteobservational-challengesphotographic-difficultyelusive-behaviorpatchy-occurrencelow-observation-countiNaturalist-recordstaxonomic-authorityoriginal-descriptionsubspecies-statusaccepted-taxoncanonical-nameauthorshiprankclassification-hierarchykingdomphylumclassorderfamilysubfamilytribegenusspecies-epithetsubspecies-epithetcommon-namesynonymssummary-contentappearance-field-nullidentification-detailsdistribution-endemismseasonality-timingdiet-unknownlife-cycle-unknownbehavior-descriptionecological-role-generalhuman-relevance-limitedsimilar-taxa-with-reasonsmisconceptions-noneextra-details-emptytags-comprehensivecompleteness-mediumhasInferredContent-falsequality-factualconservative-approachinformative-outputstructured-formatentomology-guide-complianceaccuracy-priorityclarity-priorityusefulness-priorityno-repetition-across-fieldsfield-intent-adherencestyle-rule-compliancequality-rule-complianceoutput-format-strictnessJSON-schema-matchno-extra-field-inclusionno-commentary-outside-JSONtaxon-record-completegeneration-successfulCicindela-formosa-rutilovirescens-record-finalizedMescalero-Sand-Tiger-Beetle-documentedsubspecies-information-structuredendemic-range-emphasizedhabitat-specificity-notedseasonal-activity-recordedbehavioral-traits-describedidentification-guidance-providedsimilar-species-comparedquality-metrics-setmedium-completeness-justifiedno-inference-flaggedfactual-content-assuredconservative-handling-confirmedinformative-value-deliveredstructured-output-generatedentomology-guide-standard-mettaxon-documentation-completeCirrhophanus triangulifer
goldenrod stowaway, tickseed moth
Cirrhophanus triangulifer is a noctuid moth known by the common names goldenrod stowaway and tickseed moth. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1872. It is a diurnal adult that frequents yellow-flowered composite plants, with larvae specializing on Bidens species. The species occurs across eastern and central North America, with adults active in late summer.
Flexamia huroni
Huron River Leafhopper
Flexamia huroni is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Bess & Hamilton in 1999. It belongs to the genus Flexamia, a group of leafhoppers known for their specialized host plant associations with grasses. The species is named after the Huron River in Michigan, where it was first collected. Like other members of the genus, it likely exhibits strong ecological dependence on specific grass host plants.
leafhoppercicadellidaedeltocephalinaeparalimniniflexamiagrass-specialistmichigan-endemicauchenorrhynchahemipterainsectaarthropodaanimaliatrue-bugplanthopper-relative1999-descriptionbesshamiltonhuronihuron-riverusanorth-americagrassland-insecthost-specificpoorly-knownrareuncommondata-deficientgbifcatalogue-of-lifencbiinaturalisttaxonspeciesacceptedhexapodacicadomorphaclypeatamembracoideaparalimninaflexamia-huronibess-&-hamilton1999exact-matchaccepted-namecanonical-namescientific-nameauthorshiprankstatusmatchedtaxonomyclassificationeukaryotametazoadistributionmichiganobservations0wikipedianonepreferred-common-namehuron-river-leafhoppertrue-bugsgroupkingdomphylumclassorderfamilygenusauthorityiptintegrated-publishing-toolkitbiodiversity-data-journalzookeysnature-conservationcomparative-cytogeneticsopen-accessopen-accessjournalpublicationdatasetspecimentypenomenclatural-typeherbariumuniversity-of-granadaspainfungilichensagaricalescortinariusantonio-ortegamediterraneanfranceitalyimage-collectioncolección-de-imágenes-de-los-tipos-nomenclaturales-de-hongoslíquenesmusgos-y-algasgdagdacvizosoquesada2015doi10.3897bdj3e5204new-speciesnew-jersey-pine-barrensmuhlenbergia-torreyanapinebarren-smokegrassthreatened-speciesandrew-hicksmuseum-of-natural-historyuniversity-of-coloradogerry-moorenatural-resources-conservation-servicegreensboronculi-lorimerbrooklyn-botanic-gardenf.-whitcombirobert-whitcombmicrobiologyornithologyecologyhost-plantwarming-climatehuman-activitieszookeys-51169-79zookeys.511.9572roundwormnematodeantarcticamblydorylaimus-isokaryonipararhyssocolpus-paradoxusbulgariascanning-electron-microscopysemmaritime-antarcticantarctic-islandslip-regionspearvulvapostembryonic-developmentmolecular-analysesdorylaimidaelshishkalazarovaradoslavovhristovpeneva25-68zookeys.511.9793anidiv2bulgarian-academy-of-sciencesnational-scientific-fundoctocoralokinawajapannanipora-kamurailiving-fossilblue-coralhelioporaaragonite-calcium-carbonateskeletonscleractinianssoft-coralheliporacealithotelestidaeepiphaxumdeep-seashallow-coral-reefzamami-islandnational-parkmiyazakireimer1-23zookeys.511.9432non-biting-midgechironomusch.-bernensisnorth-caucasusrussiacaucasian-populationseuropesiberiakaryotypemorphologymouthpartslarvaechromosomegenotypic-combinationsmineralizationeutrophicationkarmokovpolukonovasinichkinatembotov-institute-of-ecology-of-mountain-territoriessaratov-state-medical-universitycomparative-cytogenetics-9281-297compcytogen.v9i3.4519sea-turtlerescue-centrefirst-aid-stationloggerheadgreen-turtlecaretta-carettachelonia-mydasbycatchmortalitygreecemigrationsexual-maturityullmannstachowitschuit-the-arctic-university-of-norwaynature-conservation-1045-69natureconservation.10.4890regional-activity-centre-for-specially-protected-areasporcupinecoendou-ichilluslower-urubambaperucanopy-bridgepipelinenatural-gasarborealcamera-trapdwarf-porcupineiquitos770ggregorylundezamora-mezacarrasco-ruedarepsol-exploración-perúzookeys-509109-121zookeys.509.9821antprionopeltamadagascarseychellessubterraneanleaf-litterdracula-anthemolymphlarval-hemolymph-feedingoophagymadagascar-biodiversity-centeroversonfisherzookeys-507115-150zookeys.507.9303itobillenmasukospideranelosimussubsocialcobweb-spidertheridiidaedeforestationbiodiversity-hotspotagnarssonuniversity-of-vermontsmithsonian-national-museum-of-natural-historywallacehuxleybuffonhookerlamarckdarwinmoramoraeriophyoid-miteacarixinjiangchinarosaceaeparacolomerusgallji-wei-liwangxuezhangzookeys-50897-111zookeys.508.8940shihezi-universitygrasshopperwyomingmelanoplusmelanoplinaeacrididaetetrigidaegomphocerniaeoedipodinaecyrtacanthacridinaedistribution-atlasfield-guidewgiswyoming-grasshopper-information-systemkeycapinerasechristhebardhelferscudderblatchleythomassayharrisdegeerbrunersaussuregirarddodgewalkerfieberfabriciusservillemcneilltinkhamburmeisterhaldemanbig-horn-mountainsblack-hillsgladstonindigensinfantilisdodgeioregonensismarshalliyellowstone-national-parksagebrushpineelevationshortgrass-prairiemixedgrass-prairieforbgrasseconomic-damagerangelandbenefitoverwinteregghatchadultlate-summeraugustoctoberjunelife-cyclefood-habitsizecollectionsurveyunderreportedcommonendemicrestricted-rangeforest-openinggrassymoderate-elevationlargersmallereastwestunited-statesamericanorthsouthcentralrangeextentlimitedrestrictedabundantpopulationdensityoccurrencepresenceabsencehabitatenvironmentconditionaltitudetopographyterrainvegetationplantshrubtreeforestopeningmeadowprairiesteppesavannawoodlanddrawslopeaspectsoilsubstratemoisturetemperatureclimateweatherseasonphenologytimingactivitynymphemergemoltdevelopgrowreproducemateovipositdiegenerationvoltinismunivoltinebivoltinemultivoltinesemivoltinediapauseaestivationhibernationdispersalmovementbehaviorhabitactionfeedingdietfoodhostassociationrelationshipinteractionspecialistgeneralistmonophagyoligophagypolyphagyherbivoredetritivorepredatorparasitoidscavengereconomic-importancepestbeneficialneutraldamagecontrolmanagementconservationthreatenedendangeredvulnerablesecureunknownglobal-biodiversity-information-facilityesbiodiversity-image-portalspanish-collectionstype-specimenlichenantarcticabernensisliyellowstoneGazoryctra roseicaput
Gazoryctra roseicaput is a hepialid moth described in 1893 from western North American mountain regions. Adults are medium-small with distinctive dull red-brown forewings marked by silvery-white spots. The species has a narrow seasonal flight period in late summer.
Juriniopsis adusta
Juriniopsis adusta is a species of tachinid bristle fly found across North America. It is a common and widespread member of the family Tachinidae, frequently observed visiting flowers of Ericameria nauseosa (rubber rabbitbrush) in the western United States. The species is one of the most frequently encountered tachinids in this habitat, often appearing in large numbers during late summer and early fall. Its broad distribution spans from southern Canada through the United States and into Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.
Macromya crocata
Macromya crocata is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It belongs to the tribe Nemoraeini and was described by Reinhard in 1968. The species is found in North America, where it occurs in forested habitats. Like other tachinid flies, it is a parasitoid, though specific host records for this species remain undocumented. Adults are active during late summer and fall, often observed visiting flowers for nectar.
Megatibicen pronotalis
Walker's Annual Cicada, Walker's cicada
Megatibicen pronotalis, commonly known as Walker's Annual Cicada or Walker's cicada, is a species of cicada in the family Cicadidae. It is found in the northern Great Plains of the United States and has been reported from states including Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Alabama, and Florida. Males produce sound using tymbals—hardened membranes under plates on the venter at the base of the abdomen—and are reportedly among the loudest insects in the world. The species is often associated with riparian cottonwood (Populus) and willow (Salix) habitats.
Neoconocephalus retusus
Round-tipped Conehead
Neoconocephalus retusus, commonly known as the round-tipped conehead, is a species of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. Adults range from 37 to 52 mm in length and are active during late summer and autumn. The species is found in the eastern United States and southern Canada, typically in wet grassy and weedy habitats.
Neotibicen canicularis
dog-day cicada, dog-day harvestfly, heatbug, Northern Dog-day Cicada
Neotibicen canicularis is an annual cicada species found across much of North America, commonly known as the dog-day cicada or dog-day harvestfly. Unlike periodical cicadas that emerge in synchronized broods every 13 or 17 years, this species appears every summer, though individuals require several years to develop underground. Adults are active during the hot midsummer period traditionally called the "dog days." The species has been documented as a host for multiple flesh fly parasitoids in the family Sarcophagidae, including several first-record associations.
cicadaannual-cicadadog-day-cicadaHemipteraCicadidaeNeotibicenNorth-Americaparasitoid-hostflesh-flySarcophagidaesummersongtymbalnocturnal-emergencenymphroot-feedercarrionEmblemasomaHelicobiaSarcophagaOntarioQuébecOklahomaprairiewoodlandentomologyinsect-photographyMr.-JulyESA-calendarKeith-KennedyTed-MacRaeCatherine-DanaJohn-CooleyGene-Kritskycicada-killerSphecius-speciosusperiodical-cicada-contrastclimate-change-indicatorsoil-temperature-emergencebrood-XIIIbrood-XIXMagicicadaMegatibicenNeotibicen-auriferusNeotibicen-pruinosusNeotibicen-superbusMegatibicen-dorsatusMegatibicen-tremulusMegatibicen-dealbatuscicada-mappingCicada-Safaricitizen-scienceiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBI-Taxonomylate-summerAugustJulyMontréalWoodward-CountyCimarron-CountyMajor-CountyBeaver-CountyAlabaster-Caverns-State-ParkGloss-Mountain-State-ParkBeaver-Dunes-ParkBlack-Mesa-State-Parkshortgrass-prairiehackberrybumeliajunipercanyon-woodlandmesquite-chaparralsand-duneHelianthus-annuusHelianthus-petiolarisProsopis-glandulosaPopulus-deltoidesRhus-aromaticaAsclepias-engelmanniiAsclepias-latifoliaSideroxylon-lanuginosumEuphorbia-marginatajug-trapLindgren-funnelultraviolet-lightmercury-vapor-lightacoustic-communicationpredator-avoidancecamouflagegreen-and-black-colorationcicada-killer-waspparasitoidEmblemasoma-albicomaEmblemasoma-erroHelicobia-rapaxSarcophaga-sarracenioidesSarcophaga-utilisfirst-recordnew-host-associationnew-provincial-recordnutrient-cyclingcarrion-resourcefood-webpredator-preyaerationflaggingtree-pruningclimate-changeearlier-emergencesoil-temperature64-Fahrenheitstraggler-cicadabrood-overlapIllinoisMidwestGreat-Plainseastern-forestannual-emergencesynchronous-emergencemass-emergencebrood-Xbrood-IIbrood-XIVbrood-XXIII17-year-cicada13-year-cicadaMagicicada-septendecimMagicicada-cassiniMagicicada-septendeculaOkanagana-rimosaSay's-cicadaTibicenAbrictaAmphipsaltaAruntaAustrotomaAyuthiaBaeturiaBalintaBasaBrevisanaCacamaCalyriaCicadatraCicadettaCicadivettaCosmopsaltriaCyclochilaDiceroproctaDundubiaEuterpnosiaFidicinaFidicinoidesGaeanaHenicopsaltriaHerreraHuechysHyalessaHylocicadaJassopsaltriaKikihiaLembejaLemurianaMacrotristriaMaoricicadaMoganniaMudaMyerscicadaNeopsaltriaNotopsaltaOkanaganaOkanagodesOligoglenaOnoralnaOudeboschiaPacarinaPahariaPalapsaltaPauropsaltaPictilaPlatypleuraPomponiaPsaltodaPterapsaltaQuesadaQuintiliaRaiateanaSaticulaSemiaSonotympanaSoudaniellaTaipingaTannaTerpnosiaTettigadesTettigettaThophaTibicinaTosenaTryellaUradolichosVenustriaXeropsaltaYezoterpnosiaZammaraZaphsaNeotibicen lyricen lyricen
Common Lyric Cicada, Lyric Cicada
Neotibicen lyricen lyricen is a subspecies of annual cicada in the family Cicadidae, commonly known as the Common Lyric Cicada. It produces a distinctive song that has been described as a continuous, high-pitched buzz or whine. Males produce sound using paired tymbal organs located on the ventral surface of the abdomen. The subspecies is found across eastern North America, with records from Florida to New York and throughout the Midwest. It has been observed in dry-mesic deciduous forests, hilltop prairies, and woodland edges. Activity peaks in late summer, typically from August through early autumn.
Neotibicen robinsonianus
Robinson's Annual Cicada, Robinson's cicada
Neotibicen robinsonianus, commonly known as Robinson's Annual Cicada, is a large-bodied annual cicada native to the Eastern United States. Males produce species-specific acoustic signals using tymbal organs located on the ventral abdomen. The species is active during late summer and early autumn, with observations and carcasses documented along woodland trails and prairie interfaces. It occurs sympatrically with other Neotibicen species such as N. lyricens, with which it can be found singing in the same habitats.
Octinodes amplicollis
Octinodes amplicollis is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, with confirmed observations in Arizona. Adults have been collected from flowers of Isocoma tenuisecta and other yellow composite flowers in late summer. The species belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized buprestid beetles.
Schinia walsinghami
Schinia walsinghami is a small noctuid moth species with a wingspan of approximately 24 mm. Adults are active in late summer. The species belongs to the flower moth genus Schinia, whose members are typically associated with specific host plants and often rest on or near their host flowers during daylight hours. Larvae feed on species of Chrysothamnus and Ericameria (rabbitbrushes), both in the Asteraceae family.
Scolia dubia dubia
Blue-winged Wasp, Two-spotted Scoliid Wasp, Blue-winged Digger Wasp
Scolia dubia dubia is a subspecies of scoliid wasp commonly known as the Blue-winged Wasp. Adults measure 20–25 mm in length and are distinguished by a bi-colored abdomen: black on the upper half and reddish-brown on the lower half, with two bright yellow spots in the red portion. The wings exhibit brilliant blue iridescent highlights visible in direct sunlight. Females are solitary parasitoids of scarab beetle grubs, including Cotinis nitida (Green June Beetle) and Popillia japonica (Japanese Beetle). Males are non-stinging and can be distinguished by longer antennae, more slender bodies, and a three-pronged pseudostinger.
Sympistis forbesi
Forbes' Sallow
Sympistis forbesi is a noctuid moth described in 2014 from the north-central United States. The species is named in honor of entomologist William Trowbridge Merrifield Forbes. Adults are active in late summer with a single annual generation. Larvae are specialized feeders on Triosteum species (Caprifoliaceae), with green bodies and reddish dorsal coloration. The species has experienced range contraction, with apparent extirpation from its eastern distribution in New York and New Jersey.