Light-attraction
Guides
Agrilus arcuatus
Agrilus arcuatus is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Thomas Say in 1825. The species occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. It has been documented at light traps, though it is not known to be attracted to lights in large numbers.
Agrilus cliftoni
Agrilus cliftoni is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1941. It is found in North America. A notable observation involves consistent attraction to blacklights in mature white oak forest, with nearly all collected specimens being male.
Copelatinae
copelatine diving beetles
Copelatinae is a subfamily of predaceous diving beetles (Dytiscidae) comprising seven genera: Agaporomorphus, Aglymbus, Copelatus, Exocelina, Lacconectus, Liopterus, and Madaglymbus. The genus Copelatus is the largest with approximately 470 described species worldwide, showing greatest diversity in tropical South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Members are predominantly aquatic, though some species have colonized highly ephemeral habitats including forest floor depressions. The subfamily exhibits remarkable morphological diversity and includes phylogenetically isolated lineages such as the South African genus Capelatus.
Eulichadidae
Forest Stream Beetles
Eulichadidae is a small family of beetles within Elateriformia, comprising two extant genera with contrasting distributions: Eulichas (Indomalayan realm, Asia) and Stenocolus (Western North America). Adults are terrestrial, while larvae are obligately aquatic in forest streams. The family exhibits notable ecological divergence between genera in habitat use and adult behavior.
Griburius
case-bearing leaf beetles
Griburius is a genus of case-bearing leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cryptocephalinae. The genus contains approximately six described species in the United States, with additional species distributed throughout the Neotropical Region. A 2022 taxonomic revision revised nine species in the G. posticatus species group, transferred one species from Metallactus, proposed multiple synonymies, and described two new Brazilian species. Members of this genus are characterized by their case-bearing habit, where larvae construct protective cases from fecal material and shed skins.
Hypercompe scribonia
Giant Leopard Moth, Great Leopard Moth, Giant Woolly Bear (larval stage), Black Woolly Bear (larval stage), Eyed Tiger Moth
Hypercompe scribonia, the giant leopard moth, is the largest eastern tiger moth in North America. Adults are striking white moths with black circular spots and bars, while larvae are known as giant woolly bears—large, densely hairy black caterpillars with red rings visible between body segments when curled. The species is nocturnal, with males frequently attracted to lights. Larvae overwinter and complete development in spring, feeding on a broad range of herbaceous and woody plants.
Tipulidae
Large Crane Flies, Crane Flies
Tipulidae is a large family of true flies in the order Diptera, comprising over 4,200 described species in more than 30 genera. Members are commonly known as crane flies or large crane flies, characterized by their elongated bodies and exceptionally long, slender legs. Adults are typically short-lived and often do not feed; their primary purpose is reproduction. Larvae occupy diverse moist habitats including soil, leaf litter, decaying wood, and aquatic environments, where most feed on decaying organic matter. The family has a fossil record extending to the Late Jurassic.
DipteraNematoceracrane-fliesdecomposerssaprophagousshort-lived-adultsmating-swarmsturfgrass-pestsharmless-to-humansworldwide-distributionLate-Jurassic-fossilsCharles-Paul-Alexandermaxillary-palps13-antennal-segmentsLimoniidaePediciidaemosquito-hawk-misnomerdaddy-longlegs-confusionleatherjacketsaquatic-larvaeterrestrial-larvaespring-emergencelight-attractionwingless-snow-crane-flies-in-genus-Chionea-(now-Limoniidae)