Loess-hills
Guides
Antistrophus pisum
Antistrophus pisum is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae. It is a synonym of Antistrophus lygodesmiaepisum, a monophagous cynipid wasp that induces pea-like stem galls on the rush skeletonplant (Lygodesmia juncea). The species occurs in the Loess Hills region of western Iowa and extreme northwestern Missouri, where its host plant persists as a hypsithermal relict in hilltop prairie remnants. The galls are solid, succulent structures that exude latex-like sap when damaged.
Beameria venosa
Aridland Cicada
Beameria venosa is one of the smallest cicada species in North America, with a body length of approximately 16 mm. It is a prairie obligate species distributed across the Great Plains from Nebraska and Colorado south to Texas and New Mexico, with additional records from Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, and Arizona. The species produces a high-frequency calling song that is audible to humans but appears to function as a predator avoidance mechanism by being inaudible to birds and lizards. It is listed as vulnerable in Missouri due to its dependence on restricted prairie habitats.
Ospriocerus
robber flies
Ospriocerus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) containing approximately 17 described species. These large, predatory flies are primarily associated with grassland and prairie habitats across western North America. Several species exhibit mimetic coloration resembling spider wasps (Pompilidae), with black bodies and red or orange abdominal markings. The genus has been documented as far north as Canada and south into Mexico. Species such as O. abdominalis represent significant range extensions when found in eastern localities, highlighting the importance of remnant prairie conservation.
Ospriocerus aeacidinus
robber fly
Ospriocerus aeacidinus is a large robber fly (family Asilidae) native to western North America. The species was historically recorded as far east as Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, but has been documented in recent years in relictual hilltop prairie habitats in northwestern Missouri and southwestern Illinois—representing significant eastern range extensions. Adults are active predators with wasp-mimetic coloration. The species is considered a grassland specialist associated with dry prairie remnants, particularly those linked to the Loess Hills landform.
Parvindela celeripes
Swift Tiger Beetle
Parvindela celeripes, the Swift Tiger Beetle, is a tiny (6–8 mm), flightless tiger beetle species native to the Great Plains of North America. Once abundant in native grasslands of Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the species has experienced severe population declines due to habitat loss. It was unknown from Missouri until its discovery in 2010, where it persists in small, isolated loess hilltop prairie remnants. The species remains robust in northwestern Oklahoma's red clay/gypsum exposures, representing its most secure population. Its flightless nature makes recolonization of disturbed or burned sites extremely difficult.