Mexico
Guides
Ospriocerus tequilae
Ospriocerus tequilae is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Martin in 1968. The genus Ospriocerus contains large, wasp-mimicking robber flies found in grassland habitats of western North America. The specific epithet 'tequilae' presumably refers to the type locality in Mexico. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Stenopogon tequilae in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic uncertainty in the classification of this group.
Oxycrepis intercepta
Oxycrepis intercepta is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It occurs in North America, with records from Mexico and the United States. As a member of the tribe Harpalini, it belongs to a diverse group of predominantly ground-dwelling beetles. Published information on its biology and ecology remains limited.
Oxyopes acleistus
Oxyopes acleistus is a species of lynx spider in the family Oxyopidae, first described by Chamberlin in 1929. It is found in the United States and Mexico. As a member of the lynx spider genus Oxyopes, it likely shares the family's characteristic hunting behavior, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented.
Oxyporus mexicanus
Oxyporus mexicanus is a species of rove beetle (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Oxyporinae. The genus Oxyporus is characterized by distinctive morphological adaptations for mycophagy, including modified mouthparts for feeding on fungal substrates. This species was described by Fauvel in 1865 and is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Pachybrachis pusillus
Bulge-eyed Yellow Pachy
Pachybrachis pusillus is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cryptocephalinae. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults have been collected at light traps in mesquite-acacia scrub and oak-juniper woodland habitats in Arizona. The common name "Bulge-eyed Yellow Pachy" refers to distinctive eye morphology and coloration typical of the genus.
Paederus grandis
Paederus grandis is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Austin in 1877. The species was previously known as Paederus lecontei until Swift and Ray (2010) synonymized the two names under the older epithet grandis. It is recorded from the southwestern United States (Arizona, California) and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Paederus, it likely possesses defensive chemistry, though specific studies on this species are lacking.
Pagasa pallipes
Pagasa pallipes is a small predatory true bug in the family Nabidae (damsel bugs), subfamily Prostemmatinae. The species was described by Stål in 1873 and has been recorded from Mexico and parts of North America. Members of the genus Pagasa are ground-dwelling predators with somewhat beetle-like appearance.
Pangaeus
burrower bugs
Pangaeus is a genus of burrower bugs in the family Cydnidae (Hemiptera), comprising approximately 14 described species. Members are fossorial insects adapted for subterranean life, with species distributed across the Americas. The genus includes significant agricultural pests, most notably P. bilineatus, which damages peanut crops in the southeastern United States. Species exhibit morphological adaptations for burrowing, including stout, spiny forelegs.
Panoquina errans
Wandering Skipper
Panoquina errans is a butterfly species in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in Mexico and the United States. The species is commonly known as the Wandering Skipper.
Paonias myops
Small-eyed Sphinx, small-eyed sphinx moth
Paonias myops, commonly known as the small-eyed sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797. The species ranges across much of North America, from southeastern Canada to Florida and westward nearly to the Pacific Coast, with additional populations in Mexico. Adults are notably more nocturnal than most sphingid moths, with flight activity primarily from June through September depending on latitude.
Papilio ornythion
ornythion swallowtail
Papilio ornythion is a swallowtail butterfly in the subfamily Papilioninae, native to Mexico and Guatemala with occasional vagrancy into the southern United States. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism with two female forms—one matching the male and a distinctive dark form. Adults fly from April to September with two generations per year. Larvae feed on Citrus leaves while adults nectar on flowers.
Papilio pilumnus
Three-tailed Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio pilumnus, the three-tailed tiger swallowtail, is a species of swallowtail butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It is found in Texas, Mexico, and Guatemala. The larvae feed on leaves of Litsea species. As a member of the tiger swallowtail group, it shares the characteristic tail-like extensions on the hindwings with related species.
Parablastothrix
Parablastothrix is a genus of parasitic wasps in the family Encyrtidae, established by Mercet in 1917. Species in this genus are known to parasitize leaf-mining Lepidoptera. The genus includes at least two described species: P. nearctica from the USA and P. ninelpetrovae from Mexico. These wasps are part of the diverse Encyrtidae family, which contains numerous biological control agents used in agricultural pest management.
Parabyrsopolis
Parabyrsopolis is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Rutelinae, described by Ohaus in 1915. The genus belongs to the tribe Rutelini and subtribe Areodina. Species within this genus occur in the southwestern United States and Mexico, where they have been documented at blacklight stations in montane habitats. One species, P. chihuahuae, has been recorded from Ramsey Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains of Arizona.
Paracosmus morrisoni
Paracosmus morrisoni is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, subfamily Tomomyzinae. It was described by Osten Sacken in 1887. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico, representing part of the diverse bee fly fauna of arid and semi-arid regions of North America.
Paracosmus rubicundus
Paracosmus rubicundus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Melander in 1950. It belongs to the subfamily Tomomyzinae and is known from a limited geographic range in southwestern North America and Mexico. Bee flies in this family are generally nectar-feeding as adults, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Paracyrtophyllus
western true katydids
Paracyrtophyllus is a genus of western true katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, established by Caudell in 1906. The genus contains at least two described species: P. excelsus (Chisos katydid) and P. robustus (truncated true katydid). These insects are found in the southwestern United States and northeastern Mexico, with observations concentrated in Texas.
Paradryomyza setosa
Paradryomyza setosa is a species of true fly in the family Dryomyzidae, a group commonly known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies. The species was described by Bigot in 1886. Like other members of Dryomyzidae, it belongs to a family whose larvae are known to develop in terrestrial snails and slugs, making them predators of mollusks. The genus Paradryomyza contains relatively few described species, and P. setosa is among the better-documented members of this genus.
Paranomada velutina
Black-velvet Flat-Nomad
Paranomada velutina is a cuckoo bee in the family Apidae, described by Linsley in 1939. It belongs to the subfamily Nomadinae, a group of bees that are cleptoparasites (nest parasites) of other bees. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other nomadine bees, it lacks pollen-collecting structures and relies on host bees to provision its young.
Paranthidium jugatorium
Sunflower Burrowing-Resin bee
Paranthidium jugatorium is a resin bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Sunflower Burrowing-Resin bee. It is native to North and Central America, with records spanning from the southwestern United States through Mexico. The species belongs to the tribe Anthidiini, a group known for constructing nests using plant resins and other materials. Four subspecies are recognized, differing in geographic distribution and minor morphological traits.
Paranthidium jugatorium jugatorium
Paranthidium jugatorium jugatorium is a subspecies of resin bee in the family Megachilidae, distributed across northern and central Mexico. As a member of the tribe Anthidiini, it constructs nests using plant resins and other materials. The subspecies was originally described by Thomas Say in 1824. It belongs to a genus characterized by compact, often boldly patterned bees that are active primarily during warm seasons.
Paranthidium jugatorium lepidum
Southeastern Sunflower Burrowing-Resin Bee
Paranthidium jugatorium lepidum is a subspecies of resin bee in the family Megachilidae. It is recognized by the common name "Southeastern Sunflower Burrowing-Resin Bee" and is distributed across central and western Mexico. As a member of the genus Paranthidium, it is presumed to construct nests using plant resins and to exhibit solitary nesting behavior. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader species P. jugatorium.
Paranthidium jugatorium perpictum
Paranthidium jugatorium perpictum is a subspecies of wool-carder bee in the family Megachilidae. It belongs to a genus of solitary bees known for collecting plant fibers to line their nest cells. The subspecies is endemic to central and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of Paranthidium, it is presumed to be a solitary nester, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Paraphlepsius micronotatus
A leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. Recorded as prey of the crabronid wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata. Known from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Paraphrynus
whip spider, tailless whip scorpion
Paraphrynus is a genus of whip spiders (order Amblypygi) in the family Phrynidae, distributed from the southwestern United States through Central America and the Caribbean. Most species are endemic to Mexico. These nocturnal arachnids are characterized by extraordinarily long, sensory front legs (antenniform legs) used for navigation and prey detection, and spiny pedipalps for capturing prey. Research has demonstrated remarkable homing abilities in some species, with individuals navigating back to refuges from distances exceeding 10 meters using primarily olfactory cues detected by their antenniform legs rather than vision.
Parapsammodius puncticollis
Parapsammodius puncticollis is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species was described by LeConte in 1858. It has been recorded from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Paraptorthodius
glowworm beetles
Paraptorthodius is a genus of glowworm beetles in the family Phengodidae, established by Schaeffer in 1904. The genus contains at least three described species distributed in Mexico and the southwestern United States. Like other phengodids, members of this genus are bioluminescent, with luminescence produced primarily by larviform females and larvae. The genus belongs to the tribe Mastinocerini within the subfamily Phengodinae.
Paratenetus texanus
Paratenetus texanus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described in 2014. The genus Paratenetus was established relatively recently, and this species is one of its members. As a tenebrionid beetle, it belongs to a large family of primarily detritivorous beetles commonly found in arid and semi-arid environments. Very little specific biological information has been published about this particular species.
Paratyndaris tucsoni
Paratyndaris tucsoni is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) in the subfamily Polycestinae. It was described by Knull in 1938 and belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) Fisher. The genus Paratyndaris is a southwestern and Mexican group of beetles that are often poorly represented in collections. A 2004 revision by Nelson & Bellamy recognized three subgenera within Paratyndaris and provided comprehensive taxonomic treatment of the genus.
Paravaejovis puritanus
Stripe-tailed scorpion
A medium-sized scorpion in the family Vaejovidae, found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It was originally described as Vaejovis puritanus in 1958 and later transferred to the genus Paravaejovis. The species is one of several stripe-tailed scorpions in the region and is frequently encountered in desert and semi-arid habitats.
Paravilla mexicana
Paravilla mexicana is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Hall in 1981. As a member of the genus Paravilla, it belongs to the tribe Villini within the subfamily Anthracinae. Bee flies in this genus are typically parasitoids or cleptoparasites of other insects, particularly solitary bees and wasps. The species epithet 'mexicana' suggests a geographic association with Mexico, though the precise distribution requires confirmation from specimen records.
Pardosa californica
Pardosa californica is a species of thin-legged wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, first described by Keyserling in 1887. It belongs to the genus Pardosa, which comprises small to medium-sized wolf spiders characterized by long spines on their legs that are nearly perpendicular to the leg axis. The species is found in the United States and Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with moist habitats near water sources, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Pardosa orophila
Pardosa orophila is a species of thin-legged wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, first described by Gertsch in 1933. The species is found in the United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Pardosa, it is a ground-dwelling, cursorial hunter. Specific details about its ecology and behavior remain poorly documented in published sources.
Pardosa vadosa
thin-legged wolf spider
Pardosa vadosa is a species of thin-legged wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, first described by Barnes in 1959. As a member of the genus Pardosa, it shares the characteristic long, perpendicular leg spines that distinguish this group from other wolf spiders. The species occurs in the United States and Mexico. Like other Pardosa species, it is likely ground-dwelling and associated with varied terrestrial habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Parevander hovorei
Parevander hovorei is a species of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) described by Giesbert in 1984. It belongs to the tribe Trachyderini, a group known for often robust and frequently colorful beetles. The species is named in honor of the coleopterist Frank Hovore. Available information on this species is limited, with basic taxonomic and distribution data documented but detailed natural history poorly known.
Paromalus durangoensis
clown beetle
Paromalus durangoensis is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae. It is known from Mexico and Central America. Like other histerid beetles, it likely inhabits decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Paropomala virgata
virgata toothpick grasshopper
Paropomala virgata, the virgata toothpick grasshopper, is a species of slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in Central America and North America. The species was described by Scudder in 1899. Very little species-specific biological information is documented in available sources.
Pediodectes tinkhami
Tinkham's Shieldback, Tinkham's shieldback katydid
Pediodectes tinkhami, or Tinkham's shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in North America, with records from Texas and northeastern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Pediodectes, it is wingless as an adult, which can make distinguishing adults from nymphs difficult. Species identification within Pediodectes is challenging from photographs alone due to variable color patterns and age-related changes in appearance.
Pelecyphorus liratus
Pelecyphorus liratus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by LeConte in 1854. The genus Pelecyphorus belongs to a group of tenebrionids often associated with arid and semi-arid environments. Records indicate this species occurs in Mexico, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Pelecyphorus regularis
Pelecyphorus regularis is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Horn in 1870. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized tenebrionids found in North America. The species has been recorded from Mexico based on distribution data, though detailed biological information remains limited. As with many tenebrionid beetles, it likely inhabits arid or semi-arid environments, though specific habitat associations have not been documented.
Peltophorus
Peltophorus is a genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae (subfamily Baridinae, tribe Zygopini). The genus contains multiple species distributed in Mexico, including P. polymitus and P. adustus. Species in this genus are associated with succulent plants, particularly agaves and Opuntia cacti. P. polymitus has been documented feeding on at least seven Agave species and has been recorded in wild agave plantations, though it has not been formally designated as an agricultural pest.
Peltophorus adustus
Peltophorus adustus is a species of true weevil in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Baridinae. The species was first described by Fall in 1906. It is known from North America and has been recently documented in Mexico, representing a new country record.
Peltophorus polymitus
Speckled Agave Weevil
Peltophorus polymitus is a true weevil (Curculionidae) native to North America, widely distributed throughout Mexico. Adults and larvae feed on multiple agave species, including cultivated plants used for food, medicine, and mezcal production. Despite causing documented plant damage, it has not been formally classified as a pest species. Two subspecies are recognized: P. p. seminiveus and P. p. suffusus.
Pentispa sallaei
Pentispa sallaei is a tortoise beetle in the subfamily Cassidinae, tribe Chalepini. The species was originally described from Mexico and has been established in Florida, USA. A host plant was reported for the first time in 2021, though the specific plant identity was not detailed in available sources. The species is characterized by distinctive elytral punctation and thoracic armature.
Perarthrus vittatus
Perarthrus vittatus is a species of longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. It belongs to the tribe Trachyderini, a group of robust, often conspicuously patterned cerambycids. The species is known from Middle America and North America, with records from Mexico and the United States. Limited biological information is available for this species.
Peritroctes
Peritroctes is a genus of small, wingless insects in the family Pachytroctidae, order Psocodea. Members of this genus are classified within the barklice and booklice group, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus was established by Ribaga in 1911 and is currently recognized as valid. Distribution records indicate presence in Mexico.
Petrophila longipennis
Long-winged Petrophila
Petrophila longipennis is a moth species in the family Crambidae, subfamily Acentropinae. It was described by George Hampson in 1906 based on specimens from Mexico. The species is known from only a handful of observations, with limited biological information available. Like other members of Petrophila, it is likely associated with aquatic or riparian habitats, though this has not been directly documented for this species.
Petrophila schaefferalis
Schaeffer's Petrophila
Petrophila schaefferalis is a small crambid moth described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1906. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size, with females notably larger than males. Adults are active from spring through early autumn. The larvae are aquatic, a characteristic shared with other members of the genus Petrophila. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Phaedrotettix palmeri
Phaedrotettix palmeri is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Scudder in 1897. The species belongs to the subfamily Melanoplinae, a diverse group of grasshoppers commonly known as spur-throated grasshoppers due to the presence of a ventral projection on the pronotum. Available records indicate this species occurs in northeastern Mexico, though specific ecological details remain limited.
Phaleria rotundata
Phaleria rotundata is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by LeConte in 1851. The species is known from Mexico based on distribution records. As a member of Tenebrionidae, it belongs to a large family of beetles commonly associated with dry, dark habitats. Little detailed biological information is available for this specific species.