Mexico
Guides
Alypiodes bimaculata
Two-spotted Forester
Alypiodes bimaculata, commonly known as the two-spotted forester, is a diurnal moth in the family Noctuidae. Despite its common name, it bears more than two spots; the name refers specifically to the single small spot on each hindwing. The species was first described by Herrich-Schäffer in 1853 and occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Alypiodes geronimo
Geronimo Forester
Alypiodes geronimo is an owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by William Barnes in 1900. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing pattern, with females bearing two spots on the forewing and males possessing a third additional spot. Larvae feed on leaves of Boerhavia species. It occurs in North America and Mexico.
Amara deparca
Amara deparca is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described by Thomas Say in 1830. It belongs to the large genus Amara, which contains numerous species of small to medium-sized carabid beetles found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. Records indicate presence in Mexico and the United States.
Amara tenebrionella
Amara tenebrionella is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described by Bates in 1882. It belongs to the large genus Amara, which contains numerous species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. The species is recorded from Mexico and the United States, placing it within the Nearctic fauna. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a ground-dwelling beetle associated with open habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Amblycorypha huasteca
Texas false katydid
Amblycorypha huasteca, commonly known as the Texas false katydid, is a species of bush-cricket in the family Tettigoniidae. It belongs to the round-headed katydid genus Amblycorypha, a group renowned for exceptional leaf-mimicry. The species occurs in the south-central United States and northeastern Mexico. Like other Amblycorypha, it produces species-specific songs through stridulation of forewing structures to attract mates.
Amblygnathus mexicanus
Amblygnathus mexicanus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It was described by Bates in 1882 and occurs in North America, with records from Mexico, Panama, and the United States. Like other members of the genus Amblygnathus, it is a ground-dwelling beetle, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Amblyscirtes celia
Celia's Roadside-Skipper, roadside rambler
Amblyscirtes celia is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as Celia's Roadside-Skipper or roadside rambler. It is found from Texas south to northeastern Mexico, with occasional strays to southwestern Louisiana. The species has multiple generations per year and is active throughout the year in southern Texas.
Amblyscirtes phylace
Orange-headed Roadside-Skipper, Red-headed Roadside Skipper
Amblyscirtes phylace is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, distributed from the southwestern United States to Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of 22–29 mm and are characterized by orange or reddish coloration on the head. The species is known to feed on flower nectar as adults.
Amithao erythropus
Amithao erythropus is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Cetoniinae (flower chafers). The species occurs in the Neotropical region from Mexico through Central America to Nicaragua, with records also from Texas in the Nearctic region. Like other members of the Gymnetini tribe, this species is likely associated with flowers and rotting vegetation, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented.
Ammodonus tropicus
Ammodonus tropicus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Kirsch in 1866. It belongs to the tribe Ammodoniini, a group of small to medium-sized tenebrionids often associated with sandy or arid habitats. The species epithet 'tropicus' suggests a tropical distribution, which aligns with records from Colombia and Mexico.
Amphibolips fusus
Amphibolips fusus is a species of gall wasp in the family Cynipidae, described by Alfred Kinsey in 1937. The species belongs to a genus known for inducing galls on oak trees (Quercus spp.). It has been documented from central Mexico, specifically in Ciudad de México and Zacatecas states. Like other members of Cynipidae, it likely has a complex life cycle involving both sexual and asexual generations, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented.
Anacyptus testaceus
Anacyptus testaceus is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae. It belongs to the tribe Mesoporini, a group of aleocharines characterized by particular morphological features of the mouthparts and tarsal structure. The species was described by J.L. LeConte in 1863 and occurs across a broad geographic range in North America, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
Anchonoderus horni
Anchonoderus horni is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described by Csiki in 1931. It belongs to the tribe Lachnophorini within the subfamily Lebiinae. The species is known from Mexico, though detailed biological information appears limited in available literature. Like other members of the genus Anchonoderus, it is presumably a ground-dwelling predatory beetle.
Anconia hebardi
Hebard's blue-winged desert grasshopper
Anconia hebardi, commonly known as Hebard's blue-winged desert grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper described by Rehn in 1919. It belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae, a group characterized by often colorful hind wings used in display flight. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Aneflomorpha
Aneflomorpha is a genus of longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Cerambycinae, and tribe Elaphidiini. The genus was established by Casey in 1912. Species in this genus are primarily nocturnal and have been documented in the southwestern United States and Mexico. They are associated with woody vegetation, particularly oaks and mesquites, and are frequently attracted to ultraviolet and mercury-vapor light stations.
Aneflomorpha aculeata
Aneflomorpha aculeata is a longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1873. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a diverse group of primarily nocturnal cerambycids. The species is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Limited specific biological information is available, though related species in the genus are associated with dead or dying woody vegetation.
Aneflomorpha cazieri
Aneflomorpha cazieri is a species of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) described by Chemsak in 1962. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a group of cerambycids commonly associated with woody plants. Field observations indicate adults are active in summer and have been collected from flowers of Talinum aurantiacum (orange flameflower) and Allionia incarnata (creeping four-o'clock) in Arizona.
Aneflomorpha rectilinea
Aneflomorpha rectilinea is a longhorn beetle species in the tribe Elaphidiini, described by Thomas L. Casey in 1924. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized cerambycids found primarily in North America. The species is rarely encountered in collections and poorly documented in the literature.
Aneflus levettei
Aneflus levettei is a species of longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) in the tribe Elaphidiini, described by Thomas L. Casey in 1891. Larvae are root-feeders on velvetpod mimosa (Mimosa dysocarpa), with pupation occurring below the soil surface. Adults have been observed resting on foliage of Baccharis sarothroides (desert broom). The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Aneflus obscurus
Aneflus obscurus is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1873. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini within the subfamily Cerambycinae. The species is documented from both the United States and Mexico based on occurrence records.
Aneflus prolixus fisheri
Aneflus prolixus fisheri is a subspecies of longhorn beetle described by Knull in 1934. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini within the subfamily Cerambycinae of Cerambycidae. The subspecies is distributed in North America and Middle America, with records from Mexico. Very little specific information is available about this subspecies beyond its taxonomic classification and geographic distribution.
Aneflus protensus
Aneflus protensus is a species of longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) in the tribe Elaphidiini. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1858. The species is known from southwestern North America, with records from Arizona and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Aneflus, it is associated with woody vegetation and has been collected on Baccharis sarothroides.
Aneflus sonoranus
Aneflus sonoranus is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Casey in 1924. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a diverse group of small to medium-sized cerambycids. Records indicate presence in the southwestern United States and Mexico, with observations from Arizona and the Sonoran region. The genus Aneflus comprises multiple species distributed across North America, many of which are associated with woody vegetation in arid and semi-arid environments.
Anelaphus brevidens
Anelaphus brevidens is a species of longhorned beetle (family Cerambycidae) in the tribe Elaphidiini. It was described by Schaeffer in 1908. The genus Anelaphus includes species commonly known as twig pruners, whose larvae develop within living branches of deciduous trees and cut the branch internally before pupation. Specific biological details for A. brevidens remain poorly documented in published literature.
Anelaphus moestus
Anelaphus moestus is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1854. The species occurs in North America and Mexico. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a group of cerambycids commonly associated with woody plants. Specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in published literature.
Anelaphus moestus moestus
Anelaphus moestus moestus is a subspecies of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae. The species Anelaphus moestus belongs to the elaphidiine group of cerambycids, a diverse assemblage of small to medium-sized beetles often associated with woody vegetation. The subspecific epithet indicates this is the nominate form of the species. Records indicate presence in North America and Middle America, with documented occurrences in the United States and Mexico.
Anelaphus piceus
Anelaphus piceus is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, tribe Elaphidiini. It was described by Chemsak in 1962. The genus Anelaphus, commonly known as twig pruners, includes species whose larvae bore into living branches of deciduous trees and characteristically cut the branch internally before pupation, causing the distal portion to fall to the ground.
Anelaphus subinermis
Anelaphus subinermis is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Linsley in 1957. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a group commonly known as flat-faced longhorns. The genus Anelaphus includes species commonly referred to as twig pruners, whose larvae develop within living branches of deciduous trees and prune the twigs before pupation. Specific details about this species' biology and host associations remain poorly documented compared to better-known congeners such as Anelaphus villosus and A. parallelus.
Anelaphus submoestus
Anelaphus submoestus is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Linsley in 1942. The genus Anelaphus includes several twig pruner species whose larvae develop in living branches of deciduous trees, particularly oaks. Adults are typically active in spring and early summer. The species is known from North America, including Mexico and the United States.
Anemosella viridalis
Green Anemosella
Anemosella viridalis is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 16 mm. The species is recognized by its greenish coloration, reflected in both its specific epithet and common name.
Anepsius delicatulus
Anepsius delicatulus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The species is known from Mexico based on distribution records. Very little published information exists regarding its biology, morphology, or ecology. As a member of Tenebrionidae, it belongs to a large family of beetles primarily associated with arid and semi-arid environments, though specific habitat preferences for this species remain undocumented.
Anisostena cyanea
Anisostena cyanea is a small leaf beetle in the subfamily Hispinae, first described by Staines in 1994. The species has been recorded from Arizona and Texas in the southwestern United States, and from Mexico. Adults have been collected on several species of Bothriochloa grasses, though whether these represent true host plants remains uncertain.
Anopina
Anopina is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Tortricinae, tribe Cochylini. The genus was erected by Obraztsov in 1962 and contains approximately 70 described species, most of which were described by Brown & Powell in a 2000 revision. Species are distributed primarily in North and Central America, with many endemic to Mexico. The genus is characterized by distinctive genitalic morphology, particularly in the male valvae.
Anopliomorpha
Anopliomorpha is a genus of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) in the tribe Elaphidiini, established by Linsley in 1936. The genus contains six described species distributed in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Species within this genus are small cerambycids that have been collected by sweeping low vegetation and are attracted to ultraviolet light.
Anopliomorpha rinconia
Anopliomorpha rinconia is a small cerambycid beetle in the tribe Elaphidiini, recorded from the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species has been documented from Arizona, where it was collected by sweeping low vegetation in canyon habitats. It is one of several small, inconspicuous elaphidiine species that are often encountered in low numbers during general collecting.
Anoplocurius canotiae
Anoplocurius canotiae is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Fisher in 1920. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini within the subfamily Cerambycinae. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Anoplocurius incompletus
Anoplocurius incompletus is a longhorn beetle species in the tribe Elaphidiini, described by Linsley in 1942. It is one of several species in the genus Anoplocurius, a group of small to medium-sized cerambycids distributed in North and Middle America. The specific epithet 'incompletus' likely refers to some aspect of its morphology, though the original description context is not widely cited. The species remains poorly known beyond its original description and basic taxonomic placement.
Anoplognatho dunnianus
Anoplognatho dunnianus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is the sole described species in the genus Anoplognatho. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Antaeotricha haesitans
Antaeotricha haesitans is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, first described by Lord Walsingham in 1912. The species is characterized by a wingspan of approximately 12 mm and distinctive fawn-ochreous forewings with brown patterning. Its distribution spans parts of Mexico and the southern United States.
Anthidiellum notatum
Northern Rotund-Resin Bee
Anthidiellum notatum, commonly known as the northern rotund-resin bee, is a solitary bee in the family Megachilidae. It is distributed across North America, with five recognized subspecies showing regional variation. As a member of the tribe Anthidiini, it belongs to a group commonly called resin bees for their use of plant resins in nest construction.
Anthocharis sara pseudothoosa
False Thoosa Orangetip
A subspecies of orangetip butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is closely related to other Anthocharis sara subspecies and shares the characteristic orange-tipped forewings of the species group. The subspecific epithet 'pseudothoosa' indicates its taxonomic relationship to the nominate form.
Anthonomus grandis
Cotton Boll Weevil, Boll Weevil
Anthonomus grandis, the cotton boll weevil, is a beetle in the family Curculionidae and a historically destructive pest of cotton (Gossypium spp.). Native to Central America, it spread into the United States in the late 19th century and infested all U.S. cotton-growing regions by the 1920s, causing severe economic damage to the cotton industry. Extensive eradication programs have eliminated populations from most of the United States, though persistent populations remain in extreme South Texas and northern Mexico that threaten reinfestation of adjoining areas. The species also remains a critical pest in South America.
Anthonomus grandis thurberiae
Thurberia weevil, cotton boll weevil (Thurberia form)
Anthonomus grandis thurberiae is a subspecies of the cotton boll weevil, described by Pierce in 1913. It is distinguished from the nominate subspecies A. g. grandis primarily by its host plant association with wild cotton relatives, particularly Thurberia thespesioides, rather than cultivated cotton. The subspecies occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is treated in some literature as a distinct entity but is now generally regarded as part of the broader A. grandis species complex.
Anyphaena dixiana
ghost spider
Anyphaena dixiana is a species of ghost spider in the family Anyphaenidae. It belongs to the celer species group within the genus Anyphaena. Originally described from the United States, the species has subsequently been recorded from Mexico. As with other anyphaenids, it is likely nocturnally active.
Aphonopelma anax
Texas tan tarantula
Aphonopelma anax, the Texas tan tarantula, is among the largest tarantula species in the United States, with mature individuals reaching leg spans of 5–6 inches. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are larger-bodied with shorter legs and can live up to 40 years, while males have longer legs, smaller bodies, and typically survive less than two years after maturity. Males abandon their burrows during the late summer and early fall mating season to actively search for sedentary females, traveling up to 1.2 km in a single night and covering areas up to 29 hectares. The species employs behavioral thermoregulation, retreating into temporary burrows during daytime heat and emerging in the evening when thermal conditions permit sustained activity.
Apocellus analis
spiny-legged rove beetle
Apocellus analis is a spiny-legged rove beetle described by LeConte in 1877. It belongs to the subfamily Oxytelinae within the large rove beetle family Staphylinidae. The species has been documented in western North America and Mexico.
Apodemia duryi
Organ Mountain metalmark, Mexican metalmark, Dury's Metalmark
Apodemia duryi is a species of metalmark butterfly in the family Riodinidae, native to the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The species is named after its collector, W. Dury, and is primarily associated with dry, rocky habitats in mountain ranges. Adults are active during the warmer months and are known to visit flowers for nectar.
Apodemia nais
Nais Metalmark
Apodemia nais, commonly known as the Nais Metalmark, is a butterfly species in the family Riodinidae. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species was first described by Edwards in 1871.
Apollophanes texanus
Apollophanes texanus is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. The species was described by Nathan Banks in 1904. It occurs in the southern United States and Mexico. Like other philodromids, it is an active hunter that does not construct webs to capture prey.
Aporinellus yucatanensis
A species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described from the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico in 1893. As a member of Aporinellus, it is presumed to be a solitary wasp that hunts spiders as prey for its larvae, though specific biological details remain undocumented. The species is known from very few records, with minimal observational data available.