Mexico
Guides
Arachnis picta
Painted Tiger Moth
Arachnis picta is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864. Commonly known as the painted tiger moth, it is found in the Southwestern United States and bordering regions of Mexico. The species has a wingspan of approximately 50 mm and flies during the summer months. Six subspecies have been described, showing geographic variation across its range.
Aramos ramosa
Aramos ramosa is a moth in the family Cossidae (carpenter moths). Adults are known from Texas in the United States and the Mexican states of Quintana Roo and Yucatán. Flight records indicate adult activity in June and from August through October. Available information on this species is limited.
Archilestris
robber fly
Archilestris is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) containing approximately six described species. These flies are notable within the family for their vivid, aposematic or mimetic coloration, particularly in species such as A. magnificus. The genus belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae and has been documented in Mexico with recent range extensions recorded. Species within this genus are among the candidates for most impressive robber flies due to their striking appearance.
Arenivaga
sand cockroaches, desert cockroaches
Arenivaga is a genus of sand cockroaches in the family Corydiidae, comprising approximately 48 species distributed across the southwestern United States, Florida, and Mexico. These insects are highly adapted to arid environments, inhabiting sandy soils and dunes with moisture content below 1%. The genus exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism, with winged males and wingless, fossorial females that 'swim' through sand. A 2014 revision by Heidi Hopkins added 39 new species to the previously known nine, revealing a remarkable radiation in desert habitats.
Arenivaga hopkinsorum
desert cockroach, sand cockroach
Arenivaga hopkinsorum is a species of desert cockroach in the family Corydiidae, described by Heidi Hopkins in 2014 as part of a major revision of the genus Arenivaga. Like other Arenivaga species, it exhibits dramatic sexual dimorphism, with females appearing wingless and males possessing fully developed wings. The species inhabits arid environments in the southwestern United States and Mexico, where it contributes to decomposition despite limited plant matter. The specific epithet honors the Hopkins family, particularly referencing the author's father and brother.
Arenochroa
Arenochroa is a monotypic genus of crambid moths established by Munroe in 1976. The genus contains a single species, Arenochroa flavalis, found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus belongs to the subfamily Pyraustinae within the family Crambidae.
Arenochroa flavalis
Arenochroa flavalis is a small moth species and the sole member of its genus. It belongs to the family Crambidae, commonly known as grass moths. The species is found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. It was first described by Fernald in 1894, originally placed in the genus Loxostege.
Arethaea arachnopyga
Big Bend Thread-leg Katydid, Spider-tail Thread-legged Katydid
Arethaea arachnopyga is a phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Rehn and Hebard in 1914. The species is known from the Big Bend region of Texas and adjacent Mexico, where it inhabits arid and semi-arid environments. Like other members of the genus Arethaea, it possesses the characteristic extremely slender, thread-like hind legs that give these katydids their common name.
Arethaea carita
Carita thread-leg katydid
Arethaea carita is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Scudder in 1902. It is commonly known as the Carita thread-leg katydid. The species belongs to the genus Arethaea, a group characterized by their slender, thread-like legs. It occurs in North America with confirmed records from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Argoporis alutacea
Argoporis alutacea is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Casey in 1890. The genus Argoporis is part of a diverse group of beetles commonly found in arid and semi-arid environments. Very little specific biological information has been published for this species. Records indicate a distribution in Mexico.
Argoporis costipennis
Argoporis costipennis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, originally described by LeConte in 1851. It belongs to the genus Argoporis, which comprises flightless beetles endemic to western North America. The species is recorded from Mexico (MX) and has been documented through 17 iNaturalist observations as of the available data. Like other members of its genus, it is likely adapted to arid or semi-arid environments typical of the region.
Argoporis rufipes
Argoporis rufipes is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The species name "rufipes" refers to reddish legs, a common diagnostic trait in this genus. Records indicate occurrence in Mexico. As a member of Tenebrionidae, it likely inhabits arid or semi-arid environments, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in available sources.
Arthrorhabdus pygmaeus
Arthrorhabdus pygmaeus is a species of centipede in the family Scolopendridae, first described by Pocock in 1895. It is a small scolopendrid centipede with a distribution spanning the southern United States and Mexico. The species belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive morphological features, though detailed ecological and behavioral studies remain limited.
Ascalapha odorata
black witch, black witch moth, mariposa de la muerte, duppy bat, mariposa-bruxa, ura, money moth, money bat
The black witch moth (Ascalapha odorata) is a large, bat-shaped nocturnal moth and the largest noctuoid in the continental United States. Females reach wingspans up to 24 cm, while males are smaller at approximately 12 cm. The species ranges from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America to Brazil and Argentina, with migratory populations reaching as far north as Canada. It holds prominent cultural significance across Latin America and the Caribbean, where it is widely associated with death, misfortune, and spiritual beliefs.
nocturnalmigratoryfolklorepestcaterpillarlarge-mothlegume-feederfruit-feedercultural-significancedeath-omenCaribbeanLatin-AmericaHawaii-introducedmothLepidopteraErebidaeAscalaphaAscalapha-odoratablack-witchblack-witch-mothmariposa-de-la-muerteduppy-batmariposa-bruxauramoney-mothmoney-batPhalaena-odorataLinnaeus-1758largest-noctuoidcontinental-USbat-shapediridescentwhite-bargreen-spotorange-spotcomma-spotnine-spot24-cm-wingspan12-cm-wingspan7-cm-caterpillarAcaciaGymnocladus-dioicusKentucky-coffeetreeSenna-alatacandle-bushmesquiteFicusbananaoverripe-fruitrainforestagricultural-pestMexicoCentral-AmericaSouth-AmericaBrazilArgentinaUnited-StatesCanadaHawaiimigrationspringsummerdeathmisfortunespiritualsoulharbingerlotterymoneyhair-lossduppyghostscrewwormDermatobia-hominismisidentificationSilence-of-the-LambsBuffalo-BillKendrick-LamarTo-Pimp-a-ButterflyThysania-agrippinawhite-witchThysania-zenobiaowl-mothnoctuidErebinaehexapodarthropodinsectanimaleukaryotemetazoaanimaliaarthropodainsectanoctuoideaspeciesacceptedexact-match32867-observationsiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIWikipediaentomologyguidestructuredrecordtaxonconservativeaccurateinformativefactualclarityusefulnessno-speculationno-inferenceno-fabricationno-repetitionunique-contentcautious-languagedirect-sentencesconcrete-statementshigh-completenessmedium-completenesslow-completenessno-inferred-contentnull-for-unsupportedfield-intentstyle-rulesquality-rulesJSON-schemaoutput-formatno-commentaryno-extra-fieldsno-fluffno-fillerno-taxonomy-repetitionno-technical-jargonno-vague-generalizationsno-'like-most-insects'no-'typically-feeds-on-plants'has-been-observedis-known-tosupportedjustifiedexplicitly-justifiedspecies-level-traitshigher-taxaphysical-description-onlyhow-to-distinguishenvironment-conditionsgeographic-range-onlytiming-of-activityfeeding-habitsdevelopmental-stagesnotable-actionsecosystem-roleinteraction-with-humansreason-for-similaritymeaningful-misconceptionsimportant-additional-contextcleardirectconciseusefulreliablesparse-datawell-supportedpartialmost-fieldsAstiptodonta
Astiptodonta is a genus of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae, containing at least two described species. The genus was established by Miller & Franclemont in 2021. Species in this genus occur in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus belongs to the subfamily Heterocampinae within the superfamily Noctuoidea.
Ataenius apicalis
A small scarab beetle in the dung beetle group Aphodiinae, described by Hinton in 1936. The species occurs across the southern United States and Mexico, with records from both Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Like other members of Ataenius, it is likely associated with decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Ataenius confertus
Ataenius confertus is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species was described by Fall in 1909 and is known from arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Ataenius, it is likely associated with decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Ataenius setiger
Ataenius setiger is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It occurs in Central America and North America, with records from Mexico and the southwestern United States. As a member of the genus Ataenius, it belongs to a group of small scarab beetles commonly associated with dung and decomposing organic matter.
Ataxia arizonica
Ataxia arizonica is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Warren Samuel Fisher in 1920. The species is known from Mexico and the United States. As a member of the genus Ataxia, it belongs to a group of beetles whose larvae typically bore into plant stems and roots.
Ateuchus texanus
Ateuchus texanus is a dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Robinson in 1948. It belongs to a genus known for dung-rolling and tunneling behaviors. The species occurs in parts of the southern United States and Mexico.
Atrusca
Atrusca is a genus of gall wasps in the family Cynipidae, tribe Cynipini, comprising approximately 42 species distributed across North and Central America. These tiny wasps are specialized herbivores that induce characteristic galls on oak (Quercus) host plants. The genus forms a phylogenetically distinct clade most closely related to Cynips, Philonix, and Xanthoteras, and morphologically resembles Cynips and Antron. Species exhibit high host specificity, with each typically restricted to one or a few closely related oak species.
gall-waspCynipidaeoak-gallQuercusherbivoreparasitoidNorth-AmericaMexicoCentral-AmericaCynipiniinduced-gallplant-insect-interactionhost-specificityalternation-of-generationsasexual-reproductionsexual-reproductionecosystem-engineerinquilinehyperparasitoidbella-species-complexphylogeneticstaxonomyKinsey-1930Atrytonopsis
Atrytonopsis is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. The genus contains approximately 14 described species, including the dusted skipper, moon-marked skipper, and white-barred skipper. One notable population occurs in an isolated insular sand dune habitat off the North Carolina coast, representing a significant disjunct distribution from the main range. Species within this genus are generally associated with open habitats and riparian corridors.
Atta texana
Texas Leafcutter Ant, Town Ant, Parasol Ant, Fungus Ant, Cut Ant, Night Ant
Atta texana is a fungus-farming leafcutter ant and the northernmost species in the genus Atta, distributed across Texas, Louisiana, and northeastern Mexico. Colonies are large and polygynous, containing several queens and up to several million workers. Foragers harvest leaf material from over 200 plant species to cultivate symbiotic fungus gardens, making this species a significant agricultural and ornamental pest capable of defoliating a citrus tree within 24 hours.
Attidops cutleri
Attidops cutleri is a small jumping spider in the family Salticidae, first described by Edwards in 1999. The species is known from limited observations, with only 8 documented records on iNaturalist. It occurs in the southern United States and Mexico. Like other salticids, it possesses excellent vision and hunts by stalking prey rather than building webs.
Autumnimiris albescens
Autumnimiris albescens is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Van Duzee in 1925. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Autumnimiris, it is associated with autumn activity periods, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Aztecacris gloriosa
Atascosa Gem Grasshopper
Aztecacris gloriosa is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the Atascosa Gem Grasshopper. The species name refers to its type locality near Atascosa Peak in Arizona. It is a small grasshopper measuring 16–25 mm in length and is restricted to the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Aztecarpalus schaefferi
Aztecarpalus schaefferi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by George Ball in 1970. It belongs to the tribe Harpalini within the subfamily Harpalinae. The species is distributed across North America, with confirmed records from the United States and Mexico. As a member of the ground beetle family, it is likely a predatory species, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Bagheera prosper
Bagheera prosper is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae, first described by Peckham & Peckham in 1901. The species exhibits notable sexual dimorphism in cheliceral structure: males possess long, parallel chelicerae with a large spiral embolus on the prolateral side of the palpal bulb, while females have regular-sized chelicerae and epigynal openings located in spiral atria. It is considered fairly common but difficult to detect due to its cryptic coloration.
Balduza bufo
Balduza bufo is a species of planthopper in the family Issidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1923. It belongs to the order Hemiptera, which includes true bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts. The species is part of the genus Balduza within the tribe Thioniini. Very little specific information is available about this particular species beyond its taxonomic classification and geographic distribution.
Batulius setosus
Batulius setosus is a darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by LeConte in 1851. The species is known from Mexico, with confirmed distribution records from that country. As a member of the genus Batulius, it belongs to a group of tenebrionid beetles found in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America.
Belonuchus
Belonuchus is a genus of large rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, comprising more than 30 described species. Members of this genus are found in the Americas, with records from Mexico and the southwestern United States. At least one species, B. cifuentesi, has been documented in association with Agave plants. The genus is characterized by features typical of the tribe Staphylinini within the subfamily Staphylininae.
Bembidion mexicanum
Bembidion mexicanum is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Dejean in 1831. It is a small beetle in the genus Bembidion, which comprises numerous species of ground beetles found across diverse habitats. The species has been documented in Central America and Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a predatory beetle based on family-level characteristics, though specific ecological studies are limited.
Berosus rugulosus
Berosus rugulosus is a species of water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae. It is found in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Berosus, it is associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The species was described by George Henry Horn in 1873.
Bicilia iarchasalis
Bicilia iarchasalis is a crambid moth described by Francis Walker in 1859. Adults are active during two periods: March through May and August through September. The species has a broad Caribbean-Gulf distribution, with larvae feeding specifically on Rivina humilis.
Billaea
Billaea is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately 80 described species. Most larvae are parasitoids of beetle larvae, particularly cerambycids and lucanids, with some species attacking lepidopteran hosts in the family Pyralidae. Several species have been investigated as biological control agents for agricultural and forestry pests, including palm weevils and sugarcane borers.
Tachinidaeparasitoidbiological-controlCerambycidaeDryophthoridaeCrambidaeviviparousplanidiaforest-pestagricultural-pestoil-palmsugarcanepalm-weevilwood-borersoutheast-AsiaSouth-AmericaEuropeBulgariaBrazilTurkeyMexicoPeruintegrated-pest-managementnatural-enemyhost-searchingkairomonessuperparasitismmass-rearingGalleria-mellonellalaboratory-hostfrassgallerytunnelpupal-parasitoidlarval-parasitoidectoparasitoidendoparasitoidColeopteraLepidopteraDipteraBrachyceraDexiinaeDexiiniRobineau-Desvoidy-183080-speciesglobal-distributionforestryagricultureornamental-palmsdate-palmcoconutRhynchophorusDiatraeaPrionusXylotrechusclimate-matchingestablishment-potentialMediterraneanMiddle-EastCaliforniainvasive-speciesred-palm-weevilAmerican-palm-weevilred-ring-diseasevector-controlnatural-mortalitypest-managementsustainable-agriculturehost-specificitytrophic-associationnew-host-recordparasitism-ratefield-parasitismlaboratory-rearingadult-longevityfecunditysex-ratiopupal-viabilitypupal-durationplanidia-lengthfood-resourcespollenhoneysucroseflowering-plantsspontaneous-floracompanion-plantshabitat-managementconservation-biological-controlaugmentative-biological-controlclassical-biological-controlquarantinehost-rangecircumstantial-evidencetaxonomic-confusionB.-rhynchophoraeB.-menezesiB.-adelphaB.-claripalpisB.-rutilansB.-cerambycivoraB.-steiniB.-fortisB.-irrorataB.-pectinataB.-setosaB.-trianguliferaB.-lataB.-intermediaB.-biserialisB.-giganteaB.-rubensB.-maritimaB.-marmorataB.-aurifronsB.-verticalisB.-flavaB.-chinensisB.-brevicaudaB.-kurahashiiB.-micronychiaB.-papeiB.-setigeraB.-yintiaolingB.-rufescensB.-triquetrusB.-rubidaB.-rufiventrisB.-brasiliensisB.-friburgensisB.-giacomeliB.-kosteraeB.-plaumanniB.-shannoniB.-africanaB.-argentaureaB.-atkinsoniB.-capensisB.-communisB.-decisaB.-edwardsiB.-erectaB.-ficorumB.-grandisB.-impigraB.-interruptaB.-kolomyetziB.-luteolaB.-malayanaB.-minorB.-monohammiB.-montanaB.-morosaB.-nipigonensisB.-orbitalisB.-ovataB.-quadrinotaB.-rhingiaeformisB.-robustaB.-satisfactaB.-sibleyiB.-sjostedtiB.-solivagaB.-trivittataB.-trochanterataB.-vanemdeniB.-velutinaB.-versicolorB.-villeneuveiB.-vitripennisB.-ziminiB.-lateralisB.-lativentrisBittacus texanus
Texas hangingfly
Bittacus texanus is a species of hangingfly in the family Bittacidae, described by Banks in 1908. Like other members of its family, this insect is characterized by its distinctive hanging posture, grasping the substrate with its front legs while the remaining four legs dangle freely. The species is found in North America, with records from both the United States and Mexico. Hangingflies are predatory insects related to scorpionflies, representing an ancient lineage of holometabolous insects.
Blapstinus fuscus
Blapstinus fuscus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It belongs to the tribe Blapstinini, a group of small to medium-sized tenebrionids primarily distributed in the Americas. The species was described by Thomas L. Casey in 1890. Available records indicate a distribution in Mexico, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Blaste garciorum
common barklouse
Blaste garciorum is a species of barklouse in the family Psocidae, described by Mockford in 1984. It is distributed across Central America and North America, including Mexico. As a member of Psocidae, it is part of a group of small, soft-bodied insects commonly known as barklice or booklice that inhabit tree bark and other surfaces. The species epithet 'garciorum' honors individuals with the surname García, though the specific honorees are not documented in available sources.
Blaste posticata
common barklouse
Blaste posticata is a species of barklouse in the family Psocidae. It belongs to the genus Blaste, which comprises small, winged insects commonly found on tree bark and foliage. The species was described by Nathan Banks in 1905 and is distributed across Central America and North America, including Mexico and the United States.
Blepharepium sonorensis
Sonora Hanging Thief
Blepharepium sonorensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Sonora Hanging Thief. It was described by Papavero & Bernardi in 1973. The species belongs to the genus Blepharepium, which is characterized by distinctive predatory behaviors typical of robber flies. As with other Asilidae, this species is likely an aerial predator of other insects. Very few observations of this species have been recorded, with only 3 documented observations in iNaturalist as of the available data.
Bolbocerastes regalis
Regal Earth-boring Beetle
Bolbocerastes regalis is a species of earth-boring scarab beetle in the family Geotrupidae. It is found in North America, specifically in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The species was described by Cartwright in 1953.
Bolbocerosoma ritcheri
Bolbocerosoma ritcheri is a species of earth-boring scarab beetle in the family Geotrupidae, first described by Howden in 1955. The species belongs to a genus characterized by their burrowing behavior and association with soil substrates. It occurs in parts of North America including Texas and northeastern Mexico.
Boloria andersoni
Agrilus andersoni is a jewel beetle species in the family Buprestidae, described by Henry Hespenheide in 2008 from specimens collected in Guerrero and Puebla, Mexico. It is one of two new species associated with mistletoe plants in the genus Phoradendron, representing an unusual host relationship within the enormous genus Agrilus. The species is closely related to A. turnbowi from Texas and A. howdenorum from Oaxaca, sharing distinctive purplish-red coloration and complex golden setal patterns on the elytra.
Brachinus cibolensis
Brachinus cibolensis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Erwin in 1970. It belongs to the genus Brachinus, commonly known as bombardier beetles, which are renowned for their unique chemical defense mechanism. The species is distributed across Central America and North America, including Mexico and the United States. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to possess the characteristic ability to discharge hot, noxious chemicals from the abdomen as a defense against predators, though specific behavioral observations for this species have not been documented.
Brachinus favicollis
Brachinus favicollis is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Terry Erwin in 1965. Like other members of the genus Brachinus, this species possesses the remarkable defensive ability to eject a hot, noxious chemical spray from the tip of its abdomen when disturbed. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Brachinus hirsutus
Brachinus hirsutus is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, characterized by its ability to produce defensive chemical sprays. It is found in Central America and North America, with records from Mexico and the United States. Like other members of the genus Brachinus, it possesses specialized defensive glands that can discharge hot, noxious chemicals when threatened.
Brasiella wickhami
Sonoran Tiger Beetle
Brasiella wickhami, commonly known as the Sonoran Tiger Beetle, is a small, cursorial tiger beetle species and the only member of its genus to reach the United States. It occurs in southern Arizona and extends southward into Mexico. Adults are active runners found in arid habitats, representing the northernmost extension of an otherwise exclusively Neotropical genus.
Bruchomorpha decorata
Decorated Piglet Bug
Bruchomorpha decorata is a planthopper species in the family Caliscelidae, commonly known as the Decorated Piglet Bug. It was described by Metcalf in 1923. The species belongs to the genus Bruchomorpha, a group of small, often compact fulgoroid insects sometimes referred to as 'piglet bugs' due to their rounded body shape. Records indicate presence in the southwestern United States and central Mexico.
Brunerella magnifica
Brunerella magnifica is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae, described by Young in 1952. As a member of the tribe Alebrini, it belongs to a group of small, often colorful leafhoppers that feed on plant phloem. The specific epithet "magnifica" suggests notable or striking appearance, though detailed morphological descriptions are scarce in the accessible literature. The species has been recorded from Cuba and Mexico based on distribution data.
Bryolymnia ensina
Bryolymnia ensina is a small noctuid moth restricted to montane coniferous forests in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It was first described from Arizona in 1907 and remains one of the more narrowly distributed species in its genus. Adults fly during a brief mid-summer window, and the species is rarely encountered.