Migratory
Guides
Spodoptera frugiperda
Fall Armyworm, Fall Armyworm Moth
Spodoptera frugiperda, commonly known as the fall armyworm, is a migratory moth species native to the Americas that has become a devastating invasive pest across Africa and Asia. The larvae are polyphagous, feeding on more than 80 plant species including maize, sorghum, cotton, and soybean. Economic damage from this species has been severe, with estimated losses of $2.5–6.3 billion annually in affected African countries. The species cannot overwinter in temperate regions, reinvading northern areas annually through long-distance migration.
Sympetrum corruptum
Variegated Meadowhawk
Sympetrum corruptum, commonly known as the Variegated Meadowhawk, is a migratory dragonfly native to North America. It is one of five species tracked by the Migratory Dragonfly Partnership due to its seasonal north-south movements. Adults are notable for their distinctive red-marked coloration and persistence late into autumn, often being the last active dragonflies in many areas. The species is abundant in diverse habitats including wetlands, grasslands, and even agricultural areas like lavender fields.
Syrphus ribesii
Common Banded Hoverfly
Syrphus ribesii is a common Holarctic hoverfly and an effective aphid predator in both agricultural and natural ecosystems. Adults are frequent flower visitors, feeding on nectar and pollen while providing pollination services. The species is highly migratory and shows remarkable adaptability to diverse habitats from farmland to forest. Two distinct chromosome races exist across much of Europe.
Syrphus vitripennis
Black-thighed Flower Fly
Syrphus vitripennis is a common Holarctic hoverfly (Syrphidae) with distinctive yellow and black wasp-mimicking coloration. Adults are medium-sized (8–11 mm body length, wing length 7.25–10.25 mm) and frequent flowers from March to October, peaking in July–August. Larvae are aphid predators, making this species economically significant for biological control. The species is highly migratory, with documented seasonal movements between latitudes. It is one of five Syrphus species in Britain and can be difficult to distinguish from congeners, particularly S. rectus in males.
Tramea insularis
Antillean saddlebags
Tramea insularis, the Antillean saddlebags, is a species of dragonfly in the skimmer family Libellulidae. It is found across the Caribbean, Central America, and North America. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival.
Tramea lacerata
Black Saddlebags
Tramea lacerata, commonly known as the Black Saddlebags, is a migratory skimmer dragonfly found throughout North America. It is distinguished by prominent black blotches at the base of its hindwings that resemble saddlebags. The species is one of five North American dragonflies targeted by the Migratory Dragonfly Partnership for citizen science monitoring due to its poorly understood migration patterns. Adults are aerial predators that capture flying insects, while nymphs are aquatic predators in wetland habitats.
Trichoplusia ni
Cabbage Looper Moth, Cabbage Looper
The cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) is a noctuid moth whose larvae are significant agricultural pests of cruciferous vegetables and other crops. The species derives its common name from the larva's distinctive looping locomotion, caused by having only two pairs of abdominal prolegs rather than the typical four. Adults are medium-sized brownish moths with a silvery figure-eight or Y-shaped marking on the forewings. The species has a broad distribution and is particularly problematic in commercial vegetable production due to its polyphagous feeding habits and capacity for rapid population growth.
Trimerotropis pallidipennis
Pallid-winged Grasshopper, Pallidwinged Grasshopper
Trimerotropis pallidipennis is a moderately-sized bandwinged grasshopper with the widest distribution of any bandwinged grasshopper in the New World, ranging from southwestern Canada to Argentina. It is primarily a desert and semi-desert species that exhibits sporadic irruptive population outbreaks in western North America, during which it becomes a significant agricultural pest. The species possesses strong flight capabilities that enable long-distance dispersal and migration from deteriorating habitats. Population irruptions have been documented in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Utah, with outbreaks typically lasting one to two years.
Uraniidae
Swallowtail Moths, Sunset Moths
Uraniidae is a family of moths in the order Lepidoptera, comprising approximately 700 species across 90 genera and four subfamilies. The family exhibits striking diversity in appearance and behavior: diurnal species are often brightly colored with iridescent scales and tail-like hindwing extensions, while nocturnal species are typically small and pale. Uraniidae are distributed throughout tropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Indo-Australia. The family is closely related to Geometridae but distinguished by unique wing venation patterns. Some species, notably in the genus Chrysiridia, are known as 'sunset moths' and are apparently toxic, with aposematic coloration serving as predator warnings.
Vanessa
Ladies and Related Admirals, Painted Ladies, Red Admirals
Vanessa is a genus of brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) with near-global distribution. The genus includes conspicuous species such as the painted ladies (subgenus Cynthia) and red admirals. Members are known for mass migratory behavior, particularly in North American populations of Vanessa cardui. The genus has been extensively studied for wing pattern development and seasonal polyphenism.
Vanessa atalanta
Red Admiral, Red Admirable
A medium-sized migratory butterfly with distinctive black wings marked by orange-red bands and white spots. It is among the most widely distributed butterflies globally, found across temperate regions of North America, Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Caribbean. The species exhibits complex migratory behavior, with populations moving northward in spring and southward in autumn to track seasonal host plant availability. Males are strongly territorial, establishing and defending perching sites in sunny woodland openings to secure mating opportunities.
Vanessa cardui
Painted Lady, Cosmopolitan
Vanessa cardui, commonly known as the painted lady, is one of the most widespread butterfly species globally, occurring on every continent except Antarctica and South America. This medium-sized nymphalid butterfly is renowned for its remarkable long-distance migratory behavior, with populations undertaking multi-generational journeys spanning up to 14,500 km between tropical Africa and the Arctic Circle. The species exhibits extreme polyphagy, with larvae recorded feeding on over 300 host plant species, primarily in the Asteraceae family. Migration patterns are highly variable and linked to rainfall patterns in wintering areas, with mass migrations occasionally involving billions of individuals.
Volucella
hover-flies, flower flies
Volucella is a genus of large, broad-bodied hoverflies in the family Syrphidae. These flies are notable for their Batesian mimicry of stinging Hymenoptera—particularly bumble bees and hornets—which provides protection from predators. Adults are regular flower visitors that feed on nectar, while larvae develop as inquilines in the nests of social bees and wasps, functioning as detritivores and predators of host larvae. The genus exhibits strong migratory behavior and males are often territorial.
Zizula cyna
cyna blue
Zizula cyna, commonly known as the cyna blue, is a small butterfly species in the family Lycaenidae. Adults display violet blue upperwings and pale gray underwings marked with tiny black dots. The species is active from March to November in most of its range, with adults feeding on flower nectar and larvae developing on flower buds of Acanthaceae species.