Monotypic-genus
Guides
Abachrysa eureka
Eureka Green Lacewing
Abachrysa eureka is a species of green lacewing and the sole member of the genus Abachrysa. It belongs to the family Chrysopidae, a group of predatory insects valued for their role in biological control. The species was originally described by Nathan Banks in 1931 under the name Chrysopa eureka before being transferred to the monotypic genus Abachrysa.
Abrenthia cuprea
Abrenthia cuprea is a small sedge moth and the sole species in the genus Abrenthia. It was described by August Busck in 1915 and is known from scattered records in North America, including Florida, Illinois, and Iowa. The species belongs to the family Glyphipterigidae, a group of small moths often associated with wetland habitats. The specific epithet 'cuprea' refers to the coppery coloration of the adult.
Acentria
watermilfoil moth, water veneer
Acentria is a monotypic moth genus in the family Crambidae containing a single species, Acentria ephemerella. The genus is notable for extreme sexual dimorphism in wing development and for having the only known fully aquatic adult female moths. Most females are flightless with rudimentary wings and spend their entire lives underwater, while males are fully winged and terrestrial. The species is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America.
Acmaeopsoides rufula
Acmaeopsoides rufula is a longhorn beetle and the sole species in its genus. It is a member of the subfamily Lepturinae, commonly known as flower longhorns. The species is restricted to North America, with records from Canada and the United States. It is rarely encountered, with limited observational data available.
Acrodectes philopagus
Alpine Shieldback
Acrodectes philopagus, commonly known as the Alpine Shieldback, is the sole described species in the monotypic genus Acrodectes. It is a shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, first described by Rehn and Hebard in 1920. The species is known from high-elevation habitats in California. As with other tettigoniids, it possesses enlarged hind legs adapted for jumping and long antennae.
Acromacer
pine flower snout beetles
Acromacer is a genus of weevils in the family Nemonychidae, commonly known as pine flower snout beetles. The genus contains a single described species, Acromacer bombifrons. Nemonychidae represents one of the most ancient lineages of weevils, with members typically associated with conifer reproductive structures. The genus was established by Kuschel in 1989.
Acsala anomala
Rockslide Lichen Moth
Acsala anomala, commonly known as the Rockslide Lichen Moth, is a rare and poorly known species of lichen moth in the family Erebidae. It represents the sole member of its genus and the monotypic tribe Acsalina. The species is endemic to Alaska, where it inhabits rocky alpine environments. Its biology and ecology remain largely undocumented due to its restricted range and apparent rarity.
Adanarsa intransitella
Adanarsa intransitella is a snout moth (Pyralidae: Phycitinae) and the sole species in its monotypic genus. It was originally described as Rhodophaea intransitella by Dyar in 1905, then transferred to the new genus Adanarsa by Heinrich in 1956. The species is known from the southwestern United States.
Alexicles aspersa
alexicles moth
Alexicles aspersa, the alexicles moth, is a tiger moth and the sole species in its genus. It is endemic to the southwestern United States, with records limited to New Mexico and Arizona. The species was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. Little is known of its biology beyond its restricted geographic range.
Allocyclosa
trashline orb weaver
Allocyclosa is a monotypic genus of orb-weaver spiders in the family Araneidae, containing only Allocyclosa bifurca. Originally described as Cyrtophora bifurca in 1887, it was transferred to its own genus in 1999 based on distinctive morphological features. The genus is notable for being the only Cyclosa-like species north of Mexico with a forked abdominal tip, and for its unusual reproductive biology where males are exceptionally rare.
Amerinus linearis
Amerinus linearis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, and the sole member of its genus. It was described by LeConte in 1863. The species belongs to the tribe Stenolophini within the subfamily Harpalalinae.
Amorpha juglandis
walnut sphinx
Amorpha juglandis, the walnut sphinx, is the sole species in the monotypic moth genus Amorpha (family Sphingidae). The species is notable for its caterpillar's unique defensive behavior: producing high-pitched whistles by expelling air through specialized abdominal spiracles. This acoustic defense has been experimentally shown to startle avian predators. Adults are nocturnal and active primarily during early night hours.
Ampumixis
Ampumixis is a monotypic genus of riffle beetles in the family Elmidae, containing the single species Ampumixis dispar. The genus was described by Sanderson in 1954 and is endemic to the Western United States, specifically the region between California and Oregon. Adults are small, measuring approximately 2.1–2.5 mm in length.
Anatralata versicolor
Venerable Bantam
Anatralata versicolor is a small moth species belonging to the family Crambidae. It is the sole member of its genus, making it monotypic. The species is native to western North America, with a range extending from California through Idaho to British Columbia. It occupies diverse habitats including mountainous regions and low-elevation coastal grasslands in central California.
Anchycteis
Anchycteis is a genus of toe-winged beetles in the family Ptilodactylidae. The genus contains a single described species, A. velutina. Toe-winged beetles are characterized by their distinctive lobed tarsi. The family Ptilodactylidae is a small group of beetles with limited ecological documentation.
Annegialia
Annegialia is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles established by Howden in 1971. The genus contains a single described species, A. ataeniformis. It belongs to the tribe Eupariini within the subfamily Aphodiinae of Scarabaeidae.
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.
Anthracopteryx hiemalis
Anthracopteryx hiemalis is a small click beetle (family Elateridae) and the sole species in its monotypic genus. It is notable for winter activity, a rare trait among click beetles. The species has an extremely restricted endemic range in the Front Range of Colorado, USA, spanning from Laramie south to Westcliffe. As of 2017, it was documented in only two observations on iNaturalist and had no prior photographic records on BugGuide.net, indicating it is among the most poorly documented North American elaterids.
Anycteola fotelloides
Anycteola fotelloides is the sole species in the monotypic moth genus Anycteola, described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1916 and placed in the family Noctuidae. Originally described as Stilbia fotelloides, it was later transferred to the new genus Anycteola erected by Barnes and Benjamin in 1929. The species is known only from Arizona, USA, and is classified within the subfamily Acronictinae.
Aon noctuiformis
Aon Moth
Aon noctuiformis, commonly known as the aon moth, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Aon within the family Erebidae. First described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1892, this moth is known exclusively from the US state of Texas. The species epithet 'noctuiformis' suggests a resemblance to owlet moths (Noctuidae), though it belongs to the related family Erebidae.
Apachea barberella
Apachea barberella is a moth species and the sole member of the genus Apachea in the family Depressariidae. Described by August Busck in 1902, it is known from scattered records across western North America. The species remains poorly documented with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Apagodiplosis
Apagodiplosis is a genus of gall midges (family Cecidomyiidae) established by Gagné in 1973. The genus contains a single described species, A. papyriferae. Gall midges in this family are small, delicate flies known for inducing plant galls during larval development.
Apanisagrion lais
Black-and-white Damsel
Apanisagrion lais is a damselfly species in the family Coenagrionidae, commonly known as the Black-and-white Damsel. It is the sole species in its genus and is recognized by its distinctive black-and-white coloration. The species occurs in Middle America and North America, with observations documented across its range.
Apiocera
Flower-loving Flies
Apiocera is the sole genus in the family Apioceridae, comprising approximately 150 species of flies commonly known as flower-loving flies. The genus is divided into four subgenera, each restricted to a different continent: Apiocera (Australia), Ripidosyrma (southern Africa), Pyrocera (North America), and Anypenus (South America). Despite their common name, most species do not visit flowers. The family was historically broader, with other genera now transferred to Mydidae.
Aplos simplex
Velvet-striped planthopper
Aplos simplex is the sole species in the genus Aplos, a planthopper in the family Issidae. Formerly classified under Thionia, this species occurs widely across the eastern United States and has established as an invasive population in Northern Italy and Austria. As an issid planthopper, it belongs to the hemipteran group Auchenorrhyncha, characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts and often reduced wings.
Apocrisias thaumasta
Apocrisias thaumasta is the sole species in the monotypic moth genus Apocrisias, described by John G. Franclemont in 1966. The species belongs to the family Erebidae and is known from a restricted range in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is classified within the subfamily Arctiinae (tiger moths), though detailed biological information remains limited due to its rarity and narrow distribution.
Apsaphida eremna
Apsaphida eremna is a rare noctuid moth and the sole species in its monotypic genus. It is known exclusively from Arizona, where it was first described by John G. Franclemont in 1973. The species remains poorly documented with few verified observations.
Apsilocephala
Apsilocephala is a genus of flies in the family Apsilocephalidae, established by Kröber in 1914. The genus contains one extant species, Apsilocephala longistyla, and two fossil species: Apsilocephala pusilla and Apsilocephala vagabunda. The family Apsilocephalidae is a small, poorly known group within the order Diptera.
Apterobittacus
Apterobittacus is a genus of hangingflies in the family Bittacidae, established by MacLachlan in 1893. The genus contains a single described species, A. apterus. Hangingflies (Bittacidae) are predatory insects characterized by their habit of hanging from vegetation using their forelegs while capturing prey with their mid- and hind legs. The genus name "Apterobittacus" references the reduced or absent wings ("apterus" = wingless) that distinguishes this group from other bittacids.
Archodontes
Archodontes is a monotypic genus of root-boring beetles in the family Cerambycidae, containing the single species Archodontes melanopus. The genus is endemic to Central America and the south-eastern United States, where larvae bore into the roots of oaks and other hardwood trees. Adults are large, robust beetles with distinctive spiny thoracic margins and dark coloration.
Arcutelphusa talladega
Arcutelphusa talladega is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is the sole member of its genus. The species was described in 2008 and is known from a limited distribution in the southeastern United States.
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.
Argyrolacia bifida
Argyrolacia bifida is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae, and the sole member of its genus. It was described by Keifer in 1936 and is known from California, North America. As a gelechiid moth, it belongs to a large family of small moths commonly known as twirler moths. The genus name Argyrolacia derives from Greek roots suggesting silver (argyro-) and some form of covering or garment (lacia), though the specific meaning and relevance to the species' appearance is not documented in available sources.
Aristaria theroalis
Aristaria theroalis is the sole species in the monotypic genus Aristaria, a moth in the family Erebidae. It is found in the United States and Costa Rica. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1859, originally placed in the genus Bleptina. It belongs to the subfamily Hypeninae, commonly known as snout moths.
Aritaerius
Aritaerius is a genus of clown beetles (family Histeridae) containing a single described species, A. pallidus. The genus was established in 2004 by Kovarik & Tishechkin and is classified within the subfamily Haeteriinae, a group known for associations with social insects. As a member of the Histeridae, it shares the family's characteristic compact body form and clubbed antennae.
Arizonacritus
Arizonacritus is a genus of clown beetles (family Histeridae) described in 2013. The genus contains a single described species, Arizonacritus talayesvai. It belongs to the tribe Acritini within the subfamily Abraeinae. The genus name references Arizona, indicating a geographic association with this region.
Astyleiopus variegatus
Variegated Longhorned Beetle
Astyleiopus variegatus is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, representing the sole member of its monotypic genus. It has been reared from dead branches of red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) in Missouri, constituting a documented larval host record. The species is distributed across eastern and central North America, with records from Canada and the United States.
Atrazonotus
Atrazonotus is a monotypic genus of dirt-colored seed bugs in the family Rhyparochromidae, established by Slater & Ashlock in 1966. The genus contains a single described species, A. umbrosus. These true bugs belong to the tribe Gonianotini within the subfamily Rhyparochrominae.
Atropsocus
common barklice
Atropsocus is a genus of barklice in the family Psocidae, established by Mockford in 1993. It contains a single described species, A. atratus. Members of this genus are small, winged insects that inhabit bark and foliage surfaces, feeding on microflora such as lichens, algae, and fungal spores.
Atylostagma
Atylostagma is a monotypic genus of longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, established by White in 1853. The genus contains a single described species, Atylostagma politum. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini within the subfamily Cerambycinae.
Aufeius
scentless plant bugs
Aufeius is a genus of scentless plant bugs in the family Rhopalidae, established by Stål in 1870. The genus contains a single described species, Aufeius impressicollis. Members of this genus lack the scent glands typical of many true bugs. The genus is part of the tribe Harmostini within the subfamily Rhopalinae.
Axenus arvalis
Axenus arvalis is the sole species in the monotypic genus Axenus, a noctuid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. The species is endemic to the Pacific Northwest region of North America, with confirmed records from California and Oregon. Its narrow geographic range and monotypic status make it a distinctive element of the regional noctuid fauna.
Bajulata bajula
Bajulata bajula is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Goding in 1893. It belongs to the tribe Amastrini within the subfamily Smiliinae. The genus Bajulata is monotypic, containing only this species. Records indicate it occurs in Arizona.
Barberia affinitella
Barberia affinitella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, and the sole member of its genus. It was described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1905. The species is found in the southern United States, ranging from California to Texas. As a member of the subfamily Phycitinae, it belongs to a diverse group of pyralid moths commonly known as snout moths due to their prominent labial palps.
Barrellus
Barrellus is a monotypic genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing the single species Barrellus femoratus. The genus was established in 1996 by Nelson & Bellamy. Very little published information exists on this genus beyond its taxonomic description and placement within the Buprestidae.
Basiaeschna janata
Springtime Darner
Basiaeschna janata, the Springtime Darner, is a small, bluish dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae. It is the sole member of the monotypic genus Basiaeschna. This species is notable for its early seasonal flight period, appearing in spring when most other darner species have not yet emerged. It is widely distributed across North America.
Belonochilus
sycamore seed bug
Belonochilus is a monotypic genus of seed bugs in the family Lygaeidae, containing the single species B. numenius, commonly known as the sycamore seed bug. Native to North America, it has become invasive in Europe since its first detection in 2008. The species completes its entire life cycle on the seed balls of plane trees (Platanus spp.) and has been recorded from 17 European countries.
Belonochilus numenius
Sycamore Seed Bug, American Sycamore Seed Bug
Belonochilus numenius is a monotypic seed bug in the family Lygaeidae, native to North America and invasive in Europe since 2008. The species completes its entire life cycle on seed balls of Platanus species. It has spread rapidly across Europe through plant trade and wind dispersal, reaching 17 countries including a widespread distribution in North Macedonia by 2019. High population densities can cause nuisance aggregations in urban areas, though it is not considered harmful to host trees.
Bendisodes
Bendisodes is a monotypic moth genus in the family Erebidae, established by George Hampson in 1924. It contains a single species, Bendisodes aeolia, originally described by Druce in 1890. The genus is native to North America and is classified within the subfamily Calpinae. Its sole species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8656.
Bendisodes aeolia
Bendisodes aeolia is a moth species in the family Erebidae, representing the sole member of the monotypic genus Bendisodes. Originally described by Druce in 1890 as Isogona aeolia, the species was later placed in its current genus by Hampson in 1924. It is distributed in North America.