Monotypic-genus
Guides
Bertamyia notata
Bertamyia notata is the sole described species in the genus Bertamyia, a group of flat-footed flies within the family Platypezidae. The species occurs across a broad geographic range from Canada to Argentina in the Americas. It was originally described by Loew in 1866 under the name Callomyia notata. As a member of Platypezidae, it belongs to a family of small to medium-sized flies whose larvae typically develop in decaying organic matter, particularly fungi.
Bibarrambla allenella
Bog Bibarrambla Moth
Bibarrambla allenella is a small moth species and the sole member of its genus. It occurs in wetland habitats across northern and eastern North America. The species was first described by Walsingham in 1882 from specimens collected in the region.
Biblis hyperia
red rim, crimson-banded black, Southern Red Rim
Biblis hyperia is a brush-footed butterfly (family Nymphalidae) and the sole member of its genus. Adults display striking velvety-black forewings contrasted with gray hindwings bearing a distinctive pinkish-red marginal band. The species occurs from the southern United States through the Neotropics to Paraguay, with flight activity recorded primarily between March and November. Larvae feed on the spurge family vine Tragia volubilis.
Bistanta mexicana
Slim Mexican Mantis
Bistanta mexicana, commonly known as the Slim Mexican Mantis, is a native North American praying mantis species and the sole member of the monotypic genus Bistanta in family Thespidae. Originally described as Oligonyx mexicana, it has been reclassified into its own genus. The species occurs in California and the southwestern United States, where it inhabits dry, open habitats. It is one of five native mantis species recorded in California.
Boschella
Boschella is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, established by Barr in 1980. The genus contains a single described species, Boschella fasciata. Checkered beetles in this family are generally predatory or scavenging, though specific ecological details for this genus remain limited.
Brucita marmorata
Marbled Palm Forest Leaf Beetle
Brucita marmorata is the sole described species in the genus Brucita, a group of skeletonizing leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. The species is known from Texas in the United States and Guatemala in Central America. The common name "Marbled Palm Forest Leaf Beetle" suggests association with palm forest habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Bryantopsis
Bryantopsis is a genus of treehoppers (family Membracidae) in the subfamily Smiliinae. It contains a single described species, Bryantopsis ensigera, with two subspecies: B. e. ensigera and B. e. humerosa. The genus was established by Ball in 1937 and is restricted to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Cacoecimorpha
carnation tortrix moths
Cacoecimorpha is a monotypic moth genus in the family Tortricidae, established by Obraztsov in 1954. The genus contains a single species, Cacoecimorpha pronubana, commonly known as the carnation tortrix. This species is a highly polyphagous pest of horticultural and agricultural significance, native to the Mediterranean region but now widespread across Europe, North Africa, and introduced to North America. The genus is classified within the tribe Archipini of the subfamily Tortricinae.
Caerosternus
Caerosternus is a small genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae, established by J.L. LeConte in 1852. The genus contains a single described species, Caerosternus americanus. As a member of Histeridae, it belongs to the group of beetles commonly known as clown beetles or hister beetles.
Calasesia
Calasesia is a genus of clearwing moths in the family Sesiidae, established by Beutenmüller in 1899. The genus contains a single described species, Calasesia coccinea, described in 1898. As a member of the tribe Osminiini, it belongs to a group of moths known for wasp-mimicking appearances and diurnal activity patterns. The genus remains poorly documented with limited biological information available.
Calledapteryx
scoopwing moths
Calledapteryx is a monotypic genus of scoopwing moths in the family Uraniidae, containing only the species Calledapteryx dryopterata. The genus was established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1868. Some taxonomic authorities treat Calledapteryx as a synonym of Epiplema.
Camelopsocus hiemalis
Camelopsocus hiemalis is a small, winter-active barklouse (order Psocodea, family Psocidae) described by Mockford in 1984. It belongs to a monobasic genus, meaning it is the sole species in Camelopsocus. The species is endemic to a restricted area of the Front Ranges in Colorado, USA, where it has been observed active during warm winter days. Its specific epithet 'hiemalis' (Latin for 'of winter') reflects this unusual seasonal activity pattern.
Camnula
clearwinged grasshopper
Camnula is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, established by Stål in 1873. The genus contains a single species, Camnula pellucida (Scudder, 1862), commonly known as the clearwinged grasshopper. This species is a significant agricultural and rangeland pest across much of North America. The genus is classified within the subfamily Oedipodinae and tribe Hippiscini.
Campyloneura virgula
Campyloneura virgula is the sole species in the monotypic genus Campyloneura, a plant bug in the family Miridae. It is a true bug (Hemiptera) characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts. The species has been documented across the Azores archipelago, with distribution records from Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, and Pico islands.
Canalidion montanum
Canalidion montanum is a small tangle-web spider (family Theridiidae) and the sole species in the monotypic genus Canalidion. Originally described as Theridion montanum by James Emerton in 1882, it was transferred to its own genus by J. Wunderlich in 2018 based on distinctive cheliceral dentition and male genitalic morphology. The species has a holarctic distribution, occurring across northern North America and Eurasia.
Cargida
Cargida is a monotypic moth genus in the family Notodontidae, established by William Schaus in 1901. It contains a single species, Cargida pyrrha, described by Herbert Druce in 1898. The genus is endemic to Mexico.
Carptima hydriomenata
Carptima hydriomenata is a rare moth and the sole member of its genus. It was first described by Pearsall in 1906 and is known only from Arizona. The species belongs to the family Geometridae, a large group of moths commonly called inchworms or geometer moths due to their larvae's characteristic looping gait. Its restricted range and limited number of observations make it one of the more poorly documented geometrid moths in North America.
Cathetopteron amoena
Cathetopteron amoena is a species of longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) described by Hamilton in 1896. It is the sole member of its genus, placing it among the many monotypic genera within the diverse subfamily Lamiinae. The species belongs to the tribe Hemilophini, a group characterized by often striking coloration and patterns. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases, suggesting it is either genuinely rare, undercollected, or restricted in distribution.
Ceratempis
Ceratempis is a genus of dance flies (Diptera: Brachystomatidae) established by Melander in 1928. The genus contains a single described species, Ceratempis longicornis. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Trichopezinae, a group characterized by distinctive wing venation and predatory habits. The genus remains poorly known, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Ceratinopsidis formosa
Ceratinopsidis formosa is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae. It is the sole member of its genus, which was established by Bishop and Crosby in 1930. The species was originally described by Banks in 1892. Very little is known about its biology or ecology.
Ceratobarys
Ceratobarys is a monotypic genus of frit flies in the family Chloropidae, established by Coquillett in 1898. The genus contains a single described species, Ceratobarys eulophus. Chloropidae are commonly known as grass flies or frit flies, though specific ecological details for this genus remain poorly documented.
Ceratodalia gueneata
Guenée's Carpet Moth
Ceratodalia gueneata is a moth species in the family Geometridae and the sole member of its genus. It is found in western North America, from British Columbia and Alberta south to Colorado and California. The species is commonly known as Guenée's Carpet Moth.
Cercocarpopsallus
Cercocarpopsallus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, described by Schuh in 2006. The genus name references Cercocarpus, a genus of mountain mahogany plants (Rosaceae), suggesting a potential host association. As a recently described and poorly documented genus, it is known from very few records.
Chelifer
Chelifer is a genus of pseudoscorpions in the family Cheliferidae, established in 1762. The genus is currently monotypic, containing only Chelifer cancroides, the house pseudoscorpion, which is the most widely distributed pseudoscorpion species globally. All other species originally described in Chelifer have been moved to other genera, synonymized, or designated as nomina dubia or nomina nuda. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features including large setose tubercles on the carapace and specialized male genitalia structures.
Cherokia georgiana
Georgia Flat-backed Millipede, Wrinkled Flat-backed Millipede
Cherokia georgiana is a monospecific millipede genus in the family Xystodesmidae, representing the sole species in genus Cherokia. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of seven gene loci supports recognition of a single highly variable species, with three formerly recognized subspecies (C. g. ducilla, C. g. latassa) now synonymized. The species exhibits extensive morphological variation in coloration, body size, and paranota shape that correlates with geography and elevation rather than phylogenetic relationships. It is sister to the genus Pleuroloma.
Chicobolus
Chicobolus is a monotypic genus of millipedes in the family Spirobolidae, established by Chamberlin in 1947. The genus contains a single species, Chicobolus spinigerus, commonly known as the Florida ivory millipede. This species is notable for its large size and pale coloration, and has been documented as a natural intermediate host for the acanthocephalan parasite Macracanthorhynchus ingens.
Chloroplus cactocaetes
Texas Cholla Grasshopper
Chloroplus cactocaetes is a spur-throated grasshopper and the sole species in the genus Chloroplus. It is endemic to Texas and closely associated with cholla cacti (Cylindropuntia species). The species was described by Hebard in 1918 and remains poorly known despite its distinctive habitat specialization.
Chrismania pictipennalis
Chrismania pictipennalis is a species of moth in the family Crambidae, subfamily Odontiinae. It is the sole member of the genus Chrismania. The species has been recorded from arid regions of the southwestern United States, specifically southern California and Arizona. It was first described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1914.
Chrotoma dunniana
Chrotoma dunniana is a monotypic species of long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It is the sole member of the genus Chrotoma, which belongs to the tribe Bothriospilini within the subfamily Cerambycinae. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Information on its biology and ecology remains limited due to its rarity and restricted distribution.
Clioperla clio
Clio Stripetail
Clioperla clio is a species of green-winged stonefly and the sole member of the monotypic genus Clioperla. It belongs to the family Perlodidae, a group of predatory stoneflies commonly known as stripetails. The species is endemic to the Nearctic region and has been documented across the eastern and southeastern United States. Like other perlodids, it is associated with freshwater habitats during its immature stages.
Clostoeca
Clostoeca is a genus of northern caddisflies in the family Limnephilidae, established by Banks in 1943. The genus is monotypic, containing only one described species: Clostoeca disjuncta. As a member of the Limnephilidae family, it belongs to a group of caddisflies commonly known as northern caddisflies, which are predominantly found in cool, temperate regions.
Clytoleptus
Clytoleptus is a monotypic genus of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) established by Casey in 1912. The genus contains a single species, Clytoleptus albofasciatus. Members of this genus are recognized as ant mimics within the diverse North American cerambycid fauna, a trait shared with several related genera in the tribe Clytini.
Clytoleptus albofasciatus
Grape Trunk Borer
Clytoleptus albofasciatus is a longhorned beetle (family Cerambycidae) and the sole species in the genus Clytoleptus. It is commonly known as the Grape Trunk Borer. The species has been documented in North America, with records from Ontario, Québec, and other Canadian provinces, as well as the United States. It has been captured in baited jug traps using ethanol and wine mixtures, suggesting attraction to fermenting volatiles.
Coccivora
minute pirate bugs
Coccivora is a genus of minute pirate bugs (family Anthocoridae) containing a single described species, C. californica. These small predatory true bugs belong to the diverse Anthocoridae family, whose members are generally recognized as beneficial predators in agricultural and natural ecosystems. The genus was established by McAtee & Malloch in 1925. As a member of Anthocoridae, Coccivora likely shares the family's general characteristics of small size and predatory habits, though species-specific biology remains poorly documented.
Coenopoeus palmeri
Coenopoeus palmeri is a cactus-associated longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) and the sole member of its genus. Described by LeConte in 1873, it is specialized on staghorn cacti (Cylindropuntia spp.), with larvae mining internally within cactus stems and adults feeding externally at night. The species is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with adults active primarily in spring and summer.
Connatichela artemisiae
Connatichela artemisiae is a monotypic weevil species endemic to the Yukon Territory, Canada, and the sole member of its genus. The species was described in 1984 and represents a distinctive lineage within the subfamily Entiminae, characterized by unique tarsal claw morphology. Fossil evidence indicates a broader Pleistocene distribution across Beringia, with modern restriction to the Yukon likely reflecting post-glacial habitat loss. Adults have been documented in association with small Artemisia species.
Cratacanthus dubius
Dubious Harp Ground Beetle
Cratacanthus dubius is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, and the sole member of the genus Cratacanthus. It is a moderately-sized beetle with a distinctive harp-like pronotal shape that gives the genus its name. The species has a broad distribution across North America, with records from both Canada and the United States. Its common name reflects both its taxonomic placement in the harp ground beetle lineage and the uncertainty that surrounded its early classification.
Cribrus
Cribrus is a leafhopper genus in the tribe Paralimnini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) established by Oman in 1949. It contains a single recognized species, Cribrus concinnus (Sanders & DeLong, 1917). The genus was reviewed in 2024 due to historical confusion with the newly described Boreolimnus, resulting in recognition of two junior synonyms: Deltocephalus plagus and Laevicephalus shingwauki. Molecular phylogenetic analysis placed C. concinnus as sister to part of Sorhoanus with weak support, distinct from Boreolimnus.
Cucochodaeus
Cucochodaeus is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Ochodaeidae, described by Paulsen in 2007. The genus contains one described species, C. sparsus. Members of this genus are associated with sandy habitats. The family Ochodaeidae is commonly known as sand-loving scarab beetles.
Cuniberta subtinctella
Cuniberta subtinctella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It is the sole species in the genus Cuniberta, which was established by Heinrich in 1956. The species was first described by Ragonot in 1887 and is known from western North America.
Cupes capitatus
Prominent-headed Reticulated Beetle
Cupes capitatus is the sole extant species in the genus Cupes, a relict lineage within the family Cupedidae. Described by Fabricius in 1801, this beetle represents one of the few living members of an ancient group of beetles with distinctive reticulated wing covers. Its restricted distribution in eastern North America and its phylogenetic isolation make it of particular interest for studies of beetle evolution and biogeography.
Curalium
Curalium is a genus of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) established in 2008 as the sole member of the family Curaliidae. The genus contains a single described species, Curalium cronini, known only from male specimens collected in the southeastern United States. Its distinctive physical and genetic characteristics warranted placement in a new family, representing a rare example of a higher-level taxonomic discovery in the 21st century.
Cyphopelta
Cyphopelta is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Van Duzee in 1910. The genus contains a single described species, Cyphopelta modesta. As a member of the Miridae, it belongs to the diverse group of true bugs characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Cyrtophorus
Cyrtophorus is a monotypic genus of longhorned beetles in the family Cerambycidae, containing only the species Cyrtophorus verrucosus. The genus is notable for its remarkable ant-mimicry, with adults bearing a strong resemblance to carpenter ants (Camponotus species). Adults are small, averaging approximately 9 mm in length, and are active primarily in early spring. The single species has a broad distribution across eastern North America.
Darlingtonea
Darlingtonea is a monotypic genus of cave-dwelling ground beetles (Carabidae) containing a single species, D. kentuckensis. This trechine beetle is endemic to eastern Kentucky's karst cave systems, where it functions as a top terrestrial predator specialized for high-humidity subterranean environments. The genus exhibits extreme physiological specialization, with narrow humidity tolerance identified as a critical vulnerability to climate change.
Dasylechia
Dasylechia is a monotypic genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Williston in 1907. The genus contains a single described species, Dasylechia atrox. This robber fly was historically considered ultra-rare, but its known range has expanded significantly through citizen science photography. Observations documented on iNaturalist have become the primary source of distributional data for this species, now outnumbering museum specimens.
Deidamia inscriptum
Lettered Sphinx
Deidamia inscriptum, commonly known as the Lettered Sphinx, is a moth species in the family Sphingidae. It is the sole member of its genus. The species was first described by Thaddeus William Harris in 1839, with the genus erected by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1859. It is distributed across eastern North America.
Dercylinus impressus
Dercylinus impressus is a rarely encountered ground beetle (family Carabidae) and the sole species in the genus Dercylinus. Described by LeConte in 1853, this species is endemic to the United States with records from North America. The genus belongs to the subfamily Licininae and tribe Oodini. Very little is known about its biology, ecology, or habitat preferences due to its apparent rarity and limited collection records.
Diaeretiella
Diaeretiella is a monotypic genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, subfamily Aphidiinae. The sole species, Diaeretiella rapae, is a cosmopolitan koinobiont endoparasitoid of aphids with documented occurrence in 87 countries. It has been recorded parasitizing approximately 98 aphid species across more than 180 plant species in 43 plant families, with particular association to cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae) on cruciferous crops. The genus is recognized as an important biological control agent in integrated pest management systems.
Dibusa
microcaddisfly
Dibusa is a genus of microcaddisflies in the family Hydroptilidae, established by Ross in 1939. The genus is monotypic, containing a single described species, Dibusa angata. This species exhibits a highly specialized ecological relationship, being obligately associated with the freshwater red alga Lemanea australis throughout its larval development. The genus represents a narrow example of host-specific adaptation within the diverse microcaddisfly fauna.