Monotypic
Guides
Infernophilus
Infernophilus is a genus of ground beetles (family Carabidae) established by Larson in 1969. It is monotypic, containing only the species Infernophilus castaneus. The genus belongs to the subtribe Agrina within the tribe Lebiini. It is endemic to the United States.
Isolachus
Isolachus is a genus of armoured harvestmen in the family Cladonychiidae, containing a single described species, I. spinosus. The genus was established by Briggs in 1971 and is known from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. As a member of the suborder Laniatores, it belongs to a diverse group of short-legged harvestmen characterized by heavily sclerotized body armor.
Knulliana
banded hickory borer
Knulliana is a monotypic genus of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) containing the single species Knulliana cincta, commonly known as the banded hickory borer. The genus was established by Linsley in 1962 and is classified within the tribe Bothriospilini. The sole species ranges across the eastern half of North America from Canada to the Bahamas and Mexico, with one subspecies extending into the Sonoran Desert. Adults are associated with hickory and oak trees, where larvae develop as wood-borers.
Kolenetrus
Kolenetrus is a monotypic genus of seed bugs in the family Rhyparochromidae, containing a single described species, K. plenus. The genus was established by Barber in 1918. Members are classified among the dirt-colored seed bugs, a group characterized by generally dull, earth-toned coloration. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal observational records available.
Langessa
black langessa moth
Langessa is a monotypic genus of crambid moths in the subfamily Acentropinae, established by Munroe in 1972. The sole species, Langessa nomophilalis (black langessa moth), occurs in the southeastern United States. Adults are small moths with distinctive bronzy-brown forewings and patterned hindwings. Larvae are aquatic, feeding on submerged vegetation.
Larisa
Larisa is a monotypic genus of tortricid moths established by Miller in 1978. The sole species, Larisa subsolana, occurs across eastern and central North America. The genus belongs to the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Grapholitini.
Lariversius
Lariversius is a monotypic genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) described by Blaisdell in 1947. The genus contains a single species, Lariversius tibialis. It belongs to the tribe Amphidorini within the subfamily Blaptinae.
Lea
Lea is a monotypic genus of katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, established by Caudell in 1906. The genus contains a single species, Lea floridensis, commonly known as the Florida true katydid. These insects belong to the subfamily Pseudophyllinae and tribe Pterophyllini. The genus is native to the southeastern United States, with confirmed records from Florida and Georgia.
Leptanthicus
Leptanthicus is a monotypic genus of antlike flower beetles in the family Anthicidae, containing a single described species, L. staphyliniformis. The genus was established by Werner in 1958. Members of this genus exhibit the characteristic ant-like morphology common to Anthicidae, including an elongated body and pronotal constriction that creates a narrow 'waist.'
Lerina
Lerina is a monotypic genus of lichen moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, tribe Lithosiini. The genus contains a single species, Lerina incarnata, commonly known as the crimson-bodied lichen moth. This moth is native to arid regions of southwestern North America, specifically Mexico and southern Arizona. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1854.
Letispe
Letispe is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae, established by Alexander Douglas Campbell Ferguson in 2008. The genus contains a single described species, Letispe metanemaria, originally described by George Duryea Hulst in 1887. This genus is restricted to the southwestern North American region.
Leucolepisma
Leucolepisma is a monotypic genus of silverfish in the family Lepismatidae, established by Wall in 1954. The genus contains a single described species, Leucolepisma arenarium. Like other members of Zygentoma, these are wingless, primitive insects with elongated bodies and three terminal filaments. The genus is distinguished from related silverfish by specific morphological characteristics, though detailed documentation remains limited.
Liberedaxia
Liberedaxia is a monotypic genus of longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, established in 2009. The genus contains a single species, Liberedaxia deslauriersi, known from limited observations in the southwestern United States. The genus was described relatively recently and remains poorly known.
Lissomelas
Lissomelas is a genus of myrmecophilic scarab beetles established by Bates in 1889. The genus contains a single described species, L. flohri. These beetles are associated with ant colonies, a lifestyle characteristic of the tribe Cremastocheilini within the subfamily Cetoniinae.
Litiulus
Litiulus is a monotypic genus of millipedes in the family Parajulidae, containing only Litiulus alaskanus. It is endemic to the northeastern Pacific coastal region, ranging from Tlingit territory in the north to Haida territory in the south. The species is notable for its specialized diet of fungal fruiting bodies and slime molds, and its occurrence in hypermaritime old-growth rainforests.
Lygistus
Lygistus is a genus of leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, containing a single described species, Lygistus streptophallus. The genus was established by Wilcox in 1965. The sole species is found in the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico.
Mallodrya
Mallodrya is a monotypic genus of beetles in the family Synchroidae, established by George Henry Horn in 1888. The genus contains a single described species, Mallodrya subaenea. These beetles belong to the small family Synchroidae, commonly referred to as synchroa bark beetles, within the superfamily Tenebrionoidea.
Martia
Martia is a monotypic genus of snout moths (Pyralidae: Phycitinae) established by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1887. The genus contains a single species, Martia arizonella, also described by Ragonot in the same publication. This North American moth is found in arid and semi-arid regions of the western United States.
Matheteus
Matheteus is a monotypic genus of beetles in the family Omethidae, established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1874. The genus contains a single described species, M. theveneti. Omethidae is a small family of elateroid beetles, commonly referred to as false soldier beetles. Members of this family are generally poorly studied, with limited ecological and biological information available.
Meganoplium
Meganoplium is a monotypic genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) containing the single species Meganoplium imbelle. The genus was established by Linsley in 1940, with the species originally described by LeConte in 1881 as Elaphidion imbelle. It is restricted to California and northwestern Mexico.
Megobrium
Megobrium is a monotypic genus of longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, containing the single species Megobrium edwardsii. The genus was established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1873. It is endemic to California and classified within the subfamily Cerambycinae and tribe Hyboderini.
Meigenielloides
Meigenielloides is a genus of tachinid flies established by Townsend in 1919. It contains a single known species, Meigenielloides cinerea, described from Mexico. As a member of the tribe Blondeliini within the subfamily Exoristinae, it belongs to a group of parasitoid flies that attack other insects.
Mesothea
Mesothea is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae, established by Warren in 1901. Its sole species, Mesothea incertata (day emerald or plain emerald), was described by Walker in 1863. The genus belongs to the subfamily Geometrinae, commonly known as the emerald moths. It is endemic to North America.
Micraneflus
Micraneflus is a monotypic genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) established by Linsley in 1957. It contains a single species, Micraneflus imbellis. The genus belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini within the subfamily Cerambycinae.
Microgoes oculatus
Microgoes oculatus is a longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) and the sole member of its genus. First described by LeConte in 1862, this species occurs in northeastern North America. The specific epithet "oculatus" refers to eye-like markings, a common trait among unrelated beetles bearing this name.
Micromastus
Micromastus is a genus of true weevils in the family Curculionidae, established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1876. The genus contains a single described species, M. gracilis. Little is known about its biology or ecology due to its rarity and limited documentation. The genus is recognized as valid and accepted in major taxonomic databases.
Microtia
elf
Microtia is a monophyletic genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, containing the single species Microtia elva, commonly known as the elf. The genus is distributed across the southern United States and Central America. Larvae feed on plants in the family Acanthaceae, particularly Tetramerium.
Mimophobetron
Mimophobetron is a monotypic moth genus in the family Crambidae, established by Eugene G. Munroe in 1950. The genus contains a single species, Mimophobetron pyropsalis, originally described by George Hampson in 1904. It is found in parts of Central America, the Caribbean, and the southeastern United States.
Mimoschinia
rufous-banded pyralid moth
Mimoschinia is a monotypic genus of crambid moths containing a single species, Mimoschinia rufofascialis, commonly known as the rufous-banded pyralid moth or barberpole caterpillar. The species exhibits a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, western Canada, the southwestern and western United States, and Mexico. The genus is characterized by small size, with adults displaying a wingspan of 14–18 mm and showing extended seasonal activity from January through October.
Minofala
Minofala is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, described by Smith in 1905. The genus contains a single known species, Minofala instans. It belongs to the subfamily Noctuinae and tribe Hadenini. Very little is known about the biology or distribution of this poorly documented genus.
Miscodera
A monotypic genus of ground beetles (Carabidae) containing only Miscodera arctica. The genus has a circumpolar Arctic distribution with disjunct populations in northern New England. Its taxonomic placement has been historically disputed, currently assigned to subfamily Broscinae though formerly placed in Trechinae.
Mohavacris
desert long-horned grasshopper
Mohavacris is a monotypic genus of grasshoppers in the family Tanaoceridae, containing a single described species, M. timberlakei. The genus is endemic to desert regions of California and belongs to a small family of long-horned grasshoppers adapted to arid environments. Members of this family are characterized by their elongated antennae and nocturnal habits, distinguishing them from typical short-horned grasshoppers.
Mojavia
Mojavia is a monotypic moth genus in the family Crambidae, established by Eugene G. Munroe in 1961. The genus contains a single species, Mojavia achemonalis, described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1914. This small moth is characterized by distinctive pink and olivaceous coloration on the forewings and is restricted to arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Monoptilota
lima-bean vine borer moth
Monoptilota is a monotypic genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, containing only the lima-bean vine borer moth (Monoptilota pergratialis). The genus was established by George Duryea Hulst in 1900. The single species is a pest of leguminous crops in the United States.
Monostoecha
Monostoecha is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae, established by David Stephen Fletcher in 1979. The genus contains a single species, Monostoecha semipectinata, originally described by George Duryea Hulst in 1898. The genus is native to the American Southwest.
Moodnodes
Moodnodes is a monotypic genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. The genus contains a single species, Moodnodes plorella, originally described in 1914 by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. under the genus Ephestiodes. The genus was established by Herbert H. Neunzig in 1990 to accommodate this species.
Narthecophora
Narthecophora is a monotypic moth genus in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Stiriinae. It contains a single species, Narthecophora pulverea, described by John Bernhardt Smith in 1900. The genus is restricted to the Sonoran Desert region of southern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico.
Negalasa
Negalasa is a monotypic genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, containing the single species N. fumalis. The genus and its sole species were described together by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1913. It is endemic to the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona. The genus belongs to the subfamily Chrysauginae, a diverse group within Pyralidae.
Neoalcis
Neoalcis is a monotypic genus of geometrid moths established by James Halliday McDunnough in 1920. It contains a single species, Neoalcis californiaria (brown-lined looper), described by Packard in 1871. The genus is endemic to western North America, where its sole species occurs along the Pacific coast from California to British Columbia.
Neocataclysta
scrollwork pyralid moth
Neocataclysta is a monotypic genus of crambid moths erected by Lange in 1956. Its sole species, Neocataclysta magnificalis (scrollwork pyralid moth), occurs in eastern North America from Florida to Nova Scotia and Ontario. Adults have been recorded on wing year round. The genus is classified in the subfamily Acentropinae.
Neochrysops
horse flies
Neochrysops is a genus of horse flies in the family Tabanidae, subfamily Chrysopsinae. The genus was established by Walton in 1918 and is known from the United States. Only one species, Neochrysops globosus, has been described. As a member of the deer fly tribe Chrysopsini, adults likely share the blood-feeding habits typical of this group, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Neocrania
Neocrania is a genus of small moths in the family Eriocraniidae, established by Davis in 1978. The genus is monotypic, containing only Neocrania bifasciata, a species endemic to the Coast Ranges of southern California. Adults are diurnal and active in early June, with a single generation annually. The larvae are leaf miners on Quercus chrysolepis (canyon live oak).
Neogalea
Catabena moth, Lantana stick moth
Neogalea is a monotypic genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, containing the single species Neogalea sunia. The genus was described by Hampson in 1906. The sole species has been widely introduced outside its native range as a biological control agent.
Neohedobia
Neohedobia is a monotypic genus of beetles in the family Ptinidae, containing a single described species, N. texana. The genus was established by Fisher in 1919. Members of Ptinidae are commonly known as death-watch beetles or spider beetles.
Neomallodon
Neomallodon is a monotypic genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) established by Linsley in 1957. The genus contains a single species, Neomallodon arizonicus, originally described from southern Arizona. The species was elevated to genus level by Skiles (1976), distinguishing it from related prionine genera based on morphological characters. As a member of the subfamily Prioninae, it belongs to a group of large, robust beetles with larvae that typically bore into wood.
Neotarache
Neotarache is a monotypic moth genus in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Condicinae. The genus contains a single species, Neotarache deserticola, described by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1922. It is endemic to Nevada, USA. The genus name reflects its relatively recent taxonomic recognition compared to related genera.
Nesoselandria
Nesoselandria is a monotypic genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae, containing only the species Nesoselandria morio. The genus is distributed across the Nearctic realm, Europe, Siberia, and Japan. The sole species is small, with a black body and yellow-orange legs.
Neurolipa
Neurolipa is a monotypic genus of moths in the family Gracillariidae, established by Ely in 1918. The genus contains a single described species, Neurolipa randiella, described by Busck in 1900. As a member of Gracillariidae, it belongs to a family known for leaf-mining larvae, though specific biological details for this genus remain poorly documented.
Nigetia
Nigetia is a monotypic moth genus in the family Erebidae, containing the single species Nigetia formosalis. The genus was described by Francis Walker in 1866 and was formerly classified in Noctuidae. The sole species is distributed across eastern North America.
Notela
Notela is a monotypic genus of moths in the family Notodontidae, established by William Schaus in 1901. It contains a single species, Notela jaliscana, which occurs in North America. The genus is classified within the subfamily Nystaleinae. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 7960.