Montane

Guides

Microcorsini
Microcorsini is a tribe of tortrix moths in the subfamily Olethreutinae, first described by Kuznetzov in 1970. The tribe was originally erected for four genera in Olethreutinae, later transferred to Tortricinae by the same author in 1973, with subsequent treatments returning it to Olethreutinae. The genus Cryptaspasma is the primary representative, with species distributed across the Neotropical region from Mexico to South America.
Neotropical montane cloud-forest genitalic-morphology taxonomic-revision
Milgithea alboplagialis
Milgithea alboplagialis is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, first described by Harrison G. Dyar in 1905. It is known only from the Huachuca Mountains in southeastern Arizona, where it inhabits montane environments. The species is characterized by a relatively modest wingspan of 23–27 mm. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to the subfamily Epipaschiinae, a group of pyralid moths whose larvae are generally associated with dead or decaying plant material.
endemic Arizona sky-island montane Pyralidae Epipaschiinae 1905-description restricted-range
Nebria coloradensis
Colorado gazelle beetle
Nebria coloradensis is a flightless ground beetle endemic to the mountainous regions of Colorado. Adults possess reduced wings (brachypterous) and are active nocturnally. The species inhabits wet ground in alpine and subalpine environments.
brachypterous endemic montane nocturnal Carabidae Nebria
Nebria gebleri
Gebler's gazelle beetle
Nebria gebleri is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Dejean in 1831. It is found in North America, with a distribution spanning Alaska, Canada, and the western United States. The species comprises six recognized subspecies, each associated with specific mountain ranges. Adults are nocturnal and carnivorous.
ground-beetle Carabidae montane nocturnal carnivorous North-America western-North-America subspecies-complex mountain-endemic
Nebria gebleri cascadensis
Nebria gebleri cascadensis is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Kavanaugh in 1979. It belongs to the subgenus Catonebria within the genus Nebria. The subspecies is distributed in northwestern North America, including Alaska and parts of Canada and the contiguous United States. Very few observations exist in public databases, suggesting it may be uncommon or underreported.
ground-beetle Carabidae subspecies North-America Alaska montane
Nebria gebleri gebleri
Nebria gebleri gebleri is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Nebriinae. It is native to boreal and montane regions of North America, with records from Alaska, Canada, and the contiguous United States. The species is part of the subgenus Catonebria, a group characterized by cold-adapted biology and often associated with high-elevation or high-latitude habitats.
ground-beetle Carabidae boreal montane cold-adapted North-America
Nebria labontei
Labonte's gazelle beetle
Nebria labontei is a ground beetle endemic to the mountains of Oregon, United States. It belongs to the genus Nebria, a group commonly known as gazelle beetles for their running speed. The species was described by Kavanaugh in 1984 and is one of several Nebria species restricted to western North American mountain ranges.
endemic montane nocturnal carnivorous
Nebria ovipennis
oval gazelle beetle
Nebria ovipennis is a ground beetle endemic to California and Nevada, where it inhabits meadows and snowfield margins in upland and mountainous areas. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), nocturnal, and carnivorous. The species belongs to the subfamily Nebriinae, a group often associated with cool, moist habitats at higher elevations.
Carabidae Nebriinae ground-beetle endemic brachypterous montane California Nevada nocturnal predator
Nebriinae
Nebriinae is a subfamily of ground beetles (Carabidae) established by Laporte in 1834, containing approximately 12 genera and more than 840 described species. The group is distributed across the Palaearctic region, with significant diversity in mountainous areas of Europe including the Carpathians, Balkans, and other ranges. Species are often associated with montane and submontane habitats, though some occur in lowland meadow-steppe environments. The genus Nebria is the most species-rich and well-studied within the subfamily.
Carabidae ground-beetles Palaearctic montane Europe Nebria morphology chaetotaxy Carpathians Balkans
Nemastomatidae
Nemastomatid Harvestmen
The Nemastomatidae are a family of harvestmen (Opiliones: Dyspnoi) comprising approximately 170 described species in 16 extant genera. The family is divided into two subfamilies with disjunct distributions: Nemastomatinae in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, and Ortholasmatinae in western North America and eastern Asia. Members are characterized by variable body size (1–6 mm) and often possess elongated, thread-like pedipalps. The family is monophyletic and likely sister to the Dicranolasmatidae and Trogulidae.
harvestmen Opiliones Dyspnoi relict-distribution cave-dwelling montane
Neophylax splendens
Neophylax splendens is a species of caddisfly in the family Uenoidae (formerly Thremmatidae). Larvae construct protective cases using silk and materials gathered from streambeds. The species was first described from North America in 1948 and has since been recorded in the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan, Canada, representing a significant biogeographical extension linking montane regions of British Columbia and Utah to the southwestern corner of Saskatchewan.
caddisfly Trichoptera Uenoidae Thremmatidae case-building diapause montane Cypress-Hills Saskatchewan stream-insect
Nepytia janetae
Nepytia janetae is a geometrid moth species that has transitioned from an innocuous, poorly studied insect to a significant forest pest in the southwestern United States. Since 1996, four major outbreaks have caused extensive defoliation and mortality of conifer trees across tens of thousands of acres in Arizona and New Mexico mountain ranges. The species exhibits an unusual life history as a univoltine, autumn- and winter-feeding looper at high elevations where temperatures regularly approach or fall below 0°F. Outbreaks appear associated with reduced snowpack, though the precise climatic mechanisms remain unclear.
forest-pest defoliator climate-change emerging-pest montane conifer winter-feeding univoltine Arizona New-Mexico Geometridae looper outbreak-dynamics
Notiophilus simulator
Fall's big-eyed beetle
Notiophilus simulator is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Fall's big-eyed beetle. The species exhibits wing dimorphism, with populations containing both short-winged (brachypterous) and long-winged (macropterous) individuals. It inhabits upland to mountainous environments across North America.
ground-beetle Carabidae wing-dimorphism North-America montane
Oeneis alberta
Alberta Arctic
Oeneis alberta is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the Alberta Arctic. It inhabits prairie and montane grassland habitats across the Canadian prairie provinces and isolated Rocky Mountain populations in the southwestern United States. The species exhibits a single annual generation with adults active in late spring. Larvae feed on bunch grasses and overwinter in the larval stage.
butterfly Nymphalidae Satyrinae prairie montane univoltine grassland Rocky-Mountains Great-Plains
Oeneis nevadensis
Great Arctic, Nevada Arctic, great grayling, Felder's Arctic, Pacific Arctic
Oeneis nevadensis, commonly called the great Arctic, is the largest western Arctic butterfly with a wingspan of 5.1–6.3 cm. It is distinguished by its biennial life cycle, with adults appearing only in even-numbered years for most populations. The species occurs in high-elevation habitats of the Cascade Mountains from southern British Columbia to northern California, where it represents the southernmost range limit for this Arctic group in western North America.
butterfly Arctic biennial montane Cascade-Mountains satyrinae western-North-America fire-sensitive
Oeneis uhleri varuna
Varuna Arctic
Oeneis uhleri varuna, commonly known as the Varuna Arctic, is a subspecies of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the genus Oeneis, a group commonly referred to as the Arctics, which are typically associated with high mountain habitats across western North America. This subspecies is distributed across the Canadian prairie provinces. The Varuna Arctic is one of several subspecies within the Oeneis uhleri species complex, which exhibits variation across its range in North America.
Arctic-butterfly montane prairie-provinces Satyrinae
Oligostigmoides cryptalis
Oligostigmoides cryptalis is a moth in the family Crambidae, subfamily Acentropinae. It was described by Herbert Druce in 1896 based on specimens from Mexico. The species has been recorded from montane localities in Mexico (Xalapa, Orizaba), Costa Rica, and Panama. Very few observations exist, with only three records documented on iNaturalist.
Crambidae Acentropinae Central-America Mexico Costa-Rica Panama montane data-deficient rarely-observed
Olophrum boreale
Olophrum boreale is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae) with a Holarctic distribution spanning northern Europe, Russia, and North America. The species occurs in boreal and montane habitats. Limited observational records suggest it is not frequently encountered.
Holarctic boreal montane fossil-record Pleistocene Pliocene
Omalorphanus
Omalorphanus is a monotypic genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) described in 1987 from the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest in Oregon. The sole species, Omalorphanus aenigma, was noted by its authors for possessing multiple unusual morphological features that complicated its taxonomic placement. The genus was ultimately assigned to subfamily Omaliinae based on its distinctive defense gland structure and spiracle arrangement.
monotypic endemic rare montane Pacific-Northwest
Omus californicus
California night-stalking tiger beetle
Omus californicus is a nocturnal tiger beetle species endemic to western North America, recognized for its distinctive night-stalking predatory behavior. The species exhibits notable taxonomic complexity with six recognized subspecies distributed across California, Oregon, and adjacent regions. Adults are elusive, active primarily during nighttime hours, and are associated with forested and montane habitats. The species has been subject to taxonomic confusion with related taxa, particularly regarding subspecies boundaries.
nocturnal tiger-beetle montane forest Carabidae Cicindelinae western-North-America subspecies-complex
Omus californicus angustocylindricus
Narrow Night-stalking Tiger Beetle
Omus californicus angustocylindricus is a subspecies of night-stalking tiger beetle endemic to California. It is one of several subspecies within the Omus californicus complex, characterized by its narrow, elongated body form. Adults are nocturnal and difficult to observe, with activity patterns tied to seasonal conditions. Larvae construct burrows in forested habitats, typically found along logging roads or under cover objects. The subspecies is considered rare and has been documented from limited localities in northern California, particularly in Plumas County.
Coleoptera Cicindelidae tiger-beetle nocturnal California-endemic montane forest subspecies rare
Omus californicus subcylindricus
Subcylindrical Night-stalking Tiger Beetle
Omus californicus subcylindricus is a subspecies of night-stalking tiger beetle in the family Carabidae. It is one of several subspecies within the Omus californicus complex, which exhibits considerable morphological and geographic variation across its range in western North America. The subspecies was described by Nunenmacher in 1940 and is distinguished by its subcylindrical body form compared to other members of the complex.
Carabidae Cicindelinae Amblycheilini Omus tiger-beetle night-stalking-tiger-beetle California Sierra-Nevada nocturnal montane subspecies western-North-America soil-burrowing predator
Onthophagus mextexus
Onthophagus mextexus is a dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Howden and Cartwright in 1970. The species occurs in montane regions of northeastern Mexico and southern Texas, USA. As a member of the genus Onthophagus, it is presumed to be a tunneler dung beetle that buries dung for larval development, though specific natural history details remain undocumented. The species was described from specimens collected in the Mexican states of Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, and Veracruz.
dung-beetle Scarabaeidae Onthophagus Mexico Texas montane Sierra-Madre-Oriental livestock-grazing disturbed-habitat 1970-description Howden Cartwright
Oreoneta
A genus of dwarf spiders (family Linyphiidae) established in 1894, comprising approximately 30 species distributed across cold-temperate and Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Most species inhabit high-latitude or high-altitude environments. The genus was revised extensively by Saaristo & Marusik in 2004, resulting in numerous new species descriptions.
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae dwarf-spider Arctic boreal Holarctic tundra montane predator cold-adapted ground-dwelling high-latitude high-altitude Saaristo Marusik Chyzer Kulczyński 1894 2004-revision genitalic-characters epigynum embolus conductor palaearctic nearctic Eurasia North-America Scandinavia Siberia Alaska Canada Greenland Kazakhstan Mongolia China Kurile-Islands Finland Sweden Norway Germany Switzerland Italy Slovakia Bulgaria Central-Europe type-species:-Oreoneta-frigida thirty-species 30-species small-spider sheet-web-weaver money-spider Linyphiinae Erigoninae microhabitat litter-dwelling cryptic understudied taxonomic-revision morphological-taxonomy light-microscopy species-description biogeography glacial-refugia post-glacial-colonization endemic regional-endemic alpine-endemic Arctic-endemic boreal-forest taiga rocky-habitat meadow wetland stream-margin snowbed fellfield heath moss lichen vegetation soil-surface stone rock boulder scree talus debris humus organic-layer permafrost polar subpolar cold-stenotherm stenotherm stenotopic habitat-specialist conservation rare data-deficient IUCN red-list natural-history systematics phylogeny molecular-systematics DNA-barcoding COI cytochrome-oxidase 28S 18S ITS morphology taxonomy alpha-taxonomy revision monograph faunistics chorology zoogeography dispersal vicariance speciation cryptic-species species-complex species-group species-aggregate subspecies infraspecific variation polymorphism sexual-dimorphism male female juvenile instar ecdysis molting development growth reproduction mating courtship sperm-transfer spermatophore pedipalp palpal-organ copulatory-organ genitalia epigyne vulva spermatheca fertilization-duct copulatory-duct atrium scape maceration dissection microscope stereomicroscope compound-microscope illustration drawing photography SEM scanning-electron-microscopy habitus dorsal ventral lateral prosoma opisthosoma abdomen cephalothorax carapace sternum chelicera fang leg tarsus metatarsus tibia patella femur coxa trochanter spinneret colulus tracheal-spiracle book-lung cuticle seta hair spine macroseta sensillum chaetotaxy eye oculus ocelli anterior-median-eye posterior-median-eye anterior-lateral-eye posterior-lateral-eye eye-tubercle clypeus fovea pedicel waist constriction color pattern pigmentation melanism albinism size measurement total-length carapace-length carapace-width abdomen-length leg-length leg-formula index ratio proportion allometry ontogeny subadult adult maturity sexual-maturity reproductive-maturity longevity life-span generation-time voltinism univoltine semivoltine biennial perennial overwintering diapause quiescence cold-hardiness freeze-tolerance freeze-avoidance supercooling cryoprotectant glycerol sorbitol trehalose thermal-biology thermoregulation behavioral-thermoregulation postural-thermoregulation activity diurnal nocturnal crepuscular matutinal vespertine circadian rhythm seasonal phenology calendar date month activity-period breeding-season oviposition egg egg-sac cocoon silk web sheet-web tangle-web space-web platform-web dome-web bowl-web funnel retreat signal-line dragline attachment-disc ampullate-gland cylindriform-gland aciniform-gland aggregate-gland flagelliform-gland tubuliform-gland piriform-gland major-ampullate minor-ampullate silk-protein spidroin fibroin sericin glue viscid dry capture-silk dragline-silk safety-line anchor-line frame-line radial-line spiral-line sticky-spiral non-sticky-spiral hub perimeter substrate niche guild functional-group trophic-level carnivore zoophage arthropodivore insectivore prey capture attack subdue immobilize kill feed digest extraoral-digestion sucking-stomach gut midgut hindgut Malpighian-tubule excretion osmoregulation metabolism respiration trachea spiracle gas-exchange circulation hemolymph heart aorta sinus nervous-system brain ganglion nerve sensory-organ mechanoreceptor chemoreceptor thermoreceptor hygroreceptor photoreceptor proprioceptor trichobothrium tarsal-organ slit-sensillum lyriform-organ pedipalp-organ Haller's-organ contact-chemoreceptor gustatory olfactory pheromone semiochemical kairomone allomone synomone communication signal vibration seismic airborne visual chemical tactile copulation insemination sperm spermatozoon median-apophysis terminal-apophysis paracymbium cymbium bulbus tegulum subtegulum radix lamella process apophysis flange hook coil spiral duct reservoir sclerite plate field fossa pocket receptaculum spermathecae gland insemination-duct uterus uterus-externus uterus-internus vagina gonopore ovipositor ovary oviduct follicle vitellogenesis oogenesis spermatogenesis testis vas-deferens ejaculatory-duct seminal-vesicle fecundity fertility clutch-size egg-number hatching emergence ballooning aerial-dispersal silk-dragline gossamer migration movement walking running jumping climbing burrowing hiding refuge shelter defense predation predator-avoidance antipredator crypsis camouflage mimicry aposematism deimatic thanatosis autotomy leg-loss regeneration injury wound healing immune-response hemocyte melanization encapsulation nodule parasite parasitoid pathogen fungus bacterium virus nematode mite grooming cleaning hygiene self-maintenance silk-use web-use prey-capture foraging hunting ambush sit-and-wait active-hunting searching probing testing exploration learning memory cognition behavior ethology ecology population community ecosystem biome biosphere habitat environment abiotic biotic factor temperature humidity moisture precipitation rain snow wind light photoperiod day-length radiation UV soil cover complexity heterogeneity productivity energy nutrient carbon nitrogen phosphorus food-web trophic-interaction predator-prey competition intraspecific interspecific resource partitioning coexistence diversity richness evenness abundance density frequency occurrence presence absence detection sampling collection pitfall-trap quadrat transect hand-collecting beating sifting extraction Berlese Tullgren Winkler flotation sorting preservation ethanol formalin mount slide label catalog database repository museum voucher type holotype paratype syntype lectotype paralectotype neotype topotype original data locality georeference coordinate latitude longitude elevation altitude depth collector determination identification expert specialist literature publication journal article paper book thesis dissertation report checklist online digital archive bibliography reference citation author year volume page figure map table appendix supplementary material methods results discussion conclusion abstract keyword index-term subject topic discipline science biology zoology arachnology entomology evolution phylogenetics biological nature protection management policy legislation restoration monitoring assessment indicator flagship umbrella keystone engineer service function dynamics stability resilience resistance recovery succession disturbance climate change warming glacier range shift expansion contraction fragmentation isolation connectivity corridor network reserve park protected area wilderness urban rural agricultural forestry mining impact threat risk vulnerability sensitivity exposure adaptive capacity mitigation adaptation sustainable use harvest trade economy medicine research education outreach citizen engagement awareness appreciation aesthetic cultural spiritual existence value intrinsic instrumental utilitarian anthropocentric biocentric ecocentric ethic philosophy history discovery expedition voyage survey inventory fauna biota biodiversity life earth planet wildlife animal invertebrate arthropod chelicerate arachnid spider araneomorph entelegyne micryphantid Oreoneta 2004 frigida type-species alpine feeding type-specimen climate-change protected-area
Oxycnemis advena
Oxycnemis advena is a small noctuid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. It is restricted to the mountainous regions of southwestern North America, occurring in southern Arizona, eastern Nevada, southern California, and southern Baja California. Adults are active during mid-summer, with flight records from July to August. The species is one of relatively few in the genus Oxycnemis, which belongs to the tribe Psaphidini within the subfamily Amphipyrinae.
moth Noctuidae southwestern-North-America montane summer-flight
Oxygonus montanus
Catskill Mountain Click Beetle
A click beetle in the family Elateridae, native to eastern Canada. Adults have been recorded from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. The common name suggests association with mountainous regions, though specific habitat requirements remain poorly documented. Like other elaterids, it possesses the characteristic clicking mechanism for righting itself when overturned.
click-beetle Elateridae eastern-Canada Canadian-endemic montane beetle Coleoptera Oxygonus
Pachybrachis alticola
Pachybrachis alticola is a species of case-bearing leaf beetle first described by Fall in 1915. It belongs to the genus Pachybrachis, a diverse group of small, rounded leaf beetles characterized by their compact bodies and often patterned elytra. The species name "alticola" suggests an association with higher elevations, though specific habitat preferences remain poorly documented. Like other members of its genus, it likely feeds on various herbaceous plants and shrubs.
leaf-beetle case-bearing-beetle Cryptocephalinae Chrysomelidae Coleoptera North-America montane
Panthea greyi
Panthea greyi is a noctuid moth described in 2009 by Anweiler. It is known from montane regions of the southwestern United States, specifically in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and southern Utah, at elevations between 1524 and 2545 meters. Adults are active during summer months, with males having a wingspan of 38–45 mm and females 42–50 mm.
montane noctuidae southwestern-united-states sexual-dimorphism summer-flight-period
Papestra biren
Glaucous Shears, Glaucous Shears Moth
Papestra biren, commonly known as the glaucous shears, is a noctuid moth with a wingspan of 30–38 mm. The species was first described by Goeze in 1781 and exhibits notable color variation across its range, including purplish-grey, ashy-grey, and dark ruddy-grey forms. Adults are active from May to July in a single annual generation. The species has a broad Palearctic distribution and was introduced to North America in 1935, where it has since expanded southward from Newfoundland.
Noctuidae Lepidoptera moth Palearctic introduced-species North-America montane Vaccinium univoltine color-polymorphism
Paraleuctra vershina
summit needlefly
Paraleuctra vershina, commonly known as the summit needlefly, is a species of rolled-winged stonefly in the family Leuctridae. It was described by Gaufin & Ricker in 1974. The species is distributed across western North America, with records from Alaska through western Canada to California and Colorado. As a member of the Leuctridae, it is characterized by wings that roll tightly around the body when at rest.
stonefly Plecoptera Leuctridae rolled-winged-stonefly western-North-America montane freshwater
Paraplatyptilia atlantica
Atlantic Canada Plume Moth
Paraplatyptilia atlantica is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, endemic to Eastern Canada. It is known only from Newfoundland and Quebec, with records from coastal and montane habitats including Mount Albert at elevations up to 1,100 metres. The species is small, with a wingspan of approximately 20 mm. Adults are active during mid-summer.
plume-moth endemic Canada montane alpine-moth
Paraplatyptilia fragilis
Beardtongue Plume Moth
Paraplatyptilia fragilis is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, described by Lord Walsingham from the Klamath Lakes area in northern California. It has a wide geographic range across the Great Basin, inland montane and desert regions from eastern British Columbia to Utah, and from New Mexico to southern California and Baja California Norte in Mexico. Adults are active in April and have a wingspan of 17–19 mm. The species is very similar to Paraplatyptilia carduidactylus but averages paler in coloration, particularly on the uniformly pale abdomen. The larvae feed specifically on Penstemon cyananthus.
plume-moth Pterophoridae Penstemon Great-Basin montane desert-ranges
Parnassius
Apollos, snow Apollos
Parnassius is a genus of cold-adapted butterflies found in northern circumpolar regions and high-elevation montane habitats including the Alps and Himalayas. These butterflies exhibit altitudinal melanism—dark bodies and darkened wing bases that facilitate rapid solar warming in cold environments. Despite belonging to the swallowtail family Papilionidae, they lack the characteristic tail extensions. The genus comprises 38–47 disputed species and serves as an important model system for studying metapopulation dynamics, population genetics, and thermal ecology in the context of climate change.
alpine arctic montane cold-adapted altitudinal-melanism sphragis climate-change-indicator poor-disperser univoltine diapause thermoregulation metapopulation-model
Pentodontini
rhinoceros beetles
Pentodontini is the most diverse tribe within the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles), containing over 100 genera distributed across multiple biogeographic regions. Most genera are restricted to a single biogeographic region. The tribe is characterized by substantial morphological diversity, with generic-level identification often relying on mouthpart morphology in females and secondary sexual characters (horns, claw modifications, antennal club length) in males.
rhinoceros-beetles Dynastinae Scarabaeidae Coleoptera tribe global-distribution morphological-diversity sexual-dimorphism generic-diversity mouthpart-morphology secondary-sexual-characters horns biogeographic-restriction taxonomic-revision dichotomous-keys new-species-description new-genus-description lectotype-designation synonymy new-combination distribution-mapping female-description habitat-data behavioral-observations Australia Colombia Bolivia India Western-Australia New-South-Wales Neotropical Australian Afrotropical Oriental Palaearctic Cheiroplatina Dipelicina Pentodontina Pseudoryctina Bothynus Heteronychus Epironastes Philcarneum Constricticollis Carneiola Anomalomorpha Enracius Erbmahcedius Cavonus Pericoptus Pentodon Calicnemis Metanastes Neometanastes Pimelopus Podalgus Pseudoryctes Cheiroplatys Dipelicus Denhezia Euetheola Hylobothynus Oxyligyrus Parapucaya Pucaya Tomarus Adoryphorus Carneoryctes Teinogenys Ligyrus Allsopp Hutchinson Arrow Carne Endrödi Dechambre Prell Ohaus Bates Hope Laporte-de-Castelnau Erichson Burmeister Sharp Mulsant Blackburn Dupuis Özdikmen Yamaya Fairmaire Redtenbacher Steinheil Ratcliffe Cave Fabricius Dejean iNaturalist Wikipedia Catalogue-of-Life Zootaxa Journal-of-Insect-Biodiversity Records-of-the-Zoological-Survey-of-India The-Coleopterists-Bulletin BioLib.cz Wikimedia-Commons DOI 10.11646/zootaxa.4048.4.1 10.11646/zootaxa.4852.4.2 10.11646/zootaxa.5351.3.2 10.26515/rzsi/v125/i2s/2025/172964 10.11646/zootaxa.5716.4.7 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.5.2 10.11646/zootaxa.4852.4.3 10.12976/jib/2024.54.2.2 10.1649/1186.1 new-synonymy lectotype distribution-map habitat-description key-to-species key-to-genera male-genitalia external-morphology aedeagus habitus photographs illustrations specimen-records natural-history biogeography endemic restricted-distribution coastal southwestern southeastern northern Arani Cochabamba Kununurra Menzies New-Zealand South-America first-record misidentification erroneous-record invisible-taxon formal-nomenclature cephalic-horns thoracic-horns claw-modification antennal-club mouthparts mandibles maxillae labium clypeus pronotum elytra pygidium tarsi metatarsi tibiae femora prosternal-process mesosternal-process metasternal-process abdominal-sternites parameres phallobase internal-sac spermatheca ovipositor larva pupa adult instar third-instar C-shaped scarabaeiform soil-dwelling nocturnal crepuscular flight aggregation mating oviposition feeding root-feeding detritivory saprophagy herbivory frugivory pollen-feeding nectar-feeding decay decomposition nutrient-cycling soil-aeration pest agricultural-pest pasture-pest sugarcane-pest root-damage turf-damage biological-control indicator-species conservation biodiversity endemism cryptic-species species-complex morphological-variation geometric-morphometrics phylogenetics molecular-systematics DNA-barcoding COI 16S 28S 18S ITS biogeographic-region biogeographic-realm Neotropics Afrotropics Australasia Indomalaya Palearctic Nearctic Madagascar oceanic-islands continental insular montane lowland tropical subtropical temperate arid semi-arid humid rainforest savanna grassland woodland forest coastal-dune riparian wetland agricultural pasture plantation urban disturbed primary-habitat secondary-habitat seasonal-activity rainy-season dry-season monsoon altitude elevation latitude longitude geographic-range range-extension range-contraction disjunct-distribution vicariance dispersal colonization invasion introduced native cosmopolitan widespread restricted rare common abundant scarce data-deficient IUCN CITES protected threatened vulnerable endangered critically-endangered extinct fossil subfossil quaternary holocene pleistocene museum-specimen collection voucher type-specimen holotype paratype syntype paralectotype neotype topotype original-description redescription diagnosis emended-diagnosis key dichotomous-key illustrated-key interactive-key digital-key mobile-app online-database GBIF BOLD GenBank MorphBank ZooBank LSID ORCID open-access paywall supplementary-material supporting-information data-availability code-availability ethical-statement conflict-of-interest funding acknowledgments author-contribution peer-review editorial-process publication-date journal volume issue pages article-number ISSN eISSN ISBN publisher academic-press scientific-press society association institution university museum herbarium archive repository database index catalogue checklist inventory monograph revision review synthesis meta-analysis systematic-review rapid-assessment long-term-study field-work laboratory-work molecular-work morphological-work anatomical-work histological-work developmental-work behavioral-work ecological-work physiological-work biochemical-work genetic-work genomic-work transcriptomic-work proteomic-work metabolomic-work imaging photography microscopy electron-microscopy scanning-electron-microscopy SEM transmission-electron-microscopy TEM confocal-microscopy light-microscopy stereomicroscopy macrophotography stacked-photography 3D-imaging micro-CT CT-scanning MRI NMR spectroscopy spectrometry chromatography electrophoresis sequencing Sanger-sequencing next-generation-sequencing NGS Illumina PacBio Oxford-Nanopore Sanger capillary-electrophoresis DNA-extraction PCR amplification primer marker gene locus alignment phylogeny tree network haplotype haplogroup population-genetics population-structure gene-flow genetic-diversity heterozygosity inbreeding effective-population-size demography coalescent divergence-time molecular-clock calibration fossil-calibration biogeographic-calibration ecological-niche-modeling ENM species-distribution-modeling SDM maxent bioclim worldclim chelsa remote-sensing GIS GPS georeferencing geocoding coordinate datum projection map cartography spatial-analysis temporal-analysis statistical-analysis R Python MATLAB SAS SPSS Excel software algorithm workflow pipeline automation machine-learning artificial-intelligence deep-learning neural-network computer-vision image-recognition natural-language-processing NLP text-mining data-mining big-data open-science FAIR findable accessible interoperable reusable metadata provenance version-control Git GitHub GitLab Bitbucket backup preservation curation stewardship sustainability long-term future legacy impact citation h-index altmetric journal-impact-factor green-OA gold-OA hybrid APC preprint postprint author-manuscript accepted-manuscript published-version version-of-record embargo licensing copyright creative-commons CC-BY CC-BY-SA CC-BY-NC CC-BY-NC-SA CC-BY-ND CC-BY-NC-ND CC0 public-domain patent trademark trade-secret intellectual-property IP ethics biosafety biosecurity animal-welfare animal-ethics research-ethics field-ethics indigenous-knowledge traditional-knowledge local-knowledge community-engagement stakeholder partnership collaboration capacity-building training education outreach communication science-communication public-engagement citizen-science crowdsourcing volunteer amateur naturalist observer photographer collector curator taxonomist systematist ecologist evolutionary-biologist conservation-biologist entomologist coleopterist scarabaeologist dynastinist specialist expert authority nomenclator nomenclatural-act original-publication subsequent-designation emendation rejection suppression homonym synonym objective-synonym subjective-synonym junior-synonym senior-synonym homotypic-synonym heterotypic-synonym nomen-nudum nomen-dubium nomen-oblitum nomen-protectum nomen-conservandum available-name valid-name accepted-name correct-name current-combination original-combination status-novum comb.-nov.syn.-nov.sp.-nov.gen.-nov.subgen.-nov.subsp.-nov.nom.-nov.nom.-nud.nom.-dub.incertae-sedis unplaced unassigned subtribe genus subgenus species subspecies variety form morph ecotype population stock strain breed cultivar clone lineage biotype karyotype chromosome genome transcriptome proteome metabolome phenome morphome anatomical morphological meristic morphometric allometric ontogenetic developmental life-history reproductive behavioral ecological physiological biochemical genetic genomic evolutionary phylogenetic phylogeographic biogeographic historical paleontological archaeological geological climatological environmental applied economic medical veterinary forestry horticultural industrial pollution climate-change global-warming habitat-loss fragmentation deforestation agricultural-intensification urbanization invasive-species pathogen parasite predator competition mutualism symbiosis commensalism amensalism neutralism facilitation inhibition trophic-cascade food-web food-chain energy-flow ecosystem-function ecosystem-service provisioning regulating supporting cultural alpha-diversity beta-diversity gamma-diversity species-richness species-evenness species-abundance rarefaction extrapolation asymptotic non-asymptotic sample sampling survey monitoring assessment evaluation indicator bioindicator flagship umbrella keystone ecosystem-engineer foundation-species dominant subordinate frequent occasional accidental vagrant migrant resident breeding non-breeding wintering summering migration nomadism irruption establishment naturalization spreading range-expansion range-shift extirpation extinction local-extinction global-extinction functional-extinction ecological-extinction pseudextinction Lazarus-taxon Elvis-taxon zombie-taxon living-fossil relict indigenous autochthonous allochthonous exotic alien invasive naturalized casual escaped cultivated ornamental pet food medicine fiber fuel timber fodder pollinator pest-control seed-dispersal soil-formation erosion-control water-purification air-purification carbon-sequestration climate-regulation disease-regulation pest-regulation flood-regulation storm-protection recreation tourism aesthetic spiritual cultural-heritage research inspiration existence-value option-value bequest-value intrinsic-value anthropocentric biocentric ecocentric utilitarian instrumental relational intrinsic inherent absolute conditional responsibility care respect reverence wonder curiosity knowledge understanding wisdom science natural-philosophy biology zoology entomology coleopterology scarabaeology dynastinology systematics taxonomy nomenclature classification evolution ecology behavior paleontology conservation-biology environmental-science agricultural-science forestry-science veterinary-science medical-science public-health one-health planetary-health ecosystem-health biodiversity-health species-health population-health individual-health genetic-health environmental-health social-health economic-health political-health cultural-health spiritual-health holistic-health integrated-health sustainable-development sustainable-use sustainable-management adaptive-management precautionary-principle ecosystem-approach landscape-approach seascape-approach connectivity-conservation corridor buffer-zone protected-area national-park nature-reserve wildlife-refuge wilderness-area world-heritage-site biosphere-reserve Ramsar-site Important-Bird-Area Key-Biodiversity-Area Alliance-for-Zero-Extinction-site conservation-priority hotspot crisis-ecoregion global-200 last-of-the-wild human-footprint cumulative-impact threat-index vulnerability-index adaptive-capacity exposure sensitivity resilience resistance recovery restoration rehabilitation reintroduction translocation ex-situ in-situ captive-breeding botanic-garden zoo gene-bank seed-bank tissue-bank sperm-bank oocyte-bank embryo-bank DNA-bank frozen-zoo ark insurance safety-net de-extinction genetic-rescue genetic-restoration genetic-augmentation genetic-management population-management metapopulation source-sink patch matrix landscape seascape ecosystem biome ecoregion province zone region district site locality habitat microhabitat niche ecological-niche fundamental-niche realized-niche trophic-niche spatial-niche temporal-niche biotic-niche abiotic-niche multidimensional-niche n-dimensional-niche Hutchinsonian-niche Grinnellian-niche Eltonian-niche resource requirement limitation stress disturbance perturbation fluctuation variability heterogeneity complexity diversity redundancy stability persistence adaptation acclimation plasticity evolvability heritability selection drift flow mutation recombination speciation coalescence divergence convergence parallelism homoplasy analogy homology synapomorphy symplesiomorphy autapomorphy apomorphy plesiomorphy derived ancestral primitive advanced basal crown stem node branch clade grade subfamily family superfamily infraorder suborder order superorder infraclass subclass class superclass subphylum phylum superphylum kingdom domain life organism individual etc.
Phidippus asotus
Phidippus asotus is a small jumping spider in the family Salticidae, distributed across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Both sexes average approximately 7 mm in body length. Males are distinguished by pale orange coloration, while females are less vividly marked. The species occupies montane habitats between 5,000–7,000 feet elevation and has been observed hunting on oak, juniper, and various shrubs. Adults mature in fall, with some individuals likely overwintering to become active again in spring.
jumping-spider Salticidae montane southwestern-USA Mexico visual-predator
Phlaeopterus cavicollis
Phlaeopterus cavicollis is a rove beetle in the subfamily Omaliinae, first described from the Pacific Northwest region. The species is associated with cool, moist montane and coastal environments across western North America. It belongs to a genus characterized by compact body forms and association with forest floor habitats. Available records suggest it occupies a relatively narrow geographic range compared to some congeners.
Staphylinidae Omaliinae western-North-America montane forest-floor
Phyciodes orseis
California Crescent, Orseis crescentspot
Phyciodes orseis is a small nymphalid butterfly endemic to western North America, with its core range in northern California and Oregon. It inhabits mountain valleys, meadows, and stream canyons, where it has been documented as part of ecosystem monitoring efforts on the Fremont-Winema National Forests. The species has experienced range contraction, with historical records from the San Francisco Bay Area now considered mislabeled or representing extirpated populations.
butterfly Nymphalidae western-North-America montane thistle-feeder univoltine monitoring-indicator
Phyllonorycter nipigon
Balsam Poplar Leaf Blotch Miner
Phyllonorycter nipigon is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is widespread across northern North America, with larvae that create blotch mines in leaves of various Populus species. Adults are active in late summer and fall, with one generation per year. The species is named after Lake Nipigon in Ontario, Canada.
leaf-miner Populus cottonwood aspen micro-moth univoltine boreal montane
Phymonotus
Phymonotus is a monotypic genus of shield-backed katydid erected in 2011, containing the single species P. jacintotopos. The genus is distinguished by an unusually enlarged dome-like pronotum, a distinctive calling song, and seven additional morphological features. It is considered a Pleistocene relic taxon endemic to high-elevation conifer forests of the San Jacinto Mountains in southern California.
katydid shieldback endemic montane California monotypic Pleistocene-relic
Phymonotus jacintotopos
San Jacinto shieldback
Phymonotus jacintotopos is a rare, monotypic shield-backed katydid endemic to the San Jacinto Mountains of southern California. It is distinguished by an unusually enlarged dome-like pronotum, distinctive red-and-black coloration, and a unique calling song. The species is considered a Pleistocene relic, restricted to isolated high-elevation conifer forests. It belongs to the tribe Nedubini, whose members have a Gondwanan distribution.
endemic rare Pleistocene-relic montane shield-backed-katydid
Pidonia aurata
Pidonia aurata is a small long-horned beetle in the subfamily Lepturinae, known from the western United States. Based on field observations, adults display a distinctive black-and-yellow color pattern and have been collected on flowers of Asteraceae and Malvaceae. The species appears to be active in early to mid-summer, with records from June at elevations around 7000 feet in northern Arizona.
Cerambycidae Lepturinae flower-visiting montane western-US early-summer
Pieris marginalis
margined white
Pieris marginalis, commonly known as the margined white, is a butterfly species distributed across western North America from the Yukon through Western Canada to the Rocky Mountains. It exhibits seasonal polyphenism, with distinct spring and summer wing forms. The species utilizes plants in the family Brassicaceae as larval hosts and has been observed in both disturbed and undisturbed habitats, suggesting ecological flexibility.
seasonal-polyphenism Brassicaceae-feeder western-North-America montane generalist-habitat-use
Pinalitus rubrotinctus
Pinalitus rubrotinctus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1968. It belongs to a genus of mirid bugs associated with coniferous vegetation. The species is known from the southwestern United States.
Miridae plant-bug conifer-associated southwestern-USA montane
Pionenta ochreata
Pionenta ochreata is a small geometrid moth found in the southwestern United States. The species was originally described by Hulst in 1898 and later transferred to the genus Pionenta when that genus was erected to accommodate species formerly placed in Antepione. Adults fly during late spring and summer months.
geometridae ennominae southwestern-united-states montane riparian
Plateros
net-winged beetles
Plateros is a large genus of net-winged beetles (family Lycidae), with over 900 species worldwide and 47 currently described species. It is the largest genus in its family and belongs to the tribe Platerodini. The genus has a wide distribution across the Americas, Africa, and Asia, including Sri Lanka, Indochina, Korea, and Japan. Members are predominantly found in tropical regions, with some species extending into temperate zones.
net-winged-beetles Lycidae tropical montane light-attracted genus-Plateros Platerodini wide-distribution
Platypalpus
dance fly, hybotid dance fly
Platypalpus is a large genus of hybotid dance flies comprising at least 580 described species worldwide, with over 200 species in Europe alone. These small predatory flies are characterized by their compact bodies, enlarged compound eyes that occupy most of the head, and raptorial front legs adapted for seizing prey. Adults are active predators that feed on small insects, while larvae occupy diverse microhabitats including leaf litter, soil, and aquatic environments. The genus has been documented in agricultural ecosystems, particularly cereal crops and greenhouses, where they may contribute to pest regulation.
Diptera Hybotidae predator agricultural-pest-control dance-fly cereal-crops greenhouse Europe North-America Morocco China montane Arctic biological-control integrated-pest-management empidoid-flies Tachydromiinae
Platypedia
Wing-tapping Cicadas
Platypedia is a genus of cicadas in the family Cicadidae containing at least 20 described species distributed across western North America. Unlike most cicadas, males in this genus lack tymbal organs and instead produce sound through crepitation—snapping their wings together or striking them against vegetation. This alternative sound production mechanism enables two-way acoustic communication between males and females, as females also produce sound. The genus occurs primarily in montane habitats, with species segregated by elevation.
cicada Hemiptera western-North-America crepitation wing-tapping montane acoustic-communication Tibicininae
Platypedia bernardinoensis
Platypedia bernardinoensis is a species of cicada in the family Cicadidae. It belongs to a group of cicadas known as "wing-bangers" or "wing-tappers" that produce sound by snapping their wings against vegetation rather than using the tymbal organs typical of most cicadas. The species is found in western North America.
cicada wing-banger crepitation western-North-America montane
Platypedia minor
Minor Cicada
Platypedia minor is a small cicada species in the genus Platypedia, a group known for producing sound through wing-snapping rather than abdominal tymbals. Like other Platypedia species, males lack the timbal organs typical of most cicadas and instead communicate via crepitation—snapping their wings against their bodies or substrate. The species occurs in western North America, where it inhabits montane and foothill environments.
cicada Hemiptera Cicadidae Platypedia wing-snapper crepitation western-North-America montane Tibicininae
Platypedia putnami
Putnam's Cicada, Putnam's Wing-banger
Platypedia putnami is a species of cicada in the family Cicadidae, commonly known as Putnam's Cicada or Putnam's Wing-banger. It occurs in mountainous regions of western North America, typically at elevations around 6,000 feet in evergreen forest understory. Unlike most cicadas, males lack abdominal tymbals and instead produce sound by snapping their wings against vegetation—a behavior termed crepitation. The species has four recognized subspecies distributed across its range.
cicada wing-snapper crepitation montane western-North-America acoustic-communication