Nearctic
Guides
Cogia calchas
mimosa skipper
Cogia calchas, commonly known as the mimosa skipper, is a dicot skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs across a broad geographic range spanning North, Central, and South America. The common name references its association with plants in the genus Mimosa. It is a member of the subfamily Eudaminae, which includes many skipper species with distinctive rapid flight patterns.
Cogia hippalus
Acacia Skipper
Cogia hippalus, commonly known as the Acacia Skipper, is a species of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is distributed across the Americas from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America into South America. The species is associated with acacia habitats and has been documented in arid and semi-arid regions.
Colaspis
Colaspis is a large genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Eumolpinae, containing over 200 species distributed across North and South America. The genus includes significant agricultural pests, such as the grape colaspis (Colaspis brunnea), which damages crop roots and foliage. Several species have been documented from Eocene fossil deposits in Colorado, USA. Taxonomic history of the genus has been complicated by nomenclatural disputes, particularly regarding the synonymy of Maecolaspis.
Coleophora monardae
casebearer moth
Coleophora monardae is a small moth species in the family Coleophoridae, commonly known as a casebearer moth. It was described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1945. The species is known only from Canada, with records from Ontario. Like other Coleophora species, larvae construct portable cases from silk and plant material.
Colliuris
Long-necked Ground Beetles
A genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, tribe Odacanthini, containing more than 90 described species. Species exhibit wing dimorphism as an adaptive trait. Some species resemble tiger beetles in appearance, which can lead to misidentification by collectors.
Colonus
Colonus is a genus of jumping spiders in the family Salticidae, first described by F. O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1901. Species in this genus are found exclusively in the Americas, with a range extending from New York in the United States south to Argentina. A distinctive morphological feature of all members is the presence of two pairs of bulbous spines on the ventral side of the first tibiae, whose function remains unknown. The genus was briefly synonymized with Thiodina by Eugène Simon in 1903, but this decision was later reversed by Bustamante, Maddison, and Ruiz.
Coloradia
pinemoths
Coloradia is a genus of large saturniid moths comprising nine described species distributed in Mexico and eastern North America. Adults are predominantly grey in coloration. Larvae feed primarily on pines (Pinaceae), though Coloradia pandora has been recorded on aspen (Populus). Members are commonly referred to as pinemoths. The genus was established by C. A. Blake in 1863.
Commellus semicolon
Commellus semicolon is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 1995. It belongs to the tribe Paralimnini within the subfamily Deltocephalinae. The species is known from Montana, USA. As with other members of this genus, it likely inhabits grassland or meadow environments associated with its host plants.
Compacta hirtalis
A small crambid moth with a wingspan of approximately 21 mm, ranging from the southern United States through Central America to South America. Adults are active during summer months in the northern part of its range. First described by Guenée in 1854 from the original basionym Botys hirtalis.
Compsus auricephalus
golden-headed weevil
Compsus auricephalus is a broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae, native to the southern United States and Central America. It is the northernmost species of the predominantly Neotropical genus Compsus and the only native representative of the genus in the USA. The species exhibits two distinct color morphotypes: a typical green form with pink to coppery head and legs, and a uniformly white to pale brown form. It shows considerable morphological variation across its range, including body shape, elytral apices, and pronounced sexual size dimorphism.
Concana
Concana is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae (subfamily Calpinae), established by Francis Walker in 1858. The genus contains at least four described species distributed from the southeastern United States through the Caribbean and Central America to Brazil. Species within this genus have been documented from Florida, Costa Rica, and various Antillean islands. The genus belongs to the diverse noctuoid moth fauna of the Neotropical and Nearctic regions.
Conchylodes salamisalis
Blush Conchylodes Moth
Conchylodes salamisalis, commonly known as the Blush Conchylodes Moth, is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It was first described by Herbert Druce in 1895. The species is distributed across Central America and the southern United States, with confirmed records from Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Mexico, and Texas. The moth exhibits distinctive wing patterning with silky hyaline white forewings and hindwings marked with dark brown streaks, bands, and spots.
Condylorrhiza vestigialis
Alamo Moth, Brazilian Poplar Moth
A crambid moth native to the Americas, known as the Alamo Moth or Brazilian Poplar Moth. Larvae are specialized feeders on Populus species, making this species a significant pest of poplar and cottonwood plantations in Brazil. Adults exhibit well-documented calling behavior, with virgin females releasing sex pheromones during specific nighttime hours to attract males. The species has been extensively studied for biological control applications, particularly for baculovirus production.
Conisattus
Conisattus is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) described by Casey in 1895. The genus is poorly documented, with minimal published information on its biology and morphology. It appears to be restricted to the Nearctic region. The genus contains few known species and has received limited taxonomic study.
Conoecus
Conoecus is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) described by Horn in 1885. The genus is native to the Nearctic region, though it is rarely encountered with very few documented observations. As a tenebrionid genus, its members are likely adapted to arid or semi-arid environments, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Cononotus bryanti
Cononotus bryanti is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Cerambycinae, tribe Tillomorphini. The genus Cononotus belongs to a group of ant-mimicking cerambycids characterized by small body size and modified elytral structures. Like other members of this tribe, C. bryanti likely exhibits morphological adaptations for myrmecomorphy (ant mimicry), though specific details for this species are not well documented in available literature. The species was described by Van Dyke in 1953 and is part of the Nearctic fauna.
Copestylum caudatum
hairy-horned bromeliad fly
Copestylum caudatum is a syrphid fly endemic to central western North America. The common name "hairy-horned bromeliad fly" suggests an association with bromeliad plants, a trait shared with other members of the genus Copestylum. As a hoverfly, it likely contributes to pollination services in its native range. The species was described by Charles Howard Curran in 1927.
Copestylum opalescens
Opalescent Bromeliad Fly
Copestylum opalescens is a syrphid fly species in the tribe Volucellini, commonly known as the Opalescent Bromeliad Fly. It is one of approximately 50 species in the genus Copestylum, a group of New World flower flies predominantly associated with bromeliad microhabitats. The species was originally described by Townsend in 1901 under the genus Volucella. Like other Copestylum species, adults are likely flower visitors, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Cophura rozeni
Cophura rozeni is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1965. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, a group of predatory flies known for their aerial hunting behavior. The species is part of the genus Cophura, which contains approximately 50 described species distributed primarily in the Americas.
Copris arizonensis
Copris arizonensis is a dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Schaeffer in 1906. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Copris, it is associated with dung processing and soil burrowing behaviors typical of scarabaeine dung beetles.
Copris howdeni
Howden's copri
Copris howdeni is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is native to the southeastern United States, with records from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia. Like other members of the genus Copris, it is likely associated with mammal dung for feeding and larval development. The species was described by Matthews and Halffter in 1959.
Copris inemarginatus
Copris inemarginatus is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Blatchley in 1918. As a member of the genus Copris, it belongs to a group of tunneling dung beetles that bury dung for larval provisioning. The species has been documented in Florida, USA. Information regarding its specific ecology, behavior, and detailed morphology remains limited in available sources.
Copris macclevei
Copris macclevei is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Warner in 1990. It belongs to the genus Copris, a group of dung beetles known for their role in nutrient cycling and soil aeration through dung burial behaviors. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Coquillettia
Coquillettia is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Uhler in 1890. The genus comprises more than 30 described species. Members are true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) within the suborder characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts. As Miridae, they belong to the largest family of heteropteran insects, commonly known as capsid bugs or plant bugs.
Coryphaeschna viriditas
Mangrove Darner
Coryphaeschna viriditas, commonly known as the mangrove darner, is a dragonfly species in the family Aeshnidae. It inhabits coastal and wetland environments across the Americas, with a broad distribution spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats identified.
Corythucha incurvata
Toyon Lace Bug
Corythucha incurvata is a species of lace bug (family Tingidae) first described by Uhler in 1894. It occurs in Central America and North America, with distribution records from California, Oregon, Arizona, and Middle America. Like other lace bugs, it is a small, sap-feeding true bug with characteristic lacy, reticulated wings. The species is known by the common name 'Toyon Lace Bug', suggesting an association with toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) or related host plants, though specific host associations require further documentation.
Coscinocephalus
Coscinocephalus is a genus of rhinoceros beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, established by Prell in 1936. The genus comprises at least two described species: Coscinocephalus cribrifrons, described by Schaeffer in 1906, and Coscinocephalus tepehuanus, described by Morón & Ratcliffe in 1996. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Dynastinae and tribe Pentodontini, placing them among the smaller rhinoceros beetles.
Coscinocephalus cribrifrons
Coscinocephalus cribrifrons is a rhinoceros beetle in the subfamily Dynastinae. The species was described by Schaeffer in 1906. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other dynastine beetles, it possesses enlarged cephalic or thoracic horns, though specific horn morphology for this species is not well documented.
Cosmopterix callichalca
Cosmopterix callichalca is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae with a forewing length of 3.1–5.7 mm. It is native to the Americas, with records from Argentina, Brazil, and the southern and midwestern United States. The larvae are leaf miners on Schizachyrium scoparium. The species exhibits geographic variation in voltinism: univoltine in Michigan, bivoltine in the southern United States, and likely multivoltine in Brazil.
Cosmopterix dapifera
Cosmopterix dapifera is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, described by Hodges in 1962. It exhibits highly distinctive wing patterning with metallic golden spots and white transverse lines on greyish-brown forewings. The species has a disjunct distribution spanning the southeastern United States, Cuba, and eastern Brazil. Adults have been collected across multiple months, indicating a multivoltine life cycle.
Cosmopterix teligera
Cosmopterix teligera is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, characterized by distinctive metallic markings on dark brown forewings. The species occurs from the southern United States through the Caribbean and into South America. Adults are active primarily during warmer months in temperate regions, with year-round activity likely in tropical areas.
Cotalpa flavida
Shining Leaf Chafer Beetle
Cotalpa flavida is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Rutelinae, commonly known as the Shining Leaf Chafer Beetle. The species was described by Horn in 1878 and is native to the southwestern United States. Adults are recognized by their distinctive yellowish coloration and metallic luster.
Coulinus uladus
Coulinus uladus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Beirne in 1954. It is a member of the tribe Athysanini within the subfamily Deltocephalinae. The species has been recorded from northern North America including Alaska, Canada, and the Northwest Territories. As with most members of this genus, detailed biological information remains limited.
Cremastocheilus angularis
anteater scarab beetle
Cremastocheilus angularis is a myrmecophilous scarab beetle species in the genus Cremastocheilus, commonly known as anteater scarabs. Like other members of this genus, it is believed to live within ant colonies as a predator of ant larvae and pupae, though specific details for this species remain limited. The species name 'angularis' refers to the angular body shape characteristic of the genus. It occurs in western North America, with confirmed records from California.
Cribrus shingwauki
Cribrus shingwauki is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Beamer and Tuthill in 1934. It belongs to the subfamily Cicadellinae, a group known for their robust bodies and strong jumping abilities. The species is part of the genus Cribrus, which contains relatively few described species. Published records for this taxon are extremely limited.
Cryphia
Cryphia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Bryophilinae. Established by Jacob Hübner in 1818, the genus contains approximately 40 species distributed across the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. Several species have well-known common names, including the marbled beauty (C. domestica), marbled green (C. muralis), and tree-lichen beauty (C. algae).
Cryptolabis paradoxa
Cryptolabis paradoxa is a species of crane fly in the family Limoniidae, first described by Osten Sacken in 1860. It belongs to a genus of small, delicate flies commonly found in moist terrestrial habitats. The species occurs across eastern North America from Ontario and the Canadian Maritimes south to Arkansas, Tennessee, and Florida.
Cryptoscatomaseter brevicollis
Cryptoscatomaseter brevicollis is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. The species was described by LeConte in 1878. It belongs to a genus of dung beetles typically associated with mammal dung decomposition. The specific epithet 'brevicollis' refers to the short-necked condition of the pronotum.
Cryptoscatomaseter criddlei
Cryptoscatomaseter criddlei is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Brown in 1928. It belongs to the genus Cryptoscatomaseter, a group of small aphodiine scarabs. The species is known from a limited number of records in the northern Great Plains and adjacent regions of North America.
Cryptoscatomaseter paulseni
Cryptoscatomaseter paulseni is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, first described from specimens collected in Kansas and Nebraska. It belongs to a genus of small dung beetles whose members are poorly documented in the scientific literature. The species is known only from a limited number of records in the central Great Plains region of the United States.
Cryptoscatomaseter rossi
Cryptoscatomaseter rossi is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Cartwright in 1944. The genus Cryptoscatomaseter belongs to the dung beetle tribe Aphodiini. Distribution records indicate presence in Texas, USA.
Cryptoscatomaseter umbricollis
A small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, known from the southwestern United States. The species name 'umbricollis' refers to the shaded or dark collar region. It belongs to a genus of aphodiine dung beetles with limited documented natural history.
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.
Cuerna alta
Cuerna alta is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Oman and Beamer in 1944. It belongs to the tribe Proconiini, a group known for their relatively large size and robust build among leafhoppers. The species is documented from the southwestern United States, specifically New Mexico and Texas. Like other members of the genus Cuerna, it is presumed to feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts, though specific host plant associations for this species remain poorly documented.
Curtomerus flavus
Curtomerus Longhorned Beetle
Curtomerus flavus is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775. The species is distributed across North, Central, and South America, as well as Pacific and Caribbean islands. It belongs to the subfamily Cerambycinae and tribe Callidiopini. Limited ecological and behavioral information is available for this species.
Cyclocephala aravaipensis
Cyclocephala aravaipensis is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Dynastinae, first described by Brett Ratcliffe in 1992. It belongs to the masked chafer genus Cyclocephala, a group of beetles whose larvae are commonly known as "white grubs" and are significant pests of turfgrass. The species epithet "aravaipensis" refers to the Aravaipa region in Arizona, indicating its known geographic association. Like other members of its genus, adults are small brown beetles with a distinctive dark facial marking, while larvae are cream-colored, C-shaped grubs that feed on plant roots.
Cyclocephala robusta
Cyclocephala robusta is a species of masked chafer beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863. It belongs to the subfamily Dynastinae, though unlike many members of this group it lacks the large horns characteristic of the subfamily. The species is native to the south-central and southeastern United States. Like other Cyclocephala species, it likely has a life cycle involving root-feeding larval stages and adult beetles that do not feed on plants.
Cyclophora nanaria
Dwarf Tawny Wave
Cyclophora nanaria, the Dwarf Tawny Wave, is a small geometrid moth first described by Francis Walker in 1861. It is one of the smallest members of its genus, with a wingspan of approximately 16 mm. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, from the United States through the Caribbean and Central America to South America, and has been introduced to Hawaii.
Cylindrotoma
Cylindrotoma is a genus of crane flies in the family Cylindrotomidae, first described by Macquart in 1834. The genus has a broad distribution across Asia, North America, and Europe, with China containing the highest species diversity. Larvae are associated with flowering plants, while adults inhabit damp wooded environments.
Cymatia americana
water boatman
Cymatia americana is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, first described by Hussey in 1920. It belongs to the subfamily Cymatiinae and is one of several species in the genus Cymatia found in North America. Water boatmen in this family are aquatic true bugs that inhabit freshwater environments.