Nearctic
Guides
Glena
Glena is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, established by Hulst in 1896. The genus contains approximately 40 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with documented occurrences in North America, South America, and the Caribbean. Several species have been recorded as economically significant defoliators of plantation forestry, particularly Glena bipennaria bipennaria on African mahogany (Khaya spp.) in Brazil. Host plant relationships vary among species, ranging from specialists to broader associations.
Glena nigricaria
Glena nigricaria is a moth species in the family Geometridae, first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1913. It occurs in Central and North America, with records from southern British Columbia extending southward into Mexico. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 6448. Like other members of the genus Glena, it belongs to the diverse geometrid moth fauna of the Nearctic region.
Globipes spinulatus
Globipes spinulatus is a species of harvestman (order Opiliones) in the family Globipedidae, described by Nathan Banks in 1893. It is one of few documented species in the genus Globipes, a small family of long-legged arachnids. The species is known from limited records in the Los Angeles area of southern California.
Glomeroides primus
California Pill Millipede
Glomeroides primus is a pill millipede species in the family Protoglomeridae, native to western North America. It is one of the few pill millipede species found in the Nearctic region, where it occupies a restricted range centered on California. The species was originally described by Silvestri in 1929 under the basionym Apiomeris prima. Like other members of Glomerida, it has the ability to conglobate (roll into a complete ball) as a defensive adaptation. The genus Glomeroides represents an ancient lineage within the Oniscomorpha, the clade containing all pill millipedes.
Gloridonus ajo
Gloridonus ajo is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 2014. The specific epithet 'ajo' refers to the type locality in Arizona. As a member of the diverse leafhopper family, it belongs to a group of phloem-feeding insects with specialized piercing-sucking mouthparts. The genus Gloridonus is part of the Nearctic leafhopper fauna.
Glyphopsyche irrorata
Irrorate Northern Caddisfly
Glyphopsyche irrorata is a northern caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae with an unusual life history strategy. Unlike most caddisflies, it overwinters as an adult rather than in an aquatic larval or pupal stage. This adaptation allows it to inhabit ponds with fluctuating water levels and those experiencing winter drought. The species is known from the Nearctic region, particularly in the northeastern United States.
Glyptoscelimorpha marmorata
Glyptoscelimorpha marmorata is a species of false jewel beetle in the family Schizopodidae, described by Horn in 1893. It belongs to the superfamily Buprestoidea, which includes jewel beetles and related families. The species is documented from North America, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Glyptoscelimorpha viridis
false jewel beetle
Glyptoscelimorpha viridis is a species of false jewel beetle in the family Schizopodidae. The species was described by Chamberlin in 1931 and is found in North America. Schizopodidae is a small family of beetles commonly referred to as false jewel beetles, distinct from the true jewel beetles (Buprestidae). The specific epithet "viridis" refers to the green coloration typical of the species.
Gnaphalodes trachyderoides
A longhorn beetle and the sole species in its genus, characterized by a robust, somewhat flattened body and antennae that are notably shorter than those of many cerambycids. The species name 'trachyderoides' references its resemblance to the genus Trachyderes. It occurs from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America.
Gnorimella maculosa
Maculated Scarab
Gnorimella maculosa is a monotypic scarab beetle and the sole representative of its genus. It is characterized by spotted elytral patterning that gives the species its name. The beetle is associated with deciduous woodland habitats in eastern North America. It is considered uncommon in collections and field observations.
Gondwanocrypticus
Gondwanocrypticus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Koch in 1950. The genus is currently treated as a synonym in some taxonomic treatments. Records indicate presence in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The genus name references Gondwana, suggesting historical biogeographic connections to the southern supercontinent.
Gonomyia puer
Gonomyia puer is a species of limoniid crane fly described by Alexander in 1913. It belongs to the family Limoniidae, a large group of generally small, delicate crane flies. The species has a broad distribution spanning the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with records from the eastern United States through the Caribbean and into South America. Like other members of its family, it is likely associated with moist habitats where larvae develop in decaying organic matter.
Gonomyia sulphurella
Gonomyia sulphurella is a small crane fly in the family Limoniidae, described by Osten Sacken in 1860. The species is characterized by its yellowish coloration, reflected in its specific epithet 'sulphurella' (sulfur-yellow). It occurs across a broad range of eastern and central North America, from southern Canada through the eastern United States. Like other limoniid crane flies, it is a delicate, long-legged fly associated with moist terrestrial habitats.
Gracilimiris strigosus
Gracilimiris strigosus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Stonedahl and Henry in 1991. It belongs to the genus Gracilimiris, a group of mirid bugs characterized by their slender body form. The species is known from the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Texas and Arizona. As a member of the large and diverse family Miridae, it is part of one of the most species-rich families of true bugs.
Grais stigmaticus
Hermit Skipper
Grais stigmaticus, commonly known as the hermit skipper, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Grais. This skipper butterfly has a broad distribution spanning from the southwestern United States through Central America to Argentina, with populations also present in Jamaica. The species was first described by Mabille in 1883 under the basionym Anastrus stigmaticus. As a member of the family Hesperiidae, it exhibits the characteristic rapid, darting flight pattern typical of skippers.
Grammonota
Grammonota is a genus of dwarf spiders in the family Linyphiidae, first described by James Henry Emerton in 1882. The genus contains approximately 40-41 species distributed across the Americas, from Alaska in the north to Colombia in the south. Species occur in diverse habitats including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The genus is part of the sheet-web weaving spiders, though specific web-building behaviors vary among species.
Grammonota inornata
dwarf spider
Grammonota inornata is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae, described by Emerton in 1882. It is distributed across the United States and Canada, with confirmed records from provinces including Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. As a sheet-web weaving spider, it belongs to one of the most species-rich families of spiders. The specific epithet 'inornata' refers to its unadorned or plain appearance.
Gronocarus
lobed spiny burrowing beetle, lobeless spiny burrowing beetle
Gronocarus is a small genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The genus contains at least three described species, including G. autumnalis and G. inornatus, which exhibit distinct morphological differences in pronotal lobe development. These beetles are burrowing species with spiny morphology.
Gyascutus caelatus
Gyascutus caelatus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Field observations from Arizona indicate adults are active during summer months and are associated with Acacia species, particularly sweet acacia (Acacia rigidula).
Gyascutus carolinensis
Gyascutus carolinensis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America, with records from the Nearctic and Neotropic biogeographic regions. The species is associated with juniper hosts, specifically Juniperus monosperma. Adults exhibit a distinctive greenish waxy bloom covering the body, which is thought to aid in camouflage among foliage.
Gyascutus planicosta
Gyascutus planicosta is a large metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Adults reach up to 50 mm in length and display brilliant metallic coloration. The species occurs in the desert southwest of North America, with larvae developing in living roots of host plants rather than dead wood. Three subspecies are recognized, with G. p. obliteratus occurring in western Texas and southern New Mexico.
Gymnetina
Gymnetina is a genus of flower and fruit chafers (Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) comprising approximately six described species. Members are attracted to sweet baits such as fermenting fruit or wine, and at least one subspecies (G. cretacea sundbergi) is endemic to the Organ Mountains of New Mexico. The genus occurs primarily in the Nearctic region, with species distributed across southwestern and south-central North America.
Gymnetina borealis
Gymnetina borealis is a species of flower chafer beetle (Cetoniinae) described from the southwestern United States. The species was formally described by Ratcliffe and Warner in 2011. As a member of the Gymnetini tribe, it belongs to a group of scarab beetles often associated with flowers and fruit. Very little biological information has been published for this species specifically.
Gymnopyge hopliaeformis
Gymnopyge hopliaeformis is a species of scarab beetle described by Linell in 1896. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae, tribe Dichelonychini. The species is known from California and represents a rare component of the Nearctic scarab fauna. Very few observations exist, with only two records documented on iNaturalist.
Gymnosoma canadense
Gymnosoma canadense is a Nearctic tachinid fly described by Brooks in 1946. It belongs to a genus characterized by compact, rounded abdomens that resemble lady beetles. Like other members of Gymnosoma, its larvae are parasitoids of stink bugs (Pentatomidae). The species occurs in Canada and the United States, though detailed biological records remain limited.
Gyrinus parcus
Gyrinus parcus is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae. It has a broad geographic distribution spanning Central America, North America, and South America. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1834 and includes six recognized subspecies. Whirligig beetles in the genus Gyrinus are small, surface-dwelling aquatic beetles known for their rapid, erratic swimming behavior and tendency to form aggregations on still or slow-moving water.
Habrodais
Habrodais is a genus of small butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, containing two species restricted to western North America. The genus was established by Scudder in 1876. Both species are associated with oak woodlands and have specialized ecological relationships with their host plants.
Habrophlebia vibrans
pronggilled mayfly
A small stream-dwelling mayfly with a 2-year life cycle, notable for its extended development compared to most mayflies. Adults emerge synchronously in June. Nymphs inhabit gravel substrates and show distinct drift patterns across life stages. The species has been studied in Québec populations, where it reaches final sizes of approximately 5 mm before emergence.
Habroscelimorpha
Habro Tiger Beetles
Habroscelimorpha is a genus of tiger beetles in the family Cicindelidae, established by Dokhtouroff in 1883. The genus historically contained approximately seven species distributed across the Neotropical and Nearctic regions, though recent taxonomic revisions have transferred most Neotropical species to other genera. Species remaining in Habroscelimorpha are primarily associated with coastal and saline habitats, including salt marshes, mud flats, and sandy beaches. Several species exhibit strong attraction to ultraviolet light, a trait that distinguishes them from many other tiger beetle genera and facilitates nocturnal observation and collection.
Habrosyne
Habrosyne is a genus of moths in the family Drepanidae (subfamily Thyatirinae), first described by Jacob Hübner in 1821. The genus contains approximately 20 described species distributed across the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. Some species, such as Habrosyne derasa, have been studied as potential biological control agents for invasive brambles.
Hadrosomus teapensis
Hadrosomus teapensis is a seed bug in the family Lygaeidae, first described by Distant in 1893. The species is known from both Mexico and the United States, with records extending from the type locality at Teapa, Tabasco, Mexico to southern Florida. As a member of the Lygaeinae subfamily, it belongs to a group of true bugs adapted for seed feeding. The species remains poorly documented in the primary literature, with most records derived from specimen databases and limited field observations.
Halesochila taylori
Halesochila taylori is a species of northern caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae. It is a small to medium-sized caddisfly with a Nearctic distribution, documented primarily from North America. The species was originally described as Halesus taylori by Banks in 1904 and later transferred to the genus Halesochila. As a member of the Limnephilidae, it is presumed to have an aquatic larval stage and terrestrial adult stage, though specific life history details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Hapithus
Hapithus is a large genus of flightless bush crickets comprising over 200 described species, primarily distributed across the Americas. Formerly treated as a separate genus, Orocharis has been synonymized with Hapithus and is now recognized as a subgenus. The genus is the namesake of the tribe Hapithini within the family Oecanthidae. These crickets are characterized by their inability to fly, a trait that distinguishes them from many related bush crickets.
Haplaxius balli
Haplaxius balli is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Kramer in 1979. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species is known from Arizona, USA, based on distribution records. Like other cixiid planthoppers, it is a member of the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, characterized by their distinctive head morphology and wing venation patterns.
Haplaxius wheeleri
Haplaxius wheeleri is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Wilson in 1996. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species has been documented from the northeastern United States, specifically New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As a member of the Auchenorrhyncha, it is a phloem-feeding insect associated with vascular plants.
Haplodrassus signifer
Ensign Ground Hunter
Haplodrassus signifer is a species of ground spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It has a broad distribution spanning North America, Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Israel, the Caucasus, Russia, Central Asia, China, Korea, and Japan. The species is part of a large genus of active hunting spiders that do not build webs to capture prey.
Haplostethini
metallic wood-boring beetles
Haplostethini is a tribe of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) within the subfamily Polycestinae. The tribe comprises at least 10 genera and more than 60 described species. Members are small to moderately sized metallic wood-boring beetles distributed across multiple continents. The genus Mastogenius is the most well-known in North America, with species occurring in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The tribe was established by LeConte in 1861.
Haroldiataenius convexus
Haroldiataenius convexus is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It was described by Robinson in 1940. The species is known from Texas, USA, within the Nearctic region. As a member of the subfamily Aphodiinae, it is associated with dung decomposition, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Haroldiataenius semipilosus
Haroldiataenius semipilosus is a small dung beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Van Dyke in 1928. As an aphodiine, it belongs to a group often associated with dung decomposition, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Haroldiellus sallei
Haroldiellus sallei is a small dung-feeding scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. The species is distributed across the Western Hemisphere from the southwestern United States through Central America to Colombia, with records also from Caribbean islands in the Greater Antilles. As a surface dung-feeder, it plays a role in nutrient cycling in various ecosystems. The species was first described by Harold in 1863 and represents one of the more broadly distributed members of its genus.
Harpogonopus
Harpogonopus is a genus of millipedes in the family Nearctodesmidae, order Polydesmida. The genus was established by Loomis in 1960. Members of this genus belong to the flat-backed millipede group, characterized by lateral extensions (paranota) on most body segments. The genus occurs in the Nearctic region.
Hebata nigroscuta
Hebata nigroscuta is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae. It is one of several described species within the genus Hebata, a group of small, often colorful leafhoppers in the tribe Erythroneurini. The species is characterized by distinctive dark markings on the scutellum. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with woody vegetation and feeds on plant phloem.
Hebecephalus chandleri
Hebecephalus chandleri is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 1999. It belongs to the subfamily Deltocephalinae and tribe Paralimnini. The species has been documented in Wyoming, United States. As a member of the genus Hebecephalus, it shares the characteristic head morphology that defines this group within the leafhopper family.
Hebecephalus crenulatus
Hebecephalus crenulatus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 1999. It belongs to the subfamily Deltocephalinae and tribe Paralimnini. The species has been recorded from Idaho, United States. As a member of the genus Hebecephalus, it is part of a group of leafhoppers characterized by distinctive head morphology.
Hebecephalus veretillum
Hebecephalus veretillum is a species of leafhopper described by Hamilton in 1999. It belongs to the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, and tribe Paralimnini. The species is known from Idaho in the western United States. As a member of the leafhopper family, it is presumed to feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts, though specific host plant associations have not been documented.
Hebetica
Hebetica is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, tribe Darnini. Members are commonly called 'raindrop treehoppers' due to their broadly rounded pronotum. The genus is predominantly Neotropical, with most species distributed in South America. Hebetica sylviae is the sole Nearctic representative, discovered in the eastern United States in 2016.
Hedriodiscus trivittatus
Hedriodiscus trivittatus is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. It is one of approximately 2,700 described species in this family of true flies. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1829. Beyond taxonomic classification and distribution records, specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Hedriodiscus varipes
Hedriodiscus varipes is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. The genus Hedriodiscus belongs to the subfamily Stratiomyinae, whose larvae are known to be aquatic. Adults of related species in this subfamily exhibit patterned eyes with horizontal banding, suggesting an ability to detect horizontally polarized light. The species is distributed in Canada and the United States.
Hedya nubiferana
marbled orchard tortrix, green budworm moth
Hedya nubiferana is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 15–21 mm, characterized by distinctive forewing markings including a square basal black spot and a prominent white cross-band at the wing tip. The species occurs across the Palearctic and Nearctic realms. Adults are active from May to August in western Europe, with timing varying across the range. Larvae develop on hawthorn (Crataegus) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).
Helicopsyche borealis
Spectacled Snail-case Caddisfly
Helicopsyche borealis is a caddisfly species in the family Helicopsychidae, notable as one of only two Helicopsyche species to colonize temperate North America from a predominantly tropical genus. Larvae construct distinctive spiral, snail-like cases from sand grains cemented with silk. The species inhabits running waters across North America and plays a role as a collector-gatherer and scraper in stream ecosystems. Adults emerge in spring, and the life cycle is univoltine with egg diapause through summer.