Nearctic
Guides
Helius flavipes
Helius flavipes is a species of limoniid crane fly in the family Limoniidae. It occurs across a broad geographic range in North America, from Canada south through the United States. As a member of the crane fly family Limoniidae, it belongs to a diverse group of delicate, long-legged flies commonly found in moist terrestrial and semi-aquatic habitats.
Hellinsia pectodactylus
Eurasian Straw-colored Plume Moth
Hellinsia pectodactylus is a plume moth species with a remarkably wide distribution spanning Eurasia and North America. The species has a wingspan of 19–20 mm. Larvae feed on specific host plants in the Asteraceae family, including goldenrods and related species.
Helobata larvalis
Pickerelweed Water Beetle
Helobata larvalis is a water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae, commonly known as the Pickerelweed Water Beetle. It has a broad distribution across the Americas, occurring from the United States through Central America to South America, including Caribbean islands. The species has been recorded from diverse biomes including the Cerrado of Brazil. As a member of the Acidocerinae subfamily, it inhabits aquatic or semi-aquatic environments.
Helocassis
Helocassis is a genus of tortoise beetles (Cassidinae) in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae. The genus contains at least seven described species distributed across Central and North America. These beetles are characterized by their distinctive shield-like body form typical of the subfamily.
Helophora insignis
Helophora insignis is a sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae. It has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning North America, Europe, the Caucasus, Russia (from European regions to the Far East), Kyrgyzstan, and China. The species belongs to a genus characterized by the construction of horizontal sheet webs, a trait that distinguishes Linyphiidae from other spider families.
Hemiargus
blues, blue butterflies
Hemiargus is a genus of small butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as blues, found in North and South America. The genus contains approximately five recognized species, including the widespread Ceraunus blue (Hemiargus ceraunus) and Reakirt's blue (Hemiargus isola). These butterflies inhabit open, sunny environments and are characterized by their blue or grayish upper wing surfaces with variable spotting patterns. Some species engage in facultative mutualistic associations with ants during their larval stage, where caterpillars produce secretions that attract ant attendants who provide protection against predators.
Hemiglyptus
Hemiglyptus is a genus of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae) established by Horn in 1889. The genus currently contains a single recognized species, Hemiglyptus basalis, following the transfer of four Chilean species to the genus Psilapha. The sole remaining species is known from the Nearctic region.
Hemiphrynus
Hemiphrynus is a genus of flea beetles (family Chrysomelidae) comprising 8 described species distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The genus was established by Horn in 1889. Species within this genus exhibit the characteristic enlarged hind femora that enable flea beetles to jump when disturbed.
Henryana
Henryana is a monotypic genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Eulophidae, subfamily Tetrastichinae. The genus was described by Yoshimoto in 1983 and is distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. As a monotypic genus, it contains a single described species. Members of this genus are parasitoid wasps, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Heptagenia adaequata
Heptagenia adaequata is a species of flatheaded mayfly in the family Heptageniidae. Described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1924, it is a Nearctic species found in North America. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with running water habitats. The species is represented by relatively few observations in biodiversity databases.
Heptagenia pulla
dusky flat-headed mayfly
Heptagenia pulla is a species of flat-headed mayfly in the family Heptageniidae, commonly known as the dusky flat-headed mayfly. The species was described by Clemens in 1913 and is native to the Nearctic region. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with flowing freshwater habitats. The specific epithet "pulla" refers to the dusky or dark coloration characteristic of this species.
Hepzygina milleri
Hepzygina milleri is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae, described by Beamer in 1929. The species belongs to the tribe Erythroneurini, a group of small leafhoppers commonly associated with vascular plants. Records indicate occurrence in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and Texas. The genus Hepzygina is part of the diverse membracoid lineage of sap-feeding insects.
Heraeus plebejus
dirt-colored seed bug
Heraeus plebejus is a species of dirt-colored seed bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, first described by Carl Stål in 1874. It is distributed across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. As a member of the Rhyparochromidae, it belongs to a family of true bugs commonly associated with seeds and ground-level habitats. The species has been documented in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Haiti, and various Caribbean islands.
Hesperocorixa michiganensis
Hesperocorixa michiganensis is a species of water boatman (family Corixidae) described by Hungerford in 1926. It belongs to a genus of aquatic true bugs found in freshwater habitats. The species is recorded from North America, specifically within the Nearctic region. Like other Corixidae, it is adapted to underwater life with modified hind legs for swimming.
Hesperoperla hoguei
Banded Stone
Hesperoperla hoguei is a species of stonefly in the family Perlidae, commonly known as the banded stone. It is a member of the subfamily Acroneuriinae, a group of predatory stoneflies often associated with flowing freshwater habitats. The species was described by Baumann and Stark in 1980 and is known from western North America, particularly California. As with other perlid stoneflies, it likely inhabits cool, well-oxygenated streams.
Hesperophylax designatus
silver-striped sedge, giant golden caddis, silver-striped northern caddisfly
Hesperophylax designatus is a species of northern caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae, commonly known as the silver-striped sedge or giant golden caddis. It is one of seven recognized species in the Nearctic genus Hesperophylax. The species has been observed in Colorado at bioblitz events and is documented across North America with 133 iNaturalist observations.
Hesperorhipis
Hesperorhipis is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing four described species distributed in the southwestern United States. The genus belongs to the tribe Xenorhipidini, characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism in antennal structure: males possess highly modified flabellate or lamellate antennae with expanded distal segments, while females retain serrated antennae. Species in this genus exhibit abbreviated elytra that expose much of the abdomen, a trait that distinguishes them from related genera. The genus was established by Fall in 1930 and is currently under revision.
Hesperorhipis hyperbola
A small metallic wood-boring beetle in the tribe Xenorhipidini, distinguished by abbreviated elytra and pronounced sexual dimorphism in antennal structure. The species was described by Knull in 1938 and includes two recognized subspecies. Like other members of its tribe, males possess highly modified flabellate antennae while females retain unmodified serrate antennae.
Hesperotingis mississippiensis
Hesperotingis mississippiensis is a species of lace bug in the family Tingidae. Lace bugs (family Tingidae) are small, flattened true bugs known for their distinctive reticulated, lace-like forewings. Members of the genus Hesperotingis are found in the Nearctic region. The species epithet mississippiensis indicates an association with the Mississippi region, though specific details about this species' biology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Heterelmis obesa
riffle beetle
Heterelmis obesa is a species of riffle beetle in the family Elmidae, first described by Sharp in 1882. It is one of the most widely distributed species in the genus Heterelmis, occurring across Central America, North America, and South America. The species is recognized as having two subspecies: Heterelmis obesa obesa and Heterelmis obesa plana Hinton, 1936. Like other elmid beetles, it is adapted to aquatic environments with flowing water.
Heterischnus huardi
A Nearctic ichneumon wasp species originally described as Posocentrus huardi by Provancher in 1875. One of three known Nearctic species in the genus Heterischnus, alongside H. bicolorator and H. coloradensis. The species was redescribed in a 2021 taxonomic revision that provided the first key to Nearctic Heterischnus species.
Heterocloeon petersi
small minnow mayfly
Heterocloeon petersi is a small minnow mayfly species in the family Baetidae, first described by Müller-Liebenau in 1974. It is recorded from the southeastern United States. As a member of Baetidae, it belongs to one of the most diverse families of mayflies, though specific biological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Heterotoma planicornis
Common Flathorn Plant Bug
Heterotoma planicornis is a small mirid bug in the family Miridae, recognized by its distinctive flattened second antennal segment. It has a single generation per year with adults active from July to September. The species exhibits omnivorous feeding habits, functioning as both a predator of small arthropods and a consumer of plant materials. It is widespread across much of Europe and has been introduced to the Nearctic realm.
Hexatoma brevioricornis
Hexatoma brevioricornis is a species of limoniid crane fly described by Charles Paul Alexander in 1941. The species belongs to the family Limoniidae, a diverse group of crane flies often characterized by relatively short antennae compared to other tipuloid families. It occurs in eastern North America, with records spanning from Quebec to Massachusetts and southward to Kansas, Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The specific epithet 'brevioricornis' refers to the relatively short antennae characteristic of this species.
Hexatoma longicornis
Hexatoma longicornis is a species of limoniid crane fly in the family Limoniidae, order Diptera. The species was originally described as Anisomera longicornis by Walker in 1848. It is distributed across the Nearctic region, ranging from Alaska through Canada to the eastern and central United States.
Hexatoma sculleni
Hexatoma sculleni is a crane fly species in the family Limoniidae, described by Charles Paul Alexander in 1943. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized crane flies characterized by reduced wing venation and relatively short legs compared to true crane flies (Tipulidae). The species is known from a limited geographic range in the western United States. Very few observations exist, suggesting it is either genuinely rare or underreported.
Hexatoma wilsonii
Hexatoma wilsonii is a species of limoniid crane fly (family Limoniidae) first described by Osten Sacken in 1869. The species is known from the eastern United States, with records from Ohio to Delaware and south to North Carolina. Like other members of the genus Hexatoma, adults are characterized by reduced wing venation and distinctive leg structure. The species has been documented through a small number of observations on iNaturalist (7 records), suggesting it may be underreported or genuinely uncommon.
Heza similis
Heza similis is a species of assassin bug described by Carl Stål in 1859. It belongs to the family Reduviidae, a diverse group of predatory true bugs. The species has a broad distribution spanning the Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, and South America. As a member of the Harpactorinae subfamily, it likely exhibits the typical assassin bug predatory lifestyle, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Hilarimorphidae
hilarimorphid flies
Hilarimorphidae is a small family of flies (Diptera) with uncertain phylogenetic placement. They have been variously associated with Acroceridae or Bombyliidae within the superfamily Asiloidea. The family is primarily Nearctic in distribution and includes both extant and fossil species.
Hippuriphila
A genus of flea beetles in the family Chrysomelidae containing three described species distributed across the Nearctic and Palaearctic regions. The genus was established by Foudras in 1859. American specimens were historically misidentified as the Eurasian species H. adonidis until taxonomic revision established H. americana as a distinct species based on aedeagus morphology.
Hogna coloradensis
Hogna coloradensis is a wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, first described by Nathan Banks in 1894. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Hogna, it is a ground-dwelling, cursorial hunter. Specific details regarding its ecology and behavior remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Holocynips
Holocynips is a genus of oak gall wasps in the family Cynipidae, established by Kieffer in 1910. The genus occurs in the Nearctic region and contains species that induce galls on oak trees (Quercus). A 2023 description of H. illinoiensis prompted preliminary discussion on the coherence of the genus, suggesting taxonomic boundaries may require revision.
Hololepta minuta
clown beetle
Hololepta minuta is a species of clown beetle (family Histeridae) first described by Erichson in 1834. It belongs to the genus Hololepta, a group characterized by their flattened, compact bodies adapted for living in tight spaces. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through Central America and into South America, including Caribbean islands.
Hololepta quadridentata
clown beetle
Hololepta quadridentata is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, characterized by its flattened body form typical of the genus. It is widely distributed across the Americas, from the southern United States through Central America and into South America. The species has also been introduced to Spain. Like other members of Histeridae, it is associated with decaying organic matter.
Holopedium glacialis
A small freshwater cladoceran crustacean in the family Holopediidae. The species was described in 2007 from Nearctic material and is distinguished from congeners by genetic and morphological characteristics. Like other members of the genus, it possesses a distinctive gelatinous mantle that encloses the body.
Homoeoneuria alleni
Homoeoneuria alleni is a species of mayfly (Ephemeroptera) in the family Oligoneuriidae, described by Pescador & Peters in 1980. The genus Homoeoneuria is part of the heptagenioid lineage of mayflies. This species is known from the Nearctic region, with records from North America and Middle America.
Homolobus truncator
A braconid wasp originally described from North America, with records extending to Europe and Asia including northern Iran. Collected in Iran using Malaise traps during spring through autumn months. As a member of subfamily Homolobinae, it likely functions as a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain undocumented in available sources.
Homoneura
Homoneura is a genus of small flies in the family Lauxaniidae, first described by Van der Wulp in 1891. The genus contains over 700 species worldwide, with more than 220 species documented from China alone. Species are frequently characterized by distinctive wing patterns, including brown spots on the wing membrane and specific venation features used in taxonomic identification. The genus is divided into multiple subgenera and species groups based on morphological characters, particularly male genitalia and wing markings.
Homostinea curviliniella
Curved-lined Homostinea Moth
Homostinea curviliniella is a small moth species described by Dietz in 1905. It is widely distributed across the eastern United States, with additional records from Arizona, Cuba, and Manitoba. The species is characterized by distinctive wing markings including a curved black line in the apical third of the forewing. It belongs to family Meessiidae (sometimes treated as Tineidae in older sources).
Hoplandria
Hoplandria is a genus of rove beetles (family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae) established by Kraatz in 1857. The Nearctic fauna comprises 12 recognized species arranged in four subgenera: Hoplandria, Genosema, Lophomucter, and Arrhenandria. The genus is taxonomically well-characterized through revisionary work, though biological and ecological data remain limited.
Hoplia hirta
Hoplia hirta is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, described by LeConte in 1880. It is distributed in the western United States, with records from California, Nevada, and Oregon. Like other members of the genus Hoplia, it is likely associated with flowering plants as an adult, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species name 'hirta' refers to hairy or bristly characteristics, presumably of the adult beetle's body surface.
Hoplia modesta
Modest Chafer
Hoplia modesta is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, commonly known as the Modest Chafer. It is distributed across eastern and central North America, with records from Ontario, Canada, and 24 U.S. states plus Washington D.C. The species belongs to the genus Hoplia, a group of chafers often associated with flowers and foliage.
Hoplia mucorea
Hoplia mucorea is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It has been recorded from multiple U.S. states (California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina) and Sonora, Mexico. The species belongs to the genus Hoplia, which comprises small to medium-sized scarab beetles often associated with flowers and vegetation.
Hoplia trivialis
Dark hoplia
Hoplia trivialis, commonly known as the dark hoplia, is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is native to North America and has been documented across a broad range of eastern and central United States. The species is relatively poorly studied compared to other scarab beetles, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Horama panthalon
Texas Wasp Moth
Horama panthalon, commonly called the Texas Wasp Moth, is a moth in the subfamily Arctiinae (family Erebidae) known for its striking mimicry of paper wasps. The species was described by Fabricius in 1793 and occurs across a broad Neotropical and Nearctic range. Adults are active year-round in warmer regions and possess a wingspan of 32–34 mm. The species exhibits Batesian mimicry, resembling Polistes wasps in coloration and flight behavior as a defense against predators.
Hortensia similis
Common Green Leafhopper
Hortensia similis is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, originally described as Tettigonia similis by Walker in 1851. It is commonly known as the Common Green Leafhopper and has a wide distribution across the Americas, from the southwestern United States through Central America to South America. The species has been documented in California, Arizona, the British Virgin Islands, and several South American locations including Amazonas and Bahia. It is an agricultural pest associated with maize cultivation in parts of its range, where it serves as a host for various egg parasitoid wasps.
Huleria
Huleria is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, tribe Athysanini. It was erected by Ball in 1902. The genus belongs to the diverse leafhopper fauna of the Western Hemisphere, with species occurring in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. As a member of the Athysanini, it shares the tribe's characteristic features including a pronotum that extends to the tegulae and specific wing venation patterns.
Hydrophilus ensifer
Hydrophilus ensifer is a large water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae, distributed throughout the Americas from Argentina to the southern United States. Adults typically measure 30–37 mm in length, making them among the largest aquatic insects. Two subspecies are recognized: H. e. ensifer and H. e. duvali, though their distinguishing characteristics remain poorly understood.
Hydrophilus insularis
Hydrophilus insularis is a water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae. It is distributed across a broad geographic range from northern South America through the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico into the southern United States. The species is aquatic and belongs to a genus known for scavenging behavior in freshwater habitats.
Hydroporus
Hydroporus is a genus of small diving beetles (family Dytiscidae) with approximately 180 described species worldwide. The genus exhibits substantial morphological diversity organized into multiple species groups, including the longiusculus-group, longulus-group, memnonius-group, and nigellus-group. Members occur across the Palearctic, Nearctic, Near East, and North Africa. Several species complexes within the genus show convergent adaptations to specialized habitats, including semi-subterranean environments.