Nearctic
Guides
Lasiopogon arenicola
Lasiopogon arenicola is a Nearctic robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) originally described by Osten Sacken in 1877. It belongs to the bivittatus section of the genus Lasiopogon, a group of predatory flies characterized by their robust build and distinctive facial mystax. The species was validated in a 2020 molecular phylogenetic revision that included it in a Bayesian species tree analysis based on mitochondrial COI and three nuclear protein-coding loci (AATS, PEPCK, Wg). As a member of the Asilidae family, it shares the group's characteristic predatory habits and sand-dwelling ecology implied by its species epithet 'arenicola' (sand-dweller).
Lasiopogon asilomar
Lasiopogon asilomar is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) described by McKnight in 2020. It belongs to the bivittatus section of the genus Lasiopogon, a group of Nearctic robber flies characterized by distinctive morphological features. The species was established as part of a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study and taxonomic revision that used mitochondrial (COI) and three nuclear protein-coding loci (AATS, PEPCK, Wg). The specific epithet 'asilomar' references the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California, where international thrips and tospovirus symposia have been held.
Lasiopogon bitumineus
Lasiopogon bitumineus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by McKnight in 2020 as part of a taxonomic revision of the bivittatus section of the genus Lasiopogon. The species was among 13 new species described from Nearctic populations in a comprehensive phylogenetic and systematic study. As a member of the bivittatus section, it belongs to a morphologically defined group of western Nearctic Lasiopogon species.
Lasiopogon canningsi
Cannings' Sandpirate
Lasiopogon canningsi is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) described in 2020 as part of a taxonomic revision of the bivittatus section of Nearctic Lasiopogon. The species is named in honor of entomologist Robert A. Cannings. As a member of the Asilidae family, it is a predatory fly, though specific ecological details remain undocumented in accessible literature.
Lasiopogon dimicki
Lasiopogon dimicki is a robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) described by Cole & Wilcox in 1938. It belongs to the bivittatus section of the genus Lasiopogon, a group of ground-dwelling predatory flies found in western North America. The species was validated and included in a 2020 molecular phylogenetic revision of the bivittatus section based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers.
Lasiopogon gabrieli
Lasiopogon gabrieli is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) in the bivittatus section, first described by Cole & Wilcox in 1938. It belongs to a genus of predatory flies found in western North America. The species was validated in a 2020 molecular phylogenetic revision of Nearctic Lasiopogon. Very few observations exist in public databases.
Lasiopogon karli
Lasiopogon karli is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) described by McKnight in 2020. It belongs to the cinereus group within the opaculus section of the genus Lasiopogon, distinguishing it from the bivittatus section that was the primary focus of the taxonomic revision in which it was described. As a member of the Asilidae family, it is presumed to share the general predatory habits characteristic of robber flies, though species-specific ecological data remain undocumented in available sources.
Lasiopogon littoris
Lasiopogon littoris is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Cole in 1924. It belongs to the bivittatus section of the genus Lasiopogon, a group of Nearctic species that was taxonomically revised in 2021. The species is one of 13 previously described taxa that were redescribed as part of this revision, which included an updated identification key to western Nearctic Lasiopogon adults.
Lasiopogon martinensis
Lasiopogon martinensis is a species of robber fly (Asilidae) originally described by Cole & Wilcox in 1938. Molecular phylogenetic analysis has transferred this species from the bivittatus section to the tetragrammus group within the opaculus section of the genus Lasiopogon. The species is considered valid based on taxonomic revision of Nearctic Lasiopogon.
Lasiopogon opaculus
Lasiopogon opaculus is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Loew in 1874. It belongs to the opaculus section of the genus Lasiopogon, a group of predatory flies found in western North America. The species is part of a taxonomically complex group that has undergone recent revision based on molecular phylogenetic data.
Lasiopogon ripicola
A robber fly species in the genus *Lasiopogon* (family Asilidae), originally described by Melander in 1923. It belongs to the bivittatus section, a group of Nearctic species. The species was formally redescribed and validated in a 2020 taxonomic revision based on molecular and morphological data. Like other asilids, it is presumed to be a predatory insect, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lasiopogon sierra
Lasiopogon sierra is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by McKnight in 2020. It belongs to the bivittatus section of the genus Lasiopogon, a group of Nearctic robber flies characterized by distinctive morphological features. The species was established as part of a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic revision of the genus using mitochondrial COI and nuclear protein-coding markers (AATS, PEPCK, Wg). As a member of Asilidae, it is a predatory fly, though species-specific biological details remain to be documented.
Lasiopogon tetragrammus
Great Lakes Sandpirate
Lasiopogon tetragrammus is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) first described by Loew in 1874. The species was transferred from the bivittatus section to the tetragrammus group of the opaculus section in a 2020 molecular phylogenetic revision by Cannings. It is known by the common name Great Lakes Sandpirate, reflecting its geographic association with the Great Lakes region.
Lasiopogon tumulicola
Lasiopogon tumulicola is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) described in 2020 during a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the bivittatus section of the genus Lasiopogon. The species name 'tumulicola' (from Latin tumulus, mound or hill, and -cola, dweller) suggests an association with elevated or hummocky terrain. It is one of 13 new species described in this revision of western Nearctic Lasiopogon species, which was based on both molecular phylogenetic analysis and morphological examination.
Lasiopogon wilcoxi
Lasiopogon wilcoxi is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by McKnight in 2020. It belongs to the bivittatus section of the genus Lasiopogon, a group of Nearctic predatory flies. The species was established as part of a comprehensive taxonomic revision and molecular phylogenetic study of western Nearctic Lasiopogon species. No specific ecological or behavioral data for this species has been published in the available literature.
Lasiopogon willametti
Willamette Sandpirate
Lasiopogon willametti is a species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) described by Cole and Wilcox in 1938. It belongs to the bivittatus section of the genus Lasiopogon, a group of Nearctic species that has undergone recent taxonomic revision. The species is known by the common name Willamette Sandpirate. As a member of Asilidae, it is a predatory fly, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Lasiosina
Lasiosina is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae, established by Becker in 1910. Members of this genus are distributed across Europe and the Nearctic region, with records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. At least one species, Lasiosina devitata, has been documented as a host for parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae.
Latebraria
Latebraria is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae, established by Achille Guenée in 1852. The genus contains three described species distributed in southern North America and Central America. These moths are part of the diverse noctuoid fauna of the Neotropical and Nearctic regions.
Lecaniobius
Lecaniobius is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Eupelmidae, established by Ashmead in 1896. Members of this genus are parasitoid wasps, a characteristic common to the Eupelmidae family. The genus has been documented from Peru and the United States based on specimen records. As with many chalcidoid genera, detailed biological information remains limited in published literature.
Lechorodius
Lechorodius is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was established by Gordon and Skelley in 2007 and is currently recognized as valid. The genus belongs to the tribe Aphodiini and is part of the diverse group of dung beetles and related taxa within the scarab superfamily Scarabaeoidea.
Lechorodius lutulentus
A small scarab beetle in the dung beetle subfamily Aphodiinae, distributed across the eastern and central United States. The species name "lutulentus" (Latin for muddy or turbid) may reference coloration or habitat associations. It belongs to a genus of aphodiine dung beetles that are generally associated with decaying organic matter.
Lechorodius terminalis
Lechorodius terminalis is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. Described by Thomas Say in 1823, this species is distributed across the Nearctic region of North America. As a member of the Aphodiini tribe, it belongs to a group of beetles commonly associated with dung decomposition. The genus Lechorodius is classified within the Aphodiinae, a diverse subfamily of scarab beetles that play important ecological roles in nutrient cycling.
Leiopsammodius malkini
Leiopsammodius malkini is a species of aphodiine dung beetle described by Cartwright in 1946. It is one of approximately 50 species in the genus Leiopsammodius, a group of small scarab beetles commonly known as psammodiines or sand-loving dung beetles. The species is documented from the Nearctic region, with confirmed records from Florida, USA. Like other members of the tribe Psammodiini, it is associated with sandy habitats.
Leistus ferruginosus
Nearctic rusty basket-throat
Leistus ferruginosus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Nearctic rusty basket-throat. It occurs across northern North America, including Alaska, Canada, and the contiguous United States. The species inhabits deciduous forests on moderately moist, somewhat shaded ground. Like other members of the genus Leistus, it is characterized by a distinctive "basket-throat" structure formed by elongated mandibles and associated mouthparts.
Lemnaphila scotlandae
Lemnaphila scotlandae is a species of shore fly in the family Ephydridae, described by Cresson in 1933. The species is notable for its specialized larval ecology: larvae are leaf-miners of duckweed (Lemna spp.). It has been recorded in Canada and the United States.
Lenarchus rho
Lenarchus rho is a species of caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae, first described by Milne in 1935. It belongs to the order Trichoptera, an aquatic insect group whose larvae construct protective cases. The species is recorded from North America within the Nearctic region. As a member of Limnephilidae, it is likely associated with freshwater habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lenarchus rillus
northern caddisfly
Lenarchus rillus is a species of northern caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae. It was first described by Milne in 1935. The species is known from North America, with distribution records indicating presence in the Nearctic region. Very little detailed biological information has been published for this species.
Lepidanthrax disjunctus
Lepidanthrax disjunctus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. The species is documented from Mexico and the U.S. state of Arizona. Bee flies in this family are typically characterized by their resemblance to bees and their parasitic or predatory larval life histories, though specific biological details for this species remain limited.
Lepidophora lepidocera
Scaly Bee Fly
Lepidophora lepidocera is a Nearctic bee fly species in the family Bombyliidae, one of eight species in the genus Lepidophora. The genus is restricted to the New World, with L. lepidocera occurring in the eastern United States. Adults display a distinctive hunch-backed body shape and are frequently observed visiting flowers for nectar. Larvae are kleptoparasites that usurp provisions from solitary wasp nests rather than parasitizing the wasp larvae directly.
Lepidostoma cinereum
Lepidostoma cinereum is a species of caddisfly in the family Lepidostomatidae. It was described by Banks in 1899 and is known from North America. The species belongs to a family characterized by distinctive larval case construction using plant material.
Lepidostoma griseum
A small caddisfly species in the family Lepidostomatidae. Adults are known from North America. The specific epithet 'griseum' (Latin for 'gray') likely refers to body coloration. Larval biology remains poorly documented.
Lepidostoma hoodi
Hood River Bizarre Caddisfly
Lepidostoma hoodi is a species of caddisfly in the family Lepidostomatidae, described by Ross in 1948. It belongs to a group commonly referred to as 'bizarre caddisflies' due to unusual morphological features characteristic of this genus. The species is known from North America, with records indicating presence in the Nearctic region. Very few observations of this species have been documented.
Lepidostoma stigma
Lepidostoma stigma is a species of caddisfly in the family Lepidostomatidae, described by Banks in 1907. It belongs to an order of aquatic insects known for their larval case-building behavior. The species is documented from North America with limited observational records.
Leptinotarsa rubiginosa
reddish potato beetle
Leptinotarsa rubiginosa, the reddish potato beetle, is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is a congener of the well-known Colorado potato beetle (L. decemlineata) but is considerably less common and less studied. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with documented observations in the southwestern United States including Arizona. It has been collected from vegetation in canyon and desert grassland habitats.
Leptochiloides
Leptochiloides is a genus of potter wasps restricted to arid regions of southwestern North America. The genus was established by Bohart in 1940 and is characterized by structural features including pilose (hairy) labial palpi. It shows morphological affinities with the genus Pterocheilus.
Leptohoplia
shining leaf chafers
Leptohoplia is a genus of shining leaf chafers (Rutelinae) established by Saylor in 1935. The genus contains at least two described species: L. carlsoni and L. testaceipennis. It belongs to the tribe Anomalini within the scarab beetle family Scarabaeidae.
Leptohoplia testaceipennis
Leptohoplia testaceipennis is a species of shining leaf chafer beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It was described by Saylor in 1935. The species is known from the Nearctic region, with records from California, USA. As a member of the subfamily Rutelinae, it belongs to a group commonly referred to as shining leaf chafers.
Leptomorphus bifasciatus
fungus gnat
Leptomorphus bifasciatus is a species of fungus gnat in the family Mycetophilidae. The species was originally described by Thomas Say in 1824 as Sciophila bifasciatus. A neotype was designated for this species in a 2012 comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Leptomorphus, which recognized 37 valid species worldwide. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing venation and male genitalia morphology.
Leptophlebia pacifica
Leptophlebia pacifica is a species of pronggilled mayfly in the family Leptophlebiidae. It was described by McDunnough in 1933. The species occurs in North America within the Nearctic realm. As a member of Leptophlebiidae, it possesses the forked gills characteristic of this family.
Leptopinara
Leptopinara is a genus of broad-nosed weevils (Curculionidae: Entiminae) established by O'Brien in 1981. The genus belongs to the tribe Byrsopagini, a group of flightless weevils often associated with soil or leaf litter habitats. Species in this genus are characterized by their elongated, slender body form relative to other byrsopagine weevils. The genus is known from the United States.
Leptostylus
flatfaced longhorn beetles
Leptostylus is a genus of longhorn beetles in the subfamily Lamiinae, established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852. The genus contains approximately 70 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, from the United States through Central and South America to Argentina. Species in this genus are characterized by their cryptic, bark-mimicking appearance and are typically associated with dead or dying woody vegetation. The genus is part of the tribe Acanthocinini, one of the largest tribes in Cerambycidae.
Leptysma marginicollis hebardi
Leptysma marginicollis hebardi is a subspecies of grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Rehn & Eades in 1961. It belongs to the genus Leptysma, a group of grasshoppers characterized by slender bodies and association with moist habitats. The subspecies designation indicates geographic or morphological variation within the broader species L. marginicollis.
Lerina
Lerina is a monotypic genus of lichen moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, tribe Lithosiini. The genus contains a single species, Lerina incarnata, commonly known as the crimson-bodied lichen moth. This moth is native to arid regions of southwestern North America, specifically Mexico and southern Arizona. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1854.
Lerina incarnata
crimson-bodied lichen moth
Lerina incarnata, the crimson-bodied lichen moth, is the sole member of the monotypic genus Lerina. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1854. It belongs to the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae (tiger and lichen moths), and tribe Lithosiini (lichen moths). The species is found in Mexico and southern Arizona.
Lestes alacer
Plateau Spreadwing
Lestes alacer, commonly known as the Plateau Spreadwing, is a species of damselfly in the family Lestidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival. Like other spreadwings, it holds its wings at approximately 45 degrees to the body when at rest, distinguishing it from most other damselflies that hold wings parallel to the body.
Lestes tenuatus
Blue-striped Spreadwing
Lestes tenuatus, commonly known as the blue-striped spreadwing, is a damselfly species in the family Lestidae. It has a broad distribution across the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN with a stable population. Like other spreadwings, it typically perches with its wings partially open rather than folded together over the abdomen.
Lestiphorus cockerelli
Lestiphorus cockerelli is a sand wasp species in the family Crabronidae (formerly treated as Bembicidae). It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Canada (Alberta) and the United States. The species was described by Rohwer in 1909 and is part of the diverse sand wasp fauna curated at major entomological collections including the University of California, Riverside Entomology Research Museum.
Lestomyia unicolor
Lestomyia unicolor is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Charles Howard Curran in 1942. It belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae, a group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. The specific epithet 'unicolor' suggests uniform coloration, though detailed descriptions of the species remain limited in available literature. As a member of the Asilidae, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, but species-specific biological data are sparse.
Leucanopsis perdentata
Leucanopsis perdentata is a moth in the family Erebidae, originally described by William Schaus in 1901. It is distributed across parts of Central America and the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 35 mm. It belongs to the tiger moth subfamily Arctiinae, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Leucrocuta aphrodite
Leucrocuta aphrodite is a species of flatheaded mayfly in the family Heptageniidae. It inhabits freshwater streams and rivers in eastern North America. The species was described by McDunnough in 1926.