Nearctic
Guides
Parandrinae
Parandrinae is a morphologically distinctive subfamily of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) comprising approximately 14 genera and over 120 described species worldwide. The group is notable for its atypical features among cerambycids: short, equal-segmented antennae rather than the elongated antennae characteristic of most longhorn beetles, and distinctly pentamerous tarsi with five visible segments. These traits produce a remarkable superficial resemblance to stag beetles (Lucanidae), leading to frequent misidentification. The subfamily has a disjunct global distribution with centers of diversity in South America and Africa, while North America contains only four taxa. Two tribes are recognized: Erichsoniini and Parandrini.
Paranthrene dollii
Doll's clearwing moth, cottonwood clearwing borer, poplar borer moth, Doll's clearwing, cottonwood clearwing, poplar borer
Paranthrene dollii is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, native to North America. Adults are active from March through October and may produce multiple flights per season. The species is notable for its wasp-mimicking appearance and its larval association with poplar and willow trees, earning it the common name 'cottonwood clearwing borer.'
Paranthrene pellucida
Pine Oak Clearwing
Paranthrene pellucida is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, first described in 1979. The common name "Pine Oak Clearwing" suggests association with pine and oak habitats. Like other sesiid moths, adults are wasp mimics with transparent wings and typically have larvae that bore into woody plants. The species is known from the Nearctic region with records from Vermont and the United States.
Paranthrene tabaniformis
dusky clearwing, dusky clearwing moth, poplar clearwing moth
Paranthrene tabaniformis, the dusky clearwing moth, is a sesiid moth native to the Palearctic and Nearctic realms. The species exhibits Batesian mimicry of wasps, with transparent wings and wasp-like coloration. Adults are active from May to August, with flight activity varying by location. The larvae are wood-borers that develop through 6-7 instars, feeding internally on poplar, willow, and sea-buckthorn before pupating in chambers within larval galleries.
Parantonae arida
Parantonae arida is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, described by Flock & Gill in 1987. It belongs to the tribe Ceresini within the subfamily Smiliinae. The species is part of a genus whose members are characterized by distinctive pronotal modifications. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Paraphidippus aurantius
emerald jumping spider, golden jumping spider
Paraphidippus aurantius is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae, commonly known as the emerald jumping spider or golden jumping spider. It is a solitary, active predator with a relatively large body size for a jumping spider. The species employs a distinctive hunting strategy involving venom injection followed by retreat and observation, enabling it to subdue prey substantially larger than itself. Its distribution spans from the United States through Panama and includes the Greater Antilles.
Parapsammodius bidens
Parapsammodius bidens is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It belongs to the tribe Psammodiini, which includes many sand-dwelling species. The species was described by Horn in 1871 and is known from scattered records across the southeastern United States, Caribbean islands, and Puerto Rico. Like other members of its tribe, it is likely associated with sandy substrates and decomposing organic matter.
Parapsyche elsis
Parapsyche elsis is a netspinning caddisfly in the family Hydropsychidae, first described by Milne in 1936. It is one of five western North American species in the genus Parapsyche. The species has been documented through adult females, pupae, and larvae, with morphological descriptions and identification keys available in taxonomic literature.
Parasa chloris
Smaller Parasa Moth, smaller parasa
Parasa chloris is a species of slug caterpillar moth in the family Limacodidae, commonly known as the smaller parasa. Adults display characteristic green banding on the forewings, while larvae possess stinging hairs and are often brightly colored. Recent taxonomic revision resolved long-standing nomenclatural confusion by designating a lectotype from three syntypes discovered in the National Museum of Natural History, with COI barcoding indicating the type locality is north-eastern USA rather than South America as originally suggested. This work represents the first step toward testing the monophyly of the pantropical genus Parasa.
Paratettix aztecus
Aztec pygmy grasshopper
Paratettix aztecus is a pygmy grasshopper in the family Tetrigidae, one of more than 2000 described species in this ancient family that has existed for over 230 million years. The species occurs from the southern Nearctic region into the northern Neotropics. Like other tetrigids, it is minute in size and associated with moist habitats near water. The species has been documented with 54 research-grade observations on iNaturalist as of 2021, indicating it is among the more frequently recorded pygmy grasshoppers in its range despite being far less studied than European and North American congeners.
Paratettix cucullatus
hooded grouse locust
Paratettix cucullatus, commonly known as the hooded grouse locust, is a species of pygmy grasshopper in the family Tetrigidae. It is a small, jumping insect found in North America, particularly in the central United States. The species is one of the better-known members of the genus Paratettix in the Nearctic region, with over 500 observations documented on citizen science platforms.
Paratettix mexicanus
Mexican pygmy grasshopper
Paratettix mexicanus is a species of pygmy grasshopper in the family Tetrigidae. It is one of the most frequently observed Tetrigidae species in North America on citizen science platforms. The species belongs to a family that has existed for over 230 million years, making pygmy grasshoppers one of the oldest lineages of modern insects.
Paratettix toltecus
Toltec pygmy grasshopper, Toltecan grouse locust
Paratettix toltecus is a small pygmy grasshopper in the family Tetrigidae, distinguished by its minute body size and elongated pronotum that extends over the abdomen. The species occurs across a broad geographic range spanning North, Central, and South America. Like other members of Tetrigidae, adults are often mistaken for juvenile insects due to their diminutive stature. The family Tetrigidae represents an ancient lineage with fossil records extending over 230 million years.
Parathalassius
Parathalassius is a genus of long-legged flies in the family Dolichopodidae, subfamily Parathalassiinae. The genus name derives from Greek, meaning 'near the sea', reflecting its strict association with coastal habitats. The genus comprises 15 recognized species distributed across the Palaearctic and Nearctic realms, with nine species described from the Nearctic Region in a 2017 revision. Species are restricted to sandy marine coastlines, where they occupy beach and dune ecosystems.
Parathalassius abela
Parathalassius abela is a species of long-legged fly (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) described from the Nearctic Region in 2017. It was one of nine new species described in a revision of the genus Parathalassius. The species has been characterized using COI mitochondrial DNA barcode sequences and included in morphological phylogenetic analyses. As a member of the subfamily Parathalassiinae, it belongs to a group associated with sandy coastal habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Parathalassius uniformus
Parathalassius uniformus is a species of long-legged fly described from the Nearctic region in 2017. The species was established during a comprehensive revision of the genus Parathalassius, which included morphological phylogenetic analysis and COI mitochondrial DNA barcoding. It is one of twelve Nearctic species in the genus, nine of which were newly described in the same revision. The genus Parathalassius is associated with sandy coastal habitats.
Paratiphia texana
Paratiphia texana is a species of wasp in the family Tiphiidae, first described by Cameron in 1907. The genus Paratiphia comprises parasitic wasps within the Aculeata, a group characterized by stingers derived from modified ovipositors. Like other tiphiid wasps, this species likely functions as a parasitoid, though specific host associations remain poorly documented. The species epithet 'texana' suggests a connection to Texas, possibly indicating the type locality or primary region of occurrence.
Paratrachea
Paratrachea is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by George Hampson in 1908. The genus contains two recognized species: P. laches and P. viridescens. Both species are placed in the subfamily Noctuinae.
Paratyndaris acaciae
Paratyndaris acaciae is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) within the genus Paratyndaris. The species is found in Central America and North America, with the specific epithet suggesting an association with Acacia host plants. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with woody leguminous plants and is typically collected by beating dead or dying branches.
Paratyndaris albofasciata
Paratyndaris albofasciata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Knull in 1937. It belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) within the genus Paratyndaris. The species is known from Central America and North America, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in the accessible literature.
Paratyndaris chamaeleonis
Paratyndaris chamaeleonis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. Originally described as Tyndaris chamaeleonis by Skinner in 1903, it was later transferred to the genus Paratyndaris. The species belongs to the subgenus Knulliella, one of three subgenera recognized in the genus. It is found in Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in available sources.
Paratyndaris cincta
Paratyndaris cincta is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris), one of three subgenera recognized in the genus Paratyndaris. The species was described by Horn in 1885. It is distributed across Central America and North America.
Paratyndaris coursetiae
Paratyndaris coursetiae is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, subfamily Polycestinae. It was described by Fisher in 1919 and belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris). The genus Paratyndaris is primarily distributed in southwestern North America and Mexico, with most species associated with woody host plants.
Paratyndaris olneyae
Paratyndaris olneyae is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, originally described as Tyndaris olneyae by Skinner in 1903. It is classified in the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) within the genus Paratyndaris, a predominantly southwestern North American and Mexican group. The species occurs in Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology and host associations remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Paratyndaris tucsoni
Paratyndaris tucsoni is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) in the subfamily Polycestinae. It was described by Knull in 1938 and belongs to the subgenus Paratyndaris (Paratyndaris) Fisher. The genus Paratyndaris is a southwestern and Mexican group of beetles that are often poorly represented in collections. A 2004 revision by Nelson & Bellamy recognized three subgenera within Paratyndaris and provided comprehensive taxonomic treatment of the genus.
Paravilla mexicana
Paravilla mexicana is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Hall in 1981. As a member of the genus Paravilla, it belongs to the tribe Villini within the subfamily Anthracinae. Bee flies in this genus are typically parasitoids or cleptoparasites of other insects, particularly solitary bees and wasps. The species epithet 'mexicana' suggests a geographic association with Mexico, though the precise distribution requires confirmation from specimen records.
Parazumia
Parazumia is a genus of potter wasps (subfamily Eumeninae) distributed across the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. Species are medium to large in size compared to other eumenine wasps. Nearctic species were historically classified under the separate genus Paranortonia for much of the 20th century before taxonomic revision. The genus was established by Saussure in 1855 and has undergone significant taxonomic revision, most notably by Carpenter & Garcete-Barrett in 2005.
Pardalophora
coral-winged grasshoppers, orange-winged grasshoppers, Haldeman's grasshoppers, Saussure's grasshoppers
Pardalophora is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Oedipodinae, tribe Hippiscini. The genus contains at least four living species distributed across the Nearctic region. Species in this genus are notable for their brightly colored hind wings, which are concealed at rest but revealed during flight. Some species, such as Pardalophora phoenicoptera, are distinguished by overwintering as nymphs rather than eggs, resulting in early adult emergence in spring.
Pardalosus pardalis
Pardalosus pardalis is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. First described by LeConte in 1857, this species is distributed across western North America, with records from California, Idaho, Nebraska in the United States, and British Columbia in Canada. It belongs to the dung beetle group Aphodiini, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Paria pratensis
Paria pratensis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Eumolpinae. It is found in the eastern United States and eastern Canada, with confirmed records from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and the eastern United States. The species has been documented feeding on the prairie rose (Rosa setigera), though its full host range remains incompletely known. Like other members of the genus Paria, it likely feeds on foliage of its host plants.
Parochodaeus
Parochodaeus is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Ochodaeidae, established by Nikolajev in 1995. The genus contains more than 20 described species distributed primarily in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Members are commonly referred to as sand-loving scarab beetles, reflecting their association with sandy substrates. Species occur in western South America, with records from Peru, Argentina, and Chile, where they have been documented traversing Andean distributional corridors.
Parochodaeus californicus
Parochodaeus californicus is a species of sand-loving scarab beetle in the family Ochodaeidae. First described by Horn in 1895, this beetle is endemic to California, USA. Members of the genus Parochodaeus are associated with sandy habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Parochodaeus inarmatus
Parochodaeus inarmatus is a species of scarab beetle in the family Ochodaeidae, described by Schaeffer in 1906. Members of this family are commonly known as sand-loving scarab beetles due to their association with sandy habitats. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Parochodaeus pectoralis
Parochodaeus pectoralis is a species of sand-loving scarab beetle in the family Ochodaeidae, described by LeConte in 1868. It is endemic to the Nearctic region and has been documented across the south-central and southwestern United States. The species is part of a small family of beetles adapted to sandy habitats.
Parochodaeus pixius
Parochodaeus pixius is a species of sand-loving scarab beetle in the family Ochodaeidae, described from Texas in 2011. Members of this genus are small, compact beetles associated with sandy habitats. The species epithet "pixius" refers to the pitch-like (tar-like) coloration of the body. Ochodaeid beetles are poorly studied but are generally considered to be detritivores or scavengers in sandy environments.
Patalene
Patalene is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, established by Herrich-Schäffer in 1854. The genus contains three species in the Nearctic region. These moths are part of the diverse geometrid fauna that includes many bark- and twig-mimicking species. One species, Patalene olyzonaria, has been documented visiting blacklight traps in late autumn.
Patania silicalis
Herbivorous Patania Moth, Herbivorous Pleuroptya Moth
Patania silicalis is a small crambid moth with a wingspan of 24–26 mm, found across the Neotropics and into the eastern United States. First described by Guenée in 1854, it has undergone multiple generic reassignments and is also known under the synonym Pleuroptya silicalis. The species is notable for its broad host plant range, feeding on at least seven plant species across five families.
Patrobus
Patrobus is a genus of ground beetles (Carabidae) comprising more than 20 described species. The genus is distributed across the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. At least one species, Patrobus atrorufus, has been studied for its life cycle and seasonal activity patterns, showing flexibility in breeding timing in response to climatic conditions. Members of this genus have been recorded in agricultural studies as part of carabid communities sensitive to soil management practices.
Paurocoris punctata
Paurocoris punctata is a seed bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, first described by Distant in 1893. The species belongs to the tribe Antillocorini and is known from scattered records in the southern United States and Panama. As a member of the Lygaeoidea superfamily, it likely exhibits the typical seed-feeding habits common to this group, though specific ecological data remain limited. The genus Paurocoris is relatively poorly studied, with most species known from few specimens and limited geographic documentation.
Pechalius
Pechalius is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) established by Casey in 1907. The genus is distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. It is represented by a small number of observations and poorly documented in the literature. Species-level taxonomy remains incompletely resolved.
Pedicia contermina
hairy-eyed crane fly
Pedicia contermina is a species of hairy-eyed crane fly in the family Pediciidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1848. It belongs to a group of crane flies distinguished by their hairy eyes, a trait characteristic of the family. The species is found in eastern North America, with records spanning from Newfoundland to North Carolina.
Pedicia procteriana
hairy-eyed crane fly
Pedicia procteriana is a species of crane fly in the family Pediciidae, commonly known as hairy-eyed crane flies. It is a Nearctic species found in northeastern North America. Like other members of Pediciidae, it belongs to the group of crane flies distinguished by densely hairy eyes, a trait reflected in its common name. The species was described by Charles Paul Alexander in 1939.
Pedomoecus
early smoky wing sedges
Pedomoecus is a genus of caddisflies in the family Apataniidae, established by Ross in 1947. The genus contains one described species, Pedomoecus sierra. Members are classified as "early smoky wing sedges," indicating spring-emerging adults with darkened wings.
Pelecyphorus
Pelecyphorus is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae). The genus has been assigned to different families in historical literature, with Catalogue of Life listing it as a synonym within Staphylinidae (rove beetles) under the genus Euryporus, while GBIF and NCBI recognize it as a valid genus in Tenebrionidae. The genus occurs in the Nearctic region, with 270 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Pelegrina flavipes
Yellowleg Jumping Spider
Pelegrina flavipes is a small jumping spider in the family Salticidae, commonly known as the Yellowleg Jumping Spider. It is found in the United States and Canada, with records from Alberta and British Columbia. This species is associated with coniferous trees including spruce, pines, and junipers. Adult body size ranges from 3–5 mm.
Pelegrina kastoni
Pelegrina kastoni is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae, described by Wayne Maddison in 1996. The genus Pelegrina comprises small to medium-sized jumping spiders distributed primarily in the Americas. This species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other salticids, it possesses excellent vision and active hunting behavior.
Pelonomus
long-toed water beetles
Pelonomus is a genus of long-toed water beetles in the family Dryopidae, first described by Erichson in 1847. The genus contains approximately five described species distributed primarily in the Americas. These beetles are associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. Members of this genus are characterized by elongated tarsi adapted for clinging to submerged substrates.
Penelomax septentrionalis
Penelomax septentrionalis is a species of mayfly in the family Ephemerellidae, first described by McDunnough in 1925. It is native to the Nearctic region of North America. As a member of the order Ephemeroptera, it has a short-lived adult stage and aquatic nymphal development.
Penichroa fasciata
Penichroa fasciata is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Cerambycinae, and tribe Graciliini. It was described by Stephens in 1831. The species has a broad distribution spanning Europe and northern Asia (excluding China) as well as North America, though specific details of its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Penstemonia dammersi
Penstemonia dammersi is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, described by Engelhardt in 1946. The genus Penstemonia is small and specialized, with species associated with Penstemon host plants. This moth belongs to the tribe Synanthedonini, which includes many wasp-mimicking species with reduced wing scaling. Records indicate limited observation data, with only seven documented observations on iNaturalist.