Nearctic
Guides
Phyllophaga rubricosa
Phyllophaga rubricosa is a species of May beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Reinhard in 1939. Like other members of the genus Phyllophaga, it is likely a root-feeding scarab beetle with larvae that develop in soil. The species is known from Texas, USA. Information specific to this species is sparse; most knowledge about Phyllophaga rubricosa must be inferred from the genus level.
Phyllophaga sonora
Phyllophaga sonora is a species of scarab beetle described by Saylor in 1939. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, a large group commonly known as May beetles or June bugs. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to have subterranean larval stages and adult emergence patterns tied to seasonal rainfall, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Phyllophaga sylvatica
Phyllophaga sylvatica is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Sanderson in 1942. Like other members of the genus Phyllophaga (commonly called May/June beetles), this species is likely nocturnal and attracted to lights. The species epithet "sylvatica" suggests an association with woodland or forest habitats. Based on distribution records, it occurs across a broad swath of the central and eastern United States.
Phyllophaga torta
Phyllophaga torta is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae. It belongs to the large genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June bugs, which contains over 400 species in North America. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records from Texas in the United States and several states in northeastern Mexico.
Phyllophaga trichodes
Phyllophaga trichodes is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Bates in 1888. The species belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, which contains numerous North American species with root-feeding larval stages. It occurs in both the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographic realms.
Phyllophaga tusa
Phyllophaga tusa is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by George Henry Horn in 1887. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, a large and taxonomically challenging group of North American scarab beetles commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species is recorded from the Nearctic region, specifically Texas in the United States. Like other members of its genus, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to lights, with larvae developing as soil-dwelling root-feeders.
Phyllophaga uniformis
Phyllophaga uniformis is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species was described by Blanchard in 1851. Like other members of the genus Phyllophaga, it is likely a root-feeding beetle with subterranean larval stages, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Phyllophaga vehemens
Phyllophaga vehemens is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as a May beetle or June beetle. It occurs in North America, with documented records from multiple U.S. states across the Midwest and South. The species has been identified as an intermediary host for the giant thorn-headed worm of swine (Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus), an acanthocephalan parasite. As with other Phyllophaga species, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Phyllophaga vetula
Old Man June Bug
Phyllophaga vetula is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as the Old Man June Bug. The species occurs across the southwestern United States and throughout much of Mexico. Like other members of the genus Phyllophaga, it belongs to a large and taxonomically challenging group of beetles often referred to as May beetles or June bugs. The genus contains over 400 species in North America, many of which are difficult to distinguish without examination of genitalia.
Phylloporia bistrigella
Striped Bright
A small moth in the family Incurvariidae with a wingspan of 7–9 mm. Recognizable by two whitish fasciae on the forewings. The larvae are leaf miners on birch species.
Phyprosopus
Phyprosopus is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae, erected by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1872. The genus contains nine described species distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, and the southern United States. Most species have been documented from Cuba, with additional records from Texas, New York, Guatemala, and Costa Rica.
Physea
Physea is a genus of ground beetles (Carabidae) established by Brullé in 1835. It belongs to the subfamily Paussinae and tribe Ozaenini, a group known for specialized morphological adaptations. The genus contains five described species distributed in the Americas. Members of Ozaenini, including Physea, are often associated with ant colonies or termite nests, though specific ecological details for Physea remain poorly documented.
Physonota alutacea
wild olive tortoise beetle
Physonota alutacea, commonly known as the wild olive tortoise beetle, is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It belongs to the tortoise beetle subfamily Cassidinae, characterized by the distinctive domed body shape typical of this group. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning North, Central, and South America. It is associated with wild olive (Cordia boissieri) and related host plants.
Phytocoris erectus
Phytocoris erectus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Van Duzee in 1920. Like other members of the genus Phytocoris, it is typically gray or brown in coloration and primarily associated with plant-feeding habits, though some predation on smaller insects has been observed in related species. The species occurs in the eastern United States.
Phytocoris salicis
Phytocoris salicis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1920. It is a small, typically gray or brown true bug that feeds primarily on plants. The species is known to occasionally prey on smaller insects, a behavior observed in other Phytocoris species. It is attracted to lights at night and has been documented in blacklight surveys in Colorado.
Phytocoris tibialis
Phytocoris tibialis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Reuter in 1876. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, with records from the Caribbean, Central America, and North America including the eastern and southern United States. Like other members of the genus Phytocoris, it is primarily associated with vegetation and feeds on plants.
Pilaria quadrata
Pilaria quadrata is a species of crane fly in the family Limoniidae, described by Osten Sacken in 1860. It belongs to the subfamily Limnophilinae, a group of small to medium-sized crane flies often associated with moist habitats. The species is known from the Nearctic region with records across much of eastern and central North America. Like other members of Limoniidae, adults are characterized by their slender bodies and long legs relative to body size.
Pilaria recondita
Pilaria recondita is a species of limoniid crane fly first described from the Nearctic region. The species occurs across eastern North America, from Minnesota and Ontario south to Louisiana and Florida. It belongs to the family Limoniidae, a diverse group of small to medium-sized crane flies often associated with moist habitats. The specific epithet 'recondita' (meaning hidden or concealed) may allude to its cryptic nature or habitat preferences.
Pintalia
Pintalia is a genus of planthoppers in the family Cixiidae, first described by Carl Stål in 1862. The genus contains at least 50 described species distributed across the Americas. Members are small to medium-sized insects with the characteristic morphology of cixiid planthoppers, including a distinct head structure and wing venation pattern.
Piratula canadensis
Piratula canadensis is a wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, originally described from Canada. The species occurs in boreal and montane regions of North America and has also been recorded from the Russian Far East including Kamchatka. As a member of the genus Piratula, it is associated with moist habitats near water bodies.
Pissonotus festucae
Pissonotus festucae is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Bartlett in 2000. It belongs to a genus of small, grass-associated delphacids found primarily in the Americas. The specific epithet 'festucae' suggests an association with Festuca (fescue) grasses. Distribution records indicate presence in the southwestern United States (Arizona) and Mexico (Distrito Federal, Jalisco).
Placonotus modestus
lined flat bark beetle
Placonotus modestus is a species of lined flat bark beetle in the family Laemophloeidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1827 under the basionym Cucujus modestus. The species is distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, and North America. Like other members of Laemophloeidae, it is associated with bark habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Plagiognathus arbustorum
Common Nettle Flower Bug
Plagiognathus arbustorum is a small plant bug in the family Miridae, commonly known as the Common Nettle Flower Bug. It is a widespread species found across the Nearctic and Palearctic realms, including most of Europe, Siberia, Central Asia, and parts of North America. Adults are active from July to October and are polyphagous, feeding primarily on herbaceous plants across multiple families.
Plagiognathus fuscosus
Plagiognathus fuscosus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Provancher in 1872. It belongs to a large genus of mirid bugs commonly associated with vegetation. The species has been documented across northeastern and temperate regions of North America.
Plagiognathus tumidifrons
Plagiognathus tumidifrons is a small plant bug species in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1923 under the basionym Microphylellus tumidifrons. It is distributed across eastern and central North America, with records spanning much of Canada and the northeastern and north-central United States. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to the diverse mirid fauna associated with vegetation, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Plagioneurus
Plagioneurus is a monotypic genus of long-legged flies (family Dolichopodidae) containing a single species, Plagioneurus univittatus. It is the sole member of the subfamily Plagioneurinae. The genus is distinguished by an unusual wing venation pattern: the medial vein M converges obliquely with radial vein R4+5, a trait reflected in its etymology from Greek 'plágios' (oblique) and 'neûron' (nerve). Adults display metallic green thorax with a central black stripe and black abdomen with white pruinose posterior bands.
Plagodis pulveraria
Barred Umber
Plagodis pulveraria, commonly known as the barred umber, is a geometrid moth first described by Linnaeus in 1758. It is widely distributed across the Palearctic realm from Ireland to Japan, with additional populations in Canada. The species exhibits considerable color variation, ranging from reddish-brown to violaceous grey, with diagnostic straight antemedian and incurved postmedian lines on the forewings. Adults are active in two generations from mid-spring through summer.
Planipollex
Planipollex is a genus of katydids (family Tettigoniidae) in the subfamily Phaneropterinae, tribe Dichopetalini. It was described in 2014 from material collected in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus name refers to the flattened, broadened fore tarsi characteristic of these insects. Members of this genus are arboreal bush-crickets found in arid and semi-arid regions.
Planolinoides
Planolinoides is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Dellacasa & Dellacasa in 2005. The genus contains species distributed in the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions. Members of this genus are small dung beetles associated with mammal dung.
Planolinoides neotomae
A small dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. The species epithet "neotomae" indicates an association with woodrats (genus Neotoma), suggesting a specialized ecological relationship with these rodents. The species is known from western North America and Mexico.
Platphalonidia campicolana
Platphalonidia campicolana is a small tortricid moth originally described from California in 1879. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range in the United States, from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast and Upper Midwest. As with many members of the genus Platphalonidia, detailed biological information remains limited.
Platycotis tuberculata
A species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, characterized by an enlarged and modified pronotum typical of the genus. The species occurs in western North America and parts of Central America. Like other members of tribe Hoplophorionini, it exhibits pronounced pronotal ornamentation. Specific biological details remain poorly documented in the literature.
Platynota rostrana
Omnivorous Platynota Moth
Platynota rostrana is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 13–17 mm, distributed across the Americas from the United States through Central America to South America, with established populations in the West Indies and occasional records in Europe via accidental importation. The species is known to be a pest of citrus and other crops, with larvae that feed on a variety of plant materials.
Platynota zapatana
Platynota zapatana is a species of tortricid moth described by Powell & Brown in 2012. It belongs to the diverse leafroller moth genus Platynota, whose larvae are known to feed on various plants. The species occurs in the southern United States and northern Mexico, representing a relatively recently described member of this economically significant moth family.
Platynotini
Platynotini is a tribe of darkling beetles within the family Tenebrionidae, containing more than 70 genera distributed across multiple biogeographic regions including North and South America, the southern Palaearctic, the Afrotropical region, and the Indomalayan realm. The tribe is distinguished from other Blaptinae tribes by the presence of a stridulatory gula used for sound production. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have strongly supported the monophyly of Platynotini. Members of this tribe exhibit considerable morphological diversity, with some African species such as Anomalipus being heavily built and armored, adapted to dense bush-covered savanna habitats.
Platynus megalops
Platynus megalops is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It was originally described by Bates in 1882. Current taxonomic consensus treats this name as a synonym of Dyscolus megalops. The species has been recorded from Mexico and the United States.
Platypezidae
Flat-footed Flies
Platypezidae is a family of small true flies (Diptera) comprising over 250 species worldwide. Adults are commonly known as flat-footed flies due to their characteristically modified tarsal segments, particularly in males. The family is primarily associated with woodland habitats where larvae develop as fungivores. Adults exhibit distinctive swarming behavior for mating and are frequently observed performing rapid, erratic movements on vegetation. The family was formerly broader in circumscription, with Opetiidae and some genera now placed in Atelestidae removed based on phylogenetic evidence.
Platyptilia tesseradactyla
Irish Plume Moth
Platyptilia tesseradactyla is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, distributed across northern and central Europe, Russia, and North America. It has been recorded as far north as 70° latitude in Norway and also occurs in Iran. The species was originally described by Linnaeus in 1761 under the name Alucita tesseradactyla. As a member of the plume moth family, it possesses the characteristic deeply divided wings that give these moths their common name.
Platytomus longulus
Platytomus longulus is a small aphodiine dung beetle described by Cartwright in 1948. It belongs to the tribe Psammodiini, a group often associated with sandy or loose substrates rather than dense dung. The species occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the southeastern United States and much of South America.
Platytomus notialis
Platytomus notialis is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. The species was described by Cartwright in 1948 and is native to the Nearctic region of North America. It belongs to the tribe Psammodiini, a group commonly associated with sandy habitats. Records indicate presence across multiple U.S. states in the central and eastern regions.
Platyvelia brachialis
smaller water strider
Platyvelia brachialis is a species of small water strider in the family Veliidae, distinguished from larger members of the related family Gerridae by its more compact body form. It inhabits freshwater surface habitats across a broad Neotropical and Nearctic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species is one of approximately 15 recognized species in the genus Platyvelia.
Plauditus dubius
small minnow mayfly
Plauditus dubius is a species of small minnow mayfly in the family Baetidae. It has been documented across a broad geographic range including all of Canada, the northern and southeastern United States, and Alaska. The species belongs to a genus of mayflies commonly associated with running water habitats. Limited observational records exist, with only three documented observations in iNaturalist.
Plectoptera
Plectoptera is a genus of cockroaches in the family Ectobiidae and tribe Plectopterini, established by Saussure in 1864. It contains at least two described species: Plectoptera picta (pictured beetle cockroach) and Plectoptera poeyi (Florida beetle roach). The genus is distributed across the Americas, with records from Mexico, the Caribbean, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Florida. These cockroaches are commonly referred to as 'beetle roaches' or 'beetle cockroaches' due to their appearance.
Pleocoma
rain beetles
Pleocoma is the sole extant genus of Pleocomidae, a family endemic to the Pacific states of North America. These beetles are notable for their extreme subterranean lifestyle, with adults emerging only during fall and winter rains to mate. The genus name derives from Greek words for 'abundant hair,' referring to the dense ventral hair covering. Adults are non-feeding, while larvae are root-feeders with exceptionally long development periods of up to 13 years.
Scarabaeoidearain-beetlessubterraneannon-feeding-adultslong-lived-larvaepheromone-mediated-matingendemicNearcticrelictual-distributionCretaceous-originpest-of-Christmas-treeslamellate-antennaeflightless-femalesrain-triggered-emergenceCalifornia-faunaOregon-faunaWashington-faunaroot-feeding-larvaeextreme-seasonalitylight-attracted-malesPleocoma linsleyi
rain beetle
Pleocoma linsleyi is a species of rain beetle described by Hovore in 1971. The species was named in honor of American entomologist Earle Gorton Linsley. It belongs to the family Pleocomidae, a group of scarab beetles known for their autumn emergence patterns and association with rainfall.
Pleocoma simi
Pleocoma simi is a rain beetle in the family Pleocomidae, described by Davis in 1934. The species is known from Oregon in the western United States. As with other Pleocoma species, adults are active during autumn rains and males fly to locate flightless females. Larval stages remain underground, feeding on roots.
Pleuroprucha asthenaria
Asthene Wave, asthene wave moth
Pleuroprucha asthenaria, commonly known as the Asthene Wave or asthene wave moth, is a geometrid moth described by Francis Walker in 1861. It belongs to the subfamily Sterrhinae, a group often characterized by wavy wing patterns. The species has a broad distribution spanning North America, the Caribbean, and South America.
Pnirontis infirma
Pnirontis infirma is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Stål in 1859. It has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. As a member of the subfamily Stenopodainae, it belongs to a group of reduviids commonly known as feather-legged bugs.
Pocadicnemis pumila
dwarf spider
Pocadicnemis pumila is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae, first described by John Blackwall in 1841. It has a notably wide distribution spanning multiple continents, including North America, Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus, Russia (from European Russia to the Far East), Iran, and Japan. The species belongs to a family commonly known as sheet-web weavers or money spiders, though specific behavioral details for this species remain poorly documented.
Poecilanthrax
Poecilanthrax is a large genus of bee-flies (family Bombyliidae) primarily distributed in the Nearctic region. Adults are robust flies with body lengths of 8–14 mm, characterized by large, elongate patterned wings with 2–3 submarginal cells and the absence of vein M2. The genus is notable for its parasitic life history, with larvae developing inside caterpillars of noctuid moths. Approximately 35 species were recognized as of 1960, with greatest diversity in the Great Basin region.