Nearctic
Guides
Pseudopanurgus
mining bees
Pseudopanurgus is a genus of mining bees in the family Andrenidae, established by Cockerell in 1897. The genus contains at least 32 described species, though some sources suggest over 130. These bees are small, ranging from 3 mm to 10 mm in body length. Their taxonomic status has been debated, with some treatments recognizing them as a subgenus of Protandrena.
Pseudopostega quadristrigella
Gooseberry Barkminer Moth
Pseudopostega quadristrigella is a small moth in the family Opostegidae, commonly known as the Gooseberry Barkminer Moth. It was first described by Chambers in 1875 (as Opostega quadristrigella) and later transferred to the genus Pseudopostega by Davis in 1989. The species occurs in the central and eastern United States, where adults are active during late spring and summer.
Pseudopsallus demensus
Pseudopsallus demensus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, originally described by Van Duzee in 1925. It belongs to the genus Pseudopsallus, a group of mirids primarily associated with herbaceous vegetation in temperate and semi-arid regions. The species occurs across western North America, from the Great Plains through the Rocky Mountains and into northern Mexico. Records suggest it occupies grassland and open habitat zones, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Psilotreta frontalis
mortarjoint casemaker
Psilotreta frontalis is a species of caddisfly in the family Odontoceridae, commonly known as the mortarjoint casemaker. The species was described by Banks in 1899 and is known to occur in North America. As a member of the Odontoceridae, it belongs to a family of caddisflies whose larvae construct distinctive cases using silk and mineral particles.
Psychoglypha avigo
Psychoglypha avigo is a species of caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae, described by Ross in 1941. It belongs to the "northern caddisfly" group within this family. The species is documented from North America, specifically within the Nearctic region. Available records for this species remain limited.
Psychoglypha bella
Beautiful Northern Caddisfly
Psychoglypha bella is a species of caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae, commonly known as the Beautiful Northern Caddisfly. Originally described as Glyphotaelius bellus by Banks in 1903, this species is part of the tribe Chilostigmini within the subfamily Limnephilinae. The genus Psychoglypha comprises northern caddisflies found primarily in North American freshwater habitats.
Psyllipsocus
Psyllipsocus is a genus of cave-dwelling barklice comprising more than 50 described species. Members of this genus inhabit dark, humid microhabitats including caves, rock crevices, and similar subterranean environments. The genus was established by Selys-Longchamps in 1872 and represents one of the most species-rich genera within the family Psyllipsocidae.
Ptosima walshii
Ptosima walshii is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by LeConte in 1863. It belongs to a genus of jewel beetles characterized by their distinctive coloration. The species occurs in North America within the Nearctic realm.
Publilia
Publilia is a genus of treehoppers (Membracidae) native to North America, with species occurring primarily in the eastern and central United States. The genus is notable for forming dense aggregations on host plants, particularly goldenrods (Solidago spp.), where nymphs and adults are tended by ants in exchange for honeydew. This mutualistic relationship has made Publilia a model system for studying ant-hemipteran interactions and their ecological consequences for host plants. The genus is distinguished from related treehoppers by its relatively unadorned pronotum compared to the elaborate projections seen in many Neotropical membracids.
Publilia modesta
Publilia modesta is a Nearctic treehopper species in the family Membracidae, tribe Polyglyptini. It is strongly associated with sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) and engages in well-documented mutualistic relationships with ants, which tend aggregations of nymphs and adults for honeydew. The species has been recorded from multiple ant species, with some evidence suggesting ant diversity rivaling that of Neotropical treehopper systems. It is one of the most frequently studied treehoppers in North America due to its accessibility and pronounced ant associations.
Publilia porrecta
Publilia porrecta is a Nearctic treehopper species in the family Membracidae, tribe Polyglyptini. The genus Publilia is known for ant-tended mutualistic associations, with multiple ant species frequently visiting aggregations. Like other members of its tribe, this species exhibits subsocial behaviors and is associated with herbaceous host plants. The species has been documented in western North America, including Utah and Mexico.
Pulex
human flea (for P. irritans)
Pulex is a genus of fleas in the family Pulicidae, established by Linnaeus in 1758. The genus comprises six to seven recognized species, with Pulex irritans (the human flea) being the most notable and widespread. The remaining species are restricted to the Nearctic and Neotropical realms. Members of this genus are laterally compressed, wingless ectoparasites adapted for blood-feeding on mammals.
Purius superpulverea
Purius superpulverea is a moth species in the family Erebidae, described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1925. It occurs in Mexico and southern Texas. Adults are active during March, October, and November. The species was originally described under the basionym Spodarctia superpulverea.
Pycnopsyche guttifera
northern caddisfly
Pycnopsyche guttifera is a species of northern caddisfly described by Walker in 1852. It belongs to the family Limnephilidae, one of the largest families of caddisflies. The species is known from North America and is part of the Nearctic fauna. As with other members of its genus, it likely has an aquatic larval stage and terrestrial adult stage.
Pycnopsyche indiana
northern caddisfly
Pycnopsyche indiana is a species of northern caddisfly described by Ross in 1938. It belongs to the family Limnephilidae, one of the largest families of caddisflies. The species is known from North America and is part of a genus whose larvae construct portable cases from plant material.
Pycnopsyche scabripennis
giant red sedge
Pycnopsyche scabripennis, commonly known as the giant red sedge, is a northern caddisfly in the family Limnephilidae. Larvae inhabit allochthonous organic materials in stream environments. The species exhibits rapid larval growth followed by early aestivation and emergence, a temporal pattern that reduces competition with congeners. Adult males display distinct peak arrival times at light sources when active alongside related species, suggesting temporal partitioning as a coexistence mechanism.
Pyrausta augustalis
Pyrausta augustalis is a small crambid moth described by Grote in 1875. It ranges from Texas through Mexico to Central America, with adults recorded active in March, June–July, and November. The wingspan is approximately 18 mm. The species belongs to the genus Pyrausta, which includes several herbivorous species whose larvae feed on flowering plants.
Pyrausta insignitalis
dark-banded pyrausta moth
Pyrausta insignitalis is a small crambid moth commonly known as the dark-banded pyrausta moth. First described by Guenée in 1854, this species is found in the southeastern United States, the West Indies, and extends through Central and South America. It is a member of the snout moth family, characterized by elongated mouthparts projecting from the head.
Pyrisitia nise
mimosa yellow
Pyrisitia nise, commonly known as the mimosa yellow, is a small butterfly in the family Pieridae. It ranges from Argentina northward through the southern United States, with established populations in central and southern Florida and along the Texas Gulf Coast. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in wing patterning and has a documented association with Mimosa pudica as its larval host plant.
Pyrisitia proterpia
little yellow
Pyrisitia proterpia, commonly known as the little yellow, is a small butterfly in the family Pieridae. It occurs across the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America including Colombia. The species is associated with open habitats and has been documented in botanical gardens and natural areas.
Quasimellana eulogius
common mellana
Quasimellana eulogius, commonly known as the common mellana, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It has a broad distribution spanning Central America, North America, and South America. The species has been documented in at least 1,451 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is relatively well-encountered in its range.
Quesada
Giant Cicadas
Quesada is a genus of giant cicadas in the family Cicadidae, distributed across South and North America. The genus was established by Distant in 1905 and belongs to the tribe Fidicinini. Species in this genus are among the largest cicadas known, with Quesada gigas reaching body lengths up to 50 mm. The genus is characterized by its substantial size relative to other cicada genera.
Raptoheptagenia cruentata
predaceous flat-headed mayfly
Raptoheptagenia cruentata is a mayfly species originally described as Heptagenia cruentata by Walsh in 1863, later reclassified into the new genus Raptoheptagenia based on distinctive larval morphology. The genus was established because the larvae differ markedly from other Heptagenia species, having been previously misidentified as belonging to the genus Anepeorus. Adult males were successfully reared from these larvae, confirming the adult-larval association. This species belongs to the family Heptageniidae, commonly known as flat-headed mayflies.
Rasahus biguttatus
corsair, assassin bug
Rasahus biguttatus is a species of corsair (assassin bug) in the family Reduviidae. It occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. As a member of the subfamily Peiratinae, it shares characteristics typical of corsairs, including raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1832.
Reptalus exoptatus
Reptalus exoptatus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1917. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized fulgoroid insects characterized by their reduced wing venation and often cryptic coloration. The species has been documented in western North America, with records spanning from British Columbia to several western U.S. states. Like other cixiids, it is presumed to have plant-sucking mouthparts and a life cycle that likely involves root-feeding nymphal stages, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Reuteroscopus
A genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, comprising over 50 described species distributed across North, Central, and South America. Members are small true bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of the family. The genus was established by Kirkaldy in 1905 and represents a diverse lineage within the Cimicomorpha.
Reuteroscopus ornatus
ornate plant bug
Reuteroscopus ornatus, commonly known as the ornate plant bug, is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae. It is characterized by distinctive markings that give it its common name. The species has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Caribbean, Central America, and North America, with records from Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and multiple U.S. states including Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas, and West Virginia. It is frequently attracted to blacklights at night.
Rhabdopterus
Rhabdopterus is a genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Eumolpinae, containing approximately 70 described species distributed across North and South America. Eight species occur north of Mexico, though Nearctic species may not be congeneric with the South American type species. The genus belongs to the family Chrysomelidae, a large group of herbivorous beetles commonly known as leaf beetles. Some species, such as Rhabdopterus jansoni, are significant herbivores in agricultural systems, particularly coffee plantations.
Rhagio albicornis
Rhagio albicornis is a species of snipe fly in the family Rhagionidae, native to the eastern Nearctic region. First described by Say in 1823, the species was taxonomically revised by Chillcott in 1965, who synonymized Rhagio boscii and Xylophagus fasciatus with this species. It belongs to a genus of predatory flies whose larvae develop in soil or decaying organic matter. The species is part of a diverse eastern Nearctic fauna that includes several recently described species such as R. dichromaticus, R. floridensis, and R. orestes.
Rhagio dichromaticus
Rhagio dichromaticus is a species of snipe fly described by J.G. Chillcott in 1965. It is distinguished from congeners by its extremely dark coloration. The species was described from Louisiana and is one of three new species recognized in Chillcott's revision of eastern Nearctic Rhagio species. As a member of the family Rhagionidae, it belongs to a group of predatory or scavenging flies whose larvae typically inhabit moist soil or decaying organic matter.
Rhagio floridensis
Rhagio floridensis is a species of snipe fly in the family Rhagionidae, described by Chillcott in 1965. It is distinguished from other eastern Nearctic Rhagio species by its yellow thorax and distinctively patterned wings. The species is known from Florida and Georgia.
Rhagio hirtus
Rhagio hirtus is a snipe fly species in the family Rhagionidae, recognized as a valid species in the revision of eastern Nearctic Rhagio species. It is closely related to R. orestes, from which it can be distinguished by its paler thorax and abdomen. The species is part of the genus Rhagio, commonly known as snipe flies, which are generally associated with moist woodland habitats.
Rhagio vertebratus
snipe fly
Rhagio vertebratus is a species of snipe fly in the family Rhagionidae. Adults reach up to 8.5 mm in length. The species was originally described by Say in 1823. Walker later described R. intermedius, which was subsequently synonymized with R. vertebratus. It occurs in the eastern Nearctic region.
Rhagomicrus bonvouloiri
Rhagomicrus bonvouloiri is a species of false click beetle (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) in the subfamily Melasinae. The larva has been formally described from the Nearctic region, with biological notes provided in a dedicated study. Adult records from Ontario, Canada suggest a limited known distribution. The species is poorly represented in public observation databases, with few documented occurrences.
Rhantus gutticollis
Rhantus gutticollis is a predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. The species occurs across a broad geographic range spanning North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Like other members of its genus, it inhabits aquatic environments and functions as an active predator. The specific epithet "gutticollis" refers to spotted or marked neck/throat region characteristics.
Rhaphiomidas hasbroucki
Rhaphiomidas hasbroucki is a species of mydas fly described by Cazier in 1985. It belongs to the family Mydidae, a group of large, robust flies often mistaken for wasps. The genus Rhaphiomidas is restricted to western North America and includes several species of conservation concern. This species is one of the lesser-known members of the genus with limited published biological data.
Rheumaptera subhastata
white-banded black moth
Rheumaptera subhastata is a geometrid moth occurring across the Palearctic and Nearctic realms, with a broad distribution in western North America. Adults are active in late spring and early summer, with a single annual generation. The species is one of two Rheumaptera in North America, closely related to and often confused with R. hastata.
Rheumatobates minutus
Rheumatobates minutus is a small water strider (family Gerridae) described by Hungerford in 1936. It belongs to the subfamily Rhagodotarsinae, a group of marine and estuarine water striders adapted to life on the water surface. The species has been recorded across the Caribbean, Middle America, North America, and South America, indicating a broad Neotropical and Nearctic distribution. As with other members of its genus, it likely inhabits coastal marine environments and estuaries rather than freshwater habitats.
Rhigognostis poulella
Rhigognostis poulella is a small moth species in the family Plutellidae, originally described as Plutella poulella by Busch in 1934. It was transferred to the genus Rhigognostis in a 1989 taxonomic revision. The species is known from the Nearctic region, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Rhinoleucophenga obesa
Rhinoleucophenga obesa is a species of fruit fly in the family Drosophilidae. Long misidentified in the Neotropics, it is now confirmed as endemic to the Nearctic region with type locality in Texas, USA. Brazilian specimens previously attributed to this species have been reassigned to sibling species R. cantareira and R. gigantea based on morphological and molecular evidence.
Rhithrogena hageni
Western Black Quill
Rhithrogena hageni is a mayfly species in the family Heptageniidae, first described by Eaton in 1885. It is known from the Nearctic region, specifically North America. The species is commonly referred to as the Western Black Quill. Like other members of the genus Rhithrogena, it is associated with lotic (flowing water) habitats where its nymphs develop.
Rhodocantha
Rhodocantha is a monotypic genus of moths in the family Crambidae, established by Munroe in 1961. It contains a single species, Rhodocantha diagonalis, known from limited records in the southwestern United States. The genus belongs to the subfamily Odontiinae, a group of small to medium-sized moths often associated with arid and semi-arid habitats.
Rhodocantha diagonalis
Rhodocantha diagonalis is a small moth species and the sole member of its genus. It was described by Munroe in 1961 and belongs to the family Crambidae, subfamily Odontiinae. The species is known from a restricted geographic range in the southwestern United States.
Rhopobota naevana
holly tortrix moth, holly leaf tier, blackheaded fireworm
Rhopobota naevana is a small tortricid moth with a broad Palearctic distribution extending to North America. Adults fly in mid-summer and are characterized by grey forewings with complex dark markings and a metallic-edged ocellus. The species is economically significant as a pest of Vaccinium crops, particularly cranberries and blueberries, where larvae feed on foliage and fruit.
Rhyacophila acutiloba
Rhyacophila acutiloba is a species of free-living caddisfly in the family Rhyacophilidae, first described by Morse & Ross in 1971. As a member of the genus Rhyacophila, it belongs to a group commonly known as "caseless caddis" or "free-living caddisflies" whose larvae do not construct portable cases. The species is known from North America, with records from Vermont and other parts of the Nearctic region. Like other rhyacophilids, it is associated with lotic (flowing water) habitats.
Rhyacophila nigrita
Rhyacophila nigrita is a free-living caddisfly species described by Nathan Banks in 1907. It belongs to the family Rhyacophilidae, a group of caddisflies whose larvae do not construct protective cases. The species has been documented in North America, with specific records from Vermont in the United States. Available information for this species remains limited.
Rhyacophila oreta
Rhyacophila oreta is a species of caseless caddisfly in the family Rhyacophilidae, described by Ross in 1941. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are free-living predators in freshwater habitats, constructing no protective cases. The species is known from North America in the Nearctic region. As with other Rhyacophila species, the larvae are aquatic and the adults are terrestrial, short-lived, and primarily reproductive in function.
Rhynchomitra
Rhynchomitra is a genus of planthoppers in the family Dictyopharidae, established by Fennah in 1944. The genus contains five described species distributed across the Americas, from the United States through Mexico to Cuba. These insects belong to the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, a group known for their distinctive head morphology and jumping ability. Members of this genus are characterized by features typical of dictyopharid planthoppers, including elongated body forms.
Rhynocoris ventralis ventralis
Rhynocoris ventralis ventralis is a subspecies of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, originally described by Thomas Say in 1832. The taxon is currently recognized as a synonym within the genus Rhynocoris, which comprises predatory true bugs. The species Rhynocoris ventralis belongs to the subfamily Harpactorinae, a diverse group of reduviids characterized by raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. This subspecies designation represents one of the infraspecific forms described within the broader R. ventralis complex.
Rhysothorax rufus
Rhysothorax rufus is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aegialiinae. It has been recorded across the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions, with documented occurrences in Europe from Belgium to Russia, and in North America from Canada through the northern United States. The species was described by Fabricius in 1792. Available records indicate broad geographic distribution but limited observational data.