Nearctic
Guides
Auridius sandaraca
Auridius sandaraca is a Nearctic leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 1999. The species occurs across central Canada and the north-central United States, with records from Alberta to Ontario and adjacent U.S. states. As a member of the genus Auridius, it exhibits wing polymorphism, a trait characteristic of this leafhopper group. The species was established during a comprehensive revision of the genus that documented host associations and phenology patterns across Auridius species.
Auridius thapsinus
Auridius thapsinus is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 1999 from material collected in Arizona and Nevada. It belongs to a genus characterized by wing polymorphism, where individuals may exhibit either fully developed wings or reduced wing forms. The species is one of eight new species described in a comprehensive revision of the Nearctic genus Auridius.
Austrolimnophila toxoneura
Austrolimnophila toxoneura is a Nearctic species of limoniid crane fly in the family Limoniidae. The species was originally described by Osten Sacken in the mid-19th century under the basionym Limnophila toxoneura. It occurs across a broad range of eastern North America, from Ontario and Newfoundland south to Tennessee and North Carolina. Like other members of Limoniidae, it belongs to a diverse family of slender-bodied crane flies often associated with moist habitats.
Autalia puncticollis
Autalia puncticollis is a rove beetle species in the family Staphylinidae, described by Sharp in 1864. It belongs to the tribe Autaliini within the subfamily Aleocharinae. The species has a Palearctic native distribution across Europe, Russia, Turkey, and Japan, with introduced populations in western North America including British Columbia, California, and Washington.
Autumnimiris albescens
Autumnimiris albescens is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Van Duzee in 1925. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Autumnimiris, it is associated with autumn activity periods, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Baconia
Baconia is a genus of clown beetles (family Histeridae) comprising 116 species, with 85 species described in a 2013 systematic revision. The genus is renowned for brilliant jewel-like coloration and bizarrely flattened body forms—traits rare and little-appreciated in the Histeridae. Species are primarily distributed across North and South America. Many species are known from extremely few specimens; nearly half are represented by only one or two specimens in museum collections.
Bactericera
psyllid bugs, jumping plant lice
Bactericera is a genus of psyllid bugs (family Triozidae) established by Auguste Puton in 1876. The genus is predominantly distributed in the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions, with 24 recognized species in North America north of Mexico. Members are small phloem-feeding insects commonly known as "jumping plant lice." The genus includes economically significant agricultural pests, most notably Bactericera cockerelli (potato/tomato psyllid), which transmits the bacterial pathogen 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' causing zebra chip disease in potatoes.
Bactra furfurana
mottled marble
Bactra furfurana is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 13–19 mm, found across the Nearctic and Palearctic realms. Adults fly in June and July in damp marshy habitats. The larvae are stem-borers in rushes, feeding internally on Schoenoplectus lacustris and Juncus conglomeratus. The species closely resembles Bactra lancealana but can be distinguished by subtle wing shape and pattern differences.
Baetis piscatoris
Baetis piscatoris is a species of mayfly in the family Baetidae, first described by Jay Traver in 1935. The species is known from the Nearctic region, with records from North America. As a member of the genus Baetis, it belongs to a diverse group of small to medium-sized mayflies commonly referred to as 'blue-winged olives' in angling contexts.
Bagisara repanda
Wavy-lined Mallow Moth, Wavy Lined Mallow Moth
Bagisara repanda, commonly known as the Wavy-lined Mallow Moth, is a small noctuid moth with a broad Neotropical and Nearctic distribution. Adults are active year-round in tropical regions, with peak activity in late summer to fall in the southern United States. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1793 and remains relatively understudied despite its wide geographic range.
Balcanocerus
Balcanocerus is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Eurymelinae. Species in this genus are ant-attended and feed on phloem sap from host plants in Rosaceae. The genus includes both North American and European species, with documented associations with specific ant partners and host trees.
Ballucus
Ballucus is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was established in 2007 by Gordon and Skelley. The genus belongs to the tribe Aphodiini, a group commonly known as small dung beetles or aphodiine dung beetles. Ballucus is currently classified within the Nearctic region, though specific details about its constituent species and biology remain limited in published literature.
Ballucus barri
Ballucus barri is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Gordon in 2006. The species belongs to the genus Ballucus, which comprises small dung beetles. Records indicate it occurs in the western United States.
Ballucus obtusus
Ballucus obtusus is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It is native to western North America, with documented occurrences in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. As a member of the Aphodiinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as small dung beetles or aphodiine dung beetles, which are typically associated with decomposing organic matter.
Bandara
Bandara is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, and tribe Platymetopiini. It was established by Ball in 1931. As a member of the Platymetopiini, it belongs to a group of deltocephaline leafhoppers characterized by particular morphological features of the head and male genitalia. The genus contains multiple species distributed in the Nearctic region.
Barce fraterna
Barce fraterna is a thread-legged bug (subfamily Emesinae) in the assassin bug family Reduviidae. The species has a broad distribution spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America, including the Galápagos Islands. Three subspecies are recognized: B. f. annulipes, B. f. banksii, and the nominate B. f. fraterna. Like other emesines, it possesses the characteristic elongated, slender legs adapted for predation on other arthropods.
Baris
Baris is a genus of true weevils in the family Curculionidae, first described by Germar in 1817. The genus comprises small to medium-sized weevils characterized by their typical curculionid body plan with an elongated rostrum. Species within Baris are associated with various host plants, with some species documented as pests of agricultural crops including sunflowers. The genus has a primarily Nearctic distribution, with species occurring across North America.
Barrellus femoratus
Barrellus femoratus is a species of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, subfamily Chrysochroinae, and tribe Dicercini. Originally described by Knull in 1941, it is one of two species in the genus Barrellus, which was established by Nelson & Bellamy in 1996. The species is known from the Nearctic region of North America. Very little specific information about its biology or ecology has been published.
Beameromyia bifida
Notch-tailed Pixie
Beameromyia bifida is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) first described by Hardy in 1942 under the basionym Leptogaster bifidus. It is commonly known as the Notch-tailed Pixie. The species belongs to the genus Beameromyia, a group of small, delicate robber flies sometimes referred to as 'pixies' due to their diminutive size and agile flight. As with other Asilidae, it is a predatory fly, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Beameromyia lunula
Madera Pixie
Beameromyia lunula is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Martin in 1957. It belongs to the subfamily Laphriinae and tribe Atomosiini. The species epithet 'lunula' refers to a small crescent or moon-shaped marking, likely describing a distinctive wing or body pattern. As with other robber flies, it is presumed to be a predatory insect, though specific behavioral and ecological details remain poorly documented.
Beeria
Beeria is a monotypic genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) established by Hatch in 1957. Its sole species, Beeria nematocera, occurs in the Nearctic region. The genus exhibits morphological characteristics intermediate between tribes Staphylinini and Quediini, with prothoracic features supporting its placement in Quediini. The type species was originally described as Philonthus nematocerus by Casey in 1915.
Beeria nematocera
Beeria nematocera is a species of rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) originally described as Philonthus nematocerus by Casey in 1915, later transferred to the monotypic genus Beeria by Hatch in 1957. The genus combines morphological characteristics of both Staphylinini and Quediini tribes, though its prothorax morphology supports placement in Quediini. The species is known from western North America.
Bellota
Bellota is a genus of jumping spiders (Salticidae) established by George and Elizabeth Peckham in 1892. The genus is distinguished from the similar genus Chirothecia by its narrower cephalothorax and shorter eye area. The type species, Bellota peckhami, was designated by Galiano in 1978 from a male specimen previously misidentified by the Peckhams. The genus contains nine described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with two species described from Pakistan whose taxonomic placement remains questionable.
Bembidion mckinleyi
Bembidion mckinleyi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Fall in 1926. It is a member of the large genus Bembidion, which contains over 1,400 described species of small to medium-sized carabid beetles. The species is known from both North America and Europe, with three recognized subspecies: B. m. mckinleyi, B. m. carneum, and B. m. scandicum. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with moist habitats near water bodies.
Bembidion obscurellum
Dry-field Bembidion Beetle
Bembidion obscurellum is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Dry-field Bembidion Beetle. The species has a wide distribution spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Multiple subspecies have been described, indicating geographic variation across its range. Like other members of genus Bembidion, it is a ground-dwelling predator.
Bertamyia notata
Bertamyia notata is the sole described species in the genus Bertamyia, a group of flat-footed flies within the family Platypezidae. The species occurs across a broad geographic range from Canada to Argentina in the Americas. It was originally described by Loew in 1866 under the name Callomyia notata. As a member of Platypezidae, it belongs to a family of small to medium-sized flies whose larvae typically develop in decaying organic matter, particularly fungi.
Biblis
red rim, crimson-banded black
Biblis is a monotypic genus of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, established by Fabricius in 1807. The sole species, Biblis hyperia, is commonly known as the red rim or crimson-banded black. This butterfly is distributed across the Americas from the southern United States through Central America to South America.
Bicellonycha
Bicellonycha is a genus of fireflies (Lampyridae) comprising more than 40 described species. Species within this genus exhibit diverse ecological tolerances, with some such as B. lividipennis showing adaptation to artificial night lighting and anthropogenic disturbance, while others including B. wickershamorum face conservation threats and have been petitioned for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The genus occurs primarily in the Americas, with documented presence in Brazil and the United States.
Bisnius siegwaldii
Bisnius siegwaldii is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae) in the tribe Staphylinini. It is a medium-sized species with a broad distribution across northern North America and Russia. The species was originally described as Philonthus siegwaldii in 1843. Records indicate presence in boreal and temperate regions of Canada and the United States.
Bisulcopsallus pallidus
Bisulcopsallus pallidus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Schuh in 2006. The genus Bisulcopsallus belongs to the diverse family of true bugs known for their plant-feeding habits. This species is known from Arizona, USA, though detailed biological information remains limited in published literature. As a member of Miridae, it likely exhibits typical characteristics of the family including small size, membranous wings with distinct venation, and piercing-sucking mouthparts adapted for feeding on plant fluids.
Blaesodiplosis
Blaesodiplosis is a genus of gall midges in the family Cecidomyiidae, established by Gagné in 1973. The genus contains at least four described species, including species associated with hawthorn (Crataegus). Like other gall midges, members of this genus are presumed to induce gall formation on host plants, though specific biological details remain limited.
Blastopsocus johnstoni
Blastopsocus johnstoni is a species of bark louse in the family Psocidae, described by Mockford in 2002. It belongs to the genus Blastopsocus, a group of small, winged insects commonly found on tree bark and foliage. The species is known from the United States. Like other psocids, it is likely associated with lichens, algae, and organic debris on vegetation surfaces.
Blennocampini
Blennocampini is a tribe of sawflies within the family Tenthredinidae. Larvae of this group possess distinctive bifurcate (forked) dorsal cuticular projections that distinguish them from many other sawfly larvae. The tribe includes genera such as Periclista, which are associated with woody plants including oaks. Adults are small to medium-sized sawflies with typical tenthredinid morphology.
Blera confusa
Confusing Wood Fly
Blera confusa, commonly known as the Confusing Wood Fly, is a syrphid fly species first described by Johnson in 1913. Adults are flower visitors that feed on nectar and pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type, developing in exuding sap or rot holes of trees. The species is widely distributed across eastern and central North America.
Blera humeralis
Yellow-legged Wood Fly
Blera humeralis, commonly known as the yellow-legged wood fly, is a Nearctic species of hoverfly (Syrphidae) described by Samuel Wendell Williston in 1882. Adults are flower visitors that feed on nectar and pollen. The species is notable for its distinctive yellow and black coloration and rat-tailed larvae that develop in tree rot holes and sap flows. It is considered uncommon and has a restricted coastal distribution in western North America.
Blera nigra
Golden-haired Wood Fly
Blera nigra, commonly known as the golden-haired wood fly, is a Nearctic syrphid fly species first described by Williston in 1887. Adults are flower-visiting hoverflies that feed on nectar and pollen. The species exhibits distinct sexual dimorphism in facial coloration and antennal structure. Larvae are of the rat-tailed type, developing in tree rot holes or exuding sap.
Blera robusta
Greenish Wood Fly
A rare Nearctic syrphid fly first described by Curran in 1922. Adults are known as flower flies, feeding on nectar and pollen. Larvae are rat-tailed type, developing in exuding sap or rot holes of trees. The species is considered uncommon throughout its range.
Bobitobus fungicola
Bobitobus fungicola is a rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Mycetoporinae. The species name 'fungicola' indicates an association with fungi. It has a broad transcontinental distribution across northern North America, extending from Alaska and Yukon through Canada to the northeastern United States. The species was described by Campbell in 1982.
Bolbocerosoma
earth-boring scarab beetles
Bolbocerosoma is a genus of earth-boring scarab beetles in the family Geotrupidae. The genus contains approximately 13 described species distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. These beetles are part of the subfamily Bolboceratinae, tribe Odonteini. The genus was established by Schaeffer in 1906 and has been subject to taxonomic revision by Howden (1955).
Bolbocerosoma biplagiatum
Bolbocerosoma biplagiatum is a species of earth-boring scarab beetle in the family Geotrupidae, described by Dawson & McColloch in 1924. It belongs to the subfamily Bolboceratinae, a group characterized by their burrowing behavior and association with soil and organic matter. The species is known from the central United States, with records spanning from Colorado to Wisconsin and southward to Texas and Oklahoma.
Bombus natvigi
High Arctic Bumble Bee
Bombus natvigi is a cuckoo bumble bee endemic to the Nearctic Arctic, recognized as a distinct species from Bombus hyperboreus in 2015 based on genetic analysis. It is a brood parasite that invades colonies of Bombus polaris, using pheromones to manipulate host workers into rearing its offspring. The species is currently listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN Red List, reflecting limited knowledge of its population status and ecology. Its taxonomic status remains debated, with some subsequent studies treating it as a subspecies of B. hyperboreus.
Boreocanthon
Boreocanthon is a genus of ball-rolling dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, comprising thirteen recognized species. The genus is endemic to North America, with a distribution spanning from southern Canada to central Mexico. Species exhibit strong ecological associations with specific vegetation biomes, including eastern coniferous forests, prairies, arid shrublands, and desert habitats.
Bothrotes
Bothrotes is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) established by Casey in 1907. The genus contains at least two described species: Bothrotes canaliculatus and Bothrotes plumbeus. Members of this genus occur in North America, with observations documented from grassland and woodland habitats in the southwestern United States and Great Plains region.
Brachinus adustipennis
Brachinus adustipennis is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Terry Erwin in 1969. It belongs to the genus Brachinus, which is renowned for its remarkable chemical defense mechanism—producing a hot, noxious spray from the abdomen when disturbed. The species occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, and North America, with confirmed records from Cuba, Mexico, Panama, and the United States.
Brachinus cyanipennis
Cyan-winged Bombardier Beetle
Brachinus cyanipennis is a bombardier beetle species in the family Carabidae, characterized by explosive defensive chemistry typical of the genus. Based on molecular phylogenetic analysis using COI, CAD, and 28S gene regions, this species was moved from Erwin's fumans species group to the newly erected cyanipennis species group within the subgenus Neobrachinus. The species is found in North America.
Brachinus fumans
American bombardier beetle
Brachinus fumans, commonly known as the American bombardier beetle, is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae and subfamily Brachininae. This species belongs to the subgenus Neobrachinus and was originally placed in Erwin's fumans species group based on morphological characters, though molecular phylogenetic studies have redefined this group. The species is endemic to the Nearctic region and is found across North America. Like other bombardier beetles, it possesses remarkable explosive defensive chemistry.
Brachinus tenuicollis
Narrow-necked Little Bombardier Beetle
Brachinus tenuicollis is a Nearctic bombardier beetle in the subgenus Neobrachinus, characterized by explosive defensive chemistry producing hot benzoquinone clouds. Molecular phylogenetic analysis placed this species in the newly erected tenuicollis species group, separated from Erwin's historically polyphyletic fumans group. The species shares with other Neobrachinus members a parasitoid larval strategy targeting aquatic beetle pupae and tendency toward multispecies aggregations.
Brachycentrus incanus
Brachycentrus incanus is a species of caddisfly in the family Brachycentridae. The species was described by Hagen in 1861 and is known from the Nearctic region. Like other members of its family, it is associated with freshwater habitats where larvae construct portable cases.
Brachycercus
squaregilled mayflies
Brachycercus is a genus of small mayflies in the family Caenidae, commonly known as squaregilled mayflies. The genus is characterized by its distinctive square-shaped gills and is distributed primarily in the Palaearctic and Nearctic realms. At least six species have been described, including B. harrisella, which is the type species described by Curtis in 1835.
Brachycercus nitidus
Brachycercus nitidus is a species of small squaregill mayfly in the family Caenidae, first described by Traver in 1932. The genus Brachycercus is part of the superfamily Caenoidea, a group characterized by reduced wing venation and other adaptations to lentic (still-water) habitats. As a member of the Caenidae, this species likely exhibits the family's typical traits including small body size, short antennae, and forewings with few crossveins. The specific epithet "nitidus" (Latin for "shiny" or "polished") may refer to a characteristic sheen of the cuticle, though this interpretation is speculative without direct examination of type material.