Neotropical
Guides
Abablemma
Abablemma is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, established by Nye in 1975. The genus contains at least six described species distributed from the southern United States through Central America. Species were historically classified in the subfamily Acontiinae of Noctuidae, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revisions in the noctuoid moths. The genus is represented by 817+ observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate documentation of its occurrence.
Abaris
ground beetles
Abaris is a genus of ground beetles (Carabidae) occurring exclusively in the Americas. The genus contains species recognized as biological control agents of agricultural pests, particularly in South American agro-ecosystems. Abaris basistriata, the most studied species, has been extensively investigated for its potential in integrated pest management programs. Laboratory studies demonstrate that substrate and diet significantly influence life cycle duration, survival rates, and reproductive output.
Acacesia
Acacesia is a genus of orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) containing six species with predominantly neotropical distribution. The genus was established by Eugène Simon in 1895. Most species are known only from museum specimens, with A. hamata being the only species documented in the United States and the only one with substantial natural history information available. Close relatives include the genera Ocrepeira and Cyclosa.
Acanalonia virescens
Acanalonia virescens is a planthopper species in the family Acanaloniidae, first described by Stål in 1864. It has a restricted coastal distribution along the western Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, ranging from southern Texas through eastern Mexico to Panama. The species was once recorded in Florida but has not been observed there since the initial report, suggesting either extirpation or misidentification.
Acanthinus dromedarius
Acanthinus dromedarius is a species of antlike flower beetle in the family Anthicidae, first described by LaFerté-Sénectère in 1849. The species exhibits a broad distribution spanning Central America, North America, and South America. Records indicate presence in regions including Colombia and Middle America.
Acanthinus spinicollis
Acanthinus spinicollis is a species of antlike flower beetle in the family Anthicidae. It has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species was described by LaFerté-Sénectère in 1849. Like other members of Anthicidae, it exhibits a compact body form and ant-like appearance.
Acanthostichus
Acanthostichus is a genus of predatory, subterranean ants in the subfamily Dorylinae. The genus contains 24 described species distributed across the New World from the southern United States to northern Argentina. These ants are rarely encountered due to their underground lifestyle, and many species are known from very few specimens. Species identification relies heavily on petiole morphology.
Achradocera
Achradocera is a genus of long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae: Diaphorinae) distributed across the Americas and Polynesia. The genus was restored from subgenus status in 1975 and currently comprises 12 recognized species. Phylogenetic analysis identifies two species groups: the Nearctic barbata group and the Neotropical femoralis group. Biogeographic studies indicate vicariance as the primary driver of speciation in this genus.
Achryson
Achryson is a genus of longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, established by Audinet-Serville in 1833. The genus comprises approximately 17 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. It is the type genus of the tribe Achrysonini within the subfamily Cerambycinae. Species in this genus are characterized by their elongated body form and relatively long antennae typical of cerambycid beetles.
Achryson surinamum
Achryson surinamum is a longhorn beetle in the subfamily Cerambycinae, first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1767. It represents one of the earliest described cerambycid species, reflecting its historical significance in entomological taxonomy. The species exhibits a broad geographic distribution across the Americas, from the southwestern United States through Central America to South America, including the West Indies.
Achrysonini
Achrysonini is a tribe of long-horned beetles (Cerambycidae) within the subfamily Cerambycinae. The tribe contains more than 20 genera and over 50 described species. Members are distributed primarily in the Americas, with some representation in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The tribe was the subject of recent taxonomic revision with an updated key to South American genera published in 2021.
Acidogona dichromata
Acidogona dichromata is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Snow in 1894. It belongs to the subfamily Tephritinae and tribe Noeetini. Like other tephritid flies, it likely has patterned wings characteristic of this family. The species is part of a genus distributed in the Neotropical region.
Acmaeodera davidsoni
Acmaeodera davidsoni is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Barr in 1972. It belongs to a large genus of jewel beetles known for their metallic coloration and association with woody plants. The species occurs in both Central America and North America, placing it within the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographic realms. Like other members of the genus, adults are likely diurnal and associated with flowering plants.
Acmaeodera miliaris
Acmaeodera miliaris is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Horn in 1878. The species occurs in Central America and North America. It belongs to a large genus of jewel beetles commonly associated with flowers and woody vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions. Like other members of Acmaeodera, adults are typically active during spring and early summer.
Acmaeodera mimicata
Acmaeodera mimicata is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Knull in 1938. It belongs to the large and taxonomically challenging genus Acmaeodera, which contains over 150 species in North America. The species epithet "mimicata" suggests a mimetic appearance, likely resembling bees or wasps as is common in this genus. Very few specific records or biological observations have been published for this species.
Acmaeodera rubronotata
Acmaeodera rubronotata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, distributed across Central America and North America. The species is one of numerous Acmaeodera species frequently encountered on flowers of yellow composites and other Asteraceae in arid and semi-arid regions. Field observations document adults visiting flowers of Heterotheca subaxillaris, Xanthisma gracile, Gutierrezia microcephala, and Heliomeris longifolia. The specific epithet 'rubronotata' refers to red markings on the pronotum.
Acmaeodera scalaris
ladder buprestid
Acmaeodera scalaris, commonly known as the ladder buprestid, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It occurs across Central America and North America. The species has been documented visiting flowers of various composite and other plant species, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Acmaeodera wenzeli
Acmaeodera wenzeli is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Van Dyke in 1919. It is distributed across Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Acmaeoderopsis westcotti
Acmaeoderopsis westcotti is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Barr in 1972 and belongs to the genus Acmaeoderopsis, a group of small to medium-sized jewel beetles. It occurs in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, specifically in Middle America and North America.
Aconophorini
Aconophorini is a tribe of treehoppers within the subfamily Membracinae, family Membracidae, order Hemiptera. The tribe was established by Goding in 1892 and contains genera distributed in the Americas, including Mexico and Argentina. Members of this tribe possess the characteristic enlarged pronotum typical of Membracidae, though specific morphological features distinguishing Aconophorini from related tribes such as Hoplophorionini and Membracini are not detailed in available sources. The genus Aconophora is included in this tribe, with at least one species (Aconophora sp.) documented from Mexico.
Acreophthiria
Acreophthiria is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae, established by Evenhuis in 1986. It belongs to the subfamily Phthiriinae and tribe Phthiriini. The genus is known from the Neotropical region, with species documented primarily from Brazil. As with other bombyliids, members are likely parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Acromyrmex
leafcutter ants, Acromyrmex Leaf-cutter Ants
Acromyrmex is a genus of New World leafcutter ants in the tribe Attini, one of two genera of advanced attines alongside Atta. These ants are obligate fungus-farmers, cultivating symbiotic Leucoagaricus fungi on masticated leaf substrate. Colonies contain up to several million individuals with four worker castes. The genus is distinguished from Atta by four pairs of thoracic spines and a rough exoskeleton. Acromyrmex species are significant herbivores in Neotropical ecosystems and major agricultural pests.
Acrotaphus
Acrotaphus is a genus of spider-attacking parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Pimplinae, tribe Ephialtini. The genus contains 27 described species distributed across the New World, with particularly high diversity in the Neotropics including the Brazilian Amazon. These wasps are ectoparasitoids of orb-weaver spiders in the families Araneidae and Tetragnathidae. A defining characteristic of the genus is the ability to induce behavioral modification in host spiders, causing them to construct specialized "cocoon webs" that support and protect the wasp pupae.
Acutalini
Acutalini is a tribe of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, containing approximately 26 described species distributed from Canada to Brazil and Peru. Members are characterized by distinctive forewing venation including separate R, M, and Cu veins near the wing base, presence of R2+3 as a distinct branch, and R4+5 confluent with M distad of the M fork. Nymphs are cryptic, solitary, and not ant-attended, with unique morphological features including paired scoli on thoracic and abdominal segments. Adults are primarily Neotropical, with many species associated with forest canopy habitats.
Adaina
Adaina is a genus of plume moths (Pterophoridae) established in 1905, comprising approximately 42 described species. The genus is characterized by split or divided wings typical of the family, with species distributed across the Americas. Several species have documented larval associations with Asteraceae host plants, with some exhibiting gall-inducing behavior and others feeding on inflorescences.
Adaina bipunctatus
Three- and Two-dotted Plume Moth
A small plume moth (Pterophoridae) with wingspan of 9–11.5 mm. Adults are pale yellowish-white with brown spotting on the forewings. The species occurs from the southeastern United States through the Caribbean to South America. Larvae feed on multiple asteraceous host plants.
Adaina simplicius
Three-dotted Plume Moth
A small plume moth (family Pterophoridae) with a wingspan of approximately 10 mm. Native to the Americas, ranging from the United States through Central and South America to the Caribbean. Introduced to South Africa for evaluation as a biological control agent against Eupatorium macrocephalum.
Adaina thomae
St. Thomas Island Plume
Adaina thomae is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, characterized by its small size with a wingspan of approximately 13 mm. The species has a broad neotropical distribution spanning from the southern United States through the Caribbean and into South America. Adults have been recorded in multiple months throughout the year, suggesting extended or year-round flight activity in suitable climates. The specific epithet and common name reference Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, one of the localities where this species occurs.
Adelonia
Adelonia is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Laporte in 1840. The genus is distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with records from Colombia. As a tenebrionid genus, its members are likely ground-dwelling beetles adapted to arid or semi-arid environments, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus is rarely encountered in collections, with only 11 iNaturalist observations recorded.
Adelonia sulcatula
Adelonia sulcatula is a small darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Champion in 1885. The species is known from limited specimens and observations in coastal northern South America and Mexico. It belongs to a genus of beetles adapted to arid and semi-arid environments. Available records suggest it is rarely encountered and poorly studied.
Adelpha
sisters
Adelpha is a genus of brush-footed butterflies distributed from the southern United States and Mexico through Central America to South America. The common name "sisters" refers to the white wing markings that resemble a nun's habit. The genus contains approximately 90 described species, many of which exhibit Batesian mimicry and are organized into distinct species groups based on morphological and phylogenetic relationships.
Adelpha fessonia
Band-celled Sister, Mexican Sister
Adelpha fessonia is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the band-celled sister or Mexican sister. The species occurs from Panama northward through Central America to Mexico, with periodic vagrant populations establishing in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Adults have a wingspan of 56–70 mm. The species exhibits partial migration patterns, with Texas populations representing temporary rather than permanent residents.
Aellopos
Aellopos is a genus of large day-flying moths in the family Sphingidae (sphinx moths), first described by Jacob Hübner in 1819. The genus contains six recognized species distributed from the eastern United States through Central America to South America. These moths are notable for their diurnal activity pattern, which is uncommon among sphingids. The genus belongs to the tribe Dilophonotini within the subfamily Macroglossinae.
Aellopos tantalus
Tantalus Sphinx
Aellopos tantalus, commonly known as the Tantalus sphinx, is a small hawkmoth in the family Sphingidae. Adults are active year-round in tropical and subtropical regions, feeding on nectar from specific flowering plants. The larvae develop on Rubiaceae host plants and pupate in shallow underground chambers or leaf litter.
Aellopos titan
Titan Sphinx
Aellopos titan, commonly known as the Titan Sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Pieter Cramer in 1777. It is a medium-sized hawkmoth with a wingspan of 55–65 mm, found across a broad geographic range from North America through Central America to South America.
Aeneolamia albofasciata
Aeneolamia albofasciata is a spittlebug species in the family Ischnorhinidae, distributed across Mexico and Costa Rica. The species was originally described as Monecphora albofasciata by Lallemand in 1939 and later transferred to Aeneolamia. It belongs to a genus known for xylem-feeding habits and association with grasses and agricultural crops. Observations on iNaturalist suggest it is moderately well-documented in the field.
Aeneolamia contigua
Aeneolamia contigua is a spittlebug species in the family Ischnorhinidae (formerly placed in Cercopidae). The genus Aeneolamia contains economically significant pests of pasture grasses and sugarcane in the Neotropics. This species is part of a group known for dense aggregations and damage to graminoid hosts through sap-feeding. Adults are robust with the characteristic compact body form of the tribe Tomaspidini.
Aeptencyrtus
Aeptencyrtus is a genus of parasitic wasps in the family Encyrtidae, subfamily Tetracneminae. The genus was described by De Santis in 1964. Based on collection records from the UCR Encyrtidae holdings, at least one species, Aeptencyrtus bruchi, has been documented. The genus belongs to a large and economically important family of chalcid wasps, many of which are used in biological control programs.
Aeshna persephone
Persephone's Darner
Aeshna persephone, known as Persephone's Darner, is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae. It inhabits river systems in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species was described by Donnelly in 1961 and is named after Persephone, the Greek goddess associated with the underworld.
Aetalionidae
Aetalionid Treehoppers
Aetalionidae is a family of treehoppers in the superfamily Membracoidea, distinguished from the more diverse Membracidae by morphological features including a front femur fused to the trochanter and a completely exposed scutellum. The family is predominantly Neotropical in distribution, with two recognized subfamilies: Biturritiinae (exclusively Neotropical) and Aetalioninae (containing the Neotropical genus Aetalion and the Paleotropical genus Darthula). Females exhibit maternal care by guarding egg masses, and many species form aggregations on tree branches where they produce honeydew and associate with ants and stingless bees.
Afilia
Afilia is a genus of moths in the family Notodontidae, first described by William Schaus in 1901. The genus belongs to the subfamily Hapigiinae and contains three recognized species: Afilia oslari, A. cinerea, and A. purulha. These moths are part of the diverse notodontid fauna, commonly known as prominent moths. The genus has been documented through 198 iNaturalist observations, indicating some level of field detectability.
Afrida
Afrida is a genus of moths in the family Nolidae, constituting the sole genus of the subfamily Afridinae. The genus was established by Möschler in 1886 and contains approximately nine described species. Historically, Afrida was classified within the tribe Lithosiini in the subfamily Arctiinae (now Erebidae: Arctiinae), but was subsequently transferred to Nolidae. The genus is known from the Neotropical region.
Agallissini
Agallissini is a tribe of longhorn beetles in the subfamily Cerambycinae, established by LeConte in 1873. The tribe contains three genera—Agallissus, Osmopleura, and Zagymnus—with five described species. North American species have been documented with specific host plant associations, particularly with palms.
Agathodes monstralis
Sky-pointing Moth
Agathodes monstralis is a species of moth in the family Crambidae, commonly known as the Sky-pointing Moth. The species was described by Guenée in 1854 and is placed in the subfamily Spilomelinae. It is one of several species in the genus Agathodes, which are distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. The common name refers to a characteristic resting posture where the moth holds its wings and body oriented upward.
Agaveocoris distanti
Agaveocoris distanti is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae. It was originally described as Caulotops distanti by Reuter in 1905 and has since been reclassified into the genus Agaveocoris. The species is recorded from Florida in the United States and Venezuela, with broader presence indicated in Middle and North America. It belongs to the tribe Caulotopsini, whose members are associated with agave plants.
Ageroniini
Ageroniini is a tribe of butterflies within the subfamily Biblidinae (Nymphalidae), commonly known as the tropical brushfoots. The tribe includes genera such as Ageronia and Hamadryas, species of which are known for their rapid, erratic flight patterns and often cryptic underside wing patterns that resemble dead leaves. Members of this tribe are primarily Neotropical in distribution.
Agonocryptus
Agonocryptus is a genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Cryptinae, established by Cushman in 1929. The genus occurs exclusively in the Neotropical region. A 2022 taxonomic revision significantly expanded known distributions, adding 115 new records across 16 species and increasing documented localities by nearly 70%. The genus exhibits notable morphological variation among species, with elevation preferences varying across taxa.
Agonocryptus discoidaloides
Agonocryptus discoidaloides is a species of ichneumonid wasp in the subfamily Cryptinae. Originally described as a subspecies by Viereck in 1905, it was elevated to species rank (stat. nov.) by Supeleto & Aguiar in 2022. The first published images of males were published in 2022, documenting both typical morphology and morphological variation within the species. It is one of 16 Agonocryptus species for which distribution records were substantially expanded in a 2022 taxonomic revision.
Agrilaxia
Agrilaxia is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing approximately 80 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. The genus was established by Kerremans in 1903 and belongs to the tribe Anthaxiini. Species are typically small, often metallic beetles. Several species have been documented visiting flowers, a behavior that is relatively uncommon among buprestid beetles. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with recent work describing new species from French Guiana and clarifying relationships with related genera such as Anthaxia.
Agrius cingulata
pink-spotted hawkmoth, sweetpotato hornworm
Agrius cingulata is a large sphingid moth with broad neotropical distribution extending northward through migratory behavior. Adults are nocturnal nectar feeders with exceptionally long proboscises, while larvae are robust hornworms that feed voraciously on Convolvulaceae, particularly sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), causing significant agricultural damage. The species has been documented as a "nectar thief" of rare orchids, removing nectar without providing pollination services.