Neotropical
Guides
Dihammaphora dispar
Dihammaphora dispar is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by the French entomologist Louis Alexandre Auguste Chevrolat in 1859. The genus Dihammaphora belongs to the tribe Rhopalophorini within the subfamily Cerambycinae. Very little specific information is available about the biology or ecology of this particular species.
Dikrella
Dikrella is a genus of leafhoppers in the subfamily Typhlocybinae, tribe Dikraneurini, containing approximately 37 species distributed from the United States through Central America to South America. Members are small, delicate insects typically 3–4 mm in length. The genus has agricultural significance: Dikrella californica has been used as an intermediary host for the parasitic wasp Anagnus epos, employed in biological control of the western grape leafhopper. Several species are associated with economically important host plants including avocado and pequi.
Dinocampini
Dinocampini is a tribe of parasitoid wasps within the subfamily Euphorinae of the family Braconidae. Members of this tribe are known to exhibit complex mating behaviors including lek formation, as documented in the recently described species Napo townsendi. The tribe is represented in the Neotropical region, with observations from Ecuadorian cloud forest habitats.
Diochus
Diochus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) with cosmopolitan distribution, though most species diversity occurs in the Neotropical region. The genus comprises over 80 described species organized into six species groups based on morphological characteristics. Taxonomic revision has synonymized some historically described species and clarified species boundaries through detailed morphological analysis.
Diochus schaumii
Diochus schaumi is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, originally described by Kraatz in 1860 as D. schaumii. It belongs to the D. schaumii-group, which includes four other Neotropical species: D. angustiformis, D. argentinus, D. brunneus, and D. curtipennis. The species was synonymised with D. vilis Sharp, 1885. It has a broad geographic range spanning North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean.
Diogmites
Hanging Thieves
Diogmites is a genus of medium to large robber flies (17–48 mm) in the family Asilidae, commonly known as "Hanging Thieves" for their distinctive feeding posture. The genus contains 73–77 recognized species distributed mainly in the Neotropics, with some species extending into the Nearctic region. Adults are ambush predators that capture flying or perching insects and feed while suspended from vegetation by their front legs. The genus is characterized by relatively long legs, a flexible prosternum that facilitates the hanging posture, and often striking green or iridescent eye coloration in live specimens.
Dione juno
Juno Silverspot, Juno Longwing, Juno Heliconian
Dione juno is a heliconiine butterfly (subfamily Heliconiinae) distributed from the southern United States through Central and South America. The species is a significant agricultural pest of passion fruit (Passiflora spp.), particularly Passiflora edulis, where caterpillars can completely defoliate host plants at high population densities. Adults are characterized by orange and black dorsal wing patterns with distinctive silver spots on the ventral wing surfaces. The species has been extensively studied in Brazil and Central America for its role in agroecosystems and its diverse complex of natural enemies.
Dioprosopa clavata
Four-speckled Hover Fly
Dioprosopa clavata is a Neotropical hoverfly (Diptera: Syrphidae) and the type species of genus Dioprosopa. Adults feed on nectar and pollen, while larvae are aphidophagous predators that also attack spittlebugs and other hemipteran pests. The species provides dual ecosystem services as both a pollinator and biological control agent in natural habitats and agroecosystems, including citrus orchards. Climate change projections indicate substantial habitat loss by 2100, with range contractions in tropical lowlands and modest shifts toward cooler, higher-elevation refugia.
Diplostethus
Diplostethus is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) containing six described species. Members range from 16 to 25 mm in length and are distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The genus is morphologically similar to Pittonotus.
Diplotaxis abnormis
Diplotaxis abnormis is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species was described by Fall in 1909 and belongs to the tribe Diplotaxini. It is distributed in the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico) and northern Mexico (Chihuahua, Sonora). Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is likely a nocturnal species that congregates on vegetation to detect pheromone trails for mate location.
Diplotaxis fissilabris
A small scarab beetle in the genus Diplotaxis, first described by Fall in 1909. Members of this genus are commonly known as chafers and are typically nocturnal, attracted to lights. The specific epithet "fissilabris" refers to a cleft or split lip, likely describing a distinctive labral feature. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Diplotaxis puberula
Downy Diplotaxis
Diplotaxis puberula is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by LeConte in 1863. It is distributed across parts of North and Central America, with records from Texas in the United States and the Mexican states of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas. The species belongs to the chafers (Melolonthinae), a diverse subfamily whose larvae typically develop in soil and feed on roots.
Diplotaxis rufiola
A small scarab beetle species in the genus Diplotaxis, described by Fall in 1909. It belongs to the tribe Diplotaxini within the subfamily Melolonthinae. The species has been documented across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Diplotaxis subangulata
Diplotaxis subangulata is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, described by LeConte in 1856. The genus Diplotaxis comprises small chafers, and this species occurs across western North America from British Columbia to Baja California, with records throughout the southwestern United States. Adults have been observed congregating on low vegetation, apparently to intercept pheromone trails in search of mates. The species is attracted to lights at night.
Dipoena dorsata
Dipoena dorsata is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, first described by Muma in 1944. It has been recorded across a broad geographic range from the United States to Paraguay, spanning North, Central, and South America. As a member of the genus Dipoena, it constructs irregular, tangled webs typical of theridiid spiders. Specific details regarding its biology, ecology, and behavior remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Dipogon calipterus nubifer
Dipogon calipterus nubifer is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, recognized as a valid taxon by Catalogue of Life and GBIF. As part of the Dipogon calipterus species complex, it shares the general biology of this ant-mimicking wasp group: females hunt spiders to provision nest cells in pre-existing cavities, while males perch to defend territories. The subspecies is distinguished from other D. calipterus subspecies by slight differences in color and pattern.
Diradius
Diradius is a genus of webspinners (order Embioptera) in the family Teratembiidae, established by Friederichs in 1934. The genus comprises approximately 15 described species distributed across the Neotropical region and parts of the southern United States. Webspinners in this genus possess silk-producing glands on the foretarsi, which they use to construct protective silk galleries in their habitats.
Disphragis
Disphragis is a genus of notodontid moths (family Notodontidae, subfamily Heterocampinae) containing approximately 137 species. The genus was erected by Jacob Hübner in 1820 and is restricted to the New World. Species-level taxonomy has been revised in recent decades, with several new species described from Central America.
Dissomphalus
Dissomphalus is the most species-rich genus in the family Bethylidae (Hymenoptera), with over 600 valid species globally. The genus exhibits exceptional diversity in the Neotropical region, where the majority of species occur, though it has a cosmopolitan distribution including the Oriental region and southwestern Pacific islands. Species delimitation relies heavily on male genitalia characters and metasomal tergal process structures, with species-groups defined primarily by these morphological features. Taxonomic revisions have revealed high levels of undescribed diversity, particularly in underexplored regions such as Panama, Thailand, and the Fiji-Solomon Islands archipelago.
Disteniinae
disteniid longhorn beetles
Disteniinae is a subfamily of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) comprising approximately 400 described species, primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. Adults are characterized by their elongated, slender bodies, long filiform antennae that often exceed body length, and frequently metallic coloration. The group has undergone significant taxonomic revision, having been treated historically as a tribe within Lepturinae or Cerambycinae, as a separate subfamily, and even as a distinct family (Disteniidae) before current consensus places it as a subfamily within Cerambycidae. The North American fauna is depauperate, with Elytrimitatrix undata being the sole representative in the United States.
Dolbogene hartwegii
Hartweg's Sphinx
Dolbogene hartwegii is a rare sphinx moth (Sphingidae) found from the southwestern United States through Mexico to Guatemala. The species was originally described as Dolba hartwegii in 1875. Few specimens have been collected, and its biology remains poorly documented.
Dolichognatha pentagona
Dolichognatha pentagona is a species of long-jawed orb-weaver spider in the family Tetragnathidae, first described by Hentz in 1850. It occurs from the United States through Central America to Venezuela. The genus Dolichognatha is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. As a tetragnathid, it likely constructs orb webs for prey capture, though specific behavioral details for this species remain poorly documented.
Dorcasta
Dorcasta is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the tribe Apomecynini, established by Pascoe in 1858. The genus contains eight described species distributed in the Americas. Larvae of at least one species, Dorcasta cinerea, have been documented developing in the stems of buffalo gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima). Adults are associated with various woody and herbaceous host plants, though detailed life history information remains limited for most species.
Dorydiella
Dorydiella is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, and tribe Pendarini. It was established by Baker in 1897. The genus belongs to the diverse Membracoidea superfamily, a group of piercing-sucking insects commonly known as leafhoppers. As a member of the Pendarini tribe, Dorydiella is part of a lineage characterized by particular morphological features of the male genitalia and wing venation.
Downeshelea
Downeshelea is a genus of predaceous biting midges in the family Ceratopogonidae, tribe Ceratopogonini. The genus was established by Wirth and Grogan based on the Monohelea multilineata species group and currently comprises over 60 species worldwide, with approximately 46 species in the Neotropics. Adult females are predatory, feeding primarily on adult Chironomidae, and may contribute to biological control of pest populations in agricultural settings.
Doxocopa
Emperor butterflies
Doxocopa is a genus of Neotropical butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Apaturinae. The genus comprises approximately 17 described species, commonly known as emperors. Many species exhibit strong sexual dimorphism, with males often displaying iridescent blue or green upper wing surfaces. The genus was established by Hübner in 1819 and is distributed primarily from Mexico through Central America and into South America.
Doxocopa laure
Silver Emperor
Doxocopa laure, commonly known as the silver emperor, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. Males display striking sexual dimorphism with orange forewings and blue iridescence, while females are more subdued in coloration. The species is notable for the silver iridescence on the underside of the hindwing that gives it its common name. It occurs across a broad geographic range from the southern United States through Mexico to Brazil, with multiple described subspecies reflecting this wide distribution.
Doxocopa pavon
Pavon Emperor, Pavon
Doxocopa pavon is a sexually dimorphic butterfly in the emperor butterfly subfamily Apaturinae, with males displaying iridescent blue-purple upper wing surfaces and females exhibiting mimicry of unrelated Adelpha species. The species ranges from South America through Mexico, with occasional vagrancy into southern Texas. Larvae feed exclusively on hackberry species (Celtis), while adults are nectar-feeders that also engage in mud-puddling and rotting material feeding.
Dracunesia
Dracunesia is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Bethylidae, described in 2018 by Alencar and Azevedo. The genus was established based on specimens from Brazil, representing a distinct lineage within this family of aculeate wasps. Bethylidae are known as flat wasps, characterized by their laterally compressed bodies and parasitoid lifestyle, primarily attacking immature stages of various insects. As a recently described genus, knowledge of Dracunesia remains limited to the original taxonomic description.
Dryadula phaetusa
Banded Orange Heliconian, Banded Orange, Orange Tiger
Dryadula phaetusa, the sole species in its genus, is a Neotropical heliconiine butterfly recognizable by its bold orange and black banded wing pattern. It ranges from Brazil to central Mexico, with occasional summer vagrants reaching central Florida. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in color intensity and participates in Müllerian mimicry complexes due to its unpalatability to birds.
Dryas
Julia heliconians
Dryas is a monotypic genus of brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) containing the single species Dryas iulia, commonly known as the Julia butterfly or Julia heliconian. Native from Brazil through Central America to the southern United States, this species has been observed as far north as eastern Nebraska during summer months. The genus is notable for its specialized feeding behavior, with adults known to drink tears from reptiles and eye secretions from sleeping birds to obtain salts and amino acids. Over 15 subspecies have been described across its broad Neotropical and Nearctic range.
Dynamine
Dynamine is a genus of nymphalid butterflies comprising approximately 38 described species distributed across South America. The genus was established by Hübner in 1819 and is classified within the subfamily Biblidinae. Species within this genus exhibit considerable diversity in wing pattern and coloration.
Dynastini
True Rhinoceros Beetles
Dynastini is a tribe of large scarab beetles commonly known as true rhinoceros beetles. The group includes some of the largest and most iconic beetles in the world, with males typically bearing prominent horns on the head and pronotum used in combat. Notable genera include Dynastes (Hercules beetles), Megasoma, and Golofa. Members are primarily tropical and subtropical in distribution, with some species reaching temperate regions of North America.
Dyscinetus picipes
Dyscinetus picipes is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae. It belongs to the tribe Cyclocephalini, a group of scarab beetles commonly known as rhinoceros beetles. The species has been recorded across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with distribution spanning the south-central and southwestern United States, Mexico, and various Caribbean islands. Available information on this species is limited, with few detailed biological studies published.
Dyseuaresta mexicana
Dyseuaresta mexicana is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, first described by Wiedemann in 1830. It occurs from the southern United States through Central America and the West Indies. Host plant records document associations with Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed) and Mikania scandens (climbing hempweed) in Florida.
Dyseuaresta sobrinata
Dyseuaresta sobrinata is a small tephritid fruit fly described by Wulp in 1900. Adults measure 3–5 mm in length. The species occurs from the United States south to Costa Rica. It belongs to the genus Dyseuaresta within the tribe Tephritini.
Dythemis
Setwings
Dythemis is a Neotropical genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, commonly known as Setwings. The genus contains seven species. A 2011 taxonomic revision proposed that D. multipunctata be reclassified as a subspecies of D. sterilis, with mainland populations previously identified as D. multipunctata reassigned to D. nigra.
Dytiscus habilis
Dytiscus habilis is a predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is the only species in the genus Dytiscus known to occur in the Neotropics, with its range extending from the southwestern United States through Mexico to Guatemala. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1830.
Eantis pallida
Pale Sicklewing
Eantis pallida is a skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) commonly known as the Pale Sicklewing. The species was first described by Felder in 1869 and has undergone taxonomic revisions, with some authorities placing it in the genus Achlyodes. It occurs in the Americas, with documented presence in Colombia and North America. The common name refers to the characteristic sickle-shaped wing appearance typical of this group.
Eantis tamenund
sickle-winged skipper
Eantis tamenund, commonly called the sickle-winged skipper, is a spread-wing skipper in the family Hesperiidae. The species occurs across a broad range from Argentina through tropical America and the West Indies to the southern United States, with occasional strays reaching as far north as Arkansas and Kansas. The common name refers to the distinctive wing shape characteristic of this species. Taxonomic history includes placement in the genus Achlyodes, with which it shares many morphological traits.
Eburiini
Eburiini is a tribe of longhorn beetles in the subfamily Cerambycinae, comprising 24 genera and approximately 268 species. The tribe is restricted to the Americas, with distribution spanning North, Central (including Caribbean), and South America. Recent taxonomic revisions have clarified its boundaries, including the synonymy of Heteropsini with Eburiini and the resurrection of Dychophyiini for excluded genera. The tribe includes economically and taxonomically significant genera such as Eburia, Beraba, and Eburiola.
Eccritotarsini
Eccritotarsini is a tribe of plant bugs within the family Miridae, subfamily Bryocorinae. It is the most species-rich tribe in Bryocorinae, with approximately 650 described species in 112 genera worldwide. The tribe is predominantly distributed in the Neotropics, though significant faunas occur in the Oriental region including India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Members are predominantly phytophagous, with documented associations particularly with Araceae monocots in some genera. The tribe has been subject to recent taxonomic revision in multiple regions due to its high diversity and poorly resolved species boundaries.
Ecdytolopha nigrita
Ecdytolopha nigrita is a tortricid moth species described by Brown in 2017. It belongs to the genus Ecdytolopha within the subfamily Olethreutinae. The species epithet "nigrita" refers to black coloration, suggesting dark wing or body pigmentation. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Ecitonini
army ants
Ecitonini is a tribe of army ants within the subfamily Dorylinae, comprising highly social, nomadic predators of tropical forests. Colonies contain hundreds of thousands to over a million workers that conduct coordinated raids to capture arthropod prey. The tribe exhibits a distinctive two-phase colony cycle alternating between nomadic and stationary periods. Soldiers possess enlarged, sickle-shaped mandibles specialized for defense and prey handling rather than feeding.
Ecitovagus gibbus
Ecitovagus gibbus is a species of true bug in the family Cyrtocoridae, a small group of pentatomoid insects endemic to the Neotropics. The family Cyrtocoridae contains only three genera and eleven species, characterized by distinctive morphological features including an expanded scutellum with a broad-based spine or hump, flattened head expansions, and scale-like setae. Ecitovagus gibbus was originally described from Brazil and has been recorded on the branches of Mimosa scabrella (Fabaceae).
Ectatomminae
Ectaheteromorph Ants
Ectatomminae is a subfamily of ants established in 2003 when Barry Bolton divided the former Ponerinae into six subfamilies. It currently comprises two tribes (Ectatommini and Heteroponerini) with approximately 13 extant genera and three extinct genera. The subfamily was further consolidated in 2022 when Heteroponerinae was merged into Ectatomminae, and this taxonomic position was upheld by genomic reanalysis in 2024. Members are primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in the Neotropics.
Ectecephala
grass flies
Ectecephala is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae, commonly known as grass flies. The genus contains approximately six described species, first established by Macquart in 1851. Species within this genus are found in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions.
Ectomis
Ectomis is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Eudaminae. The genus was established by Mabille in 1878 and contains approximately 30 recognized species distributed across the Neotropical and southern Nearctic regions. Species within Ectomis exhibit considerable variation in wing pattern and distribution, with many restricted to specific regions of Central and South America. The genus is divided into two subgeneric groupings: Ectomis (Ectomis) and Ectomis (Asina).
Edessinae
Edessinae is a subfamily of shield bugs (Pentatomidae) comprising approximately 10 genera and over 200 species, primarily distributed in the Neotropical region. The subfamily is characterized by distinctive morphological features of the male and female genitalia, including modified pygophores, gonocoxites, and internal reproductive structures. Recent taxonomic revisions have elevated several former subgenera of Edessa (Hypoxys, Pygoda) to genus level and established new genera including Grammedessa, Plagaedessa, Paraedessa, Odara, and Apheledessa. Species identification relies heavily on genitalic morphology due to frequent convergence in external body form.
Eidalimus
Eidalimus is a genus of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) in the subfamily Pachygastrinae. The genus was established by Kertész in 1914 and contains eight described species distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Species of this genus are small to medium-sized flies with relatively few detailed studies on their biology.