Neotropical
Guides
Linogeraeus capillatus
Linogeraeus capillatus is a weevil species described by Kuschel in 1983. It belongs to the family Curculionidae, the largest family of beetles. The species is provisionally accepted in taxonomic databases and has been recorded from Brazil. Knowledge of this species is limited, with few observations documented.
Lintneria
Lintneria is a genus of sphinx moths (Sphingidae) established by Butler in 1876. Species in this genus are medium to large-sized hawkmoths found primarily in the Americas. The genus was historically merged with Sphinx but was reinstated as distinct based on morphological and molecular evidence. Lintneria species are characterized by specific wing venation patterns and genitalic structures that separate them from closely related genera.
Liodema
Liodema is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) established by Horn in 1870. The genus is native to the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with records from Colorado and broader distribution across the Americas. It is a poorly documented genus with very few observations in citizen science databases.
Liodessus
Liodessus is a genus of small diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae, tribe Bidessini. Species occur across the Americas from North America through the Andes to southern South America, with notable diversity in high-altitude wetlands and páramo ecosystems. Many species inhabit shallow, exposed pools and temporary water bodies, showing phenotypic plasticity in body form correlated with habitat permanence. The genus contains numerous species, with several new species described from the high Andes of Peru and Colombia in recent years. Taxonomic resolution relies heavily on male genital morphology.
diving-beetleaquatic-insecthigh-altitudepáramoAndesphenotypic-plasticityBidessiniHydroporinaeDytiscidaeColeopterawetlandtemporary-poolpeatlandsubantarctictaxonomymale-genitaliaCOI-barcodecryptic-speciesincipient-speciationhybridizationgeometric-morphometricsenvironmental-sentineldrought-indicatorSouth-AmericaNorth-AmericaFijiNavarino-IslandMagallanesPeruColombiaChileArgentinaBoliviaBogotáJunínCuscoHuánucoCundinamarcaSumapazPunasteppepeat-bogshallow-poolpuddlealtitude-3400-4900mL.-affinis-complexL.-bogotensis-complexL.-chilensisL.-affinisL.-obscurellusL.-noviaffinisL.-saratogaeL.-picinusL.-santarositaL.-alpinusL.-hauthiL.-rhigosL.-thespesiosGuignot-1939ZimmermannSharpLeConteSaySteinheilRégimbartBiströmMillerBalkeFranciscoloSanfilippoPederzaniNilssonYoungClarkHatchMannerheimCaseyAubéBalfour-BrowneBrinckPeschetSolierWhiteZootaxaZooKeysInsect-Systematics-&-EvolutionAnales-del-Instituto-de-la-PatagoniaPLoS-ONEGBIFiNaturalistCatalogue-of-LifeNCBI-TaxonomyBOLDBarcode-of-Life-Data-SystemCOImitochondrial-DNAphylogeographypopulation-structurerange-expansionlineagegenetic-structuresubspecieslectotypeneotypesynonymynew-speciesnew-subspeciesrevisionmorphometricsallometrybody-sizebody-shapeelytrapronotumstriaecolorationpunctationhabitusoccipital-linegenital-morphologyaedeagusparamerediagnosisidentification-keytype-localitytype-specimenetymologybionomicsnatural-historygeographic-distributiondistribution-mapNearcticNeotropicalPatagoniaCape-Horn-Biosphere-Reservedroughtclimate-changeenvironmental-changesentinel-speciesplasticityadaptationphenotypic-variationhydrological-landscapewater-permanencepoolbogAltiplanoAndeanhigh-elevationmontanealpineaquaticfreshwaterlenticloticinsectbeetleAdephagaLiodessusLioptilodes
Lioptilodes is a genus of plume moths in the family Pterophoridae, established by Zimmerman in 1958. These moths are characterized by their distinctive wing structure, with wings divided into feathery plumes typical of the family. The genus is primarily distributed in the Neotropical region.
Lipogomphus
Lipogomphus is a genus of velvet water bugs in the family Hebridae, established by Berg in 1879. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in the New World. Members of this genus are small predatory aquatic insects associated with wet habitats.
Liriomyza blechi
Liriomyza blechi is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Spencer in 1973. The species belongs to a group of 27 closely related taxa primarily distributed in the Neotropics, with some extending into temperate North and South America. It is a polyphagous pest known from diverse host plants including maize, various grasses, and dicots in the order Lamiales. Larvae create whitish linear mines in leaves, reducing photosynthetic capacity. The species has been recorded from the United States, Caribbean islands, and Brazil, with expanding documentation of its agricultural impact.
Liriomyza commelinae
Liriomyza commelinae is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Frost in 1931. The species is associated with Commelina plants (dayflowers) and has been studied primarily for its role in supporting parasitoid populations that also attack the economically important pest Liriomyza huidobrensis. Research indicates it experiences high mortality rates (over 96%) from parasitoids, predatory ants, and competition-related factors. Its distribution includes Florida, the broader Neotropical region, and parts of Brazil.
Liriomyza schmidti
Liriomyza schmidti is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Aldrich in 1929. It is known from Florida, the West Indies, and Costa Rica. As a member of the genus Liriomyza, it is presumed to be a leaf miner, though specific details of its biology are poorly documented in accessible literature.
Lispinus
Lispinus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Osoriinae) established by Erichson in 1839. Species occur primarily in the Neotropics, with documented diversity in premontane forests of the eastern Peruvian Andes. The genus comprises at least 21 species in Peru alone, distributed across six zoogeographic patterns ranging from endemic to Pan-Neotropical.
Lissomelas
Lissomelas is a genus of myrmecophilic scarab beetles established by Bates in 1889. The genus contains a single described species, L. flohri. These beetles are associated with ant colonies, a lifestyle characteristic of the tribe Cremastocheilini within the subfamily Cetoniinae.
Listrochelus disparilis
Listrochelus disparilis is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. It was described by Horn in 1878 and occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species belongs to the tribe Rhizotrogini, which includes many root-feeding scarabs commonly known as May beetles or June beetles.
Listrochelus granti
Listrochelus granti is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Saylor in 1940. The species belongs to the genus Listrochelus, a group of rhizotrogine chafers. It has been recorded from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Listrochelus huachuca
Listrochelus huachuca is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Saylor in 1940. The species is named for the Huachuca Mountains of southeastern Arizona, where it has been collected. It belongs to a genus of rhizotrogine scarabs whose larvae typically develop in soil and feed on plant roots.
Listrochelus juvenilis
Listrochelus juvenilis is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Fall in 1932. It belongs to a genus of beetles commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species has a limited documented distribution in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Listrochelus texensis
Listrochelus texensis is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Saylor in 1940. It is known from southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. As a member of the Rhizotrogini tribe, it likely exhibits root-feeding habits in larval stages typical of related taxa, though specific ecological studies remain limited.
Lithoseopsis
barklice
Lithoseopsis is a genus of tropical barklice in the family Amphientomidae, containing approximately 10 described species. The genus was established by Mockford in 1993 and is primarily distributed in tropical regions of the Americas. A 2018 study described the first South American species from Brazil, expanding the known range beyond Central America and the Caribbean. Species are distinguished by forewing pigmentation patterns and details of the spermapore sclerite.
Liturgusa
Lichen Mantises, Bark Mantises
Liturgusa is a genus of Neotropical bark mantises comprising more than twenty species. Unlike typical mantises, Liturgusa species are exceptionally fast runners that actively pursue prey rather than ambush it. They inhabit tree trunks and branches, where their flattened bodies and cryptic coloration provide effective camouflage against bark, moss, and lichen. The genus was revised in 2014, revealing substantially greater diversity than previously recognized.
Liturgusa maya
Mayan Lichen Mantis
Liturgusa maya is a Neotropical bark mantis species first described in 1894. It inhabits tree trunks and branches in tropical forests, exhibiting exceptional speed and flattened body morphology adapted for crypsis among bark, moss, and lichen. The species has demonstrated notable geographic expansion through human-mediated introduction, with established non-native populations in Florida (USA) and the Galápagos Islands. In its native range, it has been documented as a frequent inhabitant of cacao agroecosystems in Peru. The species is parthenogenetic in at least some introduced populations.
Lobogestoria gibbicollis
Lobogestoria gibbicollis is a species of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae, first described by Reitter in 1878. The genus Lobogestoria is small and poorly documented, with limited published information on its biology. The species epithet "gibbicollis" refers to a humped or swollen pronotum. Records indicate presence in the Caribbean and North and South America, though specific habitat associations and ecological details remain largely unstudied.
Lochmaeocles
Lochmaeocles is a genus of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Lamiinae, tribe Onciderini. The genus contains approximately 25 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with many species described by Dillon & Dillon in 1946. Members of this genus are wood-boring beetles whose larvae develop in dead or dying wood.
Longitarsus varicornis
Banded Heliotrope Longitarsus
Longitarsus varicornis is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Suffrian in 1868. It belongs to the tribe Alticini, a group characterized by enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. The species has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. As with other members of the genus Longitarsus, it is likely associated with herbaceous vegetation, though specific host plant records for this species remain limited.
Lopescladius
A genus of non-biting midges in the subfamily Orthocladiinae, known from the Neotropics. The first record for the Piranhas-Açu River basin in northeastern Brazil was documented in 2015, expanding the known distribution of this poorly studied genus.
Lopesia
Lopesia is a genus of gall midges (Cecidomyiidae, Diptera) distributed primarily in the Neotropical region, with most described species from Brazil. Species in this genus are specialized gall inducers on diverse host plants, with documented associations including Fabaceae (Mimosa, Dalbergia, Lonchocarpus, Andira), Pontederiaceae (Eichhornia), Dilleniaceae (Davilla), and Melastomataceae (Leandra). Gall morphology varies considerably among species, including bivalve-shaped leaf galls, rhizome galls, and galls on reproductive structures. Development involves complete metamorphosis with three larval instars, pupation occurring within the gall, and adult emergence from senescent galls.
Lopesiini
Lopesiini is a tribe of gall midges within the family Cecidomyiidae (Diptera), established by Gagné in 1994. Members are known primarily from the Neotropical region, where they induce galls on various host plants. The tribe includes species with specialized relationships with specific plant taxa, including endemic hosts in the Brazilian Cerrado.
Lophalia
Lophalia is a genus of longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Cerambycinae, and tribe Trachyderini. The genus was established by Casey in 1912 and currently contains six described species distributed in the Americas. Members of this genus are characterized by features typical of the Trachyderini tribe, including often robust bodies and frequently vivid coloration patterns. The genus has been documented through 258 iNaturalist observations, indicating moderate field recognition.
Lophocampa bicolor
Lophocampa bicolor is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae, described by Francis Walker in 1855. The species is known from Mexico and Big Bend National Park, Texas. The original description provides detailed morphological information for males, including distinctive coloration and wing patterns.
Loxomorpha cambogialis
Loxomorpha cambogialis is a small moth in the family Crambidae, first described by Achille Guenée in 1854. The species has a wingspan of approximately 18 mm and occurs across a broad geographic range in the Neotropics and subtropical North America, including Brazil, Venezuela, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Florida. Adults are active from June to September. The larval biology and host associations remain undocumented.
Lucidotini
fireflies, lightning bugs
Lucidotini is the largest tribe of fireflies (Lampyridae), comprising approximately 34 genera and 849 species—nearly one-third of all described firefly species worldwide. The tribe is taxonomically challenging due to overlapping diagnostic features across taxonomic levels and historical reliance on homoplastic morphological characters. Recent phylogenetic studies incorporating terminalia and genital traits have substantially improved genus-level delimitations within the group.
Lucilia eximia
green bottle fly
Lucilia eximia is a green bottle fly in the family Calliphoridae, distributed throughout the Neotropics from northern Mexico to southern South America. The species is a significant forensic indicator used to estimate minimum postmortem intervals, with well-documented intra-puparial development stages and thermal accumulation requirements. Laboratory studies indicate adults require both sugar and protein sources for optimal longevity, with water deprivation severely reducing survival. The species colonizes animal remains in urban environments exposed to sunlight.
Lupettiana mordax
ghost spider
Lupettiana mordax is a species of ghost spider in the family Anyphaenidae. It has been recorded across a broad geographic range extending from the United States through Central America to Peru and Brazil. The species belongs to a family of wandering spiders that are active hunters rather than web-builders.
Lutrochidae
Travertine Beetles
Lutrochidae is a small family of aquatic beetles commonly known as travertine beetles. The family has been reported from hygropetric habitats for the first time in Venezuela, expanding beyond their previously known association with travertine-depositing springs and streams in North America. Species occur in the Americas from the United States through the Neotropics, with recent revisions documenting new species from Venezuela, the Guianas, and the Lesser Antilles.
Lutrochus
travertine beetles
Lutrochus is the sole genus in the family Lutrochidae, a group of small aquatic beetles commonly called travertine beetles. The genus contains approximately 21 species distributed from the southern United States through Central America to Brazil. Both adults and larvae inhabit shallow, fast-flowing streams where they are specifically associated with submerged decaying wood and travertine deposits.
Lycastrirhyncha
neotropical flower flies, neotropical hoverflies
Lycastrirhyncha is a genus of neotropical hoverflies (Syrphidae) comprising five described species. The genus was established by Bigot in 1859 with L. nitens as the type species. At least one species, L. nitens, has been documented as a flower visitor in wetland habitats, where it forages on Pontederia sagittata inflorescences. Observations indicate temporal variation in foraging behavior correlated with nectar availability.
Lycomorphodes
Lycomorphodes is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, tribe Lithosiini. It was established by Hampson in 1900 and contains approximately 21 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. The genus is classified within the subfamily Arctiinae (tiger moths and allies).
Lycorea halia
Tropical Milkweed Butterfly, Tiger Mimic-Queen
Lycorea halia is a nymphalid butterfly in the Danainae subfamily, found from Peru through Central America to the Caribbean and Mexico, with occasional strays reaching Texas. It inhabits rainforest environments and has a wingspan of 95–108 mm. The species exhibits aposematic coloration typical of milkweed butterflies and has been documented feeding on bird droppings as adults.
Lygaeus analis
Lygaeus analis is a seed bug in the family Lygaeidae, distributed from Mexico through Central America to tropical South America. The species belongs to a genus that includes several milkweed-associated bugs, though specific ecological details for L. analis itself remain poorly documented. It is a true bug with typical lygaeid morphology, but published studies have not examined its biology in detail.
Lygistopterus fervens
Lygistopterus fervens is a species of net-winged beetle in the family Lycidae. The species belongs to a genus characterized by soft-bodied beetles with distinctive net-veined elytra. Net-winged beetles (Lycidae) are known for their aposematic coloration, typically orange and black, which advertises their chemical defenses to predators. The specific epithet 'fervens' suggests a connection to heat or intensity, though the etymological basis is not documented in available sources. The species has been documented through limited observations on iNaturalist.
Lygropia tripunctata
sweetpotato leafroller
Lygropia tripunctata, commonly known as the sweetpotato leafroller, is a small crambid moth described by Fabricius in 1794. The species is distributed across the southeastern United States, West Indies, Central America, and South America to Brazil. Adults are active primarily from March to October. The larvae feed on several Convolvulaceae species including sweetpotato (Ipomoea), making this species of agricultural significance.
Lymeon
Lymeon is a large genus of ichneumonid wasps in the subfamily Gelinae (tribe Cryptini), containing at least 80 described species with a predominantly Neotropical distribution. The genus is characterized by females that parasitize small cocoons of various insect groups and spider egg-sacs. A taxonomic review recognized 33 North American species, with 28 species recorded from Mexico alone. One documented host association involves a Lymeon species attacking egg-sacs of the orb-weaver spider Araneus vincibilis in Northeastern Brazil, where larvae consumed approximately 80% of spider eggs despite maternal guarding.
Lymire
Edwards' wasp moth (Lymire edwardsii)
Lymire is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Francis Walker in 1854. The genus contains approximately 13 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. The most well-documented species, Lymire edwardsii (Edwards' wasp moth), is known as a significant pest of Ficus trees in Florida. Most species in this genus remain poorly studied with limited biological data available.
Lystronychus piliferus
Lystronychus piliferus is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Champion in 1888. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Lystronychus, a group of tenebrionids found in the Americas. The species has been documented in Colombia and Mexico based on specimen records. Like other members of Tenebrionidae, it is adapted to arid or semi-arid environments, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Macristis
Macristis is a genus of litter moths within the family Erebidae, described by Schaus in 1916. The genus comprises four recognized species distributed in the Americas. These moths are classified in the subfamily Hypeninae, a group characterized by their association with leaf litter and detritus habitats. Relatively little is known about the biology of most Macristis species.
Macrodiplax balteata
Marl Pennant
Macrodiplax balteata, commonly known as the Marl Pennant, is a dragonfly species in the family Libellulidae. It is distributed across the southern United States, the Caribbean, and South America. The species was originally described by Hagen in 1861 as Tetragoneuria balteata. As a member of the skimmer family, it is associated with aquatic habitats where its larvae develop.
Macromya
Macromya is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately five to seven described species. Members are morphologically similar to one another and closely resemble the genus Adejeania, with which they are frequently confused. The genus reaches its highest diversity in the Neotropics but extends into the southern Nearctic region. Like other tachinids, these flies are parasitoids, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most species.
Macrostemum
Glossy Wing Sedges
Macrostemum is a cosmopolitan genus of net-spinning caddisflies in the family Hydropsychidae, comprising at least 90 described species. Adults are recognized by distinctive dark and light contrasting wing patterns. Larvae construct silken retreats with capture nets to filter fine particulate organic matter from flowing water. The genus is particularly diverse in the Neotropical region, with species documented across Africa, Asia, Madagascar, and the Americas.
Macroteleia carinata
Macroteleia carinata is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Scelionidae, described by Ashmead in 1894. The genus Macroteleia comprises approximately 131 described species worldwide, with members believed to be parasitoids of eggs of longhorned grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). The species is recorded from Brazil (Pará state).
Macrothemis imitans
ivory-striped sylph
Macrothemis imitans, commonly known as the ivory-striped sylph, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. The species is widely distributed across the Americas, with records from North, Central, and South America. It is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats identified. Two subspecies are recognized: M. i. imitans and M. i. leucozona.
Malagoniella
Malagoniella is a genus of dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, tribe Deltochilini. It was described by Martinez in 1961 and was formerly classified within the tribe Canthonini. The genus contains approximately 10 described species distributed in the Neotropical region.
Manataria
white-spotted satyr
Manataria is a monotypic genus of satyr butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, containing a single species, Manataria hercyna. The genus was established by Kirby in 1904. Members of this genus inhabit Neotropical forests.