Neotropical
Guides
Agroiconota
Agroiconota is a genus of tortoise beetles established by Spaeth in 1913, containing more than 20 described species. Members of this genus belong to the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae, and are characterized by their distinctive domed body shape typical of tortoise beetles. The genus is part of the tribe Cassidini and is distributed in the Neotropical region.
Agrotis malefida
Rascal Dart, Palesided Cutworm
Agrotis malefida, commonly known as the rascal dart or palesided cutworm, is a noctuid moth species distributed across the southern United States and throughout the Neotropics from Mexico to Argentina and Chile. The species exhibits notable seasonal variation in adult emergence, appearing in late January in northern portions of its range while flying year-round in southern regions. Larvae are significant agricultural pests, feeding on a broad range of broad-leaved herbaceous plants and causing damage to major crops including corn, cotton, and various vegetables.
Aguayomiris pallipes
Aguayomiris pallipes is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Maldonado in 1986. It belongs to the subfamily Cimicomorpha within the order Hemiptera. The genus Aguayomiris is part of the diverse mirid fauna of the Neotropical region.
Aguna
Aguna is a Neotropical genus of skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae) in the subfamily Eudaminae. Species in this genus are associated with Fabaceae host plants, particularly Bauhinia species. The genus was established by Williams in 1927 and contains multiple species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.
Aguna mcguirei
McGuire's Aguna
Aguna mcguirei is a species of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, described by Grishin in 2023. It is a recently described species within the genus Aguna, a group of neotropical skippers. The species is named in honor of an individual with the surname McGuire. As a newly described taxon, detailed biological information remains limited.
Alatuncusia bergii
Berg's alatuncusia moth
Alatuncusia bergii is a small crambid moth described by Möschler in 1890. It occurs in the Caribbean region and southern Florida, where adults fly from July through December. The larvae feed exclusively on Capparis cynophallophora, a caper family shrub.
Alconeura cinctella
Alconeura cinctella is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae. It was described by DeLong & Ruppel in 1951. The species is recorded from several states in Mexico. As a member of the Typhlocybinae, it belongs to a group of small, often delicate leafhoppers that feed on plant sap.
Aleochara lustrica
Aleochara lustrica is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae) with a dual life history: adults are predatory on fly larvae, while larvae are ectoparasitoids of cyclorrhaphan fly pupae. The species has been documented across the Americas from Canada to southern Brazil, with recent records extending its known range. It has confirmed associations with sarcophagid flies under laboratory conditions and plays a role in regulating populations of necrophagous Diptera of medical, veterinary, and forensic importance.
Alethia
Alethia is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) described by Champion in 1888. The genus occurs in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Members of this genus are small beetles within the speciose family Tenebrionidae, which comprises primarily detritivorous and fungivorous species.
Aleurodicinae
whiteflies
Aleurodicinae is a subfamily of whiteflies (Aleyrodidae: Hemiptera) distinguished by morphological features of the pupal case, including the arrangement of setae and pore structures. The subfamily contains over 40 species in Belize alone, with substantial diversity throughout the Neotropical region. Members are phloem-feeders on vascular plants, with some species established as invasive pests in introduced ranges including the western Palaearctic, Pacific, Southeast Asia, and Canary Islands. At least one genus secretes distinctive blue-iridescent wax.
Allosmaitia strophius
Strophius Hairstreak
Allosmaitia strophius, the Strophius Hairstreak, is a small Neotropical hairstreak butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It ranges from southern Brazil northward through Central America to Sinaloa, Mexico, with occasional strays reaching Texas. Adults are active year-round in Central America, with Texas records limited to November. The species has a wingspan of 22–32 mm.
Alphomelon
Alphomelon is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, subfamily Microgastrinae. The genus comprises 49 described species, with 30 described in a 2023 revision. Species delimitation requires integration of morphology, DNA barcoding, host data, and distribution information; neither morphology nor DNA barcoding alone is sufficient to distinguish all species.
Althos
leaf-footed bugs
Althos is a genus of leaf-footed bugs in the family Coreidae, first described by Kirkaldy in 1904. The genus comprises more than 20 described species distributed primarily in South America. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Hypselonotini within the subfamily Coreinae.
Amastris
Amastris is a genus of treehoppers (family Membracidae) in the tribe Amastrini, established by Stål in 1862. Members of this genus are characterized by their distinctive pronotal expansions, a hallmark trait of treehoppers. The genus serves as the type genus for the tribe Amastrini. Species within Amastris are found primarily in the Neotropical region.
Amblyomma dissimile
Iguana Tick
Amblyomma dissimile is a hard tick (Ixodidae) with an exceptionally broad host range spanning amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds across the Neotropics. It is commonly known as the Iguana Tick due to frequent associations with iguanid lizards. The species exhibits a three-host life cycle and has been documented to reproduce parthenogenetically. Its distribution extends from the southern United States through Central America and South America to northern Argentina, with highest environmental suitability in the Amazon and Pantanal biomes.
Amblypsilopus rotundiceps
A species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, subfamily Sciapodinae. First described by Aldrich in 1904. The specific epithet "rotundiceps" refers to the rounded head characteristic of this species. Like other dolichopodids, it possesses the family's distinctive elongated legs and metallic coloration, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented in published literature.
Amblytropidia
Amblytropidia is a genus of slant-faced grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, established by Stål in 1873. It contains approximately 14 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with records from the Caribbean, Brazil, and Argentina, as well as the southeastern United States. The genus belongs to the tribe Amblytropidiini within the subfamily Gomphocerinae. Members share the characteristic slant-faced head morphology typical of this grasshopper group.
Ambrosiodmus hagedorni
Ambrosiodmus hagedorni is an ambrosia beetle in the weevil family Curculionidae, described by Wood & Bright in 1992. Like other members of its genus, it farms the white-rot decay fungus Flavodon ambrosius, a unique symbiont capable of true wood decomposition. This mutualism enables the beetle to colonize and persist in decaying wood over multiple generations, supporting larger colony sizes than typical ambrosia beetles. The species is known from Brazil and represents part of a distinctive beetle-fungus symbiosis that differs fundamentally from other ambrosia systems.
Ambrysus
creeping water bugs, saucer bugs
Ambrysus is a genus of creeping water bugs (family Naucoridae) containing more than 90 described species. These aquatic insects are found primarily in running streams across the New World, from northern North America to Argentina, with greatest diversity in Mexico. They possess flattened, rounded bodies and powerful claws for clinging to rocks in turbulent water. The genus includes two subgenera: Ambrysus (Syncollus) and Ambrysus (Ambrysus).
Ambrysus arizonus
Ambrysus arizonus is a creeping water bug (family Naucoridae) in the Ambrysus guttatipennis species complex. It is distributed in both the United States and Mexico, with recent records extending its known range into Mexico. As a member of the Cryphocricinae subfamily, it shares the characteristic saucer-like, flattened body form and aquatic lifestyle typical of this group.
Ambrysus buenoi
Ambrysus buenoi is a creeping water bug in the family Naucoridae, distinguished as a member of the Ambrysus pulchellus species complex. It is diagnosed by specific male genital morphology, particularly the structure of the phallosoma and the medial lobes of abdominal tergum VIII. The species occurs in Mexico and the United States.
Ambrysus hungerfordi
A creeping water bug in the family Naucoridae, described by Usinger in 1946. It belongs to the genus Ambrysus, which is widespread in the New World from northern North America to Argentina, with greatest diversity in Mexican running streams. Like other members of Cryphocricinae, it is aquatic in both nymphal and adult stages.
Ambrysus lunatus
creeping water bug
Ambrysus lunatus is a species of creeping water bug in the family Naucoridae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The subspecies A. lunatus lunatus has been described with documented immature stages. Like other members of the genus Ambrysus, it is an aquatic predator inhabiting running streams.
Ambrysus pudicus
creeping water bug, saucer bug
Ambrysus pudicus is a species of creeping water bug (family Naucoridae) described by Carl Stål in 1862. It belongs to the diverse New World genus Ambrysus, which is distributed from northern North America to Argentina with highest diversity in Mexico. Like other members of its family, it is an aquatic predator inhabiting running streams. The specific epithet 'pudicus' (Latin for 'bashful' or 'modest') is shared with the unrelated pitcher plant Nepenthes pudica, which was named for its hidden underground traps.
Ambrysus pulchellus
Ambrysus pulchellus is a creeping water bug in the family Naucoridae, part of the A. pulchellus species complex characterized by distinctive male phallosoma morphology and medial lobes of abdominal tergum VIII. The species exhibits the widest distribution within the subgenus Ambrysus, spanning parts of both the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographic realms. Recent taxonomic revision has synonymized the subspecies A. pulchellus nitidulus and A. pulchellus pallidulus with the nominate form, and documented new country records from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Ametris nitocris
seagrape spanworm moth, greater inchworm
Ametris nitocris, commonly known as the seagrape spanworm moth, is a geometrid moth species described by Pieter Cramer in 1780. The species occurs throughout the Neotropical region, from the southern United States through Central America to South America, including the Caribbean islands. Its larvae are known locally in Florida as the greater inchworm and feed specifically on seagrape (Coccoloba diversifolia).
Amisega
Amisega is a genus of cuckoo wasps in the family Chrysididae, subfamily Amiseginae. These small, metallic wasps are known primarily from the Neotropical region and the southwestern United States. The genus was established by Cameron in 1888 and remains relatively poorly studied compared to other chrysidid genera. Members of Amiseginae are distinguished by their reduced wing venation and association with stick insect eggs as hosts.
Amithao erythropus
Amithao erythropus is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Cetoniinae (flower chafers). The species occurs in the Neotropical region from Mexico through Central America to Nicaragua, with records also from Texas in the Nearctic region. Like other members of the Gymnetini tribe, this species is likely associated with flowers and rotting vegetation, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented.
Amphelasma
Amphelasma is a genus of skeletonizing leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, containing 11 described species. These beetles are distributed from Venezuela to Mexico, with one species extending into southern Arizona. The genus was established by Barber in 1947 and belongs to the tribe Luperini within the subfamily Galerucinae.
Amphibolips
Amphibolips is a genus of gall wasps in the family Cynipidae, first described by Reinhard in 1865. The genus contains approximately 57 described species, with additional undescribed species known. All members are native to the Americas and are specialized gall inducers, primarily on oaks (Quercus spp.).
Amycle
Amycle is a genus of planthoppers in the family Fulgoridae, subfamily Amyclinae. The genus was established by Carl Stål in 1861 and is classified within the tribe Amyclini. Members are true bugs (Hemiptera) in the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, characterized by their elongated head processes typical of many fulgorid planthoppers. The genus contains multiple described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region.
Anabasis ochrodesma
cassia webworm
Anabasis ochrodesma, commonly known as the cassia webworm, is a snout moth (family Pyralidae) native to the Neotropical region. The species is a specialist herbivore whose larvae feed exclusively on Cassia species (Fabaceae), constructing silk shelters between leaflets to feed protected from predators. Adults are active year-round with multiple generations annually, reflecting the tropical and subtropical distribution of the species.
Anacampsis lagunculariella
Anacampsis lagunculariella is a small gelechiid moth described by August Busck in 1900. It occurs in the Caribbean and southeastern United States, with larvae that feed on Laguncularia racemosa, a mangrove species. The species exhibits distinctive wing patterning including black costal markings and rows of small black dots near the wing apex.
Anaea aidea
Tropical Leafwing
Anaea aidea, commonly known as the tropical leafwing, is a brush-footed butterfly in the subfamily Charaxinae. It occurs from Mexico to northwestern Costa Rica, with occasional strays reaching the southern United States. The species has a wingspan of 57–78 mm and is recognized for its leaf-like wing appearance. Some taxonomic treatments consider it a subspecies of Anaea troglodyta.
Anaedus
Anaedus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Blanchard in 1842. Members of this genus are found in the Neotropical region, with confirmed records from Colombia. As with many tenebrionid genera, species-level taxonomy and natural history remain incompletely documented.
Anaeini
Anaeini is a tribe of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Charaxinae. These Neotropical butterflies are renowned for their remarkable dead leaf mimicry: when at rest with wings closed, the undersides closely resemble dried, brown foliage. The tribe includes approximately nine genera, among them Anaea, Memphis, Fountainea, Zaretis, and Hypna. Some taxonomic uncertainty exists regarding the placement of Anaeomorpha, which is sometimes included in Anaeini but more frequently assigned to the related tribe Preponini.
Anagyrus paralia
Anagyrus paralia is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae, described by Noyes and Menezes in 2000. It belongs to the genus Anagyrus, which contains numerous species used in biological control of mealybugs and other scale insects. The specific epithet "paralia" suggests a coastal or shore-associated habitat, though detailed ecological data remain limited. Like other Anagyrus species, it is presumed to be a primary parasitoid of mealybugs (Pseudococcidae), but host records specific to this species have not been documented in the available literature.
Anapistula secreta
Anapistula secreta is a minute spider species in the family Symphytognathidae, a group known for some of the smallest spiders in the world. The species was described by Willis J. Gertsch in 1941. Members of this family typically exhibit reduced body plans adapted to specialized microhabitats. Anapistula secreta has been recorded from the Caribbean region and northern South America.
Anartia jatrophae
White Peacock, white peacock butterfly
Anartia jatrophae, commonly called the white peacock, is a brush-footed butterfly native to the Neotropics with a range extending from the southeastern United States through Central America to northern Argentina. Males exhibit a distinctive territorial behavior, defending circular areas approximately 15 meters in diameter that contain larval host plants. The species has been the subject of taxonomic debate regarding its subspecies classification, with molecular studies supporting the recognition of at least four distinct genetic lineages.
Anasa andresii
Anasa andresii is a leaf-footed bug species in the family Coreidae, first described by Guérin-Méneville in 1857. It belongs to a genus containing several economically significant agricultural pests, though specific information about this species remains limited. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America.
Anastrepha
fruit flies, tephritid fruit flies
Anastrepha is a highly diverse genus of tephritid fruit flies native to the American tropics and subtropics, comprising over 300 described species. The genus includes nine major agricultural pest species that inflict substantial damage on commercial fruit crops including citrus, mango, guava, and papaya. Species exhibit variation in oviposition behavior, with females depositing eggs in developing fruit, mature fruit, or seeds depending on the species. The genus has been reorganized taxonomically to include species formerly placed in Toxotrypana, and contains notable cryptic species complexes such as the Anastrepha fraterculus group.
Ancylostomia stercorea
pigeonpea pod borer
Ancylostomia stercorea is a pod-boring moth whose larvae feed on developing seeds of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). In Trinidad, it is considered the most serious pest of this crop. The species has been documented across the Caribbean, southern Florida, southern Texas, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. It serves as host to multiple parasitoid species that have been studied for biological control potential.
Anisepyris
Anisepyris is a genus of flat wasps in the family Bethylidae, subfamily Epyrinae. The genus contains 13 recognized species-groups and is primarily distributed in the Neotropical region with limited representation in the Nearctic. A recent phylogenetic analysis based on 120 morphological characters across 72 operational taxonomic units resolved well-supported relationships among species and identified key synapomorphies. The genus is hypothesized to have a relatively recent origin, with historical dispersal patterns linked to dense forest habitats.
Anisepyris williamsi
Anisepyris williamsi is a species of wasp in the family Bethylidae, described by Evans in 1959. The genus Anisepyris comprises small, typically non-stinging parasitoid wasps that attack the larvae or pupae of various insects. This species has been recorded from multiple countries in the Americas, including the United States (California), Mexico, and several South American nations. Like other bethylids, it likely plays a role in natural biological control of pest insects, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Anisocerini
Anisocerini is a tribe of longhorn beetles within the subfamily Lamiinae (Cerambycidae). The tribe contains approximately 25 genera distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. Members are characterized by diverse morphological adaptations typical of lamiaean longhorn beetles. The group has been documented through 649 iNaturalist observations, indicating moderate field recognition.
Anisocnemus
Anisocnemus is a genus of ground beetles (Carabidae: Harpalini) endemic to the Neotropics. Adults are known to be burrowers and capable of flight dispersal. The genus contains two described species: A. amblygonus and A. validu. Information on immature stages and detailed ecology remains limited.
Anisoscelini
leaf-footed bugs
Anisoscelini is a tribe of leaf-footed bugs (family Coreidae) characterized by distinctive flattened, leaf-like expansions on the hind tibiae. The tribe comprises approximately 29 genera distributed primarily in the Americas, with greatest diversity in Neotropical regions. Some genera, notably Leptoglossus, have become invasive in Europe and eastern Asia. Members show specialized feeding associations, with some genera exhibiting apparent trophic preferences for Passiflora (passionflowers) and others for conifer species.
Anisostena gracilis
Anisostena gracilis is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae (tortoise beetles and allies). Adults measure approximately 3–3.7 mm in length and are distinguished by orange-red or yellowish coloration with a black sutural stripe. The species has been documented feeding on Panicum maximum (guinea grass). It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Anochetus mayri
Mayr's Lesser Trap-jaw Ant
Anochetus mayri is a species of trap-jaw ant in the subfamily Ponerinae, distributed across much of northern and central South America. Like other members of the genus Anochetus, it possesses enlarged mandibles capable of rapid closure to capture prey. The species was described by Carlo Emery in 1884 and remains relatively understudied compared to its congener Anochetus simoni. Records indicate presence in Brazil, Colombia, and other Neotropical regions, primarily in forested habitats.
Anochrostomus
Anochrostomus is a genus of seed bugs (family Lygaeidae) established by Slater in 1992. The genus contains at least two described species: Anochrostomus formosus, described by Blanchard in 1840, and Anochrostomus formosoides, described by Baranowski in 2005. Both species epithets suggest a connection to Formosa (Taiwan), though this may reflect type localities or morphological resemblance rather than geographic restriction. The genus is placed in the subfamily Lygaeinae within the lygaeoid group of true bugs.