Neotropical
Guides
Manataria hercyna
white-spotted satyr
Manataria hercyna, the white-spotted satyr, is the sole species in the genus Manataria within the subfamily Satyrinae. It is a Neotropical butterfly with a broad distribution across Central and South America. The species exhibits notable subspecific variation across its range, with five recognized subspecies differing in geographic distribution and subtle morphological traits.
Manduca muscosa
Muscosa Sphinx
Manduca muscosa, the muscosa sphinx, is a large sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae. Adults have a wingspan of 100–126 mm and exhibit darker, olive-toned coloration compared to related species. The species occurs from southern Arizona through Central America, with larvae feeding on multiple host plants including Verbesina gigantea and members of the Asteraceae family.
Manduca occulta
Occult Sphinx
Manduca occulta, the occult sphinx, is a large sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae. Adults have a wingspan of 105–120 mm and are visually similar to Manduca diffissa tropicalis, requiring genital examination for definitive identification. The species occurs from Panama through Central America and Mexico to the southern United States, with occasional strays reaching southern Florida. It completes one generation per year in Costa Rica, with adults active from May to June.
Mansonia
Mansonia mosquito
Mansonia is a genus of mosquitoes in the family Culicidae. Adults are large, dark-colored mosquitoes with distinctive iridescent scaling on wings and legs. The genus is notable for its unique larval and pupal biology: immature stages attach to submerged rootlets of aquatic plants using modified siphons to obtain oxygen, rather than surfacing to breathe. Several species serve as vectors of human and animal pathogens, including filarial worms and arboviruses. The genus has a global distribution, with particular abundance in tropical and subtropical regions associated with permanent freshwater habitats.
Mansonia titillans
Mansonia titillans is a neotropical mosquito species in the tribe Mansoniini. It is the most abundant Mansoniini species in central Florida phosphate regions and has shown recent northern range expansion into South Carolina. The species is distinguished by its unique underwater oviposition behavior, where females deposit eggs on the undersurfaces of aquatic plant leaves. Larval development occurs in association with floating vegetation, particularly water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).
Mantoida
Mantoida is a genus of praying mantises comprising eleven recognized species, placed in the monotypic family Mantoididae. Species are distributed across Mexico, Central America, and South America. The genus is distinguished from other mantodean groups by its unique phylogenetic position within the superfamily Mantoidoidea. One extinct species, †Mantoida matthiasglinki, has been described from the fossil record.
Mantoididae
Mantoididae is a small, early-diverging family of praying mantises (Mantodea) comprising three extant genera and approximately 14 species. The family is consistently recovered as sister to all other mantises except Chaeteessidae. Members exhibit specialized hymenopteran mimicry, with some species displaying transformational mimicry during development. The family is restricted to the Neotropics.
Marathyssa
Beautiful Marathyssa Moth (for M. pulcherrimus)
Marathyssa is a genus of moths in the family Euteliidae, established by Francis Walker in 1865. The genus contains approximately 20 described species distributed across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Several species occur in North America, including the type species M. basalis. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some sources historically placing it in Noctuidae.
Margaridisa
Margaridisa is a genus of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae) comprising at least 16 described species. The genus was established by Jan Bechyné in 1958. Species are distributed primarily in the Neotropical region, with records from Central and South America. Many species were described by Bechyné and his collaborators between the 1950s and 1990s.
Marilia
Marilia is a genus of caddisflies in the family Odontoceridae, order Trichoptera. Caddisflies in this family are aquatic insects whose larvae construct protective cases from sand grains and small particles. The genus was established by Mueller in 1880 and is distributed primarily in the Neotropical region, with records from Colombia and other parts of South America.
Marmara opuntiella
Opuntia Leaf Miner
Marmara opuntiella is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the Opuntia Leaf Miner. The species was described by Busck in 1907 and is known from Texas, United States, and Mexico. Larvae create distinctive mines in the leaves of cactus hosts. Records of similar larvae with identical habits from Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Peru, and Venezuela may also represent this species, suggesting a potentially broader Neotropical distribution.
Marpesia
Daggerwings
Marpesia is a genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as daggerwings. These butterflies are found in the Neotropical and Nearctic realms, with species distributed from the southern United States through Central and South America. The genus is named after Marpesia, a queen of the Amazons in Greek and Roman legendary history. Marpesia butterflies are notable for their striking wing patterns and distinctive behavior called "pumping," in which they rapidly imbibe water through their proboscis and expel it from their abdomen, possibly for thermoregulation.
Marpesia zerynthia
Waiter, Waiter Daggerwing
Marpesia zerynthia, commonly known as the waiter or waiter daggerwing, is a Neotropical butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The species is named for its distinctive wing shape and behavior. Adults are known for gathering in small groups at wet sand and mud to extract moisture and minerals, a behavior called "puddling." The species exhibits a unique thermoregulatory behavior called "pumping," where butterflies rapidly imbibe and expel water. Development from egg to adult takes 32 days or less under favorable conditions.
Martarega
backswimmers
Martarega is a genus of backswimmers in the family Notonectidae, containing approximately 13-20 described species distributed throughout the Western Hemisphere from the southern United States to Argentina. The genus was established by White in 1879 and is classified within the tribe Nychiini. Brazil harbors the greatest diversity with 14 recorded species, though distributional gaps remain across 11 Brazilian states. Recent records have documented the first occurrence of the genus in the United States and expanded known ranges in eastern Brazil.
Martineziana
Martineziana is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, containing six described species. These beetles are classified within the tribe Eupariini, a group of small to medium-sized scarabs often associated with decomposing organic matter. The genus was established by Chalumeau & Özdikmen in 2006. Species are distributed across the Neotropical region, with records from Argentina and other South American localities.
Maruina
Maruina is a genus of moth flies (Psychodidae) containing approximately 39 described species. The genus is unique among Psychodidae in being strictly aquatic, with larvae and pupae specially adapted for life in flowing water. It is restricted to the Western Hemisphere, with the majority of species occurring in the Neotropical region. The genus is divided into two subgenera: Aculcina and Maruina.
Mastophora leucabulba
Mastophora leucabulba is a bolas spider in the orb-weaver family Araneidae. Adult females hunt using a single sticky silk droplet suspended from a dragline rather than building an orb web. Males and juvenile females lack this specialized hunting method and capture prey directly with their legs. The species occurs from the United States to Honduras.
Mayetia
Mayetia is a genus of minute rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) in the tribe Mayetiini. The genus includes at least three macropterous and macrophthalmic species, a rare wing and eye configuration in this predominantly wing-reduced group. Mayetia atlantica, described from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, represents the first Brazilian record of the tribe and the southernmost occurrence of the genus in the New World. Most species in the genus remain poorly known, with limited biological data available.
Mecynogea
basilica spiders
Mecynogea is a genus of orb-weaver spiders in the family Araneidae, first described by Eugène Simon in 1903. The genus contains nine species distributed across the Americas, from the United States to Argentina. The name derives from Greek words meaning "to lengthen" and "earth." Members of this genus are commonly known as basilica spiders.
Mecynogea lemniscata
Basilica Orbweaver
Mecynogea lemniscata, commonly known as the basilica orbweaver, is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae. It occurs across a broad geographic range from the United States to Argentina. Females are generalist predators that employ orb-web hunting strategies. Research has documented sixteen distinct behavioral acts during prey capture, with sequences varying according to prey type.
Megacephalini
Big-headed Tiger Beetles
Megacephalini is a tribe of tiger beetles (family Cicindelidae) characterized by notably enlarged heads relative to body size. The tribe includes approximately seven described species across at least two genera, with Megacephala and Tetracha being the most prominent. Members are distributed across the Americas, with some species showing strong habitat specialization for saline or alkaline environments. The taxonomy of this group has undergone recent revision, with former subgenera of Tetracha elevated to generic status.
Megaderus
Megaderus is a genus of long-horned beetles (Cerambycidae) first described by Dejean in 1821. The genus contains at least two described species: Megaderus bifasciatus, distributed across North and Central America, and Megaderus stigma, found in South and Central America. Both species are classified within the subfamily Cerambycinae and tribe Trachyderini. The genus is represented by 352 observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate documentation in citizen science records.
Megalopinus rufipes
Megalopinus rufipes is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Megalopsidiinae. It is one of the largest rove beetles, with adults reaching approximately 20 mm in length. The species is distinguished by its reddish-orange legs, which contrast with its dark body. It has been recorded from the southeastern United States through Mexico, with some unconfirmed reports from Central and South America.
Megaselia rufipes
coffin fly
Megaselia rufipes, commonly known as the coffin fly, is a phorid scuttle fly species first described by Meigen in 1804. It has been recorded as a facultative parasitoid of honey bees (Apis mellifera) and as a pest of oil palm seeds. The species has a broad distribution spanning the Palearctic and Neotropical regions, with records from Europe, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and the Azores. Its common name derives from its documented presence in cemetery crypts, where it has been collected using carrion-baited traps.
Melanagromyza minimoides
Melanagromyza minimoides is a species of leaf-miner fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1966. The genus Melanagromyza comprises numerous species, many of which are significant agricultural pests whose larvae feed internally within plant stems, seeds, or other tissues. Distribution records indicate this species occurs in Brazil, specifically in the states of Pará and São Paulo. Like congeners, it likely exhibits endophytic larval development, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Melanchroia
white-tipped black moths, snowbush spanworms
Melanchroia is a genus of diurnal moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae. The genus was established by Jakob Hübner in 1819 and contains eight described species distributed from the southeastern United States through the Neotropics to Argentina. Adults are notable for their striking black and white or black and red coloration, often mistaken for tiger moths or wasp-mimicking groups. The best-known species, M. chephise (white-tipped black or snowbush spanworm), is an occasional pest of ornamental plants whose gregarious larvae feed on Euphorbiaceae.
Melanis
Melanis is a genus of butterflies in the family Riodinidae, restricted to the Neotropical realm. The genus was established by Hübner in 1819 and contains approximately 30 described species distributed across Central and South America, with highest diversity in Brazil. Species within this genus exhibit variation in wing patterns and are typically found in tropical and subtropical forest habitats.
Melanis pixe
Red-bordered Pixie
Melanis pixe, commonly known as the red-bordered pixie, is a metalmark butterfly in the family Riodinidae. The species was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1836. It is recognized for its distinctive aposematic coloration featuring black wings with red and yellow-orange markings. The species serves as a Müllerian mimicry model for other toxic insects in its range, including the White-tipped Black Moth (Melanchroia chephise).
Melanoliarus vicarius
Melanoliarus vicarius is a planthopper species in the family Cixiidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1851 under the name Cixius vicaria. The species belongs to a genus of small, often dark-colored cixiids found primarily in the Neotropical region. Like other members of Cixiidae, it is presumed to have brachypterous or macropterous forms and nymphal stages associated with soil or root habitats.
Melanolophiini
Melanolophiini is a tribe of geometrid moths within the subfamily Ennominae. Members of this tribe are primarily distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The group contains several genera, including the type genus Melanolophia. These moths are generally small to medium-sized with relatively subdued coloration compared to some other geometrid groups.
Melete lycimnia
common melwhite, primrose flag, lycimnia white flag
Melete lycimnia is a butterfly in the family Pieridae found from Texas to Bolivia. It inhabits lowland rainforests and exhibits considerable subspecific variation in coloration, ranging from white with narrow black borders to primrose yellow with wide brown borders. The species has been documented with numerous subspecies across Central and South America.
Melinaea lilis
Mimic Tigerwing
Melinaea lilis is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the Mimic Tigerwing. It belongs to the tribe Ithomiini, a group of neotropical butterflies known for their unpalatability to predators and participation in Müllerian mimicry rings. The species was originally described as Mechanitis lilis by Doubleday in 1847. It is one of approximately 12 species in the genus Melinaea, which are distributed across Central and South America.
Melipotis acontioides
Royal Poinciana Moth
Melipotis acontioides, commonly known as the Royal Poinciana Moth, is a nocturnal moth in the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It has a broad distribution spanning the southern United States, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, with a distinct subspecies endemic to the Galápagos Islands. The larvae are specialized feeders on certain leguminous trees.
Melipotis cellaris
Cellar Melipotis Moth, Cellar Graphic
Melipotis cellaris is a moth in the family Erebidae with a broad Neotropical and southern Nearctic distribution. Adults have a wingspan of 35-37 mm and are active year-round in at least part of their range. The species has been recorded from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and into South America.
Melipotis contorta
Melipotis contorta is a noctuid moth in the family Erebidae, distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Adults have been recorded flying in Florida during January–February, May, July, and December. The species was originally described as Bolina contorta by Guenée in 1852. Little is known about its biology beyond distributional records.
Melipotis jucunda
Merry Melipotis Moth, Merry Graphic Moth
Melipotis jucunda is a moth in the family Erebidae with a wingspan of 35–42 mm. It occurs across much of North America, from western Canada through the United States to Mexico, with additional records in Colombia and northeast Brazil. The species produces two to three generations annually in New Jersey and multiple generations farther south.
Melitara texana
Texas snout moth
Melitara texana is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Herbert H. Neunzig in 1997. The species is known from southern Texas and adjacent Mexico. Its larvae are specialized feeders on Opuntia lindheimeri var. lindheimeri, a prickly pear cactus species.
Melitoma
chimney bees
Melitoma is a genus of solitary bees commonly known as chimney bees, comprising approximately 11-13 described species. Members of this genus are classified within the family Apidae, tribe Emphorini, and are characterized by their distinctive nesting behavior involving the construction of chimney-like turrets at nest entrances. The genus occurs in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with species documented from North America through Central and South America.
Melormenis
Melormenis is a genus of planthoppers in the family Flatidae, first described by Metcalf in 1938. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Siphantini within the subfamily Flatinae. Flatid planthoppers are known for their broad, flattened bodies and wings that often form a triangular silhouette at rest. The genus is part of the diverse neotropical fauna of flatid planthoppers, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented for many species.
Memphis
Memphis is a Neotropical genus of brush-footed butterflies in the subfamily Charaxinae, described by Jacob Hübner in 1819. The genus belongs to the family Nymphalidae and is part of the tribe Anaeini. These butterflies are found exclusively in the Neotropical region.
Memphis pithyusa
Pale-spotted Leafwing, Blue Leafwing
Memphis pithyusa is a leafwing butterfly in the family Nymphalidae with a wingspan of 57–76 mm. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism, with females notably larger than males. It displays seasonal polyphenism, with distinct dry and wet season forms. The underside of the wings is cryptically colored to resemble a dead leaf, while the upper surface shows dark blue to brown coloration with light spots. It is the smallest member of its species group.
Mendidius aculeatus
Mendidius aculeatus is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Robinson in 1940. The species is known from scattered records in the southwestern United States (California, Nevada, Utah) and northern Mexico (Chihuahua). Like other members of the genus Mendidius, it is presumed to be associated with dung and decaying organic matter, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Mendozellus
Mendozellus is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, tribe Deltocephalini. It was established by Linnavuori in 1959. The genus belongs to the large and diverse leafhopper fauna of the Neotropical region, with species recorded from South America. As with other deltocephaline leafhoppers, members of this genus are likely phloem-feeding insects associated with herbaceous vegetation.
Menoeceus
Menoeceus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Champion in 1888. The genus is distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. As a tenebrionid genus, it belongs to a large and diverse family of beetles commonly associated with arid and semi-arid environments. The genus name derives from Greek mythology, though this etymological origin has no biological significance.
Meristopsis melanosteptos
Meristopsis melanosteptos is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described from specimens collected in Florida and Oaxaca, Mexico. The species belongs to a genus of small delphacid planthoppers characterized by reduced wing venation and distinctive male genitalia. It was formally described in 2012 as part of a taxonomic revision of New World delphacine genera. Like other members of Delphacidae, it is presumed to feed on monocotyledonous plants, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Meromacrus
Elegant Flies
Meromacrus is a genus of 43 species of large, conspicuous hoverflies (Syrphidae) distributed from the southern United States through the Neotropics to northern Argentina and Chile. Adults are frequent flower visitors and pollinators. Larvae are saprophagous, developing in decaying plant matter including rot holes, decaying stems, and rotting cacti.
Meropachyinae
leaf-footed bugs
Meropachyinae is a subfamily of leaf-footed bugs within the family Coreidae, containing at least 50 described species across approximately 25-27 genera. The subfamily is distributed throughout the Americas, with records from North, Central, and South America. A documented case of thanatosis (death feigning) in Merocoris (Corynocoris) distinctus suggests anti-predator defense behaviors occur within this subfamily. The subfamily has undergone taxonomic revision regarding its spelling, with 'Meropachyinae' now accepted as correct over the former 'Meropachydinae'.
Merragata
velvet water bugs
Merragata is a genus of small aquatic true bugs in the family Hebridae, commonly known as velvet water bugs. The genus contains seven described species distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. Members of this genus inhabit moist, vegetated shoreline habitats where they prey on small invertebrates.
Mesomphaliini
tortoise beetles
Mesomphaliini is a tribe of tortoise beetles (Cassidinae) erected by Hope in 1840, though some authorities recognize the alternative name Stolaini (Hincks, 1952). The tribe is predominantly Neotropical, with most species occurring in the Americas. Some genera, including Chelymorpha, Stolas, and Cyrtonota, have representatives extending into Europe and Japan. Members exhibit distinctive larval behaviors including construction of exuvio-fecal shields and documented subsocial maternal care in at least some species.
Mesoplia
centris-cuckoos, cuckoo bees
Mesoplia is a genus of cleptoparasitic bees in the family Apidae, tribe Ericrocidini. Commonly known as centris-cuckoos, these bees are brood parasites that lay eggs in the nests of oil-collecting bees in the tribe Centridini. The genus contains approximately 15–17 described species distributed across the Neotropical region, with the highest diversity in Mexico and Central America.