Neotropical
Guides
Anomopsocus
Anomopsocus is a genus of barklice (Psocodea: Lachesillidae) established by Roesler in 1940. The genus contains at least two described species: Anomopsocus amabilis (Walsh, 1862) and Anomopsocus radiolosus (Roesler, 1940). These insects are small, winged psocopterans associated with bark and lichen habitats.
Anoplius nigritus
Anoplius nigritus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. As a member of the genus Anoplius, it shares the general biology of other spider wasps in this group: females hunt spiders, paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows as food for their developing larvae. The species has been recorded from Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) and Argentina, placing it in the southern Neotropical region. Specific details about its appearance, host preferences, and behavior remain poorly documented in available literature.
Anoplognatho dunnianus
Anoplognatho dunnianus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is the sole described species in the genus Anoplognatho. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Anoplotermes fumosus
Anoplotermes fumosus is a species of subterranean termite in the family Termitidae, subfamily Apicotermitinae. It is a Neotropical species with documented presence in Middle and North America. Like other members of the genus Anoplotermes, it lacks a soldier caste and relies on worker polymorphism for colony defense. The species was first described by Hagen in 1860.
Antaeotricha
Antaeotricha is a large genus of moths in the family Depressariidae, containing over 400 described species in the Western Hemisphere. It represents the largest genus within the subfamily Stenomatinae. Species in this genus are primarily Neotropical in distribution, with many exhibiting specialized habitat associations such as dry sandhills and scrub vegetation. The genus was established by Zeller in 1854 and has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with numerous species described in recent years.
Anteos clorinde
white angled-sulphur, ghost brimstone
Anteos clorinde is a large pierid butterfly with a broad Neotropical distribution extending into the southern United States. Adults are characterized by their pale yellow to white wings with distinctive angled margins. The species exhibits year-round flight in tropical regions and seasonal emergence in northern portions of its range. Larval development is tied to host plants in the genus Senna.
Anthanassa
crescents, crescent butterflies
Anthanassa is a genus of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, found from the United States through Central America to South America. The genus comprises approximately 17 described species, many bearing common names with "crescent" (e.g., Texan crescent, orange-patched crescent, chestnut crescent). Taxonomic placement remains debated; one authority treats Anthanassa as a subgenus of Phyciodes. Adults typically display orange and black patterned wings with crescent-shaped markings.
Anthanassa frisia
Cuban Crescent, Cuban Crescentspot, Cuban Checkerspot
A small to medium-sized checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, with a complex subspecies structure spanning the Caribbean, southern Florida, and the Neotropics. The nominate subspecies occurs in the West Indies and Florida, while subspecies tulcis (sometimes treated as a separate species) ranges from Argentina to the southwestern United States. Adults fly year-round in tropical regions and have distinct seasonal activity patterns in temperate areas. Larvae feed on specific Acanthaceae host plants.
Anthanassa texana
Texan crescentspot, Texan Crescent
Anthanassa texana, the Texan crescentspot, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found from Guatemala north through Mexico to the southern United States, with strays reaching as far north as South Dakota and central Nevada. The species is multivoltine, with adults active year-round in southern Texas and the tropics, and from March to November in southern Florida and Arizona. Larvae feed on leaves of low-growing Acanthaceae plants, while adults feed on flower nectar.
Anthanassa tulcis
Pale-banded Crescent, Tulcis Crescent
Anthanassa tulcis, commonly known as the Pale-banded Crescent or Tulcis Crescent, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Henry Walter Bates in 1864. The species ranges from Argentina northward through Central America and Mexico to southern Texas, with occasional strays to west Texas. Some taxonomic authorities treat A. tulcis as a subspecies of A. frisia (the Cuban Crescent), but it is widely accepted as a distinct species in modern classifications.
Anthribinae
fungus weevils
Anthribinae is a subfamily of fungus weevils within the family Anthribidae. The subfamily contains over 50 genera and more than 80 described species. Members are distributed across multiple biogeographic regions including the Neotropics, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and North America. Taxonomic revisions have significantly expanded known diversity in some regions, with New Caledonian fauna increasing from 14 to 56 species.
Anypotactini
Anypotactini is a Neotropical weevil tribe in the subfamily Entiminae, comprising 81 described species across 13 genera. The tribe is characterized by small body size and distinctive scale coverage. Its modern distribution spans from the southwestern United States to southern South America, with the highest diversity in Central America and northern South America. The tribe has also been documented from Eocene deposits in Europe, indicating a broader historical distribution during warmer climatic periods.
Aoplonema
Aoplonema is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Knight in 1928. The genus contains three described species: A. nigrum, A. princeps, and A. rubrum. Two species were described by Forero in 2008, while A. princeps was originally described as Capsus princeps by Uhler in 1894. As members of Miridae, species in this genus are presumed to be phytophagous, though specific host plant associations remain undocumented.
Apanisagrion
A monotypic genus of damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae, containing the single species Apanisagrion lais. The genus is characterized by its distinctive black-and-white coloration and is restricted to the Neotropical region.
Apatelodidae
American silkworm moths
Apatelodidae is a family of medium-sized bombycoid moths endemic to the New World, with highest diversity in the Neotropical region. The family contains approximately 14 genera and 222+ species following recent taxonomic revisions, though generic boundaries remain in flux due to ongoing phylogenetic studies. Adults typically exhibit cryptic coloration in greyish, straw-yellow, or reddish-brown tones with darker wing markings. Larvae of at least some species possess urticating setae, a trait first documented in the family in 2025. The family was elevated from subfamily status within Bombycidae in recent decades and continues to undergo substantial taxonomic restructuring.
Apenes
Apenes is a genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, established by LeConte in 1851. The genus comprises at least 80 described species, with a distribution centered in southern and neotropical regions of the New World. Only two species extend into northern regions. Members belong to the tribe Lebiini within the subfamily Lebiinae.
Apeplopoda mecrida
Apeplopoda mecrida is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. First described by Herbert Druce in 1889, this species occurs from the southwestern United States through Central America. It belongs to the subtribe Euchromiina, a group of tiger moths often characterized by bright coloration and diurnal activity. The species has been recorded in multiple countries, suggesting a relatively broad geographic range within its habitat zone.
Aphetea
Aphetea is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, containing seven described species. One species, Aphetea bicolor, has five recognized subspecies. The genus was established by Fowler in 1895 and is classified within the tribe Polyglyptini of the subfamily Smiliinae. Species are distributed across the Neotropical region.
Aphrissa
sulphurs, sulfurs
Aphrissa is a genus of sulphur butterflies in the family Pieridae, comprising approximately eight species distributed across Central and South America, with some species extending into the Caribbean and southern Florida. The genus was established by Butler in 1873. Species within Aphrissa are characterized by yellow to pale orange wings and are commonly known as sulphurs or sulfurs. Several species exhibit migratory behavior, most notably Aphrissa statira, which undertakes seasonal movements in large numbers.
Aphrissa neleis
Pink-spot Sulphur
Aphrissa neleis, commonly known as the Pink-spot Sulphur, is a butterfly species in the family Pieridae. The species was originally described as Callidryas neleis by Boisduval in 1836. It belongs to a genus of sulphur butterflies found in the Neotropical region.
Aphrissa statira
statira sulphur
Aphrissa statira is a medium-sized yellow butterfly known for its dramatic annual migrations in tropical regions of the Americas. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males displaying brighter lemon-yellow upper wings and females appearing paler yellow to greenish-white. It has been extensively studied for its navigational abilities, including use of Earth's magnetic field for orientation during migration. The species ranges from the southern United States through Central America to northern Argentina, with notable population densities in the Amazon basin.
Aphrodinae
leafhoppers
Aphrodinae is a subfamily of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, containing approximately 7 genera and at least 20 described species. The subfamily is divided into three tribes: Aphrodini, Sagmatiini, and Xestocephalini. Members are distributed across the Holarctic, Neotropical, and Australasian regions, with some species exhibiting notable morphological variability, particularly in Alpine populations. Species identification relies heavily on male genital morphology and, in some groups, acoustic signaling.
Aphylla
Greater Forceptails
Aphylla is a widespread Neotropical genus of dragonflies in the family Gomphidae. They are commonly known as the greater forceptails due to their distinctive forceps-like cerci (paired appendages at the abdomen tip). The genus occurs across Central and South America and contains multiple species.
Apicotermitinae
Typical Soldierless Termites and Allies
Apicotermitinae is a highly diverse subfamily of termites within Termitidae, comprising 64 genera and 236 species distributed across the Neotropical, Afrotropical, and Indomalayan realms. The subfamily is predominantly soil-feeding, with most species inhabiting diffuse subterranean nests. A defining feature of most Apicotermitinae is the evolutionary loss of the soldier caste, which occurred independently in at least two separate lineages. In the absence of soldiers, workers have evolved alternative defense mechanisms including increased aggression and autothysis.
soldierless-termitessoil-feedingautothysisdehiscent-organtermite-defensehumus-feedingNeotropicalAfrotropicalIndomalayansubterranean-nestsgut-morphologyenteric-valvemolecular-systematicsCOICOII16Sgregarine-parasitesRuptitermesSpeculitermesTriclavitermesDissimulitermesGrigiotermesAnoplotermes-groupCaatingaAtlantic-ForestWestern-GhatsApionini
Apionini is a tribe of small weevils within the subfamily Apioninae of the family Brentidae. Members are characterized by their compact body form and association with flowering plants, particularly in the legume family Fabaceae. The tribe exhibits ancient co-diversification patterns with angiosperms, with some subtribes such as Oxystomatina showing specialized host relationships. Brazilian representatives include genera such as Pygidiapion and Coelocephalapion, which develop in flower buds, seeds, or induce leaf galls on specific host plants.
Aplogompha
Aplogompha is a genus of geometrid moths in the subfamily Ennominae, established by Warren in 1897. The genus contains 14 described species distributed in the Neotropical region, primarily in Central and South America. Species were described between 1889 and 1923 by various lepidopterists including Dognin, Schaus, Thierry-Mieg, and Warren. The genus remains relatively understudied, with limited ecological or biological data available for most species.
Apodemia
metalmark butterflies
Apodemia is a New World genus of metalmark butterflies (family Riodinidae) ranging from Canada to Brazil. The genus contains approximately 18 described species, including the type species Apodemia mormo (Mormon metalmark). Species-level taxonomy has undergone revision; Apodemia paucipuncta was transferred to the new genus Hallonympha based on morphological and behavioral characters. Oviposition behavior varies geographically: northern populations of A. mormo deposit single eggs on soil or rocks, while southern populations lay eggs in groups on host plants.
Apodemia walkeri
Walker's Metalmark
Apodemia walkeri, commonly known as Walker's metalmark, is a butterfly species in the family Riodinidae. It was first described by Frederick DuCane Godman and Osbert Salvin in 1886. The species occurs from north-western Costa Rica northward through Mexico, with occasional vagrancy to the lower Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas.
Apogonalia
Apogonalia is a genus of leafhoppers (family Cicadellidae) established by Evans in 1947. Members belong to the tribe Cicadellini within the subfamily Cicadellinae. The genus is known from the Neotropical region, with records primarily from South America. As with other cicadelline leafhoppers, species likely inhabit vegetation where they feed on plant vascular fluids.
Apomecynini
Apomecynini is a tribe of small, flightless (apterous) longhorn beetles within the subfamily Lamiinae. Members are commonly associated with leaf litter and subcortical habitats, particularly in the Neotropics. The tribe includes numerous species, many of which remain undescribed due to their cryptic lifestyle and small size.
Apotomops
Apotomops is a genus of tortricid moths established by Powell & Obraztsov in 1986. The genus contains seven described species distributed primarily in the Americas, ranging from the southwestern United States through Central America to South America. Species were described between 1907 and 2008, with several added by Razowski and colleagues based on specimens from Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Texas. The genus belongs to the tribe Cochylini within the subfamily Tortricinae.
Apsida
Apsida is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Lacordaire in 1859. The genus is distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with records from Colombia. As a member of the diverse Tenebrionidae family, these beetles are likely adapted to arid or semi-arid environments typical of many tenebrionid lineages.
Arachnis aulaea
aulaean tiger-moth, tiger moth
Arachnis aulaea is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Carl Geyer in 1837. It is known from southern Arizona through Mexico to Guatemala. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate A. a. aulaea and A. a. pompeia described by Druce in 1894.
Arachosia
A genus of anyphaenid sac spiders native to the Americas, first described by Octavius Pickard-Cambridge in 1882. The genus comprises 21 recognized species, including seven recently described species. Arachosia species are primarily associated with grassland and forest habitats. A taxonomic revision resolved long-standing identification problems in the A. cubana species complex and documented disjunct distribution patterns suggesting potential cryptic speciation.
Aradus falleni
flat bug
Aradus falleni is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, first described by Carl Stål in 1860. It belongs to a family characterized by dorsoventrally flattened bodies adapted for living in confined spaces under bark. The species has a broad distribution across the Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, and South America. As with other members of Aradidae, it is likely associated with dead or decaying wood habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Aramos
Aramos is a genus of carpenter moths (family Cossidae) established by Schoorl in 1990. The genus includes two recognized species: Aramos ramosa (Schaus, 1892) and Aramos itys (Druce, 1911). A third species, Aramos masoni, has been moved to other taxa. The genus status is marked as doubtful in some taxonomic databases.
Araneus detrimentosus
Araneus detrimentosus is an orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, found from the United States through Central America to Colombia. It constructs spiral wheel-shaped webs typical of the family. The species was first described by O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1889.
Arawacus
stripe-streaks, stripestreaks
Arawacus is a genus of gossamer-wing butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as stripe-streaks. The genus contains approximately 17 described species distributed throughout the Neotropical realm, from Mexico south through Central America to Brazil, Peru, and Argentina. Members of this genus are notable for their distinctive false-head defensive morphology on the hindwings, which helps misdirect predator attacks away from vital body parts.
Arawana
Arawana is a genus of ladybirds (family Coccinellidae) established by Leng in 1908. It belongs to the subfamily Chilocorinae and tribe Chilocorini, a group known for often being scale-feeding specialists. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in the Americas, with Arawana arizonica being the type species. Species were historically described under other genera before being transferred to Arawana.
Archaeoprepona
Preponas
Archaeoprepona is a genus of Neotropical charaxine butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, established by Hans Fruhstorfer in 1916. The genus comprises approximately eight species distributed from Mexico through Central America to northern South America and the Caribbean. These butterflies are characterized by dark upperside wing surfaces with distinct bright blue bands, contrasting with pale brownish undersides. Most species were originally described in other genera, notably Papilio and Prepona, before being transferred to Archaeoprepona. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with Noreppa synonymised under Archaeoprepona based on morphological and molecular evidence from immature stages.
Archaeoprepona demophon
one-spotted prepona, banded king shoemaker, demophon shoemaker
Archaeoprepona demophon is a neotropical butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, recognized by its black wings with bright pale blue transverse bands. The species ranges from Mexico through Central America and the West Indies to northern South America. It inhabits forest edges at canopy and subcanopy levels. Larvae feed on plants in the genus Annona and Malpighia glabra, while adults are attracted to rotting fruit and dung.
Archilestris
robber fly
Archilestris is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) containing approximately six described species. These flies are notable within the family for their vivid, aposematic or mimetic coloration, particularly in species such as A. magnificus. The genus belongs to the subfamily Dasypogoninae and has been documented in Mexico with recent range extensions recorded. Species within this genus are among the candidates for most impressive robber flies due to their striking appearance.
Archipsocus floridanus
ancient barklouse
Archipsocus floridanus is a species of barklouse in the family Archipsocidae, first described by Mockford in 1953. It is one of several species in the genus Archipsocus, a group sometimes referred to as "ancient barklice" within the order Psocodea. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning North, Central, and South America. Like other members of its family, it is presumed to inhabit bark and lichen microhabitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Archisepsis
Archisepsis is a genus of sepsid flies established by Silva in 1993. The genus contains at least 12 described species distributed across the Neotropics, with records from Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru. Species have been documented breeding in cattle dung, where they serve as hosts for parasitoid wasps. The genus is part of the diverse Sepsidae family, commonly known as black scavenger flies or dung flies.
Archophileurus
Archophileurus is a genus of rhinoceros beetles (Dynastinae) established by Kolbe in 1910. It comprises at least 30 described species distributed in the Neotropical region. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Phileurini, a group characterized by distinctive morphological adaptations. The genus has been documented through over 600 observation records, indicating moderate research attention.
Archophileurus cribrosus
Archophileurus cribrosus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species belongs to the tribe Phileurini, a group characterized by distinctive morphological features. It has been documented across multiple states and Mexican states, primarily in arid and semi-arid regions.
Arctiina
Arctiina is a subtribe of tiger moths within the family Erebidae, historically treated as the tribe Arctiini before taxonomic reclassification lowered its rank while retaining its content. The subtribe contains approximately 5 valid genera following extensive synonymization in 2016, with species distributed across the Palaearctic and Neotropical regions. Members exhibit classic tiger moth characteristics including aposematic coloration and, in males, eversible androconial glands (coremata) used for pheromone dispersal during courtship.
Ardistomis
Ardistomis is a genus of pedunculate ground beetles (Carabidae: Scaritinae) comprising more than 40 described species distributed across North, Central, and South America. Larval morphology supports classification of ardistomines (Ardistomis, Semiardistomis, and Aspidoglossa) as a subtribe (Ardistomina) within the tribe Clivinini. The genus includes species with documented range extensions, such as A. quixotei, which likely colonized Cuba from Mexico during the Quaternary Period.
Argia cuprea
Coppery Dancer
Argia cuprea, commonly known as the coppery dancer, is a species of narrow-winged damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. The species is widely distributed across the Americas, occurring in Central America, North America, and South America. It was first described by Hagen in 1861. The IUCN lists this species as Least Concern with a stable population, last assessed in 2018.
Argia funebris
Springwater Dancer
Argia funebris, commonly known as the Springwater Dancer, is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. The genus Argia is speciose and widely distributed in the New World tropics and subtropics. As a member of the suborder Zygoptera, this species exhibits the characteristic slender body and wings folded together over the abdomen when at rest. The species has been documented across Middle America and has a global presence according to distribution records. Taxonomic revisions of the genus Argia have been conducted by leading odonate specialists including Rosser Garrison, who has published multiple revisions of this complex genus.