Neotropical

Guides

Rhionaeschna
blue-eyed darners, Neotropical Darners
Rhionaeschna is a genus of dragonflies in the family Aeshnidae, commonly known as blue-eyed darners or Neotropical darners. The genus contains approximately 42 species distributed across the Americas from southern Canada to southern Argentina, with the greatest diversity in the Neotropics. Notable exceptions to this range include a complete absence from the Amazon basin. The genus exhibits remarkable cytogenetic diversity, with multiple sex chromosome systems documented across species.
dragonfly darners blue-eyed Neotropical indicator-species cytogenetics
Rhipidandrus
Rhipidandrus is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) established by J.L. LeConte in 1862. It belongs to the tribe Bolitophagini within the subfamily Tenebrioninae. The genus is native to the Americas, with confirmed records from Colombia. As a member of the Bolitophagini, species in this genus are likely associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
darkling-beetle Tenebrionidae Bolitophagini Neotropical fungus-associated-beetles wood-inhabiting-beetles
Rhomphaea projiciens
Rhomphaea projiciens is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, first described by O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1896. It exhibits a broad native range across the Americas, from the United States south to Argentina, and has established introduced populations in India. The species belongs to a genus characterized by unusual body proportions and modified legs. Records indicate presence across multiple Brazilian states and other South American countries.
cobweb-spider theridiid introduced-species neotropical pantropical
Rhopalolemma
Rhopalolemma is a genus of cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, established by Roig-Alsina in 1991. The genus belongs to the tribe Biastini within the subfamily Nomadinae. Two species have been described: R. robertsi (1991) and R. rotundiceps (1997). As cuckoo bees, members of this genus are presumed to be cleptoparasites that lay eggs in the nests of host bees.
cleptoparasitic cuckoo-bee Nomadinae Biastini Neotropical rare poorly-known Roig-Alsina-1991 R.-robertsi R.-rotundiceps
Rhopalophora cupricollis
Rhopalophora cupricollis is a species of longhorn beetle in the tribe Rhopalophorini, described by Guérin-Méneville in 1844. Members of this tribe are characterized by distinctly club-shaped legs and frequently exhibit black bodies with red or coppery pronota. The species is part of a group mimicry complex where multiple related species share a general resemblance to small, flower-visiting wasps.
Cerambycidae Rhopalophorini mimicry flower-visiting Neotropical
Rhopalosoma
cricket parasitoid wasps
Rhopalosoma is a genus of aculeate wasps in the family Rhopalosomatidae, comprising 18 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropics and southern Nearctic. Larvae develop as ectoparasitoids of crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae, Trigonidiidae), attaching externally to host nymphs or adults. Adults are rarely encountered in the field and are among the least known of all parasitoid wasps. Genetic studies indicate the presence of cryptic species diversity, with at least two genetically distinct lineages present in America north of Mexico.
ectoparasitoid cricket-parasite cryptic-species rarely-collected Neotropical amber-fossil DNA-barcoding
Rhopalosyrphus guentherii
Hairy-bellied Squeezetail
Rhopalosyrphus guentherii is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) in the subfamily Microdontinae, known by the common name Hairy-bellied Squeezetail. It is one of approximately 11 described species in the genus Rhopalosyrphus, a group characterized by unusual larval biology associated with ant colonies. The species was described by Lynch Arribálzaga in 1891 from South American material. As a microdontine syrphid, it likely exhibits the myrmecophilous lifestyle typical of its subfamily, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented.
myrmecophilous hoverfly Neotropical Microdontinae
Rhynchomitra
Rhynchomitra is a genus of planthoppers in the family Dictyopharidae, established by Fennah in 1944. The genus contains five described species distributed across the Americas, from the United States through Mexico to Cuba. These insects belong to the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, a group known for their distinctive head morphology and jumping ability. Members of this genus are characterized by features typical of dictyopharid planthoppers, including elongated body forms.
planthopper fulgoromorpha dictyopharidae neotropical nearctic
Rhyncophoromyia
Rhyncophoromyia is a genus of scuttle flies in the family Phoridae, first described by Malloch in 1923. The genus comprises at least twelve described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. At least one species, R. maculineura, has been documented as an ant parasite. The genus belongs to the subfamily Metopininae, a group characterized by reduced wing venation and often associated with social insect hosts.
Phoridae Metopininae scuttle-flies ant-parasites Neotropical Diptera parasitoid Malloch-1923
Rhypasma
Rhypasma is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) established by Francis Pascoe in 1862. The genus occurs in the Neotropical region. As a member of the speciose family Tenebrionidae, species in this genus are likely ground-dwelling or associated with decaying organic matter, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented.
Tenebrionidae Neotropical Pascoe-1862 darkling-beetles Coleoptera
Rhyscotidae
Rhyscotid woodlice
Rhyscotidae is a family of terrestrial isopods (woodlice) within the suborder Oniscidea. The family comprises two genera, Rhyscotus and Rhyscotoides, and is characterized by small to medium-sized woodlice with typical isopod body plans. Members are found in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in the Americas. The family was established by Budde-Lund in 1904 and represents a distinct lineage within the Crinocheta clade of terrestrial isopods.
woodlice terrestrial-isopods Crinocheta detritivores Neotropical
Rhysophora
Rhysophora is a genus of shore flies (Diptera: Ephydridae) in the tribe Discomyzini, distributed primarily in the Neotropics with two Nearctic species. The genus was revised in 2015 following discovery of four new Neotropical species, confirming its monophyly and establishing Helaeomyia as its sister group. Species diversity is greatest in South America.
shore-flies aquatic-plants Neotropical phylogenetics Pontederiaceae Araceae Discomyzini
Rhytidops
Rhytidops is a genus of flies in the family Ropalomeridae, established by Lindner in 1930. The genus contains at least two described species: Rhytidops chacoensis from Argentina and Rhytidops floridensis from the southeastern United States. Ropalomeridae flies are generally associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats. Very little is known about the biology of Rhytidops specifically.
flies Ropalomeridae Neotropical Nearctic wood-associated
Richardiidae
Richardiidae is a small family of acalyptrate flies in the superfamily Tephritoidea, comprising over 30 genera and approximately 175 species. The family is predominantly Neotropical in distribution, with most species occurring in tropical regions of the Americas. General biology remains poorly known, though larvae of some species feed on living plant tissue, pollen, or decaying plant material. Adults are frequently observed on vegetation and are characterized by conspicuously patterned wings and often metallic body coloration.
Diptera Tephritoidea Neotropical patterned-wings metallic-coloration floral-associates pineapple-pest lek-behavior Acalyptratae
Rifargia
Rifargia is a genus of moths in the family Notodontidae, subfamily Heterocampinae, first described by Francis Walker in 1862. The genus contains six described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. These moths are part of the prominent moth group, characterized by their robust bodies and often cryptic coloration. The genus name has been stable since its original description, with no major taxonomic revisions reported.
moth notodontidae heterocampinae neotropical walker-1862
Rifargia benitensis
A species of prominent moth in the family Notodontidae, described from Chile in 1971. It belongs to the genus Rifargia, a group of Neotropical moths characterized by distinctive wing patterns and body morphology. The species is documented from limited observations in its native range.
Neotropical Chilean-endemic Notodontidae Heterocampinae prominent-moth
Rifargia occiclina
Rifargia occiclina is a moth species in the family Notodontidae, described by Miller in 2021. It belongs to the genus Rifargia, which comprises approximately 25 species distributed primarily in the Neotropics. As a recently described species, published knowledge about its biology and ecology remains limited. The species is documented through a small number of observations on iNaturalist.
Notodontidae Heterocampinae Neotropical recently-described 2021 moth Lepidoptera
Rileya
Rileya is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Eurytomidae comprising 27 described species. Members of this genus are known to develop as parasitoids within galls formed by gall midges (Cecidomyiidae) on various host plants, particularly in the Myrtaceae family. The genus has been recorded from the United States through Central America and across much of South America, with multiple species described from Brazil.
parasitoid gall-associated Eurytomidae Cecidomyiidae-parasitoid Neotropical Myrtaceae-associated
Rileyinae
Rileyinae is a subfamily of small wasps within Eurytomidae (Chalcidoidea), comprising parasitoids primarily associated with insect eggs and gall-formers. Members include the genus Neorileya, known as endoparasitoids of eggs from diverse Hemipteran families (Coreidae, Pentatomidae, Reduviidae) and even Tettigoniidae. The subfamily also includes Gatesina, a genus that parasitizes Eurytominae gall-formers in fruits of Myrtaceae. Rileyinae species are typically minute (2-3 mm), solitary, and part of the 'micro-Hymenoptera' fauna.
parasitoid micro-Hymenoptera egg-parasitoid biological-control endoparasitoid Chalcidoidea Eurytomidae Neotropical Hemiptera-parasitoid gall-parasitoid
Riodinidae
Metalmark Butterflies, Metalmarks
Riodinidae is a family of butterflies commonly known as metalmarks, comprising approximately 1,532 species in 146 genera. The family is predominantly Neotropical in distribution but extends into the Nearctic, Palearctic, Australasian, Afrotropic, and Indomalayan realms. Members are distinguished by metallic spots on their wings, reduced male forelegs, and frequent myrmecophilous associations with ants. The family exhibits exceptional diversity in wing morphology and coloration, with extensive Batesian mimicry complexes documented in tropical species.
butterflies metalmarks myrmecophily mimicry Neotropical Lepidoptera
Riodininae
True Metalmarks
Riodininae is the largest subfamily within the metalmark butterfly family Riodinidae, comprising the majority of species diversity in the family. The subfamily contains ten recognized tribes: Befrostiini, Calydnini, Dianesiini, Emesidini, Eurybiini, Helicopini, Nymphidiini, Riodinini, Sertaniini, and Symmachiini. Members are distinguished by forewing venation patterns, with some tribes possessing five forewing radial veins and others four. The subfamily has undergone recent phylogenetic revision based on morphological and molecular data.
metalmarks butterflies Neotropical Riodinidae
Rivula pusilla
Rivula pusilla is a small moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Rivulinae. It was first described by Heinrich Benno Möschler in 1890. The species is characterized by its diminutive size, with a wingspan of approximately 14 mm. It has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning the southern United States, Caribbean islands, and parts of Central and South America.
small-moth Neotropical Nearctic Rivulinae
Robustagramma
lesser dung flies
Robustagramma is a genus of small flies in the family Sphaeroceridae (lesser dung flies), established in 2005 by Marshall & Cui. It comprises 54 species arranged in 8 species groups, of which 52 were described as new in the original monograph. The genus is distributed from Canada to Argentina and represents a distinctive clade within the subfamily Limosininae.
Sphaeroceridae Limosininae New-World Neotropical Nearctic dung-flies Marshall-&-Cui-2005 Zootaxa-1026
Rocconota
Rocconota is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Harpactorinae. The genus was established by Stål in 1859 and contains approximately ten described species, primarily distributed in the Neotropical region. Members of this genus are predatory true bugs, consistent with the biology of the Reduviidae family. The genus name is derived from Greek roots referring to its distinctive tuberculate or spiny morphology.
Reduviidae Harpactorinae assassin-bugs Neotropical predatory
Rogeria
Djirries
Rogeria is a genus of small ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae, distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. The genus contains approximately 40 described species, most of which inhabit leaf litter and soil in tropical forests. Workers are minute to small in size and often exhibit reduced eyes or eyelessness. The genus is distinguished by specialized mandibular structures and reduced pilosity compared to related myrmicine ants.
ants Myrmicinae Neotropical leaf-litter subterranean small-size
Romaleidae
lubber grasshoppers, lubbers
Romaleidae, commonly known as lubber grasshoppers, are a family of large, flightless or short-winged grasshoppers found in the Americas. The family includes some of the largest and most robust grasshoppers in North America, with adults often exceeding 50 mm in length and displaying striking color patterns. The common name "lubber" derives from nautical slang for a clumsy person, referencing their slow, deliberate movements and inability to fly. The family comprises two subfamilies, Bactrophorinae and Romaleinae, with the latter containing the well-known genus Romalea. Many species exhibit aposematic coloration as nymphs and adults, advertising their chemical defenses against predators.
grasshopper lubber flightless aposematic prairie polyphagous pest Great-Plains Neotropical
Ropalomeridae
Ropalomeridae is a small family of acalyptrate flies comprising approximately 30 species across 9 genera. The family is predominantly Neotropical in distribution. Members are robust flies measuring 6–12 mm in length, characterized by conspicuously enlarged hind femora and often laterally flattened, broadened hind tibiae. The biology of most species remains poorly known, though they have been associated with rotting wood.
acalyptrate Neotropical sapromyiidae rot-associated
Rothschildia
Rothschildia is a genus of giant silkmoths in the family Saturniidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1896. The genus contains approximately 30 described species distributed from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America to Argentina. Adults are characterized by large size, reduced or vestigial mouthparts, and often striking wing patterns including transparent "windows" devoid of scales. Several species have documented cultural significance for indigenous peoples, particularly the use of cocoons in ceremonial regalia.
giant-silkmoth Saturniidae neotropical cultural-entomology indigenous-use cocoon-harvest transparent-wing-windows non-feeding-adult
Rothschildia lebeau
Lebeau's Silk Moth, Forbes Moth
Rothschildia lebeau is a giant silkmoth in the family Saturniidae, distributed from the Lower Rio Grande Valley through eastern Mexico to Brazil. Adults are short-lived and do not feed, relying on fat reserves accumulated during larval development. The species exhibits a life history tradeoff between larval survival and adult body size based on host plant quality, with larger males showing higher mating success.
giant-silkmoth Saturniidae host-plant-tradeoff sexual-selection tropical-dry-forest Barro-Colorado-Island pheromone-communication non-feeding-adult complete-metamorphosis cultural-significance indigenous-use cocoon-harvesting mating-success body-size-dimorphism seasonal-variation microbial-associations protistan-diversity caterpillar-microbiome herbivore forest-ecology Neotropical Mexico Central-America South-America Panama Costa-Rica Brazil Texas Rio-Grande-Valley exhibit-species butterfly-house education conservation light-pollution suburban-sprawl introduced-parasites rearing cottage-industry vestigial-mouthparts fat-reserves short-lived-adult female-sedentary-behavior male-dispersal oviposition-site-selection fitness-consequences life-history-evolution quantitative-genetic-variation wet-season-phenology developmental-plasticity survival-size-tradeoff herbivore-performance plant-animal-interactions microbial-observatory molecular-characterization eukaryotic-microbiome saturniid-caterpillar Lepidoptera Bombycoidea Rothschildia Guérin-Méneville-1868 Attacus-lebeau Lebeau's-Silk-Moth Forbes-Moth Rothschildia-lebeau-forbesi windows transparent-wing-patches scale-less-wing-areas antennae sexual-dimorphism mate-choice sperm-competition reproductive-success larval-performance caterpillar-growth pupal-development adult-emergence longevity predation bat-predation nocturnal crepuscular moth silkmoth silkworm giant-moth forest-moth tropical-moth Neotropical-fauna biodiversity insect-collection museum-specimen Bohart-Museum American-Museum-of-Natural-History entomology lepidopterology systematics taxonomy natural-history field-study observational-study experimental-ecology evolutionary-ecology behavioral-ecology population-biology community-ecology ecosystem-function food-web trophic-interaction herbivory folivory tree-insect-interaction phenology climate-effects seasonality environmental-variation habitat-heterogeneity host-race ecotype local-adaptation phenotypic-plasticity genetic-variation quantitative-trait trade-off allocation reproductive-allocation parental-investment offspring-size offspring-number optimal-clutch-size mate-competition intrasexual-selection intersexual-selection ornament signal chemical-communication olfaction sensory-ecology foraging movement-ecology dispersal migration home-range activity-pattern diel-cycle circadian-rhythm photoperiod temperature humidity rainfall precipitation dry-season wet-season tropical-seasonality El-Niño climate-change global-warming habitat-disturbance forest-fragmentation deforestation agricultural-expansion urbanization conservation-biology threatened-species common-species population-decline extinction-risk protected-area national-park biological-reserve research-station Smithsonian-Tropical-Research-Institute Barro-Colorado-Island-Nature-Monument Gatun-Lake Panama-Canal Isthmus-of-Panama Central-American-isthmus land-bridge biogeography vicariance dispersal-limitation species-range range-expansion range-contraction range-shift poleward-shift elevational-shift altitudinal-gradient latitudinal-gradient thermal-tolerance desiccation-resistance water-balance physiological-ecology metabolic-rate energetics nutritional-ecology stoichiometry nitrogen phosphorus carbon plant-secondary-metabolite tannin alkaloid terpenoid defense induced-defense constitutive-defense herbivore-offense counter-adaptation coevolution evolutionary-arms-race phylogenetic-constraint phylogenetic-signal comparative-method phylogenetic-comparative-analysis trait-evolution reproductive-strategy iteroparity semelparity big-bang-reproduction suicidal-reproduction capital-breeder income-breeder resource-acquisition resource-allocation storage fat-body lipid glycogen protein amino-acid vitamin micronutrient digestion gut-microbiome gut-flora intestinal-microorganism symbiosis mutualism commensalism parasitism pathogen disease immunity immune-response defense-mechanism resistance tolerance recovery survival mortality fecundity fertility sterility hybridization introgression gene-flow population-structure genetic-differentiation FST isolation-by-distance isolation-by-environment landscape-genetics landscape-ecology spatial-ecology geographic-information-system remote-sensing satellite-imagery habitat-suitability species-distribution-model ecological-niche-model MaxEnt BIOMOD ensemble-forecast climate-envelope niche-conservatism niche-evolution realized-niche fundamental-niche biotic-interaction competition facilitation apparent-competition indirect-effect trophic-cascade keystone-species ecosystem-engineer foundation-species dominant-species rare-species functional-diversity functional-trait trait-based-ecology community-assembly filtering sorting neutral-theory niche-theory unified-theory metacommunity metapopulation source-sink-dynamics rescue-effect mass-effect patch-dynamics landscape-mosaic connectivity corridor stepping-stone matrix-quality edge-effect interior-forest core-area buffer-zone fragment-size isolation perimeter-area-ratio shape-index fractal-dimension habitat-amount threshold-effect extinction-debt relaxation-time lag-effect time-delay historical-legacy founder-effect bottleneck genetic-drift inbreeding inbreeding-depression outbreeding outbreeding-depression heterosis hybrid-vigor genetic-rescue assisted-migration managed-relocation translocation reintroduction restoration-ecology habitat-restoration ecological-restoration rewilding de-extinction synthetic-biology conservation-genetics conservation-genomics population-genomics landscape-genomics environmental-DNA eDNA metabarcoding metagenomics transcriptomics proteomics metabolomics phenomics imaging computer-vision machine-learning artificial-intelligence deep-learning neural-network convolutional-neural-network recurrent-neural-network generative-adversarial-network transfer-learning data-augmentation training-set validation-set test-set cross-validation bootstrap jackknife permutation randomization Monte-Carlo Markov-chain Bayesian-inference posterior-probability prior-probability likelihood model-selection information-criterion AIC BIC DIC WAIC LOO model-averaging multimodel-inference structural-equation-model path-analysis causal-inference directed-acyclic-graph potential-outcomes propensity-score instrumental-variable regression-discontinuity difference-in-differences synthetic-control panel-data longitudinal-data time-series cross-sectional-data spatial-data spatiotemporal-data point-pattern areal-data geostatistics kriging variogram spatial-autocorrelation Moran's-I Geary's-c Getis-Ord-Gi LISA hot-spot cold-spot cluster-detection scan-statistic network-analysis graph-theory small-world scale-free-network centrality betweenness closeness eigenvector PageRank community-detection modularity clustering-coefficient path-length diameter radius percolation robustness resilience vulnerability adaptive-capacity transformability social-ecological-system complex-adaptive-system emergent-property self-organization nonlinearity threshold tipping-point hysteresis alternative-stable-state regime-shift critical-transition early-warning-signal resilience-indicator panarchy adaptive-cycle exploitation release reorganization fast-variable slow-variable controlling-variable driver pressure state impact response DPSIR ecosystem-service provisioning-service regulating-service cultural-service supporting-service natural-capital green-infrastructure nature-based-solution ecosystem-based-adaptation ecosystem-based-mitigation payment-for-ecosystem-service REDD+biodiversity-offset habitat-banking mitigation-hierarchy avoidance minimization restoration compensation no-net-loss net-gain biodiversity-metric condition-metric landscape-metric connectivity-metric genetic-metric functional-metric irreplaceability threat opportunity conservation-planning systematic-conservation-planning Marxan Zonation prioritization efficiency effectiveness equity stakeholder governance institution policy law regulation incentive market-based-instrument command-and-control voluntary-agreement certification eco-label sustainable-use sustainable-management adaptive-management learning-by-doing monitoring evaluation indicator target goal vision scenario projection forecast uncertainty risk precautionary-principle safe-minimum-standard environmental-impact-assessment strategic-environmental-assessment cumulative-impact-assessment social-impact-assessment health-impact-assessment life-cycle-assessment carbon-footprint water-footprint ecological-footprint material-flow-analysis substance-flow-analysis input-output-analysis environmentally-extended-input-output-analysis multi-regional-input-output-analysis computable-general-equilibrium integrated-assessment-model earth-system-model global-circulation-model regional-climate-model downscaling bias-correction ensemble-simulation perturbed-physics emulator surrogate-model reduced-complexity-model simple-climate-model integrated-earth-system-model socioeconomic-scenario shared-socioeconomic-pathway representative-concentration-pathway climate-scenario emission-scenario mitigation-scenario adaptation-scenario impact-scenario vulnerability-scenario risk-scenario resilience-scenario transformation-scenario sustainability-scenario narrative storyline pathway trajectory transition transformation decarbonization electrification renewable-energy energy-efficiency circular-economy green-economy blue-economy bioeconomy nature-economy natural-capital-accounting ecosystem-accounting environmental-accounting green-accounting inclusive-wealth genuine-progress-indicator happy-planet-index human-development-index sustainable-development-goals Agenda-2030 Paris-Agreement Convention-on-Biological-Diversity Aichi-targets post-2020-global-biodiversity-framework Kunming-Montreal-Global-Biodiversity-Framework 30-by-30 half-earth nature-needs-half rewilding-Europe rewilding-Britain rewilding-North-America Pleistocene-rewilding trophic-rewilding ecological-replacement taxon-substitution revival-biology molecular-de-extinction proxy-species gene-drive CRISPR genome-editing genetic-modification biotechnology nanotechnology information-technology global-positioning-system unmanned-aerial-vehicle drone satellite sensor camera-trap acoustic-monitoring citizen-science community-science participatory-monitoring traditional-ecological-knowledge indigenous-knowledge local-knowledge farmer-knowledge fishers-knowledge co-production-of-knowledge transdisciplinarity interdisciplinarity multidisciplinarity post-normal-science mode-2-science triple-helix quadruple-helix quintuple-helix open-science open-data open-access open-source FAIR-data findable accessible interoperable reusable data-management-plan metadata provenance quality-assurance quality-control validation verification uncertainty-quantification error-propagation sensitivity-analysis scenario-analysis Monte-Carlo-simulation Bayesian-belief-network influence-diagram decision-tree multi-criteria-decision-analysis cost-benefit-analysis cost-effectiveness-analysis multi-attribute-utility-theory game-theory mechanism-design incentive-compatibility revelation-principle social-choice-theory voting-theory fair-division institutional-design policy-design governance-design architecture polycentric-governance adaptive-governance collaborative-governance network-governance hierarchical-governance market-governance community-governance hybrid-governance meta-governance steering rowing regulatory-state enabling-state partner-state entrepreneurial-state innovation-state strategic-state developmental-state welfare-state green-state sustainable-state resilient-state smart-state digital-state platform-state algorithmic-state surveillance-state authoritarian-state democratic-state deliberative-democracy participatory-democracy direct-democracy representative-democracy liberal-democracy social-democracy green-democracy ecological-democracy biocracy ecofascism deep-ecology social-ecology ecofeminism environmental-justice climate-justice intergenerational-justice intragenerational-justice spatial-justice territorial-justice recognition-justice procedural-justice distributive-justice restorative-justice transformative-justice reparative-justice transitional-justice ecological-justice species-justice multispecies-justice more-than-human-justice anthropocene capitalocene plantationocene chthulucene symbiocene good-anthropocene bad-anthropocene great-acceleration great-divergence great-convergence great-transformation great-decoupling great-disruption great-moderation great-recession great-depression great-war great-famine great-migration great-replacement great-reset great-refusal great-enrichment great-leveling great-compression
Rudenia
Rudenia is a genus of tortricid moths established by Razowski in 1985. It belongs to the tribe Cochylini within the subfamily Tortricinae. The genus contains five described species distributed in the Neotropical region. Most species were described by Razowski between 1985 and 2007.
tortricid moth neotropical cochylini
Rupisalda
Rupisalda is a genus of shore bugs (family Saldidae) in the order Hemiptera. It was established by J. Polhemus in 1985 and belongs to the tribe Saldoidini within the subfamily Saldinae. The genus is known from Colombia. Shore bugs in this family are generally associated with marginal aquatic habitats.
Hemiptera Heteroptera Saldidae shore-bugs Leptopodomorpha Neotropical Colombia Polhemus-1985
Rutela formosa
handsome flower scarab
Rutela formosa, commonly known as the handsome flower scarab, is a species of shining leaf chafer in the family Scarabaeidae. The species belongs to the subfamily Rutelinae, a group of scarab beetles often noted for their metallic coloration. It occurs across the Neotropical region and extends into the southeastern United States.
scarab-beetle shining-leaf-chafer Rutelinae Neotropical Nearctic
Rutelini
shining leaf chafers
Rutelini is a tribe of scarab beetles commonly known as shining leaf chafers, distinguished by their often metallic or iridescent coloration. The tribe comprises approximately 14 genera and at least 40 described species, with notable genera including Chrysina (jewel scarabs), Pelidnota, and Macraspis. Members are primarily distributed in the New World tropics and subtropics. Many species exhibit striking structural coloration and have been subjects of taxonomic revision due to their morphological diversity and conservation interest.
Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Rutelinae shining-leaf-chafers jewel-scarabs metallic-beetles Neotropical wood-decomposers saproxylic
Sabulodes
Sabulodes is a genus of geometrid moths (Geometridae: Ennominae) first described by Achille Guenée in 1857. The genus contains approximately 50 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with some species occurring in the Neotropics. Several species have been documented as forest defoliators, including Sabulodes glaucularia, which has been reported as a pest of Pinus patula, Cupressus lusitanica, and Eucalyptus in Colombian forests. The genus is taxonomically well-established but individual species-level biology remains incompletely documented.
Geometridae Ennominae forest-pest defoliator Neotropical Colombia pine-plantation-pest
Saccharosydnini
Saccharosydnini is a tribe of delphacid planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae) established by Vilbaste in 1968. The tribe includes at least one new genus, Lacertina, described from Argentina with distinctive dorsoventrally flattened morphology. Some members are associated with sugarcane and serve as vectors of plant pathogens.
planthopper delphacid Neotropical vector sugarcane Argentina phytoplasma
Saica
Saica is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Saicinae. These predatory insects inhabit tropical rainforest environments, particularly in the Neotropics. They are characterized by slender bodies, long legs, and distinctive raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. Some species display bright coloration, including brilliant red patterns. The genus is distinguished by a uniquely hooked proboscis tip, an adaptation for subduing prey.
predator raptorial-legs hooked-proboscis rainforest Neotropical
Salebriaria roseopunctella
Salebriaria roseopunctella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Neunzig in 2003. The genus Salebriaria comprises small moths distributed primarily in the Americas. This species is distinguished by specific wing pattern elements referenced in its epithet. Like other pyralids, adults possess elongated labial palps that project forward, creating a "snout" appearance. The species has been documented through observation records, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
snout-moth Pyralidae Neotropical Nearctic
Salobrena vacuana
Salobrena vacuana is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Chrysauginae. Described by Francis Walker in 1865, this Neotropical species is one of approximately 15 species in the genus Salobrena. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing patterns and genitalic structures, though detailed biological information for S. vacuana specifically remains limited in published literature.
Pyralidae Chrysauginae Neotropical Walker-1865 snout-moth
Salpingogaster
Salpingogaster is a genus of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) containing at least 30 described species. At least one species, S. nigra, has been documented as a predator of froghopper nymphs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) in pasture ecosystems. The genus belongs to the tribe Syrphini within the subfamily Syrphinae.
predatory biological-control pasture-pest-management Neotropical Syrphini
Samea castellalis
Stained-glass Moth
Samea castellalis, commonly known as the Stained-glass Moth, is a species of pyraloid moth in the family Crambidae. The species was described by Guenée in 1854 and is currently treated as a synonym of Samea ecclesialis in some taxonomic databases, though both names remain in use. It is a moderately well-documented species with over 6,000 observations recorded on iNaturalist. The moth occurs across a broad Neotropical and Nearctic range.
Crambidae Spilomelinae Neotropical Nearctic taxonomic-synonym pyraloid-moth
Saphenista
Saphenista is a genus of tortricid moths established by Walsingham in 1914. It belongs to the tribe Cochylini within the subfamily Tortricinae. Species in this genus are primarily distributed in the Neotropical region, with documented occurrences in Central and South America including Ecuador, Peru, and Mexico. The genus is part of a diverse radiation of Cochylini in montane habitats.
Tortricidae Cochylini Neotropical montane Lepidoptera
Saprinus ignotus
Saprinus ignotus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, subfamily Saprininae. The species was described by Marseul in 1855. GBIF records indicate occurrence in Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil. The genus Saprinus comprises predatory beetles typically associated with carrion, dung, and other decomposing organic matter.
Histeridae Saprininae Coleoptera clown-beetle Neotropical predatory-beetle carrion-associated-beetle
Sarginae
soldier flies
Sarginae is a subfamily of soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) established by Walker in 1834. The subfamily is cosmopolitan in distribution, occurring from the Nearctic region through Canada and Alaska to the Neotropics, with substantial diversity in genera such as Acrochaeta, Himantigera, Merosargus, and Sargus. Immature stages are known for relatively few species—29 species as of 2022, with only eight from the Neotropical region.
soldier-flies Stratiomyidae Diptera cosmopolitan Neotropical plant-associated-larvae territorial-males
Sarinda
Sarinda is a genus of jumping spiders (Salticidae) in the tribe Sarindini, established by Peckham & Peckham in 1892. The genus contains species distributed in the Neotropics, with documented records in Uruguay including S. marcosi, S. sombraluminosa, and S. contraluz. Members of this genus exhibit myrmecomorphy—morphological and behavioral mimicry of ants. The genus is distinguished from related taxa by characters of the genitalia and somatic morphology.
jumping-spider ant-mimicry myrmecomorphy Salticidae Sarindini Neotropical
Sathria
Sathria is a genus of snout moths in the family Crambidae, established by Julius Lederer in 1863. The genus contains three described species: Sathria internitalis, Sathria onophasalis, and Sathria simmialis. Members are classified within the subfamily Spilomelinae, a large and diverse group of crambid moths. The genus appears to be relatively poorly represented in collections and observations compared to many other crambid genera.
snout-moth Crambidae Spilomelinae Neotropical Lederer-1863
Savius
Savius is a genus of leaf-footed bugs (family Coreidae) comprising nine described species. The genus was established by Stål in 1862 and is classified within the tribe Discogastrini. Species in this genus occur in Central and South America, with records from Mexico through Costa Rica and Surinam. Members are characterized by the expanded, leaf-like hind tibiae typical of the Coreidae family.
Coreidae leaf-footed-bug Heteroptera Neotropical Discogastrini
Scalmophorus
Scalmophorus is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, tribe Hypsoprorini, established by Fowler in 1894. Members of this genus are characterized by distinctive pronotal modifications typical of the Membracidae. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited species descriptions and biological data available. It belongs to the diverse treehopper radiation within the Hemiptera, a group known for their elaborate pronotal structures.
treehopper Membracidae Hypsoprorini Neotropical poorly-known
Scaptocoris
burrowing bugs, burrower bugs
Scaptocoris is a genus of burrowing bugs in the family Cydnidae, currently containing at least seven described species in the Neotropical region. Species in this genus are economically important soil-borne pests that feed on plant roots using piercing-sucking mouthparts. They exhibit distinctive behavioral adaptations including vertical migration in soil in response to moisture availability and flight dispersal during rainy periods. The genus has been documented attacking crops including soybean, cotton, corn, rice, and various pasture grasses across South America.
burrowing-bug soil-pest root-feeder agricultural-pest vertical-migration flight-dispersal Neotropical Cydnidae polyphagous
Scaritinae
Pedunculate Ground Beetles
Scaritinae is a large, cosmopolitan subfamily of ground beetles (Carabidae) containing over 2,400 species in more than 140 genera. Members exhibit considerable ecological diversity, with many species adapted to specialized habitats including caves, riverbanks, and deep soil layers. The subfamily includes tribes such as Scaritini, Clivinini, and Salcediini. Several genera show disjunct distributions that have contributed to biogeographic understanding of continental drift and faunal exchange.
Carabidae ground-beetles cave-beetles endogean subterranean Gondwana biogeography microphtalmic troglobitic Afrotropical Oriental Palearctic Neotropical soil-fauna leaf-litter riverine light-trap cryptic rare-species stenoendemic
Schizogenius pygmaeus
Schizogenius pygmaeus is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Scaritinae, described by Van Dyke in 1925. The species belongs to a genus of small, fossorial carabids typically associated with sandy or loose soil habitats. Distribution records indicate occurrence from Mexico through Central America to Colombia.
Carabidae Scaritinae ground-beetle Central-America Mexico Neotropical