Neotropical
Guides
Burkseus robustus
Burkseus robustus is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Eulophidae, described by Perry in 2019. It belongs to a genus of parasitoid wasps within the superfamily Chalcidoidea. Records indicate this species has been documented in Costa Rica (Alajuela province), Colombia (Boyacá department), and Canada. As a member of Eulophidae, it likely functions as a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host relationships remain undocumented.
Burnsius oileus
Tropical Checkered-Skipper
A small skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) found from the southern United States through the Neotropics. Adults are active year-round in tropical regions and during warmer months in temperate areas. The species was transferred from genus Pyrgus to Burnsius in 2019 based on molecular phylogenetic studies.
Cabares
Cabares is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, subfamily Eudaminae. The genus is distributed across the Neotropical region, with species found from southern North America through Central America to South America. Cabares potrillo is the most widespread species, ranging from South Texas to Costa Rica and throughout the Greater Antilles.
Cabera
wave moths, cream moths
Cabera is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, established by Georg Friedrich Treitschke in 1825. The genus comprises approximately 30 species distributed across the Palaearctic, Nearctic, Neotropical, and Afrotropical regions, with limited representation in the Indo-Australian region and absence from Australia. Several species were previously classified under the genera Petelia and Gyalomia due to morphological similarities. The genus name derives from Cabeiro, daughter of the sea god Proteus in Greek mythology.
Caccoleptus
Caccoleptus is a genus of small beetles in the family Dermestidae, first described by Sharp in 1902. The genus contains six described species distributed in the Neotropical region, with records from Colombia. Members of this genus are among the lesser-known dermestid beetles, with limited biological data available.
Caccoplectus
Caccoplectus is a genus of myrmecophilous (ant-loving) rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. The genus was established by Sharp in 1887 and contains approximately nine described species. These beetles are associated with ant colonies, a common ecological strategy among pselaphine beetles. Most species have been described from the Neotropical region, particularly Central America.
myrmecophileant-associatedpselaphinerove-beetleNeotropicalStaphylinidaePselaphinaeArhytodinitropicalant-colony-inhabitantinquilinemicrohabitat-specialistleaf-littersoil-dwellingcrypticrarely-collectedsmall-beetlemorphologically-specialized1887-descriptionSharpCentral-AmericaPanamaColeopteraPolyphagaStaphyliniformiaStaphylinoideaPselaphitaegenus-levelnine-speciesconicusdegallierilucidusnuttingipectinatusschwarzisentisspinipessucineasspine-legged-pselaphidChandlerWoldaSchaeffer190619761986type-species-unknownrarely-observediNaturalist:-2-observationsCatalogue-of-Life-acceptedGBIF-acceptedNCBI-acceptedEukaryotaMetazoaHexapodaInsectaArthropodaAnimaliabeetleinsectarthropodanimalCacocharis
Cacocharis is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Olethreutinae, established by Walsingham in 1892. The genus is Neotropical in distribution and contains at least three described species. A taxonomic review published in 2007 addressed synonymy and documented host plant associations.
Cacocharis cymotoma
Cacocharis cymotoma is a species of tortricid moth described by Edward Meyrick in 1917. It belongs to the genus Cacocharis, a small group within the subfamily Olethreutinae. The species was originally described under the basionym Argyroploce cymotoma. Like other members of Tortricidae, it is a small moth with characteristic wing patterns and resting posture.
Cacozelia
snout moths
Cacozelia is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Epipaschiinae. It was established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1878 based on specimens from Venezuela. The genus contains at least five described species distributed in the Neotropical region. Members of this genus are characterized by features typical of the subfamily Epipaschiinae, which includes many tropical pyralid moths with relatively broad wings and distinctive genitalia.
Caenia
Caenia is a genus of net-winged beetles in the family Lycidae, established by Newman in 1838. The genus contains at least three described species, including Caenia amplicornis and Caenia dimidiata. Members of this genus share the characteristic reticulated wing venation that defines the family Lycidae. The genus is part of a diverse group of beetles known for their aposematic coloration and soft, flexible elytra.
Calamoceratidae
Calamoceratidae is a family of caddisflies comprising approximately 9 genera and at least 120 described species. The family is distributed across tropical and temperate regions worldwide, with notable diversity in the Neotropics. Larvae are aquatic and construct distinctive cases from plant material. The genus Phylloicus is particularly species-rich in the New World, with 66 described species.
Calephelis
metalmarks, metalmark butterflies
Calephelis is a genus of metalmark butterflies in the family Riodinidae, comprising 54 species distributed across the Americas. Eleven species occur in the Nearctic region and 43 in the Neotropical realm. The genus includes both widespread and highly localized species, with some like C. borealis being globally rare and declining due to habitat loss.
Caliadurgus
Caliadurgus is a genus of medium-sized spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, subfamily Pepsinae. The genus was established by Pate in 1946 as a replacement for the preoccupied name Calicurgus. These wasps are known for hunting orb-weaving spiders (Araneidae) and long-jawed orb weavers (Tetragnathidae) to provision nests for their larvae. The genus has a Holarctic and Neotropical distribution, with species recorded across North America, Europe, and South America.
Calidota
Calidota is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1901. The genus belongs to the arctiine tussock moth group within the subfamily Arctiinae. It currently includes eight recognized species distributed across the Neotropical region, with records from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. The type species is Calidota phryganoides (Walker, 1855). Two species have been moved to other genera.
Calinda
Calinda is a genus of psyllids (family Triozidae) in the order Hemiptera, first described by Blanchard in 1852. Psyllids are small plant-feeding insects commonly known as jumping plant lice. The genus belongs to the suborder Sternorrhyncha, a group characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts and often complex host plant relationships. As of current records, the genus contains multiple species, though specific taxonomic boundaries and species counts require further verification.
Caliothrips cinctipennis
bean thrips
Caliothrips cinctipennis is a minute phytophagous thrips in the family Thripidae, commonly known as bean thrips. Adults measure approximately 1 mm in length and are distinguished by black-and-white banded forewings. The species is a documented pest of soybean (Glycine max) and has been recorded in both North and South America. Populations can increase rapidly under dry conditions due to a short life cycle of approximately two weeks from egg to egg.
Callicorini
Eighty-eights and Allies
Callicorini is a tribe of nymphalid butterflies within the subfamily Biblidinae, commonly known as "eighty-eights and allies" due to distinctive wing patterns resembling the numerals "88" in some species. The tribe includes the genus Perisama, a species-rich group predominantly restricted to Neotropical cloud forests in the Andes, as well as Diaethria and related genera. Phylogenetic studies indicate Miocene divergence between major lineages, with subsequent radiation correlated to Andean orogeny. Members exhibit diverse wing color patterns, though these have proven less geographically stable than historically assumed.
Calligrapha diversa
Calligrapha diversa is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Carl Stål in 1859. It belongs to the C. argus species group, characterized by distinctive elytral patterning including a single spot enclosed by humeral lunule and a complete arcuate band laterally confluent with a subsutural stripe. The species has one of the largest geographic ranges in its group, extending from the southwestern United States through Central America to northern South America. It has been recorded feeding on plants in the families Malvaceae and Solanaceae.
Callionima parce
Parce sphinx moth
Callionima parce is a sphinx moth (Sphingidae) with a broad Neotropical distribution extending from South America through Central America into the southern United States. The species exhibits year-round flight activity in tropical regions and seasonal activity from April to September in the United States. Larvae feed on Apocynaceae, specifically documented on Stemmadenia obovata.
Calliopsini
Calliopsini is a tribe of mining bees (family Andrenidae, subfamily Andreninae) comprising at least 120 described species across six genera. Members are solitary, ground-nesting bees found primarily in the Americas. The tribe includes the genera Acamptopoeum, Arhysosage, Calliopsis, Callonychium, Litocalliopsis, and Spinoliella.
Callipogonini
Callipogonini is a tribe of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) within the subfamily Prioninae. Members are found in the Neotropical region, with documented occurrences in Bolivia including the Yungas region. The tribe includes genera such as Seticeros, Strongylaspis, and Chorenta. A new genus Seticeros was established to accommodate Seticeros tunupai sp. n. and the transferred species Chorenta aquilus.
Calliprora
Calliprora is a genus of gelechiid moths in the subfamily Thiotrichinae, established by Meyrick in 1914. The genus contains approximately 12 described species, primarily Neotropical in distribution. One species, C. leucaenae, has been documented as a significant pest of Leucaena leucocephala in Florida, where larvae function as blotch-miners and leaf-tiers. The genus was transferred to Thiotrichinae based on distinctive genital morphology including anellus lobes and sternum VIII characteristics.
Calophya minuta
Calophya minuta is a species of jumping plant louse in the family Calophyidae, first described by Tuthill in 1942. The species belongs to the order Hemiptera, suborder Sternorrhyncha, and is part of the psyllid superfamily Psylloidea. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with specific host plants, though detailed ecological information remains limited. The species has been documented in observation records, with 12 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Calopterini
Calopterini is a tribe of net-winged beetles (family Lycidae) within the subfamily Lycinae. The tribe contains the genus Lycinella, which is restricted to the Neotropical region. Males are flight-active and possess distinctive morphological features including eight pronotal stemmata, subserrate antennae with antennomere III longer than II but much shorter than IV, and strongly hooked mandibles. Females remain unknown and are presumed neotenic based on tribal affinities.
Calpodes ethlius
Brazilian Skipper, Larger Canna Leafroller, Canna Skipper
Calpodes ethlius is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as the Brazilian skipper or canna skipper. It is notable for its broad Neotropical distribution, ranging from the southern United States through Central America to Argentina. The species is strongly associated with Canna plants, whose leaves its larvae roll into protective shelters. Adults feed on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, with specific preferences varying by region.
Calpodini
Calpodini is a tribe of satyrine butterflies distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. The group includes medium-sized species with relatively plain wing patterns compared to other satyrines. Members are associated with forested and semi-open habitats in Central and South America. The tribe has received less taxonomic attention than related groups such as the Euptychiina, and its internal phylogenetic relationships remain partially unresolved.
Calycomyza hyptidis
Calycomyza hyptidis is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Spencer in 1966. The species name references its original association with Hyptis species. It has been documented as a pest of cultivated aromatic herbs, specifically reported on basil (Ocimum basilicum) in Mexico and spearmint (Mentha spicata).
Calycomyza malvae
Mallow Leaf Miner
Calycomyza malvae is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. The species creates distinctive mines in leaves of mallow plants (Malva species). It has been documented across the Americas from the United States through the West Indies to Brazil, with more recent records from Mexico. The common name 'Mallow Leaf Miner' reflects its specialized association with this host plant genus.
Calycomyza mikaniae
Calycomyza mikaniae is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, first described by Spencer in 1973. The specific epithet refers to its association with the genus Mikania (Asteraceae), indicating a specialized host relationship. Like other members of Calycomyza, this species produces serpentine or blotch mines in the leaves of its host plants during larval development. The species is part of a large genus of agromyzid flies that are predominantly Neotropical in distribution.
Calycomyza steviae
Calycomyza steviae is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1973. The species epithet indicates an association with Stevia, a genus of plants in the Asteraceae family. Like other members of Calycomyza, the larvae likely feed internally within leaf tissue, creating distinctive mines. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature beyond its original description.
Calycopis
groundstreaks, hairstreaks
Calycopis is a genus of small butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as groundstreaks or hairstreaks. The genus contains numerous species distributed across the Neotropical and Nearctic realms. A controversial taxonomic revision by Kurt Johnson in 1991 proposed extensive splitting of the genus, but most modern authors reject these changes as unjustified. Species within Calycopis are typically associated with forest edges and disturbed habitats where their larval host plants occur.
Calycopis isobeon
dusky-blue groundstreak
Calycopis isobeon, the dusky-blue groundstreak, is a small hairstreak butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It ranges from Venezuela northward through Central America and Mexico to central Texas. The species is extremely similar in appearance to the red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops), and the two are sometimes treated as conspecific due to their close morphological resemblance.
Calyxochaetus
Calyxochaetus is a genus of long-legged flies in the family Dolichopodidae, subfamily Sympycninae. Formerly treated as a subgenus of Sympycnus, it is now recognized as a distinct genus containing 36 species in the New World. The genus was revised in 2024, with species organized into five species groups based on morphological characters.
Camelobaetidius
minnow mayflies
Camelobaetidius is a genus of small minnow mayflies in the family Baetidae, comprising at least 40 described species distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. The genus is one of the most studied within Baetidae, with nymphs commonly inhabiting lotic (flowing water) environments. Species are distinguished by specific morphological characters, particularly the spatulate (flattened, spoon-shaped) tarsal claws present in nymphs. The genus exhibits considerable diversity in Central and North America, with additional species described from Costa Rica and southeastern Brazil.
Camponotus novogranadensis
Black Compact Carpenter Ant
Camponotus novogranadensis is a species of carpenter ant in the subgenus Myrmobrachys, known from South America. It is one of over 1,000 species in the genus Camponotus. The species has been documented in Colombia and across much of Brazil, with records from diverse habitats including tropical forests and disturbed areas. As a member of the compact carpenter ant group, it shares morphological traits with related species such as the invasive Camponotus planatus.
Camponotus schaefferi
Schaeffer's Carpenter Ant
Camponotus schaefferi is a species of carpenter ant in the genus Camponotus, described by Wheeler in 1909. It is native to the southwestern United States and possibly Venezuela. Like other carpenter ants, it excavates wood to create nest galleries rather than consuming wood for nutrition. The species belongs to the diverse subgenus Myrmobrachys, characterized by a relatively low and broad mesosoma.
Camponotus sexguttatus
Six-spotted Carpenter Ant
Camponotus sexguttatus is a Neotropical carpenter ant native to South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The species has established invasive populations in Florida, Hawaii, and Arizona, where it has been documented as a 'tramp ant' in urban environments. It belongs to the diverse genus Camponotus, which includes over 1,000 species of wood-nesting ants. Multiple subspecies have been described across its native range.
Camptoprosopella
Camptoprosopella is a genus of true flies in the family Lauxaniidae, established by Hendel in 1907. The genus contains over 30 described species distributed primarily in the Americas, with records ranging from North America through Central America to South America. Species in this genus are small to medium-sized flies, many of which were described by Canadian dipterist G.E. Shewell in 1939.
Canacea
beach flies
Canacea is a genus of beach flies in the family Canacidae, established by Malloch in 1924. The genus comprises four described species restricted to the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. All known species inhabit coastal environments.
Cannaphila
narrow-winged skimmers, Convict Skimmers
Small Neotropical genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. Contains three species: C. insularis (with subspecies C. i. insularis and C. i. funerea), C. mortoni, and C. vibex. One species, C. insularis, extends into North America. Adults are commonly called narrow-winged skimmers.
Cannaphila insularis
gray-waisted skimmer
Cannaphila insularis, commonly known as the gray-waisted skimmer, is a dragonfly species in the family Libellulidae. The species includes two recognized subspecies: C. i. insularis (nominate) and C. i. funerea. It is distributed across the Caribbean, Central America, and North America, with the nominate subspecies occurring on Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Isla de Pinos (Cuba), while C. i. funerea ranges from southern Texas through Colombia and is widely distributed in Cuba. The species inhabits lentic freshwater environments including lagoons, ponds, and slow-moving streams with abundant herbaceous vegetation. The last instar larva of C. i. funerea has been formally described, providing diagnostic morphological characters for identification.
Canthidium
Canthidium is a genus of small dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, containing at least 170 described species. Species in this genus are primarily neotropical and exhibit a characteristic "sit and wait" foraging strategy, perching on leaves to detect dung through chemoreception. They are classified as tunnelers, constructing burrows beneath dung deposits. Their small body size (often under 10 mm) influences their foraging ecology and resource partitioning strategies within diverse dung beetle communities.
Canthidium macclevei
Canthidium macclevei is a small dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Kohlmann and Solis in 2006. The genus Canthidium comprises small-bodied tunnelers, with most species measuring under 10 mm. Members of this genus are known to employ "sit and wait" perching behavior as a foraging strategy.
Canthon
tumblebugs, dung rollers
Canthon is a genus of ball-rolling dung beetles (telocoprids) commonly known as tumblebugs, distributed across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Adults are known for their distinctive behavior of forming dung balls and rolling them away from source material for feeding or nesting. The genus exhibits notable behavioral diversity, with some species employing 'sit and wait' perching strategies to detect dung through chemoreception, while others actively follow animals. Several species show color polymorphism that may be linked to thermal adaptation and elevational distribution.
Canthon cyanellus
Dung beetle
Canthon cyanellus is a dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by LeConte in 1859. The species belongs to the genus Canthon, a group of dung beetles commonly known as "tumblebugs" for their behavior of rolling dung into balls. It occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the southern United States through Mexico and Central America into northern South America. The species has been recorded from Texas in the Nearctic realm and from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil in the Neotropical realm.
Canthon floridanus
Canthon floridanus is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Brown in 1946. It is native to the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, occurring in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Canthon, it is a dung-rolling beetle that constructs brood balls from fecal material.
Caphys
snout moths
Caphys is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Chrysauginae. It was established by Francis Walker in 1863 with Caphys bilinea (now a junior synonym of C. bilineata) as the type species. The genus contains eight described species distributed primarily in the Americas, ranging from the southwestern United States through Central America.
Carales
Carales is a genus of tussock moths in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. These moths are part of the diverse arctiine lineage, many of which possess chemical defenses and distinctive larval setae. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1855. Species within Carales occur in the Neotropical region.
Caristanius
Caristanius is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. It was described by Carl Heinrich in 1956. The genus contains six described species distributed in the Neotropical region, with records from Guatemala, Mexico, and Central America.
Carmenta
clearwing moth
Carmenta is a genus of clearwing moths in the family Sesiidae, characterized by transparent or partially transparent wings resulting from reduced wing scaling. The genus contains approximately 100 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropics, with some species extending into North America. Members are diurnal and often wasp-mimicking in appearance. Several species are economically significant as pests of agricultural crops, including C. theobromae which has shifted from native cacao to become a major pest of guava in Colombia.