New-mexico
Guides
Sympistis sakhmet
Sympistis sakhmet is a small noctuid moth described from New Mexico in 2008. The species is known from very limited material, with a recorded wingspan of approximately 31 mm. It belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae often feed on specific host plants.
Tanaostigmodes albiclavus
Tanaostigmodes albiclavus is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Tanaostigmatidae, first described by Girault in 1917. The species is known from the southwestern United States. Members of this family are gall wasps associated with plants, though specific host relationships for this species remain poorly documented.
Tanymecus texanus
Tanymecus texanus is a broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae, first described by Van Dyke in 1935. The species is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Texas and New Mexico. As a member of the genus Tanymecus, it belongs to a group of weevils characterized by their elongated snouts and association with herbaceous plants.
Tetralimonius ornatulus
Tetralimonius ornatulus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. Based on available collection records, this species has been documented in western Texas and New Mexico, with specimens collected from soapberry (Sapindus saponaria) vegetation. Adults have been observed during late spring and early summer, with collection dates in May and June. The species appears to be associated with riparian and woodland habitats where its host plants occur.
Trachyrhachys coronata
crowned grasshopper
Trachyrhachys coronata, commonly known as the crowned grasshopper, is a band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is one of approximately 12 species in North America that overwinter as nymphs rather than eggs, with adults present early in spring. The species is found in western North America, particularly in Colorado and New Mexico. It belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae, which is characterized by banded wings and often inhabits open, dry habitats.
Tragidion armatum
Tragidion armatum is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults exhibit bright orange and black coloration that mimics tarantula hawk wasps (Pompilidae: Pepsis, Hemipepsis). The species breeds in dead flower stalks of Yucca and Agave plants. It was described by LeConte in 1858, with T. armatum brevipenne later synonymized under it.
Triatoma gerstaeckeri
kissing bug, blood-sucking conenose
Triatoma gerstaeckeri is a triatomine bug (subfamily Triatominae) and a documented vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite causing Chagas disease. Adults measure 20–30 mm in length. The species occurs from the southwestern United States (New Mexico, Texas) through northeastern Mexico, occupying dry scrubland habitats with strong associations to woodrat (Neotoma) nests. It exhibits paurometabolous development with five nymphal instars before adulthood. The species is notable for its relatively high T. cruzi infection rates in some populations and its propensity for peridomestic occurrence near human habitation.
Trichocnemis spiculatus neomexicanus
New Mexican ponderous borer
Trichocnemis spiculatus neomexicanus is a subspecies of the ponderous borer, a large prionine longhorn beetle native to western North America. The larvae are among the largest of any North American cerambycid, developing in dead or dying coniferous wood—particularly ponderosa pine. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. This subspecies was described by Casey in 1890 and occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species has gained notoriety as the inspiration for modern chainsaw design, after Joe Cox observed the larva's opposable mandibles in action.
Trichodes oresterus
checkered beetle
Trichodes oresterus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, described by Wolcott in 1910. The species occurs in North America, with confirmed records from the southwestern United States including Oklahoma and New Mexico. Adults have been observed visiting flowers, particularly yellow composites in the genus Thelesperma. Like other members of the genus Trichodes, this species likely exhibits the characteristic life history of laying eggs on flowers, with larvae subsequently attaching to visiting bees or wasps to be transported to host nests where they prey on developing brood.
Trigonorhinus sp-one-nm
Trigonorhinus sp-one-nm is an undescribed or provisionally named species within the genus Trigonorhinus, a group of fungus weevils in the family Anthribidae. Species in this genus are small to medium-sized beetles associated with fungal substrates. The 'sp-one-nm' designation indicates this is a distinct morphospecies recognized from New Mexico, pending formal taxonomic description. Members of Trigonorhinus exhibit characteristic angular or trigonous rostral profiles that distinguish them from related anthribid genera.
Utacapnia logana
Logan Snowfly
Utacapnia logana is a small winter-emerging stonefly in the family Capniidae, commonly known as the Logan Snowfly. It is native to the Rocky Mountain region of the western United States, where it inhabits cold, clean mountain streams. Adults emerge during winter months, a trait characteristic of the Capniidae family. The species was originally described as Capnia logana in 1965 before being transferred to the genus Utacapnia.
Vespula infernalis
cuckoo yellowjacket, American cuckoo yellowjacket
Vespula infernalis is an obligate social parasite (inquiline) that invades and usurps colonies of other yellowjacket species, primarily Vespula acadica in North America. Unlike most parasitic wasps, it exhibits intensely aggressive behavior during colony takeover, using specialized morphological adaptations including a large, heavily curved stinger to subdue host workers. The species lacks a worker caste and cannot build nests or rear its own young, instead forcing host workers to feed and care for its brood through dominance behaviors including mauling and forced trophallaxis.
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cockerella
Ypsolopha cockerella is a moth in the family Ypsolophidae, known from the United States including New Mexico. The species has a wingspan of approximately 19–21 mm. Adults exhibit the characteristic resting posture of Ypsolophid moths, hanging upside down with antennae stretched forward. The species was originally described under the genus Abebaea.
Ypsolopha gerdanella
Ypsolopha gerdanella is a small moth in the family Ypsolophidae, recorded from the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 18 mm. Adults display distinctive golden brown forewings marked with a prominent white longitudinal streak edged in black. The species belongs to a genus whose members are noted for their unusual resting posture—adults hang upside down with antennae extended forward.
Zopherus concolor
concolor ironclad beetle
Zopherus concolor is a species of ironclad beetle in the family Zopheridae, native to North America. The species belongs to a genus of beetles adapted to wood-boring habits, with some Zopherus species historically used as living brooches. Field observations indicate nocturnal activity on dead conifer trunks, particularly Pinus edulis.