Nocturnal
Guides
Digrammia rippertaria
northern granite
Digrammia rippertaria, commonly known as the northern granite, is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Duponchel in 1830 under the basionym Phasiane rippertaria. It is distributed across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America, with confirmed records from Canadian provinces including Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. The species belongs to the genus Digrammia, which includes other granite moths.
Digrammia setonana
Digrammia setonana is a species of geometrid moth described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1927. It belongs to the family Geometridae, a large group commonly known as inchworm or geometer moths. The species is native to North America and is part of the diverse genus Digrammia, which includes numerous species with cryptic, stone-mimicking wing patterns. Like other members of its genus, it is likely nocturnal and attracted to ultraviolet light sources.
Digrammia subminiata
Vermilion Granite Moth, vermillion granite, dark-waved angle
A small geometrid moth of western North America, first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1873. Adults are active in late spring and summer. The species is associated with willow hosts.
Digrammia triviata
Digrammia triviata is a species of geometrid moth first described in 1917 by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough. It belongs to the family Geometridae, commonly known as inchworm or geometer moths. The species is distributed across North America. As with other members of the genus Digrammia, it is a nocturnal species attracted to ultraviolet light sources.
Digrammia yavapai
New Mexico Locust Angle
Digrammia yavapai is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Grossbeck in 1907. It is known from North America and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 6393. The species is part of a diverse genus of moths commonly known as "granite moths" or "angle moths" due to their characteristic wing patterns.
Dioryctria auranticella
ponderosa pineconeworm moth
Dioryctria auranticella is a small pyralid moth whose larvae develop inside the cones of ponderosa pine and knobcone pine. Adults are active in mid-summer and are attracted to lights. The species is restricted to western North America, where it functions as a cone pest with potential impact on pine seed production.
Dioryctria subtracta
Dioryctria subtracta is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Carl Heinrich in 1956. It is known only from New Mexico in the southwestern United States. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are commonly called coneworm moths due to their habit of feeding within conifer cones. Adult moths are attracted to lights at night.
Dioryctria taedivorella
Lesser Loblolly Pine Coneworm Moth, Lesser Loblolly Pineconeworm Moth
Dioryctria taedivorella is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described in 1989 from specimens in the southeastern United States. The species is a specialist feeder on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), with larvae developing within pine cones. It represents one of approximately 40 North American species in the genus Dioryctria, most of which are conifer cone or shoot feeders.
Diplocentrus
Toothed Scorpions
Diplocentrus is a genus of scorpions in the family Diplocentridae, commonly known as toothed scorpions. The genus contains more than 60 described species distributed primarily in Central America, Mexico, and the southwestern United States. Species in this genus are characterized by their elongated pedipalps and distinctive tooth-like structures on the chelicerae. The genus includes both mainland and island-dwelling species, with documented occurrences in the Chisos Mountains of Texas and Islas de la Bahía in Honduras.
Diploschizia impigritella
yellow nutsedge moth, five-barred glyphipterid moth
A minute sedge moth with a wingspan of 7–9 mm, described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1862. Adults are active from early May to early November across much of North America. The larvae are stem borers in yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus), making this species a potential biocontrol agent against this agricultural weed.
Diplotaxis abnormis
Diplotaxis abnormis is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species was described by Fall in 1909 and belongs to the tribe Diplotaxini. It is distributed in the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico) and northern Mexico (Chihuahua, Sonora). Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is likely a nocturnal species that congregates on vegetation to detect pheromone trails for mate location.
Diplotaxis beyeri
Diplotaxis beyeri is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, and tribe Diplotaxini. The species was described by Schaeffer in 1907. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northeastern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, adults are typically nocturnal and may be found on low vegetation.
Diplotaxis bidentata
Diplotaxis bidentata is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is found in North America. The species is a small chafer that has been observed congregating on low vegetation, apparently to detect pheromone trails in search of mates.
Diplotaxis blanchardi
Diplotaxis blanchardi is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Vaurie in 1956. The species is known from scattered records across the central and eastern United States. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, adults are nocturnal and frequently attracted to lights. The species has been documented in sand dune habitats and grassland environments.
Diplotaxis brachyptera
A small scarab beetle in the genus Diplotaxis, family Scarabaeidae, described by Patricia Vaurie in 1960. The species name 'brachyptera' (short-winged) suggests reduced flight capability. Records indicate presence in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other Diplotaxis species, adults are likely nocturnal and may aggregate on vegetation.
Diplotaxis brevicollis
short-necked scarab
Diplotaxis brevicollis is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species is distributed across western North America from Canada through the Rocky Mountains to Mexico. Adults are known to aggregate on low vegetation, apparently to detect pheromone trails for mate location. The specific epithet 'brevicollis' refers to the short-necked appearance of this beetle.
Diplotaxis brevisetosa
Diplotaxis brevisetosa is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, tribe Diplotaxini, described by Linell in 1897. It is a small chafer beetle occurring in the Nearctic region, specifically known from Texas. Like other members of its genus, it is attracted to lights at night and has been observed congregating on low vegetation. The specific epithet 'brevisetosa' refers to short setae (bristles), a distinctive morphological feature of this species.
Diplotaxis connata
Diplotaxis connata is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Schaeffer in 1905. It belongs to the tribe Diplotaxini within the subfamily Melolonthinae. The species is known from North America, with records from Arizona. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, adults are typically attracted to lights at night and may be found on low vegetation.
Diplotaxis cribulosa
Diplotaxis cribulosa is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1856. The species is classified in the subfamily Melolonthinae and tribe Diplotaxini. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate D. c. cribulosa and D. c. sinaloa described by Vaurie in 1958. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, this species is attracted to lights at night, where males have been observed congregating on low vegetation to detect pheromone trails of females.
Diplotaxis curvaticeps
Diplotaxis curvaticeps is a species of scarab beetle described by Fall in 1909. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae, a group commonly known as May or June beetles and chafers. The species is distributed across parts of Central America and North America, with documented occurrences in the southwestern United States (Texas) and several Mexican states including Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, and Tamaulipas. As a member of the genus Diplotaxis, it is part of a group of small scarab beetles often associated with sandy habitats and nocturnal activity patterns.
Diplotaxis fimbriata
May beetle, junebug
Diplotaxis fimbriata is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly referred to as a May beetle or junebug. The species was described by Fall in 1909 and occurs in the western Nearctic region. It is found in California (USA) and Baja California (Mexico), representing a relatively restricted geographic range within the genus Diplotaxis. Like other members of the tribe Diplotaxini, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Diplotaxis fissilabris
A small scarab beetle in the genus Diplotaxis, first described by Fall in 1909. Members of this genus are commonly known as chafers and are typically nocturnal, attracted to lights. The specific epithet "fissilabris" refers to a cleft or split lip, likely describing a distinctive labral feature. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Diplotaxis frondicola
May beetle, junebug
Diplotaxis frondicola is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, commonly known as a May beetle or junebug. It belongs to a large genus of small chafers distributed across North America. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1825. Like other Diplotaxis species, adults are typically attracted to lights at night and are often observed on vegetation.
Diplotaxis harperi
Diplotaxis harperi is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Blanchard in 1851. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species is distributed across North America, with records from numerous U.S. states spanning from the Atlantic coast to the Great Plains and Southwest. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is likely nocturnally active and associated with vegetation.
Diplotaxis haydenii
Diplotaxis haydenii is a small scarab beetle (family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae) in the tribe Diplotaxini. The genus Diplotaxis comprises small chafers, and D. haydenii is one of approximately 200 species in this primarily New World genus. It is known from western North America, with records from the Rocky Mountain region and adjacent areas. Like other Diplotaxis species, adults are attracted to lights at night and have been observed congregating on low vegetation.
Diplotaxis knausii
Diplotaxis knausii is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Schaeffer in 1907. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae (chafers) and tribe Diplotaxini. The species is known from arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is likely nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Diplotaxis lengii
Diplotaxis lengii is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The genus Diplotaxis contains numerous small chafers, many of which are attracted to lights at night. This species was described by Fall in 1909 and is known from the southern United States, particularly Louisiana and Texas. Members of this genus are often observed congregating on low vegetation, apparently to intercept pheromone trails in search of mates.
Diplotaxis liberta
Diplotaxis liberta is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species occurs across eastern North America from Canada to the southeastern United States, with additional records from the Caribbean. Adults are nocturnal and have been observed aggregating on low vegetation, apparently to detect pheromone trails while searching for mates. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, this species is difficult to identify without examination of male genitalia.
Diplotaxis mentalis
Diplotaxis mentalis is a small scarab beetle species described by Henry C. Fall in 1909. It belongs to the chafer subfamily Melolonthinae and tribe Diplotaxini. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, adults are nocturnally active and frequently attracted to lights.
Diplotaxis mimosae
Diplotaxis mimosae is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, and tribe Diplotaxini. The species was described by Fall in 1909. It is known from the southwestern United States (Arizona) and northwestern Mexico (Sonora). Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is likely attracted to pheromones and may be found on low vegetation.
Diplotaxis moerens
Diplotaxis moerens is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by LeConte in 1856. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: D. m. moerens and D. m. peninsularis. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, adults are small chafers that are frequently attracted to lights at night.
Diplotaxis muricata
Diplotaxis muricata is a small scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The genus Diplotaxis comprises chafers—small to medium-sized scarabs often attracted to lights at night. The species was described by Schaeffer in 1907 and is known from the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Like other Diplotaxis species, adults are likely nocturnal and may be found on low vegetation.
Diplotaxis obscura
Diplotaxis obscura is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is distributed across western and central North America, with records from the United States and Canada. The species belongs to the genus Diplotaxis, a group of small chafers often attracted to lights at night. Limited specific ecological information is available for this species.
Diplotaxis pubipes
Hairy-footed Diplotaxis
Diplotaxis pubipes is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species was described by Schaeffer in 1907 and is known from the southern United States (Texas) and Mexico (San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Veracruz). Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is attracted to lights at night and has been observed congregating on low vegetation, presumably to detect pheromone trails of potential mates.
Diplotaxis pumila
Diplotaxis pumila is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Fall in 1909. It belongs to the genus Diplotaxis, a group of chafers known for their nocturnal aggregation behavior on vegetation where males intercept female pheromone trails. The species is documented from the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona. Like other members of its genus, it is likely attracted to lights at night and may be active during summer months following rainfall events.
Diplotaxis rudis
Diplotaxis rudis is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by LeConte in 1859. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae and tribe Diplotaxini. The species is found in North America, with records from Kansas, North Dakota, and Texas. Very little specific information about its biology or ecology has been documented in the available literature.
Diplotaxis saylori
Diplotaxis saylori is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, first described by Cazier in 1940. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is a chafer beetle with adults that are attracted to lights at night. The species is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona. Little detailed biological information has been published for this particular species.
Diplotaxis sordida
Diplotaxis sordida is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1825. It is a small chafer beetle found across eastern and central North America, from Canada through the eastern United States. The species is part of the diverse genus Diplotaxis, which includes numerous similar small scarab species that are often attracted to lights at night. Like other members of its genus, D. sordida is likely nocturnally active and associated with herbaceous vegetation.
Diplotaxis subangulata
Diplotaxis subangulata is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, described by LeConte in 1856. The genus Diplotaxis comprises small chafers, and this species occurs across western North America from British Columbia to Baja California, with records throughout the southwestern United States. Adults have been observed congregating on low vegetation, apparently to intercept pheromone trails in search of mates. The species is attracted to lights at night.
Diplotaxis subcostata
Diplotaxis subcostata is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species was described by Blanchard in 1851 and is distributed across the eastern and southern United States. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is attracted to lights at night and has been observed congregating on low vegetation, possibly in association with pheromone trails.
Diplotaxis truncatula
Diplotaxis truncatula is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species was described by LeConte in 1856 and is distributed across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It belongs to a genus of chafers commonly attracted to lights at night.
Disteniinae
disteniid longhorn beetles
Disteniinae is a subfamily of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) comprising approximately 400 described species, primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. Adults are characterized by their elongated, slender bodies, long filiform antennae that often exceed body length, and frequently metallic coloration. The group has undergone significant taxonomic revision, having been treated historically as a tribe within Lepturinae or Cerambycinae, as a separate subfamily, and even as a distinct family (Disteniidae) before current consensus places it as a subfamily within Cerambycidae. The North American fauna is depauperate, with Elytrimitatrix undata being the sole representative in the United States.
Dolba hyloeus
Pawpaw Sphinx
Dolba hyloeus, the pawpaw sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It is the only species in the genus Dolba. The species is found throughout the eastern United States, where it has been documented from Maine to Florida and west to Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Texas. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. The common name reflects the larval association with pawpaw trees (Asimina species).
Dolomedes scriptus
striped fishing spider
Dolomedes scriptus, the striped fishing spider, is a large semi-aquatic hunting spider native to North America. Females can exceed 6 cm in legspan. The species is distinguished by pale brown coloration with lighter stripes on the legs and a longitudinal stripe along each side of the body. It is closely related to D. tenebrosus and shares the genus's characteristic ability to hunt on and near water surfaces.
Donacaula n-sp-three
Donacaula n-sp-three is an undescribed species within the Crambidae family, currently recognized only by a provisional designation. Species in this genus are associated with wetland and marsh habitats, where larvae develop on emergent aquatic plants. Adults are generally nocturnal and attracted to light. The specific identity and distribution of this nominal species remain unresolved pending formal taxonomic description.
Doru aculeatum
spine-tailed earwig
Doru aculeatum, commonly known as the spine-tailed earwig, is a native North American species in the family Forficulidae. It is the only native earwig species in the northern United States, ranging into southern Canada. The species is notable for the male's distinctive short thornlike spine between the cerci, a feature absent in other regional earwigs. It occurs in wooded and grassy habitats and is frequently attracted to outdoor lights at night.
Drapetisca
sheetweb weavers
Drapetisca is a genus of dwarf sheetweb spiders in the family Linyphiidae, first described by Anton Menge in 1866. Members are exceptionally small, with females measuring 4–5 mm and males 3–4 mm in body length. These spiders are highly specialized tree trunk dwellers that construct minimal, nearly invisible sheet webs. The genus currently comprises approximately 7 species distributed across the Holarctic region, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Japan.
Drapetisca alteranda
Northern Long-toothed Sheetweaver
Drapetisca alteranda is a small sheetweb weaver spider in the family Linyphiidae, notable for its highly specialized microhabitat on tree trunks. Females measure only 4-4.5 mm in body length. The species is nocturnal and exceptionally well-camouflaged, sitting motionless on extremely thin sheet webs that are nearly invisible against bark. It is atypical among linyphiids in its hunting posture and web structure, resembling ambush-hunting spiders rather than typical sheetweb weavers.
Drassodes
Stone Spiders
Drassodes is a genus of ground spiders in the family Gnaphosidae, commonly known as stone spiders. They are medium-sized spiders typically found in dry habitats beneath rocks or bark. The genus contains approximately 162 species and is widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere.
Drassodes auriculoides
Drassodes auriculoides is a ground spider species in the family Gnaphosidae, described by Barrows in 1919. It is known from the United States and belongs to a genus of nocturnal, ground-dwelling hunters that do not build webs to capture prey. The species epithet 'auriculoides' refers to ear-like structures, likely describing a morphological feature of the copulatory organs. As with many Drassodes species, detailed natural history information remains limited.