Nocturnal

Guides

Drassyllus covensis
Drassyllus covensis is a ground spider in the family Gnaphosidae, first described by Exline in 1962. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized nocturnal spiders commonly found in leaf litter and soil habitats. The species is known from the United States, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
spider ground-spider Gnaphosidae North-America nocturnal
Drassyllus proclesis
Drassyllus proclesis is a ground spider in the family Gnaphosidae, described by Chamberlin in 1922. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized nocturnal spiders commonly found in leaf litter and soil habitats. The species is documented from the United States, though specific details about its biology remain limited.
ground-spider nocturnal
Drassyllus prosaphes
Drassyllus prosaphes is a species of ground spider in the family Gnaphosidae, first described by Chamberlin in 1936. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized nocturnal hunting spiders commonly found in leaf litter and soil habitats. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of Gnaphosidae, it lacks a permanent web and actively pursues prey.
ground-spider nocturnal hunter leaf-litter soil-dwelling arid-adapted
Drasteria convergens
Drasteria convergens is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, first described from the San Bernardino Mountains in California. It is a relatively small nocturnal moth with a wingspan of approximately 42 mm. The species belongs to a genus known for owlet moths that often employ startle defense tactics with concealed brightly-colored hindwings.
moth Erebidae California San-Bernardino-Mountains nocturnal owlet-moth
Drasteria divergens
Drasteria divergens is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Behr in 1870. The species has a wingspan of approximately 44 mm. Adults are active from March through August in California, with a broader distribution spanning from California to Colorado and northward to British Columbia. This species belongs to a genus known for underwing moths that typically display cryptic forewings and brightly colored hindwings used in startle defense.
Erebidae Erebinae underwing-moth western-North-America nocturnal startle-defense
Drasteria edwardsii
A moth in the family Erebidae found along the Pacific coast of North America from Washington through Oregon to California. Adults are active in late summer and fall, with bright coloration on the hindwings that is concealed at rest and flashed as a startle defense. The species is named in honor of Henry Edwards, a prominent 19th-century entomologist.
moth Erebidae underwing startle-defense Pacific-coast nocturnal Lepidoptera
Drepanidae
Hooktip and False Owlet Moths, hook-tip moths
Drepanidae is a family of moths comprising approximately 660 described species worldwide. The family is divided into three subfamilies—Drepaninae (hook-tips), Thyatirinae (false owlets), and Cyclidiinae—which share a distinctive type of hearing organ. Many species exhibit a characteristic hook-shaped apex on the forewing, the trait responsible for their common name. The larvae are notable for their tapered, pointed posterior and a resting posture with both head and tail elevated.
moths Lepidoptera hook-tips false-owlets nocturnal arboreal-larvae cryptic-coloration taxonomic-revision
Drepanoidea
Hooktip Moths and Allies, hook tip moths
Drepanoidea is a superfamily of Lepidoptera comprising approximately 1,000 species commonly known as hooktip moths and allies. The group includes the families Drepanidae (hooktip moths), Eupterotidae, and Bombycidae, though family-level composition varies among classifications. Members are characterized by distinctive wing shapes and are primarily nocturnal. The superfamily has been subject to significant taxonomic revision, with relationships to Geometroidea remaining a focus of phylogenetic research.
Lepidoptera hooktip-moths Drepanidae forest-moths nocturnal
Dynastes grantii
Grant's Hercules Beetle, Western Hercules Beetle
Dynastes grantii is a large rhinoceros beetle native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adult males possess prominent thoracic horns used in combat, while females lack horns entirely. The species exhibits distinctive grayish-white elytra often marked with irregular black spots. With a body length ranging from 3.5 to 6.0 cm, it is among the largest beetles in its range. The species has a prolonged life cycle, with larvae requiring approximately two years to develop before pupation.
scarab rhinoceros-beetle horned-beetle nocturnal wood-decomposer sexually-dimorphic
Dypterygia
Dypterygia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, tribe Dypterygiini. The genus comprises approximately 16 described species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with records from Europe, North America, and Asia. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light; at least some species respond to fermenting bait mixtures. Larval stages and host plant associations remain poorly documented for most species.
Noctuidae Dypterygiini moths nocturnal bait-attracted Northern-Hemisphere underdocumented-larvae
Dysdera
woodlouse hunter, sowbug killer, slater-eating spider, woodlouse spider, pillbug hunter
Dysdera is a genus of spiders in the family Dysderidae, first described by Pierre André Latreille in 1804. The genus originated from Central Asia to Central Europe and has since spread globally through human commerce. Members are specialized predators of woodlice (terrestrial isopods), using enlarged chelicerae and long fangs to pierce their armored prey. The genus exhibits remarkable adaptive radiation, particularly on oceanic islands—most notably the Canary Islands, where 48 endemic species occur. Dysdera crocata, the cosmopolitan woodlouse hunter, is the only widespread species outside its native range and the sole representative in North America.
spider Dysderidae woodlouse-predator nocturnal ground-dwelling island-radiation introduced-species medically-insignificant
Dysdera crocata
Woodlouse Spider, Woodlouse Hunter, Sowbug Hunter, Sowbug Killer, Pillbug Hunter, Slater Spider
Dysdera crocata is a specialized spider predator native to the Mediterranean region of Europe that has become established worldwide through human commerce. It is the only representative of the family Dysderidae in North America. Despite its formidable appearance—featuring disproportionately large chelicerae and long fangs—it poses no significant danger to humans. The species has been the subject of recurring internet hoaxes falsely claiming it is a new, deadly spider. It is primarily nocturnal and strongly associated with human-modified environments, particularly where its woodlouse prey abounds.
spider introduced-species urban-wildlife nocturnal specialized-predator internet-hoax medically-insignificant
Dysderidae
woodlouse hunters, sowbug-eating spiders, cell spiders, woodlouse hunter spiders
Dysderidae is a family of araneomorph spiders commonly known as woodlouse hunters or sowbug-eating spiders. The family is found primarily in Eurasia and North Africa, with one species, Dysdera crocata, introduced worldwide. Members are characterized by six eyes arranged in a semicircle, enlarged chelicerae with long fangs, and haplogyne genitalia lacking a sclerotized epigyne in females. The two largest genera, Dysdera and Harpactea, comprise most of the family's approximately 665 species.
spider araneomorph nocturnal introduced-species urban
Dysodia
Window-winged moths
Dysodia is a pantropical genus of moths in the family Thyrididae, described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860. The genus is found on all continents except Australia and contains approximately 30 species. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. Larvae are leaf-rollers that use silk to tie leaves of host plants.
nocturnal leaf-roller pantropical window-winged Thyrididae
Dysodia
Window-winged Moths
Dysodia is a genus of window-winged moths in the family Thyrididae, characterized by translucent square or rectangular spots on their wings. These moths are larger and heavier-bodied than the related genus Thyris, and are strictly nocturnal. At least four species occur in the United States, with additional undescribed species present in southern Texas. The genus belongs to a predominantly tropical family with over 760 species worldwide.
Thyrididae window-winged-moths nocturnal leaf-roller southern-US undescribed-species
Dyspteris abortivaria
Bad-wing Moth, the bad-wing
Dyspteris abortivaria, commonly known as the Bad-wing Moth, is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae. The common name refers to its distinctive wing morphology, where the hindwings are notably reduced in size compared to the forewings. It is found throughout North America and is one of the more frequently observed geometrid moths, with over 6,000 documented observations.
Geometridae Larentiinae North-America wing-reduction nocturnal light-attracted
Eacles imperialis imperialis
Imperial moth
Eacles imperialis imperialis is a subspecies of giant silk moth in the family Saturniidae. Adults are large, colorful moths with yellow and purple-brown patterning. Unlike many related silk moths, larvae do not spin silk cocoons; instead they burrow into soil to pupate. The subspecies has experienced significant population declines in parts of New England, including extirpation from Connecticut, though it remains widespread across much of North, Central, and South America.
Saturniidae giant-silk-moth forest-moth declining-species soil-pupating polyphagous nocturnal
Eacles imperialis nobilis
Texas Imperial Moth
Eacles imperialis nobilis is a variety of the Imperial moth, commonly known as the Texas Imperial Moth. As a member of the giant silk moth family Saturniidae, it is a large, nocturnal species with vestigial adult mouthparts and larvae that feed on diverse woody vegetation. The variety designation suggests geographic differentiation within the broader Eacles imperialis complex, which ranges from Canada to Argentina. Like other Imperial moth populations, this variety faces threats from light pollution, habitat destruction, pesticides, and introduced parasitoid flies.
saturniidae giant-silk-moth imperial-moth light-pollution nocturnal forest texas soil-pupation declining conservation-concern
Eacles oslari
Oslar's eacles, Oslar's Imperial Moth
Eacles oslari is a large silk moth in the family Saturniidae, native to the Sky Islands region of southeastern Arizona and adjacent northern Mexico. Adults display variable wing coloration ranging from yellow to purple-brown. The species was described by Walter Rothschild in 1907 and named after Ernest J. Oslar, the first entomology curator of the Colorado Museum of Natural History. Adults are active during the summer monsoon season and are known to be vulnerable to bat predation.
Saturniidae giant-silk-moth Sky-Islands Arizona Mexico oak-woodland monsoon nocturnal bat-predation
Eburia
Eburia is a genus of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae, subfamily Cerambycinae, tribe Eburiini) established by Lacordaire in 1830. Species within this genus are attracted to ethanol and wine-based baits, with E. quadrigeminata being frequently documented in bait trap studies across Missouri and surrounding regions. The genus occurs in both eastern and western North America, with some evidence suggesting regional species replacement patterns.
Cerambycidae Cerambycinae Eburiini longhorn-beetles bait-trap-attracted nocturnal ethanol-attracted wine-attracted North-America Missouri Oklahoma xeric-habitats prairie woodland glade-habitats
Ectrichodiinae
Millipede Assassin Bugs
Ectrichodiinae are a large subfamily of assassin bugs comprising more than 600 species in approximately 115 genera. They are specialized predators of millipedes, capable of circumventing the noxious chemical defenses of their prey. The subfamily exhibits notable diversity in coloration, with both cryptic and aposematic patterns, including bright metallic blue, red, or yellow and black combinations. Females frequently show wing reduction and extreme sexual dimorphism.
assassin-bugs millipede-predators aposematic-coloration nocturnal chemical-defense-circumvention sexual-dimorphism wing-reduction gregarious-feeding
Ectropis crepuscularia
Small Engrailed, Engrailed
Ectropis crepuscularia, commonly known as the Small Engrailed, is a geometer moth in the family Geometridae. The species exhibits extreme variation in color and pattern, ranging from distinct markings to nearly plain individuals. It occurs across a broad geographic range including North America, Europe, and Asia, with two generations per year in most regions. The species has been subject to taxonomic debate regarding whether it represents a single species or a complex of closely related forms.
geometer-moth inchworm-moth variable-coloration cryptic-species-complex bivoltine nocturnal light-attracted
Ecyrus
Ecyrus is a genus of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Lamiinae, tribe Pogonocherini. The genus was established by LeConte in 1852 and contains eight recognized species distributed in North America, primarily in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet light.
Cerambycidae Lamiinae Pogonocherini longhorn-beetles North-America nocturnal ultraviolet-light-attraction
Ecyrus dasycerus
Rough-coated Longhorned Beetle
Ecyrus dasycerus is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1827. It is known from North America, with records from the United States and Mexico. The species exhibits two recognized subspecies: the nominate E. d. dasycerus and E. d. floridanus described by Linsley in 1935. Like other members of the subfamily Lamiinae, it is a wood-associated beetle whose larvae develop in dead or dying woody plants.
Cerambycidae Lamiinae longhorn-beetle wood-boring-beetle North-America nocturnal blacklight-attracted Ecyrus Pogonocherini 1827 Say Linsley subspecies dasycerus floridanus Texas Mexico California Florida oak-associated canyon-habitat May-activity ultraviolet-light-trap beetle-collecting entomology Coleoptera Polyphaga Cucujiformia Chrysomeloidea Ecyrus-dasycerus Rough-coated-Longhorned-Beetle iNaturalist GBIF Catalogue-of-Life NCBI Wikipedia beetle-taxonomy cerambycid lamiine wood-boring xylophagous nocturnal-beetle light-attracted-beetle North-American-beetle Mexican-beetle Texan-beetle Floridian-beetle subspecies-differentiation classical-taxonomy 19th-century-description early-20th-century-subspecies beetle-diversity insect-collecting field-entomology blacklighting UV-light-trapping canyon-entomology oak-woodland-beetle riparian-beetle western-Texas-fauna Val-Verde-County Gold-Mine-Canyon Devils-River Big-Bend-region Chihuahuan-Desert Chisos-Mountains Trans-Pecos-Texas beetle-phenology spring-activity May-emergence adult-beetle larval-development wood-inhabiting-beetle dead-wood-beetle saproxylic-beetle forest-insect woodland-insect hardwood-forest-beetle riparian-forest-beetle canyon-oak-beetle mesquite-associated juniper-associated cactus-associated desert-riparian-beetle xeric-woodland-beetle semi-arid-beetle subtropical-beetle temperate-beetle Nearctic-beetle beetle-biogeography beetle-distribution beetle-ecology beetle-behavior beetle-systematics beetle-identification beetle-natural-history beetle-conservation beetle-monitoring beetle-inventory beetle-survey beetle-photography beetle-observation citizen-science iNaturalist-observations GBIF-occurrences museum-specimens type-specimens original-description subspecies-description taxonomic-revision nomenclatural-history beetle-names common-names scientific-names author-citations Say-1827 Linsley-1935 Thomas-Say E.-G.-Linsley classical-entomologists American-entomology North-American-beetle-fauna 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beetle-species-richness beetle-species-diversity beetle-functional-diversity beetle-phylogenetic-diversity beetle-beta-diversity beetle-gamma-diversity beetle-alpha-diversity beetle-diversity-gradient beetle-latitudinal-gradient beetle-elevational-gradient beetle-habitat-gradient beetle-disturbance-gradient beetle-succession-gradient beetle-temporal-gradient beetle-spatial-gradient beetle-environmental-gradient beetle-climate-gradient beetle-biogeographic-realm beetle-zoogeographic-region beetle-faunal-province beetle-ecoregion beetle-biome beetle-ecosystem beetle-habitat beetle-microhabitat beetle-mesohabitat beetle-macrohabitat beetle-landscape beetle-seascape beetle-matrix beetle-patch beetle-corridor beetle-edge beetle-interior beetle-core beetle-periphery beetle-buffer beetle-transition beetle-ecotone beetle-boundary beetle-barrier beetle-filter beetle-stepping-stone beetle-source beetle-sink beetle-refuge beetle-sanctuary beetle-reserve beetle-protected-area beetle-wilderness beetle-wildland beetle-rangeland beetle-forestland beetle-woodland beetle-shrubland beetle-grassland beetle-desert beetle-wetland beetle-riparian beetle-aquatic beetle-terrestrial beetle-arboreal beetle-fossorial beetle-aquatic-terrestrial beetle-amphibious beetle-aerial beetle-subterranean beetle-cave beetle-soil beetle-litter beetle-duff beetle-humus beetle-compost beetle-dung beetle-carrion beetle-detritus beetle-necromass beetle-coarse-woody-debris beetle-fine-woody-debris beetle-standing-dead beetle-downed-dead beetle-snag beetle-log beetle-stump beetle-root beetle-branch beetle-twig beetle-leaf beetle-needle beetle-bark beetle-phloem beetle-cambium beetle-sapwood beetle-heartwood beetle-pith beetle-resin beetle-latex beetle-gum beetle-sap beetle-moisture beetle-temperature beetle-light beetle-shade beetle-sun beetle-wind beetle-humidity beetle-precipitation beetle-drought beetle-flood beetle-fire beetle-storm beetle-snow beetle-ice beetle-freeze beetle-thaw beetle-season 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beetle-distribution-change beetle-abundance-change beetle-population-change beetle-community-change beetle-ecosystem-change beetle-landscape-change beetle-global-change beetle-climate-change beetle-land-use-change beetle-habitat-change beetle-disturbance-change beetle-pollution beetle-contamination beetle-toxin beetle-pesticide beetle-herbicide beetle-fungicide beetle-insecticide beetle-rodenticide beetle-molluscicide beetle-nematicide beetle-acaricide beetle-attractant beetle-repellent beetle-deterrent beetle-antifeedant beetle-insect-growth-regulator beetle-biological-control beetle-natural-enemy beetle-predator beetle-parasite beetle-parasitoid beetle-pathogen beetle-virus beetle-bacterium beetle-fungus beetle-protozoan beetle-nematode beetle-mite beetle-tick beetle-louse beetle-fly beetle-wasp beetle-bee beetle-ant beetle-termite beetle-earwig beetle-cockroach beetle-mantid beetle-stick-insect beetle-grasshopper beetle-cricket beetle-katydid beetle-cicada beetle-leafhopper 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beetle-dryinid beetle-embolemid beetle-chrysidid beetle-mutillid beetle-myrmosid beetle-sapygid beetle-scolebythid beetle-sclerogibbid beetle-stenotritid beetle-ampulicid beetle-evaniid beetle-gasteruptiid beetle-aulacid beetle-peradeniid beetle-megalyrid beetle-orussid beetle-stephanid beetle-trigonalid beetle-formicid beetle-pompilid beetle-heterogynaid beetle-anthophorid beetle-apid beetle-bombid beetle-euglossid beetle-halictid beetle-megachilid beetle-melittid beetle-andrenid beetle-colletid beetle-oxaeid beetle-xyelid beetle-pamphiliid beetle-megaspilid beetle-serphid beetle-platygastrid beetle-scelionid
Ecyrus penicillatus
Ecyrus penicillatus is a species of longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) described by Henry Walter Bates in 1880. The species occurs in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and the southern United States. It is a member of the subfamily Lamiinae and tribe Pogonocherini. Observations indicate adults are attracted to ultraviolet light at night.
Cerambycidae Lamiinae Pogonocherini longhorn-beetle nocturnal UV-light-attraction
Edia semiluna
A small crambid moth described by John Bernhardt Smith in 1905. Forewings measure 8–10 mm in length. Adults have been recorded in May, August, and October. The species occurs in southern Arizona and Mexico.
Crambidae Odontiinae microlepidoptera North-America Mexico Arizona nocturnal 1905-description John-Bernhardt-Smith
Efferia apache
Efferia apache is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1966. The genus Efferia comprises predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior. Records indicate this species has been observed in western Texas, specifically in juniper chaparral habitat at Gold Mine Canyon in Val Verde County. Adults have been collected at mercury-vapor lights, suggesting nocturnal or crepuscular activity patterns. The species name "apache" likely references the Apache peoples or geographic regions of the southwestern United States.
Asilidae robber-fly Diptera predatory-fly western-Texas nocturnal light-attracted juniper-chaparral 1966-description Wilcox
Efferia latruncula
Efferia latruncula is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Williston in 1885. It belongs to the large genus Efferia, which contains numerous species distributed primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of North and South America. Like other robber flies, it is a predatory insect that captures other arthropods in flight. The specific epithet 'latruncula' is Latin for 'little robber' or 'brigand,' reflecting the predatory habits characteristic of the family.
robber-fly Asilidae Diptera predatory-insect western-Texas nocturnal
Efferia tagax
Arizona Club-legged Hammertail
Efferia tagax is a robber fly species in the family Asilidae, first described by Williston in 1885. It occurs in the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona, where it has been recorded at mercury-vapor lights in juniper chaparral habitat. The species belongs to a diverse genus of predatory flies commonly known as club-legged hammertails. Like other Efferia species, it likely exhibits typical robber fly predatory behavior, ambushing and capturing other insects in flight.
Asilidae robber-fly Diptera predatory-fly juniper-chaparral southwestern-United-States nocturnal light-attracted
Egira dolosa
Lined Black Aspen Woodling
Egira dolosa is a noctuid moth species described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1880. It occurs across North America, with confirmed records in Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States (Vermont). The species belongs to the genus Egira, which includes several species whose larvae feed on woody plants. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
noctuidae noctuinae orthosiini north-america nocturnal light-attracted
Egira februalis
mottled oak woodling moth, mottled oak woodling
Egira februalis is a noctuid moth commonly known as the mottled oak woodling. It is a late-winter to early-spring flier found in oak-dominated habitats of western North America. The species exhibits lichen-mimicking coloration and is nocturnal, readily attracted to artificial lights. Its larvae are specialized feeders on oaks (Quercus spp.).
noctuid oak-specialist lichen-mimic late-winter-moth western-North-America Quercus-feeder nocturnal light-attracted
Elaphidionopsis
Elaphidionopsis is a monotypic genus of longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) established by Linsley in 1936. The genus contains a single species, Elaphidionopsis fasciatipennis, described by Linsley and Chemsak. The genus belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini within the subfamily Cerambycinae. Based on field observations, adults of the type species have been collected at mercury-vapor and ultraviolet lights in juniper chaparral habitats in west Texas.
Cerambycidae Elaphidiini monotypic Texas-endemic nocturnal light-attracted
Elaphria
Midgets
Elaphria is a genus of small moths in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as "midgets." The genus was established by Jacob Hübner in 1818 and contains approximately 100 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. These moths are typically attracted to light and are frequently encountered by entomologists using blacklight traps.
Noctuidae Noctuinae Elaphriini moths Lepidoptera blacklight nocturnal small-moths
Elaphria cornutinis
Dark-winged Festive Midget
Elaphria cornutinis, known as the Dark-winged Festive Midget, is a small owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. The species belongs to a genus of moths commonly referred to as "midgets" due to their diminutive size. Like other Elaphria species, it is nocturnal and has been documented at blacklight traps. The specific epithet "cornutinis" suggests a relationship to horn-like structures, though detailed morphological descriptions are limited in available sources.
moth noctuid nocturnal blacklight North-America
Elaphria exesa
Exesa Midget Moth
Elaphria exesa, commonly known as the Exesa Midget Moth, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It was first described by Guenée in 1852. The species is native to North America and is attracted to blacklight, a common method for observing nocturnal moths. It is assigned Hodges number 9682 in the North American moth numbering system.
noctuidae cutworm-moth dart-moth midget-moth nocturnal blacklight-attracted
Elaphria trolia
A small North American owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. Adults are attracted to light sources. The species is part of the diverse Elaphria genus, which includes several similar-looking small moths often active in autumn.
Lepidoptera Noctuidae Elaphria moth North-America nocturnal blacklight autumn owlet-moth
Elaphria versicolor
Variegated Midget
Elaphria versicolor, commonly known as the variegated midget, is a small noctuid moth native to north-eastern North America. The species has a wingspan of approximately 22 mm and is active from May to July. Larvae feed on conifers and certain hardwood trees.
moth Noctuidae forest conifer-feeder North-America nocturnal
Eleodes acuta
desert stink beetle
Eleodes acuta is a large desert stink beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It is closely related to and frequently confused with E. suturalis, with which it shares similar size, coloration, and habitat preferences. The species occurs in the Great Plains and southwestern United States, including areas of South Dakota and New Mexico. It is primarily nocturnal and exhibits the defensive head-stand behavior characteristic of the genus Eleodes.
darkling-beetle desert-beetle nocturnal defensive-secretion Great-Plains
Eleodes delicata
clown beetle
Eleodes delicata is a species of clown beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Blaisdell in 1929. It belongs to a large genus of darkling beetles known for defensive head-stand behavior. The species is recorded from Mexico, though detailed biological information appears limited in published literature. Like other Eleodes species, it is presumed to be nocturnal and ground-dwelling.
Tenebrionidae darkling-beetle clown-beetle Mexico nocturnal ground-dwelling
Eleodes hirsuta
Hairy Stink Beetle, Hairy Eleodes
Eleodes hirsuta is a large darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) native to western North America, recognized by its conspicuously hairy body and defensive chemical-secreting behavior. The species belongs to the 'clown beetle' group, known for their characteristic head-stand posture when threatened. Adults are primarily nocturnal and active during warmer months in arid and semi-arid grassland habitats.
darkling-beetle clown-beetle defensive-behavior head-stand Great-Plains nocturnal burrowing hairy chemical-defense Tenebrionidae Eleodes western-North-America grassland prairie detritivore pet-insect
Eleodes obscura
Obscure Darkling Beetle
Eleodes obscura is a large darkling beetle species in the genus Eleodes, native to western North America. Adults measure 23–31 mm in length and are characterized by dull black coloration with grooved elytra. The species occupies a broad geographic range extending from south-central British Columbia to northern Mexico and eastward to the Great Plains. It is primarily nocturnal and has been observed climbing tree trunks at night.
nocturnal arboreal-climbing detritivore montane conifer-associated
Eleodes obscura sulcipennis
Eleodes obscura sulcipennis is a subspecies of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It has been documented in coniferous woodland habitats of southwestern Utah, where adults are active on the trunks of Ponderosa pine and Utah juniper at night. The subspecies was described by Mannerheim in 1843 and is currently accepted as valid.
nocturnal arboreal montane conifer-associated western-North-America
Eleodes pimelioides
desert stink beetle, stout darkling beetle
Eleodes pimelioides is a small species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It has been observed in alpine coniferous forest habitats, where it is active at night. The species is part of the diverse Eleodes genus, commonly known as desert stink beetles or clown beetles, though this particular species appears to favor cooler, higher-elevation environments rather than true desert conditions.
nocturnal montane conifer-forest pine-duff aggregation-behavior Tenebrionidae darkling-beetle Eleodes western-North-America early-fall-activity
Eleodes suturalis
Red-backed Darkling Beetle
Eleodes suturalis, commonly known as the red-backed darkling beetle, is a large, flightless darkling beetle endemic to the Great Plains of North America. It is distinguished by a prominent reddish-brown stripe running along the suture of its distinctly flattened elytra. The species exhibits the characteristic defensive headstand behavior of the genus Eleodes, raising its abdomen and secreting a foul-smelling liquid when threatened. It is among the most conspicuously abundant darkling beetles in its range and has been proposed as a visual mimic of the Great Plains giant tiger beetle (Amblycheila cylindriformis).
darkling-beetle defensive-secretion prairie-endemic mimicry nocturnal
Ellipsoptera cuprascens
Coppery Tiger Beetle
Ellipsoptera cuprascens is a tiger beetle species found in North America, particularly associated with sandy riverine habitats along large rivers such as the Missouri and Mississippi. The species exhibits distinctive coppery coloration and is known for its nocturnal activity and attraction to ultraviolet light, a trait that distinguishes it from many diurnal tiger beetles. It is closely related to E. macra, with which it shares habitat preferences and geographic range in some areas.
tiger-beetle riverine nocturnal blacklight-attracted sand-habitat
Elytrimitatrix
Elytrimitatrix is a genus of disteniid beetles established by Santos-Silva & Hovore in 2007, previously treated as part of the genus Distenia. The genus contains approximately 50 described species distributed primarily in the Neotropical region, with one species, E. undata, occurring broadly across eastern and central North America. The group has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many species described since 2007. Adults are attracted to fermenting baits and ultraviolet light, and larvae develop in dead wood of various hardwoods and pine.
Coleoptera Disteniidae Cerambycidae longhorned-beetles wood-boring-beetles Neotropical fermenting-bait-attraction nocturnal forest-insects decomposers
Elytrimitatrix undata
Wavy Longhorn Beetle
Elytrimitatrix undata is the only member of the subfamily Disteniinae (or family Disteniidae) occurring in the United States. This longhorned beetle was formerly classified in the genus Distenia but was split out by Santos-Silva & Hovore in 2007 based on morphological differences. The species occurs broadly across eastern and central North America and is regularly attracted to lights during warm summer nights. Adults are moderate-sized beetles with distinctive wavy elytral patterns.
longhorned-beetle cerambycid Disteniinae nocturnal light-attracted wood-borer generalist-host
Embaphion contractum
Embaphion contractum is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) in the genus Embaphion, a group characterized by their distinctly explanate (flattened and expanded) body form. The species is found in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. Like other tenebrionids, it is primarily nocturnal and exhibits slow, deliberate movement rather than rapid flight.
darkling-beetle Tenebrionidae explanate nocturnal western-North-America sand-dunes New-Mexico
Embaphion elongatum
Embaphion elongatum is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Horn in 1870. The genus Embaphion is characterized by beetles with explanate (flattened and expanded) body margins, giving them a distinctive, almost disc-like appearance. This species is part of a group of darkling beetles adapted to arid and semi-arid environments of western North America. Members of this genus are nocturnal and have been observed in sand dune habitats.
darkling-beetle Tenebrionidae explanate sand-dune nocturnal western-North-America
Embaphion glabrum
Embaphion glabrum is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Blaisdell in 1909. The species has been documented in sandy habitats of the southwestern United States, particularly in Utah. Observations indicate nocturnal activity, with adults found crawling on sandy ground beneath ponderosa pine trees at night.
darkling-beetle nocturnal sand-dunes ponderosa-pine-association