Nocturnal
Guides
Agrochola pulchella
cutworm moth, dart moth
Agrochola pulchella is a noctuid moth species described by Smith in 1900. It belongs to the cutworm or dart moth group within the family Noctuidae, one of the largest families of Lepidoptera. The species is recorded from North America and has been assigned Hodges number 9955 in the North American moth numbering system. Like other members of the genus Agrochola, it is a nocturnal species attracted to light.
Agroeca
Agroeca is a genus of liocranid sac spiders first described by Niklas Westring in 1861. The genus contains 35 recognized species distributed across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Species in this genus are ground-dwelling hunters with nocturnal activity patterns. The genus shows a notably broad geographic distribution, with multiple species endemic to East Asia.
Agrotis
cutworms
Agrotis is a large genus of noctuid moths containing numerous cutworm species, many of which are significant agricultural pests. The genus was established by Ferdinand Ochsenheimer in 1816. Several species have been documented as extinct. Larvae are known as cutworms due to their habit of severing plant stems at or near the soil surface. The bogong moth (Agrotis infusa) was historically important as a seasonal food source for Indigenous Australians.
Agrotis gladiaria
Swordsman Dart, Claybacked Cutworm
Agrotis gladiaria is a noctuid moth commonly known as the Swordsman Dart or Claybacked Cutworm. The species is distributed across eastern North America, from southeastern Canada through the eastern United States. Adults are active in autumn, with larvae feeding on a broad range of agricultural and wild plants. The larval stage functions as a cutworm, severing plant stems at or near the soil surface.
Agrotis ipsilon
dark sword-grass, ipsilon dart, black cutworm, greasy cutworm, floodplain cutworm
Agrotis ipsilon is a globally distributed noctuid moth whose larvae, known as black cutworms, are serious agricultural pests. Adults are medium-sized with distinctive black Y-shaped or epsilon-shaped markings on brown forewings. The species exhibits seasonal migration, traveling north in spring and south in fall to avoid temperature extremes. Larvae feed on a wide range of vegetable crops and grains, cutting plants at or below the soil surface and causing significant economic damage.
Alarodia
Alarodia is a genus of slug caterpillar moths (Limacodidae) established by Möschler in 1886. The genus includes species that are agricultural pests of Citrus in Jamaica, with larvae causing severe defoliation. Adults are nocturnal and weak fliers. The genus has been documented through both field observations and laboratory rearing studies.
Amarygmini
darkling beetles
Amarygmini is a tribe of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) comprising over 80 genera. Adults are active, long-legged beetles capable of flight, primarily associated with tree bark and dead wood habitats. The tribe is notable for having long-lived larvae and relatively short-lived adults. Most species are nocturnal and occur in both natural forests and urban environments.
Amaurobius ferox
black lace-weaver, black lace weaver
Amaurobius ferox is a nocturnal spider known for its distinctive cribellate web with woolly, lace-like silk. The species exhibits a unique subsocial organization among spiderlings, including synchronized molting, cooperative prey capture, and matriphagy—where offspring consume their mother after hatching. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to North America and is commonly found near human structures in dark, moist environments.
Amblycheila cylindriformis
Great Plains Giant Tiger Beetle
Amblycheila cylindriformis is a flightless tiger beetle native to the Great Plains of North America. It is the largest tiger beetle species in North America, with adults reaching 25–38 mm in length. The species is strictly nocturnal and inhabits grassland environments, where adults walk on bare ground and larvae construct deep burrows in specific soil types.
Amblycheila hoversoni
South Texas giant tiger beetle
Amblycheila hoversoni is a flightless, nocturnal tiger beetle first described in 1990 (published 1991). It holds the distinction of being the largest tiger beetle species in the Western Hemisphere. The species is endemic to south and west-central Texas, where it inhabits grassland and prairie habitats. Like other members of the genus Amblycheila, it exhibits a lumbering, deliberate gait rather than the rapid, jerky movement typical of most tiger beetles.
Amblycheila katzi
Trans-Pecos Giant Tiger Beetle
Amblycheila katzi is a small-sized tiger beetle (23–28 mm) endemic to the Trans-Pecos region of western Texas. It is distinguished from all other Amblycheila by its strongly petrophilous ecology, occupying vertical rock walls rather than ground habitats. Adults are nocturnal predators active on limestone surfaces 1–5 m above ground. The species has been successfully bred in captivity, with 59 adults reared from eggs.
Amblycheila picolominii
Plateau Giant Tiger Beetle
Amblycheila picolominii is a large, nocturnal tiger beetle in the genus Amblycheila. First described in 1840, it inhabits rocky, gypsum and red siltstone slopes and ravines in the southwestern United States. The species is active at night and has been observed walking on steep rocky terrain and canyon floors. It is one of the largest tiger beetles in North America and is sought after by collectors.
Amblycheila schwarzi
Mojave giant tiger beetle
Amblycheila schwarzi, the Mojave giant tiger beetle, is a flightless, nocturnal tiger beetle species described by Walther Horn in 1904. It is one of the largest tiger beetles in North America, with adults reaching 25–38 mm in length. The species is considered an adelphotaxon (sister-group) to all other tiger beetles, representing a basal lineage within the group. It inhabits grassland and prairie habitats in the southern United States, where adults are active at night and larvae construct deep burrows in clay soils.
Amblycorypha
Round-headed Katydids, False Katydids, Bush-crickets
Amblycorypha is a genus of North American round-headed katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, containing approximately 14 described species. These insects are renowned for their exceptional leaf-mimicry, with wing venation closely matching the vein patterns of leaves. They are known for their acoustic communication, with males producing songs via stridulation to attract females. Some species reach prodigious sizes in tropical regions, and males provide nuptial gifts to females during mating.
Amblycorypha uhleri
Uhler's virtuoso katydid, Uhler's katydid
Amblycorypha uhleri, commonly known as Uhler's virtuoso katydid or Uhler's katydid, is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is a North American species known for its distinctive song produced by stridulation of the forewings. Like other members of the genus Amblycorypha, it exhibits remarkable leaf-mimicry through wing venation patterns and green coloration, serving as camouflage against predators.
Amblypygi
whip spiders, tailless whip scorpions, amblypygids
Amblypygi is an ancient order of arachnids comprising approximately 280 species across five families. These nocturnal predators are characterized by extremely elongated first pair of legs modified as sensory "whips" and raptorial pedipalps for capturing prey. They lack venom glands, silk production, and the tail-like flagellum present in their relatives the whip scorpions (Uropygi). Several species exhibit unusual social behaviors including maternal care and kin recognition.
Ammobaenetes
sand-treader crickets
Ammobaenetes is a genus of sand-treader crickets in the family Rhaphidophoridae, first described by Hubbell in 1936. The genus contains at least three to four described species distributed in arid regions of the southwestern United States. Members are specialized for life in sandy desert habitats, with morphological adaptations for burrowing and moving through loose sand. The genus is placed in the tribe Daihiniini within the subfamily Ceuthophilinae.
Ammobaenetes phrixocnemoides
mesilla sand-treader cricket, Caudell's sand-treader cricket
Ammobaenetes phrixocnemoides is a species of camel cricket in the family Rhaphidophoridae, commonly known as the mesilla sand-treader cricket or Caudell's sand-treader cricket. It was described by Caudell in 1907. The species is known from sandy habitats in New Mexico and is part of a genus specialized for life in loose sand substrates. As with other sand-treader crickets, it exhibits morphological adaptations for burrowing in granular soils.
Ammopelmatus
Jerusalem crickets, potato bugs, North American Jerusalem Crickets
Ammopelmatus is a genus of large, flightless crickets in the family Stenopelmatidae, commonly known as Jerusalem crickets or potato bugs. The genus was erected by Tinkham in 1965 and underwent massive taxonomic revision in 2025, expanding from 12 recognized species to 117 valid species across the western United States and northwestern Mexico. These insects are among the largest in western North America, with some adults exceeding 12 grams. The genus exhibits exceptional species diversity concentrated in Southern and Central California, with most species having limited geographic distributions.
Ammopelmatus mescaleroensis
Mescalero Jerusalem Cricket
Ammopelmatus mescaleroensis is a species of Jerusalem cricket endemic to the sand dunes of southeastern New Mexico. First described by Tinkham in 1979, it was later found to be conspecific with A. monahansensis, which was synonymized under A. mescaleroensis in a 2024 phylogenomic revision. A neotype has been designated for this species. The species is nocturnal and has been observed in sand dune habitats at night.
Ammopelmatus monahansensis
Ammopelmatus monahansensis is a species of Jerusalem cricket in the family Stenopelmatidae, described by Stidham & Stidham in 2001. The genus Ammopelmatus comprises sand dune endemic species found in the southwestern United States. These flightless orthopterans are characterized by their large size, fossorial habits, and nocturnal activity patterns. A. monahansensis is one of several described species within this genus that are restricted to specific sand dune systems.
Ammopelmatus muwu
Point Conception Jerusalem Cricket
Ammopelmatus muwu is a Jerusalem cricket species in the family Stenopelmatidae. It is endemic to a restricted coastal region of central California, specifically parts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. The species was described in 1981 and is one of several sand dune-associated Ammopelmatus species in western North America. Like other members of its genus, it is nocturnal and fossorial.
Ammopelmatus pictus
Pictured Jerusalem Cricket
Ammopelmatus pictus, commonly known as the Pictured Jerusalem Cricket, is a species of Jerusalem cricket in the family Stenopelmatidae. It was first described by Scudder in 1899. The species is endemic to California, with documented occurrences in the Central Valley, Diablo Range, and Silicon Valley regions. As a member of the Stenopelmatidae family, it belongs to a group of large, flightless orthopterans often referred to as Jerusalem crickets or potato bugs.
Amphipoea interoceanica
Interoceanic Ear Moth, Strawberry Cutworm Moth, Strawberry Cutworm
Amphipoea interoceanica is a noctuid moth species first described by Smith in 1899. It is widely distributed across North America, occurring from coast to coast in the United States and across much of southern Canada. The species is known for its larval association with strawberry plants and other low-growing vegetation.
Amphipyra glabella
Grey Amphipyra, Smooth Amphipyra
Amphipyra glabella is a noctuid moth found across eastern and central North America. Adults are active from August to September with one generation per year. The species was first described by Herbert Knowles Morrison in 1874. It is one of several Amphipyra species known as "amphipyra" moths, characterized by their stout bodies and cryptic coloration.
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Mouse Moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis, the Mouse Moth, is a widespread noctuid moth with a Holarctic distribution. The species has undergone significant population decline in the UK, dropping over 80% between 1970 and 2016. Its genome has been sequenced, revealing an 806 Mb assembly with 13,359 protein-coding genes. The species is notable for its unusual flight behavior and attraction to sugary baits rather than light.
Amydria curvistrigella
Amydria curvistrigella is a small moth species in the family Tineidae (formerly placed in Acrolophidae). It is known from the southwestern United States, specifically California and Arizona. The species was described by Dietz in 1905. Like other members of this family, it is likely associated with detritus or plant material, though specific biology remains poorly documented.
Amydria obliquella
A small moth in the family Tineidae, described by William G. Dietz in 1905. Records indicate presence at blacklighting events in California, suggesting nocturnal adult activity. The genus Amydria contains species whose larvae are often associated with detritus or plant material, though specific biology for this species remains poorly documented.
Anacridium
tree locusts, bird grasshoppers
Anacridium is a genus of large grasshoppers commonly known as tree locusts or bird grasshoppers, placed in the subfamily Cyrtacanthacridinae. The genus contains approximately 13 described species distributed across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of southern Europe and Asia. Anacridium aegyptium, the Egyptian grasshopper, serves as the type species and is among the most studied members of the genus. Species in this genus are associated with woody vegetation and have been documented as occasional pests of trees and agricultural crops.
Anageshna primordialis
Yellow-spotted Webworm Moth
Anageshna primordialis, known as the yellow-spotted webworm moth, is a crambid moth species described by Harrison Dyar in 1906. The species is widely distributed across the eastern and central United States, with records spanning from Maine to Florida and westward to Texas and Arizona. It is a moderately well-documented species with nearly 10,000 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is frequently encountered by naturalists.
Anchomma
Anchomma is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1858. It belongs to the subfamily Pimeliinae, tribe Stenosini, and subtribe Dichillina. The genus is characterized by morphological features typical of the subtribe Dichillina, including adaptations associated with arid environments. Knowledge of this genus is limited due to its rarity in collections and few documented observations.
Andropolia aedon
Andropolia aedon is a noctuid moth species described by Grote in 1880. Originally described as Polia aedon, it was later transferred to the genus Andropolia. The species occurs in western North America from British Columbia and Alberta south through the Rocky Mountain region to California. Like other members of the subfamily Acronictinae, it is a nocturnal species attracted to ultraviolet light sources.
Andropolia olga
cutworm moth, dart moth
Andropolia olga is a noctuid moth species in the subfamily Acronictinae, described by Smith in 1911. It is recorded from North America. The species is part of a genus of owlet moths that are primarily nocturnal and attracted to artificial light sources. Like other members of Andropolia, it likely exhibits typical noctuid moth biology with complete metamorphosis and larval stages that may include cutworm-type feeding behavior.
Aneflomorpha
Aneflomorpha is a genus of longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Cerambycinae, and tribe Elaphidiini. The genus was established by Casey in 1912. Species in this genus are primarily nocturnal and have been documented in the southwestern United States and Mexico. They are associated with woody vegetation, particularly oaks and mesquites, and are frequently attracted to ultraviolet and mercury-vapor light stations.
Aneflomorpha gilana
Aneflomorpha gilana is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Thomas Casey in 1924. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a group of small to medium-sized cerambycids commonly known as flat-faced longhorns. The species name references the Gila region of the southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with woody vegetation in arid and semi-arid environments.
Aneflomorpha subpubescens
Aneflomorpha subpubescens is a species of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1862. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a group characterized by larval development in dead or dying wood. The species occurs in North America, with records from the southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely nocturnal and attracted to artificial light sources.
Aneflomorpha texana
Aneflomorpha texana is a species of longhorned beetle (Cerambycidae) described by Linsley in 1936. The species belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a group of small to medium-sized cerambycids often associated with woody vegetation. It has been documented in the southwestern United States, particularly Texas and Arizona. Records indicate attraction to ultraviolet and mercury-vapor lights in mesquite-acacia scrub and oak-juniper woodland habitats. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Aneflomorpha seminuda in some taxonomic databases, though this status may require further verification.
Anicla biformata
Anicla biformata is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Lafontaine in 2004. It is native to North America and is attracted to blacklight, a common sampling method for noctuid moths. The species is part of a genus of owlet moths that are typically nocturnal and active during cooler months.
Anicla espoetia
Anicla espoetia is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Dyar in 1910. It belongs to a genus of moths commonly known as cutworms or darts. The species is found in both North America and Middle America. Like other members of the genus Anicla, it is likely nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Anicla simplicius
Simple Dart
Anicla simplicius, commonly known as the Simple Dart, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. The species was described by Morrison in 1874 and is distributed across North America. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10907. As a member of the Noctuinae subfamily, it belongs to a large group of owlet moths that are primarily nocturnal and often attracted to artificial light sources.
Anisodactylus binotatus
common shortspur beetle
A medium-sized ground beetle native to Europe, introduced to New Zealand in 1938 where it has become widely established. Adults measure 10–12.7 mm with distinctive shiny black coloration and a characteristic red spot (or paired spots) on the frons between the eyes. The species exhibits flight capability and has proven to be an exceptionally successful colonist, thriving in both natural and anthropogenic habitats including cultivated fields and urban environments.
Anomala orientalis
Oriental beetle, OB
A small scarab beetle native to eastern Asia, now established as an invasive pest in the northeastern United States. Adults are 7–11 mm long with mottled metallic brown and black elytra, often confused with the larger Japanese beetle. The species is notable for its subterranean lifestyle—larvae feed on plant roots while adults emerge briefly to feed on flowers and foliage. Sexual communication relies on a specific sex pheromone blend that has been chemically characterized and exploited for monitoring and control. Heavy infestations can damage turfgrass, ornamental plantings, and agricultural crops including sugarcane, maize, and pineapple.
Anopheles walkeri
Walker's Anopheles
Anopheles walkeri is a North American mosquito species found predominantly throughout the Mississippi River Valley, ranging north to southern Quebec, Canada. It is a freshwater swamp specialist whose eggs lack desiccation resistance, restricting it to permanently wet habitats. The species exhibits distinctive nocturnal activity patterns, with peak blood-feeding occurring late at night. A. walkeri has a multivoltine life cycle with specialized overwintering eggs that have enlarged dorsal floats, allowing it to complete one full larval generation before hibernating adults of other species become active. Despite occasional detection of human malaria parasites in southern U.S. specimens, it is considered an unlikely disease vector due to habitat preferences and low virus detection rates.
Anopliomorpha
Anopliomorpha is a genus of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) in the tribe Elaphidiini, established by Linsley in 1936. The genus contains six described species distributed in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Species within this genus are small cerambycids that have been collected by sweeping low vegetation and are attracted to ultraviolet light.
Anopliomorpha rinconia
Anopliomorpha rinconia is a small cerambycid beetle in the tribe Elaphidiini, recorded from the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species has been documented from Arizona, where it was collected by sweeping low vegetation in canyon habitats. It is one of several small, inconspicuous elaphidiine species that are often encountered in low numbers during general collecting.
Anoplochares apicata
Anoplochares apicata is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The genus Anoplochares is endemic to New Zealand, and this species represents one of several described members of this genus. Like other tenebrionids, it is adapted to arid or semi-arid environments and exhibits nocturnal habits. The species has been documented in the scientific literature but remains poorly known in terms of detailed biology.
Anorthodes
Anorthodes is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Smith in 1891. The genus contains two recognized species: Anorthodes indigena (Barnes & Benjamin, 1925) and Anorthodes triquetra (Grote, 1883). A third species, formerly placed here as Anorthodes tarda, has been reassigned to the genus Athetis. These moths belong to the diverse owlet moth family, which includes many nocturnal species with cryptic coloration.
Anostostomatidae
wētā, king crickets
Anostostomatidae is a family of large, nocturnal orthopterans in the superfamily Stenopelmatoidea, distributed across the southern hemisphere in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the Americas. Members are commonly known as king crickets in Australia and South Africa, and wētā in New Zealand. The family exhibits considerable size variation, with some species exceeding 8 cm in length. Many species are flightless, though winged forms occur in some Australian and Asian genera. The family is notable for diverse feeding strategies including herbivory, scavenging, predation, and specialized fungal feeding.
Antheraea
tussar moths
Antheraea is a genus of giant silk moths in the family Saturniidae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1819. Species in this genus are notable for producing wild silk of commercial importance, commonly known as "tussar silk" or "tussah silk." The genus includes species distributed across Asia, North America, and other regions, with several species cultivated for sericulture. Caterpillars of Antheraea species feed on diverse host plants including oaks and other woody trees.
Antheraea polyphemus
Polyphemus moth, Polyphemus silk moth
A large North American silk moth with tan to brown coloration and distinctive purplish eyespots on the hindwings, named after the cyclops Polyphemus from Greek mythology. Adults have vestigial mouthparts and do not feed, living less than one week. The species produces silk cocoons and has been used in hybridization experiments with other silk moths. Two broods typically emerge annually across most of its range.