North-america
Guides
Anoncia venis
Anoncia venis is a small moth species in the family Cosmopterigidae, described by Ronald Hodges in 1978. The species is known from a limited geographic range in the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona and California. Like other members of the genus Anoncia, it likely has narrow, elongated forewings and a relatively plain appearance typical of many cosmet moths.
Anopheles earlei
Anopheles earlei is a small mosquito species distributed throughout North America. Its larvae develop in cold, clear water in ponds and other small water bodies containing vegetation. Adults feed on vertebrate blood including cattle, white-tailed deer, humans, snowshoe hares, and dogs. The species is among the less abundant Anopheles species in surveyed regions of the northern United States.
Anopheles franciscanus
Anopheles franciscanus is a mosquito species in the family Culicidae, first described by McCracken in 1904. The species has been documented in southern California and is part of the Anopheles genus, which includes mosquitoes capable of transmitting malaria parasites. Seven subspecies have been described, ranging across Middle America and North America.
Anopheles perplexens
Anopheles perplexens is a native North American mosquito species in the genus Anopheles, first described by Ludlow in 1907. It was documented in Charlotte County, Florida in 2021 during routine public health surveillance, with only a single specimen confirmed to date. As an Anopheles species, it belongs to the group of mosquitoes capable of transmitting Plasmodium parasites, though specific vector competence for this species has not been established. The species was identified through external morphology and confirmed via COI gene sequencing.
Anopheles punctipennis
Woodland Malaria Mosquito
Anopheles punctipennis, commonly called the woodland malaria mosquito, is a mosquito species native to North America and distributed throughout the continent. It is capable of transmitting human malaria parasites Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum, though experimental studies suggest it is a relatively poor host for P. falciparum with limited parasite development. The species is also involved in transmission of Plasmodium odocoilei, a malaria parasite of ungulates. In addition to malaria, it has been implicated as a potential bridge vector for eastern equine encephalitis virus and other arboviruses.
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.
Anopina
Anopina is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Tortricinae, tribe Cochylini. The genus was erected by Obraztsov in 1962 and contains approximately 70 described species, most of which were described by Brown & Powell in a 2000 revision. Species are distributed primarily in North and Central America, with many endemic to Mexico. The genus is characterized by distinctive genitalic morphology, particularly in the male valvae.
Anoplius aethiops
Anoplius aethiops is a large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. Females hunt and paralyze wolf spiders (family Lycosidae), particularly species in the genus Hogna, to provision underground burrows for their offspring. The species is widely distributed across North America and is most active in late summer and early fall. It is morphologically similar to Anoplius cleora, requiring microscopic examination for definitive identification.
Anoplius ithaca
Anoplius ithaca is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. Very little specific information is available for this species. Based on its classification within the genus Anoplius, it likely shares the general biology of other members of this genus: females hunt spiders, paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows as food for their larvae. The species was described by Nathan Banks in 1912.
Anoplocurius altus
Anoplocurius altus is a species of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) described by Knull in 1942. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini within the subfamily Cerambycinae. The species is native to North America, with confirmed records from the United States. Very little is known about its biology, ecology, or specific habitat requirements.
Anoplocurius canotiae
Anoplocurius canotiae is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Fisher in 1920. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini within the subfamily Cerambycinae. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Anoplocurius incompletus
Anoplocurius incompletus is a longhorn beetle species in the tribe Elaphidiini, described by Linsley in 1942. It is one of several species in the genus Anoplocurius, a group of small to medium-sized cerambycids distributed in North and Middle America. The specific epithet 'incompletus' likely refers to some aspect of its morphology, though the original description context is not widely cited. The species remains poorly known beyond its original description and basic taxonomic placement.
Anoplodonta nigrirostris
Anoplodonta nigrirostris is a soldier fly species in the family Stratiomyidae, first described by Loew in 1866 under the basionym Odontomyia nigrirostris. The species is documented from Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Like other Stratiomyidae, adults likely visit flowers for nectar. The genus Anoplodonta is characterized by distinctive mouthpart morphology.
Anorostoma cinereum
Anorostoma cinereum is a small fly species in the family Heleomyzidae, described by Charles Howard Curran in 1932. The specific epithet "cinereum" refers to an ash-gray coloration. Like other members of Heleomyzidae, this species is associated with decaying organic matter. It is known from limited observations, with 31 records documented on iNaturalist.
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.
Anorthodes triquetra
cutworm moth, dart moth
Anorthodes triquetra is a species of noctuid moth, commonly referred to as a cutworm or dart moth. It was originally described as Pyrophila triquetra by Grote in 1883 and later transferred to the genus Anorthodes. The species is known from North America and has been assigned Hodges number 9651 in the North American moth numbering system.
Anorus
Anorus is a genus of soft-bodied plant beetles in the family Dascillidae, established by LeConte in 1859. The genus contains at least three described species distributed in North America. Members are classified within the order Coleoptera but possess characteristically soft, flexible bodies rather than the hardened elytra typical of many beetles.
Anorus arizonicus
soft-bodied plant beetle
Anorus arizonicus is a species of soft-bodied plant beetle in the family Dascillidae. The species was described by Blaisdell in 1934. It belongs to a small family of beetles whose members are generally associated with moist habitats and riparian vegetation. Very little is known about the specific biology of this species.
Anoscopus
Anoscopus is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Carl Ludwig Kirschbaum in 1858. The genus contains approximately 15 described species distributed across Europe and North America. These insects are part of the subfamily Aphrodinae and tribe Aphrodini.
Anotia
planthopper
Anotia is a genus of planthoppers in the family Derbidae, subfamily Otiocerinae. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized insects with distinctive wing venation and often striking color patterns. The genus was established by Kirby in 1821 and is classified within the true bugs (Hemiptera), specifically in the fulgoroid lineage. Species in this genus feed on plant phloem sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Anotia mcateei
Anotia mcateei is a species of derbid planthopper described by Dozier in 1928. The species is known from the central United States, with confirmed records from Illinois and Mississippi. Like other members of the genus Anotia, it belongs to the tribe Otiocerini, a group of planthoppers characterized by distinctive wing venation and often striking color patterns. The species is documented in entomological collections and citizen science observations, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Anotylus insecatus
Anotylus insecatus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is native to Europe but has been introduced to North America, with established populations in Canada and the United States. The species was first described by Gravenhorst in 1806 under the basionym Oxytelus insecatus. It belongs to the subfamily Oxytelinae, a group of small to medium-sized rove beetles often associated with decaying organic matter.
Antaeotricha albulella
vestal moth
Antaeotricha albulella, commonly known as the vestal moth, is a small moth species in the family Depressariidae. First described by Francis Walker in 1864, it is distributed across the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. The species is characterized by predominantly white forewings with distinctive dark markings. It has been historically confused with the closely related Antaeotricha floridella, which occurs in drier sandhill habitats of peninsular Florida.
Antaeotricha furcata
Antaeotricha furcata is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, described by Lord Walsingham in 1889. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing coloration and size.
Antaeotricha fuscorectangulata
Antaeotricha fuscorectangulata is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, described by W. Donald Duckworth in 1964. It is known from Arizona in North America. The species is characterized by distinctive wing patterning that includes a rectangular dark area along the inner margin of the forewing.
Antaeotricha haesitans
Antaeotricha haesitans is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, first described by Lord Walsingham in 1912. The species is characterized by a wingspan of approximately 12 mm and distinctive fawn-ochreous forewings with brown patterning. Its distribution spans parts of Mexico and the southern United States.
Antaeotricha humilis
Dotted Anteotricha Moth
Antaeotricha humilis is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, first described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1855. It is widespread across the eastern and central United States, where its larvae feed on oak species by tying leaves together. Adults are characterized by their small size and pale, subtly marked forewings with distinctive brown spotting.
Antaeotricha osseella
Antaeotricha osseella is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, first described by Walsingham in 1889. It is found across eastern and central North America, with records from New York to California. The species has a wingspan of approximately 16–18 mm. Its larvae feed on white oak (Quercus alba) and chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii).
Antaeotricha thomasi
Antaeotricha thomasi is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, described by William Barnes and August Busck in 1920. It is native to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. The species is characterized by its plain, unmarked pale wings, which distinguish it from many congeners that typically display various spotting or patterning.
Antepione
variable antepione
Antepione is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, established by Packard in 1876. The genus contains three recognized species distributed across North and Central America. One species, Antepione thisoaria, is commonly referred to as the variable antepione. These moths belong to the subfamily Ennominae, a diverse group within the Geometridae.
Antepirrhoe atrifasciata
Antepirrhoe atrifasciata is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, subfamily Larentiinae. Originally described as Eustroma atrifasciata by Hulst in 1888, the species has since been transferred to the genus Antepirrhoe. Like other members of this genus, it is a relatively small moth with limited published information regarding its biology and distribution.
Antepirrhoe fasciata
A species of geometrid moth in the subfamily Larentiinae, first described from North America in 1918. The species is recognized under the genus Antepirrhoe, though some sources have historically placed it in the genus Eustroma. It is a member of the diverse carpet moth group within Geometridae.
Anterastria teratophora
Gray Marvel Moth, grey marvel
Anterastria teratophora, commonly known as the Gray Marvel Moth, is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 25 mm. The species is univoltine, with adults active from May through August. Larvae are known to feed on specific host plants in the Lamiaceae family.
Anthanassa
crescents, crescent butterflies
Anthanassa is a genus of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, found from the United States through Central America to South America. The genus comprises approximately 17 described species, many bearing common names with "crescent" (e.g., Texan crescent, orange-patched crescent, chestnut crescent). Taxonomic placement remains debated; one authority treats Anthanassa as a subgenus of Phyciodes. Adults typically display orange and black patterned wings with crescent-shaped markings.
Anthaxia carya
Anthaxia carya is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Wellso and Jackman in 2006. It belongs to the subgenus Haplanthaxia within the genus Anthaxia. The species is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Anthaxia, it is associated with woody plants and exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles.
Anthaxia dichroa
Anthaxia dichroa is a metallic wood-boring beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Bílý in 1991. It is found in North America and has been documented in ethanol-only bait traps in Illinois, where it occurs alongside related Anthaxia species. The genus Anthaxia includes species associated with Cercocarpus (mountain mahogany) and other woody hosts, though specific host relationships for A. dichroa remain unconfirmed.
Anthaxia inornata
Dandelion Anthaxia Beetle
Anthaxia inornata is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, measuring 4–8 mm in length. It was described by Randall in 1838 and is found in North America. The species belongs to the genus Anthaxia, a diverse group of jewel beetles commonly associated with flowers and woody plants.
Anthaxia nanula
Anthaxia nanula is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Casey in 1884. It belongs to the subgenus Melanthaxia within the genus Anthaxia. The species is found in North America, though specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and ecology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Anthaxia prasina
Anthaxia prasina is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is native to North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. The species was described by Horn in 1882. Like other members of the genus Anthaxia, it exhibits metallic coloration typical of jewel beetles.
Anthaxia quercicola
Anthaxia quercicola is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Wellso in 1974. It is found in North America. As a member of the genus Anthaxia, it belongs to a group of jewel beetles known for their metallic coloration and association with woody plants. The specific epithet "quercicola" suggests an association with oak (Quercus), though this relationship has not been explicitly confirmed in the available literature.
Anthaxia retifer
Anthaxia retifer is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by LeConte in 1860. It is found in North America, with records from British Columbia and Manitoba in Canada. Like other members of the genus Anthaxia, it is a small, often brightly colored jewel beetle. Specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Anthaxia viridicornis
Anthaxia viridicornis is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, placed in the subgenus Haplanthaxia. It is native to North America and has been reared from dead willow (Salix caroliniana). The species exhibits variation that has been discussed in taxonomic literature, particularly in relation to its distinction from the similar A. viridifrons.
Anthaxia viridifrons
Anthaxia viridifrons is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Gory in 1841. It belongs to the subgenus Haplanthaxia within the genus Anthaxia. The species is found in North America, with records from the United States including Vermont. As with other members of the genus, adults are typically associated with woody vegetation, though specific host relationships for this species remain incompletely documented.
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.
Antherophagus convexulus
Antherophagus convexulus is a small beetle in the family Cryptophagidae (silken fungus beetles), first described by LeConte in 1863. The species is recorded from eastern Canada and is part of a genus whose members are generally associated with fungal substrates. Knowledge of this species is limited, with minimal published biological information and few documented observations.
Antherophagus pallidivestis
Antherophagus pallidivestis is a small beetle species in the family Cryptophagidae, described by Casey in 1900. The species is known from limited records in western North America, particularly British Columbia, Canada. It belongs to a genus associated with pollen-feeding habits, though species-specific biology remains poorly documented.
Anthicus biguttulus
antlike flower beetle
Anthicus biguttulus is a species of antlike flower beetle in the family Anthicidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The species is found in North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada. As with other members of Anthicidae, it exhibits a superficial resemblance to ants in its body form and movement.
Anthicus dilaticollis
Anthicus dilaticollis is a species of antlike flower beetle in the family Anthicidae, first described by Champion in 1890. The species is characterized by its broadened pronotum, as indicated by its specific epithet 'dilaticollis' (from Latin 'dilatus' meaning broadened and 'collis' meaning neck, referring to the pronotum). It occurs in Central America and North America, though detailed natural history information remains limited.
Anthicus falli
Anthicus falli is a species of ant-like flower beetle in the family Anthicidae, described by Werner in 1964. The species is documented from North America and Middle America, though detailed biological information remains limited. Like other members of the genus Anthicus, it likely inhabits dry, sandy, or disturbed habitats where it may be found under debris or in association with vegetation. The family Anthicidae is characterized by their elongated, ant-like appearance and generally small size.