North-america
Guides
Aphthargelia symphoricarpi
Snowberry Aphid
Aphthargelia symphoricarpi is the type species of the small aphid genus Aphthargelia, originally described from North America. It is associated with snowberry (Symphoricarpos) as its host plant. The species is one of two currently recognized in the genus, the other being the recently described A. rumbleboredomia.
Aphylla williamsoni
Two-striped Forceptail
Aphylla williamsoni, commonly known as the two-striped forceptail, is a species of clubtail dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is native to North America and is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival. The species was originally described by Gloyd in 1936 under the basionym Gomphoides williamsoni before being transferred to the genus Aphylla.
Apiloscatopse uncinata
A small, poorly known scatopsid fly described from North America. The genus name Apiloscatopse indicates a hairless or sparsely pilose condition relative to other scatopsids. The specific epithet uncinata (Latin for 'hooked') likely refers to some hooked structure, though the original description has not been examined. The species was described by Melander in 1916 and remains rarely encountered in collections or literature.
Apiomerus longispinis
Black Bee Assassin
Apiomerus longispinis is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found in Central America and North America.
Apiomerus montanus
Mountain Bee Assassin
Apiomerus montanus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, commonly known as the Mountain Bee Assassin. It belongs to a genus of exclusively New World predatory insects often called 'bee killers' for their habit of ambushing flower-visiting insects. The species was formally described in 2011 during a revision of the crassipes and pictipes species groups of Apiomerus. Like other members of its genus, it is an ambush predator that captures prey using its raptorial forelegs and subdues them with a venomous proboscis.
Aplastus
Aplastus is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae) in the tribe Cebrionini. First described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1859, this genus is part of the diverse Elateroidea superfamily. The genus is placed in the subtribe Aplastina. Records indicate at least 44 observations documented on iNaturalist, though specific ecological and biological details remain limited in published literature.
Apleurus jacobinus
Apleurus jacobinus is a species of cylindrical weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Anderson in 1987. It is known from North America. Information regarding its biology, ecology, and detailed morphology remains limited in published literature.
Apleurus lutulentus
Apleurus lutulentus is a species of cylindrical weevil in the family Curculionidae. It was described by Anderson in 1987. The species is known from North America. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to a group of weevils characterized by their elongated, cylindrical body form.
Apleurus saginatus
Apleurus saginatus is a cylindrical weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Anderson in 1987. It is known from North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented. The species belongs to a genus of weevils characterized by their elongated, cylindrical body form.
Apocellus sphaericollis
spiny-legged rove beetle
Apocellus sphaericollis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Oxytelinae. It is one of the larger species in the genus Apocellus and has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning North and Central America. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1831. Records indicate it occurs from southern Canada through the United States and into Mexico and Guatemala.
Apoda
slug moths, slug caterpillar moths
Apoda is a genus of moths in the family Limacodidae, commonly known as slug moths due to the distinctive caterpillar morphology. The genus includes species whose larvae are characterized by a flattened, slug-like body form and reduced or absent prolegs, moving with a gliding motion rather than typical caterpillar crawling. Caterpillars in this genus possess venomous spines or setae that can cause painful stings upon contact with human skin. The genus is part of a larger group of limacodid moths known for their unusual larval forms and defensive capabilities.
Apoda latomia
Yellow-collared slug moth
Apoda latomia is a slug moth in the family Limacodidae. The species is known for its distinctive caterpillar that feeds on hickory foliage and has a helmet-like appearance. Adults are small, relatively nondescript moths. The species occurs in eastern North America and is most frequently encountered in its larval stage.
Apoda rectilinea
Rectilinea Slug Moth
Apoda rectilinea is a slug moth in the family Limacodidae, native to North America. The caterpillars are known for their distinctive flattened, slug-like form and are associated with oak foliage. Adults are small, relatively plain moths that are attracted to light. The species is part of a genus whose larvae feed on specific host plants and possess stinging spines.
Apodemia ares
Ares Metalmark
Apodemia ares, the Ares Metalmark, is a species of butterfly in the family Riodinidae. It is found in North America. The species was first described by William Henry Edwards in 1882. Like other metalmarks, it belongs to a distinctive group of butterflies characterized by their small size and often metallic wing markings.
Apodemia hepburni
Hepburn's Metalmark
Apodemia hepburni, known as Hepburn's Metalmark, is a butterfly species in the family Riodinidae. It is found in North America. The species has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 4404. Beyond basic taxonomic placement and geographic distribution, detailed natural history information for this species remains limited.
Apodemia nais
Nais Metalmark
Apodemia nais, commonly known as the Nais Metalmark, is a butterfly species in the family Riodinidae. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species was first described by Edwards in 1871.
Apodemia virgulti
Behr's Metalmark
Apodemia virgulti, commonly known as Behr's metalmark, is a butterfly species in the family Riodinidae. The species was first described by Behr in 1865 under the basionym Nemeobius virgulti. It is native to North America and has been documented in at least 7,200 observations on iNaturalist. Eight subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies A. v. virgulti and seven others described by Emmel and colleagues in 1998.
Apodemia zela
zela metalmark, Mexican Zela Metalmark
Apodemia zela is a species of metalmark butterfly in the family Riodinidae, first described by Butler in 1870 under the basionym Emesis zela. The species occurs in North America and is recognized by two subspecies: A. z. zela and A. z. cleis. Metalmarks in this genus are typically small to medium-sized butterflies with distinctive wing patterns.
Apodrepanulatrix liberaria
New Jersey tea inchworm, Barrens Carpet
A small geometrid moth with a wingspan of 25–35 mm, found in eastern North America. The species is notable for its specialized larval diet on New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) and its endangered status in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Adults are active during the growing season, with larvae feeding on a single host plant genus.
Apodrepanulatrix litaria
Large Banded Wave Moth, large banded wave
Apodrepanulatrix litaria, commonly known as the large banded wave moth, is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Hulst in 1887 under the basionym Aspilates litaria. It is assigned Hodges number 6694 in the North American Moth Photographers Group system. The genus Apodrepanulatrix is classified within the subfamily Ennominae.
Apogeshna acestealis
Apogeshna acestealis is a moth species described by Walker in 1859. It is currently treated as a junior synonym of Apogeshna stenialis, commonly known as the checkered apogeshna moth. The species belongs to the family Crambidae and subfamily Spilomelinae. Records indicate it has been documented in Vermont and other parts of the United States.
Apollophanes margareta
Apollophanes margareta is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, first described by Lowrie and Gertsch in 1955. The species occurs in North America, with documented records from the United States and Canada including the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. As a member of Philodromidae, it belongs to a family of spiders known for their laterigrade leg orientation that permits sideways movement and their active hunting behavior without web construction.
Apollophanes texanus
Apollophanes texanus is a species of running crab spider in the family Philodromidae. The species was described by Nathan Banks in 1904. It occurs in the southern United States and Mexico. Like other philodromids, it is an active hunter that does not construct webs to capture prey.
Apolysis sigma
Apolysis sigma is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, subfamily Usiinae. It was described by Coquillett in 1902 and is known to be widespread across North America. The genus Apolysis belongs to the tribe Apolysini, a group of bee flies characterized by specific morphological features related to their parasitoid lifestyle.
Aporinellus taeniatus
Aporinellus taeniatus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Kohl in 1886. The species belongs to a genus of solitary wasps known for hunting spiders as prey for their larvae. Like other members of Pompilidae, this species exhibits the characteristic wasp-waisted body form and possesses a sting used to paralyze host spiders. The specific epithet 'taeniatus' refers to a banded or striped appearance, suggesting distinctive coloration patterns on the body.
Apote
Apote is a genus of shield-backed katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, established by Scudder in 1897. The genus contains at least two described species: Apote notabilis (the notable apote) and Apote robusta (the robust apote). These insects belong to the subfamily Tettigoniinae and tribe Tettigoniini. Records indicate presence in the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
Apote robusta
robust apote
Apote robusta, commonly known as the robust apote, is a shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It was described by Caudell in 1907. The species is found in North America, with records from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada.
Apotomis albeolana
A small tortricid moth in the genus Apotomis, described by Zeller in 1875. The species is known from northeastern North America with confirmed records in Vermont and surrounding regions. Like other members of Olethreutinae, it is presumed to have concealed larval habits, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Apotomis funerea
Funereal Apotomis Moth
Apotomis funerea is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. Described by Edward Meyrick in 1920 from a basionym of Argyroploce funerea, this species occurs in boreal and temperate regions of North America. The common name "Funereal Apotomis Moth" reflects its dark, somber coloration. Like other members of genus Apotomis, it is associated with coniferous or mixed forest habitats where larval host plants occur.
Apotomis paludicolana
Apotomis paludicolana is a species of tortricid moth in the subfamily Olethreutinae, described by Brower in 1953. The specific epithet paludicolana suggests association with marsh or wetland habitats. Members of the genus Apotomis are generally small moths with distinctive wing patterns. This species is poorly documented in public sources, with minimal observational records available.
Apotrepus densicollis
Apotrepus densicollis is a species of true weevil in the family Curculionidae, first described by Casey in 1892. It is found in North America and has been documented in association with dead saguaro cactus. The species belongs to a genus with limited published ecological information.
Apotropina hirta
Apotropina hirta is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Loew in 1863. It belongs to the subfamily Siphonellopsinae, a group of small flies often associated with grasses and other herbaceous vegetation. The genus Apotropina contains relatively few described species, and A. hirta appears to be among the more rarely encountered members based on limited observational records. Like other chloropids, adults are typically small and inconspicuous, with larvae that develop in plant tissues.
Apristus constrictus
Apristus constrictus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Casey in 1920. It belongs to the subfamily Lebiinae and tribe Lebiini. The species is known to occur in North America, with records from Canada and the United States.
Apristus laticollis
Apristus laticollis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It occurs in North America, with records from the United States and Canada. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. As a member of the genus Apristus, it belongs to a group of small carabid beetles within the tribe Lebiini.
Aproaerema adversa
Aproaerema adversa is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, first described by Annette Frances Braun in 1930. It belongs to a genus of gelechiid moths distributed primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. The species has been recorded from scattered localities across the eastern and western United States. Like other members of its family, it likely has a concealed lifestyle, with larvae that may feed internally on plant tissues.
Aprostocetus fidius
Aprostocetus fidius is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Eulophidae, subfamily Tetrastichinae, described by Girault in 1917. It belongs to a large genus of parasitoid wasps that are frequently associated with gall-forming insects and other arthropods. The species is recorded from several U.S. states including Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, and New Mexico. Like other members of Tetrastichinae, it is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented.
Apsectus hispidus
Apsectus hispidus is a small carpet beetle in the family Dermestidae, distributed across North America. The species belongs to a genus of beetles associated with decomposing organic material. Limited biological data are available for this species specifically.
Aptenopedes
Aptenopedes is a genus of spur-throated grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, comprising approximately 13 described species. The genus was established by Scudder in 1878 and is classified within the subfamily Melanoplinae. Members of this genus are found in North America, with distribution records from California, Florida, Georgia, and Nebraska. As spur-throated grasshoppers, they possess a distinctive sclerotized projection on the prosternum, a characteristic feature of the Melanoplinae.
Aptenopedes rufovittata
Aptenopedes rufovittata is a species of grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Scudder in 1878. It belongs to the subfamily Melanoplinae, a diverse group commonly known as spur-throated grasshoppers. The species has been documented in scattered locations across the southeastern and western United States. Despite its long taxonomic history, detailed biological information remains limited.
Aptenopedes sphenarioides
linear-winged grasshopper
Aptenopedes sphenarioides, commonly known as the linear-winged grasshopper, is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is a North American species with three recognized subspecies. The species has been documented across the southeastern United States with scattered records extending to the Great Plains.
Apterobittacus apterus
Apterobittacus apterus is a wingless species of hangingfly (family Bittacidae) in the order Mecoptera. First described by MacLachlan in 1871, it is the type species of the genus Apterobittacus. Unlike most bittacids, which possess two pairs of wings and are capable of flight, A. apterus is completely apterous (wingless). This species is endemic to North America and represents an unusual evolutionary trajectory within the Mecoptera, where wing reduction is rare. The genus name directly references this wingless condition.
Apteromechus texanus
Apteromechus texanus is a species of hidden snout weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae, described by Fall in 1925. The species is found in North America and is part of the genus Apteromechus, which comprises weevils with reduced or absent wings (apterous condition). Very little specific information has been published about this species beyond its original description and basic distribution records.
Apteromyia claviventris
Apteromyia claviventris is a small fly in the family Sphaeroceridae, commonly known as lesser dung flies. The genus Apteromyia is characterized by reduced wing venation and small body size. This species has been documented in northern Europe and North America. Like other members of its family, it is associated with decomposing organic matter.
Aracanthus pallidus
pale broad-nosed weevil
Aracanthus pallidus is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It was described by Thomas Say in 1831. The species is found in North America, with distribution records from Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, and Mississippi. As a member of the Entiminae subfamily, it possesses the characteristic short, broad rostrum typical of broad-nosed weevils.
Arachnis citra
Arachnis citra is a moth in the family Erebidae, described by Berthold Neumögen and Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1893. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of Arachnis picta but is now recognized as a distinct species. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and has two recognized subspecies.
Aradus abbas
Aradus abbas is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, first described by Bergroth in 1889. It belongs to a group of insects commonly known as flat bugs due to their strongly flattened body form. The species is distributed in North America, including the Nearctic region and Beringia. Like other members of the genus Aradus, it is likely associated with dead wood habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Aradus acutus
flat bug
Aradus acutus is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1832. It belongs to a group of insects commonly known as flat bugs due to their strongly dorsoventrally flattened bodies. The species is found in North America, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Aradus aequalis
Aradus aequalis is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1832. It is one of approximately 200 species in the genus Aradus. Like other flat bugs, it has a strongly dorsoventrally flattened body form adapted for living in tight spaces under bark. The species is known from North America, with records from the United States including Vermont.
Aradus ampliatus
Aradus ampliatus is a species of flat bug (family Aradidae) described by Uhler in 1876. Like other members of the genus Aradus, it belongs to a group of true bugs commonly known as flat bugs due to their dorsoventrally flattened body form. The genus Aradus includes both extant and fossil species, with 14 species described from Baltic amber inclusions dating to the Eocene. Extant species in this genus are typically associated with dead wood habitats.
Aradus approximatus
flat bug
Aradus approximatus is a species of flat bug in the family Aradidae, described by Parshley in 1921. It belongs to a group of true bugs characterized by their strongly flattened bodies, an adaptation for living in tight spaces under bark. The species is recorded from North America. Like other members of the genus Aradus, it is presumed to inhabit dead wood environments, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.