North-america
Guides
Araneus corticarius
Humped bog orbweaver
Araneus corticarius is a small orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, commonly known as the humped bog orbweaver. The species is distributed across the United States and Canada, with records from Alberta and British Columbia. As a member of the diverse genus Araneus, it constructs spiral orb webs typical of the family, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Araneus gadus
Araneus gadus is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, first described by Herbert Walter Levi in 1973. It is known from the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in published literature. As a member of the genus Araneus, it constructs spiral wheel-shaped webs typical of this diverse group of spiders.
Araneus guttulatus
Red-backed Orbweaver
Araneus guttulatus is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, found in eastern North America. The species is characterized by distinctive coloration including green legs and cephalothorax with a reddish-brown abdomen bearing white markings. Like other members of the genus Araneus, it constructs circular orb webs to capture prey. The species was described by Walckenaer in 1841 and is one of numerous orb weaver species documented in the region.
Araneus iviei
Araneus iviei is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae. It was described by Archer in 1951. The species is known from the United States and Canada, with records from Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. As a member of the genus Araneus, it constructs spiral wheel-shaped webs typical of orb-weaver spiders.
Araneus juniperi
Juniper Orbweaver
Araneus juniperi is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, commonly known as the Juniper Orbweaver. It is native to North America and has been documented in the United States and Canada. As a member of the genus Araneus, it constructs spiral orb webs to capture prey. Specific details about its ecology and behavior remain limited in published sources.
Araneus mammatus
Araneus mammatus is a species of orb-weaver spider in the family Araneidae, described by Archer in 1951. It is known from the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in the available literature. As a member of the large genus Araneus, it constructs spiral wheel-shaped webs typical of the family.
Araneus miniatus
Black-spotted Orbweaver
Araneus miniatus is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae, commonly known as the Black-spotted Orbweaver. It is found in the United States and is one of many species in the large genus Araneus, which includes numerous North American orb weavers with diverse abdominal patterns. Like other members of its genus, it constructs circular webs to capture prey.
Araneus partitus
Araneus partitus is a species of orb-weaver spider in the family Araneidae. It is known to occur in the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented. The species was described by Walckenaer in 1841. Like other members of the genus Araneus, it constructs spiral orb webs for prey capture.
Araneus pratensis
Openfield Orbweaver
Araneus pratensis, commonly known as the Openfield Orbweaver, is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae. It occurs across much of the United States and southern Canada. As a member of the large genus Araneus, it constructs the characteristic circular webs typical of this group. The specific epithet 'pratensis' refers to meadow or grassland habitats, suggesting an association with open field environments.
Araneus trifolium
Shamrock Orbweaver, Shamrock Spider
Araneus trifolium, commonly known as the shamrock orbweaver, is a North American spider in the family Araneidae. The species exhibits notable color polymorphism in abdominal patterning, ranging from beige and brown to yellow, orange, and occasionally greenish tones. It constructs large orb webs to capture flying insect prey and is distinguished from similar species by the presence of white dots on the dorsal abdomen.
Araneus tuscarora
Araneus tuscarora is a small orb-weaver spider in the family Araneidae, described by Herbert W. Levi in 1973. Like other members of the genus, it constructs circular orb webs to capture flying insects. The species is part of a diverse North American radiation of Araneus, many of which exhibit variable abdominal coloration and patterning.
Archasia auriculata
Archasia auriculata is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, characterized by an elaborate pronotal extension that resembles a leaf or plant part. The species was described by Fitch in 1851 and belongs to the tribe Telamonini within the subfamily Smiliinae. Treehoppers in this genus are known for their highly modified pronota that serve as camouflage and protection.
Archips cerasivorana
ugly-nest caterpillar moth
Archips cerasivorana, commonly known as the ugly-nest caterpillar moth, is a tortricid moth species distributed across North America from Alaska to North Carolina. The species is notable for its highly social larval behavior: caterpillars construct large communal silk nests by tying host plant leaves together, and they communicate through trail-following pheromones released from their spinnerets. Adults display distinctive orange forewings with silvery bars and a wingspan of 20–25 mm. The species has one generation per year, with adults active from July to September.
Archips dissitana
Boldly-marked Archips Moth
Archips dissitana, commonly known as the Boldly-marked Archips Moth, is a tortricid moth species distributed across boreal forests of North America from Alberta to Nova Scotia, extending south to Minnesota and North Carolina in the Appalachian Mountains. The species was first described by Grote in 1879 as Tortrix dissitana and later transferred to the genus Archips. As a member of the leafroller moth genus Archips, its larvae likely feed on woody plants and construct characteristic rolled leaf shelters, though specific host associations for this species require further documentation.
Archips georgiana
Georgia Archips Moth
Archips georgiana is a tortricid moth commonly known as the Georgia Archips Moth. It occurs in the eastern and southeastern United States, with records from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Texas. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are known as leafrollers, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented. It was originally described by Walker in 1863 under the name Retinia georgiana.
Archips mortuana
Duskyback Leafroller, dusky-back leaf roller
Archips mortuana, commonly known as the Duskyback Leafroller, is a tortricid moth species native to North America. The species was originally described as Cacoecia mortuana by Kearfott in 1907 and later transferred to the genus Archips. Larvae are leafrollers, constructing silk-bound shelters within rolled or folded leaves of host plants. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning northeastern and north-central North America, with records extending into the Canadian prairie provinces.
Archips myricana
Archips myricana is a species of tortricid moth first described by McDunnough in 1923. It belongs to the leafroller genus Archips, whose larvae characteristically roll or fold leaves to create shelters while feeding. The species has been recorded from scattered localities across northern North America, including Maine, Montana, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to have herbivorous larvae that feed on host plant foliage, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Archips negundana
Larger Boxelder Leafroller Moth
Archips negundana, the larger boxelder leafroller moth, is a small tortricid moth native to North America. Adults are active in July and have a wingspan of 18–21 mm. The species was first described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1902. Larvae are known to feed on boxelder (Acer negundo), nettle (Urtica), and honeysuckle (Lonicera), rolling leaves for shelter.
Archips purpurana
omnivorous leafroller moth
Archips purpurana, commonly known as the omnivorous leafroller moth, is a tortricid moth species described by Clemens in 1865. The species is notable for its leafrolling larval behavior, where caterpillars bind leaves together with silk to form shelters. It has been recorded as a host for the mason wasp Ancistrocerus unifasciatus, which exploits the caterpillar's escape response to capture it. The species occurs widely across eastern North America.
Archips rileyana
Southern Ugly-nest Caterpillar Moth
Archips rileyana, commonly known as the Southern Ugly-nest Caterpillar Moth, is a species of tortricid moth native to eastern North America. The species was first described by Grote in 1868 under the name Tortrix rileyana. Larvae construct characteristic 'ugly nests' by webbing together leaves and feeding within these shelters. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range from Maine south to Florida and west to Texas and Missouri.
Archips semiferanus
Oak Leafroller Moth, Oak Leaf Roller, Oak Leafroller
Archips semiferanus is a tortricid moth whose larvae are major defoliators of oak trees in eastern North America. The species produces one generation annually, with eggs laid in July, overwintering, and hatching the following spring. Larvae roll oak leaves with silk to form shelters, feeding inside until pupation in June. Outbreaks can cause extensive tree mortality, with over one million acres defoliated in Pennsylvania during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The female sex pheromone has been studied extensively and contains (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate as a primary component.
Archirhoe
Archirhoe is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Larentiinae, established by Herbulot in 1951. The genus contains four described species distributed in North America: A. associata, A. indefinata, A. multipunctata, and A. neomexicana. These moths are part of the diverse carpet moth group, though specific ecological and biological details remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Archirhoe associata
Archirhoe associata is a species of geometrid moth in the subfamily Larentiinae. It was described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1941. The species is recorded from North America and has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 7297. Available records for this species are limited.
Archirhoe indefinata
Archirhoe indefinata is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Grossbeck in 1907. It belongs to the subfamily Larentiinae, a diverse group of moths commonly known as carpet moths. The species has been recorded in North America and is recognized in entomological databases by Hodges number 7296. Available documentation remains limited, with few detailed studies of its biology.
Archirhoe neomexicana
New Mexico Carpet Moth
Archirhoe neomexicana is a geometrid moth in the subfamily Larentiinae, commonly known as the New Mexico Carpet Moth. The species was originally described by George D. Hulst in 1896 under the name Hydriomena neomexicana. It has been recorded across Central America and North America, with 2,802 observations documented on iNaturalist.
Archodontes melanopus aridus
Willow Root Borer
Archodontes melanopus aridus is a subspecies of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Prioninae) described by Casey in 1924. It is part of the Mallodonina subtribe within the Macrotomini tribe. The subspecies epithet 'aridus' suggests association with arid environments. Based on its placement within Archodontes melanopus, it likely shares the common name 'Willow Root Borer' with the nominate subspecies, indicating larval development in willow roots.
Archodontes melanopus serrulatus
A subspecies of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Prioninae, native to North America. Described by LeConte in 1854, this beetle belongs to a genus characterized by large mandibles and wood-boring larvae. The subspecific epithet 'serrulatus' refers to small serrations, likely describing a diagnostic feature of the mandibles or elytra.
Archytas aterrimus
Archytas aterrimus is a species of tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae. The species was originally described as Jurinia aterrima by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830 before being transferred to the genus Archytas. Tachinid flies in this genus are generally parasitoids of other insects. The species has been documented in field observations on flowers of Ericameria nauseosa (rubber rabbitbrush) in the southwestern United States, where it has been noted as a large, black, bristly fly occurring alongside other tachinid species.
Archytas lateralis
Archytas lateralis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It is distributed across North America, including Canada, the United States, and Mexico. As a member of the Tachinidae family, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific details about its host relationships and biology remain limited in available sources.
Arctia yarrowii
Yarrow's tiger moth, Mountain Tiger Moth
Arctia yarrowii, commonly known as Yarrow's tiger moth or Mountain Tiger Moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was first described by Richard Harper Stretch in 1874. The species inhabits high-elevation alpine environments in western North America, specifically barren rocky fellfields and slides above the timberline. Adults are active during mid-summer, with forewings approximately 22 mm in length.
Arctocorisa sutilis
Arctocorisa sutilis is a species of water boatman in the family Corixidae, first described by Uhler in 1876. It belongs to a genus of aquatic true bugs found in freshwater habitats. The species is recorded from North America, particularly in the Nearctic region excluding Beringia. Like other corixids, it is an aquatic insect adapted to life in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waters. Very limited published information exists on its specific biology.
Arctogeophilus
Arctogeophilus is a genus of soil centipedes in the family Geophilidae, comprising fourteen species distributed across subarctic and temperate regions of Asia, North America, and western Europe. First described as a subgenus by Carl Attems in 1909 and elevated to genus rank by Henri Ribaut in 1910, its name references the northern distribution toward Ursa Major. Species range from 11 mm to 50 mm in length and possess 35 to 69 pairs of legs.
centipedesoil-dwellingsubarctictemperateGeophilidaeGeophilomorphaChilopodaMyriapodaArthropodanorthern-distributionelongate-headforcipule-denticlesvariable-leg-number14-speciesAttems-1909Ribaut-1910AsiaNorth-AmericaEuropephylogenetic-sister-to-AlloschizotaeniaPachymeriumSchendyloidescarpophagus-absentultimate-legs-longer-than-penultimatescattered-pores-on-ultimate-legs11-50-mm-length35-69-leg-pairsA.-sachalinus-smallA.-wolfi-smallA.-melanonotus-largeA.-macrocephalus-fewest-legsA.-atopus-most-legsA.-glacialis-phylogenetic-representativeArctogeophilus-atopusArctogeophilus-attemsiArctogeophilus-corvallisArctogeophilus-fulvusArctogeophilus-glacialisArctogeophilus-inopinatusArctogeophilus-insularisArctogeophilus-macrocephalusArctogeophilus-melanonotusArctogeophilus-quadratusArctogeophilus-sachalinusArctogeophilus-shelfordiArctogeophilus-umbraticusArctogeophilus-wolfiArctogeophilus umbraticus
Arctogeophilus umbraticus is a soil-dwelling centipede in the family Geophilidae, first described from the United States in 1887. As a member of the order Geophilomorpha, it exhibits the elongated, multi-legged body form characteristic of this group. The species has been recorded in North America, though detailed biological studies remain limited. Its specific epithet 'umbraticus' suggests association with shaded or dark habitats.
Arctopsyche grandis
netspinning caddisfly
Arctopsyche grandis is a species of netspinning caddisfly in the family Hydropsychidae, found in North America. Larvae construct silk nets to capture food in flowing water and complete their development in approximately one year. The species has been studied in Central Idaho streams where it reaches high population densities on rocky substrates.
Arctosa rubicunda
Redlined Wolf Spider
Arctosa rubicunda is a wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, commonly known as the Redlined Wolf Spider. It occurs in North America, with confirmed records from the United States and Canada including Alberta and British Columbia. The species has been documented as a host for the spider wasp Priocnemis minorata, which paralyzes it to provision nests for its larvae.
Arctosa virgo
Arctosa virgo is a species of wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, described by Chamberlin in 1925. It is known from the United States, with records from oak-hickory forests in southern Missouri. As a member of the genus Arctosa, it belongs to a group of cursorial wolf spiders adapted to ground-dwelling predation. Very little specific information has been published about this species beyond its original description and a few collection records.
Arcuphantes
Arcuphantes is a genus of dwarf spiders (Linyphiidae: Micronetinae) comprising 57 species distributed across Asia and North America. The genus was established by Chamberlin and Ivie in 1943, with A. fragilis designated as the type species. Species diversity is concentrated in Japan and Korea, with additional representatives in China, Mongolia, and North America. The genus is characterized by distinctive genital morphology, particularly elaborate epigynal scapes and male palpal structures.
Arcuphantes arcuatulus
Arcuphantes arcuatulus is a species of sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae. It was described by Roewer in 1942 and is known from the United States and Canada. Members of this family construct small, flat sheet webs to capture prey.
Arcutelphusa talladega
Arcutelphusa talladega is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It is the sole member of its genus. The species was described in 2008 and is known from a limited distribution in the southeastern United States.
Ardistomina
Ardistomina is a subtribe of ground beetles (Carabidae: Clivinini) containing three genera in North America: Aspidoglossa, Semiardistomis, and Ardistomis. Five species occur north of Mexico. Larval morphology has been described based on first-instar Semiardistomis viridis, representing the first larval character states documented for the subtribe. The subtribe was historically confused with related taxa, necessitating taxonomic revisions to clarify generic boundaries.
Ardistomis schaumii
Ardistomis schaumii is a species of ground beetle first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1857. It belongs to the tribe Clivinini within the subfamily Scaritinae, a group characterized by fossorial (burrowing) adaptations. The species occurs in both North America and Central America. Published records remain sparse, with only 12 observations documented on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Areniscythris
Areniscythris is a genus of small moths in the family Scythrididae, established by Powell in 1976. The genus contains two described species: A. brachypteris and A. whitesands, both associated with sandy habitats. The genus name references its association with sand (Latin 'arena' = sand).
Arenivaga
sand cockroaches, desert cockroaches
Arenivaga is a genus of sand cockroaches in the family Corydiidae, comprising approximately 48 species distributed across the southwestern United States, Florida, and Mexico. These insects are highly adapted to arid environments, inhabiting sandy soils and dunes with moisture content below 1%. The genus exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism, with winged males and wingless, fossorial females that 'swim' through sand. A 2014 revision by Heidi Hopkins added 39 new species to the previously known nine, revealing a remarkable radiation in desert habitats.
Arenivaga bolliana
Boll's sand cockroach, Boll's sandroach
Arenivaga bolliana is a species of desert cockroach in the family Corydiidae, native to North America. It belongs to a genus known for extreme sexual dimorphism, with females wingless and males fully winged. The species inhabits arid and sandy environments, reflecting the family's adaptation to harsh, dry habitats rather than the tropical moist conditions typically associated with cockroaches. Like other Arenivaga species, it is likely subterranean in habit and difficult to detect. The genus was revised in 2014, revealing substantial undescribed diversity, though A. bolliana itself was described in the 19th century.
Arenivaga gaiophanes
desert cockroach, sand cockroach
Arenivaga gaiophanes is a species of desert cockroach in the family Corydiidae, described by Heidi Hopkins in 2014 as part of a major revision of the genus Arenivaga. The genus Arenivaga, previously containing only nine species, was expanded to include 39 new species in this revision. Members of this genus inhabit harsh, arid environments and exhibit dramatic sexual dimorphism, with females appearing entirely different from males. The species epithet 'gaiophanes' derives from Greek roots meaning 'earth-revealing,' alluding to their subterranean habits.
Arenivaga tenax
desert cockroach, sand cockroach
Arenivaga tenax is a species of desert cockroach in the family Corydiidae, described by Heidi Hopkins in 2014 as part of a comprehensive revision of the genus Arenivaga. The genus was dramatically expanded from 9 to 48 species through this work, revealing extensive undiscovered diversity in arid-adapted cockroaches. Like other Arenivaga species, A. tenax exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism, with males and females appearing so different that associating specimens of the same species presents significant taxonomic challenges. The species is known from male specimens only, with species-level identification relying on complex genital characters.
Arenivaga tonkawa
tonkawa sand cockroach
Arenivaga tonkawa, the tonkawa sand cockroach, is a species of desert cockroach in the family Corydiidae. It occurs in Central America and North America, with records from Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Like other Arenivaga species, it exhibits dramatic sexual dimorphism, with males and females differing substantially in appearance. The species belongs to a genus of sand cockroaches adapted to harsh, arid environments.
Arenophilus bipuncticeps
Northern Short-clawed Centipede
Arenophilus bipuncticeps is a species of soil-dwelling centipede in the family Geophilidae, commonly known as the Northern Short-clawed Centipede. It belongs to the order Geophilomorpha, which comprises elongated, multi-legged centipedes adapted to burrowing in soil and leaf litter. The species was described by Wood in 1862 and is native to North America.
Arenophilus iugans
Arenophilus iugans is a species of soil centipede in the family Geophilidae, described by Chamberlin in 1944. Like other members of the genus Arenophilus, it is characterized by adaptations to sandy habitats. The species is known from North America, though detailed ecological and biological information remains limited in the available literature.
Arethaea brevicauda
California thread-leg katydid, short-tail thread-leg katydid
Arethaea brevicauda is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the California thread-leg katydid or short-tail thread-leg katydid. It is characterized by its slender, thread-like legs and relatively short cerci compared to other members of the genus. The species is native to western North America and is active primarily during the warmer months.