North-america
Guides
Brachyleptura
Brachyleptura is a genus of flower longhorn beetles in the subfamily Lepturinae, containing eight species distributed across North America. Members are distinguished from other Lepturinae by often abbreviated elytra, though this trait is variably expressed. Adults are diurnal and visit flowers, particularly those with white, compound, flat-topped inflorescences. Larvae develop in decaying hardwoods including beech, birch, elm, hickory, and maple.
Brachyleptura brevis
Short Long-horned Beetle
Brachyleptura brevis is a flower longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lepturinae of the family Cerambycidae. The species is characterized by abbreviated elytra relative to other members of the genus, a trait referenced in its specific epithet "brevis" (short). It belongs to a group of diurnal cerambycids that visit flowers as adults. The species has been documented in North America, with records from Canada and the United States including Vermont.
Brachyleptura circumdata
Dark-shouldered Long-horned Beetle
Brachyleptura circumdata is a small flower longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lepturinae, measuring 7–10 mm in length. First described by Olivier in 1795, it is smaller than congeners and exhibits abbreviated elytra characteristic of the genus. The species is known to breed in coniferous trees as larvae and is most active during June and July. It belongs to a group of diurnal cerambycids that visit flowers as adults.
Brachyleptura dehiscens
Brachyleptura dehiscens is a species of flower longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1859. It belongs to the subfamily Lepturinae, characterized by diurnal adults that frequently visit flowers. The genus name refers to the often abbreviated elytra typical of the group, though this trait varies among species. Specific biological details for B. dehiscens remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Brachyleptura vagans
Brachyleptura vagans is a species of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) first described by Guillaume-Antoine Olivier in 1795. It belongs to the subfamily Lepturinae, commonly known as flower longhorns, and is native to North America. The species is distinguished by its black elytra with small red patches behind the humeri and white-annulated antennae.
Brachylomia sierra
Brachylomia sierra is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, described in 2007 by James T. Troubridge and J. Donald Lafontaine. It is native to North America and has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 9997.1. The species belongs to the genus Brachylomia, a group of noctuid moths. Very little specific ecological or biological information has been published for this recently described species.
Brachymelecta interrupta
Interrupted Digger-cuckoo Bee
Brachymelecta interrupta is a species of digger-cuckoo bee in the family Apidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. As a cuckoo bee, it is presumed to be a nest parasite of other bees, though specific host relationships are not well documented. The species was originally described as Melecta interrupta by Cresson in 1872.
Brachymeria tegularis
Brachymeria tegularis is a small parasitic wasp in the family Chalcididae, originally described from North America by Cresson in 1872. The genus Brachymeria comprises approximately 26 species in North America, with members typically ranging 3-6 mm in length. Species in this genus function as both primary and secondary parasitoids, attacking larvae of Lepidoptera and muscoid flies, with adults emerging from host pupae. The distinctive 'thunder thighs'—greatly swollen hind femora with bowed tibiae—are characteristic of the family and aid in rapid escape from danger.
Brachymesia gravida
Four-spotted Pennant
Brachymesia gravida, commonly known as the four-spotted pennant, is a dragonfly species in the family Libellulidae. It is native to North America and holds a Least Concern conservation status with stable populations. The species is relatively well-documented with over 12,000 observations on iNaturalist.
Brachymyrmex depilis
Hairless Rover Ant
Brachymyrmex depilis is a North American species of rover ant in the subfamily Formicinae. The species was described by Emery in 1893. A 2019 study synonymized B. nanellus and rejected the subspecies B. depilis flavescens due to lack of significant morphological differences. The common name "Hairless Rover Ant" reflects its relatively glabrous appearance compared to congeners.
Brachymyrmex minutus
Hairy Yellow Rover Ant
A small ant species in the genus Brachymyrmex, native to South America with introduced populations in the United States. The species is commonly known as the Hairy Yellow Rover Ant and has been documented in Brazil and the conterminous 48 United States.
Brachynemurus
antlions
Brachynemurus is a genus of antlions (family Myrmeleontidae, order Neuroptera) containing at least 20 described species. Unlike the pit-digging larvae of the genus Myrmeleon, Brachynemurus larvae are sit-and-wait predators that bury themselves just below the soil surface without constructing funnel traps. The genus is widespread across arid regions of North America, with species adapted to dry environments. Adult Brachynemurus are delicate, lacy-winged insects with short, clubbed antennae that distinguish them from superficially similar damselflies.
Brachynemurus blandus
Brachynemurus blandus is a species of antlion in the family Myrmeleontidae, order Neuroptera. The genus Brachynemurus is one of 18 genera of antlions recorded north of Mexico. Like other antlions, this species undergoes complete metamorphosis with a predatory larval stage and a delicate, lacy-winged adult stage. The larvae are predatory, while adults are typically found in tall grasses, especially at dusk.
Brachynemurus ferox
Brachynemurus ferox is a species of antlion in the family Myrmeleontidae, first described by Walker in 1853. The species is distributed across North America and Middle America. Like other antlions, it belongs to an order of predatory insects characterized by their distinctive larval pit-digging behavior and elongated, net-veined wings in adults.
Brachynemurus hubbardii
Brachynemurus hubbardii is an antlion species in the family Myrmeleontidae, distributed across Central America and North America. The genus Brachynemurus belongs to a diverse group of antlions whose larvae typically do not construct the characteristic funnel-shaped pits associated with the more familiar genus Myrmeleon. Instead, Brachynemurus larvae bury themselves just below the soil surface and wait for prey to pass by. Adults are delicate, lacy-winged insects that resemble damselflies but possess short, clubbed antennae.
Brachynemurus irregularis
Brachynemurus irregularis is a species of antlion in the family Myrmeleontidae, first described by Currie in 1906. As a member of the genus Brachynemurus, its larvae do not construct the characteristic pit traps associated with the genus Myrmeleon; instead, they bury themselves just below the soil surface to ambush prey. Adults are delicate, slender insects with lacy wings and short, clubbed antennae that distinguish them from superficially similar damselflies. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented compared to better-studied antlion genera.
Brachynemurus longicaudus
Brachynemurus longicaudus is an antlion species in the family Myrmeleontidae, distributed across North America. Adults are delicate, slender insects with lacy wings that superficially resemble damselflies but are distinguished by their short, clubbed antennae. Larvae are predatory, burying themselves just below the soil surface to ambush prey rather than constructing the characteristic funnel-shaped pits seen in some other antlion genera. The species was originally described as Myrmecoleon longicaudus by Burmeister in 1839.
Brachynemurus nebulosus
antlion
Brachynemurus nebulosus is a species of antlion in the family Myrmeleontidae, distributed across North America. Like other antlions, it undergoes complete metamorphosis with a predatory larval stage and a delicate, lacy-winged adult stage. The species belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive wing patterns and morphology among antlions.
Brachynomadini
cuckoo bees
Brachynomadini is a tribe of cleptoparasitic cuckoo bees within the subfamily Nomadinae of family Apidae. The tribe contains at least five genera and approximately 20 described species. Members are brood parasites that lay eggs in the nests of other bee species, primarily within the family Apidae.
Brachyogmus ornatus
Brachyogmus ornatus is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Linell in 1897. It is provisionally accepted in taxonomic databases and is known from North America. The genus Brachyogmus is part of the diverse weevil superfamily Curculionoidea. Very little is known about the specific biology or ecology of this species, with only six observations recorded in iNaturalist as of the available data.
Brachyopa flavescens
Yellow Sapeater
Brachyopa flavescens, commonly known as the Yellow Sapeater, is a species of syrphid fly (hoverfly) described by Shannon in 1915. The species is fairly common in northeastern North America. Adults are associated with flowers, from which they obtain nectar and pollen. Larvae of the genus Brachyopa are of the rat-tailed type, though larvae of B. flavescens specifically have not been described.
Brachyopa notata
Black-banded Sapeater
Brachyopa notata is a rare species of syrphid fly (hoverfly) found in northeastern North America. Adults are flower-visiting insects that obtain nectar and pollen from flowers. The species is poorly documented, with only 25 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Larval development remains undescribed for this species, though related members of the genus Brachyopa possess rat-tailed larvae adapted to aquatic or semi-aquatic environments.
Brachypanorpa
short-nosed scorpionfly
Brachypanorpa is a genus of scorpionflies in the family Panorpodidae, containing five described species distributed in a disjunct pattern across eastern North America and the Pacific Northwest. The genus exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in mouthpart morphology: females possess elongated mouthparts adapted for feeding on subcortical fluids, while males have shorter mouthparts. Larvae develop within decaying wood, functioning as decomposers in forest ecosystems.
Brachypanorpa carolinensis
short-nosed scorpionfly
Brachypanorpa carolinensis, commonly known as the short-nosed scorpionfly, is a species of scorpionfly in the family Panorpodidae. The species is endemic to eastern North America. It is one of several species in the genus Brachypanorpa, which are characterized by their reduced wing venation and short rostrum compared to other scorpionflies.
Brachypeplus basalis
Brachypeplus basalis is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, described by Erichson in 1842. The genus Brachypeplus belongs to a group of beetles commonly associated with fermenting or decaying plant materials, fungi, and occasionally flowers. As a member of Nitidulidae, this species likely exhibits the family's characteristic compact body form and clubbed antennae. Records indicate presence in the conterminous United States.
Brachys
Leaf-mining jewel beetles
Brachys is a genus of small metallic wood-boring beetles in the family Buprestidae, tribe Trachyini. The genus contains at least 140 described species distributed primarily in North America, with some species in Central and South America. Adults are characterized by their flattened, compact, wedge-shaped morphology—distinctly different from the more typical elongate, cylindrical form of most jewel beetles. This body plan reflects their unique larval habit of mining within leaves of host plants rather than boring through wood. The genus is strongly associated with oaks (Quercus) and other hardwoods, though some species utilize diverse host plant families.
BuprestidaeAgrilinaeTrachyinileaf-mineroak-associatejewel-beetlemetallic-wood-boring-beetlehardwood-forestphenologyNorth-AmericaSouth-AmericaCerradoQuercusBrachys-ovatusBrachys-aerosusBrachys-aeruginosusBrachys-querciBrachys-cephalicusBrachys-floccosusBrachys-barberiBrachys-rileyiBrachys-apacheiBrachys-cleidecostaeBrachys-tessellatusBrachys aerosus
Northern Red Oak Jewel Beetle
Brachys aerosus is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, tribe Trachyini. Adults measure 3–5 mm in length and exhibit highly variable coloration, with the basal region of the elytra typically showing purple, blue, or green luster and the apical area covered in gold to bronze pubescence. The species is commonly associated with hardwood trees, particularly oaks and elms, though its broad host range and morphological variability suggest it may represent a cryptic species complex. Larvae are leaf miners rather than wood borers, a distinctive trait of the tribe Trachyini.
Brachys fasciferus
Brachys fasciferus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, tribe Trachyini. It is native to North America. Members of the genus Brachys are leaf-miners as larvae, developing within the leaves of hardwood trees rather than boring through wood, a habit that distinguishes them from most other buprestids.
Brachys floricola
Brachys floricola is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America and primarily found in the continental United States. It belongs to the genus Brachys, a group characterized by flattened, compact, wedge-shaped bodies and leaf-mining larval habits. Members of this genus typically mine the leaves of hardwood trees, particularly oaks (Quercus). The species is part of the tribe Trachyini, which exhibits highly derived morphology compared to other jewel beetles.
Brachyserphus
Brachyserphus is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Proctotrupidae, established by Hellén in 1941. The genus occurs in both the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. A 2019 taxonomic revision documented North American species, recording B. acuticaudatus in Canada for the first time and excluding B. parvulus from the Nearctic fauna. Species-level identification requires examination of subtle morphological characters.
Brachysomida
Brachysomida is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Lepturinae, tribe Rhagiini. It contains five described species distributed in North America, including B. atra, B. bivittata, B. californica, B. rugicollis, and B. vittigera. The genus was established by Casey in 1913. Species in this genus are associated with forested habitats and are part of the flower-visiting longhorn beetle fauna.
Brachysomida atra
Brachysomida atra is a species of longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lepturinae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1850. It occurs in western North America, with records from Alberta and British Columbia in Canada, and the United States. As a member of the Rhagiini tribe, it belongs to a group of flower-visiting longhorn beetles, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Brachysomida bivittata
Double-lined Longhorn Beetle
Brachysomida bivittata is a small longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lepturinae, commonly known as the Double-lined Longhorn Beetle. The species measures 7–11 mm in length. It occurs in Canada and the north-central United States, with Nebraska specifically documented. Three historical varieties have been described: fusciceps, nigripennis, and varians.
Brachysomida nigripennis
Black-winged Long-horned Beetle
Brachysomida nigripennis is a long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Lepturinae. The species is characterized by its dark, nearly black elytra that distinguish it from congeners with more patterned or lighter coloration. It occurs across northern North America, with records from Canada and the northern United States. The genus Brachysomida contains several species that are often associated with coniferous and deciduous woodlands, where adults are frequently found on flowers or foliage.
Brachystola
grassland lubbers
Brachystola is a genus of large, flightless grassland lubber grasshoppers in the family Romaleidae, distributed across the western United States and Mexico. Members are among the largest grasshoppers in North America, with robust bodies, short non-functional wings, and striking coloration. The genus includes six recognized species, with Brachystola magna (plains lubber grasshopper) being the most studied due to its use in early genetic research and its status as an occasional agricultural pest.
Brackenridgia
woodlice
Brackenridgia is a genus of small terrestrial isopods (woodlice) in the family Trichoniscidae, established by Ulrich in 1902. The genus contains nine described species distributed primarily in North America, with several species exhibiting troglomorphic adaptations for cave-dwelling. Species in this genus are typically found in moist, dark microhabitats including caves, forest litter, and rocky crevices.
Bradycellus californicus
Small California Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus californicus is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by LeConte in 1857. It is native to western North America, with documented occurrences in California and surrounding regions. The species belongs to the genus Bradycellus, a group of small carabid beetles commonly referred to as harp ground beetles. Based on iNaturalist records, it has been observed at least 87 times, suggesting it is not exceptionally rare but may be under-recorded due to its small size and ground-dwelling habits.
Bradycellus conformis
Conforming Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus conformis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Conforming Harp Ground Beetle. It occurs in North America, with records from both Canada and the United States. As a member of the genus Bradycellus, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized carabid beetles often associated with open, disturbed, or sandy habitats. The species was described by Fall in 1905.
Bradycellus congener
Congeneric Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus congener is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1847. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized carabid beetles commonly referred to as harp ground beetles. The species is distributed across North America, with records from both Canada and the United States. Like other members of Bradycellus, it is likely associated with open, dry habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Bradycellus decorus
Bradycellus decorus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Casey in 1914. The species is known from the United States, with records indicating presence in North America. As a member of Bradycellus, it belongs to a genus of small carabid beetles typically associated with ground-dwelling habits in various terrestrial habitats.
Bradycellus fenderi
Bradycellus fenderi is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described by Hatch in 1951. The species is known from the United States, with distribution records indicating presence in North America. As a member of the genus Bradycellus, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized carabid beetles commonly found in various terrestrial habitats.
Bradycellus insulsus
Bungling Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus insulsus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Bungling Harp Ground Beetle. It belongs to the genus Bradycellus, a group of small to medium-sized carabid beetles. The species is recorded from North America, with distribution spanning Canada and the United States. Available records indicate it is a rarely observed species, with limited documentation of its biology and ecology.
Bradycellus kirbyi
Kirby's Brown Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus kirbyi is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, known from North America. It is one of numerous Bradycellus species inhabiting the continent. The species was described by G.H. Horn in 1883. Available information about its biology and ecology remains limited.
Bradycellus lugubris
Mourning Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus lugubris is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, native to North America. The species is commonly known as the Mourning Harp Ground Beetle. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1847. The genus Bradycellus is part of the diverse ground beetle fauna of North America.
Bradycellus neglectus
Mackinac Island Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus neglectus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, known by the common name Mackinac Island Harp Ground Beetle. The species was described by LeConte in 1847. It occurs in North America, with distribution records from Canada and the United States. The species is represented by few observations, suggesting it may be uncommon or underrecorded.
Bradycellus nigerrimus Lindroth, 1968
Prairie Black Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus nigerrimus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Lindroth in 1968. It occurs in North America, with records from both Canada and the United States. The species is known by the common name Prairie Black Harp Ground Beetle. Very few observations exist in public databases, with only three records documented on iNaturalist.
Bradycellus nitidus
Bradycellus nitidus is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, tribe Bradycellini. The species was described by Dejean in 1829 and is currently accepted as valid. It occurs in North America, with documented records from Canada and the United States. As a member of Bradycellus, it belongs to a genus of small carabid beetles often associated with open, dry habitats.
Bradycellus politus
Shiny Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus politus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, first described by Fall in 1905. Known commonly as the Shiny Harp Ground Beetle, this species occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States. The genus Bradycellus comprises small to medium-sized ground beetles typically associated with open, dry habitats. Information on the specific biology of B. politus remains limited in published literature.
Bradycellus rupestris
Rock-dwelling Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus rupestris is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, found in North America. It is commonly known as the Rock-dwelling Harp Ground Beetle, a name reflecting its association with rocky habitats. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1823. Records indicate presence in both Canada and the United States.
Bradycellus veronianus
Bradycellus veronianus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Casey in 1924. It belongs to the genus Bradycellus, a group of small to medium-sized carabid beetles commonly found in North America. The species is documented from the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited.