North-american-endemic
Guides
Parcoblatta bolliana
Boll's Wood Cockroach, Boll's Wood Roach
Parcoblatta bolliana is a small wood cockroach species native to the United States, measuring approximately 11 mm in length. Males are slender with long, functional wings, while females are stouter with reduced tegmina and no functional hindwings. First-instar nymphs have been documented living in ant nests of Cremastogaster lineolata in Kansas, though adults are not found in these associations. The species occupies diverse habitats including pine woods, grasslands, and decaying wood debris.
Pelastoneurus kansensis
Pelastoneurus kansensis is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Aldrich in 1894. The specific epithet "kansensis" indicates the species was described from Kansas. As a member of the Dolichopodidae, it belongs to a diverse family of predatory flies commonly known as long-legged flies or dance flies. The genus Pelastoneurus is part of the subfamily Dolichopodinae.
Perdita octomaculata
eight-spotted miner bee, eight-spotted perdita, eight-spotted fairy bee
Perdita octomaculata is a small solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae. The species was originally described as Panurgus octomaculatus by Thomas Say in 1824. It is one of approximately 700 species in the genus Perdita, which represents one of the most diverse bee genera in North America. The specific epithet 'octomaculata' refers to eight spots, likely describing a distinctive marking pattern on the body.
Piosoma
Piosoma is a monotypic genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, containing the single species Piosoma setosum. The genus was established by LeConte in 1847 and is classified within the tribe Harpalini. It is endemic to North America.
Platypatrobus
Platypatrobus is a monotypic genus of ground beetles (family Carabidae) established by Darlington in 1938. The genus contains a single species, Platypatrobus lacustris, found in North America. It belongs to the subfamily Patrobinae, a group of small to medium-sized ground beetles often associated with moist habitats.
Polites origenes
crossline skipper
Polites origenes, the crossline skipper, is a small butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It occurs in eastern North America from southern Canada through the eastern United States, excluding Florida. The species exhibits one generation annually in Canada and two generations in the United States. Larvae feed on specific grass species, while adults visit flowers for nectar.
Polychrysia morigera
disjunct looper
Polychrysia morigera, known as the disjunct looper, is a small noctuid moth notable for being the rarest Plusiinae species in North America. It occurs in three geographically isolated populations: river valleys of the eastern United States, the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific coast. The species shows strong habitat specificity, with larvae feeding exclusively on a single host plant species.
Polygonia interrogationis
Question Mark, question mark butterfly
Polygonia interrogationis, commonly called the question mark butterfly, is a North American nymphalid butterfly recognized by the distinctive silver ?-shaped mark on the underside of its hindwing. Adults have a wingspan of 4.5–7.6 cm and exhibit cryptic coloration resembling a dead leaf when wings are closed. The species produces two generations annually, with adults active from May through September. Winter-form adults hibernate in sheltered locations and emerge in spring to reproduce.
Polygrammate
Polygrammate is a monotypic moth genus in the family Noctuidae, containing a single species, Polygrammate hebraeicum (Hebrew moth). The genus was established by Jacob Hübner in 1818. Adults are active during summer months in eastern North America.
Pristaulacus occidentalis
Pristaulacus occidentalis is a species of aulacid wasp described by Cresson in 1879. The species belongs to family Aulacidae, a group of parasitoid wasps in the superfamily Evanioidea. It is endemic to North America, with distribution records from Canada including Alberta. The genus Pristaulacus is one of two genera in Aulacidae, comprising approximately 185 species globally with 32 species recorded in North America.
Prosoparia floridana
Prosoparia floridana is a moth species in the family Erebidae, described by Lafontaine and Dickel in 2009. It is found in North America. The species has a MONA/Hodges number of 8419.2. As a relatively recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Protochauliodes aridus
Protochauliodes aridus is a species of fishfly in the family Corydalidae, described by Maddux in 1954. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Protochauliodes, which are distributed primarily in North America. The specific epithet 'aridus' suggests an association with arid or dry environments, though this has not been explicitly documented. As with other fishflies, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Pseudothyatira cymatophoroides
Tufted Thyatirine Moth, tufted thyatirid moth
The tufted thyatirine moth is the sole species in the monotypic genus Pseudothyatira, placed in family Drepanidae (hooktip and false owlet moths). It is recognized for its complex bark-mimicking coloration that provides camouflage against tree trunks. The species exhibits a distinctive tufted thorax and intricate wing patterns that have drawn attention from naturalists. It represents a North American endemic with a transcontinental distribution across forested regions.
Psychomorpha epimenis
Grapevine Epimenis Moth
Psychomorpha epimenis, commonly known as the Grapevine Epimenis Moth, is a North American noctuid moth in the subfamily Agaristinae. Adults are diurnal and display striking black-and-white wing patterns with orange-red patches. The species is associated with grapevines and related plants. It is one of only two species in the genus Psychomorpha.
Raphiptera argillaceellus
Diminutive Grass-veneer
Raphiptera argillaceellus, the Diminutive Grass-veneer, is a small crambid moth and the sole member of its monotypic genus. It occurs across eastern North America from Labrador and Quebec south to Florida and Texas, with records extending to Costa Rica. The species is strongly associated with bog habitats. Adults are small with relatively plain, clay-colored forewings that give the species its specific epithet.
Rhyacionia busckana
Red Pine Tip Moth
Rhyacionia busckana is a small tortricid moth commonly known as the Red Pine Tip Moth. It is a conifer specialist whose larvae feed on pine species, causing damage to shoot tips. The species occurs in North America and is of economic concern in forestry contexts.
Scaphinotus bilobus
Bilobed Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus bilobus, commonly known as the bilobed snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is a brachypterous (short-winged), nocturnal predator specialized in feeding on snails. The species occurs across a broad swath of North America, ranging from eastern Canada through the Great Lakes region and into the north-central United States.
Scaphomorphus texanus
Scaphomorphus texanus is a weevil species in the family Curculionidae. The genus Scaphomorphus is endemic to North America. No specific ecological or behavioral information has been documented for this particular species in available sources.
Sciodrepoides latinotum
Sciodrepoides latinotum is a small carrion beetle in the family Leiodidae, described by Peck & Cook in 2002. It belongs to the subfamily Cholevinae, a group commonly associated with decomposing organic matter and subterranean habitats. The species is known from the eastern and central United States, with records spanning from the Mid-Atlantic to the Great Plains and Gulf Coast.
Scythris trivinctella
banded scythris moth
Scythris trivinctella is a small North American moth in the family Scythrididae, commonly known as the banded scythris moth. It is one of the most frequently observed scythridid species, with nearly 4,000 iNaturalist records. Adults are active across a broad geographic range from New England to southern British Columbia and south to Mexico. The species was described by Zeller in 1873.
Sericoplaga
Sericoplaga is a monotypic moth genus in the family Crambidae, established by William Warren in 1892. The genus contains a single species, Sericoplaga externalis, also described by Warren in the same year. This genus is endemic to North America.
Sericoplaga externalis
Falcate Sericoplaga
Sericoplaga externalis is a moth species in the family Crambidae and the sole member of its genus. It is found in eastern and central North America, ranging from Maryland to Illinois and south to Florida and Texas. The species is commonly known as the Falcate Sericoplaga. It has been documented in 1,479 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is moderately well-recorded but not extensively studied.
Sigmoria australis
Sigmoria australis is a flat-backed millipede in the family Xystodesmidae, described by Shelley in 1986. It belongs to the order Polydesmida, a group characterized by their dorsoventrally flattened bodies and distinct lateral extensions (paranota) on each segment. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Florida.
Sitalcina borregoensis
Sitalcina borregoensis is a species of armoured harvestman (order Opiliones, suborder Laniatores) described by Briggs in 1968. It belongs to the family Phalangodidae, a group of small to medium-sized harvestmen characterized by well-developed body armor. The species is known from North America, with the specific epithet suggesting a connection to the Borrego region, likely in California.
Stereomita
Stereomita is a genus of microlepidopteran moths in the family Gelechiidae, subfamily Aristoteliinae. The genus contains at least one described species, Stereomita andropogonis, which is distributed across eastern North America. Members are characterized by small size and distinctive wing patterning.
Stylogaster biannulata
thick-headed fly
Stylogaster biannulata is a species of thick-headed fly in the family Conopidae, subfamily Stylogastrinae. It is one of only two Stylogaster species known from North America. The species is distinguished from its congener S. neglecta by antennal proportions: in S. biannulata, the second antennomere is almost as long as the third, whereas in S. neglecta the second antennomere is notably shorter. Adults possess an extremely elongated proboscis that exceeds body length when fully extended.
Sympistis riparia
dune sympistis, dune oncocnemis
Sympistis riparia is a noctuid moth native to North America, first described by Herbert Knowles Morrison in 1875. The species is known by two common names: dune sympistis and dune oncocnemis. It holds conservation significance, having been designated as a species of special concern in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. The specific epithet 'riparia' suggests an association with riverbank or shoreline habitats, though this ecological connection has not been explicitly documented in available sources.
Syngrapha abstrusa
Abstruse False Looper Moth, abstruse false looper
Syngrapha abstrusa is a noctuid moth described in 1978 from North American specimens. Adults are medium-sized with wingspans of 30–32 mm. Larvae are specialized feeders on conifer foliage, particularly spruce and pine species. The species exhibits a transcontinental northern distribution pattern.
Texania campestris
Hardwood Heartwood Buprestid
Texania campestris is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The common name "hardwood heartwood buprestid" reflects its association with hardwood trees and its larval development within heartwood tissue. It is distributed across North America, with records from the United States and Canada. The species is notable for its large size among buprestids and its role as a host for predatory fly larvae.
Trimitomerus riversii
Trimitomerus riversii is a species of dead-log beetle in the family Pythidae, first described by Horn in 1888. It is endemic to North America. The genus Trimitomerus comprises elongate beetles associated with decaying wood habitats. Like other Pythidae, this species is thought to develop in rotting wood, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented. The family Pythidae is a small group of beetles historically allied with Bostrichidae and Anobiidae, now recognized as a distinct lineage within Bostrichiformia.
Ulidiotites
Ulidiotites is a genus of picture-winged flies (family Ulidiidae) established by Steyskal in 1961. The genus is monotypic, containing only Ulidiotites dakotana. Ulidiid flies are known for their patterned wings and are often associated with decaying plant matter.
Veromessor
Veromessor Harvester Ants
Veromessor is a genus of North American harvester ants comprising ten species, all endemic to western and central North America. The genus was revived from synonymy with Messor by Ward et al. (2015). These ants exhibit striking ecological and morphological diversity despite the small number of species, including variation in colony size, foraging strategies, mating phenology, and colony founding modes. They serve as important ecological models, with some species studied extensively for their navigation systems and social behavior.
Walshia miscecolorella
Sweet Clover Root Borer Moth, sweetclover root borer moth
Walshia miscecolorella is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, commonly known as the sweet clover root borer moth. It was described by V.T. Chambers in 1875. The species is notable for its broad North American distribution and year-round adult activity. Larvae feed on roots and lower stems of various leguminous plants and other species.
Willisus
Willisus is a monotypic genus of North American araneomorph spiders established by V. D. Roth in 1981. The genus contains a single species, Willisus gertschi, known only from the United States. Its taxonomic placement has been revised, with sources variously placing it in Cybaeidae or Hahniidae. The genus is poorly known, with only two observations documented on iNaturalist.
Xenotemna pallorana
Pallid Leafroller Moth
Xenotemna pallorana is a small tortricid moth and the sole member of its genus. It is widely distributed across North America from Alaska and western Canada to Florida and eastern Canada. The species is commonly known as the Pallid Leafroller Moth, reflecting its characteristic pale coloration and the leaf-rolling behavior typical of many tortricid larvae. Adults are active during the growing season, with larvae feeding on various deciduous trees and shrubs.
Xestia smithii
Smith's Dart
Xestia smithii, commonly known as Smith's Dart, is a noctuid moth first described by Snellen in 1896. It is widely distributed across northern North America, from Newfoundland to Alaska, with disjunct populations in the eastern United States and western mountain ranges. The species inhabits boreal and montane forest environments.
Xyela minor
Xyela minor is a species of sawfly in the family Xyelidae. It is endemic to North America, with a range extending from Quebec to Florida and westward to British Columbia and California. The species is associated with multiple pine species as larval hosts.
Zacotus matthewsii
Zacotus matthewsii is a ground beetle and the sole species in its genus. It belongs to the subfamily Broscinae within Carabidae. The species is endemic to western North America, with records from Alaska, Canada, and the contiguous United States. Its monotypic genus status makes it taxonomically distinctive among North American carabids.