North-american-fauna
Guides
Hydaticus bimarginatus
Hydaticus bimarginatus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae, occurring across North America. The species is moderately well-documented with over 1,000 observations on iNaturalist, indicating established presence in aquatic habitats. As a member of Hydaticus, it is associated with lentic and lotic freshwater systems where it functions as an active predator.
Hydriomena irata
Furious Carpet Moth
Hydriomena irata is a species of geometrid moth in the subfamily Larentiinae, described by Swett in 1910. It is known from North America and has three recognized subspecies. The species is commonly referred to as the Furious Carpet Moth.
Hydrocanthus atripennis
Hydrocanthus atripennis is a species of burrowing water beetle in the family Noteridae. It is found in North America. The species belongs to the suborder Adephaga, a group of primarily predatory beetles. As a member of the Noteridae, it is adapted to aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats.
Hydroporus fortis
Hydroporus fortis is a predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1852. It occurs in North America, with records extending to British Columbia, Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is an aquatic predator.
Hydrovatus hornii
Hydrovatus hornii is a species of predaceous diving beetle (family Dytiscidae) described by George Henry Crotch in 1873. It belongs to the subfamily Hydroporinae and tribe Hydrovatini, a group of small to medium-sized diving beetles adapted to aquatic habitats. The species is known from the Caribbean, Middle America, and North America, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Hygrotus tumidiventris
Hygrotus tumidiventris is a small diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae, originally described as Coelambus tumidiventris by Fall in 1919. It belongs to the subfamily Hydroporinae, a diverse group of predominantly small predatory aquatic beetles. The species is known from North America, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. Like other Hygrotus species, it likely inhabits shallow freshwater habitats.
Hypomecis buchholzaria
blue spiderwort moth, Buchholz's gray, Buchholz' Gray
Hypomecis buchholzaria is a geometrid moth species in the family Geometridae, first described by Lemmer in 1937. It is commonly known as the blue spiderwort moth or Buchholz's gray. The species is found in North America and has been assigned Hodges number 6438. It belongs to the subfamily Ennominae, a diverse group of geometrid moths often referred to as "geometers" or "inchworms" due to their characteristic larval locomotion.
Hypomecis longipectinaria
hybrid fescue
Hypomecis longipectinaria, commonly known as the hybrid fescue, is a species of geometrid moth described by Blanchard & Knudson in 1984. It belongs to the family Geometridae, a large group commonly called inchworms or loopers due to their characteristic larval locomotion. The species is found in North America. It is assigned Hodges number 6439.1 in the North American moth numbering system.
Hypomecis umbrosaria
Umber Moth
Hypomecis umbrosaria, commonly known as the Umber Moth, is a geometrid moth species first described by Hübner in 1813. It belongs to the subfamily Ennominae within the family Geometridae. The species is widely distributed across North America and is assigned Hodges number 6439. It is a relatively well-documented species with over 1,700 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Ilybius pleuriticus
Ilybius pleuriticus is a predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae, first described by LeConte in 1850. It is known from western North America, with records from Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. Like other members of the genus Ilybius, it is an aquatic predator inhabiting freshwater environments.
Isophrictis striatella
white-border neb
Isophrictis striatella is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of approximately 12 mm. It has a broad distribution across most of Europe, Turkey, and North America. Adults are active from mid-June through September. The larvae feed on specific host plants in the Asteraceae family.
Ixala desperaria
Ixala desperaria is a species of geometrid moth first described by George Hulst in 1887. It is classified in the subfamily Ennominae within the diverse family Geometridae. The species is known from North America, with 87 observations documented on iNaturalist. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 6695.
Lacanobia subjuncta
Speckled Cutworm Moth, Speckled Cutworm
Lacanobia subjuncta, commonly known as the speckled cutworm or speckled cutworm moth, is a noctuid moth species native to North America. It belongs to the genus Lacanobia, a group of cutworm moths within the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Grote and Robinson in 1868, originally placed in the genus Hadena. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 10299.
Lachnophorus elegantulus
Lachnophorus elegantulus is a species of ground beetle described by Mannerheim in 1843. It belongs to the tribe Lachnophorini within the subfamily Lebiinae. The species is documented from North America. Available information is limited, with 68 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Lacosoma elassa
Lacosoma elassa is a species of sack-bearer moth (family Mimallonidae) described by John G. Franclemont in 1973. It belongs to the genus Lacosoma, a group characterized by distinctive larval cases constructed from silk and plant material. The species is poorly known, with no documented observations in public databases and limited published information beyond its original description.
Leptipsius
Leptipsius is a genus of small beetles in the family Monotomidae. The genus was established by Casey in 1916 and currently includes six described species distributed in North America. Species within this genus are poorly studied, with limited biological information available beyond taxonomic descriptions.
Limnichoderus ovatus
Limnichoderus ovatus is a species of minute marsh-loving beetle in the family Limnichidae. It is associated with marsh habitats in the southern United States and Mexico. The species was described by LeConte in 1854 and belongs to a family commonly known as 'minute marsh-loving beetles' for their affinity for wetland environments.
Lipocosma sicalis
Brown-banded Lipocosma Moth
Lipocosma sicalis is a small crambid moth distributed across eastern and central North America. The species was described by Francis Walker in 1859 based on a specimen originally placed in the genus Leucinodes. Adults are active from spring through mid-summer and are characterized by a wingspan of approximately 15 mm. The common name 'Brown-banded Lipocosma Moth' reflects distinctive patterning on the wings.
Lixus punctinasus
Lixus punctinasus is a species of true weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1876. It belongs to the large genus Lixus, which contains numerous weevil species associated with herbaceous plants. The species is known from North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Lophosis
Lophosis is a monotypic genus of geometrid moths in the subfamily Sterrhinae. It contains a single species, Lophosis labeculata (the stained lophosis), described by George Duryea Hulst in 1887. The genus itself was established by Hulst in 1896. This North American moth is part of the diverse geometer moth family, which includes many species with slender bodies and cryptic wing patterns.
Lozotaenia rindgei
Lozotaenia rindgei is a small tortricid moth described by Obraztsov in 1962. It occurs across a broad North American range spanning from the Yukon and British Columbia south to Oregon, Wyoming, and Washington, with an isolated eastern population in North Carolina. The species is active during summer months.
Lycia ypsilon
Woolly Gray Moth, woolly gray
Lycia ypsilon, commonly known as the woolly gray moth, is a species of geometrid moth in the family Geometridae. It is found in North America. The species has two recognized subspecies: L. y. ypsilon and L. y. carlotta. It is assigned MONA/Hodges number 6652, a standard identifier used in North American moth classification.
Lygistopterus
net-winged beetles
Lygistopterus is a genus of net-winged beetles (family Lycidae) comprising approximately 11 described species. The genus exhibits the characteristic aposematic coloration typical of Lycidae, with bright orange and black patterns advertising chemical defenses. Species occur across North America and Europe, including an Italian endemic, L. anorachilus. Members of this genus are distinguished from related lycid genera by specific morphological features of the head, prothorax, and male genitalia.
Macrochilo louisiana
Louisiana Owlet, Louisiana Macrochilo, Louisiana Snout-moth
Macrochilo louisiana is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae, first described by William Trowbridge Merrifield Forbes in 1922. It is widely distributed across North America, ranging from Quebec and Maine south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Alberta. Adults are active from June to September in northern populations and from February onward in southern populations. The species has a wingspan of 20–27 mm.
Macrochilo santerivalis
floating water plantain moth, macrochilo moth
Macrochilo santerivalis is a litter moth in the family Erebidae, described by Ferguson in 1982. It is known by the common names floating water plantain moth and macrochilo moth. The species is recorded from North America and has been assigned Hodges number 8359.1. As a member of subfamily Herminiinae, it belongs to a group commonly associated with wetland and moist habitats.
Macrohydnobius
Macrohydnobius is a genus of round fungus beetles in the family Leiodidae, established by Peck & Cook in 2009. The genus contains six described species distributed in North America. Members of this genus are small beetles associated with fungal habitats.
Madarellus inconstans
flower weevil
Madarellus inconstans is a species of flower weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Thomas Casey in 1920. As a member of the Curculionidae, it possesses the characteristic elongated snout (rostrum) typical of weevils. The species is known from North America, though detailed biological information remains limited in published sources.
Magdalinops
Magdalinops is a genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae, established by W.G. Dietz in 1891. It belongs to the superfamily Curculionoidea, the largest group of weevils. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published information on its biology and ecology. Records in biodiversity databases indicate very few observations, suggesting it is either rare, cryptic, or understudied. Its taxonomic placement within Curculionidae has been accepted in major catalogues, though finer relationships remain unresolved.
Malezonotus obrieni
Malezonotus obrieni is a species of seed bug described by Ashlock in 1963. It belongs to the family Rhyparochromidae, a diverse group of true bugs commonly known as dirt-colored seed bugs. The species is known from North America. Like other members of its family, it likely occupies ground-level habitats and feeds on seeds.
Mallodon dasystomus
hardwood stump borer
Mallodon dasystomus is a large prionine longhorned beetle native to the southern United States, ranging through Mexico and Central America to northern South America. Adults measure 35–50 mm in length and possess conspicuously hairy mouthparts that inspired the species epithet (from Greek dasus 'hairy' and stoma 'mouth'). The species is strongly associated with hardwood trees, particularly sycamores, and larvae develop in dead or dying wood. Both sexes use volatile semiochemicals for host location, while females produce a sex pheromone that attracts males.
Matigramma obscurior
Matigramma obscurior is a species of owlet moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Franclemont and Todd in 1983. It is a member of the subfamily Erebinae, a diverse group of nocturnal moths. The species is known to occur in North America, though detailed biological information remains limited. It has been documented through nearly a thousand observation records, indicating it is not uncommon within its range.
Megataphrus arizonicus
Megataphrus arizonicus is a species of cylindrical bark beetle in the family Zopheridae, first described by Stephan in 1989. The species is known from North America, with the specific epithet suggesting an association with Arizona. As a member of the cylindrical bark beetles, it belongs to a group adapted for life under bark and in wood-decaying habitats.
Melanoplus eumera
Canyon Grasshopper
Melanoplus eumera, commonly known as the canyon grasshopper, is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It was described by Hebard in 1920. The species belongs to the large genus Melanoplus, which contains many economically significant grasshopper species in North America. It is found in North America, with distribution records from Texas and other regions.
Melanoplus fasciatus
Huckleberry Spur-throat Grasshopper, Huckleberry Grasshopper, Huckleberry Locust
Melanoplus fasciatus is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is commonly known as the huckleberry spur-throat grasshopper or huckleberry locust. The species is found in North America, with records from eastern Canada, the northeastern United States, and scattered western localities including Colorado and Arkansas.
Melanoplus texanus
Texas spur-throat grasshopper
Melanoplus texanus is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, native to North America. It belongs to the large genus Melanoplus, which contains many economically significant grasshopper species. The species was first described by Scudder in 1878.
Memnonia consobrina
Memnonia consobrina is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Ball in 1900. The species belongs to the subfamily Deltocephalinae and tribe Hecalini, a group of grass-feeding leafhoppers. Distribution records indicate occurrence in the central United States, specifically Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. As a member of the Cicadellidae family, it shares the characteristic piercing-sucking mouthparts and hind legs adapted for jumping common to leafhoppers.
Meris alticola
Meris alticola is a species of geometrid moth described by Hulst in 1896. It belongs to the family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae. The species is known from North America and has been assigned Hodges number 6879.1. Available information is limited, with 86 iNaturalist observations recorded.
Mesoleptus ignotus
Mesoleptus ignotus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Cresson in 1868. The genus Mesoleptus comprises parasitoid wasps, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species name "ignotus" (Latin for "unknown") reflects its obscure or poorly characterized status. Available records are sparse, with minimal observational data beyond taxonomic cataloging.
Metanema determinata
Dark Metanema Moth, dark metanema, dark-banded thorn
Metanema determinata is a geometrid moth in the family Geometridae. It is commonly known as the Dark Metanema Moth or dark-banded thorn. The species is documented across North America with substantial observational records.
Metapogon gibber
Metapogon gibber is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Williston in 1883. It belongs to the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, a group characterized by reduced wing venation and generally small to medium body size. As with other asilids, it is presumed to be a predatory species, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus Metapogon contains multiple species distributed primarily in North America.
Metarranthis lateritiaria
Southern Metarranthis Moth
Metarranthis lateritiaria is a geometrid moth in the subfamily Ennominae, described by Guenée in 1858. It is known from North America and is assigned Hodges number 6829. The species is commonly referred to as the Southern Metarranthis Moth.
Metarranthis pilosaria
coastal bog metarranthi, slender groundsel moth
Metarranthis pilosaria is a species of geometrid moth found in North America. It is known by two common names: the coastal bog metarranthi and the slender groundsel moth. The species was first described by Packard in 1876. As a member of the subfamily Ennominae, it belongs to a diverse group of moths commonly referred to as inchworms or loopers due to their characteristic larval movement.
Metopoloba pruinosa
Metopoloba pruinosa is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Horn in 1870. The species is classified within the order Coleoptera and is part of the diverse beetle fauna of North America. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Microcholus striatus
flower weevil
Microcholus striatus is a species of flower weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1876. It is native to North America. As a member of the flower weevil group, it likely associates with flowers or developing plant parts, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Microcrambus croesus
Microcrambus croesus is a species of grass moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Polish lepidopterist Stanisław Błeszyński in 1967. The species occurs in southern North America, with records from Mexico and parts of the south-central United States.
Microcrambus discludellus
Microcrambus discludellus is a small grass moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Heinrich Benno Möschler in 1890. The species has a Caribbean-North American distribution pattern, occurring in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and the southeastern United States. It belongs to the genus Microcrambus, which contains small, often pale-colored crambid moths.
Microschatia
Microschatia is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) found in arid regions of southwestern North America. The genus was established by Solier in 1836 and contains approximately 15 described species. These beetles inhabit dryland environments and are adapted to xeric conditions. The genus is taxonomically well-established within the Tenebrionidae, though detailed biological studies remain limited for many species.
Myelaphus
Myelaphus is a genus of robber flies in the family Asilidae, established by Bigot in 1882. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed primarily in Asia. Members of this genus are predatory dipterans that hunt other insects in flight.
Necrodes surinamensis
Red-lined Carrion Beetle
Necrodes surinamensis, commonly known as the red-lined carrion beetle, is a species of carrion beetle in the family Staphylinidae (subfamily Silphinae). It is found throughout North America, with documented records across Canada and the United States. The species is associated with carrion and plays a role in decomposition processes.
Negha
American Square-headed Snakeflies
Negha is a genus of snakeflies in the family Inocelliidae, commonly known as American Square-headed Snakeflies. The genus contains at least three described species: N. inflata, N. longicornis, and N. meridionalis. Members of this genus are characterized by their distinctive square-shaped head capsules, a trait that distinguishes them within the order Raphidioptera. These insects are predatory as adults and larvae, feeding on other small arthropods.