Pacific-coast-endemic
Guides
Batrachedra striolata
Batrachedra striolata is a small moth species in the family Batrachedridae, first described by Zeller in 1873. It occurs along the Pacific coast of North America from British Columbia to California. The species is known to have a relatively narrow geographic range and limited documentation, with only one observation recorded on iNaturalist.
Ctenucha rubroscapus
red-shouldered ctenucha moth, White-tipped Ctenucha
Ctenucha rubroscapus is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, commonly known as the red-shouldered ctenucha moth. It was described by Édouard Ménétriés in 1857. The species is restricted to low-elevation areas of western North America west of the Cascade Mountains. Adults are diurnal and visit flowers for nectar. The larvae feed on grasses and sedges in coastal and wetland habitats.
Euxoa tristicula
early cutworm
Euxoa tristicula, the early cutworm, is a noctuid moth found along the Pacific coast of North America from British Columbia to central California. Adults have a wingspan of 38–42 mm and are active from late spring through early September. The species inhabits coastal rainforests and mixed forest habitats west of the Cascade Mountains.
Hypena californica
California cloverworm moth, western bomolocha
Hypena californica is a moth in the family Erebidae found along the Pacific coast of North America. Its larvae are food specialists that feed primarily on nettles (Urtica species). The species inhabits coastal rainforests and mixed hardwood forests at low elevations, with riparian zone preferences at higher elevations. It holds no economic importance.
Pleocoma behrensii
rain beetle
Pleocoma behrensii is a species of rain beetle endemic to the Pacific Coast of North America. Rain beetles in this genus are known for their flightless females and their emergence during the first heavy autumn rains. The species belongs to a relict family with limited distribution and specialized ecological associations.
Promecognathus crassus
Straight-jawed Pedunculate Ground Beetle
Promecognathus crassus is a specialist predatory ground beetle endemic to the Pacific coast of North America. It exhibits exceptional physiological tolerance to hydrogen cyanide and benzaldehyde, enabling it to prey on cyanogenic millipedes that are chemically defended against most predators. The species has been documented to withstand cyanide exposures 7–15 times greater than doses that incapacitate other carabid beetles, with individuals remaining active after two hours of high-concentration exposure. This tolerance appears to be a specific adaptation supporting its obligate millipede diet, as the beetles do not employ behavioral avoidance of their prey's chemical defenses.