Palaearctic
Guides
Abrostola
spectacle moths
Abrostola is a genus of noctuid moths in the tribe Abrostolini, characterized by distinctive thoracic markings resembling spectacles or goggles. The genus includes at least two well-studied European species: A. tripartita (the spectacle) and A. triplasia (the dark spectacle). Both species are associated with nettle as a primary larval host plant. The genus has been the subject of recent genomic research, with chromosomally complete genome assemblies available for both A. tripartita and A. triplasia.
Actenicerus
Marsh Click Beetles
Actenicerus is a genus of click beetles (Elateridae: Dendrometrinae) comprising approximately 37 species distributed primarily across the Northern Hemisphere, with exceptional diversity in Japan where 26 species are endemic. The genus includes the well-documented Marsh Click-beetle (A. siaelandicus), a Palaearctic wetland specialist. Members exhibit the family's characteristic escape mechanism—producing an audible click to right themselves when overturned.
Adelestini
Adelestini is a tribe of soft-winged flower beetles (family Melyridae, subfamily Malachiinae). Members are small, elongate beetles with soft elytra characteristic of the family. The tribe was established to accommodate genera with distinctive morphological features separating them from other malachiine tribes, particularly in antennal structure and male genitalia. Species occur primarily in the Old World, with greatest diversity in the Palaearctic and Oriental regions.
Adoristes
Adoristes is a genus of oribatid mites in the family Liacaridae, established by Hull in 1916. The genus contains species associated with decomposing coniferous litter in northern temperate forests. The best-studied species, Adoristes ovatus, exhibits pronounced sexual size dimorphism and develops through a characteristic morphological ontogeny with distinct juvenile stages adapted for xylophagy.
Aethes
Conch moths
Aethes is a genus of small tortricid moths (family Tortricidae, subfamily Tortricinae, tribe Cochylini) comprising approximately 70-75 described species distributed across the Palaearctic region. Species are characterized by small size (wingspans typically 8-23 mm), narrow forewings, and often subtle coloration in yellow, brown, or grey tones with variable fasciation patterns. Larvae are generally associated with Asteraceae, feeding in stems, roots, and seed heads of host plants. The genus includes several well-known species such as Aethes cnicana (Thistle Conch) and Aethes hartmanniana that have been subject to intensive ecological study.
Agoliinus aleutus
Agoliinus aleutus is a scarab beetle species in the subfamily Aphodiinae, distributed across northern regions of North America and the Russian Far East. The species was described from the Aleutian Islands, as reflected in its specific epithet. It belongs to a genus of dung beetles, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Aleocharini
Aleocharini is the type tribe of the subfamily Aleocharinae, containing three subtribes: Aleocharina, Compactopediina, and Hodoxenina. The tribe comprises approximately 29 genera and over 650 species, with the vast majority of diversity concentrated in the subtribe Aleocharina—particularly the genus Aleochara, which alone contains over 500 species. Members are rove beetles (Staphylinidae) exhibiting diverse ecological strategies, including free-living forms and myrmecophilous species associated with ants.
Allognosta
Allognosta is a genus of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) established by Osten Sacken in 1883. Larval stages have been documented in the Palaearctic region, where they inhabit humus soil layers and fruit bodies of polyporus fungi. The genus belongs to the subfamily Beridinae.
Amara communis
Amara communis is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, measuring 6–8 mm in length. The species is associated with mossy habitats and has a broad geographic distribution spanning from Ireland across northern Asia to the Caucasus region. It belongs to the large genus Amara, which comprises numerous species of similar small carabid beetles often found in open, disturbed, or wetland-edge environments.
Ampelomyia
Ampelomyia is a genus of gall midges in the tribe Asphondyliini (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), erected in 2019 to accommodate species that induce galls on grape plants (Vitis). The genus contains four species: A. conicocoricis from Japan, and three Nearctic species transferred from other genera (A. viticola, A. vitiscoryloides, and A. vitispomum). All species are specialized gall inducers on Vitis species.
Anacharis
Anacharis is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Figitidae, established by Dalman in 1823. The genus occurs in the Palaearctic and Indomalayan regions, with species documented from Europe, Norway, and Thailand. A 2018 taxonomic revision redescribed four previously known Palaearctic species and described three new species, including the first Indomalayan record for the genus. The genus was also subject to nomenclatural changes, including the synonymization of A. gracilipes with A. eucharoides and the transfer of A. flavidicornis to the genus Aegilips.
Ancylosis
snout moths
Ancylosis is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, established by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1839. The genus exhibits broad geographic distribution across multiple continents, with species recorded from Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Taxonomic revision work in recent years has clarified species boundaries, established new synonyms, and reinstated several previously synonymized species. The genus contains multiple subgenera including Ancylosis, Heterographis, Cabotia, and Syria, though some species remain unassigned.
Anthobium
Anthobium is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini) established by William Elford Leach in 1819. The genus has undergone extensive taxonomic revision, with multiple former genera (Deliphrum, Lathrimaeum, Eudeliphrum, Arpediopsis) synonymized under Anthobium. Species are organized into numerous species groups including atrocephalum, fusculum, gracilipalpe, nigrum, morchella, reflexum, consanguineum, crassum, tectum, algidum, morosum, fortepunctatum, and convexior groups. The genus is distributed across the entire Palaearctic region, with highest diversity in mountainous areas of China, the Himalayas, and Nepal.
Anthrenus pimpinellae
Anthrenus pimpinellae is a small carpet beetle in the family Dermestidae, native to the Palaearctic region but introduced to North America. Adults measure 3–4 mm and have black elytra with white and brown scales. The species exhibits selective flower-feeding behavior, with mating occurring exclusively on preferred floral hosts. Larvae feed on dried animal products including keratin-containing materials.
Aphrodinae
leafhoppers
Aphrodinae is a subfamily of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, containing approximately 7 genera and at least 20 described species. The subfamily is divided into three tribes: Aphrodini, Sagmatiini, and Xestocephalini. Members are distributed across the Holarctic, Neotropical, and Australasian regions, with some species exhibiting notable morphological variability, particularly in Alpine populations. Species identification relies heavily on male genital morphology and, in some groups, acoustic signaling.
Arctiina
Arctiina is a subtribe of tiger moths within the family Erebidae, historically treated as the tribe Arctiini before taxonomic reclassification lowered its rank while retaining its content. The subtribe contains approximately 5 valid genera following extensive synonymization in 2016, with species distributed across the Palaearctic and Neotropical regions. Members exhibit classic tiger moth characteristics including aposematic coloration and, in males, eversible androconial glands (coremata) used for pheromone dispersal during courtship.
Aspidapion
Aspidapion is a genus of small weevils in the family Brentidae (subfamily Apioninae), distributed across the Palaearctic region including Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. The genus contains approximately seven recognized species, with A. aeneum being the largest British representative at 2.9–3.6 mm. Species are associated with Malvaceae host plants, with larvae developing inside living plant stems. The genus is distinguished from the related Pseudaspidapion by morphological characteristics of immature stages.
Athrips
Athrips is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae containing approximately 60 described species distributed across the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions. Species are organized into species-groups based on morphological and presumably phylogenetic relationships, with the largest diversity centered in arid and semi-arid regions of Central Asia. The genus was revised taxonomically in 2005 for the Palaearctic region, with subsequent revisions for China (2009) and Africa (2010). One species, A. mouffetella, has been genome-sequenced as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project.
Bactericera
psyllid bugs, jumping plant lice
Bactericera is a genus of psyllid bugs (family Triozidae) established by Auguste Puton in 1876. The genus is predominantly distributed in the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions, with 24 recognized species in North America north of Mexico. Members are small phloem-feeding insects commonly known as "jumping plant lice." The genus includes economically significant agricultural pests, most notably Bactericera cockerelli (potato/tomato psyllid), which transmits the bacterial pathogen 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' causing zebra chip disease in potatoes.
Balcanocerus
Balcanocerus is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Eurymelinae. Species in this genus are ant-attended and feed on phloem sap from host plants in Rosaceae. The genus includes both North American and European species, with documented associations with specific ant partners and host trees.
Barynotus
Barynotus is a genus of broad-nosed weevils (Curculionidae: Entiminae) comprising 25 species distributed primarily in the Palaearctic region. These are relatively large weevils with predominantly nocturnal activity patterns. The genus exhibits diverse reproductive strategies, with some species being amphigonic and others parthenogenetic.
Bathyplectes
Bathyplectes is a genus of ichneumonid wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Campopleginae) comprising larval parasitoids of weevil pests, particularly the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica). The genus includes multiple Palaearctic species, with B. curculionis and B. anura being the most studied for biological control of alfalfa weevil in agricultural systems. These parasitoids have been introduced to North America as part of classical biological control programs. A distinctive behavioral trait occurs in B. anura, whose cocooned larvae jump up to 5 cm to locate favorable microhabitats.
Bembidiina
A large subtribe of ground beetles (Carabidae) comprising over 120 genera and more than 3,100 described species. Members are generally small to minute beetles with diverse morphologies across numerous subgenera. The subtribe has a cosmopolitan distribution with major centers of diversity in the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions. Taxonomic revisions continue to refine species boundaries, synonymies, and subgeneric placements based on male genitalia and elytral microsculpture.
Brachycercus
squaregilled mayflies
Brachycercus is a genus of small mayflies in the family Caenidae, commonly known as squaregilled mayflies. The genus is characterized by its distinctive square-shaped gills and is distributed primarily in the Palaearctic and Nearctic realms. At least six species have been described, including B. harrisella, which is the type species described by Curtis in 1835.
Brachyderes incanus
Pine Weevil, White Pine Weevil
Brachyderes incanus is a weevil species in the family Curculionidae. Adults are primarily associated with coniferous trees, particularly pines. The species has a broad distribution across parts of Europe and Asia. Larval development occurs in roots and root collars of host trees, where feeding damage can be significant.
Brachysomus
Brachysomus is a genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Entiminae, tribe Sciaphilini. First described by Schönherr in 1823, the genus currently comprises approximately 56 species distributed primarily across the Palaearctic region. The genus was formerly known as Platytarsus (Schoenherr, 1840), now synonymized. Brachysomus species are small to medium-sized broad-nosed weevils characterized by distinctive morphological features including particular arrangements of setae and body sculpturing.
Bruchus affinis
seed beetle
Bruchus affinis is a univoltine seed beetle native to the western Palaearctic Region, first recorded in North America in Canada (British Columbia, Ontario, Québec) before 2007. It was likely introduced via imported Lathyrus seeds for planting. The species develops inside seeds of Lathyrus species, with adults feeding on pollen and nectar. Development from egg to adult requires approximately 60 days. The parasitoid Dinarmus basalis has been recorded causing about 10% mortality in Canadian populations.
Cabera
wave moths, cream moths
Cabera is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, established by Georg Friedrich Treitschke in 1825. The genus comprises approximately 30 species distributed across the Palaearctic, Nearctic, Neotropical, and Afrotropical regions, with limited representation in the Indo-Australian region and absence from Australia. Several species were previously classified under the genera Petelia and Gyalomia due to morphological similarities. The genus name derives from Cabeiro, daughter of the sea god Proteus in Greek mythology.
Calamosternus
Calamosternus is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, established by Motschulsky in 1859. The genus contains more than 20 described species and is classified within the subfamily Aphodiinae (dung beetles). Taxonomic treatment varies: some authorities recognize Calamosternus as a distinct genus, while NCBI Taxonomy treats it as a subgenus of Aphodius. The genus has a Palaearctic distribution with some records from North America.
Callicerus
Callicerus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) in the tribe Geostibini. The genus contains seven recognized species distributed across the Palaearctic region, particularly Europe. Species are notably rare to extremely rare in collections, with most records limited to scattered localities. Taxonomic revision in 2001 clarified species boundaries and synonymized several previously described taxa.
Camptoptera
Camptoptera is a genus of fairyflies (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) characterized by reduced wing venation and distinctive male genitalia. The genus includes the subgenus Eofoersteria, whose males were described for the first time in 2021 based on specimens from India. Species within this genus are extremely small parasitoid wasps, typical of Mymaridae, with body lengths often under 1 mm. Taxonomic revisions have clarified species boundaries and geographic distributions, particularly in the Palaearctic and Oriental regions.
Cantharis rufa
soldier beetle
Cantharis rufa is a soldier beetle (family Cantharidae) measuring 8–11 mm in length. It is widely distributed across the Palaearctic region and has been introduced to North America, where it is expanding its range. The species has an annual life cycle with two 'prolarval' and six larval instars. Adults are active from mid-May to mid-July.
Caradrina
rustics, mottled willows
Caradrina is a genus of noctuid moths erected by Ferdinand Ochsenheimer in 1816, currently comprising approximately 189 described species divided into eight subgenera. The genus includes species commonly known as rustics or mottled willows, with some subgenera (notably Paradrina and Platyperigea) treated as separate genera by certain authorities. Species within this genus exhibit bivoltine life cycles in temperate regions and show varying degrees of migratory behavior.
Ceratophyus
earth-boring scarab beetles
Ceratophyus is a genus of earth-boring scarab beetles comprising approximately 13 described species. These beetles are known for constructing underground brood chambers using dung, with documented cooperative nest-building behavior between males and females in at least one species. The genus occurs across the Palaearctic region, with species documented in Russia, China, and Mongolia. Some species possess horns used in intraspecific combat.
Ceresini
Buffalo Treehoppers and allies
Ceresini is a tribe of treehoppers within the subfamily Smiliinae (family Membracidae). It is notable among smiliine tribes as the only one with Palaearctic representatives; most other Smiliinae tribes are restricted to the Americas. The tribe includes the genus Ceresa, known as buffalo treehoppers, as well as genera such as Ilithucia, which are primarily distributed across the Andean highlands of South America. Members of this tribe exhibit the characteristic enlarged and often elaborately modified pronotum typical of Membracidae.
Chelostoma
Scissor Bees
Chelostoma is a genus of solitary bees in the tribe Osmiini (family Megachilidae), comprising approximately 56-60 described species across five subgenera. These bees are predominantly Palaearctic in distribution and are notable for their high degree of pollen specialization: most species are strict oligoleges, collecting pollen from flowers of a single plant genus, subfamily, or family. Common host plant associations include Campanula (bellflowers), Ornithogalum, Ranunculus, Asteraceae, and Brassicaceae. Nesting occurs in preexisting cavities in dead wood or hollow plant stems, with females constructing brood cell partitions and nest plugs using mud often reinforced with pebbles and sand grains.
Chersodromia
dance flies
Chersodromia is a genus of dance flies in the family Hybotidae, comprising more than 70 described species. Species are distributed across multiple biogeographic regions including the Palaearctic, Nearctic, Afrotropical, and Oriental regions. Several species are associated with coastal and marine littoral habitats, particularly in Mediterranean and beach-dwelling environments. The genus includes both winged and brachypterous (short-winged) forms.
Chilothorax distinctus
Chilothorax distinctus is a small dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It is native to the Palaearctic region and has been introduced to North America, where it has established populations across the United States and Canada. Like other aphodiine scarabs, it is associated with dung and decaying organic matter.
Choroterpes
Choroterpes is a genus of mayflies in the family Leptophlebiidae, distributed across the Americas, Europe (excluding the British Isles), Africa, and Asia. The genus contains multiple subgenera, including the nominate subgenus Choroterpes and Neochoroterpes (North America). Nymphs are typically found in streams and rivers, often associated with leaf litter. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some species reassigned to new genera such as Tikuna.
Chorthippus
slant-faced grasshoppers
Chorthippus is a large genus of gomphocerine grasshoppers comprising approximately 230 described species, predominantly distributed in the Palaearctic realm. The genus was erected by Franz Fieber in 1852 and has been subdivided into subgenera including Altichorthippus, Chorthippus, and Glyptobothrus. Many species within this genus are morphologically cryptic and difficult to distinguish visually, particularly in mainland Eurasia where song patterns serve as the primary means of species identification. The genus contains notable species groups such as the Chorthippus biguttulus group, which includes the common field grasshopper.
Chrysotus
Chrysotus is a large genus of long-legged flies (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) in the subfamily Diaphorinae, with more than 460 described species. The genus is taxonomically problematic and likely paraphyletic or polyphyletic with respect to related genera including Achradocera, Falbouria, and Lyroneurus. Species are distributed across multiple biogeographic regions including the Palaearctic, Nearctic, Oriental, and Neotropical realms. The genus contains two subgenera: Angiopus (monotypic, containing only C. halteratus) and Chrysotus (containing all other species).
Chrysura
cuckoo wasps
Chrysura is a large genus of cuckoo wasps in the family Chrysididae, comprising 117 species described by Dahlbom in 1845. The genus is predominantly Palaearctic in distribution, with 106 of 117 species occurring in this region. Members are kleptoparasites that target megachilid bees, laying eggs in host nests where larvae consume host provisions. The type species is Chrysura austriaca.
Cionini
Cionini is a tribe of weevils (Curculionidae: Curculioninae) distributed across the Palaearctic region. The tribe includes at least two well-studied genera, Cionus and Stereonychus, with 61 species currently recognized in Cionus alone. Larvae of this tribe exhibit distinctive morphological features that distinguish them from related groups, including reduced numbers of cranial and epipharyngeal setae, one-segmented labial palpi, absent labral rods, and swollen pedal lobes. Members are primarily associated with plants in the family Scrophulariaceae.
Cionus
Target Weevils
Cionus is a genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae, tribe Cionini, established by Clairville in 1798. The genus is distributed across the Palaearctic, Afrotropical, and Oriental regions, with over 100 recognized species including 61 Palaearctic and 52 Afrotropical species. Several species are associated with plants in the family Scrophulariaceae, particularly genera Scrophularia and Verbascum.
Cionus scrophulariae
Common Figwort Weevil, Figwort Weevil
Cionus scrophulariae is a Palaearctic weevil in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as the figwort weevil. The species is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America. Taxonomic revision in 2019 synonymized Cionus affinis and C. scrophulariae albosuturatus with this species. It belongs to a genus of 61 recognized species in the Palaearctic region.
Clarkhydrus
Clarkhydrus is a genus of diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae, established in 2018 by Fery & Ribera. The genus was erected to accommodate species previously placed in related genera within the subtribe Deronectina. As a member of the subfamily Hydroporinae, these beetles are small to medium-sized aquatic predators. The genus is relatively recently described, and research on its species-level diversity and ecology is ongoing.
Cleonis
Cleonis is a genus of cylindrical weevils (Curculionidae: Lixinae: Cleonini) comprising at least 120 described species. Members are characterized by their elongated, cylindrical body form typical of the tribe Cleonini. The genus has a broad distribution across the Palaearctic region, with some species introduced to North America. Detailed biological information is available primarily for Cleonis pigra, which feeds exclusively on Asteraceae and develops within root galls.
Cleruchus
Cleruchus is a genus of fairyflies (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) containing minute egg parasitoids. Species in this genus exhibit notable wing dimorphism, with both macropterous and brachypterous individuals occurring within single species. They are associated with bracket fungi and parasitize eggs of beetles, particularly Ciidae. The genus is distributed across the Palaearctic region with records from Europe, Russia, and North America.
Clivina fossor
Digger Slope-rumped Beetle
Clivina fossor is a ground beetle in the subfamily Scaritinae, described by Linnaeus in 1758. It is the largest species in its subfamily, characterized by fossorial (digging) adaptations including broad tarsal segments on the forelegs. The species exhibits a widespread Palaearctic distribution with introduced populations in North America, and shows flexible habitat use across grasslands, wetlands, woodlands, and agricultural areas. Adults are nocturnal and subterranean by day, while larvae live entirely underground.
Codocera
Codocera is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Ochodaeidae, commonly referred to as sand-loving scarab beetles. The genus contains at least three described species distributed across the Palaearctic region. Members of this genus are associated with sandy habitats, reflecting the ecological specialization characteristic of the family Ochodaeidae.