Palaearctic

Guides

Malthodes
soldier beetles
Malthodes is a genus of soldier beetles in the family Cantharidae, containing at least 120 described species. The genus has a long evolutionary history, with fossil relatives dating back to the Late Cretaceous (~99 million years ago). Extant species are distributed across the Palaearctic region, including Europe, the Caucasus, and East Asia. The genus is taxonomically active, with new species described recently from Japan and the Greater Caucasus.
soldier-beetles Cantharidae Malthininae Palaearctic fossil-beetles Cretaceous Eocene amber-fossils genome-sequenced---M.-minimus
Mecinus pascuorum
plantain weevil
Mecinus pascuorum is a true weevil in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as the plantain weevil. Native to the Palaearctic region, it has been introduced to New Zealand where it has become a regular post-harvest contaminant of kiwifruit. The species is associated with narrow leaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata) as its primary host plant. In New Zealand, it completes one generation per year with a brief immature stage and a long-lived adult stage of approximately 11 months.
Curculionidae weevil plantain kiwifruit-contaminant introduced-species New-Zealand univoltine Palaearctic
Mecinus pyraster
Stem Miner Weevil
Mecinus pyraster is a small weevil species in the family Curculionidae, native to the Palaearctic region and introduced to North America. The species has undergone taxonomic revision, with three junior synonyms synonymized under it. As a member of the genus Mecinus, it likely exhibits the stem-mining larval habit characteristic of this group, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Coleoptera Curculionidae Palaearctic introduced-species taxonomic-revision weevil stem-miner
Melitta
Blunt-horn Bees
Melitta is a genus of solitary bees in the family Melittidae, comprising approximately 40 species distributed across Africa and the northern temperate zone. Most species are Palaearctic in distribution, with three rare species occurring in North America. These bees are commonly known as Blunt-horn Bees and are characterized by their specialized ecological associations with particular host plants.
solitary-bee specialist-pollinator kleptoparasite-host Palaearctic Melittidae oil-collecting-bee conservation-priority
Meromyza
grass flies, frit flies
Meromyza is a genus of grass flies (Diptera: Chloropidae) distributed across the Palaearctic, Nearctic, and parts of Asia including China and Mongolia. Species within this genus are primarily associated with grasses (Poaceae), with many developing on wild grass species and several recognized as pests of cereal crops including wheat, barley, and oats. The genus exhibits varying degrees of host plant specialization, from oligophagous species with broad grass host ranges to monophagous specialists. Larvae are stem-borers that feed internally on host plant tissues, with some species causing economically significant damage to small grains.
grass-flies frit-flies stem-borers cereal-pests Chloropidae Poaceae-associates Palaearctic agricultural-pests
Metellina segmentata
Autumn spider, Eurasian Armoured Long-jawed Spider, Meta segmentata
Metellina segmentata is an orb-weaving spider in the family Tetragnathidae, commonly known as the Autumn spider due to its late-season adult activity. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: males possess longer legs and a broader prosoma, while females are markedly heavier with a larger opisthosoma adapted for egg production. Adults mature from August to October, with males competing aggressively for access to female webs through ritualized contests influenced by relative body size, prior residency, and female reproductive value. The species builds characteristic orb webs with a radial frame supporting spiral sticky silk, typically positioned 0.5–2 meters above ground in edge habitats.
spider orb-weaver sexual-dimorphism mate-guarding contest-behavior sexual-cannibalism annual-life-cycle autumn-phenology Tetragnathidae Palaearctic
Microedus
Microedus is a genus of small rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Omaliinae, tribe Anthophagini. The genus was historically known only from North America but was expanded to the Palaearctic Region following taxonomic revision in 2022, which synonymized two Palaearctic genera (Altaiodromicus and Liophilydrodes) with Microedus. The genus currently contains 16 species: seven in the Nearctic Region and nine in the Palaearctic Region. Members of this genus belong to the Hygrogeus group of omaliine rove beetles.
rove-beetles Staphylinidae Omaliinae Anthophagini Hygrogeus-group Nearctic Palaearctic taxonomic-revision
Microphor
Microphor is a genus of small to very small flies in the family Dolichopodidae, subfamily Microphorinae. The genus contains at least 16 extant species distributed across the Palaearctic, Oriental, Nearctic, and potentially Neotropical realms. Females exhibit kleptoparasitic behavior, stealing tiny prey from spider webs. The genus is characterized by specific morphological traits including eyes without ommatrichia, a scutellum with three or more pairs of setae, and distinctive wing venation.
kleptoparasite spider-web-associate small-flies Palaearctic Nearctic taxonomic-revision
Microrhagus
Microrhagus is a genus of false click beetles in the family Eucnemidae, tribe Dirhagini. The genus was established by Dejean in 1833 and contains Palaearctic species, including two species recently described from the Russian Far East (M. nikitskyi and M. vicarius). Members of this genus are small beetles associated with decaying wood habitats.
Coleoptera Eucnemidae false-click-beetles Palaearctic Russian-Far-East wood-associated-beetles taxonomic-revision
Mycetaeidae
Mycetaeidae is a small family of beetles in the superfamily Coccinelloidea, established as distinct from Endomychidae based on morphological and molecular evidence. The family contains three genera: Agaricophilus (one species, Europe), Mycetaea (two species, North America, Europe, South Africa, and Canary Islands), and Afromycetaea (seven species, sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar). The family is confirmed as monophyletic and sister to Cerasommatidiidae. Members of the genus Mycetaea are known to be mycophagous, feeding on molds.
Coleoptera Coccinelloidea mycophagous mold-feeding cryptic-diversity Afrotropical Palaearctic Nearctic
Nebriinae
Nebriinae is a subfamily of ground beetles (Carabidae) established by Laporte in 1834, containing approximately 12 genera and more than 840 described species. The group is distributed across the Palaearctic region, with significant diversity in mountainous areas of Europe including the Carpathians, Balkans, and other ranges. Species are often associated with montane and submontane habitats, though some occur in lowland meadow-steppe environments. The genus Nebria is the most species-rich and well-studied within the subfamily.
Carabidae ground-beetles Palaearctic montane Europe Nebria morphology chaetotaxy Carpathians Balkans
Nectoboreus
Nectoboreus is a genus of diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae, subfamily Hydroporinae. The genus was described in 2018 by Fery and Ribera based on species previously assigned to other genera, particularly within the Deronectina subtribe. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized predatory aquatic beetles. As a recently established genus, its species-level taxonomy and biology remain under investigation.
Dytiscidae Hydroporinae diving-beetle aquatic-beetle predatory-beetle Palaearctic recently-described-genus
Nemotelus
soldier flies
Nemotelus is a genus of small soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) containing approximately 30 described species distributed across the Nearctic, Afrotropical, and Palaearctic regions. Adults range from 4.0 to 8.0 mm in body length and are among the smallest members of the family. The genus is characterized by distinctive facial morphology with a pointed snout bearing antennae on the dorsal side, and pronounced sexual dimorphism in coloration. Most species display black bodies with variable white markings, with males typically showing more extensive pale patterning than females.
Stratiomyidae soldier-flies wetland-insects Palaearctic Nearctic Afrotropical genome-sequenced sexual-dimorphism
Neolimnophila placida
Placid Crane Fly
Neolimnophila placida is a crane fly species in the family Limoniidae, subfamily Chioneinae. It is widely distributed across the Holarctic region, occurring in both the Nearctic and Palaearctic realms. The species has been documented from northern North America through much of Europe and across northern Asia to Japan. Like other limoniid crane flies, it is associated with moist habitats where larvae develop in decaying organic matter.
crane-fly Limoniidae Holarctic wetland decomposer Nematocera Diptera insect arthropod moist-habitat decaying-matter Chioneinae Neolimnophila Meigen-1830 Nearctic Palaearctic boreal temperate aquatic-larvae semi-aquatic
Neomyia cornicina
Small False Greenbottle
Neomyia cornicina is a common coprophagous muscid fly native to the Palaearctic region, with introduced populations in the Nearctic. Adults and larvae feed on cattle dung, contributing to dung decomposition. The species is frequently used as a model organism in ecotoxicological studies examining the effects of veterinary pharmaceuticals on non-target dung fauna.
coprophagous dung-fly ecotoxicology veterinary-pharmaceutical-effects Palaearctic introduced-species Muscidae dung-decomposition non-target-species model-organism
Nolidae
Tufted Moths, Tuft Moths
Nolidae is a family of small to medium-sized moths within the superfamily Noctuoidea, comprising approximately 1,400-1,700 described species worldwide. Members are characterized by relatively dull coloration and, in the subfamilies Nolinae and Collomeninae, distinctive tufts of raised scales on the forewings. The family was historically treated as a subfamily of Noctuidae but is now recognized as distinct based on morphological and molecular evidence. A defining feature of the family is the construction of a silk cocoon with a vertical exit slit for pupal emergence.
moths Noctuoidea tufted-moths cocoon agricultural-pest walnut-pest kleptoparasite resin-cocoon Borneo India Turkey China Africa Palaearctic Oriental-region
Ochromolopis
Ochromolopis is a genus of microlepidopteran moths in the family Epermeniidae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1824. The genus comprises approximately 13 currently recognized species distributed across multiple continents, with notable diversity in Australia, Africa, and the Palaearctic region. Species within this genus have undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many transferred from related genera such as Epermenia and Tinea. The taxonomic status of some species remains under investigation.
microlepidoptera Epermeniidae taxonomic-revision Palaearctic Australia Africa
Ochthephilus planus
Ochthephilus planus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Oxytelinae. This small beetle is distributed across northern North America, with records from Canada (including Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland, Ontario, Quebec, and Yukon) and the United States (including Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming), as well as the Russian Far East. The species was first described by J.L. LeConte in 1861 based on specimens from North America. Like other members of the Oxytelinae, it is associated with moist habitats and organic matter decomposition.
rove-beetle Staphylinidae Oxytelinae North-America boreal Palaearctic Nearctic LeConte-1861 Coleoptera Thinobiini Ochthephilus Ancyrophorus-planus
Octotemnus
tree-fungus beetles
Octotemnus is a genus of minute tree-fungus beetles in the family Ciidae. Species in this genus are specialist fungivores that inhabit and feed on the fruiting bodies of polypore fungi. Research on Octotemnus laminifrons has revealed substantial cryptic species diversity, with multiple genetically and morphologically distinct species previously hidden under one name. Some species have been documented to significantly reduce the reproductive fitness of their host fungi through feeding damage to the spore-producing hymenium.
Ciidae fungivore cryptic-species polypore-fungi phylogenetics host-specificity Palaearctic
Onitini
Onitini is a tribe of dung beetles within Scarabaeidae, erected by Frederic William Hope. The tribe comprises approximately 18 genera including the type genus Onitis and the diverse genus Cheironitis. Members are primarily distributed across arid regions of the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions, with some species extending into the Oriental region. These beetles are associated with dung decomposition in dryland ecosystems.
dung-beetle Scarabaeidae Scarabaeinae arid-habitat Palaearctic Afrotropical dung-decomposition old-world-distribution
Onthophagini
Onthophagine dung beetles
Onthophagini is a large and ecologically significant tribe of dung beetles within the family Scarabaeidae. The tribe comprises approximately half of the world's dung beetle fauna, with the genus Onthophagus alone containing over 2,300 species worldwide. Members are found on every continent except Antarctica. The tribe originated from a single common ancestor shared with the Oniticellini, with which it forms a monophyletic group. While many dung beetles are known for ball-rolling behavior, Onthophagini species exhibit diverse feeding strategies including specialization on fungi, carrion, and dead millipedes, with some species living in close association with termites and ants.
dung-beetles Scarabaeidae coprophagy sexual-selection alternative-mating-strategies nutrient-cycling Scarabaeinae Onthophagus Afrotropical Palaearctic Australian-fauna morphological-convergence phylogenetics biological-control ecosystem-services
Oodes
Oodes is a genus of ground beetles (Carabidae) in the tribe Oodini. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many species formerly classified in Oodes now placed in three new genera: Pseudoodes, Sundaoodes, and Nothoodes. The genus currently comprises seven recognized species, with five in Oodes s.str. and two in the subgenus Lachnocrepis. Oodes species are distributed across the Palaearctic and Oriental regions.
ground-beetles Carabidae Oodini taxonomic-revision Palaearctic Oriental leaf-litter forest-fauna China Taiwan DNA-barcoding
Opomyzidae
Grass Flies
Opomyzidae is a family of acalyptrate Diptera commonly known as grass flies. Adults are small, slender flies ranging from yellow to brown, reddish, or black. Larvae are stem-borers in grasses (Poaceae), including cereal crops, with some species causing significant agricultural damage. The family is distributed primarily in temperate regions of the boreal hemisphere, with an autumn-spring life cycle adapted to grass phenology.
Diptera acalyptrate grass-flies stem-borers agricultural-pests cereal-pests Poaceae temperate Palaearctic
Oppioidea
Oppioidea is a superfamily of oribatid mites within the order Sarcoptiformes. Members are primarily soil-dwelling microarthropods characterized by specific morphological features of the pycnonotic group. The superfamily includes families such as Epimerellidae, which contain halophilic species adapted to saline littoral environments.
oribatid-mites soil-fauna halophilic microarthropods Palaearctic
Oreoneta
A genus of dwarf spiders (family Linyphiidae) established in 1894, comprising approximately 30 species distributed across cold-temperate and Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Most species inhabit high-latitude or high-altitude environments. The genus was revised extensively by Saaristo & Marusik in 2004, resulting in numerous new species descriptions.
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae dwarf-spider Arctic boreal Holarctic tundra montane predator cold-adapted ground-dwelling high-latitude high-altitude Saaristo Marusik Chyzer Kulczyński 1894 2004-revision genitalic-characters epigynum embolus conductor palaearctic nearctic Eurasia North-America Scandinavia Siberia Alaska Canada Greenland Kazakhstan Mongolia China Kurile-Islands Finland Sweden Norway Germany Switzerland Italy Slovakia Bulgaria Central-Europe type-species:-Oreoneta-frigida thirty-species 30-species small-spider sheet-web-weaver money-spider Linyphiinae Erigoninae microhabitat litter-dwelling cryptic understudied taxonomic-revision morphological-taxonomy light-microscopy species-description biogeography glacial-refugia post-glacial-colonization endemic regional-endemic alpine-endemic Arctic-endemic boreal-forest taiga rocky-habitat meadow wetland stream-margin snowbed fellfield heath moss lichen vegetation soil-surface stone rock boulder scree talus debris humus organic-layer permafrost polar subpolar cold-stenotherm stenotherm stenotopic habitat-specialist conservation rare data-deficient IUCN red-list natural-history systematics phylogeny molecular-systematics DNA-barcoding COI cytochrome-oxidase 28S 18S ITS morphology taxonomy alpha-taxonomy revision monograph faunistics chorology zoogeography dispersal vicariance speciation cryptic-species species-complex species-group species-aggregate subspecies infraspecific variation polymorphism sexual-dimorphism male female juvenile instar ecdysis molting development growth reproduction mating courtship sperm-transfer spermatophore pedipalp palpal-organ copulatory-organ genitalia epigyne vulva spermatheca fertilization-duct copulatory-duct atrium scape maceration dissection microscope stereomicroscope compound-microscope illustration drawing photography SEM scanning-electron-microscopy habitus dorsal ventral lateral prosoma opisthosoma abdomen cephalothorax carapace sternum chelicera fang leg tarsus metatarsus tibia patella femur coxa trochanter spinneret colulus tracheal-spiracle book-lung cuticle seta hair spine macroseta sensillum chaetotaxy eye oculus ocelli anterior-median-eye posterior-median-eye anterior-lateral-eye posterior-lateral-eye eye-tubercle clypeus fovea pedicel waist constriction color pattern pigmentation melanism albinism size measurement total-length carapace-length carapace-width abdomen-length leg-length leg-formula index ratio proportion allometry ontogeny subadult adult maturity sexual-maturity reproductive-maturity longevity life-span generation-time voltinism univoltine semivoltine biennial perennial overwintering diapause quiescence cold-hardiness freeze-tolerance freeze-avoidance supercooling cryoprotectant glycerol sorbitol trehalose thermal-biology thermoregulation behavioral-thermoregulation postural-thermoregulation activity diurnal nocturnal crepuscular matutinal vespertine circadian rhythm seasonal phenology calendar date month activity-period breeding-season oviposition egg egg-sac cocoon silk web sheet-web tangle-web space-web platform-web dome-web bowl-web funnel retreat signal-line dragline attachment-disc ampullate-gland cylindriform-gland aciniform-gland aggregate-gland flagelliform-gland tubuliform-gland piriform-gland major-ampullate minor-ampullate silk-protein spidroin fibroin sericin glue viscid dry capture-silk dragline-silk safety-line anchor-line frame-line radial-line spiral-line sticky-spiral non-sticky-spiral hub perimeter substrate niche guild functional-group trophic-level carnivore zoophage arthropodivore insectivore prey capture attack subdue immobilize kill feed digest extraoral-digestion sucking-stomach gut midgut hindgut Malpighian-tubule excretion osmoregulation metabolism respiration trachea spiracle gas-exchange circulation hemolymph heart aorta sinus nervous-system brain ganglion nerve sensory-organ mechanoreceptor chemoreceptor thermoreceptor hygroreceptor photoreceptor proprioceptor trichobothrium tarsal-organ slit-sensillum lyriform-organ pedipalp-organ Haller's-organ contact-chemoreceptor gustatory olfactory pheromone semiochemical kairomone allomone synomone communication signal vibration seismic airborne visual chemical tactile copulation insemination sperm spermatozoon median-apophysis terminal-apophysis paracymbium cymbium bulbus tegulum subtegulum radix lamella process apophysis flange hook coil spiral duct reservoir sclerite plate field fossa pocket receptaculum spermathecae gland insemination-duct uterus uterus-externus uterus-internus vagina gonopore ovipositor ovary oviduct follicle vitellogenesis oogenesis spermatogenesis testis vas-deferens ejaculatory-duct seminal-vesicle fecundity fertility clutch-size egg-number hatching emergence ballooning aerial-dispersal silk-dragline gossamer migration movement walking running jumping climbing burrowing hiding refuge shelter defense predation predator-avoidance antipredator crypsis camouflage mimicry aposematism deimatic thanatosis autotomy leg-loss regeneration injury wound healing immune-response hemocyte melanization encapsulation nodule parasite parasitoid pathogen fungus bacterium virus nematode mite grooming cleaning hygiene self-maintenance silk-use web-use prey-capture foraging hunting ambush sit-and-wait active-hunting searching probing testing exploration learning memory cognition behavior ethology ecology population community ecosystem biome biosphere habitat environment abiotic biotic factor temperature humidity moisture precipitation rain snow wind light photoperiod day-length radiation UV soil cover complexity heterogeneity productivity energy nutrient carbon nitrogen phosphorus food-web trophic-interaction predator-prey competition intraspecific interspecific resource partitioning coexistence diversity richness evenness abundance density frequency occurrence presence absence detection sampling collection pitfall-trap quadrat transect hand-collecting beating sifting extraction Berlese Tullgren Winkler flotation sorting preservation ethanol formalin mount slide label catalog database repository museum voucher type holotype paratype syntype lectotype paralectotype neotype topotype original data locality georeference coordinate latitude longitude elevation altitude depth collector determination identification expert specialist literature publication journal article paper book thesis dissertation report checklist online digital archive bibliography reference citation author year volume page figure map table appendix supplementary material methods results discussion conclusion abstract keyword index-term subject topic discipline science biology zoology arachnology entomology evolution phylogenetics biological nature protection management policy legislation restoration monitoring assessment indicator flagship umbrella keystone engineer service function dynamics stability resilience resistance recovery succession disturbance climate change warming glacier range shift expansion contraction fragmentation isolation connectivity corridor network reserve park protected area wilderness urban rural agricultural forestry mining impact threat risk vulnerability sensitivity exposure adaptive capacity mitigation adaptation sustainable use harvest trade economy medicine research education outreach citizen engagement awareness appreciation aesthetic cultural spiritual existence value intrinsic instrumental utilitarian anthropocentric biocentric ecocentric ethic philosophy history discovery expedition voyage survey inventory fauna biota biodiversity life earth planet wildlife animal invertebrate arthropod chelicerate arachnid spider araneomorph entelegyne micryphantid Oreoneta 2004 frigida type-species alpine feeding type-specimen climate-change protected-area
Osmiini
mason bees, leafcutter bees, resin bees
Osmiini is a tribe of solitary bees within the family Megachilidae, comprising approximately 19 genera and at least 1,000 described species. Members are commonly known as mason bees, leafcutter bees, and resin bees, reflecting their diverse nest construction behaviors. The tribe exhibits considerable diversity in nesting ecology, with species utilizing preexisting cavities in dead wood, hollow stems, rock crevices, empty snail shells, or excavated soil burrows. Nesting materials vary by lineage and include chewed leaves, mud, resin, and combinations with pebbles or sand grains. Pollen foraging strategies range from strict oligolecty on single plant genera or families to broad generalization across numerous plant families.
solitary-bees cavity-nesting pollen-specialization pollinators agricultural Palaearctic Holarctic
Othius
A genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the tribe Othiini, characterized by elongate bodies and reduced elytra typical of the family. The genus currently includes approximately 136 species and subspecies distributed across the Palaearctic region. Taxonomic revisions have revealed distinct Western and Eastern Palaearctic species groups, separated by the Caspian Sea, with high species diversity in the Himalayas, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Taiwan.
rove-beetle Staphylinidae Palaearctic taxonomy high-diversity Himalayas Taiwan Yunnan Sichuan
Oulimnius
Oulimnius is a genus of riffle beetles in the family Elmidae, containing approximately 15 described species. These beetles are aquatic and inhabit running water environments. The genus has been the subject of molecular phylogenetic studies, particularly for the O. tuberculatus species group, which revealed cryptic diversity and supported the re-validation of O. perezi as a distinct species.
riffle-beetle aquatic-beetle lotic Palaearctic molecular-phylogenetics
Oxyomus sylvestris
Oxyomus sylvestris is an aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is distributed across Europe, the Near East, North Africa, and has been introduced to North America. Unlike many scarabaeid dung beetles, it is saprophagous, feeding on decaying organic matter rather than fresh dung.
saprophagous aphodiine dung-beetle Palaearctic introduced-to-North-America
Oxypodini
Oxypodini is a tribe of small rove beetles within the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae. The tribe comprises more than 50 genera and approximately 580 described species. Members are distributed across the Holarctic region, with particular diversity in the Palaearctic. Several genera, including Amarochara, Ilyobates, Tectusa, and Porocallus, have been subject to recent taxonomic revision.
Staphylinidae Aleocharinae rove-beetles Holarctic Palaearctic
Pachybrachius fracticollis
dirt-colored seed bug, wetland groundbug
Pachybrachius fracticollis is a seed bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, commonly known as the wetland groundbug or dirt-colored seed bug. The species has a broad distribution spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Three subspecies are recognized: P. f. collaris, P. f. fracticollis, and P. f. tridens. As a member of the Myodochini tribe, it belongs to a group of ground-dwelling bugs associated with moist habitats.
Hemiptera Rhyparochromidae seed-bug ground-bug wetland Palaearctic Nearctic Myodochini
Papilio machaon pikei
Pike's Old World Swallowtail
Papilio machaon pikei is a subspecies of the Old World Swallowtail, first described by Sperling in 1987. It belongs to the widespread Papilio machaon species complex, which is one of the most recognizable butterflies across the Palearctic region. The subspecific status indicates geographic variation within the broader species range, though specific distinguishing features of pikei relative to other P. machaon subspecies require detailed examination. Like other members of this species, it undergoes complete metamorphosis with larvae that feed on plants in the Apiaceae family.
Papilionidae Swallowtail Palaearctic subspecies
Parathalassius
Parathalassius is a genus of long-legged flies in the family Dolichopodidae, subfamily Parathalassiinae. The genus name derives from Greek, meaning 'near the sea', reflecting its strict association with coastal habitats. The genus comprises 15 recognized species distributed across the Palaearctic and Nearctic realms, with nine species described from the Nearctic Region in a 2017 revision. Species are restricted to sandy marine coastlines, where they occupy beach and dune ecosystems.
Dolichopodidae Parathalassiinae coastal beach dune marine-shoreline Palaearctic Nearctic long-legged-flies
Pentodontini
rhinoceros beetles
Pentodontini is the most diverse tribe within the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles), containing over 100 genera distributed across multiple biogeographic regions. Most genera are restricted to a single biogeographic region. The tribe is characterized by substantial morphological diversity, with generic-level identification often relying on mouthpart morphology in females and secondary sexual characters (horns, claw modifications, antennal club length) in males.
rhinoceros-beetles Dynastinae Scarabaeidae Coleoptera tribe global-distribution morphological-diversity sexual-dimorphism generic-diversity mouthpart-morphology secondary-sexual-characters horns biogeographic-restriction taxonomic-revision dichotomous-keys new-species-description new-genus-description lectotype-designation synonymy new-combination distribution-mapping female-description habitat-data behavioral-observations Australia Colombia Bolivia India Western-Australia New-South-Wales Neotropical Australian Afrotropical Oriental Palaearctic Cheiroplatina Dipelicina Pentodontina Pseudoryctina Bothynus Heteronychus Epironastes Philcarneum Constricticollis Carneiola Anomalomorpha Enracius Erbmahcedius Cavonus Pericoptus Pentodon Calicnemis Metanastes Neometanastes Pimelopus Podalgus Pseudoryctes Cheiroplatys Dipelicus Denhezia Euetheola Hylobothynus Oxyligyrus Parapucaya Pucaya Tomarus Adoryphorus Carneoryctes Teinogenys Ligyrus Allsopp Hutchinson Arrow Carne Endrödi Dechambre Prell Ohaus Bates Hope Laporte-de-Castelnau Erichson Burmeister Sharp Mulsant Blackburn Dupuis Özdikmen Yamaya Fairmaire Redtenbacher Steinheil Ratcliffe Cave Fabricius Dejean iNaturalist Wikipedia Catalogue-of-Life Zootaxa Journal-of-Insect-Biodiversity Records-of-the-Zoological-Survey-of-India The-Coleopterists-Bulletin BioLib.cz Wikimedia-Commons DOI 10.11646/zootaxa.4048.4.1 10.11646/zootaxa.4852.4.2 10.11646/zootaxa.5351.3.2 10.26515/rzsi/v125/i2s/2025/172964 10.11646/zootaxa.5716.4.7 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.5.2 10.11646/zootaxa.4852.4.3 10.12976/jib/2024.54.2.2 10.1649/1186.1 new-synonymy lectotype distribution-map habitat-description key-to-species key-to-genera male-genitalia external-morphology aedeagus habitus photographs illustrations specimen-records natural-history biogeography endemic restricted-distribution coastal southwestern southeastern northern Arani Cochabamba Kununurra Menzies New-Zealand South-America first-record misidentification erroneous-record invisible-taxon formal-nomenclature cephalic-horns thoracic-horns claw-modification antennal-club mouthparts mandibles maxillae labium clypeus pronotum elytra pygidium tarsi metatarsi tibiae femora prosternal-process mesosternal-process metasternal-process abdominal-sternites parameres phallobase internal-sac spermatheca ovipositor larva pupa adult instar third-instar C-shaped scarabaeiform soil-dwelling nocturnal crepuscular flight aggregation mating oviposition feeding root-feeding detritivory saprophagy herbivory frugivory pollen-feeding nectar-feeding decay decomposition nutrient-cycling soil-aeration pest agricultural-pest pasture-pest sugarcane-pest root-damage turf-damage biological-control indicator-species conservation biodiversity endemism cryptic-species species-complex morphological-variation geometric-morphometrics phylogenetics molecular-systematics DNA-barcoding COI 16S 28S 18S ITS biogeographic-region biogeographic-realm Neotropics Afrotropics Australasia Indomalaya Palearctic Nearctic Madagascar oceanic-islands continental insular montane lowland tropical subtropical temperate arid semi-arid humid rainforest savanna grassland woodland forest coastal-dune riparian wetland agricultural pasture plantation urban disturbed primary-habitat secondary-habitat seasonal-activity rainy-season dry-season monsoon altitude elevation latitude longitude geographic-range range-extension range-contraction disjunct-distribution vicariance dispersal colonization invasion introduced native cosmopolitan widespread restricted rare common abundant scarce data-deficient IUCN CITES protected threatened vulnerable endangered critically-endangered extinct fossil subfossil quaternary holocene pleistocene museum-specimen collection voucher type-specimen holotype paratype syntype paralectotype neotype topotype original-description redescription diagnosis emended-diagnosis key dichotomous-key illustrated-key interactive-key digital-key mobile-app online-database GBIF BOLD GenBank MorphBank ZooBank LSID ORCID open-access paywall supplementary-material supporting-information data-availability code-availability ethical-statement conflict-of-interest funding acknowledgments author-contribution peer-review editorial-process publication-date journal volume issue pages article-number ISSN eISSN ISBN publisher academic-press scientific-press society association institution university museum herbarium archive repository database index catalogue checklist inventory monograph revision review synthesis meta-analysis systematic-review rapid-assessment long-term-study field-work laboratory-work molecular-work morphological-work anatomical-work histological-work developmental-work behavioral-work ecological-work physiological-work biochemical-work genetic-work genomic-work transcriptomic-work proteomic-work metabolomic-work imaging photography microscopy electron-microscopy scanning-electron-microscopy SEM transmission-electron-microscopy TEM confocal-microscopy light-microscopy 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morphological meristic morphometric allometric ontogenetic developmental life-history reproductive behavioral ecological physiological biochemical genetic genomic evolutionary phylogenetic phylogeographic biogeographic historical paleontological archaeological geological climatological environmental applied economic medical veterinary forestry horticultural industrial pollution climate-change global-warming habitat-loss fragmentation deforestation agricultural-intensification urbanization invasive-species pathogen parasite predator competition mutualism symbiosis commensalism amensalism neutralism facilitation inhibition trophic-cascade food-web food-chain energy-flow ecosystem-function ecosystem-service provisioning regulating supporting cultural alpha-diversity beta-diversity gamma-diversity species-richness species-evenness species-abundance rarefaction extrapolation asymptotic non-asymptotic sample sampling survey monitoring assessment evaluation indicator bioindicator flagship umbrella keystone ecosystem-engineer foundation-species dominant subordinate frequent occasional accidental vagrant migrant resident breeding non-breeding wintering summering migration nomadism irruption establishment naturalization spreading range-expansion range-shift extirpation extinction local-extinction global-extinction functional-extinction ecological-extinction pseudextinction Lazarus-taxon Elvis-taxon zombie-taxon living-fossil relict indigenous autochthonous allochthonous exotic alien invasive naturalized casual escaped cultivated ornamental pet food medicine fiber fuel timber fodder pollinator pest-control seed-dispersal soil-formation erosion-control water-purification air-purification carbon-sequestration climate-regulation disease-regulation pest-regulation flood-regulation storm-protection recreation tourism aesthetic spiritual cultural-heritage research inspiration existence-value option-value bequest-value intrinsic-value anthropocentric biocentric ecocentric 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n-dimensional-niche Hutchinsonian-niche Grinnellian-niche Eltonian-niche resource requirement limitation stress disturbance perturbation fluctuation variability heterogeneity complexity diversity redundancy stability persistence adaptation acclimation plasticity evolvability heritability selection drift flow mutation recombination speciation coalescence divergence convergence parallelism homoplasy analogy homology synapomorphy symplesiomorphy autapomorphy apomorphy plesiomorphy derived ancestral primitive advanced basal crown stem node branch clade grade subfamily family superfamily infraorder suborder order superorder infraclass subclass class superclass subphylum phylum superphylum kingdom domain life organism individual etc.
Perilampus auratus
Perilampus auratus is a minute parasitic wasp in the family Perilampidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), measuring 1.3–5.5 millimeters in length. The species exhibits brilliant metallic coloration typical of the genus. As a member of Perilampidae, it is a hyperparasitoid, with larvae that parasitize other parasitic insects. New country records have been documented in Romania and Turkey, expanding its known Palaearctic distribution.
parasitoid hyperparasite metallic minute Chalcidoidea Palaearctic
Periscelididae
Dwarf Flies
Periscelididae is a family of small acalyptrate flies commonly known as Dwarf Flies. Adults are typically 3–4 mm in length with a distinctly broad head, broad bulging cheeks, and characteristic bristle patterns on the head and thorax. The family comprises approximately 12 genera in two subfamilies (Periscelidinae and Stenomicrinae), with species distributed across the Palaearctic, Nearctic, and Neotropical regions. At least some species develop in phytotelmata—water-holding plant structures such as those in Araceae.
Diptera acalyptrate phytotelmata Palaearctic Neotropical small-flies
Periscelis
Periscelis is a genus of small flies in the family Periscelididae, comprising approximately 15 described species. The genus occurs in the Palaearctic region, with taxonomic revisions ongoing to clarify species boundaries. Recent work has resolved nomenclatural confusion surrounding P. winnertzii and described new species including P. laszloi from Central and Southern Europe.
Periscelididae Diptera Palaearctic
Peritelini
Peritelini is a tribe of broad-nosed weevils within the subfamily Entiminae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), established by Lacordaire in 1863. The tribe comprises approximately 70+ genera distributed primarily across the Palaearctic region, with notable diversity in the Mediterranean basin including Spain, Italy, Sicily, and Portugal. Taxonomic revisions have led to significant reorganization, including the transfer of genera such as Solariola from Otiorhynchini and the exclusion of Caenopsis to Trachyphloeini. Recent systematic work has described numerous new genera and species, particularly from underexplored regions of southern Europe.
weevils broad-nosed-weevils Palaearctic Mediterranean taxonomy-in-revision
Perlodini
Perlodini is a tribe of stoneflies (order Plecoptera) within the family Perlodidae, established by Klapálek in 1909. The tribe comprises more than 80 described species distributed across the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions. Perlodini belongs to the subfamily Perlodinae and represents a well-defined lineage within the systellognathan stoneflies, though specific ecological traits of the tribe as a whole remain incompletely documented.
stonefly freshwater Plecoptera Palaearctic Nearctic Perlodidae
Phaedon laevigatus
watercress leaf beetle
Phaedon laevigatus, commonly known as the watercress leaf beetle, is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species has a transcontinental distribution spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. It is associated with watercress and related plants in the family Brassicaceae. The specific epithet 'laevigatus' refers to the smooth or polished appearance of the elytra.
leaf-beetle Chrysomelidae watercress aquatic-habitat Brassicaceae-feeder Palaearctic Nearctic transcontinental-distribution
Phaonia subventa
Phaonia subventa is a muscid fly species described by Harris in 1780. It is distributed across parts of the Palaearctic region, with confirmed records from Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and the Azores (São Miguel). The species is relatively well-documented, with over 2,600 observations on iNaturalist.
Muscidae Phaoniinae Palaearctic fly Diptera
Pherbellia tenuipes
marsh fly
Pherbellia tenuipes is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Loew in 1872. Marsh flies in this family are commonly associated with wetland habitats and are known for their slender body forms. The specific epithet 'tenuipes' refers to the slender legs characteristic of this species. Like other members of Sciomyzidae, the larvae likely develop in association with aquatic or semi-aquatic mollusks, though direct observations of P. tenuipes biology remain limited in published literature.
Diptera Sciomyzidae marsh-fly wetland-insect Palaearctic
Phytomyza syngenesiae
Chrysanthemum Leafminer, Ragwort Leaf Miner
Phytomyza syngenesiae is an agromyzid leaf-mining fly found in the Palaearctic region, Australia, and New Zealand. The larvae create internal leaf mines in members of the Asteraceae family, including chrysanthemums, ragwort (Senecio), and artichokes. The species is recognized as an agricultural pest in greenhouse and crop settings, with significant variation in host plant susceptibility among cultivars.
leaf-miner agricultural-pest Asteraceae greenhouse-pest Palaearctic Australia New-Zealand
Picromerus bidens
spiny shieldbug, spiked shieldbug
Picromerus bidens is a predatory shield bug in the family Pentatomidae, notable for its large size and distinctive spiny pronotal projections. It is univoltine, with summer dormancy (aestivation) ensuring synchronization of its life cycle with seasonal conditions. The species is native to the Palaearctic region but has been introduced to North America, where it has established populations. Both adults and nymphs are predatory, feeding primarily on insect larvae, and the species has been investigated as a potential biological control agent.
predatory-shield-bug biological-control univoltine aestivation Palaearctic introduced-species
Planolinoides
Planolinoides is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Dellacasa & Dellacasa in 2005. The genus contains species distributed in the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions. Members of this genus are small dung beetles associated with mammal dung.
Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Aphodiinae dung-beetles Palaearctic Nearctic
Platynotini
Platynotini is a tribe of darkling beetles within the family Tenebrionidae, containing more than 70 genera distributed across multiple biogeographic regions including North and South America, the southern Palaearctic, the Afrotropical region, and the Indomalayan realm. The tribe is distinguished from other Blaptinae tribes by the presence of a stridulatory gula used for sound production. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have strongly supported the monophyly of Platynotini. Members of this tribe exhibit considerable morphological diversity, with some African species such as Anomalipus being heavily built and armored, adapted to dense bush-covered savanna habitats.
darkling-beetles Tenebrionidae Blaptinae stridulatory-gula tok-tokkies Afrotropical Palaearctic Indomalayan Nearctic Neotropical sound-production molecular-phylogeny
Platypezidae
Flat-footed Flies
Platypezidae is a family of small true flies (Diptera) comprising over 250 species worldwide. Adults are commonly known as flat-footed flies due to their characteristically modified tarsal segments, particularly in males. The family is primarily associated with woodland habitats where larvae develop as fungivores. Adults exhibit distinctive swarming behavior for mating and are frequently observed performing rapid, erratic movements on vegetation. The family was formerly broader in circumscription, with Opetiidae and some genera now placed in Atelestidae removed based on phylogenetic evidence.
Diptera Platypezoidea fungivore woodland swarming-behavior sexual-dimorphism Holarctic Palaearctic Nearctic xylobiont cave-dwelling conservation-significance
Pocadicnemis pumila
dwarf spider
Pocadicnemis pumila is a species of dwarf spider in the family Linyphiidae, first described by John Blackwall in 1841. It has a notably wide distribution spanning multiple continents, including North America, Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus, Russia (from European Russia to the Far East), Iran, and Japan. The species belongs to a family commonly known as sheet-web weavers or money spiders, though specific behavioral details for this species remain poorly documented.
spider arachnid Linyphiidae dwarf-spider Palaearctic Nearctic Holarctic-distribution
Pollenia griseotomentosa
cluster fly
Pollenia griseotomentosa is a Palaearctic cluster fly and the smallest British species in the genus Pollenia, measuring 4.5–8.0 mm in body length. It is distinguished from congeners by specific morphological characters including lack of pale wing tuft, yellow to pale brown posterior thoracic spiracle lappets, dark palpi and basicosta, and characteristic bristle patterns. Like other cluster flies, adults overwinter in sheltered locations including buildings, where they aggregate in large numbers and may become nuisance pests. The species has been introduced to North America, with records from Canada and the northeastern United States.
cluster-fly nuisance-pest overwintering building-invader pollinator Darwin-Tree-of-Life genome-sequenced Palaearctic introduced-species
Polydrusini
Polydrusini is a tribe of weevils within the subfamily Entiminae, family Curculionidae. The tribe contains approximately 14 recognized genera, including the well-known genus *Polydrusus*. Members of this tribe are broad-nosed weevils, a group characterized by their relatively short, broad rostrum compared to other weevil lineages. The tribe was established by Schönherr in 1823 and has undergone taxonomic revision, with the genus *Polydrusus* receiving particular nomenclatural attention through ICZN Opinion 1179 in 1981.
weevils Curculionidae Entiminae broad-nosed-weevils Palaearctic