Palearctic-native
Guides
Aleochara lanuginosa
Woolly Minute Rove Beetle
Aleochara lanuginosa is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, characterized by its minute size and distinctive woolly pubescence. The species is native to the Palearctic region but has been introduced to North America, where it is now established in Canada and the northern United States. It belongs to the subgenus Xenochara, a group of Aleochara species with specialized ecological associations.
Attulus pubescens
Downy jumping spider
Attulus pubescens is a small jumping spider in the family Salticidae, formerly classified as Sitticus pubescens until 2017. Females reach approximately 5 mm in body length, with males slightly smaller at around 4 mm. The species exhibits dark coloration with variable white markings and is frequently associated with human structures, including walls, fences, and building interiors. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, and has been introduced to North America.
Blepharidopterus angulatus
black-kneed capsid
Blepharidopterus angulatus is a predatory mirid bug native to the Palearctic region, with established populations in North America. It serves as a generalist predator of mites, aphids, and other soft-bodied arthropods on deciduous trees and shrubs. The species has been studied extensively for its potential as a biological control agent in orchards and its complex ecological relationships with parasitoids.
Chrysolina fastuosa
Chrysolina fastuosa is a small (5.0–6.0 mm), univoltine leaf beetle native to the Palearctic Region, ranging from eastern Siberia to western Europe. First North American records document established populations in Nova Scotia, Canada and Vermont, USA, separated by over 900 km. The species is distinguished by bright metallic green coloration with blue at the elytral suture and often orange median longitudinal areas on the elytra. It feeds on Lamiaceae, particularly Galeopsis species, and has the potential to spread across the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada.
Clubiona lutescens
yellow sac spider, sac spider
Clubiona lutescens is a sac spider in the family Clubionidae, found across Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus, Russia through Kazakhstan, Korea, and Japan. It has been introduced to North America. The species constructs silken retreats rather than prey-capture webs and hunts actively on foot. It is primarily nocturnal and has been observed in both natural and human-modified habitats.
Dasytes plumbeus
Dasytes plumbeus is a soft-bodied beetle in the family Melyridae, native to the Palearctic region and introduced to North America. Adults are small, metallic gray to lead-colored beetles with soft elytra characteristic of the family. The species is frequently observed and well-documented, with over 3,000 iNaturalist observations. It belongs to a genus of predatory or pollen-feeding beetles commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles.
Dictyonota fuliginosa
broom lacebug
Dictyonota fuliginosa is a Palearctic lace bug in the family Tingidae that has established populations in North America. The species is native to Europe and Northern Asia and has been documented with new distribution records across North American regions. It is commonly known as the broom lacebug and belongs to a family characterized by their distinctive reticulated, lace-like forewings.
Ectobius lapponicus
Dusky Cockroach
Ectobius lapponicus, commonly known as the dusky cockroach, is a small, non-pest cockroach species native to Europe and northern Asia. It was introduced to North America, with first recorded sightings in 1984 in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. The species has a documented life cycle involving specific overwintering stages, including a diapause in the egg and one of the nymphal instars. Unlike many cockroach species associated with human structures, E. lapponicus is primarily an outdoor species.
Euplectus karstenii
Euplectus karstenii is a minute rove beetle in the subfamily Pselaphinae, characterized by its compact body form and reduced elytra typical of ant-loving beetles. The species has a broad native distribution across the Palearctic region and has been introduced to North America, Australia, and potentially South America through human activity. As a member of the myrmecophilous Pselaphinae, it is associated with ant colonies, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented.
Exoteleia dodecella
pine bud moth
Exoteleia dodecella, commonly known as the pine bud moth, is a small gelechiid moth native to western Eurasia and introduced to North America. Adults are active in mid-summer with a wingspan of 9–15 mm. The species is notable for its larval mining behavior in conifer needles and its association with pine and larch hosts.
Harpalus affinis
Metallic Harpalus
Harpalus affinis is a ground beetle species native to the Palearctic region, with established introduced populations in North America and New Zealand. Adults measure 8.5–12 mm and display distinctive metallic bronze, green, or blue reflections on an otherwise black body. The species has been documented as part of beneficial ground beetle communities in agricultural systems, where it responds positively to reduced-tillage practices. Larval development spans approximately three months, with newly hatched larvae emerging in mid-May.
Harpalus rubripes
Red-legged Harpalus
Harpalus rubripes is a medium-sized ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, characterized by its distinctive reddish legs that give the species its name. Native to the Palearctic region, it has established populations across much of Europe, extending eastward through Siberia and Central Asia to Anatolia. The species was introduced to North America, with records dating from 1987 onward. Like other members of the genus Harpalus, it is primarily nocturnal and ground-dwelling.
Hydraecia micacea
Rosy Rustic, Potato Stem Borer
Hydraecia micacea, known as the rosy rustic or potato stem borer, is a noctuid moth native to the Palearctic realm and introduced to eastern North America. The species exhibits significant agricultural pest status, particularly affecting hop cultivation and potato crops through subterranean larval feeding on roots and crowns. Adults are active from July to November in temperate regions. The species is univoltine with a single generation per year.
Hylastinus
clover root borer (for H. obscurus)
A genus of crenulate bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) comprising approximately 11 described species. The genus is best known through Hylastinus obscurus, the clover root borer, which has been extensively studied due to its status as a major agricultural pest of red clover (Trifolium pratense). Members develop in roots of leguminous plants, with larvae creating short galleries in root tissues. The genus has a Palearctic native distribution but H. obscurus has been introduced to North and South America where it causes significant crop damage.
Megasternum concinnum
Megasternum concinnum is a small water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae. It has a broad native distribution across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, and has been introduced to western North America. The species belongs to the subfamily Sphaeridiinae, whose members are generally associated with moist organic substrates rather than truly aquatic habitats.
Neocochylis dubitana
Little Conch
Neocochylis dubitana, commonly known as the Little Conch, is a small tortricid moth native to the Palearctic region with introduced populations in North America. The species was originally described by Hübner in 1799 as Tortrix dubitana and has undergone several taxonomic revisions, most recently transferred from Cochylis to Neocochylis. It is a relatively well-documented species with over 800 observations on iNaturalist, reflecting both its actual abundance and the ease of identification among conch moths. The moth is associated with open habitats where its larval host plants occur.
Otophorus haemorrhoidalis
Otophorus haemorrhoidalis is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It has a broad distribution spanning the Palearctic region (Europe, Asia, and North Africa) and has been introduced to the Nearctic region (North America), where it is established in Canada and the United States. The species is associated with dung habitats and plays a role in nutrient cycling. Despite its wide distribution, detailed biological studies on this species remain limited.
Oxypoda opaca
Oxypoda opaca is a small rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Aleocharinae. Native to the Palearctic region, it has been introduced to North America where it is now established in Canada and the United States. Like other aleocharines, it is a member of the diverse rove beetle fauna associated with various decaying organic matter habitats.
Palporus nitidulus
Palporus nitidulus is a small rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Tachyporinae. The species has a broad native distribution across Europe, North Africa, and Asia, and has been introduced to multiple regions including North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. Its wide geographic spread and establishment across diverse climates suggest ecological adaptability. The species is frequently observed and relatively well-documented for a staphylinid beetle.
Perittia herrichiella
Perittia herrichiella is a small moth in the family Elachistidae, characterized by its leaf-mining larval stage on honeysuckles and related plants. The species has a trans-Palearctic distribution across Europe and has been introduced to North America, where it is established in the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. Adults are active in summer, while larvae feed internally in leaves of host plants.
Phylus coryli
hazel plant bug
Phylus coryli is a small plant bug in the family Miridae, commonly known as the hazel plant bug. It is native to Europe, where it is widespread including the British Isles, but absent from parts of the southern Mediterranean. The species has been introduced to North America. It is a specialist feeder on hazel (Corylus avellana).
Placusa tachyporoides
Placusa tachyporoides is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) with a broad native distribution across the Palearctic, ranging from Europe and Russia through East Asia to the Himalayas. The species has been introduced to North America, with established populations in Canada and the northern United States. It belongs to the tribe Placusini, a group of small to minute aleocharines often associated with decaying organic matter and fungal substrates.
Plagiognathus chrysanthemi
trefoil plant bug
Plagiognathus chrysanthemi, commonly known as the trefoil plant bug, is a small mirid bug native to the Palearctic region that has become established in North America as an adventive species. It is highly polyphagous, feeding on herbaceous plants across multiple families, with documented damage to agricultural crops including birdsfoot trefoil. The species has been identified as a pest of forage legumes in Ontario, Canada.
Platystethus degener
spiny-legged rove beetle
Platystethus degener is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, characterized by spiny legs. It is native to the Palearctic region, with established introduced populations in North America. The species was first described by Mulsant & Rey in 1878. Like other members of the genus Platystethus, it belongs to the subfamily Oxytelinae, a group known for their compact body form and association with decaying organic matter.
Priobium carpini
death-watch beetle
Priobium carpini is a species of death-watch beetle in the family Ptinidae, first described by Herbst in 1793. It is native to Europe and northern Asia (excluding China) and has been introduced to North America. The species is associated with wood-boring habits typical of the family. It is one of approximately 72 documented observations on iNaturalist.
Rhizedra lutosa
Large Wainscot, Isle of Wight Wainscot, Large Wainscot Moth
Rhizedra lutosa is a noctuid moth native to the Palearctic, ranging from Ireland to Japan. It has established populations in eastern North America following introduction. The species is notable for its subterranean larval habit, feeding on reed roots.
Rugilus angustatus
Rugilus angustatus is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae) native to Europe and western Asia, with established introduced populations in eastern North America. It is a moderately sized species within the diverse genus Rugilus, characterized by its elongate body form typical of the family. The species has been documented across a broad Palearctic range and has been observed in North American localities since at least the mid-20th century.
Sphaeridium lunatum
Crescent Water Scavenger Beetle
Sphaeridium lunatum is a small water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae, commonly known as the Crescent Water Scavenger Beetle. The species is native to the Palearctic region, with established introduced populations in North America. It inhabits moist organic substrates, particularly dung and decaying plant matter. The specific epithet 'lunatum' refers to the crescent-shaped markings on the elytra.
Tachinus rufipes
Tachinus rufipes is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, characterized by reddish legs that give the species its name. Originally described by Linnaeus in 1758 from European material, it has since been introduced to North America where it is now established in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. The species belongs to the subfamily Tachyporinae, a group known for rapid movements and association with decaying organic matter.
Terellia ruficauda
Red-tailed Thistle Fly
Terellia ruficauda is a tephritid gall fly native to the Palearctic region, now introduced to North America. The species is notable for its larval association with Cirsium arvense (creeping thistle), where larvae develop within the flower heads. Adults are recognized by the distinctive reddish coloration of the abdomen referenced in the specific epithet.
Trichosirocalus horridus
Thistle Crown Weevil, Musk Thistle Crown Weevil
Trichosirocalus horridus is a Palearctic weevil introduced to North America in 1974 as a biological control agent for exotic thistles in the genera Cirsium and Carduus. Native to Europe, it has established populations across the United States, particularly in Virginia where it spread from 609 km² in 1981 to 4,345 km² by 1985. Adults feed on thistle rosettes while larvae develop internally in stems and crowns, causing significant damage to host plants. The species has shown nontarget impacts, feeding on native Cirsium species in Nebraska and Tennessee at rates comparable to target weeds.