Palearctic
Guides
Asciodema obsoleta
Asciodema obsoleta is a Palearctic true bug in the family Miridae. The species has been recorded across parts of Europe, North Africa, and has been introduced to North America. It belongs to the plant bug family Miridae, one of the largest families of true bugs with predominantly phytophagous feeding habits.
Atemelia
Atemelia is a genus of small moths within the family Praydidae (superfamily Yponomeutoidea). The genus was established by Herrich-Schäffer in 1853 and contains six described species distributed primarily in the Palearctic region, with records from northern Europe including Norway and Sweden. Species-level taxonomy has been subject to revision, with Atemelia formerly placed in Plutellidae by some sources.
Athalia cornubiae
Stonecrop Tigress
Athalia cornubiae is a sawfly species described by Benson in 1931, commonly known as the Stonecrop Tigress. The species has been recorded in Europe (Belgium, Denmark) and North America (Canada, Ontario), suggesting either a natural transatlantic distribution or possible introduction. The common name implies an association with stonecrop plants (Crassula or Sedum), though specific host relationships require confirmation. As a member of the genus Athalia, it belongs to a group of sawflies whose larvae often feed on cruciferous or succulent plants.
Athous
click beetles
Athous is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Eschscholtz in 1829. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with numerous Nearctic and Palearctic species transferred to other genera including Hemicrepidius, Harminius, and Acanthathous. Species occur across forested habitats in the Nearctic and Palearctic regions, with some species showing distinct habitat preferences for either broadleaved or coniferous woodlands. Larvae are predaceous or feed on dead invertebrates, and adults occasionally feed on plant material.
Athrips mouffetella
Ten-spotted Honeysuckle Moth, Dotted Grey Groundling
Athrips mouffetella is a small gelechiid moth known by two common names reflecting its appearance and host association. Adults fly from June to early September and are readily attracted to light. The species has a broad Palearctic distribution and has been introduced to North America. Its larvae feed exclusively on honeysuckle and snowberry, spinning silken webs on terminal leaves.
Athyroglossa
Athyroglossa is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, established by Loew in 1860. The genus contains at least 30 described species distributed primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, with records from Norway and Sweden. Shore flies in this family are typically associated with moist or aquatic environments.
Attulus ammophilus
Attulus ammophilus is a jumping spider species in the family Salticidae, first described by Thorell in 1875. It is native to parts of Europe, Northern Asia, and Central Asia, with introduced populations established in North America. The species name 'ammophilus' suggests an association with sandy habitats. Unlike the closely related and Critically Endangered Attulus distinguendus, this species has a broader distribution and is not considered threatened.
Aulogymnus
Aulogymnus is a genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Eulophidae, first described by Förster in 1851. Members of this genus are small parasitoid wasps, part of a diverse family that primarily parasitizes other insects. The genus has been recorded from Europe and Asia. Specific biological details for the genus as a whole remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
parasitoidEulophidaeChalcidoideaHymenopteraPalearcticwaspsinsectsarthropodsentomologytaxonomyFörster-1851DenmarkSpainTibetChinaEuropeAsiaminute-waspschalcid-waspsEulophinaeTerebrantesApocritaHexapodaAnimaliaArthropodaInsectaAulogymnussmall-waspstiny-waspsparasitic-waspsbiological-controlinsect-parasitoidssystematicsmorphologyidentificationkeysNearcticOrientalXizangcitizen-scienceiNaturalistobservationsrecordsdistributionFörster1851genusacceptedvalidsynonymychalcidoidchalcidchalcidseulophideulophidseulophid-waspseulophinesparasitoid-waspsparasitic-Hymenopterabiological-control-agentsinsect-diversitybiodiversityfaunaentomologicalhymenopteranarthropodhexapodhexapodspterygotepterygotesendopterygoteendopterygotesholometabolousholometabolatiny-insectsminute-insectssmall-insectsmicrohymenopteramicro-waspsmicro-parasitoidsmicro-chalcidsmicro-eulophidswing-venationantennaethoraxdiagnostic-characterstaxonomic-keysidentification-keysgeneric-keysNearctic-faunaEuropean-faunaAsian-faunaTibetan-faunaSpanish-faunaDanish-faunapoorly-knowndata-deficientunderstudiedcryptic-diversityhost-unknownbiology-unknownlife-history-unknownecology-unknowndistribution-recordsoccurrence-recordsspecimen-recordsmuseum-recordsdatabase-recordsGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIWikipediaUniversal-Chalcidoidea-DatabaseKey-to-Nearctic-eulophid-generaliteraturesourcesreferencescitationsbibliographyoriginal-descriptiontype-speciestype-localitynomenclaturesystematic-entomologyhymenopterologychalcidologyparasitologybiological-control-researchintegrated-pest-managementIPMagricultural-entomologyforest-entomologymedical-entomologyveterinary-entomologyurban-entomologyconservation-entomologyinsect-ecologycommunity-ecologypopulation-ecologybehavioral-ecologyevolutionary-ecologyphylogeneticsphylogenymolecular-systematicsDNA-barcodingtaxonomy-and-phylogenyclassificationbiodiversity-informaticsbiogeographyhistorical-biogeographyphylogeographydispersalvicariancespeciationdiversificationevolutionadaptationnatural-selectionsexual-selectionlife-history-evolutionhost-parasitoid-interactionscoevolutiontritrophic-interactionsfood-websecosystem-servicesnatural-enemiesbiocontrolaugmentative-biological-controlclassical-biological-controlconservation-biological-controlinvasive-species-managementpest-managementsustainable-agricultureorganic-farmingagroecologyecosystem-healthenvironmental-monitoringbioindicatorsindicator-speciesclimate-changeglobal-changehabitat-lossfragmentationconservation-statusIUCNred-listnot-evaluatedresearch-needsknowledge-gapsfuture-researchprioritiesspecimen-collectionvoucheringmuseum-collectionsnatural-history-collectionsdigitizationdata-sharingopen-scienceFAIR-principlescitizen-science-contributionscommunity-sciencepublic-engagementscience-communicationeducationoutreachnatural-historyinsect-watchingwasp-watchingnature-observationbiodiversity-appreciationAutalia puncticollis
Autalia puncticollis is a rove beetle species in the family Staphylinidae, described by Sharp in 1864. It belongs to the tribe Autaliini within the subfamily Aleocharinae. The species has a Palearctic native distribution across Europe, Russia, Turkey, and Japan, with introduced populations in western North America including British Columbia, California, and Washington.
Bactra furfurana
mottled marble
Bactra furfurana is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 13–19 mm, found across the Nearctic and Palearctic realms. Adults fly in June and July in damp marshy habitats. The larvae are stem-borers in rushes, feeding internally on Schoenoplectus lacustris and Juncus conglomeratus. The species closely resembles Bactra lancealana but can be distinguished by subtle wing shape and pattern differences.
Belyta
Belyta is a genus of minute diapriid wasps in the subfamily Belytinae. The genus was established by Jurine in 1807 and contains multiple species distributed across the Palearctic region. Species of Belyta are small, slender parasitoid wasps, with seven species recently documented from Iran for the first time. The genus is characterized by specific morphological features of the head and antennae that distinguish it from related diapriid genera.
Bembidion mckinleyi
Bembidion mckinleyi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Fall in 1926. It is a member of the large genus Bembidion, which contains over 1,400 described species of small to medium-sized carabid beetles. The species is known from both North America and Europe, with three recognized subspecies: B. m. mckinleyi, B. m. carneum, and B. m. scandicum. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with moist habitats near water bodies.
Bembidion obscurellum
Dry-field Bembidion Beetle
Bembidion obscurellum is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Dry-field Bembidion Beetle. The species has a wide distribution spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Multiple subspecies have been described, indicating geographic variation across its range. Like other members of genus Bembidion, it is a ground-dwelling predator.
Benthalia
Benthalia is a genus of non-biting midges in the family Chironomidae, established by Lipina in 1939. The genus is currently treated as a synonym of Einfeldia in the Catalogue of Life, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revision in the Chironomini tribe. Species historically placed in Benthalia are primarily benthic, inhabiting the bottom sediments of aquatic environments.
Bisnius fimetarius
Bisnius fimetarius is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, originally described from Europe and now known to occur across the Palearctic region. The species has been introduced to eastern Canada. As a member of the genus Bisnius, it belongs to a group of rove beetles often associated with dung and carrion habitats where they function as predators.
Bisnius siegwaldii
Bisnius siegwaldii is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae) in the tribe Staphylinini. It is a medium-sized species with a broad distribution across northern North America and Russia. The species was originally described as Philonthus siegwaldii in 1843. Records indicate presence in boreal and temperate regions of Canada and the United States.
Bledius gallicus
Bledius gallicus is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Gravenhorst in 1806 under the name Oxytelus gallicum. The species has a broad native distribution across Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, Middle East, Central Asia, Mongolia, and China. It has been introduced to eastern North America, with established populations in Canada and the northeastern United States. The genus Bledius comprises species often associated with sandy or muddy habitats, though specific ecological details for B. gallicus remain limited in published sources.
Botanophila fugax
Botanophila fugax is a small fly in the family Anthomyiidae, distributed across the Palearctic region. The species is characterized by larval development as a stem borer in plant hosts. It has been documented as a host for the entomopathogenic fungus Strongwellsea crypta, which produces distinctive rhomboid-shaped abdominal holes in infected individuals.
Brachygluta
ant-loving beetles
Brachygluta is a genus of ant-loving beetles (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) containing over 80 described species. These small rove beetles are specialist predators of mites. The Nearctic fauna has been revised, with 29 species recognized in North America.
Brachyserphus
Brachyserphus is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Proctotrupidae, established by Hellén in 1941. The genus occurs in both the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. A 2019 taxonomic revision documented North American species, recording B. acuticaudatus in Canada for the first time and excluding B. parvulus from the Nearctic fauna. Species-level identification requires examination of subtle morphological characters.
Broscus
Broscus is a genus of ground beetles in the family Carabidae, tribe Broscini. The genus is native to the Palearctic, Nearctic, Near East, and North Africa. It contains approximately 25 described species, including several island endemics such as Broscus crassimargo on La Gomera (Canary Islands).
Bruchus
seed beetles, bean beetles, bean weevils
Bruchus is a genus of seed beetles in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae, comprising approximately 36 species. The genus is characterized by distinctive male genitalia morphology, including a large, sclerotized, boomerang-shaped ventral plate used in species identification. Members are specialized herbivores feeding almost exclusively on legumes in the tribe Fabeae (Vicieae), including peas, lentils, and vetches. Several species are significant agricultural pests, notably B. lentis on lentils, B. pisorum on peas, and B. rufimanus on fava beans. The genus is primarily Palearctic in distribution, with some species introduced to North America, Africa, and Australia.
Brumus
Brumus is a genus of lady beetles (family Coccinellidae) established by Mulsant in 1850. The genus contains approximately 10 described species distributed across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Species in this genus are generally small to medium-sized coccinellids with somewhat elongated body forms compared to the more rounded typical lady beetles.
Bryocoris pteridis
Bryocoris pteridis is a small plant bug in the family Miridae, specialized on fern feeding. It is widespread across Europe and the Palearctic, occurring from lowlands to alpine elevations up to 1500 m. The species exhibits wing polymorphism, with brachypterous forms predominating. It completes one or occasionally two generations per year, with adults active from June through September.
Bryotropha galbanella
Bryotropha galbanella is a small gelechiid moth with a broad distribution across northern Europe, extending eastward to Russia and Japan, and westward to Alaska and extreme north-western Canada. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wingspan, with males measuring 14–18 mm and females 13–16 mm. Larvae are specialized feeders on mosses, particularly Dicranum scoparium, and construct silken tubes for shelter. The species has been incorrectly recorded from Chile.
Buprestis haemorrhoidalis
Buprestis haemorrhoidalis is a Palearctic jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Herbst in 1780. The species was erroneously reported as established in British Columbia, Canada, based on a misidentified specimen of the native North American species Buprestis subornata. This misidentification propagated through multiple literature sources before correction. The species remains native to Europe and Asia with no confirmed establishment in North America.
Cabera exanthemata
Common Wave, Northern Wave Moth
Cabera exanthemata, known as the Common Wave or Northern Wave Moth, is a geometrid moth species distributed across the Palearctic region and Near East, with established populations in North America. The species is well-documented with over 5,900 observations on iNaturalist. It belongs to the subfamily Ennominae within the diverse Geometridae family.
Calamoncosis
frit flies
Calamoncosis is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae (frit flies), established by Enderlein in 1911. The genus contains species distributed across both Palearctic and Nearctic regions. Nearctic fauna includes at least five described species, with most specimens collected from peatlands and marshes in eastern North America. Some species have documented associations with wetland grasses including common reed (Phragmites australis).
Caliadurgus fasciatellus
Blotchwing Spider Wasp
Caliadurgus fasciatellus is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, subfamily Pepsinae. It ranges from Western Europe to the Far East of Asia. The species hunts orb-weaving spiders, paralyzes them, and provisions underground burrows for its larval offspring. It was historically confused with Priocnemis hyalinata due to taxonomic errors regarding type species designations.
Caliscelis
Caliscelis is a genus of planthoppers in the family Caliscelidae, established by Laporte in 1833. These insects belong to the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, a group of true bugs known for their distinctive head morphology and jumping hind legs. The genus is part of the tribe Caliscelini within the subfamily Caliscelinae. Members of this genus are found primarily in the Palearctic region, with documented observations across Europe and parts of Asia.
Callicerus obscurus
Callicerus obscurus is a rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Geostibini) described by Gravenhorst in 1802. The species has a Palearctic distribution centered in Europe, with records from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, France, Great Britain, Georgia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, as well as central European Russia. It has been introduced to Ontario, Canada. The species is known from 27 iNaturalist observations but lacks detailed published biological studies.
Callimus
Callimus is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the tribe Stenopterini. The genus was established by Mulsant in 1846 and contains species characterized by relatively compact body forms compared to other cerambycids. Members of this genus are found primarily in the Palearctic region. The genus includes Poimenesperus callimus, described by Karl Jordan in 1903, though this species has been subject to taxonomic revision.
Calliopum
Calliopum is a genus of small lauxaniid flies established by Strand in 1928. The genus comprises approximately 27 described species distributed across the Palearctic region. Adults are typically found in meadows and hedgerows, while larvae exhibit varied feeding habits including phytophagy and saprophagy.
Callisto denticulella
Garden Apple Slender
Callisto denticulella is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. Adults are active from May to June and have a wingspan of approximately 11 mm. The species is notable for its distinctive wing pattern featuring white triangular striae on a brown forewing. Larvae are specialized miners of Malus leaves, with additional records from Crataegus, Cotoneaster, and Pyrus. The species has a broad distribution across Europe, eastern North America, and parts of Russia.
Caloptilia suberinella
Caloptilia suberinella is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae, first described by Tengström in 1848. The species has a Palearctic distribution across northern and central Europe, extending eastward through Russia to China, with a recent confirmed record from British Columbia in North America. Like other members of its genus, it likely has leaf-mining larvae, though specific host plant associations for this species remain undocumented. Adults are nocturnal and have been observed at ultraviolet light sources.
Campodeidae
slender entrophs
Campodeidae is a family of small, pale, eyeless hexapods in the order Diplura, distinguished by two long, many-segmented cerci at the abdomen tip. The family contains at least 30 genera and approximately 280 described species, distributed across soil and cave habitats worldwide. Members range from 5–12 mm in length, with the largest species being the cave-dwelling Pacificampa daidarabotchi from Japan. Abdominal spiracles are absent. The family exhibits diverse ecological strategies, with many species adapted to subterranean environments showing troglomorphic features such as elongated appendages and enhanced sensory structures.
Cantharis livida
pale soldier beetle
Cantharis livida, commonly known as the pale soldier beetle, is a soft-bodied beetle in the family Cantharidae. Adults measure 10–15 mm and display variable coloration, with bright red or orange head, thorax, and abdomen contrasting with yellow to reddish-brown elytra. Both adults and larvae are predatory, feeding on small invertebrates. The species is widespread across Europe and the eastern Palearctic, and has been introduced to eastern North America.
Capsus ater
black plant bug
Capsus ater is a plant bug in the family Miridae, commonly known as the black plant bug. It is widely distributed across North America, Europe, and northern Asia, with evidence suggesting North American origin followed by introduction to other regions. The species inhabits dry to moderately moist open habitats and feeds on various grasses without apparent preference for particular species or genera.
Carabus granulatus
Granulated Ground Beetle
Carabus granulatus is a small, winged ground beetle native to the Palearctic, ranging from Ireland to the Russian Far East, with introduced populations in North America. Adults measure 14–20 mm and exhibit metallic greenish-bronze, green, or occasionally black coloration with distinctive granulated elytra. Unlike most Carabus species, it has retained functional flight ability, though it primarily remains ground-dwelling. The species occupies diverse habitats including forests, fields, prairies, taiga, river margins, fens, lakeshores, and upland peat, occasionally occurring in gardens.
Caradrina clavipalpis
Pale Mottled Willow
Caradrina clavipalpis, the pale mottled willow, is a small noctuid moth native to the Palearctic region and introduced to North America since 1993. Adults are attracted to light and sugar, and feed at flowers. The species has two generations per year in temperate regions, with adults flying from April to October depending on location. Larvae feed on cereal grains and plantains, and pupate underground in robust cocoons.
Carpelimus
spiny-legged rove beetles
Carpelimus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae) containing at least 100 described species. Members are commonly referred to as spiny-legged rove beetles. The genus has a broad distribution spanning the Palearctic, Oriental, and other regions, with recent records documenting range extensions in Southeast Asia and South Asia. At least one species, Carpelimus rivularis, has been documented as a host for phoretic mites (Pygmephoridae).
Carpelimus gracilis
Carpelimus gracilis is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Oxytelinae. The species is native to Europe but has been introduced to North America, with established populations in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. It has been recorded across a broad Palearctic range extending from Western Europe through Russia and into Central Asia, as well as North Africa and the Middle East.
Carpomyini
Carpomyini is a tribe of fruit flies within the family Tephritidae, subfamily Trypetinae. The tribe includes genera such as Carpomya, Goniglossum, Myiopardalis, and Norrbomella. Species within this tribe are associated with host plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, particularly Bryonia species.
Caryocolum
Curved-horn moths
Caryocolum is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, commonly known as Curved-horn moths. The genus contains over 80 species distributed across the Palearctic and Nearctic realms, with the highest diversity in mountainous regions of Europe. Species are specialized feeders on plants in the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), particularly genera such as Cerastium and Stellaria. The genus has been subject to intensive taxonomic revision due to high levels of cryptic diversity, with numerous species described in recent decades using integrative approaches combining DNA barcoding and morphology.
Caryocolum cassella
Caryocolum cassella is a small gelechiid moth with a broad Palearctic distribution extending from Western Europe through Scandinavia to Eastern Europe and Russia, with additional populations in western North America. The species shows sexual dimorphism in forewing length, with males slightly larger than females. Adults are active during summer months, while larvae develop in spring on Stellaria nemorum.
Cassida flaveola
pale tortoise beetle
Cassida flaveola, known as the pale tortoise beetle, is a brownish leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was historically considered an introduced Palearctic species in North America, but recent evidence indicates it is at least in part native with a Holarctic distribution. The species has been newly recorded in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in the Maritime Provinces of Canada.
Catoptrichus
Catoptrichus is a genus of small carrion beetles in the family Leiodidae, subfamily Cholevinae. Members of this genus are eyeless, subterranean-adapted beetles associated with cave and soil habitats. The genus was established by Andrew Murray in 1856 and is placed in the subtribe Catopina.
Celypha cespitana
Celypha Moth
Celypha cespitana is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of approximately 15 mm, distributed across the Palearctic and Nearctic realms. The species exhibits variable forewing coloration ranging from silvery-white to ochreous, greyish, or reddish tones with distinctive dark markings. Adults are active from late May through September in western Europe. The larvae feed on herbaceous plants, though specific host associations remain incompletely documented.
Centrocoris
Centrocoris is a genus of true bugs in the family Coreidae, subfamily Coreinae, tribe Coreini. It was established by Kolenati in 1845 and contains approximately nine described species distributed across the Palearctic region, particularly in arid and semi-arid zones of Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Species in this genus are characterized by features typical of the Coreini tribe, including elongated bodies and often prominent spines on the pronotum or scutellum.
Centromerita bicolor
Centromerita bicolor is a species of sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae, first described by John Blackwall in 1833. It is a small spider with a trans-Palearctic native distribution and has been introduced to North America. The species is known to occur in a variety of habitats across its range. Like other linyphiids, it constructs sheet webs for prey capture.