Polymorphic
Guides
Camponotus castaneus
Chestnut Carpenter Ant, Red Hazelnut Carpenter Ant, Reddish Carpenter Ant
Camponotus castaneus is a medium-sized carpenter ant native to eastern North America. Workers exhibit pronounced size polymorphism, with minor workers measuring 8-10 mm and major workers reaching 10-14 mm; queens are substantially larger at 18-20 mm. The species is distinguished by its orangish-red coloration, smooth thorax and abdomen, and single petiolar node. Colonies nest in rotting wood and undergo an early diapause beginning in fall, often ceasing foraging before other temperate ant species.
Camponotus floridanus
Florida Carpenter Ant
Camponotus floridanus, the Florida carpenter ant, is a large, conspicuous ant species native to the southeastern United States. It is notable for its striking bicolored appearance—reddish-orange head and mesosoma contrasting with a black gaster—and its highly aggressive defensive behavior. The species exhibits pronounced worker polymorphism with distinct minor and major castes, and maintains an obligate mutualism with the endosymbiotic bacterium Blochmannia floridanus. Colonies are fast-growing and can reach thousands of individuals, with unique behaviors including surgical amputation of injured nestmate limbs to prevent infection.
Camponotus socius
Sandhill Carpenter Ant
A large carpenter ant native to the southeastern United States, well-adapted to sandy soils of xeric woodlands. Exhibits polymorphic worker castes with distinctive coloration including variegated gaster banding. Notable for ground-nesting behavior unusual among Camponotus species, constructing deep nests with satellite colonies. Activity is primarily crepuscular, with midday retreat during hot periods.
Carmenta mimuli
coronopus borer
Carmenta mimuli, commonly known as the coronopus borer, is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae. The species exhibits two color morphs: a dark typical form found in Arizona, and a lighter whitish non-typical form distributed across the southwestern United States from Kansas to Arizona. Adults are active from late spring through late autumn. The larvae are known to feed on perennial Solanaceae plants.
Chaitophorinae
Chaitophorinae is a subfamily of aphids in the family Aphididae, comprising approximately 12 genera and over 180 described species. The subfamily is divided into two tribes: Chaitophorini, associated with deciduous trees and shrubs, and Siphini, associated with grasses. Members are characterized by numerous body setae and are predominantly distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. The subfamily originated on Acer plants in eastern Asia during the Late Cretaceous to early Paleocene, with subsequent dispersals and host shifts driving diversification.
Enoplognatha
Candystripe Spider (E. ovata)
Enoplognatha is a genus of comb-footed spiders (Theridiidae) first described by P. Pavesi in 1880. The genus includes approximately 75 species with cosmopolitan distribution. Members are characterized by a large colulus, subspherical abdomen, and males typically possess enlarged chelicerae. The genus is considered a senior synonym of Symopagia.
Enoplognatha marmorata
marbled cobweb spider
A species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, native to the Holarctic region. It constructs tangled, irregular webs in outdoor vegetation rather than in buildings. The species shows considerable color variation, with individuals ranging from pale to dark with marbled or striped abdominal patterns.
Epimecis hortaria
tulip-tree beauty
Epimecis hortaria, commonly known as the tulip-tree beauty, is a geometer moth native to North America. It is one of the larger species in its family, with a wingspan reaching 43–55 mm. The species exhibits two distinct color morphs and has a broad flight season spanning early spring through autumn.
Epinotia nisella
Grey Poplar Bell, Yellow-headed Aspen Leaftier
Epinotia nisella is a small tortricid moth with a Holarctic distribution across northern Eurasia and northern North America. First described by Clerck in 1759, it is highly polymorphic in forewing coloration, showing extensive variation in grey, black, and brown patterns. The species is closely related to E. cinereana, from which it was recently reinstated as distinct based on DNA barcodes and genital morphology. Larvae feed on catkins and leaves of Populus and Salix species.
Geophilus mordax
pitted soil centipede
Geophilus mordax, commonly called the pitted soil centipede, is a soil-dwelling geophilid centipede native to North America. It is a moderately sized species averaging 25–40 mm in length, with a bright red coloration and 49–57 leg pairs depending on sex. The species is distinguished by the presence of a sacculus or pit on each sternite, a key diagnostic feature that separates it from similar congeners.
Pheidole bicarinata
Variable Big-headed Ant, Common Big-headed Ant
Pheidole bicarinata, commonly known as the Variable Big-headed Ant, is a North American ant species characterized by its polymorphic worker caste system with distinct minor and major workers. The species exhibits a broad distribution across the central and eastern United States, ranging from Nebraska and Colorado eastward to New Jersey and Florida. Colonies are moderately sized, typically reaching up to approximately 4,000 workers. The species is notable for its dietary flexibility, incorporating insects, seeds, and nectar into its foraging repertoire.
Pheidole desertorum
Desert Big-headed Ant
Pheidole desertorum is a desert-dwelling ant in the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole, characterized by large colony sizes and pronounced worker polymorphism. Colonies contain 2,460–24,814 adult workers, making them exceptionally large for the genus. The species exhibits nocturnal foraging during summer months and employs multiple nests as an anti-predator defense strategy. Mating occurs following summer rainfall, with males forming aerial swarms prior to sunrise. Colony foundation is typically haplometrotic, though pleometrotic associations with workers occur.
Phymatodes testaceus
tanbark borer, violet tanbark beetle
Phymatodes testaceus is a transpalearctic polymorphic longhorn beetle in the subfamily Cerambycinae. Adults range from 6–16 mm in length. The species exhibits significant color variation, with some individuals showing violet or metallic reflections that contribute to the common name 'violet tanbark beetle.'
Pogonomyrmex badius
Florida Harvester Ant
Pogonomyrmex badius, the Florida harvester ant, is the only Pogonomyrmex species found on the east coast of the United States and the only North American member of the genus known to exhibit worker polymorphism. This species inhabits sandy, well-drained soils in Florida scrub and similar Atlantic coastal plain habitats. Colonies construct deep nests reaching 2.5–3.0 meters, with underground seed granaries and distinctive surface middens of charcoal and detritus. Workers display pronounced size variation (6.35–9.52 mm), with task allocation based on worker size and age-based vertical stratification within the nest. The species is notable for seasonal nest relocation, tool use for liquid food transport, and highly toxic venom delivered through a barbed stinger capable of autotomy.