Poorly-known-species
Guides
Ablautus colei
Northwestern Prospector
Ablautus colei is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. It belongs to a genus of small, sand-colored predatory flies found in North America. The species is part of the 'Northwestern Prospector' group within the genus, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. Like other Ablautus species, it likely exhibits sexual dimorphism in facial hair coloration and elaborate male courtship displays.
Aceratagallia semiarida
Aceratagallia semiarida is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, originally described under the genus Ceratagallia. It belongs to a genus of small, slender leafhoppers found primarily in arid and semiarid regions of North America. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with no confirmed observations in major biodiversity databases. Its taxonomic placement was revised from Ceratagallia to Aceratagallia based on morphological characteristics.
Acinopterus viridis
Acinopterus viridis is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Ball in 1903. It belongs to the tribe Acinopterini within the subfamily Deltocephalinae. The species is known from western North America, with distribution records from Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, and Colorado. As a member of the leafhopper family, it is presumed to feed on plant sap, though specific host plants and ecological details remain poorly documented.
Acmaeodera robigo
Acmaeodera robigo is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Josef Knull in 1954 from specimens collected at Lake Corpus Christi in south Texas. The species remained poorly known until 1996, when it was recorded from a pupal cell in Dalea formosa at White River Lake in northern Texas, representing a range extension of nearly 500 miles. Subsequent collections have documented the species in west Texas at Seminole Canyon State Historic Park. The species exhibits variability in elytral markings and punctation not noted in the original description.
Acoma conjuncta
Acoma conjuncta is a species of scarab beetle described by Howden in 1962. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae, a group commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species has been documented only from Texas, USA, suggesting a restricted geographic range. As a member of the genus Acoma, it is part of a small group of scarab beetles primarily distributed in western North America.
Acrolophus bicornutus
Acrolophus bicornutus is a small moth species in the family Acrolophidae, described by Hasbrouck in 1964. It is known only from Florida. The wingspan measures approximately 13 mm. Like other members of the genus Acrolophus, it is commonly referred to as a "grass tube moth" due to larval habits of spinning silken tubes at grass bases or roots.
Ageniella arcuata
Ageniella arcuata is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Banks in 1910. It belongs to the "accepta species group" of Ageniella, a complex of morphologically similar species that includes A. conflicta and A. blaisdelli. Like other members of this genus, it is likely a solitary hunter that provisions nests with paralyzed spiders for its larval offspring. The species is poorly documented in the scientific literature, with most biological details remaining unstudied.
Agrilus atricornis
Agrilus atricornis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Fisher in 1928. It belongs to the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, which contains nearly 4,000 described species and is considered one of the largest genera in the animal kingdom. The species is found in North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Québec) and the United States. Like most members of its genus, it is presumed to develop as a larva in woody plant tissue, though specific host plants and detailed biology remain undocumented.
Agrilus diospyroides
Agrilus diospyroides is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Josef N. Knull in 1942. The species is found in North America. Beyond its taxonomic description and general distribution, specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and morphology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Agrilus prionurus
Soapberry Borer
Agrilus prionurus, commonly known as the soapberry borer, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is native to North America and Central America. Like other members of the genus Agrilus, it is presumed to develop as larvae in wood, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The common name suggests an association with soapberry plants (Sapindus), but this relationship has not been rigorously confirmed in published literature.
Ammonaios confusus
Ammonaios confusus is a species of stiletto fly in the family Therevidae, described by Hauser and Irwin in 2003. The genus Ammonaios was established relatively recently, and species within this group are poorly known compared to many other therevid flies. Like other Therevidae, adults are likely predatory or nectar-feeding, though specific ecological details remain undocumented. The species epithet 'confusus' suggests historical taxonomic confusion with related taxa.
Ampedus horni
Ampedus horni is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The species belongs to the tribe Ampedini, a group characterized by often vivid coloration. Like other click beetles, it possesses the family-diagnostic prosternal process that enables the characteristic 'clicking' escape mechanism.
Andrena bisalicis
Eastern Willow Miner Bee
Andrena bisalicis, commonly known as the Eastern Willow Miner Bee, is a solitary mining bee species in the family Andrenidae. It is native to North America, with documented presence in the northeastern United States including Vermont. As a member of the genus Andrena, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to provision offspring with pollen. The species is poorly studied, with limited ecological data available beyond basic taxonomic and distributional records.
Andrena principalis
Andrena principalis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by LaBerge in 1986. It belongs to a large genus of solitary, ground-nesting bees that are important pollinators in temperate regions. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other Andrena species, it is presumed to nest in burrows excavated in soil and to provision its larvae with pollen and nectar, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Annaphila ida
Annaphila ida is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Rindge and Smith in 1952. It is a member of the genus Annaphila, a group of primarily day-flying moths within the otherwise largely nocturnal Noctuidae. The species is found in North America, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented in available literature.
Anoplocurius incompletus
Anoplocurius incompletus is a longhorn beetle species in the tribe Elaphidiini, described by Linsley in 1942. It is one of several species in the genus Anoplocurius, a group of small to medium-sized cerambycids distributed in North and Middle America. The specific epithet 'incompletus' likely refers to some aspect of its morphology, though the original description context is not widely cited. The species remains poorly known beyond its original description and basic taxonomic placement.
Anthophora hololeuca
Anthophora hololeuca is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1923. Like other members of the genus Anthophora, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates burrows in soil or sand substrates. The species occurs in North America and Middle America, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as Anthophora bomboides.
Aphaenogaster umphreyi
Aphaenogaster umphreyi is a rarely collected ant species in the genus Aphaenogaster, described in 1998 from Florida. The species belongs to a genus predominantly consisting of ground-nesting species in eastern temperate forests. Like its congener A. mariae, it may exhibit arboreal nesting habits, though this has not been confirmed. The species remains poorly known due to limited collection records.
Aphis forbesi
Strawberry Root Aphid
Aphis forbesi is an aphid species in the family Aphididae, first described by Weed in 1889. It is commonly known as the strawberry root aphid, indicating an association with strawberry plants (Fragaria spp.). The species has been recorded in Serbia based on distribution data. Like other aphids in the genus Aphis, it likely possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts and may exhibit complex life cycles involving host alternation or monoecy, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in available sources.
Apiocera painteri
Apiocera painteri is a species of flower-loving fly described by Cazier in 1963. It belongs to the family Apioceridae, a small group of brachyceran flies commonly known as flower-loving flies due to their association with flowers. The genus Apiocera is primarily distributed in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. Like other apiocerids, this species is likely associated with sandy soils where larvae develop.
Argyra calceata
Argyra calceata is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, first described by Hermann Loew in 1861. The genus Argyra belongs to the subfamily Diaphorinae, a group of small to medium-sized flies known for their metallic coloration and elongated legs. Members of this family are generally predatory as larvae and often associated with moist or aquatic habitats. The specific epithet "calceata" refers to being shod or booted, likely alluding to a characteristic of the leg structure. The species is poorly documented in publicly available literature, with minimal observational records.
Asiocnemis nitens
Asiocnemis nitens is a species of false click beetle in the family Eucnemidae, described by Horn in 1886. It belongs to a genus of beetles characterized by their distinctive morphology within the Eucnemidae family. The species has been recorded from British Columbia, Canada, with very limited observational data available.
Atrichopogon fusculus
Atrichopogon fusculus is a species of biting midge in the family Ceratopogonidae, first described by Coquillett in 1901 from the United States. The species has been recorded from multiple continents, including North America, South America, and Europe. Like other members of the genus Atrichopogon, it belongs to the subfamily Forcipomyiinae, which includes both biting and non-biting species. Specific biological details remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Attenuipyga minor
Attenuipyga minor is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Osborn in 1920. It belongs to a genus whose name reflects the slender, tapering pygofer structure characteristic of these insects. The species has been recorded from the Dakotas region of the north-central United States. Like other leafhoppers, it is a xylem-feeding insect that uses piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract fluids from plant vascular tissue.
Atylotus hyalicosta
Atylotus hyalicosta is a species of horse fly (family Tabanidae) described by Teskey in 1984. It belongs to the genus Atylotus, a group of biting flies known for their robust build and large eyes. Like other members of Tabanidae, females of this species likely require blood meals for egg development, while males feed on nectar and other sugar sources. The species is poorly documented in public literature, with only one observation recorded on iNaturalist.
Bactericera californica
California psyllid
Bactericera californica is a species of psyllid in the family Triozidae, first described by Crawford in 1910. It is native to western North America and has been documented in California, Arizona, Colorado, and Arkansas. As a member of the genus Bactericera, it belongs to a group of psyllids that includes several economically significant agricultural pests. The species is poorly studied compared to its congener B. cockerelli, the potato psyllid, and little is known about its specific biology or host associations.
Bactericera dorsalis
Bactericera dorsalis is a species of psyllid, commonly known as a jumping plant louse, in the family Triozidae. First described by Crawford in 1914 as Kuwayama dorsalis, this small phloem-feeding insect belongs to a genus containing approximately 24 species in North America north of Mexico. Like other psyllids, it feeds by penetrating plant phloem and sucking sap. The species is poorly known compared to economically important relatives such as the potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli).
Balclutha rosacea
Balclutha rosacea is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Osborn in 1929. The genus Balclutha belongs to the tribe Macrostelini within the subfamily Deltocephalinae, a diverse group of small, plant-feeding insects commonly known as leafhoppers. Species in this genus are typically associated with grasses and sedges, though specific ecological details for B. rosacea remain poorly documented in available literature. The species has been recorded from Puerto Rico based on distribution data in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
Bembidion idoneum
A small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Casey in 1918. The species is recognized as valid but remains poorly documented in modern literature. Available sources confirm its taxonomic placement but provide minimal ecological or biological information.
Blapstinus castaneus
Blapstinus castaneus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Thomas Lincoln Casey Jr. in 1890. The genus Blapstinus comprises small to medium-sized tenebrionid beetles found primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of North America. As a member of this genus, B. castaneus is likely adapted to dry environments. The species is represented by limited specimen records in museum collections and few observations in citizen science databases.
Bothrideres montanus
Bothrideres montanus is a species of dry bark beetle in the family Bothrideridae, described by Horn in 1878. The species is known from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented. Members of the genus Bothrideres are typically associated with dead or decaying wood, where they likely feed on fungal hyphae or other microfauna. The specific epithet 'montanus' suggests a possible association with mountainous regions, though this has not been confirmed.
Brooksetta althaeae
Hollyhock Plant Bug
Brooksetta althaeae, commonly known as the hollyhock plant bug, is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae. The species was described by Hussey in 1924. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Michigan. The common name suggests an association with hollyhock plants (Alcea species), though specific ecological relationships remain poorly documented.
Bucculatrix copeuta
Bucculatrix copeuta is a small moth in the family Bucculatricidae, first described by Edward Meyrick in 1919. The species is known from limited records in North America, specifically Ontario, Canada and Maine, USA. Larvae of this genus are known as "ribbed cocoon-makers" and construct distinctive ribbed cocoons on host plants. The larval host for B. copeuta has been tentatively associated with Prunus pensylvanica.
Calandrinus insignis
Calandrinus insignis is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1892. The genus Calandrinus belongs to the superfamily Curculionoidea, the largest and most diverse group of beetles. As a member of Curculionidae, this species possesses the characteristic elongated rostrum (snout) with mouthparts at the tip that defines this family. The specific epithet "insignis" (Latin for "remarkable" or "distinguished") may refer to distinctive morphological features, though the original description has not been examined. Information on biology, ecology, and distribution of this species is extremely limited in available sources.
Callomyia venusta
flat-footed fly
Callomyia venusta is a species of flat-footed fly in the family Platypezidae, first described by Snow in 1894. It belongs to a small family of flies characterized by their distinctive flattened tarsi. The species has been documented in the northeastern United States, with records from Vermont. Like other members of the genus Callomyia, it likely shares the family's typical morphology and ecological associations, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Camponotus ulcerosus
Camponotus ulcerosus is a species of carpenter ant in the genus Camponotus, described by Wheeler in 1910. It is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. As a member of the carpenter ant group, it nests in wood and exhibits the typical colony structure of the genus with polymorphic workers. Beyond its geographic range and taxonomic placement, specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Carmenta welchelorum
Carmenta welchelorum is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, described in 1977 from south-central Texas. As a member of the genus Carmenta, it belongs to a group of seed-feeding clearwing moths primarily distributed in the Americas. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited information available beyond its original description and type locality.
Cauchas dietziella
fairy longhorn moth
Cauchas dietziella is a species of fairy longhorn moth in the family Adelidae, described by William D. Kearfott in 1908. It belongs to a group characterized by males with exceptionally long antennae. The species occurs in eastern North America. It remains poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited observational records.
Centrinopus helvinus
Centrinopus helvinus is a species of flower weevil in the family Curculionidae. It is native to North America. The species was described by Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1889. As a member of the flower weevil group, it is associated with flowering plants, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Cephimallota obscurostrigella
Cephimallota obscurostrigella is a species of clothes moth in the family Tineidae. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited published information on its biology and ecology. It belongs to a genus of small moths associated with keratinous materials and detritus. The specific epithet 'obscurostrigella' refers to dark longitudinal markings.
Cerceris truncata
Cerceris truncata is a solitary wasp species in the family Crabronidae, described by Cameron in 1890. It belongs to a genus of predatory wasps known for specializing on particular prey groups. Most Cerceris species are ground-nesting solitary wasps that paralyze prey with their sting to provision underground nests for their larvae. The specific biology and prey preferences of C. truncata remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as C. fumipennis.
Cerodontha arundinariella
Cerodontha arundinariella is a species of leaf miner fly in the family Agromyzidae. As a member of the genus Cerodontha, its larvae develop within the leaf tissue of host plants, creating distinctive mines between the upper and lower epidermis. The species epithet suggests an association with bamboo or reed-like plants (Arundinaria). Very few observations of this species have been documented, reflecting either genuine rarity or undercollection due to its small size and specialized habitat.
Chaetocnema fuscata
Chaetocnema fuscata is a flea beetle (subfamily Alticinae) in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae. It was described by R. White in 1996 as part of his revision of the genus Chaetocnema in North America. The species is known from North America, with records from Ontario, Canada. Like other members of the genus, it is among the smallest flea beetles, with adults typically measuring 1–2 mm in length. The genus Chaetocnema includes several species associated with specific host plants, though detailed biological information for C. fuscata specifically remains limited.
Chlorochroa dismalia
Dismal Swamp Stink Bug
Chlorochroa dismalia is a stink bug species in the family Pentatomidae, described by Thomas in 1983. It is commonly known as the Dismal Swamp Stink Bug. The species belongs to the genus Chlorochroa, which includes several stink bug species associated with various host plants in North America. Very limited information is available about this particular species in the scientific literature.
Chlorochroa kanei
Chlorochroa kanei is a species of stink bug described by Buxton & Thomas in 1983. It belongs to the family Pentatomidae, a large group of true bugs commonly known as shield bugs or stink bugs due to their characteristic shape and defensive secretions. The species is known to occur in North America, though specific details about its biology, ecology, and distribution within that range remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Cidaphus occidentalis
Cidaphus occidentalis is a species of ichneumonid wasp in the genus Cidaphus, first described by Cushman in 1924. The type specimen, a female, was collected from Revelstoke, British Columbia. The species belongs to a genus of parasitoid wasps whose biology remains poorly documented. Additional Canadian records include locations in Alberta (Edmonton, Elkwater Provincial Park, Wagner Natural Area) and the Northwest Territories (Franklin).
Collops dux
Collops dux is a species of soft-winged flower beetle (family Melyridae). Members of the genus Collops are predatory beetles frequently associated with flowering plants, where they feed on small arthropods and utilize extrafloral nectaries for hydration and nutrients. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published biological or ecological data available.
Conotrachelus geminatus
Conotrachelus geminatus is a species of true weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by LeConte in 1876. The species occurs in North America, with distribution records from Canada (Québec) and the United States. Like other members of the genus Conotrachelus, it belongs to a group of weevils commonly associated with woody plants, though specific natural history details for this species remain poorly documented. The genus includes several economically significant fruit pests, most notably the plum curculio (C. nenuphar), but C. geminatus itself has received limited study.
Conotrachelus invadens
Conotrachelus invadens is a species of true weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Fall in 1907. It is native to North America. Unlike the well-studied congener C. nenuphar (plum curculio), which is a major agricultural pest of stone and pome fruits, C. invadens has received minimal scientific attention and its biology remains poorly documented.
Conotrachelus lucanus
Conotrachelus lucanus is a species of true weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by George Henry Horn in 1895. It is recorded from North America. The species epithet 'lucanus' references the stag beetle genus Lucanus, though this is a weevil, not a stag beetle. Available information on this species is extremely limited beyond basic taxonomic records and geographic occurrence.