Poorly-known
Guides
Oligacanthopus prograptus
Oligacanthopus prograptus is a small cricket species in the family Mogoplistidae, described by Rehn and Hebard in 1912. It belongs to a genus characterized by reduced wing structures and distinctive body ornamentation. The species is known from limited observations in Florida, with only nine documented records on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff. Mogoplistidae crickets are commonly called scaly crickets due to their distinctive scale-like body covering.
Omethinae
Omethinae is a small subfamily of click beetles within the family Omethidae, containing only the genus Omethus. These beetles are among the most obscure members of Elateroidea, with very few specimens known and limited biological data available. The group has been historically overlooked due to its rarity and the remote habitats of its constituent species. Current knowledge is based primarily on scattered museum collections rather than field studies.
Oncerotrachelus pallidus
Oncerotrachelus pallidus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Barber in 1922. It belongs to the subfamily Saicinae, a group of thread-legged assassin bugs characterized by their slender, elongated bodies and raptorial forelegs adapted for predation. The species is known from North America, though specific details regarding its biology, ecology, and distribution within this range remain poorly documented in available literature.
Oncodometopus
Oncodometopus is a genus of small flies in the family Lauxaniidae, established by Shewell in 1986. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published information on its biology, morphology, or species composition. It belongs to a family of sapromyzine flies commonly associated with decaying plant material. Records of this genus are sparse, with only a handful of observations documented in biodiversity databases.
Oncopsis albicollis
Oncopsis albicollis is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 1983. It belongs to the tribe Macropsini within the subfamily Eurymelinae. The species is known from northwestern North America, with records from Alaska, British Columbia, and Yukon. As a member of the genus Oncopsis, it is likely associated with birch (Betula) host plants, though specific host relationships for this species have not been documented.
Oncopsis nigrinasi
Oncopsis nigrinasi is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Eurymelinae, and tribe Macropsini. It was described by Fitch in 1851. The species belongs to a genus known for association with birch and alder trees, though specific biological details for this species remain limited in the literature. It is part of the diverse Nearctic leafhopper fauna.
Ophiomyia atriplicis
Ophiomyia atriplicis is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1984. As a member of the genus Ophiomyia, it likely produces internal stem or leaf mines on host plants. The specific epithet 'atriplicis' indicates an association with Atriplex (saltbush), though direct host records require verification. It is a poorly documented species with limited published biological data.
Oreodytes humboldtensis
Oreodytes humboldtensis is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae, described by Zimmerman in 1985. As a member of the genus Oreodytes, it belongs to a group of small diving beetles primarily associated with running water habitats. The species epithet suggests a connection to the Humboldt region, likely referring to Humboldt County or the broader Humboldt Bay area of coastal northern California. Like other Oreodytes species, it is presumed to be an aquatic predator in freshwater systems.
Oreophantes
Oreophantes is a monotypic genus of dwarf spiders (family Linyphiidae) containing the single species Oreophantes recurvatus. First described by K. Y. Eskov in 1984, this genus is known only from the United States and Canada. As a member of the sheet-web weavers, it represents a poorly documented component of North American spider diversity.
Orgerius bilobatus
Orgerius bilobatus is a species of planthopper in the family Dictyopharidae, described from California in 1943. The specific epithet "bilobatus" refers to a bilobed (two-lobed) structure, likely a diagnostic morphological feature. Like other members of Orgeriinae, it belongs to a group of fulgoroid planthoppers characterized by elongated head processes. The species is documented from California but remains poorly known, with no observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Orthoptochus
Orthoptochus is a genus of broad-nosed weevils (Curculionidae: Entiminae: Peritelini) established by Casey in 1888. The genus contains at least one described species, O. squamiger. As a member of the Entiminae subfamily, adults are characterized by their rounded, short snouts rather than the elongated rostra typical of many other weevil groups. The genus is rarely encountered in collections and observations, with minimal documented information about its biology.
Osmia rawlinsi
Osmia rawlinsi is a species of solitary mason bee in the family Megachilidae. It was described by Sandhouse in 1939 and is native to North America. Like other members of the genus Osmia, it is a cavity-nesting bee that uses mud to construct and seal its nest cells. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited information available regarding its ecology, distribution, and conservation status.
Ossiannilssonola quadrata
Ossiannilssonola quadrata is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae. It was described by DeLong and Johnson in 1936. The species is known from a limited number of observations and collection records in northeastern North America.
Pachyneuridae
Pachyneuridae is a small family of flies in the infraorder Bibionomorpha, containing at least 8 described species across 7 genera. The family is poorly studied, with limited information on adult morphology and behavior. Larvae are known to inhabit rotting wood. The family has a scattered distribution with records from northern Europe and Southeast Asia.
Pachyopella
Pachyopella is a genus of flies in the family Lauxaniidae, described by Shewell in 1986. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized flies associated with forest and woodland habitats. As with other lauxaniids, adults are likely found on vegetation and decaying organic matter. The genus is poorly documented in published literature, with limited species-level descriptions available.
Paraplatyptilia shastae
Mount Shasta Plume Moth
Paraplatyptilia shastae is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, known from a small number of observations in western North America. The species was named for Mount Shasta in northern California, reflecting its type locality. Like other plume moths, it possesses distinctive divided wings with fringed margins. It remains poorly known, with limited published biological information.
Parexcelsa
Parexcelsa is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, established by Pearsall in 1912. It is classified within the subfamily Ennominae, one of the largest subfamilies of geometer moths. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited information available regarding its constituent species, distribution, and biology. Most knowledge of this genus derives from taxonomic databases rather than primary research.
Phasmatocoris
Phasmatocoris is a genus of thread-legged bugs in the subfamily Emesinae, family Reduviidae. Fourteen species have been described, with the genus first established by Breddin in 1904. Species are documented from Colombia and other regions. The genus remains poorly studied with limited biological data available.
Phausis rhombica
Phausis rhombica is a firefly species in the beetle family Lampyridae, described by Fender in 1962. It belongs to the genus Phausis, which includes other "shadow ghost" fireflies characterized by neotenic, wingless, glowing females and winged, non-luminous males. The species is found in North America, with distribution records from Alberta, Canada.
Phegoneus
Phegoneus is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) described by Casey in 1907. The genus is distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with very few observations documented in biodiversity databases. As a member of the speciose family Tenebrionidae, species in this genus likely exhibit the hardened forewings (elytra) and general body plan characteristic of the family. The genus remains poorly known, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Pheidole inquilina
Pheidole inquilina is a species of ant in the genus Pheidole, first described by Wheeler in 1903. It is endemic to the United States. The species belongs to the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole, which contains over 1,000 species globally and is characterized by pronounced worker polymorphism with distinct major and minor worker castes.
Philodema
Philodema is a genus of moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, established by Heinrich in 1956. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal information available about its constituent species. Records indicate at least one species, Brachmia philodema (described from Yunnan, China by Meyrick in 1938), was later placed in this genus, though taxonomic placement remains uncertain. The genus belongs to a diverse group of small moths commonly known as snout moths.
Philya
A genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, established by Walker in 1858. Species within this genus are seldom collected, with limited published biological information available. Philya ferruginosa is the best-documented species, for which the fifth instar nymph has been described and a host plant record established. Members of this genus possess the enlarged pronotum characteristic of treehoppers, though species-specific morphological details remain poorly characterized in the literature.
Phydanis
Phydanis is a genus of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae: Alticini) containing two described species. The genus was established by Horn in 1889. Species in this genus are uncommonly encountered and poorly documented in the literature. One species, P. bicolor, has been recorded from Texas with a confirmed adult host association, though specific host plants are not detailed in available sources.
Phyllobrotica costipennis
skeletonizing leaf beetle
Phyllobrotica costipennis is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species was described by George Henry Horn in 1893. It is recorded from North America, though specific details about its distribution, host plants, and biology remain poorly documented compared to congeners. Like other Phyllobrotica species, it likely exhibits strong host plant specialization.
Phytomyza davisii
Phytomyza davisii is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. The species was described by Walton in 1912, originally placed in the genus Agromyza. It is distributed in Canada and the United States. Beyond basic taxonomic and geographic information, specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Phytomyza palustris
Phytomyza palustris is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Eiseman and Lonsdale in 2018. Like other members of the genus Phytomyza, its larvae feed internally within leaves, creating distinctive tunnels or mines between the upper and lower leaf surfaces. The species epithet 'palustris' suggests an association with marshy or wetland habitats. Very few observations of this species have been recorded, indicating it may be rare, recently described, or poorly surveyed.
Piceacecis tsugae
white spruce shoot gall midge
Piceacecis tsugae is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae that induces galls on spruce shoots. The specific epithet "tsugae" suggests an association with hemlock (Tsuga), though this species is documented on spruce (Picea). It is a poorly studied species with limited observational records.
Pigritia fidella
Pigritia fidella is a species of concealer moth in the family Stathmopodidae, a group characterized by larvae that construct distinctive portable cases from silk and plant material. The genus Pigritia contains small moths whose biology remains poorly documented. The specific epithet and taxonomic placement suggest affinities with other Pigritia species, though detailed studies are limited. Adults are rarely encountered in field collections.
Pimodes
Pimodes is a genus of snout moths (Pyralidae) in the subfamily Phycitinae, described by Blanchard in 1976. The genus contains very few documented species and remains poorly known, with minimal published biological or ecological information. Records are sparse, with only two observations documented on iNaturalist.
Pitnus
Pitnus is a genus of beetles in the family Ptinidae, first described by Gorham in 1883. Members of this genus belong to the spider beetle group, a diverse assemblage of small beetles often associated with stored products, dry organic matter, or bird and mammal nests. The genus remains poorly documented in modern literature, with limited species-level revisions and few verified observations in public databases. Its taxonomic placement within Ptinidae reflects morphological affinities with other genera characterized by globose bodies and relatively long legs.
Pityococcidae
Pityococcidae is a small family of scale insects within the order Hemiptera, established by McKenzie in 1942. The family comprises at least three genera—Desmococcus, Pityococcus, and the extinct Cancerococcus—with approximately eight described extant species. Members are classified within the superfamily Coccoidea (scale insects and mealybugs) and share the piercing-sucking mouthparts characteristic of Sternorrhyncha. The family remains poorly studied, with limited ecological and biological data available for most species.
Platynota wenzelana
Platynota wenzelana is a small tortricid moth found in the southwestern United States. The species was described by Haimbach in 1915. Adults have a wingspan of 20–24 mm. Like other members of the genus Platynota, the larvae are likely leafrollers, though specific host plant associations for this species have not been documented. The species is poorly studied compared to related taxa such as P. stultana, which is a significant agricultural pest.
Platyura manteri
Platyura manteri is a species of fungus gnat in the family Keroplatidae, described from North America in 1931. Members of this genus are recognized by their elongated, often flattened bodies and distinctive wing venation. The species is rarely recorded, with only one known observation in iNaturalist.
Polycesta hageni
Polycesta hageni is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Barr in 1949. It is endemic to North America. Like other members of the genus Polycesta, it is associated with woody host plants, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The species is rarely encountered and has only a handful of documented observations.
Polyphylla avittata
spotted Warner valley dunes June beetle, spotted Warner valley dunes scarab beetle
Polyphylla avittata is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, commonly known as the spotted Warner valley dunes June beetle. The species is endemic to sand dune habitats in the Warner Valley of Utah. Like other members of the genus Polyphylla, it exhibits sexual dimorphism in antennal structure, with males possessing enlarged, lamellate antennae used to detect female sex pheromones. The species is rarely encountered and poorly documented in scientific literature.
Pompostolella
Pompostolella is a genus of small moths in the family Meessiidae, established by Fletcher in 1940. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited information available on its constituent species and biology. It belongs to the superfamily Tineoidea, which includes many fungus-feeding and detritivorous moths.
Porphyrorhegma fortunata
Porphyrorhegma fortunata is a moth species in the family Crambidae, subfamily Odontiinae. It is the sole member of its genus, described by Munroe in 1961. The species has been recorded from California, North America. Very few observations exist, and most aspects of its biology remain undocumented.
Pristaulacus resutorivorus
A species of parasitoid wasp in the family Aulacidae, found in North America. Members of this genus are parasitoids of wood-boring beetles, particularly longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) and jewel beetles (Buprestidae). The species is poorly documented in the literature, with most biological knowledge inferred from better-studied congeners.
Proclitus
Proclitus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Förster in 1869. The genus contains approximately 25 described species and exhibits an almost cosmopolitan distribution. Members are parasitoid wasps, though specific host associations remain poorly documented for most species.
Prodoxus barberella
Prodoxus barberella is a small moth in the family Prodoxidae, first described by Busck in 1902. The species is known only from south-eastern Arizona, where it inhabits shrubby desert environments. As a member of the genus Prodoxus, it likely shares the family's association with Yucca plants, though specific host relationships for this species remain unconfirmed. The species is poorly known, with limited observational records.
Protopterocallis
Protopterocallis is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, established by Richards in 1965. It belongs to the tribe Panaphidini within the subfamily Calaphidinae. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited species descriptions and biological data available. Observations of this genus are rare, with only a handful of records in biodiversity databases.
Pseudanthonomus rufulus
Pseudanthonomus rufulus is a species of true weevil in the family Curculionidae. It was described by Dietz in 1891. The species is documented from North America, with specific records from Manitoba and Québec in Canada. Little detailed biological information is available for this species.
Pseudoacalles nuchalis
Pseudoacalles nuchalis is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Blatchley and Leng in 1916. The genus Pseudoacalles comprises small weevils, and this species is known from North America. Very little published information exists regarding its biology, ecology, or precise habitat requirements. The species remains poorly studied, with only a handful of documented observations.
Pseudoplatylabus
Pseudoplatylabus is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Smits van Burgst in 1920. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published information on its constituent species, biology, or ecology. It belongs to the diverse parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae, one of the largest families of insects. The genus has been recorded from northern Europe (Norway, Sweden) based on limited occurrence data.
Pseudoplatylabus townesi
Pseudoplatylabus townesi is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Heinrich in 1962. It belongs to the large family Ichneumonidae, a group of parasitoid wasps. The species is extremely poorly known, with only two documented observations on iNaturalist and minimal published biological information. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host records are unavailable.
Pseudothenicus
Pseudothenicus is a small genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, subfamily Bryocorinae. Members of this genus are poorly documented in the scientific literature, with only a handful of observations recorded. They belong to a group of mirids associated with mosses and other bryophytes.
Pseudothenicus rubropunctatus
Pseudothenicus rubropunctatus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, subfamily Mirinae. The genus Pseudothenicus is small and poorly documented, with limited published information on its biology and ecology. The species name 'rubropunctatus' refers to red spotting, suggesting distinctive coloration. It has been recorded from a small number of observations on iNaturalist, indicating it may be uncommon, undercollected, or restricted in range.
Psilopa obscuripes
Psilopa obscuripes is a small shore fly in the family Ephydridae, described by Loew in 1860. It belongs to a genus of flies commonly associated with saline or mineral-rich aquatic habitats. The species is poorly documented, with minimal published biological information and few verified observations.
Pteromicra pleuralis
Pteromicra pleuralis is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, originally described as Dichrochira pleuralis by Cresson in 1920. The genus Pteromicra is part of the tribe Sciomyzini within the subfamily Sciomyzinae. Members of this genus are generally small to medium-sized flies associated with wetland habitats. The species is poorly documented in the literature, with minimal published information on its biology and ecology.