Poorly-known
Guides
Pterotaea albescens
Pterotaea albescens is a geometrid moth described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1941. The species is endemic to the Pacific Coast of North America, with confirmed records from California and Oregon. It belongs to the subfamily Ennominae, a diverse group of geometer moths commonly known as inchworms or loopers due to their characteristic larval locomotion.
Pycnobaris
flower weevils
Pycnobaris is a genus of flower weevils in the beetle family Curculionidae, established by Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1892. The genus comprises approximately five described species distributed in North America. Members of this genus are small weevils associated with flowers, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Pyrausta pseuderosnealis
Yellow-banded Pyrausta Moth
Pyrausta pseuderosnealis is a small crambid moth described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1976. It occurs across much of the southern and central United States and Mexico. Adults are active year-round in warmer regions, with records spanning January through October. The species belongs to a genus containing several economically significant herbivores, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Pyritis
Pyritis is a genus of hoverflies in the family Syrphidae, established by Hunter in 1897. The genus contains at least one confirmed species, P. kincaidii, described by Coquillett in 1895. As a member of the tribe Eristalini, it belongs to a group of flower-visiting flies commonly known as drone flies. The genus remains poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.
Quateiella
Quateiella is a genus of minute black scavenger flies (Diptera: Scatopsidae) established by Cook in 1975. It belongs to the tribe Swammerdamellini within the subfamily Scatopsinae. The genus is poorly known, with no observations recorded on major biodiversity platforms and limited published information available.
Rhabdopterus bottimeri
Rhabdopterus bottimeri is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Eumolpinae. It was described by Barber in 1946 and is native to North and Middle America. The genus Rhabdopterus comprises small to medium-sized leaf beetles, many of which are associated with particular host plants. This species is poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Rhegmoclematini
Rhegmoclematini is a tribe of minute black scavenger flies (family Scatopsidae) within the subfamily Scatopsinae. These flies are small-bodied dipterans associated with decaying organic matter. The tribe is distinguished by morphological features of the male genitalia, particularly the structure of the claspers. Members are poorly known compared to the related tribe Scatopsini, with limited biological data available.
Rhinoncus pyrrhopus
A small weevil species in the family Curculionidae, described from the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The species name "pyrrhopus" (Greek for "fire-footed") likely refers to reddish coloration on the legs. Very few records exist for this species, with limited observational data available.
Rhopalolemma
Rhopalolemma is a genus of cuckoo bees in the family Apidae, established by Roig-Alsina in 1991. The genus belongs to the tribe Biastini within the subfamily Nomadinae. Two species have been described: R. robertsi (1991) and R. rotundiceps (1997). As cuckoo bees, members of this genus are presumed to be cleptoparasites that lay eggs in the nests of host bees.
Rhopalopterum atriceps
Rhopalopterum atriceps is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, described by Loew in 1863. The genus Rhopalopterum comprises small, often dark-colored flies associated with grasses and sedges. Like other chloropids, members of this genus are generally inconspicuous and poorly studied, with limited biological data available. The specific epithet 'atriceps' refers to the black head characteristic of this species.
Rhyssa ponderosae
Rhyssa ponderosae is a species of ichneumonid wasp in the subfamily Rhyssinae, described by Townes in 1960. Members of the genus Rhyssa are among the largest ichneumonid wasps and are known for their exceptionally long ovipositors used to parasitize wood-boring beetle larvae. The specific epithet "ponderosae" suggests an association with ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), though this host relationship requires confirmation. The species is rarely encountered and poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Roproniidae
Roproniidae is a family of parasitic wasps in the superfamily Proctotrupoidea. The family contains only two extant genera, *Ropronia* and *Xiphyropronia*, with the remainder known from fossils dating from the Jurassic to Paleocene. Extant species occur in Eurasia and North America. At least some living species parasitize larvae of tenthredinid sawflies.
Rostrolaetilia placidella
A small moth species in the snout moth family Pyralidae, described from North America in 1918. It belongs to the subfamily Phycitinae, a diverse group of often inconspicuous moths. The genus Rostrolaetilia contains few described species and is poorly studied, with limited biological information available.
Scalmophorus
Scalmophorus is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, tribe Hypsoprorini, established by Fowler in 1894. Members of this genus are characterized by distinctive pronotal modifications typical of the Membracidae. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited species descriptions and biological data available. It belongs to the diverse treehopper radiation within the Hemiptera, a group known for their elaborate pronotal structures.
Scaphoideus productus
Scaphoideus productus is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Osborn in 1900. It belongs to the subfamily Deltocephalinae and tribe Scaphoideini. The species has been documented from several U.S. states in the Midwest and Northeast, with iNaturalist records indicating relatively few observations (17). As a member of the genus Scaphoideus, it shares taxonomic affinities with the well-studied American grapevine leafhopper (S. titanus), though specific biological details for S. productus remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Schaffneria
Schaffneria is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Knight in 1966. It belongs to the infraorder Cimicomorpha within the true bugs (Heteroptera). The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published information on its species diversity, biology, or ecology.
Schizocosa perplexa
Schizocosa perplexa is a small wolf spider (Lycosidae) described from central Texas in 1936. The species remains poorly known: only the male has been formally described, and its taxonomic placement has been questioned. Dondale & Redner (1978) listed it as excluded from the genus Schizocosa without explanation, and it was omitted from a major 2013 survey of U.S. spiders. Online observations suggest a potentially wider distribution than literature records indicate.
Scolops flavidus
Yellowish Dictyopharid Planthopper
Scolops flavidus is a species of planthopper in the family Dictyopharidae, first described by Breakey in 1929. It belongs to the genus Scolops, which is characterized by an elongated, often snout-like head projection. The species epithet "flavidus" refers to its yellowish coloration. Like other dictyopharids, it is a member of the Hemiptera suborder Auchenorrhyncha, which includes planthoppers, leafhoppers, and cicadas. The species has been recorded from Oregon and Texas.
Selvadius nunenmacheri
Selvadius nunenmacheri is a minute lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure 1.55–2.35 mm in length. The species has been documented from Colorado in western North America. It belongs to a small genus of rarely encountered coccinellids.
Semijulistus
Semijulistus is a genus of soft-bodied beetles in the family Melyridae, established by Schilsky in 1894. The genus is documented from Sweden and has limited published biological information. Its placement within Melyridae places it among the diverse assemblage of flower and pollen-feeding beetles commonly known as soft-winged flower beetles. The genus remains poorly studied with minimal ecological data available.
Sierolomorpha
Sierolomorpha is the sole genus of Sierolomorphidae, a family of rare parasitoid wasps containing approximately 10 described species. These wasps are restricted to the Northern Hemisphere and are among the least known hymenopterans. Their biology remains largely undocumented due to their scarcity and the difficulty of locating specimens.
Silusida marginella
Silusida marginella is a small rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Aleocharinae. First described by Casey in 1893 under the name Bolitochara marginella, this species is known from scattered records across eastern North America. Like other members of its tribe Homalotini, it is likely associated with decaying organic matter and fungal habitats. The genus Silusida is small and poorly documented in popular literature.
Smicraulax
Smicraulax is a genus of small true weevils in the family Curculionidae, comprising six described species. The genus was established by W.D. Pierce in 1908 and has received limited biological study. Species occur primarily in southwestern North America. The genus remains taxonomically and biologically poorly understood.
Smicripidae
palmetto beetles
Smicripidae is a small family of beetles in the superfamily Cucujoidea, commonly known as palmetto beetles. The family contains a single extant genus, Smicrips, with six species distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. The fossil record includes extinct species from Eocene Europe and the extinct genus Mesosmicrips from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Larvae inhabit decaying vegetation, while adults are frequently associated with palm inflorescences and occasionally other flowering plants.
Sophronia teretracma
Sophronia teretracma is a small gelechiid moth described by Edward Meyrick in 1927. It is known only from Texas in the United States. The species exhibits distinct sexual dimorphism in forewing coloration, with females sometimes showing more extensive white suffusion.
Spilopteron formosum
Spilopteron formosum is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Cresson in 1868. The genus Spilopteron belongs to the diverse parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae, one of the largest families within Hymenoptera. Species in this genus are poorly documented in the scientific literature, with limited published information on their biology and ecology. The specific epithet "formosum" is Latin for "beautiful" or "handsome," likely referring to some aspect of the species' appearance.
Spissistilus uniformis
Spissistilus uniformis is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, first described by Fairmaire in 1846. It belongs to a genus containing several economically significant agricultural pests, most notably the three-cornered alfalfa hopper (S. festinus). Unlike its congener S. festinus, which has been extensively studied as a vector of grapevine red blotch virus and a pest of soybean, alfalfa, and peanut, S. uniformis has received minimal scientific attention. The species has been documented in North Carolina and Texas based on collection records.
Steneretma
Steneretma is a genus of picture-winged flies in the family Ulidiidae, established by Loew in 1873. The genus contains at least one described species, S. laticauda. Like other ulidiids, members of this genus are characterized by patterned or marked wings. The genus is poorly known, with limited observational records and minimal published biological information.
Stenocerus longulus
Stenocerus longulus is a fungus weevil in the family Anthribidae, characterized by its elongated body form that distinguishes it within the genus. The species was described by Jekel in 1855 and has a broad distribution spanning North, Central, and South America. As a member of Anthribidae, it belongs to a group of weevils commonly associated with fungal associations, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Stenoporpia vernata
Stenoporpia vernata is a geometer moth (family Geometridae) described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1910 from North American specimens. The specific epithet "vernata" suggests a spring-emerging species. Like other members of the genus Stenoporpia, it belongs to the diverse inchworm moth lineage characterized by caterpillars that move with a looping gait. The species is documented in entomological collections and databases but remains poorly known in terms of natural history.
Stenopyrgota
Stenopyrgota is a genus of flies in the family Pyrgotidae, established by Malloch in 1929. Pyrgotid flies are commonly known as pyrgotid flies or fruit flies, though they are distinct from the Tephritidae. Members of this genus are poorly known, with limited published information on their biology and ecology.
Sthenaropsidea
Sthenaropsidea is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, established by Henry & Schuh in 2002. The genus is monotypic, containing a single described species, S. mcateei. As a member of Miridae, it belongs to the largest family of true bugs, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Stictobaris
flower weevils
Stictobaris is a genus of flower weevils in the family Curculionidae, established by Casey in 1892. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed in North America. Members are associated with flowering plants, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented for most species.
Stictolobus minutus
Stictolobus minutus is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, described by Funkhouser in 1915. It belongs to the subfamily Smiliinae and tribe Ceresini. The genus Stictolobus is part of the diverse treehopper fauna of the New World, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Striatovertex
Striatovertex is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Figitidae, described in 2011. It belongs to the diverse group of cynipoid wasps, many of which are parasitoids of other insects. The genus is known from very few records and remains poorly studied.
Stropenron californica
Stropenron californica is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, endemic to California. The genus Stropenron is a small, poorly documented group within the diverse click beetle family. Very little biological information has been published for this species.
Sympistis baloghi
Sympistis baloghi is a noctuid moth described from a single female specimen collected in south central New Mexico. The species was formally named by James T. Troubridge in 2008. Its known wingspan measures approximately 34 mm. Adults have been documented only in June, suggesting a narrow seasonal activity window.
Tabanus gracilis
Tabanus gracilis is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Wiedemann in 1828. The species name "gracilis" (Latin for slender or graceful) suggests a relatively slender body form compared to other Tabanus species. Like other horse flies, females are presumed to be blood-feeders on mammals, while males feed on nectar and pollen. The species is poorly documented in modern literature, with minimal specific biological or ecological information available beyond taxonomic records.
Tanaostigma
Tanaostigma is a genus of minute parasitic wasps in the family Tanaostigmatidae, within the superfamily Chalcidoidea. The genus was established by Howard in 1890. Members of this family are characterized by tiny body size and reduced wing venation, making them difficult to distinguish from related chalcidoid families without detailed examination. The family Tanaostigmatidae is a small group within the diverse Chalcidoidea, which contains numerous families of parasitoid wasps.
Tectosternum
Tectosternum is a genus of water scavenger beetles in the family Hydrophilidae, established by Balfour-Browne in 1958. The genus is monotypic, containing only the described species T. naviculare. It belongs to the subfamily Sphaeridiinae, a group commonly known as sphearid beetles or lesser water scavenger beetles, many of which inhabit moist organic substrates rather than strictly aquatic environments. The genus is poorly known, with minimal published biological information.
Telabis
Telabis is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, established by Casey in 1890. The genus is native to the Nearctic region. Very few observations exist in public databases, with only 8 records on iNaturalist. The genus remains poorly documented in scientific literature.
Teleonemia monile
Teleonemia monile is a species of lace bug in the family Tingidae, described by Van Duzee in 1918. Lace bugs in this genus are small, plant-feeding true bugs characterized by their distinctive reticulated wing covers. The species is known from North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Tenebroides nanus
Tenebroides nanus is a species of bark-gnawing beetle in the family Trogossitidae. The specific epithet "nanus" (Latin for "dwarf") suggests small body size relative to congeners. As a member of Trogossitidae, it likely inhabits forest environments where it feeds on fungi, decaying wood, or other organic matter associated with dead or dying trees. The genus Tenebroides contains numerous species primarily distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with many species poorly studied due to their cryptic habits.
Tesuquea
Tesuquea is a monotypic genus of moths in the family Carposinidae, established by Klots in 1936. The genus contains a single species, Tesuquea hawleyana, which is restricted to the southern United States. Adults are small moths with a wingspan of approximately 14 mm. The genus is poorly studied, with limited biological and ecological data available.
Thambus
Thambus is a genus of false click beetles (family Eucnemidae) described by Bonvouloir in 1871. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles characterized by their elongated bodies and reduced or non-functional clicking mechanism compared to true click beetles (Elateridae). The genus is relatively poorly documented, with limited published information on species diversity and biology.
Thaumatopsis actuellus
Thaumatopsis actuellus is a small crambid moth described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1918. It is known from limited records in Florida and Texas. The species has a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Adult activity has been documented in May, July, and November.
Theisoa
Theisoa is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae, first described by Chambers in 1874. It belongs to the subfamily Aristoteliinae, a group of gelechiid moths characterized by relatively narrow wings and often subtle patterning. Species within this genus are part of the diverse microlepidoptera fauna of North America, with records from the northeastern United States including Vermont.
Thyreodon fernaldi
Thyreodon fernaldi is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. The species was described by Hooker in 1912. It is one of few species in the genus Thyreodon, a group of large ichneumon wasps found in the southwestern United States and adjacent regions. The genus is poorly known, and species identification requires specialist examination.
Thyreodon ornatipennis
Thyreodon ornatipennis is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Cresson in 1874. The species name 'ornatipennis' refers to its decorated or ornate wings. It belongs to a genus of large, striking wasps that are sometimes confused with tarantula hawks due to similar coloration patterns involving metallic blue-black bodies with orange or red wings. The genus Thyreodon is poorly known, and species identification in the southwestern United States remains challenging.
Townesilitus
Townesilitus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, established by Haeselbarth and Loan in 1983. The genus is known from Scandinavia and Denmark, with very few documented observations. As a member of Braconidae, these wasps likely function as larval parasitoids of other insects, though specific host relationships remain undocumented in available sources.