Prairie-obligate
Guides
Cicadidae
Typical Cicadas, True Cicadas
Cicadidae is one of two families in the superfamily Cicadoidea, containing approximately 3,400 species in over 520 genera worldwide. Members are characterized by membranous wings, triangular arrangements of three ocelli on the head, short bristle-like antennae, and acoustic communication using tymbals. The family includes both annual species with staggered emergence patterns and periodical species with synchronized multi-year life cycles. Cicadidae is distinguished from its sister family Tettigarctidae by more efficient sound-producing mechanisms.
Oarisma
skipperling
Oarisma is a genus of grass skippers (family Hesperiidae) comprising approximately 14 described species distributed throughout the Americas. Species range from the United States through Central America and the Caribbean to South America. The genus includes the federally endangered Poweshiek skipperling (O. poweshiek), which has undergone dramatic population declines and is now restricted to six extant sites in the upper Midwest United States and Manitoba, Canada. In 2019, species formerly placed in the genus Copaeodes were transferred to Oarisma based on taxonomic revision.
Oarisma poweshiek
Poweshiek Skipperling
The Poweshiek skipperling is a small, critically endangered North American grass skipper butterfly. Historically common across tallgrass prairie systems of the upper Midwest United States and southern Manitoba, Canada, it has experienced catastrophic population declines since 2005. The species now persists at only six verified extant sites: four prairie fens in Michigan, one mesic prairie in Wisconsin, and one tallgrass prairie in Manitoba. Intensive conservation efforts include captive breeding programs at the Minnesota Zoo and Assiniboine Park Conservancy, federal endangered species protection in both countries, and habitat restoration initiatives.
Ospriocerus aeacidinus
robber fly
Ospriocerus aeacidinus is a large robber fly (family Asilidae) native to western North America. The species was historically recorded as far east as Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, but has been documented in recent years in relictual hilltop prairie habitats in northwestern Missouri and southwestern Illinois—representing significant eastern range extensions. Adults are active predators with wasp-mimetic coloration. The species is considered a grassland specialist associated with dry prairie remnants, particularly those linked to the Loess Hills landform.
Ospriocerus aeacus
Ospriocerus aeacus is a robber fly species in the family Asilidae. Current taxonomic consensus treats this name as a synonym of Ospriocerus abdominalis (Say, 1824), with the latter name having priority. The species has been used frequently in literature under the O. aeacus designation, but this usage is now considered taxonomically unnecessary. As a member of the genus Ospriocerus, it belongs to a group of large, wasp-mimicking robber flies associated with grassland habitats in western North America.
Speyeria idalia
regal fritillary
Speyeria idalia, commonly known as the regal fritillary, is a prairie-obligate butterfly species native to North America. The species has experienced severe population declines, with abundance and occupied range reduced by over 99% due to tallgrass prairie loss and degradation. Populations are now largely restricted to isolated remnant prairie patches, primarily in the Flint Hills ecoregion of Kansas and scattered sites across the Midwest. The species is under consideration for protection under the Endangered Species Act and serves as an indicator for grassland ecosystem health.