Prairie

Guides

Schinia bina
bina flower moth
Schinia bina is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 11 mm. The species occurs across a broad North American range from Mexico City northward to central Florida and into the Canadian prairies. Adults are active in summer with a single annual generation. Larvae are specialized feeders on flowers and developing seeds of specific host plants in the Asteraceae family.
Noctuidae flower-moth Asteraceae-feeder North-America prairie univoltine
Schinia chryselloides
Schinia chryselloides is a small noctuid moth described in 2005, closely related to Schinia chrysellus. It occurs in the south-central United States from eastern Colorado through New Mexico to Texas. Adults fly during summer months and have a wingspan of approximately 21 mm.
moth noctuidae heliothinae schinia north-america prairie
Schinia gaurae
Clouded Crimson Moth, Clouded Crimson
Schinia gaurae, the clouded crimson moth, is a Noctuidae moth species described by James Edward Smith in 1797. It is widely distributed across North America from the Great Plains to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species exhibits univoltine or bivoltine life history depending on latitude, with larvae specializing on Gaura species. Adults are notable for their distinctive crimson and white coloration.
Noctuidae Heliothinae North-America prairie Gaura flower-moth
Schinia gracilenta
Slender Flower Moth, Iva Flower Moth
Schinia gracilenta is a small noctuid moth native to North America, first described by Jacob Hübner in 1818. The species has a wingspan of approximately 28 mm and produces one generation annually. It is listed as endangered in Connecticut, reflecting localized population concerns in parts of its range.
moth Noctuidae flower-moth North-America prairie specialist-herbivore endangered Iva Asteraceae
Schinia grandimedia
Rockies Boneset Flower Moth
Schinia grandimedia, known as the Rockies Boneset Flower Moth, is a small noctuid moth described by David F. Hardwick in 1996. The species exhibits a highly specialized ecological relationship with its host plant, feeding on Brickellia eupatorioides during its larval stage. It occurs in the south-central United States with a distribution centered on the Rocky Mountain foothills and adjacent plains. The moth has a single annual generation and is active during the summer months.
univoltine specialist-herbivore flower-moth prairie Asteraceae
Schinia hulstia
Hulst's Flower Moth
Hulst's Flower Moth is a small noctuid moth described by Tepper in 1883. The species was named in honor of George Duryea Hulst, an entomologist and authority on the Catocalinae. It is found across the Great Plains and adjacent regions of western North America, with a wingspan of approximately 24 mm.
Noctuidae Heliothinae flower-moth Great-Plains prairie North-America
Schinia indiana
Phlox Moth
Schinia indiana, commonly known as the Phlox Moth, is a small noctuid moth native to the Midwestern United States. The species exhibits a close ecological association with its larval host plant, Phlox pilosa, feeding on its flowers and seed pods. Adults are diurnal and often rest on the host plant flowers, where their coloration provides camouflage. The species was described by Smith in 1908.
Noctuidae Heliothinae diurnal-moth phlox prairie specialist-herbivore pollinator
Schinia meadi
Mead's Flower Moth
Schinia meadi is a small noctuid moth of western North America, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 24 mm and are active from June to July. The species belongs to the flower moth genus Schinia, whose larvae typically feed on flowers and seed pods of their host plants.
noctuidae heliothinae flower-moth western-north-america prairie grassland nocturnal light-attracted
Schinia obscurata
Obscure Schinia Moth, Erigeron Flower Moth
Schinia obscurata is a noctuid moth in the subfamily Heliothinae, commonly known as the obscure schinia moth or Erigeron flower moth. It is one of approximately 123 North American species in the genus Schinia, a group noted for often colorful adults that frequently rest on or near their host plant flowers. The species is distributed across central and eastern North America, with larvae that specialize on Erigeron species.
moth noctuidae heliothinae erigeron fleabane flower-moth diurnal-moth north-america prairie
Schinia regina
Reginia Primrose Moth
Schinia regina is a noctuid moth described in 2003, found in the south-central United States. Adults are active in late summer and early autumn. The species is closely associated with its larval host plant, Palafoxia sphacelata.
noctuidae heliothinae north-america prairie host-specific
Schinia roseitincta
Schinia roseitincta is a small noctuid moth described by Leon F. Harvey in 1875. It is distributed across the northern United States and Canada, with records from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. The species has a wingspan of approximately 20 mm. Its larvae feed specifically on Tetraneuris acaulis, a perennial herb in the sunflower family.
Noctuidae Heliothinae moth North-America prairie specialist-herbivore Asteraceae-feeder
Schinia siren
Alluring Schinia Moth
Schinia siren, commonly known as the Alluring Schinia Moth, is a small noctuid moth native to central and southwestern North America. The species was described by Strecker in 1876 and is characterized by its relatively modest wingspan of approximately 22 mm. Larvae are specialized feeders on Verbesina encelioides, a member of the sunflower family. The moth occurs in grassland and prairie habitats across its range.
Noctuidae Heliothinae flower-moth prairie specialist-herbivore Verbesina
Scolops pruinosus
Scolops pruinosus is a planthopper species in the family Dictyopharidae, characterized by an elongated rostrum or 'horn' projecting from the head. Like other members of the genus Scolops, it is a small, squat insect with reduced wings in some individuals. The genus is endemic to North America, ranging from southern Canada through the United States to northern Mexico. These planthoppers feed on plant sap, primarily from host plants in the families Asteraceae and Chenopodiaceae. Very little is known about the specific biology of S. pruinosus, as most Scolops species remain poorly studied.
planthopper Dictyopharidae North-America Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha Fulgoroidea arid-habitat grassland prairie sap-feeder
Scythris eboracensis
flower moth
Scythris eboracensis is a minute moth in the family Scythrididae, commonly known as flower moths. The species was described by Zeller in 1855 and occurs in the Canadian prairies. Adults are among the smallest Lepidoptera, with a body length of approximately 4–5 mm. They have been observed resting on and moving among the flowers of composite shrubs, particularly in dry, open habitats. The life history of this species has not been formally documented, though related species in the genus are known to have larvae that feed internally on Asteraceae.
microlepidoptera flower-moth prairie composite-flowers undescribed-diversity
Scythris fuscicomella
flower moth
Scythris fuscicomella is a species of flower moth in the family Scythrididae, described by Clemens in 1860. It is a microlepidopteran with adults typically measuring 4–5 mm in length. The species has been recorded from Manitoba, Canada, and is associated with composite flowers in prairie habitats. Adults are active in late summer and early fall.
microlepidoptera prairie flower-moth Asteraceae
Scythris immaculatella
Scythris immaculatella is a minute moth species in the family Scythrididae, first described from North America in 1875. The species belongs to a group commonly known as flower moths, characterized by their extremely small size and association with flowering plants. Records indicate a Holarctic distribution spanning North America and Eurasia. Like many scythridids, its biology remains poorly documented.
microlepidoptera flower-moth prairie Asteraceae Holarctic cryptic-species understudied-taxonomy
Scythris inornatella
Scythris inornatella is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Scythrididae, commonly known as flower moths. The species belongs to a poorly studied group with many undescribed taxa. Available records indicate adults are associated with composite flowers (Asteraceae). Like other Scythris species, it is presumed to have small larvae that feed internally on plant tissues, though specific life history details for this species remain undocumented.
microlepidoptera flower-moth prairie Asteraceae Nebraska undescribed-diversity
Speyeria callippe callippe
Callippe Fritillary
Speyeria callippe callippe is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the greater fritillary genus Speyeria, which includes species known for their close ecological association with violets (Viola spp.) as larval host plants. The subspecies is native to western North America. Related Speyeria species have been demonstrated to rely primarily on visual cues for navigation to suitable habitat patches.
fritillary Nymphalidae prairie western-North-America visual-navigation
Speyeria callippe comstocki
Comstock's Callippe Fritillary
Speyeria callippe comstocki is a subspecies of the Callippe fritillary butterfly, endemic to the Canadian prairies. It belongs to the greater fritillary group (genus Speyeria), characterized by silvery spots on the wing undersides and obligate associations with violet host plants. The subspecies is distinguished from other S. callippe populations by geographic isolation in the northern Great Plains. Like other Speyeria species, adults are strong fliers that rely primarily on vision for habitat navigation.
butterfly fritillary prairie endemic Canada Nymphalidae Speyeria conservation habitat-specialist
Speyeria cybele
Great Spangled Fritillary
Speyeria cybele, the great spangled fritillary, is a large brush-footed butterfly native to North America. Adults have a wingspan of 2.25 to 4 inches, with orange-brown upper wings marked by black chevrons and distinctive silvery spots on the undersides. The species exhibits pronounced geographic variation: eastern populations are more orange, while western populations are browner. Females are slightly darker than males and have longer lifespans, often surviving into October. The butterfly has an obligate relationship with violets (Viola spp.) as larval host plants. Research has demonstrated that S. cybele relies primarily on vision for habitat detection and navigation, with flash-blinded individuals showing 30 times lower success in locating habitat patches.
butterfly Nymphalidae fritillary North-America violet-specialist visual-navigation pollinator model-organism postage-stamp dispersal-ecology metapopulation flash-blindness habitat-detection diapause univoltine meadow-habitat prairie conservation-biology Lepidoptera Speyeria great-spangled-fritillary
Speyeria mormonia erinna
Mormon Fritillary
Speyeria mormonia erinna is a subspecies of the Mormon fritillary butterfly, a member of the brush-footed family Nymphalidae. Like other Speyeria species, it is closely associated with violet host plants for larval development. Research on congeneric species has demonstrated that this group relies primarily on visual cues for navigation to suitable habitat patches. The subspecies is distributed across prairie and montane regions of western Canada.
butterfly fritillary prairie violet-dependent visual-navigation western-Canada
Speyeria mormonia washingtonia
Washington's Fritillary
Speyeria mormonia washingtonia is a subspecies of Mormon fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to a genus of greater fritillaries known for their close ecological association with violet host plants. As a subspecies, it represents a geographically distinct population within the broader Speyeria mormonia species complex found in western North America.
fritillary Nymphalidae Speyeria prairie Canada
Strangalia
Strangalia is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) first described by Audinet-Serville in 1835. Species in this genus are frequently observed on flowers, where adults feed on pollen and nectar. Several species have been documented visiting flowers of Coreopsis, Gaillardia, Ratibida, and other Asteraceae in prairie and woodland habitats. Some species, such as Strangalia sexnotata and S. virilis, have been recorded in fermenting bait traps, though this attraction appears less consistent than in related genera.
Cerambycidae flower-visiting pollen-feeding prairie woodland glade
Strangalia luteicornis
Yellow-horned Flower Longhorn Beetle
Strangalia luteicornis is a species of flower longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It is found across North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Québec) and the United States. The species has been observed mating on flowers of Hydrangea arborescens and Saururus cernuus, with females consuming pollen from the latter. It is attracted to ethanol/red wine bait traps and has been collected in xeric dolomite prairie remnants and dry-mesic upland deciduous forest habitats.
Cerambycidae Lepturinae flower-longhorn pollen-feeding bait-trap North-America Ozarks prairie deciduous-forest Hydrangea Saururus ethanol-attraction red-wine-bait Leptura-luteicornis
Strangalia virilis
strange virile bycid
Strangalia virilis is a species of flower longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It occurs in North America, with documented records from Texas and Oklahoma. The species is associated with flowering plants, particularly Torilis arvensis (erect hedge parsley). It was described by LeConte in 1873.
Cerambycidae Lepturinae flower-longhorn North-America Texas Oklahoma prairie flower-visitor
Sympistis barnesii
Sympistis barnesii is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Smith in 1899. It belongs to the genus Sympistis, a group of moths characterized by their nocturnal habits and often cryptic coloration. The species has been documented in North America, with confirmed records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Manitoba.
Noctuidae Sympistis North-America Canada prairie nocturnal
Synanthedon albicornis
Western Willow Clearwing Moth
Synanthedon albicornis is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, commonly known as the Western Willow Clearwing Moth. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males possessing highly bipectinate (feathery) antennae and distinctive white thoracic tufts composed of hair-like scales. Like other sesiids, it is a wasp mimic with reduced wing scaling that creates a transparent appearance. The species is diurnal and generally not attracted to light traps.
Sesiidae clearwing-moth stem-borer willow prairie diurnal wasp-mimic sexual-dimorphism
Synanthedon helenis
Helenis clearwing
Synanthedon helenis is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, distributed across the Canadian Prairie Provinces. The species exhibits typical sesiid characteristics including reduced wing scaling that creates a transparent, wasp-like appearance. Like many clearwing moths, it is primarily diurnal and not attracted to lights. The specific host plants and larval biology remain poorly documented.
Sesiidae clearwing-moth prairie diurnal Canada Nearctic
Tetramesa
Tetramesa is a genus of minute phytophagous wasps in the family Eurytomidae comprising over 200 described species. Members are exclusively associated with grasses (Poaceae), where they typically induce stem or inflorescence galls. The genus exhibits pronounced host specificity, with most species restricted to a single grass species or closely related congeners. Several species have been deployed as biological control agents against invasive grasses, including T. romana for giant reed (Arundo donax) and candidate agents for medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) and African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula). Adults feed on nectar. Recent phylogenomic studies have synonymized the genera Aiolomorphus and Cathilaria within Tetramesa.
biological-control gall-wasp grassland invasive-species-management host-specificity cryptic-species phylogenomics Eurytomidae Chalcidoidea Hymenoptera phytophagy Poaceae stem-gall inflorescence-gall integrated-pest-management riparian-restoration molecular-systematics species-delimitation GMYC COI 28S biocontrol-agent Arundo-donax giant-reed medusahead African-lovegrass Eragrostis Sporobolus barley-jointworm integrated-taxonomy Southern-Hemisphere-diversity grassland-expansion Miocene-diversification monophagy host-range-testing non-target-effects tick-habitat cattle-fever-tick Rio-Grande Big-Bend-National-Park greenhouse-rearing oviposition-behavior water-deficit-stress generation-time parasitoid Eurytoma-amicophaga Eurytominae Walker-1848 Terebrantes Apocrita microhymenoptera minute-wasp reduced-wing-venation antennal-segmentation mesosoma-sculpture ovipositor molecular-operational-taxonomic-units MOTU species-boundaries cryptic-diversity sampling-effects SPEDE-sampler host-genetic-proxies field-host-range no-choice-testing native-Australian-species non-target-risk host-phylogeny target-weed suppression topping mechanical-control integrated-weed-management native-vegetation-recovery light-penetration canopy-structure dispersal establishment post-release-evaluation adventive-population Austin-Texas Idaho England Wales Orissa Canary-Islands Canary-Is.Mediterranean South-Africa southern-Africa Northern-Hemisphere Australia North-America Texas California Greece central-Asia Iran Ukraine Moldova Russia Israel Tajikistan Japan Eragrostis-curvula Sporobolus-pyramidalis Sporobolus-natalensis Sporobolus-africanus Hyparrhenia-hirta Andropogon-gayanus Eragrostis-plana Eragrostis-planiculmis Eragrostis-biflora Eragrostis-capensis Eragrostis-trichophora Deschampsia-caespitosa Deschampsia-setacea Taeniatherum-caput-medusae Hordeum barley Phragmites common-reed Dactylis-glomerata orchardgrass Poales grass graminoid cereal-crop pasture rangeland invasive-weed noxious-weed habitat-structure ecosystem-functioning naturalised-species alien-grass donor-country receiver-country biocontrol-practitioner host-plant-resistance internode-infestation oviposition-preference behavioral-categories antennae-attitude laboratory-artifact polyphagy specialist generalist climate-fluctuation molecular-clock dated-analysis phylogenetic-clade intrapopulation-variation geographic-sub-structuring singleton-effect overestimation consensus-delimitation operational-taxonomic-unit integrative-taxonomy evidence-line caveat putative-species novel-taxon undescribed-species biodiversity-assessment faunal-survey field-collection genetic-sequence mitochondrial-DNA nuclear-DNA cytochrome-c-oxidase-I ribosomal-DNA internal-transcribed-spacer chloroplast-DNA rps16 rpl32 trnK trnL ITS plant-insect-interaction herbivore phytophage primary-consumer trophic-level food-web community-ecology restoration-ecology conservation-biological-control classical-biological-control augmentative-biological-control inundative-release establishment-rate population-increase downstream-dispersal river-mile biomass-reduction plant-community tick-feeding-ant tick-feeding-beetle habitat-modification law-enforcement international-border flood-control irrigation-channel stream-clogging river-bank-weakening native-vegetation-stifling wildlife-habitat-reduction cattle-inspection deer-inspection Rhipicephalus Boophilus tick-population vegetation-transition shading-effect long-term-suppression high-suppression cane-thinning mechanical-cutting growth-suppression susceptibility-to-attack combination-treatment synergistic-effect research-demonstration USDA Agricultural-Research-Service entomologist field-measurement post-release-monitoring impact-assessment agent-efficacy non-target-damage crop-safety agricultural-importance host-specific-herbivore sustainable-method cost-effective-method weed-control invasive-plant-management habitat-restoration ecosystem-service provisioning-service regulating-service supporting-service cultural-service biodiversity-conservation threatened-species endangered-species habitat-loss climate-change land-use-change anthropogenic-disturbance urbanization agricultural-intensification grazing-pressure fire-regime nitrogen-deposition carbon-sequestration soil-stabilization water-quality air-quality pollinator nectar-feeding adult-diet larval-diet tissue-feeding gall-induction plant-manipulation phytohormone cytokinin auxin cell-proliferation tissue-differentiation nutrient-sink sink-strength source-sink-dynamics plant-physiology reproductive-output seed-production seed-weight flowering-head inflorescence stem-elongation tiller-production biomass-allocation growth-rate relative-growth-rate net-primary-productivity ecosystem-productivity carbon-cycling nitrogen-cycling phosphorus-cycling decomposition litter-quality herbivory-impact top-down-control bottom-up-control trophic-cascade indirect-effect direct-effect density-dependence density-independence population-regulation population-dynamics life-table survivorship fecundity reproductive-rate intrinsic-rate-of-increase doubling-time carrying-capacity population-growth exponential-growth logistic-growth Allee-effect stochasticity environmental-variation demographic-variation genetic-variation phenotypic-plasticity local-adaptation evolutionary-response coevolution arms-race escape-and-radiate diversification-rate speciation extinction phylogenetic-diversity functional-diversity taxonomic-diversity alpha-diversity beta-diversity gamma-diversity species-richness species-evenness species-abundance-distribution rank-abundance-curve diversity-index Shannon-index Simpson-index evenness-index dominance-index similarity-index dissimilarity-index cluster-analysis ordination principal-component-analysis principal-coordinate-analysis non-metric-multidimensional-scaling canonical-correspondence-analysis redundancy-analysis variation-partitioning structural-equation-modeling path-analysis meta-analysis systematic-review evidence-synthesis research-priority knowledge-gap data-deficiency IUCN-Red-List conservation-status protected-area management-plan monitoring-protocol adaptive-management stakeholder-engagement policy-recommendation legislation regulation incentive market-based-instrument payment-for-ecosystem-services carbon-credit biodiversity-offset habitat-banking conservation-easement land-trust stewardship sustainable-agriculture organic-farming agroecology precision-agriculture conservation-tillage cover-cropping crop-rotation intercropping agroforestry silvopasture riparian-buffer filter-strip grassed-waterway wetland-restoration prairie-restoration savanna-restoration forest-restoration degraded-land abandoned-land marginal-land set-aside wildlife-corridor habitat-connectivity landscape-matrix patch-dynamics edge-effect interior-habitat core-area buffer-zone permeability resistance least-cost-path circuit-theory isolation-by-distance isolation-by-resistance gene-flow genetic-drift inbreeding outbreeding hybridization introgression admixture population-structure genetic-differentiation FST GST D allele-frequency haplotype genotype phenotype quantitative-trait morphological-trait behavioral-trait life-history-trait reproductive-trait survival-trait developmental-trait physiological-trait metabolic-trait stress-response immune-response defense-trait resistance-trait tolerance-trait avoidance-trait antipredator-defense chemical-defense mechanical-defense crypsis mimicry aposematism startle-display thanatosis autotomy regeneration compensatory-growth induced-defense constitutive-defense direct-defense indirect-defense volatile-organic-compound extrafloral-nectar domatia mutualism ant-plant-mutualism pollination-mutualism seed-dispersal-mutualism protection-mutualism nutrition-mutualism transport-mutualism cleaning-mutualism agricultural-mutualism domestication crop-wild-relative landrace cultivar variety breeding selection genetic-improvement yield quality stress-tolerance nutrient-use-efficiency water-use-efficiency photosynthetic-efficiency harvest-index grain-filling source-limitation sink-limitation assimilate-transport phloem-loading phloem-unloading remobilization senescence stay-green antioxidant reactive-oxygen-species oxidative-stress heat-stress cold-stress drought-stress salinity-stress metal-stress nutrient-deficiency nutrient-toxicity soil-pH soil-texture soil-structure soil-organic-matter soil-microbial-community rhizosphere mycorrhiza nitrogen-fixation phosphorus-solubilization potassium-mobilization micronutrient-uptake allelopathy competition facilitation niche-differentiation resource-partitioning temporal-partitioning spatial-partitioning morphological-partitioning physiological-partitioning phenological-partitioning competitive-exclusion competitive-displacement priority-effect founder-effect mass-effect species-sorting neutral-theory ecological-drift dispersal-limitation environmental-filtering biotic-filtering abiotic-filtering trait-based-approach functional-trait response-trait effect-trait community-assembly community-disassembly community-reassembly succession primary-succession secondary-succession pioneer-species climax-species keystone-species ecosystem-engineer foundation-species dominant-species subordinate-species transient-species resident-species migrant-species nomadic-species irruptive-species invasive-species naturalized-species casual-species established-species spreading-species widespread-species restricted-species endemic-species cosmopolitan-species disjunct-distribution relict-distribution refugium glacial-refugium interglacial-refugium postglacial-colonization range-shift range-expansion range-contraction range-fragmentation source-population sink-population metapopulation population-viability minimum-viable-population effective-population-size genetic-rescue demographic-rescue assisted-migration managed-relocation ex-situ-conservation in-situ-conservation cryopreservation seed-bank gene-bank botanic-garden arboretum zoo aquarium microbial-culture-collection DNA-bank tissue-bank sperm-bank oocyte-bank embryo-bank reintroduction translocation reinforcement supplementation headstarting captive-breeding propagation nucleus-population release-program soft-release hard-release acclimatization habitat-preparation predator-control competitor-control disease-control parasite-control health-screening quarantine veterinary-care nutrition-management environmental-enrichment behavioral-training imprinting fostering cross-fostering hand-rearing parent-rearing semi-natural-enclosure pre-release-conditioning survival-rate reproduction-rate dispersal-rate site-fidelity homeward-orientation migration navigation orientation magnetic-sense olfactory-sense visual-sense auditory-sense mechanosensory-sense thermosensory-sense hygrosensory-sense electrosensory-sense polarized-light celestial-cues landmark-cues odor-plume wind-direction sun-compass star-compass moon-compass magnetic-compass inertial-navigation path-integration cognitive-map spatial-memory temporal-memory episodic-memory procedural-memory associative-learning operant-conditioning classical-conditioning habituation sensitization song-learning tool-use problem-solving innovation social-learning cultural-transmission teaching cooperation altruism kin-selection reciprocal-altruism group-selection multilevel-selection selfish-gene inclusive-fitness reproductive-skew dominance-hierarchy territoriality home-range activity-center den-site nest-site roost-site singing-post display-site lek arena scrape burrow cavity crevice hole tunnel gallery chamber cell comb paper-nest mud-nest silk-nest spun-cocoon pupal-case ootheca egg-mass clutch brood litter covey pack herd flock colony society superorganism eusociality cooperative-breeding communal-breeding polygyny polyandry promiscuity monogamy serial-monogamy genetic-monogamy social-monogamy extra-pair-copulation sperm-competition cryptic-female-choice sexual-selection intersexual-selection intrasexual-selection mate-choice mate-guarding mate-switching divorce widowhood mate-replacement breeding-season breeding-cycle breeding-attempt breeding-success fledging-success recruitment juvenile-survival adult-survival longevity life-expectancy maximum-lifespan aging telomere oxidative-damage mitochondrial-dysfunction cellular-senescence apoptosis necrosis autophagy proteostasis DNA-repair epigenetic-modification transgenerational-effect maternal-effect paternal-effect parental-care maternal-care paternal-care biparental-care alloparental-care brood-care egg-care larval-care pupal-care food-provisioning nest-defense territory-defense predator-defense disease-defense parasite-defense hygiene-behavior grooming nest-cleaning cannibalism siblicide infanticide filial-cannibalism sexual-cannibalism cannibalistic-oophagy trophic-egg regurgitation trophallaxis food-sharing information-sharing alarm-call mobbing distraction-display broken-wing-display tailing persecution attack escape flight fight freeze faint death-feigning tonic-immobility startle-response withdrawal avoidance dishabituation latent-inhibition blocking overshadowing relative-validity conditioned-inhibition spontaneous-recovery renewal reinstatement rapid-reacquisition latent-learning insight-learning observational-learning vicarious-learning emulation imitation social-facilitation social-inhibition audience-effect bystander-effect conformity obedience compliance commitment consistency foot-in-the-door door-in-the-face low-ball that's-not-all sunk-cost endowment-effect loss-aversion risk-aversion risk-seeking probability-weighting hyperbolic-discounting temporal-discounting intertemporal-choice optimal-foraging marginal-value-theorem prey-choice patch-choice diet-breadth central-place-foraging load-size travel-time handling-time search-time encounter-rate prey-density prey-profitability prey-handling prey-detection prey-pursuit prey-capture prey-consumption prey-rejection ingestion-rate digestion-rate assimilation-efficiency production-efficiency ecological-efficiency trophic-transfer-efficiency Lindeman-efficiency ten-percent-rule pyramid-of-numbers pyramid-of-biomass pyramid-of-energy food-chain trophic-network energy-flow material-cycling biogeochemical-cycle carbon-cycle nitrogen-cycle phosphorus-cycle sulfur-cycle water-cycle hydrological-cycle atmospheric-circulation ocean-circulation thermohaline-circulation El-Niño La-Niña ENSO NAO AO PDO AMO climate-oscillation climate-anomaly weather-extreme drought flood heat-wave cold-snap storm hurricane typhoon cyclone tornado thunderstorm lightning wildfire volcanic-eruption earthquake tsunami landslide avalanche meteor-impact mass-extinction background-extinction speciation-rate extinction-rate net-diversification turnover standing-diversity fossil-record taphonomy preservation-bias sampling-bias collection-bias publication-bias citation-bias language-bias geographic-bias temporal-bias taxonomic-bias size-bias abundance-bias habitat-bias facies-bias Lagerstätte Konservat-Lagerstätte Konzentrat-Lagerstätte trace-fossil body-fossil chemical-fossil molecular-fossil biomarker isotope-signature paleoclimate-proxy paleoecology paleobiogeography paleoecosystem paleocommunity paleoenvironment paleogeography paleolatitude paleolongitude continental-drift plate-tectonics seafloor-spreading subduction orogeny mountain-building basin-formation sedimentation erosion weathering soil-formation pedogenesis horizon-development profile-development chronosequence toposequence biosequence climosequence landform geomorphology topography relief elevation slope aspect curvature roughness drainage watershed catchment basin subbasin reach segment zone riffle pool run glide cascade waterfall wetland marsh swamp bog fen mire peatland tundra taiga boreal-forest temperate-forest temperate-rainforest temperate-grassland tropical-forest tropical-rainforest tropical-dry-forest tropical-savanna tropical-grassland desert hot-desert cold-desert semiarid steppe prairie pampas veld savanna woodland shrubland chaparral maquis garigue fynbos kwongan mallee mulga mogote karst cave sinkhole doline polje uvala ponor spring seep oasis wadi arroyo gully ravine canyon gorge valley dale glen strath rift graben horst fault fold anticline syncline monocline dome plateau mesa butte escarpment bluff cliff crag tor inselberg bornhardt kopje hill knoll mound ridge spur saddle pass col gap notch cleft fissure joint bedding-plane foliation lineation cleavage schistosity gneissic-banding magma lava igneous-rock sedimentary-rock metamorphic-rock mineral crystal grain texture structure fabric composition chemistry mineralogy petrology geochemistry geophysics geochronology radiometric-dating isotopic-dating dendrochronology varve-chronology lichenometry archaeomagnetism paleomagnetism thermoluminescence optically-stimulated-luminescence electron-spin-resonance cosmogenic-nuclide exposure-dating burial-dating terrestrial-cosmogenic-nuclide in-situ-cosmogenic-nuclide meteoric-cosmogenic-nuclide fallout-radionuclide lead-210 cesium-137 plutonium americium radiocarbon carbon-14 calibration-curve intcal marine-reservoir-effect terrestrial-reservoir-effect hard-water-effect contamination pretreatment combustion graphitization accelerator-mass-spectrometry liquid-scintillation-counting gas-proportional-counting beta-counting gamma-spectrometry alpha-spectrometry mass-spectrometry inductively-coupled-plasma-mass-spectrometry thermal-ionization-mass-spectrometry secondary-ion-mass-spectrometry laser-ablation-inductively-coupled-plasma-mass-spectrometry electron-microprobe scanning-electron-microscopy transmission-electron-microscopy light-microscopy confocal-microscopy fluorescence-microscopy polarizing-microscopy phase-contrast-microscopy differential-interference-contrast-microscopy dark-field-microscopy bright-field-microscopy stereomicroscopy dissecting-microscopy microtomy sectioning staining mounting embedding fixation preservation collection curation vouchering repository herbarium museum archive database registry catalogue checklist inventory survey monitoring assessment evaluation appraisal audit review synthesis rapid-review scoping-review narrative-review critical-review state-of-the-art-review literature-review bibliometric-analysis citation-analysis co-citation-analysis bibliographic-coupling co-authorship-analysis collaboration-network knowledge-map concept-map ontology taxonomy classification nomenclature typification designation description diagnosis illustration measurement morphometry meristics count ratio index score rank grade scale level category class group set subset cluster clade lineage branch stem crown root node tip terminal internal basal derived ancestral plesiomorphic apomorphic synapomorphic autapomorphic homologous homoplastic convergent parallel reversal gain loss duplication deletion insertion inversion fusion fission polyploidy aneuploidy chromosome-number genome-size gene-number transcriptome proteome metabolome lipidome glycome interactome phenome connectome epigenome microbiome virome mycobiome bacteriome phytobiome rhizobiome endobiome ectobiome parasitome pathobiome diseasome toxome exposome foodome nutriome pharmacome toxicome adverse-outcome-pathway mode-of-action mechanism-of-action target-site receptor-binding enzyme-inhibition ion-channel-blockade membrane-disruption DNA-intercalation inflammation cell-differentiation cell-migration cell-adhesion cell-signaling signal-transduction gene-expression transcription translation post-translational-modification protein-folding protein-degradation protein-trafficking vesicle-transport exocytosis endocytosis phagocytosis pinocytosis mitophagy pexophagy ribophagy ER-phagy lysophagy lipophagy glycophagy ferritinophagy aggrephagy xenophagy entosis cytosis syncytium plasmodesmata gap-junction tight-junction adherens-junction desmosome hemidesmosome focal-adhesion cell-polarity cell-asymmetry cell-division mitosis meiosis cytokinesis karyokinesis chromosome-segregation spindle-assembly checkpoint DNA-replication DNA-recombination transposition retrotransposition horizontal-gene-transfer vertical-gene-transfer endosymbiosis symbiogenesis holobiont hologenome extended-phenotype niche-construction ecosystem-engineering keystone-process ecological-function ecosystem-function ecosystem-good natural-capital natural-resource renewable-resource non-renewable-resource common-pool-resource public-good private-good club-good externality market-failure government-failure policy-failure institutional-failure tragedy-of-the-commons free-rider collective-action social-dilemma prisoner's-dilemma chicken-game assurance-game coordination-game zero-sum-game positive-sum-game negative-sum-game win-win lose-lose win-lose Pareto-optimal Pareto-improvement Kaldor-Hicks-improvement cost-benefit-analysis cost-effectiveness-analysis multi-criteria-decision-analysis decision-support-system expert-system knowledge-based-system rule-based-system case-based-reasoning machine-learning deep-learning neural-network random-forest support-vector-machine decision-tree regression-tree classification-tree clustering-algorithm dimensionality-reduction feature-selection feature-extraction pattern-recognition image-analysis signal-processing time-series-analysis spatial-analysis geographic-information-system remote-sensing satellite-imagery aerial-photography drone-imagery LiDAR radar sonar seismic geophysical geochemical biogeochemical ecoinformatics bioinformatics computational-biology systems-biology synthetic-biology biotechnology nanotechnology genetic-engineering genome-editing CRISPR TALEN zinc-finger-nuclease transgenic cisgenic intragenic subgenic agrobacterium-mediated-transformation biolistics electroporation microinjection protoplast-fusion somatic-hybridization cybrid asymmetric-hybrid synthetic-polyploid doubled-haploid haploid-induction anther-culture microspore-culture ovule-culture embryo-culture endosperm-culture protoplast-culture cell-culture tissue-culture organ-culture shoot-culture root-culture callus-culture suspension-culture bioreactor hairy-root-culture transformation hardening micropropagation clonal-propagation meristem-culture shoot-tip-culture axillary-bud-culture nodal-culture leaf-culture petiole-culture stem-culture internode-culture rhizome-culture bulb-culture corm-culture tuber-culture seed-culture zygotic-embryo-culture somatic-embryo-culture somatic-embryogenesis organogenesis caulogenesis rhizogenesis adventitious-shoot-formation direct-regeneration indirect-regeneration primary-metabolism secondary-metabolism biosynthesis biotransformation bioconversion biodegradation bioremediation phytoremediation mycoremediation zooremediation bioaugmentation biostimulation natural-attenuation monitored-natural-attenuation engineered-natural-attenuation permeable-reactive-barrier pump-and-treat soil-vapor-extraction air-sparging thermal-desorption incineration landfilling containment capping slurry-wall grout-curtain sheet-piling clay-liner geomembrane geotextile geogrid geocomposite geosynthetic geofabric geonet geocell geopipe geostrip geofoam geobag geotube geocontainer geomat geoblanket geospacer geodrain geoinjection geogrout geopier geocolumn geopile geowall geoberm geotrench geocut geofill geolift geoslab geopanel geoblock geobrick geotile geopaver geoweb geomattress geocushion
Thaumatopsis fernaldella
Thaumatopsis fernaldella is a species of grass moth in the family Crambidae, described by William D. Kearfott in 1905. It is a North American species with a broad distribution across the United States and Canada, primarily associated with prairie habitats. Adults are active from spring through autumn, with a relatively long flight season spanning April to October.
crambidae crambinae grass-moth prairie north-america moth
Thecesternus
bison dung weevils, bison snout beetles
Thecesternus is a genus of flightless, nocturnal broad-nosed weevils comprising approximately seven described species. These small beetles, measuring about six millimeters in length, are known for their truncated rostrum and habit of sheltering under bison dung in grassland habitats. The genus has been studied primarily through *T. hirsutus*, which was evaluated as a potential biological control agent for the invasive weed *Parthenium hysterophorus*.
weevil Curculionidae broad-nosed-weevil flightless nocturnal prairie grassland bison-dung cryptic thanatosis biological-control North-America
Thecesternus hirsutus
bison dung weevil, bison snout beetle
Thecesternus hirsutus is a small, flightless weevil in the family Curculionidae, native to North America. It was first described by Pierce in 1909 and gained scientific attention through evaluation as a potential biological control agent for Parthenium hysterophorus in Australia. The species is nocturnal, spends winter as larvae underground feeding on plant roots, and is known for its cryptic appearance and death-feigning behavior when disturbed.
weevil Curculionidae flightless nocturnal root-feeder gall-former bison-dung-association biological-control cryptic thanatosis North-America grassland prairie
Thecesternus maculosus
bison dung weevil, bison snout beetle
Thecesternus maculosus is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is one of seven species in the genus Thecesternus, collectively known as "bison dung weevils" or "bison snout beetles" for their historical association with bison dung as daytime shelter. The species is found in North America, particularly in the central and eastern United States and adjacent Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is nocturnal, flightless, and cryptic in appearance.
weevil Curculionidae bison-dung-weevil nocturnal flightless cryptic North-America prairie Entiminae
Trichapion tenuirostrum
Trichapion tenuirostrum is a species of straight-snouted weevil in the family Brentidae. The genus Trichapion is distinguished by its elongate, slender rostrum and association with leguminous host plants. This species is recorded from the Canadian prairie provinces. Like other members of the genus, it likely develops in seeds or pods of Fabaceae, though specific host associations for this species remain poorly documented.
weevil Brentidae seed-feeder prairie Canadian-endemic
Trichomma maceratum
Trichomma maceratum is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Cresson in 1879. The genus Trichomma belongs to the ichneumonid subfamily Pimplinae, a group characterized by ectoparasitic larvae that develop on hosts concealed in plant material or soil. This species has been recorded in western and central Canada, with observations spanning prairie and agricultural habitats. Very little is known about its biology, host associations, or ecological role.
Ichneumonidae Pimplinae parasitoid Canada prairie agricultural data-deficient
Trimerotropis gracilis
Thomas' slender grasshopper, sagebrush clicker
Trimerotropis gracilis is a band-winged grasshopper in the subfamily Oedipodinae, known by the common names Thomas' slender grasshopper and sagebrush clicker. The species was described by Thomas in 1872. It is recorded from Colorado, Wyoming, and Saskatchewan, placing it in the western North American grassland and sagebrush ecosystems. Like other members of the genus Trimerotropis, it likely inhabits open, dry habitats, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in the available literature.
grasshopper band-winged western-North-America sagebrush prairie
Trox robinsoni
Trox robinsoni is a hide beetle in the family Trogidae, described by Vaurie in 1955. Members of this genus are specialized decomposers that colonize carcasses in advanced stages of decay, feeding on dried skin, hair, feathers, and other keratinous materials when little else remains. The species occurs in the north-central United States and central Canada.
carrion-beetle hide-beetle decomposer keratin-feeder thanatosis Trogidae Coleoptera North-America prairie carrion-succession
Typocerus confluens
longhorn beetle
Typocerus confluens is a species of flower longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Casey in 1913. It belongs to the subfamily Lepturinae, characterized by their narrow-necked, broad-shouldered appearance and frequent association with flowers. The species exhibits considerable color variation, ranging from chestnut brown to nearly all black. It is considered a reasonably uncommon species in Missouri and has been documented in the central United States.
flower-longhorn Lepturinae prairie variable-coloration central-North-America
Typocerus octonotatus
Eight-spotted Flower Longhorn Beetle
Typocerus octonotatus is a species of flower longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, occurring in North America. Adults are diurnal and frequently observed visiting flowers. The species is one of several common flower longhorns in the eastern United States and is often encountered on a variety of flowering plants during summer months.
Lepturinae flower-longhorn diurnal pollinator prairie
Vespula atropilosa
Prairie Yellowjacket
Vespula atropilosa, the prairie yellowjacket, is a social wasp native to western North America. It forms annual underground colonies in prairie and grassland habitats, typically nesting in abandoned rodent burrows. Unlike scavenging yellowjackets, it is strictly predatory, hunting live insects to feed its larvae. The species exhibits male color polymorphism with xanthic (yellow) and melanic (black) abdominal variants.
social-wasp yellowjacket predator subterranean-nest prairie grassland annual-colony male-dimorphism
Xanthorhoe packardata
Packard's Carpet
Xanthorhoe packardata, commonly known as Packard's Carpet, is a North American moth species in the family Geometridae. Described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1945, this species belongs to the diverse carpet moth genus Xanthorhoe. The species has been documented across prairie and boreal regions of Canada and the northern United States, with 265 observations recorded on iNaturalist. As with many Xanthorhoe species, detailed biological information remains limited in the scientific literature.
geometridae larentiinae north-america prairie boreal understudied
Xenochodaeus americanus
Xenochodaeus americanus is a species of scarab beetle in the family Ochodaeidae, commonly known as sand-loving scarab beetles. The species was described by Westwood in 1852. It occurs in sandy habitats in the Great Plains region of North America, with records from the United States (Iowa, Great Plains) and Canada (Manitoba).
Coleoptera Ochodaeidae scarab-beetle sand-loving-beetle North-America Great-Plains prairie sandy-habitat
Xysticus acquiescens
Xysticus acquiescens is a species of ground crab spider in the family Thomisidae, first described by Emerton in 1919. As a member of the genus Xysticus, it is an ambush predator that relies on camouflage and patience rather than web-building to capture prey. The species is known from the Canadian prairies and adjacent regions of the northern United States. Like other Xysticus species, it exhibits typical crab spider morphology with laterally extended legs and a flattened body adapted for hiding in vegetation or ground cover.
spider crab-spider Thomisidae prairie Canada ambush-predator cryptic