Rarely-documented
Guides
Agelenopsis spatula
funnel weaver spider
Agelenopsis spatula is a species of funnel weaver spider in the family Agelenidae, first described in 1935 by Ralph Vary Chamberlin and Wilton Ivie. It is known only from the United States. As a member of the genus Agelenopsis, it shares the characteristic funnel-web building behavior and elongated spinnerets typical of this group.
Ambloplisus
Ambloplisus is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Heinrich in 1930. The genus belongs to the diverse parasitoid wasp family, whose members are primarily known for laying eggs in or on other insects. Records for this genus are sparse, with limited published information on its species diversity and biology. The genus has been documented through a small number of observations on iNaturalist, suggesting it is rarely encountered or underreported.
Anisotria shooki
Anisotria shooki is a species of ant-like flower beetle in the family Anthicidae. The genus Anisotria is small and poorly documented, with limited published information available. This species was described based on specimen material, though specific details regarding its biology remain largely unreported. It belongs to a family of beetles commonly associated with dry, sandy, or disturbed habitats.
Anurapteryx
Anurapteryx is a genus of moths in the family Sematuridae, established by Hampson in 1918. Members of this genus belong to a small, specialized family of Lepidoptera characterized by distinctive wing venation and resting postures. The genus is part of the superfamily Geometroidea, though Sematuridae is often treated as a distinct lineage within this group. Anurapteryx species are poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited published information on their biology and ecology.
Aphis pulchella
Aphis pulchella is a species of aphid in the family Aphididae, described by Hottes and Frison in 1931. It belongs to the large genus Aphis, which contains numerous economically important plant-feeding species. Very little specific information has been published about this particular species, and it appears to be rarely encountered or studied compared to more prominent congeners such as the soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) or oleander aphid (Aphis nerii).
Aphis vernoniae
Ironweed aphid
Aphis vernoniae is an aphid species described by Thomas in 1878. The common name "Ironweed aphid" suggests an association with plants in the genus Vernonia (ironweeds). As a member of the genus Aphis, it shares characteristics with other aphids in this large and economically significant genus. The species appears to be rarely documented, with minimal observational records available.
Apiloscatopse fattigi
Apiloscatopse fattigi is a species of minute black scavenger flies (family Scatopsidae) described by Cook in 1957. The genus Apiloscatopse belongs to the tribe Scatopsini within subfamily Scatopsinae. Scatopsidae are small, dark flies commonly associated with decaying organic matter. This species is rarely encountered, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Apocrypha anthicoides
Apocrypha anthicoides is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Eschscholtz in 1831. It belongs to a genus of relatively obscure beetles with limited published natural history information. The species epithet 'anthicoides' suggests a resemblance to beetles in the family Anthicidae (ant-like flower beetles), likely referring to its body form or ant-mimicking appearance. Available records indicate this is a rarely encountered species with minimal documentation in entomological literature.
Arenobius
Arenobius is a genus of lithobiomorph centipedes in the family Lithobiidae, established by Chamberlin in 1912. These centipedes belong to the stone centipede group, characterized by elongated bodies with 15 pairs of legs in adults. The genus is distinguished from related lithobiid genera primarily by subtle morphological features of the forcipules and tergite structure. Arenobius species are poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited species descriptions and biological studies available.
Bohartia isabella
Sierra Longhorn Robber
Bohartia isabella is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Adisoemarto and Wood in 1975. The species is known by the common name 'Sierra Longhorn Robber'. As a member of the Asilidae family, it belongs to a group of predatory flies known for their aggressive hunting behavior and powerful flight. Very little specific information about this species has been documented in the provided sources.
Brachyunguis bonnevillensis
Brachyunguis bonnevillensis is a species of aphid in the family Aphididae, first described by Knowlton in 1928. It belongs to the genus Brachyunguis, a group of aphids associated with woody hosts. The species is poorly documented in modern literature and lacks comprehensive biological study. Available records indicate it is a valid but rarely encountered taxon.
Bruchomorpha vittata
Bruchomorpha vittata is a species of planthopper in the family Caliscelidae, described by Metcalf in 1923. The specific epithet "vittata" (meaning "striped" or "banded") suggests a striped color pattern on the body. Like other members of the genus Bruchomorpha, this species belongs to the tribe Peltonotellini within the subfamily Caliscelinae. Very little specific information about this species' biology, ecology, or distribution has been documented in the available literature.
Campoctonus
Campoctonus is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Viereck in 1912. The genus belongs to the diverse parasitoid wasp lineage within Hymenoptera. As of current records, the genus has been rarely documented, with only three observations on iNaturalist. Species in this genus are presumed to be parasitoids of other insects, consistent with the biology of their family, though specific host relationships remain undocumented.
Cantharoctonus
Cantharoctonus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, first described by Viereck in 1912. Members of this genus are part of the diverse ichneumonoid wasp fauna, which are primarily known for their role as parasitoids of other insects. The genus is placed within the subfamily-level grouping of Braconidae, though its precise phylogenetic position within the family requires further study. As with many braconid genera, species-level diversity and biology remain poorly documented.
Caplothorax sayi
Caplothorax sayi is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, a group commonly associated with fermenting plant materials and fungal substrates. The genus Caplothorax is relatively obscure, with limited published documentation. As of current records, this species has been documented through 16 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is rarely encountered or underreported. No formal species-level description or ecological study has been identified in the provided sources.
Catastega triangulana
Catastega triangulana is a species of tortrix moth in the family Tortricidae, described by Brown in 1992. It belongs to the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Eucosmini. The species is part of a genus whose larvae are known to feed on Asteraceae plants. Information on this species remains limited, with few documented observations.
Cephalcia semidea
Cephalcia semidea is a species of web-spinning sawfly in the family Pamphiliidae. Members of this genus are known for constructing silk webs on conifers, within which larvae feed gregariously. The species is rarely documented, with limited observational records available.
Chesiadodes cinerea
Chesiadodes cinerea is a species of geometrid moth described by Rindge in 1973. It belongs to the family Geometridae, commonly known as inchworm or geometer moths. The species has been recorded in North America. Very little specific information about its biology, appearance, or ecology has been documented in available sources.
Chrysops impunctus
Chrysops impunctus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Krober in 1926. The genus Chrysops is well-documented as biting flies that feed on vertebrate blood, though specific details for this species remain limited. The species name "impunctus" (meaning "unspotted" or "without punctures") suggests a diagnostic lack of wing spots or thoracic markings typical of many congeners. Records indicate this is a rarely encountered species with sparse observational data.
Conophorus melanoceratus
Conophorus melanoceratus is a species of bee fly described by Bigot in 1892. It belongs to the genus Conophorus within the subfamily Bombyliinae. The species is rarely documented, with only three observations recorded on iNaturalist. Like other bee flies, it is presumed to have a parasitoid life cycle, though specific host associations remain unconfirmed.
Corticotomus cylindricus
Corticotomus cylindricus is a species of beetle in the family Trogossitidae. The genus Corticotomus contains few described species, and C. cylindricus appears to be a rarely encountered species with limited documentation. Members of Trogossitidae are commonly known as bark-gnawing beetles.
Cryptophilus obliteratus
Cryptophilus obliteratus is a small beetle species in the family Erotylidae (pleasing fungus beetles), described by Reitter in 1878. The species has been recorded from parts of Europe, with confirmed presence in Austria and Belgium according to GBIF distribution records. As a member of the genus Cryptophilus, it likely shares the general ecological tendencies of the group, which are associated with fungal substrates. The species appears to be rarely documented, with only 32 observations on iNaturalist as of the available data.
Cymatodera pubescens
Cymatodera pubescens is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by Wolcott in 1909. It is native to North America. Like other members of the genus Cymatodera, it belongs to a group of clerid beetles commonly known as checkered beetles. The species is rarely encountered in collections and field observations, with only 8 documented observations on iNaturalist as of the available data.
Dicolonus nigricentrus
Dicolonus nigricentrus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described from Indonesia in 1975. The genus Dicolonus contains small to medium-sized predatory flies distributed primarily in the Oriental and Australasian regions. This species remains poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal published information on its biology and ecology. It belongs to a family known for aerial predation on other insects.
Dictyssonia
Dictyssonia is a genus of planthoppers in the family Tropiduchidae, described by Ball in 1936. It belongs to the tribe Elicini within the subfamily Elicinae. The genus is rarely encountered, with only three observations recorded on iNaturalist. Members of this genus share the general morphology of tropiduchid planthoppers but specific diagnostic features remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Dilophotopsis
Dilophotopsis is a genus of velvet ants (Mutillidae) in the order Hymenoptera. The genus was established by Schuster in 1958. As with other mutillids, members are solitary wasps with wingless females and winged males. One species, D. concolor crassa, has been documented with host associations.
Dystaxia murrayi
false jewel beetle
Dystaxia murrayi is a species of false jewel beetle in the family Schizopodidae, described by LeConte in 1866. It is found in North America. The species belongs to a small family of beetles historically associated with jewel beetles (Buprestidae) but now recognized as a distinct lineage within the superfamily Buprestoidea. Very little is known about its biology or ecology.
Ectecephala albistylum
grass fly
Ectecephala albistylum is a species of grass fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Macquart in 1851. Members of this genus are associated with grassy habitats. The species is rarely documented, with only three observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Efferia cuervana
Red-legged Hammertail
Efferia cuervana is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Hardy in 1943. It belongs to the large genus Efferia, which contains numerous species distributed primarily in the Americas. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects known for their robust build, large compound eyes, and characteristic perching behavior while hunting. The common name 'Red-legged Hammertail' refers to distinctive morphological features of this species.
Efferia vertebrata
Mountain Hammertail
Efferia vertebrata is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) first described by Bromley in 1940. Known by the common name "Mountain Hammertail," this predatory dipteran belongs to the large and diverse genus Efferia, which contains numerous species distributed primarily in the Americas. Robber flies in this genus are characterized by their robust build, strong flying ability, and predatory habits. The specific epithet "vertebrata" likely refers to some aspect of the species' structural morphology, though the precise meaning is not documented in readily available sources.
Egira baueri
Egira baueri
Egira baueri is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It was described by Buckett in 1968. The species is found in North America and has been assigned Hodges number 10503. Very little specific information is available about its biology or ecology.
Eumichthini
Eumichthini is a small tribe of longhorn beetles within the subfamily Cerambycinae, family Cerambycidae. The tribe contains two genera: Eumichthus and Poecilobrium, with at least two described species documented from North America. These beetles are part of the diverse cerambycid fauna, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Eutanyacra vilissima
Eutanyacra vilissima is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Heinrich in 1961. It belongs to the family Ichneumonidae, one of the largest families of parasitoid wasps. The genus Eutanyacra comprises species that are parasitoids of other insects. E. vilissima is a poorly documented species with limited published biological information.
Gambrinus pictus
Gambrinus pictus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. The genus Gambrinus is within the large and diverse family of click beetles, which are characterized by their ability to produce a clicking sound and jump when threatened. Very little specific information is documented about this particular species, which appears to be rarely encountered based on limited observational records.
Hemeroplanis trilineosa
Hemeroplanis trilineosa is a small moth in the family Erebidae, described by Dyar in 1918. It belongs to the owlet moth group and is known from North America. The species has a MONA/Hodges number of 8477.1. Documentation of this species is sparse, with limited observational records available.
Heterospilus eurostae
Heterospilus eurostae is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, first described by Viereck in 1917. The genus Heterospilus comprises small braconid wasps, many of which are understudied and poorly documented in the literature. This species appears to be rarely encountered, with minimal observational records available. Its specific host associations and biology remain largely unknown.
Hymenochara
Hymenochara is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Campbell in 1978. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited information available on its species composition, biology, and ecology. It belongs to the diverse tenebrionid lineage, which comprises predominantly detritivorous and xerophilic beetles. The genus appears to be rarely encountered, with few observations recorded in biodiversity databases.
Hypena decorata
decorated hypena
Hypena decorata, commonly known as the decorated hypena, is a species of moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Smith in 1884 and is found in North America. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 8463. Like other members of the genus Hypena, it belongs to the subfamily Hypeninae.
Hypena vega
Hypena vega is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Smith in 1900. It belongs to the genus Hypena, a group of snout moths characterized by their elongated labial palps that project forward like a snout. The species is documented from North America with limited observational records.
Isarthrus rufipes
Isarthrus rufipes is a species of false click beetle in the family Eucnemidae, first described by Melsheimer in 1844. It belongs to a poorly studied group of beetles whose larvae are typically associated with decaying wood. The species has been recorded in eastern Canada, specifically New Brunswick and Ontario, with very few documented observations overall.
Kuwaniidae
Kuwaniidae is a small family of scale insects within the order Hemiptera, first described by MacGillivray in 1921. The family comprises approximately 14 described species distributed across four genera: Kuwania, Neogreenia, Neosteingelia, and the extinct genus Hoffeinsia. Members of this family are classified within the superfamily Coccoidea, which includes all scale insects and mealybugs. Kuwaniidae represents one of the lesser-known families of scale insects, with limited biological and ecological documentation available.
Laphria aktis
Laphria aktis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by McAtee in 1919. The genus Laphria includes species known for effective bumble bee mimicry, though specific documentation for L. aktis is limited. Observations of this species are sparse, with only 22 records documented in iNaturalist as of the available data.
Leptogaster arida
Leptogaster arida is a species of robber fly (Asilidae) described by Cole in 1919. As a member of the genus Leptogaster, it belongs to a group of slender, elongate robber flies that are morphologically and behaviorally distinct from the more robust, heavily-built asilids. The species epithet "arida" suggests an association with dry or arid habitats. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only four records in iNaturalist as of the available data.
Lithophane longior
Lithophane longior is a noctuid moth species described by Smith in 1899. It belongs to the genus Lithophane, a group of owlet moths commonly known as 'pinions' found in North America. The species is rarely documented, with only three observations recorded on iNaturalist.
Lycorina glaucomata
Lycorina glaucomata is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Cushman in 1920. It belongs to the genus Lycorina, a group of ichneumonid wasps characterized by their slender bodies and distinctive wing venation. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited biological and ecological data available.
Megataphrus tenuicornis
Megataphrus tenuicornis is a species of cylindrical bark beetle in the family Zopheridae, described by Casey in 1890. It is found in North America. As a member of the genus Megataphrus, it belongs to a group of beetles characterized by their association with bark habitats. The species is rarely encountered in collections, with only 7 observations documented on iNaturalist.
Menkokia
Menkokia is a genus of ichneumon wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Heinrich in 1934. The genus contains four described species: M. blandii, M. major, M. minor, and M. minorisimilis. As members of Ichneumonidae, these wasps are parasitoids, though specific host associations for Menkokia remain undocumented. The genus appears to be rarely collected, with minimal observational records available.
Metaclisa atra
Metaclisa atra is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by LeConte in 1866. The genus Metaclisa belongs to the subfamily Lagriinae within the diverse beetle family Tenebrionidae. Very little published information exists regarding the specific biology, ecology, or distribution of this particular species. The species epithet "atra" refers to its black coloration. Records in GBIF and iNaturalist indicate it is a rarely encountered species with limited observational data.
Microhelia
Microhelia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Heliothinae, established by Hampson in 1910. The genus contains at least one described species, Microhelia angelica. It belongs to the diverse noctuid moth fauna, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in scientific literature.
Microtabanus
Microtabanus is a genus of horse flies in the family Tabanidae, established by Lutz in 1922. The genus contains at least one described species, M. pygmaeus. It belongs to the tribe Diachlorini within the subfamily Tabaninae. Very little is known about the biology or ecology of this poorly documented genus.