Rarely-observed
Guides
Ablechrus granularis
Ablechrus granularis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. The genus Ablechrus belongs to the subfamily Malachiinae, a group characterized by soft, flexible elytra. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only four records on iNaturalist as of the source date. The species epithet 'granularis' suggests a granular or roughened surface texture.
Acanalonia saltonia
Acanalonia saltonia is a planthopper species in the family Acanaloniidae, first described by Ball in 1933. The species is known from arid regions of the southwestern United States and appears to be associated with the Salton Sea area in California. As a member of the Acanaloniidae, it belongs to a family characterized by a distinctive flattened, often greenish body form. Very few observations of this species have been recorded, suggesting it may be uncommon or underreported.
Acantholyda angulata
Acantholyda angulata is a species of sawfly in the family Pamphiliidae. The genus Acantholyda belongs to a group of primitive sawflies characterized by distinctive morphological features. Members of this family are typically associated with coniferous hosts, though specific host records for A. angulata remain limited. The species is known from very few observations, reflecting either genuine rarity or undercollection.
Acmaeopsoides rufula
Acmaeopsoides rufula is a longhorn beetle and the sole species in its genus. It is a member of the subfamily Lepturinae, commonly known as flower longhorns. The species is restricted to North America, with records from Canada and the United States. It is rarely encountered, with limited observational data available.
Acrocyum sallaei
Acrocyum sallaei is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Martin Jacoby in 1885. The genus Acrocyum is small and poorly documented, with limited published information on its biology. Records indicate presence in Middle and North America, though specific details about its ecology and natural history remain sparse. The species is rarely encountered in collections and has minimal observational data.
Acrolophitus nevadensis
Nevada Point-Head Grasshopper
Acrolophitus nevadensis, commonly known as the Nevada Point-Head Grasshopper, is a species of slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It was described by Thomas in 1873. The species is known from limited observations and is found in North America, with confirmed records from Nevada.
Acromacer bombifrons
Acromacer bombifrons is a species of primitive weevil in the family Nemonychidae, a small family of Coleoptera that retains ancestral characteristics of the order. The species was described by LeConte in 1876 and is known from western North America. Nemonychidae are among the most ancient lineages of weevils, with fossil records extending to the Jurassic period. Very few observations of this species exist in modern databases.
Acupalpus punctulatus
Marsh ground beetle
Acupalpus punctulatus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, tribe Stenolophini. It was described by Hatch in 1953 and is currently treated as a synonym of Anthracus punctulatus in some taxonomic databases. The species is known by the common name "marsh ground beetle," suggesting an association with wetland or moist habitats. Very few observations exist in public databases, indicating it may be rarely encountered or underreported.
Agrypnia macdunnoughi
giant caddisfly
Agrypnia macdunnoughi is a species of giant caddisfly in the family Phryganeidae. It is found in North America. The species was described by Milne in 1931. Like other members of the genus Agrypnia, it belongs to a group of relatively large caddisflies. Very few observations of this species have been documented.
Albuna beutenmuelleri
Albuna beutenmuelleri is a species of clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, described by Skinner in 1903. It belongs to a genus of moths that exhibit wasp mimicry through transparent wings and banded abdomens. The species is part of the Nearctic fauna and has been documented through limited observations.
Aleiodes sanctihyacinthi
Aleiodes sanctihyacinthi is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Braconidae, originally described by Provancher in 1880. As a member of the genus Aleiodes, it is part of a diverse group known for their distinctive mummification of caterpillar hosts. The species epithet references Saint-Hyacinthe, a location in Quebec, Canada, reflecting its North American origin. Very few documented observations of this species exist in public databases.
Allocosa sublata
Allocosa sublata is a species of wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, first described by Montgomery in 1902. It is a ground-dwelling spider known from the United States. Very few observations exist in public databases, with only five records on iNaturalist as of the latest data. The genus Allocosa contains multiple North American species, many of which occupy similar terrestrial habitats.
Amblygnathus iripennis
Amblygnathus iripennis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, tribe Harpalini. It was described by Thomas Say in 1823. The species is known from the United States, with records from eastern North America. Like other members of its genus, it is a small carabid beetle associated with moist habitats.
Amphipogon hyperboreus
Amphipogon hyperboreus is a small fly in the family Piophilidae, originally described as Ambopogon hyperboreus by Greene in 1919. The genus Amphipogon belongs to the cheese skipper family, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. It is known from a small number of observations and appears to have a northern distribution pattern suggested by its specific epithet 'hyperboreus' (meaning 'beyond the north').
Amycle pinyonae
Amycle pinyonae is a planthopper species in the family Fulgoridae, described by Knull & Knull in 1947. It belongs to the subfamily Amyclinae, a group characterized by elongated head processes. The species is associated with pinyon pine habitats in the southwestern United States. Very few observations exist, with only two records documented on iNaturalist.
Amycle tumacacoriae
Amycle tumacacoriae is a species of planthopper in the family Fulgoridae, described by Knull & Knull in 1947. It belongs to the subfamily Amyclinae, a group known for often having elongated head processes. The species is known from extremely few observations, with only two records documented on iNaturalist as of the source date.
Anasimyia perfidiosus
Treacherous Swamp Fly
Anasimyia perfidiosus is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) found in North America. It was originally described in the genus Lejops and is still sometimes referenced by that synonym. The species is known by the common name Treacherous Swamp Fly. It belongs to the subfamily Eristalinae, a group of syrphid flies often associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats.
Anchycteis
Anchycteis is a genus of toe-winged beetles in the family Ptilodactylidae. The genus contains a single described species, A. velutina. Toe-winged beetles are characterized by their distinctive lobed tarsi. The family Ptilodactylidae is a small group of beetles with limited ecological documentation.
Anthonaeus agavensis
Anthonaeus agavensis is a small beetle in the family Kateretidae, a group of sap beetles. It was described by Crotch in 1874. The species is associated with agave plants, as indicated by its specific epithet. Very few observations exist, with only 7 records on iNaturalist.
Apachekolos weslacensis
Weslaco Pixie
Apachekolos weslacensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, originally described from Texas in 1951. The species is known by the common name "Weslaco Pixie." It belongs to the genus Apachekolos, a small group of asilid flies distributed in North America. Very little published information exists regarding its biology or ecology.
Aphoebantus rattus
Aphoebantus rattus is a species of bee fly (family Bombyliidae) in the subfamily Anthracinae, described by Osten Sacken in 1887. The genus Aphoebantus is part of the tribe Aphoebantini, a group of small, often inconspicuous bee flies. Species in this genus are poorly documented in the literature, with limited biological information available. The genus has been subject to taxonomic uncertainty, with at least one authority suggesting that Epacmus may be a synonym of Aphoebantus rather than a distinct genus.
Arachnospila arcta
Arachnospila arcta is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Cresson in 1865. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Arachnospila arctus. Members of this genus are solitary wasps that provision nests with paralyzed spiders. The taxon has been documented in very few observations, suggesting it is either rare, undercollected, or primarily of historical taxonomic interest due to its synonym status.
Arotrura divaricata
Arotrura divaricata is a species of moth in the family Scythrididae, described by Braun in 1923. The genus Arotrura is part of a small family of microlepidoptera commonly known as flower moths. Very little specific information is available about this particular species.
Asarcopus
Asarcopus is a genus of planthoppers in the family Caliscelidae, first described by Horváth in 1921. These insects belong to the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, a group characterized by their distinctive head morphology and jumping hind legs. The genus is placed in the tribe Caliscelini within the subfamily Caliscelinae. Very few observations of this genus have been recorded, with limited documentation of its biology and ecology.
Astrophanes
Astrophanes is a genus of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) established by Osten Sacken in 1886. The genus contains two described species: Astrophanes adonis and Astrophanes andinus. As members of the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Villini, these flies are parasitoids in their larval stage. The genus is rarely encountered, with limited observational records.
Attalus oregonensis
Attalus oregonensis is a species of soft-winged flower beetle (family Melyridae) in the order Coleoptera. The species epithet suggests an association with Oregon, though detailed geographic and ecological information is sparse. The genus Attalus comprises numerous species, many of which are found in western North America. Like other melyrids, members of this genus are typically associated with flowers and vegetation where they feed on pollen, nectar, and small arthropods.
Bajulata
Bajulata is a monotypic genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, subfamily Smiliinae, and tribe Amastrini. It contains a single species, Bajulata bajula, described by Ball in 1933. As a treehopper, it belongs to the diverse group of true bugs known for their enlarged and often elaborate pronotal structures. The genus is rarely documented, with minimal observational records available.
Barinus lutescens
Barinus lutescens is a species of flower weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Thomas L. Casey in 1920. It is a small beetle found in North America. The species is provisionally accepted in taxonomic databases, with limited published information available regarding its biology and ecology. It belongs to the genus Barinus, a group of weevils associated with flowers and vegetation.
Belladonna barryi
Belladonna barryi is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. The genus name 'Belladonna' references the toxic nightshade plant, though this does not necessarily indicate a biological association. The species epithet 'barryi' likely honors an individual, following common taxonomic practice. Very little is known about this species beyond its taxonomic placement.
Blepharomastix potentalis
Blepharomastix potentalis is a small crambid moth described from Arizona in 1914. It is a rarely encountered species with limited documentation, known from only a handful of observations. The species belongs to a genus of grass moths whose larvae generally feed on grasses and sedges.
Boreothrinax dichaetus
Boreothrinax dichaetus is a species of fly in the family Pyrgotidae, originally described by Steyskal in 1978. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Pyrgota dichaetus, reflecting taxonomic uncertainty or reclassification within the genus. Pyrgotidae are a family of parasitoid flies known for attacking scarab beetles. Records indicate no documented observations in citizen science databases, suggesting rarity or limited detection.
Brachylampis
Brachylampis is a genus of fireflies (family Lampyridae) described by Van Dyke in 1939. The genus contains at least two species: B. blaisdelli and B. sanguinicollis, both described in the same year. It belongs to the subfamily Ototretinae, a group of fireflies characterized by reduced or absent light-producing organs in adults. Information on biology and ecology remains sparse due to limited study and few observations.
Brachynomada nimia
Brachynomada nimia is a kleptoparasitic bee species described by Snelling and Rozen in 1987. As a member of the tribe Brachynomadini, it belongs to a group of cuckoo bees that exploit the nests of other bee species. The genus Brachynomada comprises small, slender nomadine bees that parasitize ground-nesting bees. Very few documented observations of this species exist in public databases.
Bradycellus insulsus
Bungling Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus insulsus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Bungling Harp Ground Beetle. It belongs to the genus Bradycellus, a group of small to medium-sized carabid beetles. The species is recorded from North America, with distribution spanning Canada and the United States. Available records indicate it is a rarely observed species, with limited documentation of its biology and ecology.
Bradycellus nigerrimus Lindroth, 1968
Prairie Black Harp Ground Beetle
Bradycellus nigerrimus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Lindroth in 1968. It occurs in North America, with records from both Canada and the United States. The species is known by the common name Prairie Black Harp Ground Beetle. Very few observations exist in public databases, with only three records documented on iNaturalist.
Brepholoxa heidemanni
Brepholoxa heidemanni is a stink bug species in the family Pentatomidae, described by Van Duzee in 1904. The genus Brepholoxa is a small, poorly documented group within the Pentatomidae. Records indicate presence in the Caribbean and North America, though specific details about its biology remain scarce.
Bruchomorpha minima
Bruchomorpha minima is a small planthopper species in the family Caliscelidae, first described by Metcalf in 1923. It belongs to a genus of diminutive fulgoroid insects characterized by their compact body form. The species epithet 'minima' reflects its notably small size relative to congeners. Very few observations of this species have been documented, with only three records in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Buchananius sulcatus
Buchananius sulcatus is a small flower weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Kissinger in 1957. Its development occurs in fungi, an unusual trait among weevils. The species is known from North America, though detailed ecological information remains limited.
Caccoplectus
Caccoplectus is a genus of myrmecophilous (ant-loving) rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. The genus was established by Sharp in 1887 and contains approximately nine described species. These beetles are associated with ant colonies, a common ecological strategy among pselaphine beetles. Most species have been described from the Neotropical region, particularly Central America.
myrmecophileant-associatedpselaphinerove-beetleNeotropicalStaphylinidaePselaphinaeArhytodinitropicalant-colony-inhabitantinquilinemicrohabitat-specialistleaf-littersoil-dwellingcrypticrarely-collectedsmall-beetlemorphologically-specialized1887-descriptionSharpCentral-AmericaPanamaColeopteraPolyphagaStaphyliniformiaStaphylinoideaPselaphitaegenus-levelnine-speciesconicusdegallierilucidusnuttingipectinatusschwarzisentisspinipessucineasspine-legged-pselaphidChandlerWoldaSchaeffer190619761986type-species-unknownrarely-observediNaturalist:-2-observationsCatalogue-of-Life-acceptedGBIF-acceptedNCBI-acceptedEukaryotaMetazoaHexapodaInsectaArthropodaAnimaliabeetleinsectarthropodanimalCalligrapha praecelsis
Calligrapha praecelsis is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Rogers in 1856. It belongs to the genus Calligrapha, a group known for their distinctive, often ornate elytral markings. The species is found in North America, with records from Manitoba, Canada. Very few observations of this species have been documented.
Callophrys niphon clarki
Callophrys niphon clarki is a subspecies of the eastern pine elfin butterfly, a member of the family Lycaenidae. The parent species, Callophrys niphon, is native to North America. This subspecies was described by T. Freeman in 1938. According to GBIF records, this name is currently treated as a synonym under the genus Incisalia as Incisalia niphon. Very few observations (4) of this subspecies have been recorded in iNaturalist, suggesting it is either rare, poorly surveyed, or taxonomically merged with related forms.
Caloparyphus crucigerus
Caloparyphus crucigerus is a species of soldier fly (family Stratiomyidae) described by Coquillett in 1902. It belongs to the tribe Oxycerini, a group of small to medium-sized flies often associated with wetland and riparian habitats. The species is rarely documented, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff. Like other members of its family, the larvae likely develop in moist or aquatic environments.
Calopompilus deceptus
Calopompilus deceptus is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. The genus Calopompilus contains species that are specialized predators of spiders, with females paralyzing their prey to provision nests for their larvae. Very little specific information is documented for C. deceptus; the species has been recorded from only two observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is rarely encountered or underreported. As with other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a solitary hunting wasp with specialized predatory behavior.
Capnobotes spatulatus
Spatulate Longwing
Capnobotes spatulatus, known as the spatulate longwing, is a shield-backed katydid described in 1968. It belongs to the family Tettigoniidae, a group characterized by elongated antennae and stridulatory sound production. The species is endemic to western North America, with records primarily from California.
Caribbeana bichorda
Caribbeana bichorda is a moth species in the family Notodontidae, first described by Hampson in 1901. It belongs to a genus endemic to the Caribbean region. The species is documented from limited observations, with iNaturalist records indicating it is rarely encountered. As a member of the Heterocampinae subfamily, it shares morphological traits with related prominents but remains poorly studied in terms of natural history.
Carolinaia howardii
Carolinaia howardii is a species of aphid in the family Aphididae. It belongs to the genus Carolinaia, a group of aphids associated with ferns and related plants. The species was described by Wilson in 1911. Very few observations of this species have been documented.
Carptima
Carptima is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae, containing a single species, Carptima hydriomenata. The genus was described by Pearsall in 1906. It is endemic to Arizona, USA. The genus is classified within the subfamily Larentiinae.
Catadelphops
Catadelphops is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, established by Heinrich in 1962. It belongs to the superfamily Ichneumonoidea, one of the largest groups of parasitoid wasps. The genus is poorly documented in published literature, with minimal available information on its biology and species diversity. Records indicate it has been rarely observed, with only two observations documented on iNaturalist.
Cephalodynerus russipes
Cephalodynerus russipes is a species of potter wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, first described by Bohart in 1942. The genus Cephalodynerus is characterized by distinctive head morphology with expanded genae (cheek regions), though species-specific traits for C. russipes remain poorly documented. This species belongs to a group of solitary wasps that construct mud nests provisioned with paralyzed caterpillars.
Cerotainiops
Cerotainiops is a small genus of robber flies established by Curran in 1930. The genus comprises approximately six described species distributed in North America. As members of the family Asilidae, these predatory flies hunt other insects in flight. The genus has received limited taxonomic study beyond original species descriptions.