Recently-described-species
Guides
Alastria chico
Alastria chico is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Lafontaine and Troubridge in 2004. It belongs to the genus Alastria, which is part of the diverse and species-rich subfamily Noctuinae. As a relatively recently described species with limited published information, specific details regarding its biology and ecology remain sparse.
Alaudes coloradoensis
Alaudes coloradoensis is a darkling beetle species described in 2018 from Colorado. It belongs to the genus Alaudes in the family Tenebrionidae. The species was erected based on morphological distinctions from congeners. No ecological or behavioral studies have been published.
Anthomyza vulgaris
Anthomyza vulgaris is a species of small fly in the family Anthomyzidae, described by Roháček & Barber in 2016. The family Anthomyzidae comprises minute to small flies typically associated with wetland and riparian habitats. Species in this genus are generally poorly known ecologically, with limited published information on their biology and behavior.
Anthonomus rileyi
Anthonomus rileyi is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Clark & Burke in 2010. The species epithet honors Edward Riley, a noted coleopterist and indefatigable collector of beetles. As a member of the genus Anthonomus, it belongs to a group commonly known as flower weevils or bud weevils, many of which are associated with specific host plants. The species was described relatively recently, and detailed biological information remains limited.
Apamea digitula
Apamea digitula is a noctuid moth described in 2006 from the Laguna Mountains of southern California. It is a member of the large and taxonomically challenging genus Apamea, which includes many similar-looking cutworm moths. The species is known from a limited geographic range in the western United States.
Bleptina verticalis
Bleptina verticalis is a species of litter moth in the family Erebidae, described by James T. Troubridge in 2020. It belongs to the subfamily Herminiinae, a group of moths commonly known as underwing or litter moths due to their typical resting posture with wings folded tent-like over the body. The species is part of a genus whose members are generally associated with moist, forested habitats where their larvae feed on decaying plant matter. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Bryolymnia marti
Bryolymnia marti is a small noctuid moth described by Richard Holland in 2010. It is known from a restricted range in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults are active during early summer and have been collected exclusively in conifer forest habitats. The species is one of several recently described members of the genus Bryolymnia.
Callimoxys ocularis
Callimoxys ocularis is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described in 2011 by Hammond and Williams. It belongs to the tribe Stenopterini within the subfamily Cerambycinae. The species is known from the United States, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited due to its relatively recent description.
Capis archaia
Capis archaia is a moth species described in 2006 by Canadian entomologists Louis Handfield and Daniel Handfield. It belongs to the family Erebidae (formerly placed in Noctuidae), subfamily Calpinae. The species is known from North America. Very little published information exists regarding its biology, ecology, or specific habitat requirements.
Cauchas spinulosa
Cauchas spinulosa is a species of fairy longhorn moth in the family Adelidae, described by Davis and Medeiros in 2023. As a member of the Adelidae, it belongs to a family characterized by exceptionally long antennae, particularly in males. The genus Cauchas comprises small moths with distinctive morphological features. This species was established through recent taxonomic work, reflecting ongoing research into adelid diversity.
Celastrina asheri
Asher's Blue
Celastrina asheri is a recently described butterfly species in the family Lycaenidae, formally recognized in 2022. It belongs to the taxonomically complex Celastrina genus, which has undergone significant revision. The species is known from observations primarily in western North America. As a newly described taxon, detailed natural history information remains limited.
Chrysobothris mescalero
Chrysobothris mescalero is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described in 2007 by Wellso and Manley. It belongs to the taxonomically challenging Chrysobothris femorata species-group. The species is endemic to sand dune habitats in New Mexico and west Texas, where it develops exclusively in oak (Quercus) species. Adults are characterized by uniformly brown frons and clypeus in both sexes, and three distinct elytral costae with indistinct foveae.
Chrysobothris shawnee
Chrysobothris shawnee is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described in 2007 as part of a revision of the Chrysobothris femorata species group. It occurs in the eastern United States west to Colorado. The species is primarily associated with oak (Quercus) hosts, though it has also been reared from willow (Salix) and Prunus. Adults are active on large branches and trunks of dead oak trees.
Cryptaspasma bipenicilla
Cryptaspasma bipenicilla is a species of tortricid moth described by Brown & Brown in 2004. It belongs to the subfamily Olethreutinae within the family Tortricidae, a large group of small moths commonly known as leafroller moths. The species is part of the genus Cryptaspasma, which contains multiple species distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions.
Dacoderus steineri
Dacoderus steineri is a species of narrow-waisted bark beetle described in 2005. It belongs to the family Salpingidae, a group of beetles commonly known as narrow-waisted bark beetles. The species is known from North America. As a relatively recently described species with limited published research, detailed biological information remains sparse.
Dioryctria westerlandi
Westerland's Coneworm Moth
Dioryctria westerlandi is a small coneworm moth species described in 2002 from California. Adults are pale with strongly contrasting dark transverse bands and reddish patches on the wings. The species is active in late summer and fall, with adults flying from July through October. Larvae are suspected to feed on Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi).
Diptychophora
Diptychophora is a genus of crambid moths established by Zeller in 1866. The genus contains approximately 17 described species distributed across the Americas, with species described from North America, Central America, and South America. Several species have been described relatively recently (2021), indicating ongoing taxonomic work. The genus belongs to the grass moth family Crambidae, a diverse group of small to medium-sized moths often associated with grasses and sedges.
Dirrhagofarsus ernae
Dirrhagofarsus ernae is a species of false click beetle (family Eucnemidae) described in 2014 from the United States. The species is known from the conterminous 48 United States based on distribution records. As a member of Eucnemidae, it belongs to a family of beetles characterized by larvae that develop in decaying wood. The genus Dirrhagofarsus is small and poorly known, with this species representing one of few documented occurrences.
Doryodes acta
Doryodes acta is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae, described by Troubridge in 2020. The genus Doryodes is part of a diverse group of noctuid-like moths within the superfamily Noctuoidea. As a recently described species, detailed information about its biology and ecology remains limited.
Eleodes tribulus
Eleodes tribulus is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by Thomas in 2005. The species belongs to the large genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles, which are recognized for their defensive head-stand behavior. Distribution records indicate presence in Mexico. As a relatively recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Eleodes wynnei
Wynne's clown beetle
Eleodes wynnei is a species of clown beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described in 2012. It belongs to the large genus Eleodes, which contains numerous species in North America commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles due to their defensive head-stand posture. The species is named in honor of someone with the surname Wynne. As a recently described species, detailed natural history information remains limited in the published literature.
Epinotia wrighti
Eucosma canusana
Eucosma canusana is a small moth in the family Tortricidae, first described by Wright in 1997. As a member of the Olethreutinae subfamily, it belongs to a diverse group of tortrix moths commonly known as leafroller moths. The species is placed in the genus Eucosma, a large and taxonomically complex group within the tribe Eucosmini. Very little specific biological information has been published for this species.
Eucosma viridis
Eucosma viridis is a species of tortricid moth described in 2010 by Wright and Gilligan. It belongs to the large genus Eucosma, which comprises numerous small moths commonly known as bell moths or leafroller moths. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Eupsilia schweitzeri
Schweitzer's Sallow
Eupsilia schweitzeri is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, described in 2016 from the northeastern United States. It belongs to the sallow moth genus Eupsilia, which are medium-sized noctuid moths active during late fall, winter, and early spring. The species was named in honor of entomologist Dale F. Schweitzer. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a cold-season active adult with larvae feeding on woody plants.
Fenusa julia
Fenusa julia is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, described in 2017 by Smith and Eiseman. It belongs to a genus of leaf-mining sawflies whose larvae feed internally on leaf tissue. The species is known from very few observations.
Feron izabellae
Pink Bow-Tie Gall Wasp
Feron izabellae is an oak gall wasp described in 2023 from Northern California. The species induces distinctive pink spangle galls on white oak leaves, with galls folding at maturity to resemble bow-ties. Only the asexual generation is known. The species was named in memory of the senior author's mother and granddaughter.
Gloridonus xyston
Gloridonus xyston is a leafhopper species described by Hamilton in 2014. It belongs to the family Cicadellidae, a diverse group of sap-feeding insects commonly known as leafhoppers. The species is known from the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
Gryllus saxatilis
Western Rock-loving Field Cricket
Gryllus saxatilis is a species of field cricket described in 2019. It belongs to the genus Gryllus, which includes several North American field cricket species. Like other Gryllus species, it is expected to share characteristics such as chirping communication, ground-dwelling habits, and annual life cycles. The specific epithet "saxatilis" (rock-loving) suggests an association with rocky habitats.
Ianassa wagneri
Ianassa wagneri is a species of moth in the family Notodontidae, subfamily Heterocampinae. The species was described by Miller and Franclemont in 2021. It belongs to the genus Ianassa, a group of prominent moths within the superfamily Noctuoidea. Very little specific information has been published about this recently described species.
Liriomyza cracentis
Liriomyza cracentis is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Lonsdale in 2017. The genus Liriomyza contains numerous economically important leafminer species that damage agricultural crops by creating tunnels in leaf tissue. As a relatively recently described species, detailed biological information for L. cracentis remains limited. The species has been recorded from Vermont, United States.
Lithophane abita
Bald Cypress Pinion
Lithophane abita is a noctuid moth described in 2009 from the southeastern United States. It is one of several Lithophane species associated with bald cypress swamps and related wetland habitats. Adults are active during winter months, with flight periods varying geographically from October through April. The species is named from the Latin 'abita' (to depart), likely referencing its seasonal disappearance during warmer months.
Macrosteles claridgei
Macrosteles claridgei is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Kwon & Kwon in 2022. It belongs to the genus Macrosteles, a group of small leafhoppers distributed across multiple continents. The species is currently known from Alaska based on distribution records. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Macrosteles patruelis
Macrosteles patruelis is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Kwon in 2010. It belongs to a genus of small, slender insects commonly known as leafhoppers that feed on plant sap. The species has been recorded from northern North America including Alaska, Alberta, Manitoba, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. As a relatively recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Macrosteles wahnapitae
Macrosteles wahnapitae is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 2017. It belongs to the genus Macrosteles, a group of small leafhoppers known for their role as vectors of plant pathogens. The species has been documented from New Hampshire. As a member of the Macrostelini tribe, it is morphologically similar to other Macrosteles species, which are generally characterized by small size and association with herbaceous vegetation.
Melipotis florida
Melipotis florida is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae, described by Troubridge in 2020. It belongs to a genus of noctuid moths distributed primarily in the Americas. As a recently described species, detailed information about its biology and ecology remains limited. The species epithet 'florida' suggests a connection to the state of Florida, though this has not been explicitly confirmed in available sources.
Microrhagus opacus
Microrhagus opacus is a species of false click beetle in the family Eucnemidae, described by Otto in 2015. The genus Microrhagus comprises small to medium-sized beetles characterized by their inability to produce the clicking sound typical of true click beetles (Elateridae), despite superficial similarities in body form. As a relatively recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Ogdoconta satana
A small noctuid moth described in 2013, characterized by uniformly dark ash-black forewings and contrastingly pale hindwings. The species is known from limited localities in the southwestern United States and likely occurs in adjacent Mexico. Its specific epithet references the Marvel comic character Satana, alluding to the moth's dark coloration.
Ostracophyto flavicaudalis
Ostracophyto flavicaudalis is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, described by O'Hara in 2002. It is native to North America and is one of approximately 1,500 species of tachinid flies in the United States. The specific epithet 'flavicaudalis' refers to a yellowish tail or abdomen, though detailed morphological descriptions remain limited in published literature.
Pallodes austrinus
A small sap-feeding beetle in the family Nitidulidae, described in 1988 from North American specimens. Adults are 3–4 mm long and have been documented on fruiting bodies of various mushroom genera. The species is one of the more recently described members of the genus Pallodes.
Paratenetus exutus
Paratenetus exutus is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described in 2014. The genus Paratenetus belongs to a group of tenebrionids associated with arid and semi-arid environments. This species is known from a small number of observations, reflecting either genuine rarity or limited survey effort in its range.
Pelochrista aurilineana
Pelochrista aurilineana is a species of tortricid moth described by Ferris in 2005. It belongs to the diverse genus Pelochrista, which contains numerous small moth species primarily found in North America. As a member of the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Eucosmini, it shares characteristics with other Eucosmini moths that often have distinctive wing patterns and are frequently attracted to ultraviolet light. The species is relatively recently described, indicating ongoing taxonomic work within this genus.
Pelochrista parapulveratana
Pelochrista parapulveratana is a species of tortricid moth in the tribe Eucosmini, first described by Wright in 2011. As a member of the genus Pelochrista, it belongs to a diverse group of small moths commonly known as tortricids or leafroller moths. The species is documented in the Catalogue of Life and GBIF with accepted taxonomic status. Available records are sparse, with limited observational data available through iNaturalist.
Perdita hooki
Perdita hooki is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Portman & Neff in 2016. As a member of the genus Perdita, it is a small, solitary bee that nests in the ground. The species is found in Middle America and North America. Like other Perdita species, it is likely a specialist pollinator, though specific host plant associations have not been documented.
Phytomyza tigris
Phytomyza tigris is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described in 2018 by Eiseman and Lonsdale. As a member of the genus Phytomyza, it likely exhibits the characteristic leaf-mining larval behavior typical of this diverse group of flies. The species has been recorded from Vermont, United States. Like other Phytomyza species, it probably develops within leaf tissue, with larvae creating distinctive feeding galleries between the upper and lower leaf surfaces.
Plusia magnimacula
Large-spotted Looper Moth
Plusia magnimacula is a species of looper moth in the family Noctuidae. It was described by D. Handfield and L. Handfield in 2006. The species is known from North America, with records from Vermont and other regions of the United States. It belongs to the subfamily Plusiinae, which contains many economically significant agricultural pests. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 8951.1.
Scaralina rileyi
Scaralina rileyi is a species of planthopper in the family Fulgoridae, described by Yanega in 2024. It belongs to the subfamily Lystrinae and tribe Poiocerini. The genus Scaralina is part of the diverse planthopper superfamily Fulgoroidea, which includes many species with distinctive morphological adaptations. As a recently described species, detailed natural history information remains limited.
Selenophorus chaparralus
Selenophorus chaparralus is a ground beetle species described by Purrington in 2000. It belongs to the genus Selenophorus, a group of nocturnal ground beetles within the family Carabidae. The species epithet 'chaparralus' suggests an association with chaparral vegetation, a type of Mediterranean scrubland found in parts of western North America. As a recently described species with limited observation records, much of its biology remains undocumented.
Sparganothis lindalinea
Sparganothis lindalinea is a tortricid moth species described in 2012 from the southeastern United States. It belongs to a genus containing several agricultural pests, including the cranberry fruitworm (Sparganothis sulfureana). The species is known from only eight iNaturalist observations and appears to have a restricted range in the Gulf Coast region.
Sphinx vanbuskirki
Sphinx vanbuskirki is a species of sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, described by Haxaire in 2020. As a recently described species, detailed information about its biology and ecology remains limited. It belongs to the genus Sphinx, which includes medium to large-sized moths commonly known as sphinx or hawk moths.