Riparian
Guides
Poecilonota
Poecilonota is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) comprising approximately 12 described species distributed primarily across North America. The genus is characterized by metallic coloration and association with woody hosts in the family Salicaceae, particularly poplars (Populus) and willows (Salix). Several species, including P. cyanipes and P. thureura, have been documented as prey of the specialist crabronid wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which has facilitated recent biosurveillance and collection efforts. The genus includes both widespread species and localized endemics, with P. variolosa exhibiting a broader global distribution but fragmented population structure.
Poecilonota cyanipes
eastern poplar buprestid, eastern poplar jewel beetle
Poecilonota cyanipes is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the eastern poplar buprestid or eastern poplar jewel beetle. The species is found throughout North America east of the Rocky Mountains. Adults are associated exclusively with Populus and Salix species, where larvae develop in dead or dying branches. The specific epithet 'cyanipes' refers to the blue coloration of the feet. Despite being described as the best-known and most commonly collected American species of Poecilonota, field encounters can be infrequent and unpredictable, with abundance varying significantly based on timing and host plant condition.
Polycesta elata
Southern Plains Polycesta
Polycesta elata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is native to North America, with records from Texas and surrounding regions. The species develops in dead or dying hardwoods, particularly sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). Adults are attracted to ultraviolet light.
Protosialis americana
American alderfly
Protosialis americana is a species of alderfly in the family Sialidae, order Megaloptera. It is one of the few North American species in the genus Protosialis, which was historically classified within the broader genus Sialis. Alderflies are aquatic insects with predatory larvae that inhabit flowing water environments.
Pseudeva palligera
Western Unspotted Looper
Pseudeva palligera is a noctuid moth of western North America, occurring from British Columbia and Alberta south through California. It is a member of the looper moth group within subfamily Plusiinae. The species is characterized by relatively small size and unspotted wing patterning that distinguishes it from related taxa. Adults are attracted to light and have been documented in diverse habitats including montane areas and riparian zones.
Pseudoleon superbus
Filigree Skimmer
A subtropical dragonfly species in the family Libellulidae and sole member of its genus. Males have predominantly blackish wings with distinctive filigree-like venation patterns; females display reduced black markings in a reticulated pattern. The species occupies a disjunct distribution, with core populations in the southwestern United States and Mexico, and scattered northern records including Colorado. It frequents rocky streams and rivers with slow to moderate current in open, often arid settings.
Ptilodactylidae
Toe-winged Beetles
Ptilodactylidae is a family of approximately 500 extant species in 35 genera, commonly known as toe-winged beetles. The family belongs to the superfamily Dryopoidea within Elateriformia. Members are primarily associated with riparian and aquatic habitats, with larvae typically found in rotting wood, vegetation, or gravel and detritus at water margins. The family has a significant but underappreciated fossil record, including specimens preserved in Baltic, Dominican, Mexican, and Rovno amber dating from the Cretaceous through Eocene.
Pyractomena punctiventris
Texas Hooker Firefly
Pyractomena punctiventris is a firefly species in the family Lampyridae, known from east-central Texas south to Veracruz, Mexico. It belongs to the genus Pyractomena, which comprises bioluminescent beetles commonly found in North American wetlands and riparian habitats. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1878. Like other fireflies, adults produce light through chemical bioluminescence, though specific flash patterns for this species are not well documented in available sources.
Pyropyga nigricans
Dark Firefly
Pyropyga nigricans is a species of dark firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. Unlike many fireflies, it does not produce bright bioluminescent flashes. The species is widespread across North America, Central America, and central Europe, and is often the most common firefly in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Colorado Front Range. Adults are active during summer months and are frequently encountered in grassy areas near water sources.
Raphia frater elbea
Raphia frater elbea is a subspecies of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described in 2014. It belongs to the genus Raphia, a small group of moths whose larvae feed on poplar and willow. This subspecies occurs in western Canada and the northeastern United States.
Saldinae
Saldinae is a subfamily of shore bugs (family Saldidae) within the true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera). Members are small, predatory insects associated with moist shoreline habitats. The subfamily contains multiple genera distributed across temperate and tropical regions worldwide.
Saldula pexa
Saldula pexa is a species of shore bug (family Saldidae) in the order Hemiptera. It was described by Carl J. Drake in 1950. Like other members of its family, it is associated with moist habitats near water. The species is known from North America and Middle America.
Saperda obliqua
Alder Borer
Saperda obliqua is a longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Thomas Say in 1826. It is commonly known as the Alder Borer due to its association with alder trees (Alnus spp.). The species occurs in Canada and the United States, with its southwestern distributional limit in Missouri.
Scaphinotus
Snail-eating Beetles
Scaphinotus is a genus of flightless ground beetles in the family Carabidae, comprising approximately 55-60 species native exclusively to North America. These beetles are specialized snail predators, with their distribution and habitat use tightly linked to moist environments where their gastropod prey occur. The genus is notable for its large body size among carabids (typically 15-25 mm), elongated mandibles adapted for extracting snails from shells, and complete absence of flight capability due to reduced hindwings. Research on Scaphinotus angusticollis in managed forests of British Columbia indicates that 30-meter riparian reserves effectively maintain population sizes and movement patterns comparable to unharvested forests.
Scaphinotus kelloggi
Kellogg's Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus kelloggi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Dury in 1912. It is one of the 'snail hunter' carabids in the genus Scaphinotus, a group characterized by large size, powerful mandibles, and specialized predation on mollusks. The species is known from New Mexico, where it inhabits canyon environments with streams or rivers. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), a trait common in this genus that reflects their ground-dwelling, non-dispersing lifestyle.
Scaphinotus marginatus
Margined Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus marginatus is a large, flightless ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the margined snail-eating beetle. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, preying exclusively on snails and slugs. The species inhabits coniferous, mixed, and deciduous forests across western North America, typically near streams and lakes. It is distinguished from similar Scaphinotus species by subtle elytral margin characteristics and geographic distribution.
Schinia immaculata
Schinia immaculata is a small noctuid moth endemic to riparian habitats along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona. First described in 2004, it is one of the more recently recognized species in the diverse genus Schinia. Adults fly in spring with a wingspan of approximately 20 mm. The larval host plant remains unknown, though the species occurs in vegetation dominated by tamarisk, mesquite, acacia, and desert shrubs.
Schistocerca shoshone
green bird grasshopper, green valley grasshopper
Schistocerca shoshone is a large grasshopper in the bird grasshopper group, recognized by its green coloration. The species exhibits notable dietary plasticity: while fundamentally polyphagous, populations have been observed specializing on single host plants including Simmondsia and Prosopis when these dominate local vegetation. Genetic differences between populations may underlie this feeding behavior variation. It ranges across southwestern North America and has been documented as far north as Colorado.
Sericoda obsoleta
Sericoda obsoleta is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, occurring in North America. It is one of several species in the genus Sericoda, which are generally associated with riparian and wetland habitats. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1823. Available information on this species is limited, with most sources providing only basic taxonomic and distributional data.
Sialis
Holarctic Alderflies
Sialis is a genus of alderflies in the family Sialidae, characterized by small, brown, heavy-bodied insects with forewings 10–20 mm long. The genus is distinguished from other Megaloptera by having fewer than fifteen square cells along the upper edge of the front wings. Adults are diurnal and active in late spring. Larvae are aquatic predators that develop over two years before pupating in shoreline soil.
Smerinthus cerisyi
One-eyed Sphinx, Cerisy's Sphinx
Smerinthus cerisyi is a sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, recognized by the single prominent eyespot on each hindwing. The species is univoltine, with adults active throughout summer. Adults do not feed. Larvae feed on willow, poplar, pear, plum, and snowberry. The species was first described by William Kirby in 1837 and named in honor of Alexandre Louis Lefèbvre de Cérisy.
Smerinthus saliceti
Salicet sphinx, Salicet Sphinx Moth
Smerinthus saliceti, commonly known as the Salicet sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1875. This medium-sized sphinx moth has a wingspan of 67–89 mm and is found in riparian habitats from Mexico City northward through western Texas, Arizona, and into extreme southern California. Adults are active from April to September, with evidence suggesting two generations per year. The species is associated with willow and other riparian vegetation.
Sosippus californicus
Funnel-web wolf spider
Sosippus californicus is a large wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, notable for being one of the few web-building members of an otherwise nomadic hunting family. It constructs sheet-like webs with funnel-shaped retreats, superficially resembling those of true funnel-web weavers (Agelenidae). The species ranges from southern California through Arizona and Mexico to Costa Rica, where it is particularly abundant in riparian habitats.
Sphaeriusidae
Minute Bog Beetles
Sphaeriusidae is a family of minute myxophagan beetles (Coleoptera: Myxophaga) known as living fossils due to their exceptional morphological conservatism spanning at least 100 million years. The family contains three genera: the extinct †Burmasporum, the newly defined Bezesporum (known from both Burmese amber and extant Southeast Asian fauna), and Sphaerius, which has worldwide distribution. These beetles are characterized by miniaturized, shiny, blackish, hemispherical bodies and specialized riparian habits. Their species diversity and fine-scale morphological variation have been historically underestimated due to their small size and cryptic habits.
Sphenophorus aequalis
clay-colored billbug, clay-coloured billbug
Sphenophorus aequalis, commonly known as the clay-colored billbug, is a weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae (formerly placed in Curculionidae). It occurs in North America and is associated with wetland and riparian habitats. Adults are active during summer months and have been observed mating and burrowing at the base of sedges and other emergent vegetation near water margins. Like other billbugs, it is part of a species complex that can be difficult to distinguish morphologically, particularly at the larval stage.
Staphylus mazans
Mazans Scallopwing
Staphylus mazans, commonly known as the Mazans Scallopwing, is a spread-wing skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species occurs across Central America and North America, with four recognized subspecies showing geographic variation. Subspecies include the nominate S. m. mazans, S. m. ascaphalus, S. m. hayhurstii, and S. m. tierra. The species has been documented in diverse habitats including riparian corridors, sandy areas, and botanical gardens.
Stenomacra marginella
bordered plant bug
Stenomacra marginella is a bordered plant bug in the family Largidae, found across the Americas from North America through Central America to South America. The species has been documented feeding on various plants including Seep Willow (Baccharis salicifolia) and Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia). Research has examined male copulatory behavior and its effects on reproduction. The species serves as a host for parasitoids and has been observed in high abundance in riparian habitats.
Stenus pubescens
Stenus pubescens is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Steninae. It is one of numerous species in the large genus Stenus, which is characterized by distinctive adaptations including the ability to glide on water surfaces using specialized gland secretions. The species has a Holarctic distribution, occurring across much of Europe, northern Asia, and North America. Like other members of the genus, it is a predator of small invertebrates.
Stratiomys maculosa
spotted soldier fly
Stratiomys maculosa is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, commonly known as the spotted soldier fly. It is native to western North America, with documented occurrence from British Columbia through California and inland to Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. The species is associated with riparian habitats and is known to visit flowers.
Strephonota tephraeus
Pearly-gray Hairstreak
Strephonota tephraeus is a small lycaenid butterfly with a wingspan of 22–29 mm, commonly known as the Pearly-gray Hairstreak. The species ranges from Mexico through Central America to the Amazon basin and northern South America, with rare vagrant records in southern Texas. It inhabits lowland tropical forests, particularly riparian corridors, and exhibits multivoltine breeding in Mexico with adults active from May through December.
Suwallia
green stoneflies
Suwallia is a genus of green stoneflies (Plecoptera: Chloroperlidae) in the tribe Suwalliini, comprising more than 20 described species. The genus is distributed across the East Palearctic and Nearctic regions, including Russia, Mongolia, Japan, North America, and China. Adult males possess distinctive genitalic structures used for species identification, such as specialized sclerites on tergum X. The genus was established by Ricker in 1943.
Taphrocerus gracilis
Taphrocerus gracilis is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species has been studied in Missouri for its host plant associations and life history. Its biology is closely tied to specific plant hosts, with documented relationships to certain monocot species.
Taphrocerus leoni
Taphrocerus leoni is a species of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Dugès in 1891. The species was historically considered Mexican but has been documented in the United States, with confirmed records from upper Miller Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains of southeastern Arizona. Adults are associated with sedges and can be collected by sweeping vegetation in riparian areas. The species is distinguished from congeners by its larger size, shiny appearance, and distinct pubescent maculations.
Taxodiomyia cupressi
Cypress Twig Gall Midge, Cypress Flower Gall Midge
Taxodiomyia cupressi is a gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) that induces distinctive twig galls on cypress trees (Taxodium spp.). The species forms spongy, globular galls on new growth that are initially snow-white and turn brown with age. It has been documented in central Illinois and Missouri, with observations on cultivated bald cypress outside its native range. The midge undergoes complete metamorphosis with multiple generations per year, overwintering as larvae within fallen galls.
gall-midgeCecidomyiidaeTaxodiumbald-cypressgall-formerpestDipterainsectphytophagouscomplete-metamorphosismultiple-generationsoverwintering-larvaeornamental-pestriparianwetlandMissouriIllinoiscentral-USAtwig-gallspongy-gallwhite-gallbrown-gallexit-holesynchronized-emergencehost-specificTaxodiomyia-cupressiananassasynonymSchweinitz-1822Osten-Sacken-1878Tetragnatha
Stretch Spiders, Long-jawed Orb Weavers
Tetragnatha is a large genus of long-jawed orb-weaving spiders with hundreds of species distributed worldwide, though most occur in tropical and subtropical regions. These spiders are characterized by their elongated bodies, extremely long legs, and notably elongated chelicerae (jaws) with well-developed teeth. They construct horizontal orb webs, often near water, and many species can run across water surfaces. The genus exhibits remarkable variation in dispersal ability, with some species being excellent dispersers capable of colonizing islands, while others appear to have secondarily lost this capacity. Hawaiian Tetragnatha species have undergone adaptive radiation, with some lineages evolving cursorial (running) behavior and abandoning web-building entirely.
spiderorb-weaverlong-jawedaquaticstretch-spideradaptive-radiationHawaiicursorial-evolutionhorizontal-webwater-walkingcamouflagemultivoltinesocial-spiderTetragnathidaeAraneaeArachnidapredatorinsectivoreriparianwetlandmeadowtropicalsubtropicalcosmopolitandispersalisland-colonizationphylogeographychemical-species-recognitioncommunal-webbingkleptoparasitism-targetTetragnatha caudata
tailed long-jawed orbweaver
Tetragnatha caudata is a species of long-jawed orb-weaving spider in the family Tetragnathidae. The species is characterized by its elongated body form and exceptionally long chelicerae, traits shared with other members of the genus Tetragnatha. It occurs across a broad geographic range in the Americas and Caribbean. Like other tetragnathids, it constructs orb webs in a horizontal or near-horizontal orientation.
Tetragnatha dearmata
Tetragnatha dearmata is a species of long-jawed orb weaver spider in the family Tetragnathidae. The species was described by Thorell in 1873 and has a transcontinental distribution spanning North America and Eurasia. Like other members of the genus Tetragnatha, it possesses characteristically elongated chelicerae and a slender body form adapted for camouflage in vegetation. Specific details of its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Tetragnatha guatemalensis
Guatemalan long-jawed spider
Tetragnatha guatemalensis is a long-jawed orb weaver spider notable for its exceptional social behavior among typically solitary arachnids. Under favorable conditions, particularly during mass emergence of midges, this species constructs extensive communal webs that can span acres. The species demonstrates remarkable tolerance of conspecifics, with thousands of individuals cooperating to build shared silk structures. This social web-building represents the extreme end of a gradient of tolerance seen across the genus Tetragnatha.
Tetragnatha laboriosa
Silver Long-jawed Orbweaver
Tetragnatha laboriosa is a long-jawed orb-weaving spider in the family Tetragnathidae, commonly known as the silver long-jawed orbweaver. It occurs across North and Central America with records extending from Alaska to southern South America. The species passes through nine instars before reaching adulthood. Activity is predominantly crepuscular, with mating occurring at night.
Tetragnatha viridis
Green Long-jawed Orbweaver
Tetragnatha viridis is a species of long-jawed orb-weaver spider in the family Tetragnathidae, distinguished by its striking emerald green coloration. It is found in the eastern United States and adjacent southern Canada, with recent records documenting its presence in Quebec, Canada. Like other members of its genus, it constructs horizontal orb webs and possesses characteristically elongated chelicerae and slender body proportions.
Tetragnathidae
Long-jawed Orb Weavers, Long-jawed Orbweavers
Long-jawed orb weavers are a family of spiders characterized by elongated bodies, long legs, and often extraordinarily long chelicerae (jaws). Most species construct orb webs in a horizontal or near-horizontal plane, distinguishing them from the vertical webs typical of Araneidae. The family includes diverse ecological specialists: meadow-dwelling species that camouflage as grass stems, riparian species that build webs over water, and cave-dwelling species adapted to dimly lit environments. Some species exhibit social behavior, forming communal webs spanning extensive areas.
Tetralimonius ornatulus
Tetralimonius ornatulus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. Based on available collection records, this species has been documented in western Texas and New Mexico, with specimens collected from soapberry (Sapindus saponaria) vegetation. Adults have been observed during late spring and early summer, with collection dates in May and June. The species appears to be associated with riparian and woodland habitats where its host plants occur.
Tetrigidae
pygmy grasshoppers, groundhoppers, pygmy devils, grouse locusts
Tetrigidae is an ancient family of minute orthopterans with over 2,000 described species and a fossil record extending more than 230 million years. Members are characterized by an elongated pronotum that extends backward over the abdomen, often reaching the wing tips. The family exhibits exceptional morphological diversity, particularly in tropical regions where species display elaborate pronotal modifications including leaf mimicry, spines, and horns. Despite their ancient lineage and species richness, Tetrigidae remain among the most understudied orthopteran families.
Tetrix arenosa
Obscure pygmy grasshopper, Obscure grouse locust
Tetrix arenosa is a Nearctic species of pygmy grasshopper in the family Tetrigidae, one of approximately 35 tetrigid species in North America. Adults are minute, typically around 1 cm in length, with the pronotum extending backward over the abdomen—a characteristic feature of the family. The species has been documented in at least 82 iNaturalist research-grade observations, placing it among the more frequently recorded North American pygmy grasshoppers. Two subspecies are recognized: T. a. arenosa and T. a. angusta.
Tetrix subulata
Slender Ground-hopper, Slender Groundhopper, Awl-shaped Pygmy Grasshopper, Slender Grouse Locust
Tetrix subulata is a small groundhopper (family Tetrigidae) with a Holarctic distribution spanning the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. The species exhibits striking polymorphism in both coloration and wing development, with long-winged (macropterous) and short-winged (brachypterous) morphs coexisting in populations. It is strongly associated with moist habitats, particularly wet meadows, riverbanks, and mudflats, where it feeds primarily on algae and mosses. The species has been extensively studied for its wing dimorphism, reproductive interference with congeners, and life-history trade-offs between flight capability and reproduction.
Tinus peregrinus
nursery web spider
Tinus peregrinus is a small nursery web spider in the family Pisauridae, notable for being the smallest member of its family in North America. Adults reach only about 10 mm in body length, with males slightly smaller than females. The species occurs across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it inhabits riparian edges and human structures near water. Unlike larger fishing spiders and nursery web spiders, T. peregrinus is rarely encountered due to its diminutive size and cryptic habits.
Tipula abdominalis
giant crane fly
Tipula abdominalis, commonly known as the giant crane fly, is a large species of crane fly in the family Tipulidae. The larvae are aquatic detritivores found in riparian habitats, where they feed on decomposing leaf litter. Their hindgut harbors a dense, diverse bacterial community that facilitates digestion of lignocellulosic material. The species has been studied for its potential applications in biofuel production due to its efficient natural biorefinery system. Adults are among the largest crane flies in North America but do not feed.
Trachypachus gibbsii
Gibbs' temporal false ground beetle
Trachypachus gibbsii is a species of false ground beetle in the family Trachypachidae. It occurs in western North America and Russia. Adults are associated with riparian habitats, particularly banks of large rivers and small forested creeks, and have been found under balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) and in pine/fir forests with similar soil conditions.
Tridactylidae
Pygmy Mole Crickets, Pygmy Sand Crickets, Pygmy Mole Grasshoppers
Tridactylidae are a family of minute orthopterans commonly called pygmy mole crickets, though they are not closely related to true mole crickets (Gryllotalpidae). Adults typically measure 5–10 mm, with some species reaching 20 mm. They inhabit moist sandy soils near water bodies, where they construct shallow burrows 2–3 cm deep. The family is distinguished by extraordinary jumping abilities powered by enlarged hind femora, and by unique natatory lamellae on the hind tibiae that function as swimming paddles. Some species can jump from water surfaces and even dive. Despite their common name, they are basal grasshoppers (Caelifera), not crickets.
Ufeus faunus
Ufeus faunus is a noctuid moth species described by Strecker in 1898. It is restricted to the southwestern United States, with documented records from southwestern California to southern New Mexico. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in forewing pattern and size, with females being slightly larger and possessing additional dark streaking. Larval development occurs under bark of riparian trees, with a univoltine life cycle producing adults in spring.