Sand-dunes
Guides
Acmaeoderopsis
Acmaeoderopsis is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) containing approximately 12 described species distributed in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The genus was established by Barr in 1974 and includes species associated with mesquite (Prosopis) and other woody legumes. Adults are small, typically vittate (striped) buprestids that are active during hot summer months and can be collected by beating host vegetation.
Apantesis favorita
A tiger moth species in the family Erebidae, described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1890. This species was formerly placed in the genus Grammia but was transferred to Apantesis along with related tiger moth genera. It has a restricted distribution in the Great Plains sand dune ecosystems and exhibits a narrow adult flight period in late spring. The species is notable for its specialized habitat association with prairie sand dunes, a rare ecosystem type in North America.
Arenivaga
sand cockroaches, desert cockroaches
Arenivaga is a genus of sand cockroaches in the family Corydiidae, comprising approximately 48 species distributed across the southwestern United States, Florida, and Mexico. These insects are highly adapted to arid environments, inhabiting sandy soils and dunes with moisture content below 1%. The genus exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism, with winged males and wingless, fossorial females that 'swim' through sand. A 2014 revision by Heidi Hopkins added 39 new species to the previously known nine, revealing a remarkable radiation in desert habitats.
Batyle ignicollis
Fire-necked Longhorn Beetle
Batyle ignicollis is a longhorned beetle in the tribe Trachyderini, known for its diurnal activity and flower-visiting behavior. It was described by Thomas Say in 1824. The species has been documented in sand dune habitats of northwestern Oklahoma, where adults have been observed resting on inflorescences of Styllingia sylvatica (Queen's delight), suggesting possible crepuscular or nocturnal roosting behavior. The species is attracted to ethanol-based traps, indicating a probable association with fermenting plant materials or dead wood.
Boreocanthon depressipennis
A small dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, recorded from sand dune habitats in eastern New Mexico. Observed rolling rodent scats, suggesting a role in processing small mammal waste in arid environments. The genus Boreocanthon comprises dung beetles with distributions centered in western North America.
Boreocanthon ebenus
Boreocanthon ebenus is a small dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, tribe Canthonini. The species has been observed in sand dune habitats in eastern New Mexico, where individuals were seen rolling small rodent scats. It belongs to a genus of dung beetles primarily distributed in North America.
Boreocanthon melanus
Boreocanthon melanus is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Robinson in 1948. The genus Boreocanthon comprises small dung beetles primarily distributed in North America. This species has been observed in sand dune habitats in eastern New Mexico, where individuals were seen rolling small rodent scats.
Boreocanthon probus
A small dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, observed rolling rodent scats in sand dune habitat. The genus Boreocanthon comprises diminutive scarabs associated with small mammal droppings. This species has been documented in the southwestern United States.
Boreocanthon puncticollis
A small dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Scarabaeinae. The genus Boreocanthon comprises species primarily distributed in western North America. The specific epithet 'puncticollis' refers to punctation on the pronotum. This species has been observed in sand dune habitats in eastern New Mexico, where individuals were seen rolling small rodent scats.
Bradycinetulus
Bradycinetulus is a genus of earth-boring scarab beetles in the family Bolboceratidae, established by Cockerell in 1906. The genus contains at least three described species distributed in the Nearctic region. These beetles are robust, fossorial insects adapted for burrowing in soil. Field observations indicate adults are attracted to lights at night and have been collected from sand dune habitats and pack rat runs.
Copablepharon michiganensis
Copablepharon michiganensis is a noctuid moth described in 2004 from Michigan. It belongs to a genus of sand-dwelling moths whose larvae are associated with dune habitats. The species is known from very few records, reflecting either genuine rarity or limited survey effort in its specialized habitat.
Diplotaxis blanchardi
Diplotaxis blanchardi is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Vaurie in 1956. The species is known from scattered records across the central and eastern United States. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, adults are nocturnal and frequently attracted to lights. The species has been documented in sand dune habitats and grassland environments.
Diplotaxis brachyptera
A small scarab beetle in the genus Diplotaxis, family Scarabaeidae, described by Patricia Vaurie in 1960. The species name 'brachyptera' (short-winged) suggests reduced flight capability. Records indicate presence in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other Diplotaxis species, adults are likely nocturnal and may aggregate on vegetation.
Diplotaxis brevicollis
short-necked scarab
Diplotaxis brevicollis is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species is distributed across western North America from Canada through the Rocky Mountains to Mexico. Adults are known to aggregate on low vegetation, apparently to detect pheromone trails for mate location. The specific epithet 'brevicollis' refers to the short-necked appearance of this beetle.
Diplotaxis mentalis
Diplotaxis mentalis is a small scarab beetle species described by Henry C. Fall in 1909. It belongs to the chafer subfamily Melolonthinae and tribe Diplotaxini. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, adults are nocturnally active and frequently attracted to lights.
Embaphion contractum
Embaphion contractum is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) in the genus Embaphion, a group characterized by their distinctly explanate (flattened and expanded) body form. The species is found in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. Like other tenebrionids, it is primarily nocturnal and exhibits slow, deliberate movement rather than rapid flight.
Embaphion glabrum
Embaphion glabrum is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Blaisdell in 1909. The species has been documented in sandy habitats of the southwestern United States, particularly in Utah. Observations indicate nocturnal activity, with adults found crawling on sandy ground beneath ponderosa pine trees at night.
Eremobates corpink
Coral Pink Sand Dunes Straight-faced Windscorpion
Eremobates corpink is a species of solifuge (windscorpion) in the family Eremobatidae, described in 2004 from the Coral Pink Sand Dunes region of southwestern Utah. Like other solifugids, it is a nocturnal, non-venomous arachnid with large, powerful chelicerae used to capture and kill prey. The species is named for its type locality in the distinctive pink sand dune ecosystem.
Eucanthus subtropicus
Eucanthus subtropicus is an earth-boring scarab beetle in the family Geotrupidae, described by Henry Howden in 1955. The species is found in southeastern North America, with records from Alabama through the Carolinas and Florida. Like other members of the genus, it excavates burrows in soil for larval development. Adults are attracted to light and have been collected in sand dune habitats.
Lutica
Lutica is a genus of zodariid spiders endemic to the California coast and Channel Islands. The genus comprises four described species, each with restricted distributions: two on mainland coastal dunes and two on specific islands. These spiders are notable for their unique sand-covered web tubes used in prey detection and their limited dispersal ability.
Lytta reticulata
blister beetle
Lytta reticulata is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. It is found in North America. The species belongs to the genus Lytta, which includes numerous blister beetles known for producing the defensive compound cantharidin. Field observations indicate adults are active during spring and early summer, with records from May through June in southwestern U.S. habitats.
Macrobaenetes
sand-treader crickets, giant sand-treader crickets
Macrobaenetes is a genus of sand-treader crickets in the family Rhaphidophoridae, endemic to California. The genus contains at least four described species, including the Algodones sand treader cricket (M. algodonensis) and the Kelso Dunes giant sand-treader cricket (M. kelsoensis). These insects are specialized for life in sandy desert environments.
Megatibicen dorsatus-tremulus
bush cicada, prairie cicada, Cole's bush cicada
Megatibicen dorsatus-tremulus represents a cryptic species pair within the bush cicada group, with M. dorsatus (prairie cicada/bush cicada) and M. tremulus (Cole's bush cicada) being nearly identical in appearance and song. These large cicadas inhabit grassland and sand dune habitats across the central and southern Great Plains. The two species were long confused due to their similarity, with M. tremulus only recently recognized as distinct. They are distinguished by tymbal cover coloration—brown in M. dorsatus versus black in M. tremulus—and occupy slightly different habitats, with M. tremulus favoring sandier substrates.
Nicagus
Nicagus is a monogeneric genus of stag beetles (family Lucanidae) comprising three described species: N. japonicus (Japan), N. obscurus (eastern and central North America), and N. occultus (western Texas). The genus represents the tribe Nicagini within subfamily Aesalinae. The discovery of N. occultus in unvegetated sand dunes marked an unexpected range extension and unusual habitat for the family.
Omorgus fuliginosus
Omorgus fuliginosus is a hide beetle in the family Trogidae, found in North and Central America. Adults measure 13–15 mm in length. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions from Texas south through Mexico to Costa Rica and El Salvador. Like other Trogidae, it is associated with carrion and animal remains.
Omorgus howelli
Howell's hide beetle
Omorgus howelli is a hide beetle in the family Trogidae, native to the southern United States. First described in 1957, it was historically classified under the genus Trox but was reassigned to Omorgus in 2006 based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The species occurs in Florida and Texas, with additional records from Mexico and Peru. Like other Trogidae, it is associated with decomposing animal remains.
Omorgus nodosus
skin beetle
Omorgus nodosus is a species of skin beetle in the family Trogidae. It has been documented in sandy habitats of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it is active nocturnally. The species feeds on dried animal matter, with observations of individuals feeding on dried dog feces. It occurs in association with sand dune ecosystems, where it has been found walking on sand surfaces at night.
Omorgus scutellaris
Omorgus scutellaris is a species of hide beetle in the family Trogidae. It occurs in the south-central United States and northern Mexico. Like other trogids, it is associated with decomposing animal matter. The species has been documented from sand dune habitats in Texas and is attracted to ultraviolet light.
Omorgus tesselatus
Omorgus tesselatus is a species of hide beetle in the family Trogidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1854. Like other members of this family, it is a scavenger associated with decomposing animal matter. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America and Mexico. Adults have been observed active at night in sandy habitats, where they may be encountered walking on the ground or attracted to ultraviolet light sources.
Plagiostira
shield-backed katydids
Plagiostira is a North American genus of shield-backed katydids (family Tettigoniidae) containing at least three described species. It is the sole genus in the monotypic tribe Plagiostirini, established by Storozhenko in 1994. The genus was erected by Scudder in 1876, with Plagiostira albonotata designated as the type species. Species in this genus are large, robust katydids associated with arid and semi-arid habitats of the southwestern United States.
Plagiostira albonotata
white-marked shieldback
Plagiostira albonotata, commonly known as the white-marked shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is a large, robust katydid found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species is characterized by distinctive white markings on its body. Observations indicate activity during summer months in desert and semi-desert habitats.
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Mescalero Shieldback
Plagiostira mescaleroensis is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, first described by Tinkham in 1960. It is endemic to the Mescalero Sands region of southeastern New Mexico, where it inhabits sand dune ecosystems. The species belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive morphological adaptations to arid environments. Like other members of Tettigoniidae, it is nocturnal and possesses sound-producing capabilities, though specific behavioral details remain poorly documented.
Polyphylla cavifrons
Polyphylla cavifrons is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, including Arizona, California, Nevada, and Baja California. The species belongs to a genus known for large-bodied beetles with fan-like antennae in males, though specific details about this species' biology remain limited in published literature.
Prasinalia imperialis
Algodones White Wax Jewel Beetle
Prasinalia imperialis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the Algodones White Wax Jewel Beetle. It is endemic to the Algodones Dunes of North America, with an extremely restricted geographic range. The species is rarely observed, with only five documented observations on iNaturalist. As a member of the jewel beetle family, it likely exhibits the characteristic metallic coloration and wood-boring larval habits typical of Buprestidae, though specific details remain poorly documented.
Strigoderma knausi
A small scarab beetle endemic to the Great Plains sand dune systems of south-central Kansas, Oklahoma, and northern Texas. Males are frequently encountered by sweeping low vegetation or at light traps, where they adopt a characteristic horizontal posture with forelegs extended and antennal clubs spread to detect female sex pheromones. The species was described from specimens collected by Warren Knaus in 1923–1925 at the type locality near Medora, Kansas, and named in his honor. Females are extraordinarily rare in collections, with only a single specimen among nearly 100 examined by Bader (1992).
Trixoscelis
Trixoscelis is a genus of small to minute flies in the family Heleomyzidae. The genus contains approximately 94 species and is widely distributed across the Palaearctic region. These flies are primarily associated with warm, semi-arid environments including sand dunes, dry grasslands, and shrubby habitats. They belong to the subfamily Trixoscelidinae, which is named for this genus.