Sand-specialist
Guides
Andrena barbilabris
Bearded Miner Bee, Long-lipped Miner, Sandpit Mining Bee
A solitary mining bee with a Holarctic distribution, found across Europe, northern Asia, and North America. Females excavate nesting burrows in sandy soils, provisioning cells with pollen and nectar before laying single eggs. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in coloration and is active from early spring through mid-summer.
Anthophorula chionura
Anthophorula chionura is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Apidae. It constructs vertical burrows in sandy soil with lateral brood cells, which females provision with a mixture of pollen and nectar. The species exhibits nest aggregation behavior in favorable sites. Formerly classified under Exomalopsis, it was reassigned to Anthophorula based on morphological and biological characteristics.
Attulus ammophilus
Attulus ammophilus is a jumping spider species in the family Salticidae, first described by Thorell in 1875. It is native to parts of Europe, Northern Asia, and Central Asia, with introduced populations established in North America. The species name 'ammophilus' suggests an association with sandy habitats. Unlike the closely related and Critically Endangered Attulus distinguendus, this species has a broader distribution and is not considered threatened.
Caliadurgus fasciatellus
Blotchwing Spider Wasp
Caliadurgus fasciatellus is a small spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, subfamily Pepsinae. It ranges from Western Europe to the Far East of Asia. The species hunts orb-weaving spiders, paralyzes them, and provisions underground burrows for its larval offspring. It was historically confused with Priocnemis hyalinata due to taxonomic errors regarding type species designations.
Calliopsis coloradensis
Colorado Calliopsis Bee
A small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to western North America. Females are solitary ground-nesters that provision burrows with pollen and nectar for their offspring. Males are often observed flying low over nesting aggregations in search of mates. The species is associated with sandy soils in prairie and open habitats.
Calliopsis pugionis
Pugnosed Miner Bee
Calliopsis pugionis is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1925. It is found in North America, where it excavates burrows in sandy soil. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism with females larger than males, and has a female-biased investment sex ratio consistent with local mate competition theory. It serves as the host for the cleptoparasitic bee Holcopasites ruthae.
Calliopsis zebrata
Streaked Miner Bee
Calliopsis zebrata, commonly known as the streaked miner bee, is a ground-nesting solitary bee in the family Andrenidae. It is notable among Calliopsis species for having relatively large males. The species inhabits sandy soils in plains and prairie environments and has been documented visiting flowers of White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida). It is found in North America, with observations from Colorado and other regions.
Cicindela formosa formosa
big sand tiger beetle
Cicindela formosa formosa is the nominate subspecies of the big sand tiger beetle, occurring in the Great Plains region of North America. It is a large, robust tiger beetle adapted to deep, dry sand habitats. Adults exhibit a spring/fall activity pattern, overwintering in burrows. The subspecies is distinguished from related taxa by its "C"-shaped humeral markings and bulkier body form compared to similar species like C. lengi.
Cicindela lengi lengi
Blowout Tiger Beetle
Cicindela lengi lengi is the nominate subspecies of the blowout tiger beetle, a tiger beetle restricted to dry sand habitats in the central and northern Great Plains of North America. It is distinguished from the superficially similar C. formosa by its narrower body form, longer and narrower labrum, and obliquely straight (rather than C-shaped) humeral marking. Adults are active from late summer into early fall, with peak activity in September. The subspecies is characterized by dark coloration on the underside of the thorax, unlike the coppery underside seen in the northern subspecies C. lengi versuta.
Cicindela scutellaris
festive tiger beetle
Cicindela scutellaris, commonly known as the festive tiger beetle, is a widespread North American tiger beetle species occupying deep, dry sand habitats east of the Rocky Mountains. The species exhibits extraordinary geographic variability in coloration and maculation patterns across its range, with seven generally accepted subspecies recognized. Populations in Missouri represent a notable intergrade zone between northern and southeastern subspecies. The species is frequently associated with Cicindela formosa (big sand tiger beetle) in suitable habitats.
Cicindela scutellaris scutellaris
Festive Tiger Beetle
Cicindela scutellaris scutellaris, the nominate subspecies of the festive tiger beetle, occupies deep, dry sand habitats across the Great Plains of North America. It is characterized by metallic coppery-yellow to greenish elytral reflections and variable development of marginal white maculations. This subspecies forms part of a broadly distributed and highly polymorphic species complex, with extensive intergradation occurring with subspecies lecontei along the upper Missouri River. Populations are typically found in association with Cicindela formosa, with which they share habitat preferences but not complete range overlap.
Formica bradleyi
Bradley's Field Ant, sandhill ant
Formica bradleyi, commonly known as Bradley's Field Ant or the sandhill ant, is a species of ant in the genus Formica. It is notable among North American ants for its strict association with sandy soil habitats, a relationship first documented by E. W. Wheeler in 1944. The species exhibits striking sexual dimorphism in coloration: females and workers are bright red, while males are shining black. This coloration has led to its description as 'the most beautiful species of the genus'.
Geolycosa escambiensis
Geolycosa escambiensis is a burrowing wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, described by Wallace in 1942. Like other members of the genus Geolycosa, this species constructs deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy soils and spends the majority of its life underground. The species is known from the southeastern United States, with the specific epithet suggesting a connection to Escambia County or the Escambia River region. Burrowing wolf spiders are characterized by their enlarged anterior median eyes, stout front legs adapted for digging, and elevated cephalothorax.
Geolycosa xera archboldi
Archbold's Burrowing Wolf Spider
Geolycosa xera archboldi is a subspecies of burrowing wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. Like other members of the genus Geolycosa, it constructs and inhabits deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy soils. The subspecies designation suggests geographic isolation and potential ecological specialization. Adults are nocturnal hunters that may be detected at night by the reflective glow of their eyes when illuminated by artificial light.
Geopsammodius hydropicus
Atlantic dune tiny sand-loving scarab
Geopsammodius hydropicus is a small dung beetle species in the subfamily Aphodiinae, commonly known as the Atlantic dune tiny sand-loving scarab. The species is associated with sandy coastal habitats in the southeastern United States. It belongs to a genus whose members are specialized for life in sandy substrates.
Geopsammodius relictillus
relictual tiny sand-loving scarab
Geopsammodius relictillus is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described from Florida in 1991. The species epithet "relictillus" refers to its relictual status, suggesting it may represent a remnant population of a formerly more widespread group. It belongs to the tribe Psammodiini, whose members are commonly known as sand-loving scarabs due to their association with sandy habitats.
Gryllus thinos
Texas Beach Field Cricket
Gryllus thinos is a field cricket species described in 2019 from Texas coastal habitats. Commonly known as the Texas Beach Field Cricket, it inhabits sandy beach environments, distinguishing it from other Gryllus species that typically occupy inland grasslands and fields. The species is characterized by its specialized coastal habitat association and relatively recent taxonomic recognition.
Lasioglossum vierecki
Viereck's Sweat Bee
Lasioglossum vierecki is a solitary sweat bee in the family Halictidae, commonly known as Viereck's Sweat Bee. It is a sand specialist, nesting exclusively in sandy soils and visiting plants restricted to sandy habitats. The species is distinguished by its densely hairy orange-yellow abdomen with golden-yellow hair on the scutellum and extensively yellow legs in females. Active from April to September, it occurs across eastern North America from Minnesota and southern Canada to Georgia and Louisiana.
Macrobaenetes sierrapintae
Sierra Pinta Giant Sand-treader Cricket
Macrobaenetes sierrapintae is a species of camel cricket in the family Rhaphidophoridae, endemic to the Sierra Pinta mountains of southwestern Arizona. Described by Tinkham in 1962, it belongs to a genus specialized for life in sandy desert habitats. The species is among the largest members of the genus Macrobaenetes. Like other members of this genus, it possesses enlarged hind tarsi adapted for locomotion on loose sand.
Parvindela terricola terricola
Variable Tiger Beetle
Parvindela terricola terricola is a subspecies of Variable Tiger Beetle in the subfamily Cicindelinae. It is characterized by bright metallic green coloration, a densely setose (hairy) head and pronotum, and a cream-colored labrum. This subspecies occurs in Nebraska and surrounding regions, where it inhabits open, sandy areas. The species was formerly classified under Cicindela and later Cylindera before the elevation of the subgenus Parvindela to generic rank.
Peltotrupes profundus
Florida Deep-digger Scarab, Florida deepdigger scarab
Peltotrupes profundus is an earth-boring scarab beetle in the family Geotrupidae, endemic to Florida. The species was described by Henry Howden in 1952 and belongs to a genus of deep-burrowing beetles adapted to sandy substrates. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate P. p. profundus and P. p. dubius. Like other geotrupids, adults construct deep burrows for larval development.
Philanthus gibbosus
Hump-backed Beewolf, Beewolf
Philanthus gibbosus, commonly known as the hump-backed beewolf, is a solitary bee-hunting wasp and the most common and widespread member of its genus in North America. Females construct underground burrows in sandy soils and provision them with paralyzed bees as food for their larvae. The species exhibits a bivoltine life cycle with two generations per year, and shows a tendency toward temporary communal nesting behavior unusual for solitary wasps.
Stichopogon trifasciatus
Three-banded Robber Fly
Stichopogon trifasciatus, commonly known as the three-banded robber fly, is a small predatory fly in the family Asilidae. Adults measure 10–15 mm and are distinguished by three alternating light and dark bands on the abdomen, a bright silvery or blue-gray body, and a preference for barren, sandy or gravelly habitats near water. The species occurs throughout North America from southern Canada to Central America, and south into the Neotropics. Formerly considered a separate species, S. salinus from the western Rocky Mountain region was synonymized with S. trifasciatus in 2010.
Tachysphex terminatus
Tachysphex terminatus is a small solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, part of a species group characterized by specific nesting behaviors in sandy substrates. Females construct individual burrows with multiple cells, provisioned with paralyzed prey for larval development. The species occurs in North America and shares the genus-wide trait of provisioning nests with orthopteran prey, primarily grasshopper nymphs.