Sandhill
Guides
Amblycorypha arenicola
Sandhill Virtuoso Katydid
Amblycorypha arenicola is a katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Walker in 2004. It is commonly known as the Sandhill Virtuoso Katydid and is associated with sandy habitats in the southeastern United States. The species has been recorded from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It belongs to the genus Amblycorypha, which includes several species of bush katydids.
Camponotus socius
Sandhill Carpenter Ant
A large carpenter ant native to the southeastern United States, well-adapted to sandy soils of xeric woodlands. Exhibits polymorphic worker castes with distinctive coloration including variegated gaster banding. Notable for ground-nesting behavior unusual among Camponotus species, constructing deep nests with satellite colonies. Activity is primarily crepuscular, with midday retreat during hot periods.
Cicindelidia abdominalis
Eastern Pine Barrens Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia abdominalis is the most broadly distributed member of the abdominalis species-group, occurring across the southeastern United States Coastal Plain. This small tiger beetle inhabits dry sandy habitats including pine barrens and sandhill communities. Adults are active during summer months and exhibit characteristic thermoregulatory behaviors such as stilting and sun-facing during periods of extreme heat. The species can be distinguished from closely related Florida endemics by its smooth elytra, presence of fine decumbent setae on the pronotum and mes- and metepisterna, and typically four labral setae.
Ellipes eisneri
Eisner's Pygmy Mole Cricket
Ellipes eisneri is a pygmy mole cricket endemic to Florida, described by Deyrup in 2005. Unlike most tridactylids, which inhabit moist edges of ponds and streams, this species has adapted to xeric scrub and sandhill habitats in sandy uplands. It has a restricted geographic range and has not been found co-occurring with its close relative Ellipes deyrupi, despite both species sharing convergent ecological habits. The species is poorly studied and difficult to collect due to its small size.
Graphops comosa
Monahans sandhill chrysomelid, long-haired graphops, Monahans Graphops
Graphops comosa is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, endemic to the sandhills region of the southwestern United States. The species is distinguished by its exceptionally dense covering of coarse white hairs, the heaviest pubescence of any member of its genus. The specific epithet "comosa" is Latin for "with long hair," directly referencing this diagnostic feature. The beetle's restricted distribution and distinctive appearance make it a notable component of the specialized sandhill fauna of the region.
Melanoplus forcipatus
toothcercus shortwing grasshopper, broad cercus scrub grasshopper
Melanoplus forcipatus is a species of spur-throated grasshopper endemic to a restricted area of central Florida. It is known only from scrub and sandhill habitats in Highlands and Orange counties. The species was described by Hubbell in 1932 and is one of several shortwing grasshoppers in the genus Melanoplus with limited distributions.
Peoria floridella
Florida Peoria Moth
Peoria floridella is a small moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Shaffer in 1968. It is endemic to peninsular Florida, where it inhabits dry sandhill and scrub ecosystems. The species has been observed in association with sand live oak (Quercus geminata), suggesting a potential host relationship. Like many Phycitinae moths, it likely has a concealed larval stage, though detailed life history information remains limited.
Phanogomphus cavillaris
Sandhill Clubtail, Brimley's Clubtail
Phanogomphus cavillaris, the sandhill clubtail, is a clubtail dragonfly endemic to the Southeastern United States. It inhabits dry, sandy, scrub-like habitats near streams or lakes. The species is distinguished from similar taxa by the straight occiput line between the eyes and a dark band across the face. Two subspecies are recognized: P. c. cavillaris in Peninsular Florida and P. c. brimleyi in the Florida Panhandle, Southern Alabama, and North Carolina.