Scrub-habitat
Guides
Argyrotaenia amatana
pondapple leafroller moth
Argyrotaenia amatana is a small tortricid moth precinctive to Florida and The Bahamas. Adults have a wingspan of 13–16 mm and have been recorded active nearly year-round, with peak activity from October through April. The species is associated with native Florida vegetation in scrub and wetland habitats.
Cicindelidia scabrosa
Scabrous Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia scabrosa is a near-endemic tiger beetle species found primarily in peninsular Florida, with its range extending slightly into extreme southeastern Georgia. It belongs to the abdominalis species-group, characterized by small size, sand-dwelling habits, and red abdominal coloration visible during flight. The species is distinguished by its black, deeply punctured elytra and dense bands of white setae along the lateral pronotal margins. Adults are active during summer months, particularly July and August, in sand pine scrub habitats.
Diceroprocta biconica
Florida Keys' Scrub Cicada, Key's cicada
Diceroprocta biconica, commonly known as the Florida Keys' Scrub Cicada or Key's cicada, is a species of cicada in the family Cicadidae. It is found in the Caribbean Sea and North America, with confirmed records from Florida and Isla de la Juventud. Like other cicadas, it has piercing-sucking mouthparts and produces sound through tymbal organs. The species belongs to the genus Diceroprocta, which contains several species distributed across North American deserts and subtropical regions.
Dorymyrmex flavopectus
Yellow-chested Pyramid Ant
Dorymyrmex flavopectus is a species of pyramid ant described by Smith in 1944. The species is endemic to Florida, where it is restricted to scrub habitat. It belongs to the genus Dorymyrmex, commonly known as pyramid ants due to their distinctive nest mounds. The specific epithet "flavopectus" refers to the yellowish coloration of the thorax (pectus).
Efferia slossonae
Scrub Hammertail
Efferia slossonae is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Hine in 1919. It belongs to the diverse genus Efferia, a group of predatory flies distributed primarily in the Americas. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, with observations concentrated in Texas and surrounding regions. Like other robber flies, it is an aerial predator that captures other insects in flight.
Hogna ericeticola
Rosemary Wolf Spider
Hogna ericeticola, known as the rosemary wolf spider, is a species of wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. It was described by Howard K. Wallace in 1942. The species is endemic to Florida scrub habitats in Putnam County, Florida, United States. As a member of the genus Hogna, it is a large, active ground-dwelling spider.
Hogna pseudoceratiola
Hogna pseudoceratiola is a species of wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, first described by H. K. Wallace in 1942. It is endemic to a restricted range in Florida, occurring only in scrub habitats on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge. The species is known from just five iNaturalist observations, indicating it is poorly documented and likely rare or locally distributed. Its specific epithet references its similarity to Hogna ceratiola, another Florida endemic.
Hypotrichia spissipes
Florida Hypotrichia
Hypotrichia spissipes is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1861. The species is native to Florida and has been recorded from sand scrub habitat on the Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida. The common name 'Florida Hypotrichia' reflects its apparent geographic association with the state. Available information on this species is limited, with most records being specimen-based occurrences rather than detailed biological studies.
Melanoplus indicifer
spinecercus short-wing grasshopper, east coast scrub grasshopper
Melanoplus indicifer is a species of spur-throated grasshopper endemic to a restricted range in Florida. It inhabits scrub habitats on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge in Palm Beach County. The species is characterized by short wings, a trait reflected in one of its common names. Its limited distribution makes it vulnerable to habitat loss from development and fire suppression.
Melanoplus ordwayae
Trail Ridge Scrub Grasshopper, Ordway Melanoplus Grasshopper
Melanoplus ordwayae is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Deyrup in 1997. It is endemic to Florida, specifically associated with the scrub habitat of the Lake Wales Ridge region. The species is known from very few observations and is considered rare and potentially threatened by habitat loss. Its common name references the Trail Ridge, a prominent geologic feature in its range.
Nemomydas melanopogon
Nemomydas melanopogon is a species of mydas fly in the family Mydidae, a group of large, predatory flies. It is endemic to Florida scrub habitat, a rare and threatened ecosystem type. The species was described by Steyskal in 1956. Like other mydas flies, it likely has a long larval development period in sandy soils.
Neotridactylus archboldi
Archbold pygmy mole cricket, scrub pygmy mole cricket
Neotridactylus archboldi, commonly known as the Archbold pygmy mole cricket or scrub pygmy mole cricket, is a species of pygmy mole cricket endemic to Florida. It inhabits Florida scrub habitat specifically on the Lake Wales Ridge. The species was described in 1996 by Deyrup and Eisner.
Odontomachus clarus
Florida trap-jaw ant
Odontomachus clarus is a species of trap-jaw ant endemic to the Florida scrub habitat on the Lake Wales Ridge in Florida. As a member of the genus Odontomachus, it possesses the characteristic elongated mandibles capable of rapid closure. The species is restricted to a specific and threatened ecosystem, making it of conservation interest.
Odontomachus relictus
Florida Scrub Trap-jaw Ant
Odontomachus relictus is a species of trap-jaw ant endemic to Florida, where it inhabits endangered scrub habitat on ancient sand ridges. It was described by Deyrup & Cover in 2004. Research suggests that populations on separate sand ridges may represent distinct species, which would make them among the rarest ants in North America. The species possesses the characteristic spring-loaded mandibles of the genus Odontomachus.
Parthenicus weemsi
Parthenicus weemsi is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by T. Henry in 1982. It is a specialist herbivore restricted to Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides), an endemic shrub of the southeastern United States. The species has been documented in scrub habitats of Florida.
Peltotrupes youngi
Young's deep digger scarab, Young's deepdigger scarab, ocala burrowing scarab, ocala deepdigger scarab beetle
Peltotrupes youngi is a species of earth-boring scarab beetle in the family Geotrupidae. It is endemic to Florida scrubs in Marion and Putnam counties, representing a highly restricted geographic range. The species was described by Howden in 1955 and is one of several species in the genus Peltotrupes, which are characterized by their burrowing habits and association with sandy substrates.
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.
Pheidole adrianoi
Florida Rosemary Big-headed Ant
Pheidole adrianoi is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, described by Naves in 1985. The species is known from Florida, where it has been recorded in association with Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides) habitats. As with other members of the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole, this species exhibits worker polymorphism with distinct major and minor worker castes. The species has been documented through iNaturalist observations, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Polyphylla starkae
Auburndale Scrub Scarab Beetle
Polyphylla starkae is a large scarab beetle endemic to Florida's Lake Wales Ridge, where it inhabits specialized scrub habitat. The species belongs to the pubescens species complex and exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are flightless with reddish-brown, fused elytra, while males are capable of flight and possess dark elytra with patchy light brown setae. The specific epithet honors collector Donna Stark, and the common name references Auburndale, Florida, near its restricted range.