Sexual-dimorphism
Guides
Aaroniella badonneli
loving barklouse
Aaroniella badonneli is a species of barklouse in the family Philotarsidae. It is a small psocopteran with sexual dimorphism in body size. The species is named after French entomologist André Badonnel. It has a transcontinental distribution spanning Europe, northern Asia, and North America.
Ablautus arnaudi
Ablautus arnaudi is a small species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Wilcox in 1966. Adults measure approximately 6–7 millimeters in length. The species exhibits sand-colored cryptic coloration and displays distinctive sexual dimorphism in facial hair coloration. Males possess bright white facial hairs and engage in elaborate courtship displays involving leg-waving and rocking movements. Like all Asilidae, this species is predatory in both adult and larval stages.
Asilidaerobber-flypredatorysexual-dimorphismcourtshipearly-springsand-coloredcrypticleafhopper-predatormystaxfacial-hair-dimorphismextra-oral-digestionvenomoussit-and-wait-predatorplains-habitatsmall-size6-7-mmwhite-facial-hairs-malegold-facial-hairs-femaleleg-waving-displayrocking-displayWilcox-1966Ablautus-revisionCharlotte-Herbert-AlbertsColoradoeastern-plainsAblautus basini
Great Basin Prospector
Ablautus basini is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. It belongs to a genus of small, sand-colored predatory flies that are active in early spring. Members of the genus Ablautus are known for elaborate courtship rituals and prey on insects smaller than themselves, including leafhoppers. The species is associated with the Great Basin region of North America.
Ablautus colei
Northwestern Prospector
Ablautus colei is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. It belongs to a genus of small, sand-colored predatory flies found in North America. The species is part of the 'Northwestern Prospector' group within the genus, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. Like other Ablautus species, it likely exhibits sexual dimorphism in facial hair coloration and elaborate male courtship displays.
Ablautus trifarius
Loew Prospector
Ablautus trifarius is a small robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Loew in 1866. Adults measure approximately 6–7 millimeters and are sand-colored, making them difficult to detect in their natural environment. The species is predatory in both larval and adult stages, preying on insects smaller than themselves such as leafhoppers. Males exhibit distinctive courtship behavior involving aerial displays, leg-waving, and rocking movements.
Ablautus vanduzeei
Spot-winged Prospector
Ablautus vanduzeei is a small species of robber fly (family Asilidae) measuring approximately 6–7 millimeters in length. Adults are sand-colored and somewhat difficult to see, making them cryptic in their preferred open, sandy habitats. Males are slightly smaller and more slender than females, with bright white facial hairs; females have gold or ochre-colored facial hairs. The species is known from 18 observations on iNaturalist and is part of the genus Ablautus, which is currently undergoing taxonomic revision.
Acanthocephala declivis
Giant leaf-footed bug
Acanthocephala declivis is the largest species in its genus across its North American range, reaching 28–34 mm in length. Males possess dramatically enlarged, leaf-like hind tibiae used in aggressive combat with rival males and courtship displays toward females. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in hind leg morphology, with females retaining slender, unmodified legs. It occurs from the southern United States through Central America to El Salvador and Guatemala, with a subspecies A. d. guatemalana described from Guatemala.
Acanthocinus nodosus
Lesser Pine Borer
Acanthocinus nodosus, commonly known as the Lesser Pine Borer, is a longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae. First described by Fabricius in 1775, this species occurs across the eastern United States, where its larvae mine the phloem beneath the bark of dead and dying pine trees. Adults are notable for their cryptic gray coloration with black markings and, in males, exceptionally long antennae reaching up to 120 mm. The species exemplifies "conspicuous crypsis"—appearing strikingly beautiful when isolated against contrasting backgrounds, yet nearly invisible when resting on weathered pine bark.
Acentria
watermilfoil moth, water veneer
Acentria is a monotypic moth genus in the family Crambidae containing a single species, Acentria ephemerella. The genus is notable for extreme sexual dimorphism in wing development and for having the only known fully aquatic adult female moths. Most females are flightless with rudimentary wings and spend their entire lives underwater, while males are fully winged and terrestrial. The species is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America.
Acentria ephemerella
Water Veneer, watermilfoil moth
Acentria ephemerella is an aquatic moth in the family Crambidae, notable as the only moth with females that remain fully aquatic throughout their entire adult lives. The species exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism: most females are brachypterous (short-winged and flightless) with swimming adaptations including additional hairs on their legs, while males have fully developed wings and live only 1-2 days solely for breeding. Native to Europe and now established in North America, this species has gained attention as a biological control agent for invasive aquatic plants, particularly Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum).
Aciurina trixa
Bubble-gall tephritid
Aciurina trixa is a gall-forming tephritid fly that induces spheroidal bud galls on host plants in the genus Chrysothamnus (Asteraceae). It is multivoltine with three larval instars, typically producing one larva per gall. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism: females are larger overall, while males possess enlarged forefemora that predict copulatory success. It is unusually common and abundant in New Mexico and Arizona, where it supports complex arthropod communities including 24 associated species across 6 guilds.
Acmaeodera parkeri
Acmaeodera parkeri is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Cazier in 1940. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults have been observed visiting flowers of several plant species, including Allionia incarnata (creeping four o'clock), Talinum whitei (White's flameflower), and Evolvulus arizonicus (Arizona blue-eyes).
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centerensis
poplar carpenterworm, Poplar Carpenterworm Moth
Acossus centerensis is a carpenter-moth in the family Cossidae, commonly known as the poplar carpenterworm. It is distributed across northern North America, from New Jersey west to Illinois and North Dakota in the United States, and from Quebec and Ontario west to British Columbia in Canada. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size, with females notably larger than males. Larvae are specialized wood-borers that feed on Populus species, particularly trembling aspen.
Adela flammeusella
Fairy Longhorn Moth
Adela flammeusella is a species of fairy longhorn moth in the family Adelidae, characterized by the extremely long antennae typical of this group. Males possess antennae up to three times the length of the forewings, while females have antennae roughly twice as long. The species was described by V.T. Chambers in 1876 and is restricted to the Pacific coastal region of western North America.
Adela singulella
fairy longhorn moth
Adela singulella is a species of fairy longhorn moth (family Adelidae) endemic to California. Described by Walsingham in 1880, it is distinguished by the extreme sexual dimorphism in antennae length typical of the family—males possess antennae up to three times the length of their forewings. The species has a restricted but disjunct distribution across coastal and montane regions of California, with larval development tied specifically to two Gilia species (Polemoniaceae).
Adela trigrapha
Three-striped Longhorn
Adela trigrapha is a fairy longhorn moth in the family Adelidae, described by Zeller in 1876. It occurs in western North America from Vancouver Island to California. Adult males display striking sexual dimorphism with extremely long antennae and black forewings marked by three white lines, while females have shorter antennae, orange heads, and metallic blue-purple wings. The species belongs to a family characterized by elongated antennae, particularly in males.
Adelidae
Fairy Moths, Fairy Longhorn Moths
Adelidae, commonly known as fairy longhorn moths or fairy moths, is a family of small monotrysian moths in the infraorder Heteroneura. Males are distinguished by extraordinarily long antennae, often 1–3 times the length of the forewing, while females have antennae about twice the forewing length. Most species exhibit metallic coloration and are diurnal, though some are crepuscular with drab coloration. The family was first described by Charles Théophile Bruand d'Uzelle in 1851 and was formerly treated as a subfamily (Adelinae) of Incurvariidae.
Admestina tibialis
Admestina tibialis is a small jumping spider in the family Salticidae, first described by C. L. Koch in 1846. The species is distinguished by sexually dimorphic morphology, particularly the enlarged tibia of the first leg in males that gives the species its name. It occurs in coniferous forests across eastern North America, where it hunts as an active visual predator.
Aeropedellus clavatus
Club-horned Grasshopper, Clubhorned Grasshopper, Slant-faced Grasshopper
Aeropedellus clavatus, commonly known as the club-horned grasshopper, is a medium-sized slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is distinguished by its club-shaped antennae, with the last six segments enlarged and darker than the rest. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are flightless with short wings, while males may have either short or long wings, with long-winged males capable of flight. It is one of the earliest-hatching grasshoppers in its range, emerging in early spring and completing development rapidly. Populations are most abundant in the Canadian prairies, where it is the most widely distributed grassland grasshopper species.
Agaonidae
fig wasps
Agaonidae is a family of minute chalcidoid wasps comprising the pollinating fig wasps, which maintain an obligate mutualism with Ficus species. Females are winged and darkly pigmented, while males are typically wingless and pale. The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision based on molecular phylogenetics, with former subfamilies Epichrysomallinae, Otitesellinae, Sycoecinae, Sycoryctinae, and Sycophaginae excluded and transferred to other families.
Agathymus neumoegeni
orange giant-skipper, Neumogen's giant-skipper, Neumogen's agave borer, Neumogen's moth-skipper, tawny giant-skipper
Agathymus neumoegeni, the orange giant-skipper, is a large skipper butterfly of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults are univoltine, flying in September and October, and are strongly associated with agave plants. The species is notable for its distinctive orange and black wing patterning and its unique life history involving caterpillars that bore into agave leaves. Males exhibit mud-puddling behavior while females are non-feeding.
Ageniella
mud-nesting spider wasps
Ageniella is a genus of small, slender spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, tribe Ageniellini. Members construct mud nests—typically trumpet- or thimble-shaped cells—each stocked with a single paralyzed spider and provisioned with one egg. The genus includes at least one documented cave-nesting species (Ageniella evansi) and species exhibiting ant-mimicry. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced: females are often reddish or orange-brown with banded wings, while males are black with reddish leg markings and a white abdominal tip.
Ageniella coronata
Ageniella coronata is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Banks in 1919. Like other members of the genus Ageniella, it is a small parasitoid wasp that hunts spiders to provision nests for its larval offspring. The genus is known for pronounced sexual dimorphism and ant-mimicry in females. Specific biological details for A. coronata remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as A. accepta and A. conflicta.
Agrilus arizonicus
Agrilus arizonicus is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Obenberger in 1936. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in coloration: males are bright green, while females appear more coppery. It has been documented from southeastern Arizona in the United States and likely extends into Mexico. The species is associated with oak woodlands and has been collected from Desmodium vegetation.
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus
Beech Borer
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America. It is among the smallest jewel beetle species utilized as prey by the specialist predatory wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which provisions its underground nests with paralyzed buprestid beetles. The species has been documented in nest caches containing up to 13 individuals, reflecting its small size relative to larger buprestid prey.
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walsinghami
Agrilus walsinghami is a sexually dimorphic jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) found across western North America. It is among the most visually striking species in its genus, with males exhibiting bronzy-brown and brassy coloration while females are uniformly blue to greenish-blue. Adults are active during late summer and early fall, an unusual seasonality for wood-boring beetles in this region. The species is strongly associated with gray rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), which is presumed to serve as its larval host despite the absence of confirmed rearing records.
Agromyza frontella
alfalfa blotch leafminer
Agromyza frontella, the alfalfa blotch leafminer, is a small dipteran leafminer in the family Agromyzidae. Native to Europe, it has become an established agricultural pest of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in North America, particularly in Canada and the northern United States. Larvae feed between leaf surfaces, creating distinctive blotch-shaped mines. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in daily activity patterns, with males most active during cooler morning and evening periods while females feed and oviposit throughout the day. It has been subject to classical biological control using the introduced parasitoid Dacnusa dryas.
Agrothereutes abbreviatus
Agrothereutes abbreviatus is a parasitic wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, characterized by sexual dimorphism in wing development. Females are brachypterous with wings reduced to the postscutellum or first abdominal tergite, while males have fully developed wings. The species is active in spring and searches for hosts on the ground and in leaf litter.
Aleurocanthus
Aleurocanthus is a genus of whiteflies in the family Aleyrodidae, established by Quaintance & Baker in 1914. Species in this genus are significant agricultural pests, particularly of citrus and other cultivated crops. The genus includes notable species such as the orange spiny whitefly (A. spiniferus) and the citrus blackfly (A. woglumi), both of which have been subjects of extensive biological control programs due to their economic impact. The genus is characterized by distinctive spiny or ornamented puparial cases and exhibits sexual dimorphism in some species.
Allocosa funerea
Allocosa funerea is a small wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, originally described by Hentz in 1844 under the name Lycosa funerea. The species exhibits notable sexual dimorphism in size, with females being slightly larger than males. It is primarily distributed across the eastern and central United States.
Alopecosa kochi
Koch's Wolf Spider
Alopecosa kochi is a medium-sized wolf spider (Lycosidae) distributed across North America from southern Canada to northern Mexico. It is an active cursorial hunter that does not build capture webs, instead pursuing small invertebrates on open ground. The species exhibits clear sexual dimorphism, with males typically smaller, darker, and possessing more defined leg banding. Females carry egg sacs attached to their spinnerets and transport spiderlings on their backs after hatching.
Alsophila
cankerworm moths
Alsophila is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae, subfamily Alsophilinae. The genus is characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism: males are winged and capable of flight, while females are wingless, flightless, and lack functional mouthparts. Adults are active in late autumn or early spring, with larvae (known as inchworms or loopers) feeding on hardwood tree foliage in spring. Several species are significant defoliators of shade trees, with populations exhibiting eruptive dynamics.
Alsophila pometaria
Fall Cankerworm Moth, Fall Cankerworm, Inchworm
Alsophila pometaria, the fall cankerworm, is a native North American geometrid moth notable for its sexually dimorphic adults: males are winged and capable of flight, while females are wingless, flightless, and lack functional mouthparts. The species exhibits a distinctive life cycle with adult emergence in late autumn and early winter, egg-laying on tree bark, and larval feeding in spring. Caterpillars are known as "inchworms" or "loopers" due to their characteristic looping locomotion. The species is a generalist defoliator of deciduous hardwood trees and can reach outbreak densities, causing significant economic and ecological impact.
Alypia langtoni
Langton's Forester, Six-spotted Forester
Alypia langtoni, known as Langton's Forester or the Six-spotted Forester, is a diurnal moth in the family Noctuidae. First described by William Couper in 1865, this species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing spotting pattern. Males possess eight white spots on black wings, while females have six. The species has a broad transcontinental distribution across North America, with larvae that feed on fireweed (Chamaenerion species). Adults are active during daylight hours, an unusual trait among noctuids.
Alypiodes geronimo
Geronimo Forester
Alypiodes geronimo is an owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by William Barnes in 1900. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing pattern, with females bearing two spots on the forewing and males possessing a third additional spot. Larvae feed on leaves of Boerhavia species. It occurs in North America and Mexico.
Amblypsilopus scintillans
A small species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, characterized by sexual dimorphism in coxa coloration and a shiny, metallic body. It occurs in eastern North America and is one of the more frequently observed species in its genus, with over 1,500 documented records. The species name refers to its shining appearance.
Amphiagrion
Red Damsels
Amphiagrion is a genus of small damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae, endemic to North America. The genus contains two recognized species: Amphiagrion abbreviatum (western red damsel) and Amphiagrion saucium (eastern red damsel). Males exhibit bright red coloration with black markings; females are duller. The genus is notable for its association with geothermal springs and specific perching site requirements.
Ampulex
cockroach wasps, jewel wasps
Ampulex is a large cosmopolitan genus of cockroach-hunting wasps in the family Ampulicidae, comprising over 130 species concentrated in tropical regions of the Old World. Fewer than 15 species occur in the New World, and fewer than 5 are native to Europe or the United States. The genus is notable for its specialized parasitoid biology: females sting cockroaches with venom that induces a state of hypokinesia—suppressed escape response and reduced locomotion without paralysis—then lead the subdued host to a shelter, lay eggs on its legs, and seal it inside where the larva consumes the living host. The emerald jewel wasp Ampulex compressa is the best-studied species and has spread globally alongside its host cockroaches.
Anastatus
eupelmid egg parasitoids
Anastatus is a large genus of chalcidoid wasps in the family Eupelmidae, comprising approximately 160 species globally with about 18 species recorded from North America north of Mexico. All species are egg parasitoids, attacking the eggs of various insects including true bugs, moths, and other arthropods. The genus exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism: females are brachypterous or apterous with powerful jumping abilities, while males are fully winged and capable of flight. Several species have been introduced as biological control agents, including A. disparis for spongy moth management and A. orientalis for spotted lanternfly control.
Ancistrocerus unifasciatus unifasciatus
Ancistrocerus unifasciatus unifasciatus is a subspecies of mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. Females are mid-sized with forewing lengths of 9.5-12 mm, while males measure 6.5-9 mm. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in facial markings: males possess a large yellow patch on the face, while females have only a couple of spots. This solitary wasp nests in pre-existing cavities, particularly abandoned mud dauber nests, and provisions its young with paralyzed caterpillars.
Anisandrus obesus
Anisandrus obesus is an ambrosia beetle native to eastern North America that specializes in boring into the sapwood of Big Tooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata). Females construct characteristic gallery systems consisting of a single entrance tunnel approximately 7 mm deep followed by two lateral tunnels parallel to the wood surface. The species maintains an obligate symbiosis with ambrosia fungi, which larvae consume without expanding parental galleries. Progeny exhibit strongly female-biased sex ratios (approximately 6:1), with only females emerging in spring to disperse and attack new hosts.
Anisolabis
Anisolabis is a genus of earwigs in the subfamily Anisolabidinae, with most species occurring in Asia. The genus name derives from the asymmetrical male cerci, with the right cercus more acute than the left. The best-studied species is Anisolabis maritima, the maritime earwig, which has been extensively researched for its social behavior, sexual selection, and maternal care. Other species such as A. annulipes are known agricultural pests.
Anisolabis maritima
maritime earwig, seaside earwig
A cosmopolitan, wingless earwig species found on coastal beaches worldwide. Males possess asymmetrical forceps used for mating, prey capture, and defense. Exhibits notable maternal care behavior, with females guarding eggs and nymphs for up to 28 days and progressively provisioning offspring. Displays complex social dynamics including sex-specific aggression patterns and size-based dominance in shelter competition.
Anisomorpha
two-striped walkingsticks, twostriped walkingsticks
Anisomorpha is a genus of large wingless walking stick insects (Phasmida) known for their potent chemical defense. Adults possess paired metathoracic glands that discharge an irritating secretion capable of causing intense burning pain and temporary blindness in predators, including humans. Females are substantially larger than males, with some individuals reaching nearly four inches in length. The genus contains four accepted species distributed across the southeastern United States, Central America, and northern South America.
Anisomorpha buprestoides
Southern Two-striped Walkingstick, Devil Rider, Musk Mare, Twostriped Walkingstick
Anisomorpha buprestoides is among the largest insects in the continental United States, with females reaching nearly 100 mm. This phasmid exhibits extreme sexual size dimorphism, with females substantially larger than males. The species is notable for its potent chemical defense spray containing anisomorphal and related compounds, which can cause severe eye irritation in humans. Three regionally distinct color morphs occur: brown, white, and orange forms, with the latter two restricted to specific areas of Florida.
Anisomorpha ferruginea
Northern Two-striped Walkingstick, Dark Walkingstick, Prairie Alligator
A large, sexually dimorphic walkingstick native to North America, recognized by two longitudinal pale stripes running the length of its dark brown to black body. Females are substantially larger than males. The species possesses chemical defense glands behind the head that can spray a noxious terpene dialdehyde mist when threatened. Active primarily in autumn when mating pairs are most frequently observed.
Anisota senatoria
orangestriped oakworm, orange-tipped oakworm
Anisota senatoria is a Nearctic silk moth in the family Saturniidae, commonly known as the orangestriped oakworm. It is one of the more common Saturniids in eastern North America, occasionally reaching pest status in the northern parts of its range. The species is notable for being a late-season feeder on oak foliage, which limits its long-term impact on host tree health. Adults are sexually dimorphic: females are larger, yellow-orange with silver-white spots and faint black lines across the wings, while males are smaller and reddish-brown. The species is very similar to A. finlaysoni in southern Ontario and A. peigleri in the southern United States.
Anisota virginiensis
pink-striped oakworm moth
Anisota virginiensis, the pink-striped oakworm moth, is a North American silk moth in the family Saturniidae. Adults display strong sexual dimorphism in wing coloration, with females showing purplish-red and ochre-yellow wings and males showing purplish-brown wings with a large transparent central area. The species is known for gregarious larval behavior and late-season defoliation of oak and other hardwood trees. It is widely distributed across eastern North America and is occasionally considered a minor forest pest, though late-season defoliation rarely causes significant tree mortality.
Anostostomatidae
wētā, king crickets
Anostostomatidae is a family of large, nocturnal orthopterans in the superfamily Stenopelmatoidea, distributed across the southern hemisphere in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the Americas. Members are commonly known as king crickets in Australia and South Africa, and wētā in New Zealand. The family exhibits considerable size variation, with some species exceeding 8 cm in length. Many species are flightless, though winged forms occur in some Australian and Asian genera. The family is notable for diverse feeding strategies including herbivory, scavenging, predation, and specialized fungal feeding.
Antaeotricha furcata
Antaeotricha furcata is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, described by Lord Walsingham in 1889. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing coloration and size.