South-america-native
Guides
Camillina pulchra
Camillina pulchra is a ground spider species in the family Gnaphosidae, first described by Keyserling in 1891. It is native to South America, with confirmed records from Brazil and Argentina. The species has been introduced to the United States, where it occurs as a non-native population. As a member of Gnaphosidae, it is a wandering hunter that does not build webs for prey capture.
Crypticerya genistae
Genista Giant Scale Insect, fluted scale, channeled mealybug
Crypticerya genistae is a giant scale insect in the tribe Iceryini, native to South America and accidentally introduced to Florida by 2005, the Cayman Islands by 2006, Ecuador, and Peru. Adult females produce a distinctive large white fluted ovisac measuring 17–19 mm. The species has been recorded on at least eleven host plant species, primarily in the family Fabaceae, and appears to prefer herbaceous plants and shrubs over trees. It is considered an invasive pest in urban green areas and poses potential phytosanitary risks to agricultural crops including Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea).
Cyrtobagous
salvinia weevil
Cyrtobagous is a genus of small weevils in the family Curculionidae, native to South America. The genus contains species specialized as biological control agents for invasive aquatic ferns in the genus Salvinia. C. salviniae has been introduced to multiple continents to manage giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta), while C. singularis has more limited effectiveness. Both species complete their life cycles within or on their host plants in aquatic environments.
Meriola arcifera
Meriola arcifera is a species of true spider in the family Trachelidae, first described by Simon in 1886. It is native to South America, with confirmed records from Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina. The species has been introduced to several regions outside its native range, including the United States (California and Hawaii) and Chilean offshore islands (Easter Island and Robinson Crusoe Island). Its establishment in these areas suggests human-mediated dispersal, though specific introduction pathways remain undocumented.
Naupactus leucoloma
white-fringed weevil, white-fringed beetle
Naupactus leucoloma is a broad-nosed weevil native to South America that has become a globally distributed agricultural pest. Adults are flightless, parthenogenetic females outside their native range, with males occurring only rarely in Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. The species is notable for its extreme polyphagy, having been documented feeding on over 385 plant species. Larval root-feeding causes substantially more economic damage than adult folivory.
Neochetina bruchi
chevroned water hyacinth weevil, chevroned waterhyacinth weevil
Neochetina bruchi is a South American marsh weevil introduced to over 30 countries as a biological control agent for invasive water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes, formerly Eichhornia crassipes). First released in the United States in Florida in 1974, it now occurs throughout the Gulf Coast states and California. The species has been studied extensively for its effectiveness in managing water hyacinth infestations, with research showing its performance varies with environmental factors including salinity, temperature, and nutrient availability.