Southern-california
Guides
Ammopelmatus nigrocapitatus
Black-headed Jerusalem Cricket
Ammopelmatus nigrocapitatus is a species of Jerusalem cricket in the family Stenopelmatidae, originally described by Tinkham & Rentz in 1969. It is one of 12 previously named taxa recognized as valid in a comprehensive 2025 revision of the genus. The species is endemic to parts of Southern California and is characterized by its distinctive black head. Like other Ammopelmatus species, it is a large, flightless orthopteran adapted to arid and semi-arid environments.
Calathus ruficollis ruficollis
A flightless ground beetle subspecies distributed across southern California from Santa Barbara County to northern Baja California, including several Channel Islands. The subspecies is distinguished from the southern Sierra Nevada population (C. r. ignicollis) by genetic and geographic separation. Despite being flightless, populations show limited phylogeographic structure across the species' range, suggesting recent population expansion and gene flow across potential geographic barriers.
Catocala californiensis
California Underwing
Catocala californiensis is an underwing moth in the family Erebidae, endemic to southern California. Adults fly from June to July, with likely one generation per year. The larvae are specialized feeders on Quercus turbinella (scrub oak).
Eremobates socal
windscorpion, sun spider
Eremobates socal is a species of solifuge (windscorpion or sun spider) in the family Eremobatidae, described by Brookhart and Cushing in 2004. The specific epithet 'socal' refers to its occurrence in Southern California. Like other solifuges, it is a fast-running, non-venomous arachnid often mistaken for a spider due to its appearance. The species is part of a group of arachnids characterized by their large chelicerae and rapid, erratic movement patterns.
Lasiopterini
Lasiopterini is a tribe of gall midges (Cecidomyiidae) whose larvae induce galls on host plants. Species in this tribe have documented associations with Chenopodiaceae, particularly Atriplex species in southern California. The tribe is classified within the subfamily Cecidomyiinae. Specific biological details remain incompletely documented for many member species.
Lysmata
cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp
Lysmata is a genus of marine caridean shrimp distinguished by its unique sexual system of protandric simultaneous hermaphroditism. The genus includes two main ecological groups: cleaner shrimp that live in pairs and remove parasites from fish, and peppermint shrimp that often live in aggregations and consume pest anemones. All studied species begin life as males before maturing into functional simultaneous hermaphrodites capable of both producing and fertilizing eggs. Members of this genus are heavily targeted by the ornamental aquarium trade, with some species commanding high prices.
cleaner-shrimppeppermint-shrimpprotandric-simultaneous-hermaphroditismornamental-aquarium-tradecoral-reefmutualismAiptasia-controlhermaphroditeeuhermaphroditemale-phasecaridean-shrimpLysmatidaeHippolytidaetropical-marinetemperate-marinerock-reefsponge-habitatintertidalpair-bondingaggregationsectoparasite-removalfish-cleaningaquacultureconservationfisheries-managementmisidentificationcryptic-speciesgenetic-homogeneityoutcrossingreciprocal-fertilizationegg-incubationmoltingocean-acidificationwarmingbehavioral-ecologyreproductive-ecologyPanamaGulf-of-MexicoLakshadweepSouthern-CaliforniaArabian-SeaCaribbeanIndian-OceanLysmata-amboinensisLysmata-debeliusLysmata-boggessiLysmata-wurdemanniLysmata-bahiaLysmata-intermediaLysmata-californicaLysmata-hochiStenopus-hispidusLysmata californica
red rock shrimp, lined shrimp
Lysmata californica is a caridean shrimp species native to the East Pacific, commonly known as the red rock shrimp or lined shrimp. It inhabits shallow coastal ecosystems of Southern California where it plays a role in benthic communities. The species has been studied for its behavioral responses to environmental stressors including ocean acidification and warming.
Nudorthodes variabilis
Nudorthodes variabilis is a noctuid moth described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1912. It is restricted to the coastal region of southern California, ranging from Santa Barbara County to San Diego County. The species is characterized by distinctive forewing markings, including a prominent medial line and a well-defined dark blue-gray patch in the lower portion of the reniform spot. Adults are active in late summer, with flight records from late August to mid-September.
Prasinalia
Prasinalia is a genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) established by Casey in 1909. The genus contains at least two recognized species: Prasinalia cuneata (Horn, 1868) and Prasinalia imperialis (Barr, 1969). Based on field observations by buprestid specialists, species in this genus are considered significant finds for collectors and are associated with western North American habitats, particularly in southern California and the southwestern United States.
Xylocopa californica diamesa
Southern California Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa californica diamesa is a subspecies of the California carpenter bee (Xylocopa californica), a large solitary bee in the family Apidae. It occurs in southern California and parts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other carpenter bees, it nests by excavating tunnels in wood, including dead tree limbs and occasionally wooden structures. Females are capable of stinging but are generally non-aggressive; males lack stingers entirely. The species is an important pollinator in native plant communities and contributes to the pollination of some agricultural crops.
Zarhipis integripennis
western banded glowworm
Zarhipis integripennis, the western banded glowworm, is a glowworm beetle in the family Phengodidae. Males are winged and capable of flight, while females are larviform and flightless, creating strongly asymmetrical dispersal abilities between sexes. This sexual dimorphism has significant consequences for population genetic structure and gene flow patterns.