Southwest-usa
Guides
Acmaeodera wickenburgana
A small jewel beetle in the genus Acmaeodera, described by Knull in 1939. The specific epithet refers to Wickenburg, Arizona, suggesting the type locality. As with many Acmaeodera species, it likely belongs to the taxonomically challenging 'Truncatae' group characterized by a prosternal margin that is nearly straight and not retracted from the sides. The genus contains over 150 species in North America and is in need of modern revision.
Aneflomorpha subpubescens
Aneflomorpha subpubescens is a species of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1862. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a group characterized by larval development in dead or dying wood. The species occurs in North America, with records from the southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely nocturnal and attracted to artificial light sources.
Anoplognatho dunnianus
Anoplognatho dunnianus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is the sole described species in the genus Anoplognatho. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Astiptodonta
Astiptodonta is a genus of prominent moths in the family Notodontidae, containing at least two described species. The genus was established by Miller & Franclemont in 2021. Species in this genus occur in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus belongs to the subfamily Heterocampinae within the superfamily Noctuoidea.
Catorhintha apicalis
leaf-footed bug
Catorhintha apicalis is a leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae, distributed across Central America and southwestern North America. First described by Dallas in 1852, this species occurs in Mexico, the southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Colorado), and El Salvador. As a member of the Hypselonotini tribe, it shares the characteristic leaf-like expansions of the hind tibiae typical of many coreids.
Chrotoma dunniana
Chrotoma dunniana is a monotypic species of long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It is the sole member of the genus Chrotoma, which belongs to the tribe Bothriospilini within the subfamily Cerambycinae. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Information on its biology and ecology remains limited due to its rarity and restricted distribution.
Cibolacris parviceps parviceps
cream grasshopper
Cibolacris parviceps parviceps, commonly known as the cream grasshopper, is a small grasshopper species found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. Adults measure 20–32 mm in body length and exhibit cryptic coloration resembling granite or stone, providing effective camouflage in desert environments. The species inhabits dry desert washes, overgrazed rangeland, and disturbed areas including unpaved parking lots. Unlike many grasshoppers that overwinter as eggs, C. parviceps parviceps overwinters as nymphs, with adults present early in spring. The subfamily placement of this species has been revised from Oedipodinae to Gomphocerinae, though some authors note this classification remains puzzling.
Coenopoeus
Coenopoeus is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Lamiinae, tribe Acanthocinini. The genus contains two described species: Coenopoeus niger and Coenopoeus palmeri. These beetles are associated with cactus habitats, with C. palmeri specifically documented as feeding on staghorn cacti (Cylindropuntia species). Adults are nocturnal and feed externally on cactus tissues, while larvae are internal miners within cactus stems.
Cotinis impia
Cotinis impia is a scarab beetle in the genus Cotinis, first described by Fall in 1905. The species is known from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Field observations indicate it has been collected on Baccharis sarothroides (desert broom), though additional host associations remain poorly documented. Like other members of the genus Cotinis, it belongs to the flower chafer group within Scarabaeidae.
Eupackardia calleta
Calleta Silkmoth, Ocotillo Silkmoth
Eupackardia calleta, the Calleta silkmoth, is a distinctive Saturniidae species and the sole member of its genus. Found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, this moth is strongly associated with ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), which serves as its primary larval host. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. The species is notable for its striking appearance and restricted distribution tied to desert and semi-arid habitats.
Euphoria levinotata
Euphoria levinotata is a species of flower scarab beetle in the subfamily Cetoniinae, described by Orozco in 2012. It belongs to a genus known for bee-mimicking flight behavior and attraction to fermenting tree sap. The species occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. Like other Euphoria species, adults are diurnal fliers that feed on sap flows and occasionally visit flowers for nectar and pollen.
Hypotrix lunata
Hypotrix lunata is a noctuid moth described by Smith in 1906. It is restricted to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with records from the Chiricahua, Huachuca, and Santa Rita Mountains in Arizona south to Durango, Mexico. The species is notable for its distinctive wing pattern featuring fused black reniform and orbicular spots that form a characteristic mark. It is superficially unlike any other North American noctuid species, making it relatively easy to identify in the field.
Leprus intermedius
Saussure's Blue-winged Grasshopper
Leprus intermedius, commonly known as Saussure's blue-winged grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is distinguished by its blue hind wings, a characteristic trait of the genus Leprus. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, including Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
Megacyllene antennata
Mesquite Borer
Megacyllene antennata is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. Larvae develop in woody tissues of mesquite trees (Prosopis spp., Fabaceae). Adult males produce a pheromone blend containing (S)-α-terpineol and (E)-2-hexenol, which attracts both sexes. The species was described by White in 1855 and is less boldly patterned than related eastern species such as M. robiniae and M. caryae.
Melanoplus franciscanus
San Francisco short-wing grasshopper
Melanoplus franciscanus is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is known from a restricted geographic range in the American Southwest, specifically in the Guadalupe Mountains of Texas, the San Mateo Mountains of New Mexico, and the San Francisco Peaks of Arizona. The species was described by Scudder in 1899 and is characterized by short wings, as indicated by its common name.
Mydas davidsoni
Mydas davidsoni is a species of mydas fly in the family Mydidae, described in 1989. The genus Mydas contains some of the largest flies in North America. Like other mydas flies, adults are presumably mimics of spider wasps (family Pompilidae), with black bodies and red or orange markings. The species is known from very few observations.
Neoporus arizonicus
Neoporus arizonicus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae, subfamily Hydroporinae. First described by Fall in 1917 under the basionym Hydroporus arizonicus, this species is currently classified in the genus Neoporus. It is a small diving beetle known from the southwestern United States, with Arizona representing the core of its known distribution. Like other members of the Hydroporinae, it is adapted to aquatic habitats where it preys on small invertebrates.
Paraidemona species-b
Paraidemona species-b is a grasshopper in the family Acrididae, known primarily as a recorded host of the solitary wasp Prionyx thomae. The species was documented in a study of wasp prey relationships in the southwestern United States. Beyond this host record, little specific information about its biology, distribution, or ecology has been published.
Phyllodesma americana arizonensis
Phyllodesma americana arizonensis is a subspecies of lappet moth in the family Lasiocampidae. As a subspecies of Phyllodesma americana, it represents a southwestern population differentiated from the nominate form, though specific distinguishing characteristics are not well documented in available sources. The species belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae feed on various woody plants.
Phytocoris albicuneatus
Phytocoris albicuneatus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Stonedahl in 1988. It belongs to a large genus of mostly plant-feeding true bugs. The species epithet 'albicuneatus' refers to a white wedge-shaped marking, likely on the dorsal surface. Like other members of Phytocoris, it probably exhibits mixed feeding habits, consuming plant fluids while occasionally preying on small insects.
Phytocoris empirensis
A mirid plant bug in the genus Phytocoris, described by Knight in 1968. The species name 'empirensis' suggests an association with the American Southwest region (possibly the 'Empire' area or related geographic feature). Like other Phytocoris species, it is likely primarily plant-feeding with occasional predatory behavior on smaller insects.
Phytocoris seminotatus
Phytocoris seminotatus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1934. The genus Phytocoris comprises numerous small, often inconspicuous plant-feeding bugs, with members typically exhibiting gray or brown coloration. This species is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. Like other Phytocoris species, it is primarily a plant-feeder that may occasionally prey on smaller insects.
Phytocoris ventralis
Phytocoris ventralis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Van Duzee in 1918. It belongs to a large genus of predatory and plant-feeding true bugs. The species is documented from the southwestern United States, with records from California and Nevada.
Polistes kaibabensis
Kaibab Paper Wasp
The Kaibab Paper Wasp is a social paper wasp endemic to the southwestern United States, specifically associated with the Kaibab Plateau region of northern Arizona. It builds exposed paper combs suspended from vegetation or structures. Like other Polistes species, it forms small colonies with a flexible dominance hierarchy among females. The species is notable for its restricted geographic range and association with high-elevation habitats in the Colorado Plateau region.
Polycentropus arizonensis
Polycentropus arizonensis is a species of caddisfly in the family Polycentropodidae, first described by Nathan Banks in 1905. As a member of the order Trichoptera, it represents one of the diverse aquatic insect groups whose larvae develop in freshwater environments. The species is known from the southwestern United States and adjacent regions of Mexico. Like other Polycentropus species, it likely possesses larvae adapted for predatory or filter-feeding lifestyles in lotic or lentic habitats.
Pyrota trochanterica
Arizona Trochanter Blister Beetle
Pyrota trochanterica is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, native to the southwestern United States. The species exhibits two recognized subspecies: the nominate P. t. trochanterica and P. t. werneri. Like other members of the genus Pyrota, it possesses aposematic coloration warning of its chemical defenses. The species is known to aggregate on flowers, particularly yellow-flowered shrubs, where mating occurs.
Reuteroscopus nicholi
Reuteroscopus nicholi is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1930. The genus Reuteroscopus is known for distinctive, often ornate species that are typical visitors to blacklights. This species is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other mirids, it is a true bug with piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Rhopalophora angustata
Narrow-necked Rhopalophora
Rhopalophora angustata is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Schaeffer in 1905. It belongs to the tribe Rhopalophorini, a group of slender, diurnal beetles frequently found on flowers and exhibiting group mimicry resembling small wasps. The species occurs in southwestern North America and Mexico.
Schinia dobla
Schinia dobla is a noctuid moth first described by Smith in 1906. The species is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, California, and Nevada. Its larvae are documented to feed on Ambrosia dumosa, a desert shrub in the sunflower family. Like other members of the genus Schinia, adults likely rest on or near their host plant flowers.
Stenodontes chevrolati
Chevrolat's tropical long-horned beetle
Stenodontes chevrolati is a species of long-horned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Prioninae. It is one of the largest cerambycid species in North America, with males reaching substantial size. The species occurs in the Caribbean and southern North America, where adults are attracted to lights and have been documented in oak woodland habitats. Larval development occurs in living oak trees, with adults emerging after several years of subterranean feeding on roots.
Strategus cessus
rhinoceros beetle
Strategus cessus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae. It belongs to a genus of large, horned scarabs found in the Americas. The species has been documented from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Tecnophilus pilatei
Tecnophilus pilatei is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Chaudoir in 1877. It belongs to the subfamily Lebiinae and tribe Lebiini. The species is known from the southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a nocturnal predator adapted to arid or semi-arid environments, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Thyreodon rivinae
Thyreodon rivinae is a species of ichneumon wasp described by Porter in 1980. The genus Thyreodon belongs to the family Ichneumonidae, one of the largest families of parasitoid wasps. Members of this genus are known from the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited published information on its biology and ecology.