Southwestern-fauna
Guides
Ceratina arizonensis
Arizona Small Carpenter, Arizona Ceratina
Ceratina arizonensis is a small carpenter bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1898. It is one of numerous Ceratina species native to North and Central America. Like other small carpenter bees, it is a solitary bee that nests in pithy stems rather than excavating wood like its larger relatives in Xylocopa. The species has been documented as a pollinator of multiple flowering plant species in field studies.
Cicindelidia ocellata
Ocellated Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia ocellata is a medium-sized tiger beetle species widely distributed across the southwestern United States and Mexico, with records extending into Central America. The species exhibits notable subspecific variation, with the nominate subspecies C. o. ocellata occurring in alkaline flat and wetland margin habitats in New Mexico and surrounding areas, while the subspecies C. o. rectilatera (Reticulated Tiger Beetle) occupies sandy habitats in Texas, New Mexico, and has been documented as a range extension into Arkansas and Oklahoma. Adults are active during summer and fall months, with some populations showing extended activity into September. The species is characterized by distinctive elytral maculation patterns featuring ocellate (eye-like) markings.
Plionoma suturalis
Plionoma suturalis is a longhorned beetle in the tribe Trachyderini, characterized by bright coloration and diurnal flower-visiting behavior. The species was described by LeConte in 1858 and occurs from Texas west to California and south into northern Mexico. Its 2013 discovery in northwestern Oklahoma represented a significant northeastern range extension of over 200 miles from the nearest previous records in north-central Texas. Adults exhibit bimodal seasonal activity, appearing in spring, disappearing during summer, and reappearing in fall.