Southwestern-north-america
Guides
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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ycommon-but-differentiated-responsibilitiespolluter-pays-principleuser-pays-principlebeneficiary-pays-principleprecautionpreventionintergenerational-responsibilityintragenerational-responsibilitystewardshipcustodianshipguardianshiptrusteeshipcommon-heritage-of-humankindcommon-concern-of-humankindglobal-public-goodglobal-commonstragedy-of-the-commonscollective-action-problemfree-riderprisoner's-dilemmagame-theoryinstitutional-economicspolitical-economypolitical-ecologyenvironmental-historyhistorical-ecologydeep-historyanthropocenegreat-accelerationplanetary-boundariessafe-operating-spacedoughnut-economicsdegrowthsteady-state-economycircular-economyblue-economygreen-economybioeconomysharing-economycollaborative-consumptionprosumermaker-movementopen-sourcecreative-commonscopyleftpeer-productioncommons-based-peer-productiondigital-commonsknowledge-commonsdata-commonsgenetic-resourcesaccess-and-benefit-sharingNagoya-protocolCartagena-protocolAarhus-conventionRio-declarationStockholm-declarationEarth-charterfuture-generationslong-term-thinkingfutures-studiesscenario-analysisbackcastinganticipatory-governancetransformative-changesystemic-changeparadigm-shiftsocial-ecological-transformationjust-transitiongreen-new-dealecological-civilizationharmony-with-natureliving-in-harmony-with-natureintrinsic-valueinstrumental-valuerelational-valuenature's-rightsrights-of-naturelegal-personhoodstandingrepresentationprocedural-rightssubstantive-rightsenvironmental-rule-of-lawenvironmental-democracyenvironmental-constitutionalismenvironmental-rightsright-to-environmentright-to-healthright-to-foodright-to-waterright-to-developmentsustainable-developmentcommon-heritagecommon-concernglobal-governancemultilateralismplurilateralismminilateralismbilateralismunilateralismhegemonymultipolaritypolycentricitynetworked-governancefragmented-governancewicked-problemssuper-wicked-problemstame-problemsproblem-framingproblem-definitionsolution-spaceoption-spacedecision-spacepolicy-spaceinstitutional-spacepolitical-spacediscursive-spacenarrativestorytellingframingsense-makingmeaning-makingidentityvaluesbeliefsattitudesnormscultureworldviewparadigmepistemediscourseresistancecounter-hegemonysocial-movementenvironmental-movementconservation-movementclimate-movementindigenous-movementyouth-movementfeminist-movementenvironmental-justice-movementfood-sovereignty-movementland-rights-movementwater-rights-movementanimal-rights-movementnature-rights-movementecocentrismanthropocentrismbiocentrismzoocentrismsentientismecofeminismdeep-ecologysocial-ecologyecological-modernizationecological-economicsenvironmental-economicsnatural-resource-economicsecological-anthropologyenvironmental-sociologyenvironmental-psychologyenvironmental-educationenvironmental-communicationrisk-communicationcrisis-communicationstrategic-communicationpublic-relationsmarketingbehavior-changesocial-marketingcommunity-based-social-marketingnudgingchoice-architecturedefault-optionsimplificationfeedbacksocial-normscommitmentdisincentivesregulationstandardtaxsubsidycap-and-tradeoffsetcreditpaymentrewardpunishmentvoluntary-actionmandatory-actionhybrid-governancemeta-governancesteeringrowingrowing-backrowing-forwardrowing-togetherrowing-apartrowing-in-circlesrowing-against-the-currentrowing-with-the-currentrowing-upstreamrowing-downstreamrowing-acrossrowing-throughrowing-beyondrowing-withinrowing-withoutrowing-aboverowing-belowrowing-besiderowing-betweenrowing-amongrowing-amidstrowing-throughoutrowing-everywhererowing-nowhererowing-somewhererowing-anywhereAcoma glabrata
Acoma glabrata is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Cazier in 1953. It is known from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Adults measure 5.5–8.3 mm in length. The species belongs to the tribe Acomini within the subfamily Melolonthinae.
Acrolophus griseus
Grass Tube Moth
Acrolophus griseus is a small moth in the family Acrolophidae, described by Lord Walsingham in 1887. It belongs to a genus commonly known as 'grass tube moths' due to the larval habit of spinning silken tubes at grass bases or roots for concealment while feeding. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It was historically classified in the family Tineidae but has been reassigned to Acrolophidae based on phylogenetic studies.
Agrilaxia hespenheidei
Agrilaxia hespenheidei is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Bílý in 1984. The species has been documented in Central America and North America, with specific collection records from Arizona in the southwestern United States. Adults have been observed on flowers of Bouvardia ternifolia (firecrackerbush).
Amphigonalia aridella
Amphigonalia aridella is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, originally described by DeLong in 1948. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Neokolla aridella. It has been recorded from arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Aneflus
Aneflus is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) established by LeConte in 1873. The genus comprises approximately 25 described species distributed primarily in western North America, with concentrations in the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Species are associated with woody vegetation, particularly oaks and desert shrubs. The genus belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a diverse group of cerambycine beetles often characterized by relatively small to medium size and cryptic habits.
Aneflus protensus
Aneflus protensus is a species of longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) in the tribe Elaphidiini. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1858. The species is known from southwestern North America, with records from Arizona and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Aneflus, it is associated with woody vegetation and has been collected on Baccharis sarothroides.
Anthidiellum notatum gilense
Gila Rotund-Resin Bee
Anthidiellum notatum gilense is a subspecies of resin bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the Gila Rotund-Resin Bee. It belongs to a genus characterized by using plant resins to construct nest cells. The subspecies designation suggests geographic differentiation from the nominate form, with this taxon associated with the Gila region of the southwestern United States.
Apantesis allectans
Apantesis allectans is a small tiger moth in the family Erebidae, originally described as Grammia allectans by Douglas C. Ferguson in 1985. The species was later transferred to Apantesis as part of a broader reclassification of tiger moth genera. It has a restricted distribution in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where it inhabits montane pine forests at moderate elevations.
Apantesis incorrupta
Immaculate Tiger Moth
Apantesis incorrupta is an arctiine tiger moth in the family Erebidae, described by Henry Edwards in 1881. It occurs across the southwestern United States and Mexico, inhabiting grasslands and open woodlands. The species produces two generations annually and is notable for research demonstrating larval self-medication behavior using alkaloid compounds to combat parasitoids. It was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis in recent taxonomic revisions.
Apiomerus flaviventris
Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin, bee assassin bug
Apiomerus flaviventris is a predatory assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, commonly known as the yellow-bellied bee assassin. This species is notable for its specialized feeding habits targeting bees and its remarkable use of plant-derived chemical defenses. Females collect resin from brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) and apply it to their eggs as a protective barrier against predation, particularly by ants. The species inhabits arid and semiarid regions of southwestern North America.
Apocrisias thaumasta
Apocrisias thaumasta is the sole species in the monotypic moth genus Apocrisias, described by John G. Franclemont in 1966. The species belongs to the family Erebidae and is known from a restricted range in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is classified within the subfamily Arctiinae (tiger moths), though detailed biological information remains limited due to its rarity and narrow distribution.
Apodemia palmerii
Palmer's Metalmark, Gray Metalmark
Apodemia palmerii, commonly known as Palmer's Metalmark or Gray Metalmark, is a species of butterfly in the family Riodinidae. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is associated with desert and scrubland habitats where its host plants grow. Adults are active during warmer months and visit flowers for nectar.
Arethaea
Thread-legged Katydids
Arethaea is a genus of katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as thread-legged katydids. The genus contains at least 14 described species distributed primarily in western and southwestern North America. Species in this genus are characterized by their elongated, slender legs and are typically associated with arid and semi-arid habitats including sand dunes, grasslands, and shrublands.
Arethaea phantasma
Rio Grande thread-leg katydid, Rio Grande katydid
Arethaea phantasma is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the Rio Grande thread-leg katydid. It was described by Rehn & Hebard in 1914. The species is characterized by extremely slender, thread-like legs that give the genus its common name. It occurs in sand dune habitats and arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Argyrotaenia lautana
Argyrotaenia lautana is a species of leafroller moth in the family Tortricidae, described by Powell in 1960. It is known from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species is associated with coniferous forests, with larvae feeding on white fir and bigcone Douglas-fir.
Aritaerius pallidus
Aritaerius pallidus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Kovarik and Tishechkin in 2004. It belongs to the subfamily Haeteriinae, a group known for their associations with ants and termites. The species is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of Haeteriinae, it likely exhibits myrmecophilous or termitophilous behavior, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Asbolus laevis
Asbolus laevis is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. First described by LeConte in 1851, it inhabits arid, sandy environments including the Sonoran Desert. The species is distinguished from its congener Asbolus verrucosus by its smaller size, smooth glossy black exoskeleton, and finely dotted elytra with marginal studded points.
Asbolus mexicanus
Asbolus mexicanus is a darkling beetle species described by Champion in 1884. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, inhabiting arid environments with sandy or scrubby vegetation. The species was originally distinguished from congeners by its opaque, broader, and less convex body form, with a flatter thorax and characteristic elytral punctation.
Asbolus papillosus
Asbolus papillosus is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It inhabits arid, sandy environments including the Sonoran Desert. The species is distinguished from congeners by its granular elytra and relatively short tarsal hairs. Like other members of the genus, it likely exhibits thanatosis (death-feigning behavior) as an antipredator defense, though this has not been specifically documented for this species.
Aseptis susquesa
Aseptis susquesa is a noctuid moth described by John Bernhardt Smith in 1908. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, inhabiting rocky desert and mountain-desert transition zones. Adults fly in spring, and larvae feed on specific desert shrubs.
Asphondylia neomexicana
Fourwing Saltbush Woolly Gall Midge
Asphondylia neomexicana is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae, first described by Cockerell in 1896. Like other members of its genus, this species induces distinctive woolly galls on host plants. The genus Asphondylia is notable for containing numerous species that manipulate plant growth to form protective structures for their developing larvae. Based on its specific epithet and the common name "Fourwing Saltbush Woolly Gall Midge," this species appears associated with fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) or related Atriplex species in arid western North American habitats.
Atrusca capronae
striped oak-apple gall wasp
Atrusca capronae, commonly called the striped oak-apple gall wasp, is a cynipid wasp species that induces characteristic galls on oak leaves in southwestern North America. The species is most frequently observed in Arizona but occurs throughout the region where its host plants grow. The wasp's common name derives from the striped appearance of the galls it produces, though stripe intensity varies geographically. The species is considered fairly common within its range.
Autumnimiris koebelei
Autumnimiris koebelei is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, originally described by Van Duzee in 1921. The genus Autumnimiris is a small group within the Miridae, with species primarily distributed in southwestern North America and Mexico. This species has been recorded from arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Bootettix
creosote bush grasshoppers
Bootettix is a genus of slant-faced grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, first described by Bruner in 1889. The genus contains at least two described species, including Bootettix argentatus, commonly known as the creosote bush grasshopper. Species in this genus are associated with arid environments in southwestern North America. The genus is classified within the subfamily Gomphocerinae and tribe Acrolophitini.
Bothrotes canaliculatus
Bothrotes canaliculatus is a darkling beetle species in the family Tenebrionidae, originally described by Thomas Say in 1824 as Epitragus canaliculatus. The species has been observed in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Field observations indicate adults are attracted to flowers of Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed) in northeastern New Mexico, where they occur alongside other flower-visiting beetles.
Brachinus aabaaba
Brachinus aabaaba is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Terry Erwin in 1970. It belongs to the genus Brachinus, which is renowned for its chemical defense mechanism that produces a hot, noxious spray from the abdomen when disturbed. The species name 'aabaaba' is unusual and appears to be a non-standard formation, possibly reflecting a descriptive or arbitrary designation by the author. Records indicate this species occurs in Mexico and the southwestern United States.
Brachys howdeni
Brachys howdeni is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Hespenheide in 2016. It belongs to the genus Brachys, a group of small buprestids associated with oak foliage. The species is relatively recently described and appears to be distributed in southwestern North America. Like other Brachys species, it likely develops as a larva in oak branches and is attracted to fresh oak foliage as an adult.
Brechmorhoga mendax
Pale-faced Clubskimmer
Brechmorhoga mendax is a dragonfly species in the family Libellulidae, commonly known as the Pale-faced Clubskimmer. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with a total length of 52–64 mm. Despite being a skimmer, it resembles clubtails (Gomphidae) in appearance, though its eyes meet at the top of the head—a definitive skimmer characteristic. The species has been documented in riverine habitats in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Bryolymnia marti
Bryolymnia marti is a small noctuid moth described by Richard Holland in 2010. It is known from a restricted range in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults are active during early summer and have been collected exclusively in conifer forest habitats. The species is one of several recently described members of the genus Bryolymnia.
Bulia similaris
Similar Graphic
Bulia similaris is a moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae, described by Richards in 1936. It is native to arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species has a wingspan of approximately 32 mm. It is not known to be an agricultural pest, unlike some congeners.
Cahela
cahela moth
Cahela is a monotypic snout moth genus in the family Pyralidae, containing a single species, Cahela ponderosella. The genus was described by Carl Heinrich in 1939. The sole species was originally described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1918. Both the genus and its only species are found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Calephelis rawsoni
Rawson's metalmark
Calephelis rawsoni, commonly known as Rawson's metalmark, is a small riodinid butterfly described by Wilbur S. McAlpine in 1939. It inhabits moist, shaded environments in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is notable for its restricted association with specific larval host plants in the genus Eupatorium.
Calinda longistylus
Calinda longistylus is a psyllid species in the family Triozidae, described by Crawford in 1910. It belongs to a genus associated with host plants in the family Solanaceae. The species has been recorded from scattered localities in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Calosoma simplex
simple beautiful black searcher
Calosoma simplex is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1878. It belongs to the genus Calosoma, whose members are known for arboreal hunting behaviors and caterpillar predation. The species occurs in southwestern North America, including parts of the United States and Mexico. Like other Calosoma species, it likely functions as a predator of caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects.
Camponotus absquatulator
Camponotus absquatulator is a species of carpenter ant native to California, Nevada, and Baja California. It was formally separated from the Camponotus festinatus species complex in 2006 by myrmecologist Roy Snelling. As a member of the genus Camponotus, it is a large-bodied ant that excavates wood for nesting. The specific epithet "absquatulator" is derived from a humorous pseudo-Latin verb meaning "to abscond" or "to leave hurriedly," reflecting the species' elusive nature or perhaps the taxonomic confusion that preceded its formal description.
Camponotus acutirostris
Camponotus acutirostris is a species of carpenter ant described by Wheeler in 1910. The species is native to the southwestern United States and adjacent regions of northern Mexico, occurring in arid and semi-arid environments. As a member of the genus Camponotus, it nests in wood and exhibits the typical carpenter ant biology of excavating galleries rather than consuming wood as a food source.
Carabus forreri
Forrer's worm and slug hunter
Carabus forreri is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, known from dry oak-pine forests in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal. The species is part of the large genus Carabus, which includes many predatory ground beetles.
Carcinops opuntiae
clown beetle
Carcinops opuntiae is a species of histerid beetle in the family Histeridae, commonly known as clown beetles. It occurs in North America, with records from the southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Texas) and Mexico. The species epithet 'opuntiae' suggests an association with Opuntia cacti, though specific ecological relationships remain poorly documented. Like other histerids, adults are likely predatory, feeding on the eggs and larvae of other insects.
Carmenta auritincta
Arizona Clearwing Moth
Carmenta auritincta, the Arizona clearwing moth, is a sesiid moth described by Engelhardt in 1925. It belongs to a genus of clearwing moths that are known for their wasp-mimicking appearance and seed-feeding larval habits. The species has a restricted distribution in the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Like other members of Sesiidae, adults are diurnal and often mistaken for hymenopterans.
Catalinia
Catalinia is a genus of small scorpions in the family Vaejovidae, established in 2017 following taxonomic revision of southwestern North American scorpion fauna. The genus comprises species formerly placed in the genus Pseudouroctonus, distinguished by reduced body size and unique morphological features. These scorpions inhabit rocky environments in arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The genus name honors the Santa Catalina Mountains of Arizona, where the type species was discovered.
Catocala desdemona
Desdemona underwing
Catocala desdemona, the Desdemona underwing, is a medium-sized moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1882. This species was formerly treated as a subspecies of Catocala delilah but is now recognized as distinct. It is characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings, a trait shared with other members of the genus Catocala. The species has a southwestern North American distribution extending from the United States into Central America.
Chionodes dammersi
Chionodes dammersi is a gelechiid moth native to southwestern North America. The larvae are specialized feeders on multiple species of Eriogonum (wild buckwheat), making this a plant-host-specific species. It has been documented in California and Arizona. Adult activity patterns and morphological details remain poorly documented in published sources.
Chionodes mariona
Chionodes mariona is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of 9–10 mm, distributed across the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults are distinguished by glossy black forewings marked with two cream-colored spots. The larvae are specialized herbivores feeding on plants in the mallow family (Malvaceae), including Abutilon, Malvastrum, Sida, and Wissadula species. Larval development produces distinctive yellowish-white caterpillars with prominent red blotches.
Chrysobothris costifrons
Chrysobothris costifrons is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Waterhouse in 1887. It belongs to a large genus of jewel beetles whose larvae typically develop in woody plants. The species is distributed across Central America and North America, with three recognized subspecies. Adults are attracted to recently dead or stressed woody hosts.
Chrysobothris rossi
Chrysobothris rossi is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species has been collected from mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), soapberry (Sapindus saponaria), and various acacia species (Vachellia constricta, Senegalia greggii). Adults are attracted to ethanol-baited traps and can be collected by beating dead or dying branches of host plants.
Chrysobothris texana
Chrysobothris texana is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by LeConte in 1860 and occurs in Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Chrysobothris, it is associated with woody host plants, though specific ecological details remain limited in the available literature.
Citharoceps fidicina
Citharoceps fidicina is a tube-dwelling spider in the family Segestriidae, described by Chamberlin in 1924. The genus Citharoceps is endemic to the southwestern United States and Mexico. Segestriid spiders are characterized by their elongated, cylindrical abdomens and their habit of constructing silken retreats in crevices, under bark, or in other sheltered locations. Members of this family possess six eyes arranged in a distinctive semicircular pattern, a trait that distinguishes them from most other spider families which typically have eight eyes.
Clematodes vanduzeei
papago creosotebush grasshopper
Clematodes vanduzeei is a species of short-horned grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the papago creosotebush grasshopper. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Arizona and northwestern Mexico. The species was described by Hebard in 1923 and is classified within the subfamily Copiocerinae. Two subspecies are recognized: C. v. vanduzeei and C. v. papago.
Coloradia pandora davisi
Coloradia pandora davisi is a subspecies of giant silkmoth in the family Saturniidae, first described by Barnes and Benjamin in 1926. It represents the southernmost population of Coloradia pandora, distributed in Middle America and the southwestern United States. Like other Hemileucinae, adults do not feed and rely on fat reserves accumulated during the larval stage. The subspecies is distinguished from the nominate form by geographic range and subtle morphological differences.