Southwestern-north-america
Guides
Prodoxus coloradensis
Prodoxus coloradensis is a small yucca moth in the family Prodoxidae, distributed across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Unlike its pollinating relatives, this species is a commensalist herbivore that feeds on yucca flowering stalks without providing pollination service. The species exhibits host-associated genetic divergence and incipient speciation across its three known host plants, with evidence of female philopatry and sex-biased dispersal.
Proserpinus vega
vega sphinx moth, Vega Sphinx
Proserpinus vega is a sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, first described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1903. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults are active in August, fly during the afternoon, and nectar from flowers. The larvae feed on plants in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae).
Protoxaea gloriosa
glorious protoxaea
Protoxaea gloriosa is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, subfamily Oxaeinae. Males exhibit pronounced territorial behavior, establishing and defending flowering plants during morning hours to increase mating opportunities with virgin females. The species shows strong seasonality tied to summer rainfall patterns, with principal emergence triggered by first soaking rains. Females collect pollen primarily from Solanum and nectar from Asclepias, Verbesina, and Larrea. This bee is found in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Pseudomethia arida
Pseudomethia arida is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It is the sole member of its genus, Pseudomethia. The species was described by Linsley in 1937 and is found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Pterospoda nigrescens
Pterospoda nigrescens is a small geometrid moth with a wingspan of approximately 24 mm, distributed across arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species exhibits bivoltine flight patterns with primary activity periods in April and August in Arizona. Larvae have been successfully reared on Condalia species, specifically Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana, indicating a specialized host relationship with this shrub genus.
Ptychoglene phrada
Ptychoglene phrada is a moth species in the subfamily Arctiinae (tiger moths), described by Herbert Druce in 1889. It is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus Ptychoglene belongs to the tribe Lithosiini, a group of lichen moths characterized by relatively plain coloration and nocturnal habits.
Pyrausta aurea
Pyrausta aurea is a small crambid moth described by Butler in 1875. Adults are bright orange with distinctive wing markings and show sexual dimorphism in size. The species occurs from the southwestern United States through Central America. Adults are active during summer months.
Rumatha jacumba
Rumatha jacumba is a species of snout moth (family Pyralidae) described by Herbert H. Neunzig in 1997. It is known from desert regions of southwestern North America, specifically California and Nevada. The species epithet references Jacumba, California, a locality in the Colorado Desert where the species has been collected. Like other members of the genus Rumatha, it belongs to a group of small pyralid moths associated with arid habitats.
Schinia erosa
Schinia erosa is a noctuid moth described by Smith in 1906. It inhabits desert regions of the southwestern United States, specifically the Mojave and Sonoran Desert areas east of the Peninsular Range in southern California and south-central Arizona. The species is univoltine with adults active in late summer and fall, and exhibits a specialized larval association with Isocoma acredenia (burrobrush), a desert shrub in the Asteraceae family.
Schinia felicitata
Schinia felicitata is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of 27–28 mm, distributed from northern Mexico northward to southern California and southwest Utah. The larvae feed specifically on Oenothera deltoides (desert evening primrose). Like other members of the genus Schinia, adults are likely flower-visitors, though detailed behavioral observations for this species are limited.
Schistocerca shoshone
green bird grasshopper, green valley grasshopper
Schistocerca shoshone is a large grasshopper in the bird grasshopper group, recognized by its green coloration. The species exhibits notable dietary plasticity: while fundamentally polyphagous, populations have been observed specializing on single host plants including Simmondsia and Prosopis when these dominate local vegetation. Genetic differences between populations may underlie this feeding behavior variation. It ranges across southwestern North America and has been documented as far north as Colorado.
Smeringurus vachoni
Vachon's Hairy Scorpion, Vachon's Sand Scorpion
Smeringurus vachoni is a small to medium-sized burrowing scorpion endemic to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Formerly classified in Paruroctonus, it was reassigned to Smeringurus based on morphological and genetic studies. This psammophilic (sand-dwelling) species constructs shallow burrows in loose sandy substrates and is primarily nocturnal. It is distinguished by its densely setose (hairy) pedipalps and metasoma, an adaptation for sensory function in sandy environments.
Smerinthus saliceti
Salicet sphinx, Salicet Sphinx Moth
Smerinthus saliceti, commonly known as the Salicet sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1875. This medium-sized sphinx moth has a wingspan of 67–89 mm and is found in riparian habitats from Mexico City northward through western Texas, Arizona, and into extreme southern California. Adults are active from April to September, with evidence suggesting two generations per year. The species is associated with willow and other riparian vegetation.
Sparganothoides hydeana
Sparganothoides hydeana is a tortricid moth described by Klots in 1936. It belongs to the Hydeana Group, one of six monophyletic species groups recognized in the genus Sparganothoides. The species occurs in montane regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Stagmomantis gracilipes
Arizona tan mantis
Stagmomantis gracilipes, commonly called the Arizona tan mantis, is a species of praying mantis in the family Mantidae. It is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. The species was described by Rehn in 1907 and belongs to the genus Stagmomantis, which includes several other North American native mantises.
Stagmomantis limbata
bordered mantis, Arizona mantis, bosque mantis, New Mexico praying mantis
Stagmomantis limbata is one of the largest native mantids in North America, reaching approximately 3 inches in length. It exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are flightless, robust, and typically plain green or gray with a dark spot on the tegmina, while males are slender, long-winged, and capable of flight. The species is notable for female-emitted sex pheromones that attract males, with pheromone production linked to female nutritional status and receptivity. Sexual cannibalism occurs, particularly when females are food-limited.
Strigoderma pimalis
Strigoderma pimalis is a shining leaf chafer in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Casey in 1885. It belongs to a genus of small, often metallic scarabs commonly associated with flowers and low vegetation. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Superstitionia
Superstitionia is a monotypic genus of scorpions containing the single species S. donensis. It is the only genus in the family Superstitioniidae. Unlike other members of its family, which are cave-adapted and lack pigmentation and lateral eyes, S. donensis is darkly pigmented and possesses lateral eyes. The genus was established in 1940 based on specimens from the Superstition Mountains of Arizona.
Superstitioniidae
Superstitioniidae is a monotypic family of scorpions containing only the genus Superstitionia and its sole species, Superstitionia donensis. The family is endemic to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where it inhabits rocky desert environments. It was established by Stahnke in 1940 and represents one of the most taxonomically restricted lineages within Scorpiones.
Syspira
prowling spiders
Syspira is a genus of prowling spiders in the family Miturgidae, first described by Simon in 1895. These active, nocturnal hunters are characterized by their leggy appearance and body lengths of 10–18 mm. The genus occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, with highest diversity in western North America. Taxonomic revision is ongoing, with species historically placed in Clubionidae and some specimens of S. pallida potentially belonging to the unrelated genus Zorocrates.
Taedia virgulata
Taedia virgulata is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1930. The species is documented from the southwestern United States and Mexico. As a member of the genus Taedia, it belongs to a group of mirid bugs commonly associated with herbaceous vegetation. The species has been recorded in Arizona and Texas in the United States, as well as in Mexico.
Taeniopoda
horse lubbers
Taeniopoda is a genus of large, flightless grasshoppers commonly known as horse lubbers, native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. The genus contains approximately 12 described species, characterized by bold aposematic coloration that serves as warning signals to predators. Taeniopoda is closely related to Romalea, with which it can produce fertile hybrids in captivity; some authorities consider Taeniopoda a junior synonym of Romalea. Species in this genus exhibit striking defensive behaviors including hissing, secretion of foul-smelling froth, and vomiting.
Taphrocerus sulcifrons
Taphrocerus sulcifrons is a small buprestid beetle described by Fisher in 1922. The species belongs to the genus Taphrocerus, a group of minute metallic beetles often associated with sedges and other herbaceous plants in moist habitats. Based on collection records, this species occurs in both Middle America and North America. Field observations indicate adults are active in spring and early summer, with specimens collected by sweeping vegetation near water sources.
Tegrodera erosa erosa
Iron Cross Beetle
Tegrodera erosa erosa is a blister beetle (family Meloidae) endemic to southwestern North America. This large, colorful beetle occurs in dry valleys and hills of cismontane southern California and south into Baja California. Adults are active primarily in late spring and early summer, often forming immense feeding and mating aggregations. The subspecies is distinguished from the nominate form T. erosa inornata by its patterned elytra. Like other meloids, it contains cantharidin in its hemolymph, a compound toxic to mammals. The species is undergoing habitat retrenchment in southern California due to urban development.
Theatops posticus
Big-leg Centipede
Theatops posticus is a common eastern Nearctic centipede in the family Cryptopidae. It exhibits a continental distribution pattern with eastern and western populations segregated by approximately 1,200 km in Texas and New Mexico. The species has been recorded from Santa Cruz Island in the Pacific Ocean off the southern California coast. Southwestern populations show morphological variation intermediate between eastern T. posticus and the congener T. californiensis.
Theridion goodnightorum
Theridion goodnightorum is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, described by arachnologist Herbert W. Levi in 1957. The species epithet honors the husband-and-wife arachnologists Clarence and Marie Goodnight. Like other members of the genus Theridion, this species constructs irregular, three-dimensional cobwebs and possesses the characteristic comb-like bristles (setae) on the hind tarsi used to manipulate silk. The species is documented from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Thermonectus marmoratus
sunburst diving beetle, yellow-spotted diving beetle, spotted diving beetle
Thermonectus marmoratus is a small, brightly colored diving beetle native to southwestern North America and Mexico. Adults are distinguished by black elytra with yellow or golden spots and possess specialized adaptations for aquatic life, including air bubble storage beneath the wings for extended underwater respiration. The species is notable for its aposematic coloration warning of chemical defenses, and for the extraordinary visual system of its larvae—featuring bifocal lenses with dual retinas that constitute the first recorded instance of bifocal vision in the animal kingdom. Larvae are active predators with complex stemmata capable of near and far vision, polarization sensitivity, and behavioral scanning mechanisms to extend their narrow visual fields.
Ticida transversa
Ticida transversa is a species of planthopper in the family Dictyopharidae, described by Van Duzee in 1908. It belongs to the subfamily Orgeriinae, a group commonly known as dictyopharid planthoppers. The species is distributed across the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Tidesmus
Tidesmus is a genus of small-bodied millipedes in the family Macrosternodesmidae, order Polydesmida. The genus was revised in 2007, with Phreatodesmus and Oodedesmus synonymized under it. It currently contains four valid species distributed in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The type species is T. episcopus Chamberlin, 1943.
Trichiorhyssemus riparius
Trichiorhyssemus riparius is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Horn in 1871. It belongs to the tribe Psammodiini, a group commonly associated with sandy habitats. The species is known from the southwestern United States.
Trichodes peninsularis
checkered beetle
Trichodes peninsularis is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by Horn in 1894. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with two recognized subspecies: T. p. basalis and T. p. horni. Field observations document adults visiting flowers of Isocoma tenuisecta, Gutierrezia microcephala, and Hymenothrix wislizeni in the southwestern United States.
Trimerotropis modesta
Modest Grasshopper
Trimerotropis modesta is a band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, described by Bruner in 1889. It belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae, a group characterized by enlarged hind wings used in display and flight. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern North America and Mexico. Available records indicate it is among the less frequently documented Trimerotropis species, with limited published biological information.
Tylocentrus quadricornis
Tylocentrus quadricornis is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, subfamily Centrotinae, described by Funkhouser in 1919. It belongs to the tribe Platycentrini, characterized by exposed scutella and relatively unmodified pronota compared to other membracid subfamilies. The species is distributed across the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits the primitive centrotine body plan with reduced pronotal ornamentation.
Wormaldia arizonensis
Wormaldia arizonensis is a species of caddisfly in the family Philopotamidae, originally described by Ling in 1938. It belongs to the second largest genus in its family, with approximately 175 extant species worldwide. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. As with other philopotamid caddisflies, it is presumed to have aquatic larval stages and terrestrial adult stages, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Xeralictus
Xeralictus sweat bees
Xeralictus is a genus of small sweat bees in the family Halictidae, subfamily Rophitinae. The genus contains at least three described species, including X. bicuspidariae, X. biscuspidariae, and X. timberlakei. These bees are associated with desert environments in southwestern North America and exhibit specialized pollination relationships involving floral mimicry systems.
Xylotrechus sagittatus chiricahuae
Xylotrechus sagittatus chiricahuae is a subspecies of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Chemsak in 1959. As a member of the tribe Clytini, it belongs to a group of wood-boring beetles commonly known as typical longhorns. The subspecies epithet "chiricahuae" refers to the Chiricahua region, suggesting a southwestern North American distribution. Like other members of its genus, this beetle is associated with pine trees and develops in dead or dying wood.
Zagryphus nasutus
Zagryphus nasutus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Ichneumoninae. First described by Cresson in 1868, this species belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive morphological features of the clypeus. The genus Zagryphus was established by Heinrich in 1962 with Z. nasutus as the type species. Like other ichneumon wasps, it is presumed to be parasitoid, though specific host relationships remain undocumented. The species has been recorded in the southwestern United States, particularly in Arizona.