Southwestern-united-states
Guides
Acanalonia clypeata
Acanalonia clypeata is a small planthopper in the family Acanaloniidae, native to the Southwestern United States. It measures approximately 7 mm in length and 3 mm in width. The species has been documented feeding on a range of desert-adapted host plants.
Acanthochalcis unispinosa
Acanthochalcis unispinosa is a large chalcidid wasp distinguished from its congener A. nigricans by the absence of white pubescent patches on the abdomen. It ranges from Texas to California and is a known parasitoid of jewel beetles (Buprestidae), particularly species in the genus Chrysobothris. The genus is notable among chalcidids for its large body size and extraordinarily long ovipositor, adaptations for reaching wood-boring beetle larvae in their galleries.
Acinaca lurida
Acinaca lurida is a species of planthopper in the family Dictyopharidae, described by Ball and Hartzell in 1922. It belongs to the subfamily Orgeriinae, a group of planthoppers often associated with arid and semi-arid environments. The species is recorded from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, California, and New Mexico. Very little is known about its biology or ecology.
Acinopterus pulchellus
Acinopterus pulchellus is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, described by Lawson in 1927. The genus Acinopterus belongs to the tribe Acinopterini. Distribution records indicate occurrence in the southwestern United States including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. As a member of the Cicadellidae, it is presumed to feed on plant sap via piercing-sucking mouthparts, though specific host plant associations have not been documented in the provided sources.
Acmaeodera bowditchi
Acmaeodera bowditchi is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America, with documented records from the southwestern United States including Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Adults have been observed visiting flowers of various plant species, particularly in pinyon-juniper woodland and related habitats. The species was described by Fall in 1901.
Acmaeodera ligulata
Acmaeodera ligulata is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Cazier in 1940. The species is found in North America, with observations and collections documented from the southwestern United States including New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. Adults are known to visit flowers of various plant species, particularly in pinyon-juniper woodland habitats.
Acmaeodera pubiventris
Acmaeodera pubiventris is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species occurs in Central America and North America. Four subspecies have been described, with the nominate subspecies and A. p. lanata having documented flower-visiting behavior on Sphaeralcea and Helianthus species. Adults are typically collected during summer months.
Acmaeodera rubronotata
Acmaeodera rubronotata is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, distributed across Central America and North America. The species is one of numerous Acmaeodera species frequently encountered on flowers of yellow composites and other Asteraceae in arid and semi-arid regions. Field observations document adults visiting flowers of Heterotheca subaxillaris, Xanthisma gracile, Gutierrezia microcephala, and Heliomeris longifolia. The specific epithet 'rubronotata' refers to red markings on the pronotum.
Acmaeoderopsis hulli
Acmaeoderopsis hulli is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, occurring in Central America and North America. The species has been documented from mesquite-dominated habitats in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults are associated with Prosopis glandulosa (honey mesquite) and have been collected by beating branches and sweeping foliage. The genus Acmaeoderopsis is a small group within Buprestidae with limited published biological information.
Acmaeoderopsis junki
Acmaeoderopsis junki is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Théry in 1929. The species has been documented from mesquite and acacia habitats in the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona, and is also reported from Central America and North America more broadly. It is one of two recognized subspecies in the species complex, with A. j. junki and A. j. peninsularis described.
Acmaeoderopsis paravaripilis
Acmaeoderopsis paravaripilis is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Barr in 1972. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized jewel beetles characterized by their metallic coloration. The species is documented from North America, with collection records indicating presence in the southwestern United States. Like other members of Buprestidae, adults are likely associated with woody vegetation and may be collected by beating branches or sweeping flowers.
Acrolophus furcatus
Acrolophus furcatus is a small moth in the family Acrolophidae, described by Lord Walsingham in 1887. The species is known from arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern North America, with records from Arizona, California, and Texas. Like other members of the genus, it is commonly referred to as a 'grass tubeworm moth' due to larval behavior. The family Acrolophidae was historically treated as a subfamily of Tineidae but is now recognized as distinct.
Acronicta beameri
Acronicta beameri is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, first described by Todd in 1958. The species is known from the southwestern United States, with a recorded wingspan of 37–43 mm. It belongs to the genus Acronicta, commonly known as dagger moths.
Acusana generosa
Acusana generosa is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by DeLong in 1942. It belongs to the tribe Gyponini within the subfamily Iassinae. The species has been recorded from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, Colorado, and Texas. As a member of the Hemiptera, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts characteristic of true bugs.
Adanarsa intransitella
Adanarsa intransitella is a snout moth (Pyralidae: Phycitinae) and the sole species in its monotypic genus. It was originally described as Rhodophaea intransitella by Dyar in 1905, then transferred to the new genus Adanarsa by Heinrich in 1956. The species is known from the southwestern United States.
Adelpha eulalia
Arizona Sister
Adelpha eulalia, commonly known as the Arizona Sister, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the serpa species group within the genus Adelpha. The species was previously treated as a subspecies of Adelpha bredowii (Bredow's Sister), but phylogenetic studies based on morphological, geographical, and genetic evidence have established it as a distinct species.
Aethodelphax caninus
Aethodelphax caninus is a planthopper species in the family Delphacidae, originally described as Delphacodes caninus by Beamer in 1947 and transferred to the new genus Aethodelphax in 2011. It is distinguished from its seven congeneric species by its restricted distribution in the southwestern United States. The species is associated with native grassland habitats.
Agaeocera
Agaeocera is a genus of metallic wood-boring beetles in the family Buprestidae, containing three described species: A. gentilis, A. gigas, and A. scintillans. The genus was established by Saunders in 1871. Based on field observations, adults of A. gentilis have been collected from Sphaeralcea (globemallow) plants in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Agrilus malvastri
Agrilus malvastri is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Fisher in 1928. It is one of the few North American Agrilus species documented as routinely visiting flowers, specifically those of Sphaeralcea (globemallows). The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records from the southwestern United States including New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona. Unlike most Agrilus species, which are associated with woody plants, A. malvastri appears to be associated with herbaceous plants in the family Malvaceae.
Agrilus restrictus
Agrilus restrictus is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Waterhouse in 1889 and occurs in Central America and North America. Field observations indicate it is associated with oak woodlands, specifically collected by beating Emory oak (Quercus emoryi). The species appears to be uncommon and has been noted as a desirable target for collectors in the southwestern United States.
Amblyscirtes aenus megamacula
Amblyscirtes aenus megamacula is a subspecies of grass skipper in the family Hesperiidae. The broader species A. aenus, known as the Bronze Roadside-Skipper, ranges across parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The subspecies megamacula is distinguished by larger wing spots compared to the nominate subspecies. Like other members of the genus, it inhabits grassland and open habitats where larval host grasses occur.
Amblyscirtes phylace
Orange-headed Roadside-Skipper, Red-headed Roadside Skipper
Amblyscirtes phylace is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, distributed from the southwestern United States to Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of 22–29 mm and are characterized by orange or reddish coloration on the head. The species is known to feed on flower nectar as adults.
Anastoechus hessei
Anastoechus hessei is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. It occurs in the southwestern United States from California to Texas. The species was described by Hall in 1956. Its larvae are known predators of grasshopper eggs.
Aneflomorpha
Aneflomorpha is a genus of longhorn beetles in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Cerambycinae, and tribe Elaphidiini. The genus was established by Casey in 1912. Species in this genus are primarily nocturnal and have been documented in the southwestern United States and Mexico. They are associated with woody vegetation, particularly oaks and mesquites, and are frequently attracted to ultraviolet and mercury-vapor light stations.
Aneflomorpha cazieri
Aneflomorpha cazieri is a species of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) described by Chemsak in 1962. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a group of cerambycids commonly associated with woody plants. Field observations indicate adults are active in summer and have been collected from flowers of Talinum aurantiacum (orange flameflower) and Allionia incarnata (creeping four-o'clock) in Arizona.
Aneflomorpha gilana
Aneflomorpha gilana is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Thomas Casey in 1924. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a group of small to medium-sized cerambycids commonly known as flat-faced longhorns. The species name references the Gila region of the southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with woody vegetation in arid and semi-arid environments.
Anemosella nevalis
Anemosella nevalis is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It was described by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1925. The species is known from arid regions of the southwestern United States.
Anopina eleonora
Anopina eleonora is a small tortricid moth described by Obraztsov in 1962. It occurs in the southwestern United States across four states. The species is characterized by forewings measuring 7–8 mm in length. Like other members of the genus Anopina, it belongs to the tribe Cochylini within the subfamily Tortricinae.
Anopliomorpha
Anopliomorpha is a genus of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) in the tribe Elaphidiini, established by Linsley in 1936. The genus contains six described species distributed in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Species within this genus are small cerambycids that have been collected by sweeping low vegetation and are attracted to ultraviolet light.
Anopliomorpha rinconia
Anopliomorpha rinconia is a small cerambycid beetle in the tribe Elaphidiini, recorded from the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species has been documented from Arizona, where it was collected by sweeping low vegetation in canyon habitats. It is one of several small, inconspicuous elaphidiine species that are often encountered in low numbers during general collecting.
Antaeotricha thomasi
Antaeotricha thomasi is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, described by William Barnes and August Busck in 1920. It is native to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. The species is characterized by its plain, unmarked pale wings, which distinguish it from many congeners that typically display various spotting or patterning.
Antepione imitata
Antepione imitata is a geometrid moth of the subfamily Ennominae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1884. It occurs in the southwestern United States and likely extends into northern Mexico. The species is closely tied to riparian canyon habitats at elevations up to 1,830 meters. Adults exhibit a complex multi-voltine phenology with three distinct flight periods correlated with regional rainfall patterns.
Anthaxia caseyi pseudotsugae
Anthaxia caseyi pseudotsugae is a subspecies of jewel beetle (family Buprestidae) described by Chamberlin in 1928. It is distinguished from the nominate subspecies A. c. caseyi by its dark coloration rather than bright green. The subspecies has been collected in montane coniferous forests of the southwestern United States, particularly in New Mexico and Arizona, where adults are found on flowers of Rosa woodsii and other blooming plants in alpine habitats.
Anthonomus grandis thurberiae
Thurberia weevil, cotton boll weevil (Thurberia form)
Anthonomus grandis thurberiae is a subspecies of the cotton boll weevil, described by Pierce in 1913. It is distinguished from the nominate subspecies A. g. grandis primarily by its host plant association with wild cotton relatives, particularly Thurberia thespesioides, rather than cultivated cotton. The subspecies occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is treated in some literature as a distinct entity but is now generally regarded as part of the broader A. grandis species complex.
Anthrenus chiton
carpet beetle
Anthrenus chiton is a carpet beetle species in the family Dermestidae, subgenus Anthrenus. It is a small beetle native to the southwestern United States, where it occurs in Arizona, California, Colorado, and Texas. Like other members of its genus, it likely shares the typical carpet beetle biology of larval feeding on dried animal products and adult pollination behavior, though species-specific details remain poorly documented.
Anycteola
Anycteola is a monotypic moth genus in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Acronictinae. It was erected by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1929. The genus contains a single species, Anycteola fotelloides, described by Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1916.
Aphonopelma gabeli
Chiricahuan Gray Tarantula
Aphonopelma gabeli is a medium-sized tarantula species in the family Theraphosidae, native to the Chihuahuan Desert region of the southwestern United States. It is commonly known as the Chiricahuan Gray Tarantula due to its occurrence in the Chiricahua Mountains area of southeastern Arizona and adjacent regions. The species was described by Andrew M. Smith in 1995 and is considered less commonly encountered than the sympatric Texas brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi).
Apodemia nais
Nais Metalmark
Apodemia nais, commonly known as the Nais Metalmark, is a butterfly species in the family Riodinidae. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species was first described by Edwards in 1871.
Arachnis citra
Arachnis citra is a moth in the family Erebidae, described by Berthold Neumögen and Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1893. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of Arachnis picta but is now recognized as a distinct species. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and has two recognized subspecies.
Araneus illaudatus
Texas Orbweaver, Texas orb-weaver
Araneus illaudatus is a large orb-weaving spider endemic to the southwestern United States. Females are among the largest North American Araneus, reaching 25 mm in body length with a distinctive dirty white coloration and two triangular dark patches on the anterior abdomen. Males are substantially smaller at 9 mm. The species constructs typical orb webs and exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in size.
Arenochroa flavalis
Arenochroa flavalis is a small moth species and the sole member of its genus. It belongs to the family Crambidae, commonly known as grass moths. The species is found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. It was first described by Fernald in 1894, originally placed in the genus Loxostege.
Argyrotaenia burroughsi
Argyrotaenia burroughsi is a species of tortricid moth described by Obraztsov in 1961. It is known from a limited geographic range in the southwestern United States. Adult flight activity occurs in early spring and mid-summer. Like other members of the genus Argyrotaenia, it is presumed to be a leafroller moth, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Argyrotaenia coconinana
Argyrotaenia coconinana is a tortricid moth described in 2000 from the southwestern United States. The species is named for Coconino County, Arizona, where it was first collected. Adults are active during early summer, with forewing lengths of 11–13 mm in males and 11–12 mm in females. The species belongs to a genus commonly known as leafroller moths, though specific life history details for this species remain undocumented.
Argyrotaenia klotsi
Argyrotaenia klotsi is a species of tortricid moth described by Obraztsov in 1961. It is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, New Mexico, and California. Adults have forewings measuring 8–9.5 mm and are active during summer months. Like other members of the genus Argyrotaenia, it is a leafroller moth, though specific larval host plants for this species have not been documented.
Aristotelia eumeris
Aristotelia eumeris is a small moth in the twirler moth family Gelechiidae, described by Edward Meyrick in 1923. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically California and Arizona. The species has a wingspan of approximately 12 mm and exhibits distinctive wing patterning with white fasciae, blackish markings, and rosy dorsal tinging. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with specific host plants, though these remain undocumented for this particular species.
Aristotelia hexacopa
Aristotelia hexacopa is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Edward Meyrick in 1929. It belongs to the genus Aristotelia, commonly known as twirler moths. The species is documented from the southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is small and boldly patterned.
Arivaca ostreella
Arivaca ostreella is a small snout moth species described by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1887. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically from southern Arizona through New Mexico to Texas. Adults are active in July and have a wingspan of approximately 25 mm. The species belongs to the subfamily Phycitinae within the family Pyralidae.
Ateloplus
shield-backed katydids
Ateloplus is a genus of shield-backed katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, first described by Scudder in 1894. The genus contains approximately eight described species, distributed primarily in the southwestern United States. Species within this genus are characterized by their shield-like pronotum that extends over the abdomen, a trait common to the shield-backed katydid group. The genus includes the yellow shieldback (Ateloplus luteus), named for its distinctive coloration.
Ateloplus coconino
Coconino Shieldback
Ateloplus coconino is a shield-backed katydid species described by Hebard in 1935. It belongs to the family Tettigoniidae, a group commonly known as bush crickets or katydids. The species is known from the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona and California. As a member of the genus Ateloplus, it possesses the characteristic shield-like pronotum that extends backward over the abdomen, a trait that gives these insects their common name.
Atrytonopsis
Atrytonopsis is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. The genus contains approximately 14 described species, including the dusted skipper, moon-marked skipper, and white-barred skipper. One notable population occurs in an isolated insular sand dune habitat off the North Carolina coast, representing a significant disjunct distribution from the main range. Species within this genus are generally associated with open habitats and riparian corridors.