Southwestern-united-states
Guides
Autumnimiris albescens
Autumnimiris albescens is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Van Duzee in 1925. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Autumnimiris, it is associated with autumn activity periods, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Bakerella fusca
Bakerella fusca is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Beamer in 1945. It belongs to the superfamily Delphacoidea within the order Hemiptera. The species has been recorded from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. As a delphacid planthopper, it likely shares general ecological traits with related species in the family, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Blaisdelliana sexualis
Pitch Lady Beetle
Blaisdelliana sexualis is a minute lady beetle (family Coccinellidae) found in the southwestern United States. Adults measure approximately 1.25–1.78 mm in length. The species has been recorded from California and Arizona, where it inhabits arid and semi-arid environments. Little is known of its biology beyond basic morphological description.
Brachys barberi
Brachys barberi is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species is associated with oak hosts, particularly Quercus havardii (shin oak), and has been collected from sand dune habitats in the southwestern United States. Adults are active during spring and early summer, with observations and collections spanning from May to June. The species is part of the genus Brachys, a group of oak-associated buprestids that are typically collected by sweeping or beating foliage of host trees.
Brumoides histrio
Lepine Lady Beetle
Brumoides histrio is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as the Lepine Lady Beetle. Adults measure 2.75–4.0 mm in length. The species is native to North America, with documented records from Utah to Arizona and southern California. Its color pattern resembles that of the related species Brumoides septentrionis.
Callistege diagonalis
Callistege diagonalis is a small moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Harrison Dyar in 1898. It is known from the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona and New Mexico. The species has a wingspan of approximately 28 mm. It belongs to a genus of underwing-like moths whose members are often characterized by distinctive wing patterns.
Callistege triangula
Callistege triangula is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described in 1918. It occurs in the southwestern United States, with documented records from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Adults are active during late summer, with flight records from August to September. The species has a wingspan of approximately 30 mm.
Callophrys fotis
Desert Elfin, Early Elfin, Fotis Hairstreak, Strecker's Elfin, Arizona Gray Elfin
Callophrys fotis is a small gossamer-winged butterfly native to the southwestern United States. It has a wingspan of 19–28 millimeters. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions across six states, from southeastern California to northwestern New Mexico. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate C. f. fotis and C. f. mojavensis described by Austin in 1998.
Callophrys xami
Xami Hairstreak, Green Hairstreak, Elfin
Callophrys xami is a small lycaenid butterfly with a wingspan of 2.38–2.86 cm, recognized by the distinctive W-shaped postmedian white line on its yellowish-green hindwing underside. Males defend territories for mating, and the species exhibits complex sexual behavior involving a 'false head' wing pattern that deflects predator attacks. The butterfly is associated with Crassulaceae host plants, particularly Echeveria and Sedum species.
Camponotus microps
Camponotus microps is a species of carpenter ant described by Roy Snelling in 2006. It was separated from the Camponotus festinatus species complex based on distinct morphological characteristics. The species is native to the southwestern United States and north-central Mexico.
Camponotus ocreatus
Carpenter ant
Camponotus ocreatus is a species of carpenter ant in the genus Camponotus, first described by Emery in 1893. It is native to arid and semi-arid regions of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Like other members of the genus, it nests in wood and maintains colonies with polymorphic worker castes.
Capnobotes arizonensis
Arizona longwing
Capnobotes arizonensis, commonly known as the Arizona longwing, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. The species was first described by Rehn in 1904 under the basionym Drymadusa arizonensis. It is native to southwestern North America, with documented occurrences in Arizona, California, and Nevada. As a member of the shield-backed katydid group, it belongs to a lineage characterized by their distinctive pronotal morphology.
Carmenta tildeni
Carmenta tildeni is a small clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, described by Thomas D. Eichlin in 1995. It is native to the southwestern United States (Arizona and southern Texas) and Mexico. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size, with females notably smaller than males. As a member of the clearwing moth genus Carmenta, it likely possesses reduced wing scaling that creates a wasp-like appearance, though specific behavioral and ecological details remain poorly documented.
Catocala andromache
Andromache Underwing
Catocala andromache, the Andromache Underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. It belongs to the genus Catocala, commonly known as underwing moths, which are characterized by their cryptic forewings and brightly colored hindwings. The species is found in the southwestern United States, specifically from southern California to Arizona. Like other underwings, it exhibits the genus's namesake trait of concealing its vibrant hindwings beneath dull forewings at rest.
Catocala frederici
Catocala frederici is a species of underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1872. It belongs to the genus Catocala, a diverse group of moths known for their cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and is active during the summer months.
Catocala retecta-luctuosa
Retecta Underwing, Luctuosa Underwing
Catocala retecta-luctuosa is a species of underwing moth in the genus Catocala, family Erebidae. Like other underwing moths, it is characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings. The species is part of a diverse North American radiation of Catocala moths, many of which are challenging to distinguish without close examination. Its specific epithet reflects historical taxonomic treatment as a complex or related forms.
Cephalocyclus luteolus
Cephalocyclus luteolus is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It is native to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. The species was described by George Henry Horn in 1887. Like other members of the genus Cephalocyclus, it belongs to the dung beetle tribe Aphodiini, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Ceratagallia lobata
Ceratagallia lobata is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Oman in 1933. It belongs to the tribe Agalliini, a group of small, often host-specific leafhoppers. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with herbaceous or shrubby vegetation, though specific host plants remain undocumented.
Ceratagallia pallida
Ceratagallia pallida is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, originally described by Oman in 1933. The species has been reclassified under the genus Aceratagallia in some taxonomic treatments, creating nomenclatural confusion in the literature. It is recorded from arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States. As with many leafhoppers, detailed biological information remains limited.
Ceratagallia tergata
Ceratagallia tergata is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1923. It belongs to the subfamily Megophthalminae and tribe Agalliini. The species has been recorded in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Chaetocnema minuta
Chaetocnema minuta is a Nearctic flea beetle in the subfamily Alticinae. Historically associated with grasses, it has been recently documented causing economic damage to turfgrass in the southwestern United States, including perennial ryegrass and hybrid bermudagrass. The species is among the smallest flea beetles in North America, with adults measuring approximately 1–1.6 mm in length.
Chalcolepidius smaragdinus
A large click beetle species in the family Elateridae, notable for its striking metallic green coloration. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona, where it has been observed on desert vegetation including Baccharis sarothroides and Prosopis glandulosa. Adults are active during the summer months and are sometimes attracted to blacklights.
Charhyphus arizonensis
A small rove beetle species in the subfamily Phloeocharinae, described from Arizona in 1972. Like other members of Staphylinidae, it exhibits the characteristic short elytra that leave much of the abdomen exposed. The genus Charhyphus contains few described species, and C. arizonensis appears restricted to the southwestern United States.
Chauliognathus profundus
Chauliognathus profundus is a soldier beetle (family Cantharidae) distributed across Central and North America. It has been documented in the southwestern United States, particularly in Arizona, where it occurs in montane and canyon habitats. The species has been observed feeding on other insects, including predation on conspecifics and related cantharid species.
Chionodes abdominella
Chionodes abdominella is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of 9–10 mm, found in the southwestern United States. The species is characterized by distinctive black and white forewing patterning with triangular costal markings. It has been recorded from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Nevada.
Chionodes meddix
Chionodes meddix is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1999. The species is known from arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States. As with many Chionodes species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Chionodes naevus
Chionodes naevus is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, first described by Hodges in 1999. The species is known from a limited number of records in the southwestern United States. Very little biological information has been published for this species.
Chlosyne fulvia
Fulvia checkerspot
Chlosyne fulvia, the Fulvia checkerspot, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The species ranges from the southwestern United States (Kansas, Colorado, southern Utah, Arizona) south to central Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of 32–50 mm and feed on flower nectar. The larvae are specialized feeders on Castilleja species, particularly Castillega integra and Castilleja lanata.
Chrysina beyeri
Beyer's scarab, Beyer's jewel scarab
Chrysina beyeri, commonly known as Beyer's scarab or Beyer's jewel scarab, is a species of shining leaf chafer in the family Scarabaeidae. This bright green beetle is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with records from southeastern Arizona, Texas, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora. The species is known to come to mercury-vapor and ultraviolet lights at night in oak/juniper woodland habitats.
Chrysobothris humilis
Chrysobothris humilis is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species exhibits striking sexual dichromatism, with males and females displaying different coloration patterns. It has been documented in mesquite-dominated habitats in the southwestern United States. The species appears to be uncommonly encountered and is associated with Prosopis glandulosa (honey mesquite).
Chrysobothris octocola
Chrysobothris octocola is a metallic wood-boring beetle (family Buprestidae) native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is strongly associated with mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), where adults are found on dead or stressed branches and larvae develop in the wood. It represents a notable range extension into Oklahoma, where it was first documented in 2012. The species exhibits fall adult activity and has been collected in association with juniper in some areas, though mesquite remains the primary documented host.
Cibolacris parviceps
Cream Grasshopper
Cibolacris parviceps, commonly known as the cream grasshopper, is a small grasshopper species in the family Acrididae. It inhabits arid and semi-arid environments of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The species is notable for its cryptic, stone-like coloration that provides effective camouflage in desert habitats. It overwinters as nymphs rather than eggs, an uncommon trait among North American grasshoppers.
Cisthene martini
Martin's Lichen Moth
Cisthene martini, known as Martin's Lichen Moth, is a small erebid moth described by Carroll B. Knowlton in 1967. It is restricted to the southwestern United States, occurring in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The species is one of approximately 40 members of the genus Cisthene in North America, a group commonly referred to as lichen moths due to their typical association with lichen-dominated habitats and cryptic coloration patterns.
Cisthene picta
Pictured Lichen Moth
Cisthene picta is a small lichen moth in the family Erebidae, described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1918. Adults are active from August to October in desert habitats of the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 18 mm.
Clastoptera distincta
Dwarf Mistletoe Spittlebug
Clastoptera distincta is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, described by Doering in 1929. It is known by the common name "Dwarf Mistletoe Spittlebug," indicating an association with dwarf mistletoe plants. The species occurs in the southwestern United States, with documented records from Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Like other members of Clastopteridae, the nymphs produce spittle masses for protection.
Coelella distincta
Coelella distincta is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Neocoelidiinae. The species was originally described as Neocoelidia distincta by Oman in 1931 and later transferred to the genus Coelella. It is known from the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. As a member of the Auchenorrhyncha, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts and is likely associated with woody or herbaceous vegetation typical of arid and semi-arid regions.
Collops necopinus
Collops necopinus is a soft-winged flower beetle in the family Melyridae. Like other members of the genus Collops, it is a predatory beetle that feeds on small arthropods. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, including New Mexico, and is associated with flowering plants where it hunts prey. Collops beetles are recognized as beneficial natural enemies in agricultural systems, particularly in cotton production.
Collops nigriceps
Eastern Coastal Collops
Collops nigriceps is a soft-winged flower beetle (family Melyridae) with a documented preference for flowers of Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed) in the southwestern United States. The species has been collected in northeastern New Mexico and has been observed in association with other flower-visiting beetles including cerambycids and cantharids. As a member of the genus Collops, it likely functions as a generalist predator in flower-based arthropod communities.
Comadia dolli
Comadia dolli is a small moth in the family Cossidae (carpenter or goat moths), first described by William Barnes and Foster Hendrickson Benjamin in 1923. It is known from the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico. Adults are active during the summer months from May through August. The species is one of several in the genus Comadia, which are generally associated with desert and aridland habitats.
Comadia subterminata
Comadia subterminata is a cossid moth first described in 1923 from southwestern North America. Adults are active from May to July. Sexual dimorphism is evident in forewing length, with males measuring 13–18 mm and females 19–21 mm. The species is known from only four U.S. states and remains poorly studied.
Copestylum apiciferum
Copestylum apiciferum is a species of syrphid fly in the hoverfly family Syrphidae. It belongs to a diverse genus of neotropical and nearctic flower-visiting flies commonly known as bromeliad flies. The species has been documented in 541 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-observed among syrphid enthusiasts. As with other members of its genus, adults likely visit flowers for nectar and pollen.
Cosipara modulalis
Cosipara modulalis is a small crambid moth described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1972. It is known from a limited distribution in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and Colorado. The species has a wingspan of approximately 20 mm and appears to be active during mid-summer.
Cremastocheilus constricticollis
Cremastocheilus constricticollis is a species of anteater scarab beetle native to the southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is a myrmecophile that lives within ant colonies as a predator of ant larvae and pupae. The species exhibits specialized morphological adaptations including a dense, heavily armored exoskeleton and modified mouthparts for piercing soft ant cuticle. Adults are known to employ death-feigning behavior to gain entry to ant nests. The species was described by Cazier in 1940 and is among roughly 35 recognized North American species in this genus, which is currently undergoing taxonomic revision.
Cuerna alta
Cuerna alta is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Oman and Beamer in 1944. It belongs to the tribe Proconiini, a group known for their relatively large size and robust build among leafhoppers. The species is documented from the southwestern United States, specifically New Mexico and Texas. Like other members of the genus Cuerna, it is presumed to feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts, though specific host plant associations for this species remain poorly documented.
Cuerna balli
Cuerna balli is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Oman and Beamer in 1944. It belongs to the genus Cuerna, which is placed in the tribe Proconiini. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. A comparative developmental biology study of Cuerna arida and C. balli was conducted in Arizona, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Cuerna obesa
Cuerna obesa is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Oman & Beamer in 1944. It belongs to the tribe Proconiini, a group of relatively large and robust leafhoppers. The species is recorded from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Like other members of its genus, it likely feeds on plant vascular fluids using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Cyclocephala pasadenae
Southwestern Masked Chafer, Pasadena Masked Chafer
Cyclocephala pasadenae, commonly known as the southwestern masked chafer or Pasadena masked chafer, is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. Native to southwestern North America, it is one of several masked chafer species whose larvae are significant pests of turfgrass. The species is tan or auburn in color, approximately 13 mm in length, with some patterning on the elytra. Along with its congener Cyclocephala hirta, it is locally abundant in the Los Angeles basin.
Cyrtolobus acutus
Cyrtolobus acutus is a Nearctic treehopper species in the tribe Smiliini, first described from the southwestern United States in 1908. The genus Cyrtolobus comprises approximately 15 species distributed primarily in eastern and southwestern North America, characterized by their distinctive pronotal morphology. This species represents one of the less commonly encountered members of the genus, with specimen records indicating sporadic occurrence across arid and semi-arid regions.
Cyrtolobus frigidus
Cyrtolobus frigidus is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, tribe Smiliini. It is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Utah and Arizona. Like other members of its genus, it possesses the enlarged, often elaborately shaped pronotum characteristic of treehoppers. The specific epithet 'frigidus' may refer to habitat associations with cooler or higher elevation environments, though this has not been explicitly documented.
Dasychira mescalera
Dasychira mescalera is a species of tussock moth in the family Erebidae, described by Alexander Douglas Campbell Ferguson in 1977 (published 1978). It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically in New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado. The species belongs to the genus Dasychira, a group of moths characterized by prominent tufted setae on their larvae.