Southwestern-united-states
Guides
Decarthron discolor
ant-loving beetle
Decarthron discolor is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, specifically within the ant-associated subfamily Pselaphinae. The species was described by Brendel in 1890 and is recorded from the southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is classified as an "ant-loving beetle" due to its ecological association with ant colonies.
Decaturia pectinalis
Decaturia pectinalis is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It is the sole species in the genus Decaturia, which was established by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1912. The species is found in the southwestern United States, ranging from California to southern Arizona. The genus name honors Barnes's hometown of Decatur, Illinois.
Deraeocoris manitou
Deraeocoris manitou is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Van Duzee in 1920. It belongs to a large genus of predatory mirid bugs found primarily in North America. The species has been recorded from Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona in the southwestern United States.
Deserta obesa
Deserta obesa is a species of planthopper in the family Dictyopharidae, first described by Ball in 1909. It belongs to the subfamily Orgeriinae, a group commonly known as orgeriine planthoppers that are typically associated with arid and semi-arid environments. The species has been documented from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and Utah.
Diastictis sperryorum
Diastictis sperryorum is a small crambid moth with a wingspan of 22–25 mm, characterized by brown wings with scattered white dots. First described by Canadian entomologist Eugene Munroe in 1956, this species is primarily found in California with scattered records across the southwestern United States. Adults are active from February through August.
Dineutus sublineatus
whirligig beetle
Dineutus sublineatus is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae, found in Central America and the Southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it possesses two separate pairs of compound eyes—one pair viewing above and one below the water surface—an adaptation for simultaneous aerial and underwater vision. Neuroanatomical studies have shown this species exhibits a unique sensory modality switch: its mushroom body calyces, brain structures typically associated with olfactory processing in insects, receive exclusive visual input from the dorsal eye optic lobes rather than olfactory input.
Dioryctria baumhoferi
Dioryctria baumhoferi is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Carl Heinrich in 1956. The species is known from Arizona and California in the southwestern United States. Larvae feed on twigs of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). The species belongs to a genus commonly referred to as coneworm moths, though the specific feeding habits of D. baumhoferi on twigs rather than cones distinguishes it from some congeners.
Diplocentrus
Toothed Scorpions
Diplocentrus is a genus of scorpions in the family Diplocentridae, commonly known as toothed scorpions. The genus contains more than 60 described species distributed primarily in Central America, Mexico, and the southwestern United States. Species in this genus are characterized by their elongated pedipalps and distinctive tooth-like structures on the chelicerae. The genus includes both mainland and island-dwelling species, with documented occurrences in the Chisos Mountains of Texas and Islas de la Bahía in Honduras.
Diplotaxis pumila
Diplotaxis pumila is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Fall in 1909. It belongs to the genus Diplotaxis, a group of chafers known for their nocturnal aggregation behavior on vegetation where males intercept female pheromone trails. The species is documented from the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona. Like other members of its genus, it is likely attracted to lights at night and may be active during summer months following rainfall events.
Dixianus utahnus
Dixianus utahnus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. The species was described by Ball in 1909 and is native to the southwestern United States. It belongs to the tribe Opsiini within the leafhopper subfamily Deltocephalinae. The specific epithet 'utahnus' refers to Utah, the type locality of the species.
Doleranus lucidus
Doleranus lucidus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, and tribe Pendarini. It was first described by Baker in 1895. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and has been documented in Arizona, California, and New Mexico. As a member of the Auchenorrhyncha, it is a true bug with piercing-sucking mouthparts adapted for feeding on plant vascular fluids.
Drasteria eubapta
Drasteria eubapta is a moth in the family Erebidae, described by Hampson in 1926. It is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and California. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 31 mm. The species shows bimodal adult activity, with records from early spring (March–April) and early autumn (September).
Drasteria inepta
Inept Drasteria, Inept Graphic
Drasteria inepta is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Edwards in 1881. It is a medium-sized moth with a wingspan of 35–43 mm. Adults are active from spring through summer across the southwestern United States.
Driotura vittata
Driotura vittata is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Ball in 1903. It belongs to the tribe Chiasmini within the subfamily Deltocephalinae. The species is native to the southwestern United States and has been recorded from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas.
Efferia mesquite
Mesquite robber fly
Efferia mesquite is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Bromley in 1951. The species epithet "mesquite" suggests an association with mesquite trees (Prosopis spp.), which serve as perching and hunting substrates for adults. Like other Efferia species, it is a predatory fly that captures other insects in flight. The genus Efferia is part of a complex of robber flies formerly grouped under Efferia but now split into several genera including Efferia sensu stricto and Triorla.
Efferia mortensoni
Portal Hammertail
Efferia mortensoni is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1966. It is known by the common name "Portal Hammertail." Like other members of the genus Efferia, this species is a predatory dipteran that likely hunts other insects. The species name suggests a connection to the Portal area in southeastern Arizona, a region well-known among entomologists for its exceptional biodiversity. Robber flies in this genus are typically active during daylight hours and are often observed perching on vegetation or the ground while hunting.
Efferia slossonae
Scrub Hammertail
Efferia slossonae is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Hine in 1919. It belongs to the diverse genus Efferia, a group of predatory flies distributed primarily in the Americas. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, with observations concentrated in Texas and surrounding regions. Like other robber flies, it is an aerial predator that captures other insects in flight.
Efferia tagax
Arizona Club-legged Hammertail
Efferia tagax is a robber fly species in the family Asilidae, first described by Williston in 1885. It occurs in the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona, where it has been recorded at mercury-vapor lights in juniper chaparral habitat. The species belongs to a diverse genus of predatory flies commonly known as club-legged hammertails. Like other Efferia species, it likely exhibits typical robber fly predatory behavior, ambushing and capturing other insects in flight.
Elytroleptus divisus
Elytroleptus divisus is a longhorned beetle species in the family Cerambycidae, originally described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1884. The species was previously known as Elytroleptus dichromaticus until that name was synonymized with E. divisus in a 2013 taxonomic revision. The species exhibits intraspecific polychromatic variation in coloration. Like other members of its genus, E. divisus is a lycid beetle mimic, displaying orange and black coloration that resembles the aposematic warning coloration of distasteful net-winged beetles (family Lycidae). The genus Elytroleptus is distributed throughout the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America, with most species occurring in arid and semi-arid regions.
Elytroleptus ignitus
Elytroleptus ignitus is a longhorned beetle species in the family Cerambycidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1884. The species was revised taxonomically in 2013, with E. luteicollis synonymized under this name. It is one of three Elytroleptus species documented as predaceous on lycid beetles (family Lycidae), which it also mimics in appearance. The genus occurs in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America.
Erythridula amabilis
Erythridula amabilis is a small leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by McAtee in 1924. It belongs to the diverse tribe Erythroneurini, which contains many colorful microleafhoppers. The species is documented from limited observations, primarily in the southwestern United States.
Ethmia apicipunctella
Ethmia apicipunctella is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, found in southwestern North America and adjacent Mexico. The species is characterized by variable black spotting on white or pale gray forewings and whitish hindwings with brownish tinging toward the apical area. Adults are active from March to July. The genus Ethmia was formerly placed in Coleophoridae but is now classified in Depressariidae.
Ethmia epileuca
Ethmia epileuca is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae). It is restricted to the southwestern United States, occurring in southern California and Tucson, Arizona. Adults are active in late winter and early spring, with flight period from February through April. The species exhibits distinctive wing patterning with a straight longitudinal line dividing brown or gray-brown upper and white lower forewing areas.
Ethmia umbrimarginella
Ethmia umbrimarginella is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, first described by Busck in 1907. It is found in the southwestern United States, specifically in southern Arizona and New Mexico. The species is characterized by its distinctive wing pattern: dark slate gray forewings with a dirty white costal edge, and white hindwings with a broad dark gray margin. Adults have been recorded in February.
Euchaetes perlevis
Euchaetes perlevis is a small moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. It is known from the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Very little is documented about its biology beyond basic taxonomic and distributional records.
Eulithosia
Eulithosia is a genus of noctuid moths erected by Henry Edwards in 1884. The genus contains five described species distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Taxonomic status remains contested, with some authorities treating it as a synonym of Antaplaga or Cirrhophanus, while others maintain it as valid. Species occur in arid and semi-arid regions of Arizona, California, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, and northern Mexico.
Eupackardia
Eupackardia is a monotypic moth genus in the family Saturniidae, containing a single species, Eupackardia calleta (the calleta silkmoth). The genus was erected by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1912. The sole species is notable for its striking black-and-white wing pattern with red thoracic markings, and its caterpillars possess bright aposematic coloration with chemical defenses.
Eupithecia adequata
Eupithecia adequata is a small geometrid moth described by Pearsall in 1910. It belongs to the diverse 'pug' genus Eupithecia, characterized by narrow wings and a distinctive resting posture. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and has been documented as a nocturnal visitor to apple flowers, contributing to pollination services.
Eupithecia albimontanata
Eupithecia albimontanata is a small moth in the family Geometridae, commonly known as a 'pug' moth due to its narrow wings and characteristic resting posture. The species was described by McDunnough in 1940 and is found in the southwestern United States. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 19 mm. Like other Eupithecia species, it has been observed visiting flowers at night.
Eupithecia carneata
Eupithecia carneata is a small geometrid moth in the genus Eupithecia, commonly known as 'pug' moths. First described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1946, this species is known from a limited geographic range in the southwestern United States. Adults are active in late summer and have been documented visiting apple flowers at night, contributing to nocturnal pollination services.
Eupithecia catalinata
Eupithecia catalinata is a small geometrid moth described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1944. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. The species has a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Adults are active during July and August.
Eupithecia edna
Eupithecia edna is a small geometrid moth first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1896. It occurs in the southwestern United States, with documented records from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. Adults are active from May through September and have a wingspan of approximately 17–22 mm.
Eupithecia flavigutta
Eupithecia flavigutta is a small moth in the family Geometridae, first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1896. It is restricted to montane forest habitats in the southwestern United States, specifically Colorado, eastern Arizona, and southwestern New Mexico. The species has a wingspan of 16–20 mm. Members of the genus Eupithecia, commonly called 'pug' moths, are recognized by their narrow wings and distinctive resting posture.
Eupithecia herefordaria
Hereford's eupithecia
Eupithecia herefordaria, known as Hereford's eupithecia, is a small moth in the family Geometridae. It is restricted to south-eastern Arizona in the United States. Adults are active in early spring and have forewings measuring 9–10.5 mm in length. Like other Eupithecia species, it has been documented visiting flowers and may contribute to nocturnal pollination.
Eupithecia huachuca
Eupithecia huachuca is a species of pug moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Grossbeck in 1908. The species is endemic to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona and Texas. Its specific epithet references the Huachuca Mountains in southeastern Arizona, one of its documented localities. The species belongs to the large genus Eupithecia, whose members are commonly known as pugs due to their small size and distinctive resting posture with wings held flat and narrow.
Eupithecia mystiata
Eupithecia mystiata is a small moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Samuel E. Cassino in 1925. It belongs to the large genus Eupithecia, commonly known as 'pug' moths due to their distinctive narrow wings and resting posture. The species has been documented as a nocturnal visitor to apple flowers, contributing to nighttime pollination services. Adults are active in early spring.
Eupithecia neomexicana
Eupithecia neomexicana is a small pug moth in the family Geometridae described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1946. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically western New Mexico and Arizona. Adults are active in late summer, with flight records from late August to early September. The species belongs to a large genus of over 1400 species worldwide, commonly known as pugs for their compact resting posture.
Eupithecia owenata
Eupithecia owenata is a small moth in the family Geometridae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1944. It belongs to the large genus Eupithecia, commonly known as pug moths. The species is restricted to the southwestern United States and has been documented visiting apple flowers, contributing to nocturnal pollination services.
Eupithecia persimulata
Eupithecia persimulata is a small geometrid moth in the genus Eupithecia, commonly known as "pugs." It is found in the southwestern United States, specifically in south-western Texas and Arizona. The species has a wingspan of approximately 18 mm. Adults are active in August and have been documented visiting apple flowers, contributing to nocturnal pollination services.
Eupithecia quakerata
Eupithecia quakerata is a small moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Pearsall in 1909. It is known from the southwestern United States, with records from Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The species has a wingspan of approximately 18 mm and belongs to the large genus Eupithecia, commonly known as 'pug' moths.
Eupithecia sinuata
Eupithecia sinuata is a small moth in the family Geometridae described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1946. The species is known only from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. Its wingspan measures approximately 23 mm. As a member of the genus Eupithecia, commonly called "pugs," it shares the characteristic narrow wings and distinctive resting posture typical of this diverse group of inchworm moths.
Eurema boisduvaliana
Boisduval's Yellow
Eurema boisduvaliana, commonly known as Boisduval's yellow, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is found from Costa Rica north to Mexico, with regular seasonal migration to southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and southern Texas. Rare strays have been recorded in southern Florida. The species inhabits subtropical forests, forest edges, scrublands, roadsides, and pastures.
Eutettix aequalis
Eutettix aequalis is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, and tribe Platymetopiini. First described by Hepner in 1942, this species is currently accepted in taxonomic databases including GBIF, though Catalogue of Life lists it as a synonym. The genus Eutettix belongs to the diverse leafhopper fauna of North America. Records indicate occurrence in the southwestern United States including Arizona, Colorado, and Utah.
Eutettix planus
Eutettix planus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Hepner in 1942. It belongs to the subfamily Deltocephalinae and tribe Platymetopiini. The species is known from arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Eutettix, it is likely associated with desert and grassland vegetation, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in the literature.
Evergestis eurekalis
Evergestis eurekalis is a moth species in the family Crambidae, subfamily Evergestinae. It was described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1914. The species is known from the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona, California, and Utah. Like other members of the genus Evergestis, it is a small to medium-sized crambid moth, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Filatima depuratella
Filatima depuratella is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of approximately 17 mm. It is known from limited records in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. The species was described by Busck in 1910 and is distinguished by its distinctive wing pattern featuring blackish markings on a pale background.
Flatormenis saucia
Flatormenis saucia is a species of planthopper in the family Flatidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1912. The species belongs to the tribe Siphantini within the subfamily Flatinae. Planthoppers in this family are commonly known as flatid planthoppers and are recognized by their broad, flattened bodies and often waxy or powdery appearance. Flatormenis saucia is documented from the southwestern United States and adjacent regions.
Flexamia arizonensis
Flexamia arizonensis is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Young & Beirne in 1958. It belongs to the genus Flexamia, a group of leafhoppers characterized by strong host-plant specificity, with most species dependent on particular grass species. The species is known from the southwestern United States and adjacent regions.
Fotella notalis
Fotella notalis is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, first described by Grote in 1882. It is endemic to arid regions of the southwestern United States, with documented occurrences in western Texas, Arizona, California, and Nevada. The species is associated exclusively with dry desert habitats.
Fowlerium productum
Fowlerium productum is a planthopper species in the family Issidae, native to the Southwestern United States. It was originally described as Thionia producta by Van Duzee in 1908 before being transferred to the genus Fowlerium. Like other issid planthoppers, it is a small, often cryptically colored insect associated with arid and semi-arid environments.