Southwestern-united-states
Guides
Pionenta ochreata
Pionenta ochreata is a small geometrid moth found in the southwestern United States. The species was originally described by Hulst in 1898 and later transferred to the genus Pionenta when that genus was erected to accommodate species formerly placed in Antepione. Adults fly during late spring and summer months.
Plagiostira albonotata
white-marked shieldback
Plagiostira albonotata, commonly known as the white-marked shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is a large, robust katydid found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species is characterized by distinctive white markings on its body. Observations indicate activity during summer months in desert and semi-desert habitats.
shield-backed-katydidOrthopteraTettigoniidaedesertsouthwestern-United-Statesnocturnalbrachypterouskatydidinsectarid-habitatyucca-associationsummer-activitywhite-markingslarge-body-sizePlagiostiriniTettigoniinaeNew-MexicoArizonaUtahwest-Texassand-dunesdesert-scrubcrepuscularlimited-flightScudder-1876Plagiostira-albonotatawhite-marked-shieldbackEnsiferaTettigoniideaTettigonioideaHexapodaArthropodaInsectaAnimaliaEukaryotaMetazoagrasshoppers,-crickets-&-katydidsPlagiostira28-observationsiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBI-TaxonomyWikipediaBeetles-In-The-Bush2018-New-Mexico/Texas-Insect-Collecting-TripTed-C.-MacRaeJeff-HuetherJune-2–9,-2018southeastern-New-MexicoMescalero-Sand-DunesKermit,-TexasHwy-380San-AntonioBinghamSandia-MountainsWalking-Sands-Rest-AreaValley-of-Fire-National-Recreation-AreaSierra-Blanca-MountainsSunset,-New-MexicoHobbs,-New-MexicoKermit-Sand-DunesI-10-Rest-AreaFabens,-TexasCarlsbad,-New-MexicoLoco-Hills,-New-MexicoCarrizozo,-New-MexicoBingham,-New-MexicoSocorro,-New-MexicoThe-BoxyuccaProsopis-glandulosamesquiteOpuntia-imbricatachollaJuniperus-monospermajuniperSapindus-drummondiisoapberryAcacia-greggiicatclaw-acaciaAcacia-rigidablack-acaciaThelespermaDaleaPenstemonRobiniaCeltisGaillardiaOenetheraBaccharisSphaeralceaEphedraCacamacactus-dodger-cicadaTragidion-armatumPrionus-arenariusPrionus-palparisPrionus-integerPolyphyllaMoneilemacactus-beetleGyascutusAcmaeoderaChrysobothrisAgrilusEnoclerusActenodesParatyndarisAcmaeoderopsisBrachysNeoclytusCleridaeCerambycidaeBuprestidaeScarabaeidaeCarabidaeTenebrionidaeMeloidaeCoreidaePompilidaetarantula-hawkCicindelidaeCylindera-lemniscatatiger-beetleLycaenidaeBrephidium-exiliswestern-pygmy-blueEchinargus-isolaReakirt's-blueshieldbackdesert-insectnocturnal-insectbrachypterous-insectsummer-insectarid-land-insectyucca-associated-insectNew-Mexico-insectArizona-insectUtah-insectTexas-insectsouthwestern-US-insectNorth-American-insectNearctic-insectTettigoniidae-insectOrthoptera-insectEnsifera-insectTettigoniinae-insectPlagiostirini-insectPlagiostira-insectP.-albonotatawhite-marked-shieldback-katydidgiant-katydidlarge-katydiddesert-katydidsand-dune-katydidyucca-katydidnocturnal-katydidbrachypterous-katydidsummer-katydidScudder's-katydid1876-katydidOrthopterankatydid-speciesshieldback-speciesTettigoniidae-speciesPlagiostira-speciesdesert-speciesarid-speciesnocturnal-speciesbrachypterous-speciessummer-speciesNew-Mexico-speciesArizona-speciesUtah-speciesTexas-speciessouthwestern-US-speciesNorth-American-speciesNearctic-speciesPlatynota blanchardi
Platynota blanchardi is a small tortricid moth species described in 2012. It is known only from the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona and Texas. The species has a wingspan of 19–20 mm. Like other members of the genus Platynota, it is likely a leafroller caterpillar in its larval stage, though specific host plant associations remain undocumented.
Platynota larreana
Platynota larreana is a species of tortricid moth found in the southwestern United States, ranging from the Mojave Desert in California to western Arizona. It was described by Comstock in 1939 and was originally placed in the genus Sparganothis before being transferred to Platynota. Very little is known about the biology of this species compared to other members of the genus.
Platynota yumana
Platynota yumana is a small moth species in the family Tortricidae, commonly known as leafroller moths. It is known only from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and California. The species has a wingspan of approximately 15 mm. Like other members of its genus, it likely has larvae that feed on plant material, though specific host records for this species are not documented.
Platyoplus gilaensis
Gila Shieldback
Platyoplus gilaensis, commonly known as the Gila Shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is the sole described species in the monotypic genus Platyoplus. The species was described by Tinkham in 1973 and is known from the southwestern United States.
Pocadius basalis
Pocadius basalis is a species of sap beetle in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Schaeffer in 1911. The species is documented from the southwestern United States, with recent records extending its known range. As a member of Nitidulidae, it belongs to a family commonly associated with fermenting or decaying plant materials, though species-specific biology remains poorly documented.
Poecilanthrax effrenus
Poecilanthrax effrenus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, subfamily Anthracinae, tribe Villini. The species was described by Coquillett in 1887. It has been documented in the southwestern United States, particularly in Texas. The genus Poecilanthrax comprises predatory bee flies whose larvae develop as parasitoids or predators of other insects.
Pogonomyrmex colei
Pogonomyrmex colei is a workerless inquiline ant species in the subfamily Myrmicinae. It is a permanent social parasite that lacks a worker caste entirely, with only reproductive queens and males present. The species is native to the southwestern United States, where it parasitizes nests of the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex rugosus. Its genome has been sequenced to study the genetic mechanisms underlying the evolutionary loss of the worker caste.
Ponana curiata
Ponana curiata is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Iassinae, and tribe Gyponini. First described by Gibson in 1919, this species is known from the southwestern United States. The taxonomic status of this name has been treated differently across sources, with Catalogue of Life listing it as a synonym while GBIF treats it as accepted. Records indicate presence in Arizona and California.
Prairiana moneta
Prairiana moneta is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, tribe Gyponini, described by Van Duzee in 1923. It is a member of the Nearctic fauna with documented occurrence in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. As with other Gyponini, it likely inhabits grassland and shrubland ecosystems where it feeds on vascular plant sap.
Prionus palparis
Prionus palparis is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. It belongs to the subfamily Prioninae, a group of large, robust beetles commonly known as prionids or sawyers. The species has been recorded from sand dune habitats in the southwestern United States, particularly in New Mexico. Like other members of the genus Prionus, males are attracted to prionic acid, a sex pheromone component used in field studies to detect and collect specimens.
Promecosoma arizonae
Promecosoma arizonae is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is distributed across southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. The species was described by Crotch in 1873. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico.
Prorella albida
Prorella albida is a small geometrid moth in the subfamily Larentiinae, first described from North American material in 1923. It is characterized by its diminutive size, with a wingspan of approximately 14 mm. Adults have been documented during summer and autumn months in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species appears to be univoltine or bivoltine based on scattered flight records.
Prorella discoidalis
Prorella discoidalis is a small geometrid moth described by John Arthur Grossbeck in 1908. The species is restricted to the southwestern United States, occurring in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 17 mm and appear in two generations annually, with flight periods in June and August.
Prorella irremorata
A small geometrid moth described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1923, restricted to arid regions of the southwestern United States. Adults are active in spring and again in early autumn. The species is one of several in the genus Prorella, a group of generally small, inconspicuous moths associated with desert and semi-arid habitats.
Protorthodes antennata
Protorthodes antennata is a small noctuid moth described in 1912 by Barnes and McDunnough. It is distinguished from congeners by its unique reniform spot pattern lacking a dark outline. The species has a restricted range in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with adults active in spring and fall.
Protorthodes ustulata
Protorthodes ustulata is a small noctuid moth described in 2014, distinguished by its burnt-orange forewings with contrasting gray-white markings. The species inhabits arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults are active during two distinct periods: spring and late summer through early autumn.
Pseudanarta flavidens
Pseudanarta flavidens is a small noctuid moth native to western North America. The species was described by Grote in 1879 and remains relatively poorly documented, with limited published biological information. It is one of approximately 15 species in the genus Pseudanarta, a group of small moths found primarily in North American arid and semi-arid regions.
Pseudomarimatha flava
A small noctuid moth described in 2010, known only from a restricted range in the southwestern United States. The species epithet "flava" (yellow) likely refers to coloration, though specific details of appearance remain poorly documented in published literature.
Pseudomyrmex apache
Apache Twig Ant
Pseudomyrmex apache is a species of twig ant in the subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae. It is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, with unconfirmed reports from Florida. The species is characterized by its golden yellow coloration and wasp-like body form typical of the genus. Like other Pseudomyrmex species, it has notably large compound eyes relative to body size.
Pseudoschinia
Pseudoschinia is a monotypic genus of crambid moths established by Munroe in 1961. The sole species, Pseudoschinia elautalis, is a specialist herbivore of cacti in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults are small moths with distinctive pale yellow forewings and white hindwings. The genus is notable for its narrow ecological association with columnar and cholla cacti.
Psyrassa pertenuis
Psyrassa pertenuis is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, tribe Elaphidiini. It was described by Casey in 1924. The species has been documented in North America, particularly in the southwestern United States. It is one of many Psyrassa species, a genus of small to medium-sized cerambycids typically associated with woody vegetation.
Ptilophorus wrightii
Engineered wedge-shaped Beetle
Ptilophorus wrightii is a wedge-shaped beetle in the family Ripiphoridae, first described by LeConte in 1868. The species was historically known from the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) and Mexico, with first records from Colorado and Oklahoma documented in 2014. The specific epithet honors General W.W. Wright, Chief Engineer of the Union Pacific Railway survey during which the species was collected.
Pygarctia neomexicana
Pygarctia neomexicana is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. It was described by William Barnes in 1904. The species occurs in the southwestern United States, with adult flight activity recorded from April through September.
Pygarctia pterygostigma
Pygarctia pterygostigma is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1909. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico, with a wingspan of approximately 28 mm. Adults are active during summer months. As a member of the genus Pygarctia, it belongs to a group known for acoustic aposematism—emitting sound signals to warn bat predators of chemical defenses.
Pyrausta antisocialis
Pyrausta antisocialis is a crambid moth described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1976. It is known from a restricted range in the southwestern United States, specifically New Mexico and Arizona. Adults are active during summer months. The species belongs to a genus containing many herbivorous species, though specific biological details for this species remain limited.
Pyrausta arizonicalis
Pyrausta arizonicalis is a crambid moth described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1976. It is found in the southwestern United States, with records from Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Adults are active from April through November, indicating an extended flight period across multiple seasons.
Pyrausta atropurpuralis
A small crambid moth described by Grote in 1877, found in the southwestern United States. Adults have a wingspan of 15–18 mm with distinctive reddish-brown forewings bearing a purplish tinge and fuscous hindwings paler at the base. Adult activity has been recorded in September.
Quadrina
Quadrina is a monotypic moth genus in the family Lasiocampidae, established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1881. The genus contains a single species, Quadrina diazoma, also described by Grote in the same year. This genus is endemic to the southwestern United States, specifically recorded from Arizona and New Mexico. As a member of Lasiocampidae, it belongs to a family commonly known as tent caterpillar moths or lappet moths.
Reuteroscopus tinctipennis
Reuteroscopus tinctipennis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1925. It belongs to a genus of mirid bugs characterized by distinctive morphological features. The species is known from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, with records primarily from Arizona and Texas.
Rhadine perlevis
Rhadine perlevis is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Casey in 1913. The species is known from Mexico and the southwestern United States. It belongs to a genus containing several cave-dwelling species, though R. perlevis itself is not documented as a cave obligate. The genus Rhadine includes federally endangered species such as R. exilis and R. infernalis, which are restricted to cave systems in central Texas and depend on cave crickets as a food source.
Rhodocantha diagonalis
Rhodocantha diagonalis is a small moth species and the sole member of its genus. It was described by Munroe in 1961 and belongs to the family Crambidae, subfamily Odontiinae. The species is known from a restricted geographic range in the southwestern United States.
Rhyacionia neomexicana
Southwestern pine tip moth
Rhyacionia neomexicana is a tortricid moth whose larvae are significant pests of southwestern pines. The species completes one generation annually, with larvae tunneling into pine shoots to feed, causing characteristic tip dieback. Adults emerge in spring and lay eggs on new pine growth. The species specifically targets ponderosa pine seedlings and saplings, where infestations reduce both height and radial growth.
Sapotes longipilis
Sapotes longipilis is a broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Van Dyke in 1934. It is a member of the subfamily Entiminae and tribe Ophryastini. The species is known from arid regions of the southwestern United States.
Scaphinotus snowi
Snow's Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus snowi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Snow's Snail-eating Beetle. It is endemic to North America with a documented range in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. The species comprises two recognized subspecies: the nominate S. snowi snowi and S. snowi roeschkei (Roeschke's Snail-eating Beetle), which is restricted to Arizona. Like other members of the genus Scaphinotus, it is specialized for predation on snails.
Scaphytopius speciosus
Scaphytopius speciosus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, originally described by Van Duzee in 1923. It is currently treated as a synonym of Scaphytopius nigricollis. The species has been recorded in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Schaefferellus arizonensis
Schaefferellus arizonensis is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Schaeffer in 1907. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. As a member of the Aphodiinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as dung beetles, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Schinia argentifascia
Schinia argentifascia is a small moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Barnes & McDunnough in 1912. It is known from arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The species is associated with Ericameria (rabbitbrush) as a larval host. Like other members of the genus Schinia, adults likely rest on or near their host plant flowers.
Schinia ciliata
Snakeweed Flower Moth
Schinia ciliata, commonly known as the Snakeweed Flower Moth, is a small noctuid moth in the subfamily Heliothinae. It is distributed across the southwestern and south-central United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 22 mm and is closely associated with its larval host plant, Gutierrezia sarothrae. Adults are diurnal and often found resting on or near flowers of their host plant.
Schinia coercita
Schinia coercita is a noctuid moth described by Grote in 1881. It is a member of the flower moth genus Schinia, which contains over 120 species in North America. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and California. Like other Schinia species, adults are likely associated with host plant flowers for feeding and oviposition.
Schinia cupes
Schinia cupes is a small noctuid moth in the subfamily Heliothinae, described by Grote in 1875. The species is characterized by a wingspan of approximately 30 mm. It exhibits bivoltine flight periods, with adults active in spring and again in late summer. The larvae are specialized feeders on specific host plants in the southwestern United States.
Schinia ferrisi
Schinia ferrisi is a noctuid moth described in 2004 by Pogue and Harp. The species is known from a restricted range in the southwestern United States, specifically southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Adults are active in September. As a member of the genus Schinia, it likely shares the group's characteristic association with specific host plants for larval development, though direct observations of this species' biology remain limited.
Schinia intrabilis
Schinia intrabilis is a small noctuid moth native to the southwestern United States. Adults are active in early spring, with a single generation per year. The species has a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Larvae are specialized feeders on Pluchea sericea, a shrub in the aster family.
Schinia luxa
Schinia luxa is a noctuid moth native to southwestern North America. The species exhibits variable coloration, ranging from plain white or light gray to individuals with dark gray spotting. Adults are active from August to September, with a wingspan of 26–31 mm. The larvae are specialist feeders on Mentzelia species.
Schinia niveicosta
Spanish Needles Flower Moth
Schinia niveicosta is a noctuid moth species found in the southwestern United States. Adults are recorded primarily in March and April, with additional records from May and September through November, as well as January and February. The species is associated with the host plant Palafoxia linearis, on which its larvae feed. The common name Spanish Needles Flower Moth reflects its presumed association with flowers of its host plant.
Schinia sanrafaeli
Schinia sanrafaeli is a small noctuid moth described by Opler in 2004. The species is known from a restricted range in the southwestern United States, specifically Utah and western New Mexico. With a wingspan of 20–21 mm, it is among the smaller members of the genus Schinia. Like other Schinia species, adults likely visit flowers for nectar and rest on host plants.
Schinia tobia
Schinia tobia is a small noctuid moth found in the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Larvae are known to feed on Dicoria canescens, a plant in the aster family. Like other members of the genus Schinia, adults likely visit flowers for nectar.
Schinia velaris
A small noctuid moth in the genus *Schinia*, known from the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 25 mm. Larvae are documented to feed on *Lepidospartum squamatum*, a shrubby composite. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with the flowers of its host plant during its adult stage.
Schinia zuni
Schinia zuni is a small moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by McElvare in 1950. The species is known from a limited number of records in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 26 mm. Like other members of the genus Schinia, this species likely exhibits flower-associated behavior, though specific biological details remain poorly documented due to its rarity.