Southwestern-us-fauna
Guides
Acmaeodera conoidea
Acmaeodera conoidea is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Fall in 1899. It belongs to the 'tubulus-species group' within the genus, characterized by small size (<8 mm), black coloration with yellow maculations on the elytra, and membership in the 'Truncatae' group (species with prosternal margin nearly straight). The species occurs in the south-central and southwestern United States. Like other members of its species group, it is difficult to identify without comparison to determined specimens due to the lack of modern revisionary work on the genus.
Acmaeodera sabinae
Acmaeodera sabinae is a small jewel beetle species described by Knull in 1937. It belongs to the A. tubulus-species group, characterized by small size (under 8 mm), black coloration with confused yellow maculations on the elytra, and membership in the 'Truncatae' group of the genus. Like other members of this group, it lacks a subapical crest on the last ventral segment. The species is one of eight described since Fall's 1899 revision of the genus, contributing to the taxonomic complexity of this difficult group that now contains over 150 species in North America.
Aneflus prolixus
Aneflus prolixus is a longhorn beetle species in the tribe Elaphidiini, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1873. The species belongs to a genus of relatively small cerambycids. Observations indicate association with Baccharis sarothroides, a desert shrub. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Barytettix
spur-throated grasshoppers
Barytettix is a genus of spur-throated grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, comprising approximately nine described species. Members are found in western Mexico and the southwestern United States. At least one species, Barytettix psolus, is obligately flightless, lacking functional wings and associated flight musculature. The genus belongs to the tribe Conalcaeini within the subfamily Melanoplinae.
Chrysina lecontei
Leconte's chrysina
Chrysina lecontei is a species of shining leaf chafer beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species is known for its metallic coloration, typical of the genus Chrysina. It has been documented in Arizona and New Mexico in the United States, and in several Mexican states including Chihuahua, Durango, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Zacatecas.
Dendrobias
Dendrobias is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) established by Dupont in 1834. The genus was restored from synonymy under Trachyderes in 2018, having been previously included within that genus for several years. It contains three described species distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Members are associated with desert thorn-scrub and riparian habitats, particularly with Baccharis and Acacia vegetation.
Efferia tucsoni
Reddish Thorny Hammertail
Efferia tucsoni is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. The common name 'Reddish Thorny Hammertail' refers to distinctive morphological features typical of the genus. Robber flies in the genus Efferia are predatory dipterans known for their aggressive hunting behavior and distinctive genital capsule morphology in males. The species is part of a large North American genus that has undergone taxonomic revision, with some former Efferia species now placed in related genera such as Triorla.
Elytroleptus limpianus
Elytroleptus limpianus is a longhorned beetle species in the family Cerambycidae, described by Skiles & Chemsak in 1982. It belongs to the genus Elytroleptus, which comprises fifteen species distributed across the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. This species is notable as one of three Elytroleptus species documented to be predaceous on their own lycid beetle models, functioning as both a Batesian mimic and an active predator of the beetles it resembles.
Enoclerus spinolae
Handsome Yucca Beetle
A checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, Enoclerus spinolae is broadly distributed across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species was originally described by LeConte in 1853, later synonymized, and subsequently resurrected as a valid species. It is one of several Enoclerus species associated with yucca plants, where adults have been observed feeding on flowers.
Eupompha viridis
Green Blister Beetle
Eupompha viridis is a blister beetle species in the family Meloidae, first described by George Henry Horn in 1883. The species is known from North America, with records from the southwestern United States and adjacent regions. Like other members of the genus Eupompha, it is associated with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) habitats. The specific epithet 'viridis' refers to the green coloration characteristic of this species. The genus Eupompha is part of the tribe Eupomphini, a group of blister beetles notable for their specialized host plant associations and often bright, aposematic coloration.
Hamotus elongatus
Hamotus elongatus is a species of rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) first described by Brendel in 1890. The species belongs to a genus commonly referred to as 'ant-loving beetles' due to their association with ant colonies. Records indicate presence in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. Like other members of the genus Hamotus, this species is likely myrmecophilous, living in close association with ants, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Hydropionea oblectalis
Hydropionea oblectalis is a small crambid moth described by George Duryea Hulst in 1886. It belongs to a genus of snout moths characterized by slender bodies, wings rolled around the body at rest, and enlarged labial palps projecting forward. The species is known from Arizona in the southwestern United States. Little is known about its biology; the larval host plants and life cycle remain unstudied.
Knightomiris distinctus
A small plant bug in the family Miridae, originally described as Lygus distinctus by Knight in 1917 and later transferred to the monotypic genus Knightomiris in 1973. The genus was established based on distinctive morphological features including male genitalia structure. This species belongs to a large family of true bugs commonly known as plant bugs or capsid bugs.
Megasoma punctulatum
Arizona elephant beetle
Megasoma punctulatum, commonly known as the Arizona elephant beetle, is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is a member of the genus Megasoma, which includes some of the largest and heaviest beetles in the Americas. Like other members of its genus, this species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism, with males bearing prominent horns on the head and pronotum that are used in combat with other males. The species is found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Melanoliarus yavapanus
Melanoliarus yavapanus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Ball in 1934. The species epithet references Yavapai County, Arizona, indicating its association with the southwestern United States. Cixiidae are a diverse family of fulgoroid planthoppers, many of which are associated with specific host plants and exhibit complex life histories involving root-feeding nymphs. As with most members of its genus, detailed ecological information for this species remains limited.
Mestra
Arizona Sister, Curve-winged Metalmark
Mestra is a genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Biblidinae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1825. The genus contains several species distributed primarily in the Americas, with the most well-known being Mestra amymone, commonly called the Arizona Sister or Curve-winged Metalmark. These butterflies are medium-sized with distinctive wing patterns and are associated with specific host plants in their larval stages. The genus name derives from Greek mythology, referencing Mestra, daughter of Erysichthon, who possessed the ability to change her shape at will.
Mojavia achemonalis
Pink Bantam
Mojavia achemonalis, known as the Pink Bantam, is a small moth and the sole species in its genus. It belongs to the family Crambidae (snout moths) and is restricted to arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species was first described in 1914 and remains poorly known biologically.
Octotoma marginicollis
Octotoma marginicollis is a leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae) occurring in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults have been recorded feeding on Perezia thurberi and collected from a variety of woody and herbaceous plants including Fraxinus, Baccharis, Brickellia, Viguiera, and Monarda species. The species was described by Horn in 1883.
Oecleus lineatus
Oecleus lineatus is a planthopper species in the family Cixiidae, described by Ball in 1902. The species belongs to the tribe Oecleini and is native to arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other cixiid planthoppers, it is likely associated with host plants in its habitat, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species name "lineatus" refers to the lined or striped appearance typical of many Oecleus species.
Pachybrachis mellitus
Dark-honey Creosote Pachy
Pachybrachis mellitus is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Bowditch in 1909. The species is known from southwestern North America and has been documented in association with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and other desert vegetation. The common name "Dark-honey Creosote Pachy" reflects both its coloration and apparent habitat preference. It is one of numerous Pachybrachis species found in the arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Papilio polyxenes coloro
Desert Black Swallowtail, Coloro Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes coloro is a subspecies of the black swallowtail butterfly found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is distinguished from the nominate eastern subspecies by paler yellow markings and reduced black banding on the hindwings. Adults exhibit strong territorial hilltopping behavior, with males engaging in aggressive aerial combat at summit perches to intercept females. The subspecies shares the characteristic osmeterium defense with other Papilio larvae, emitting foul-smelling compounds when disturbed.
Pasimachus viridans
Green-bordered Ground Beetle
Pasimachus viridans is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Green-bordered Ground Beetle. It belongs to a genus sometimes referred to as 'Warrior Beetles' due to their prominent, powerful mandibles. The species is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is one of two recognized subspecies within the P. viridans complex.
Pima granitella
snout moth
Pima granitella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 29 mm. The species has one to two generations per year in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Larvae develop within legumes of host plants, feeding on seeds.
Pleuropasta reticulata
Pleuropasta reticulata is a species of blister beetle in the family Meloidae, described by Van Dyke in 1947. The species is found in Central America and North America, with records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. As a member of the tribe Eupomphini, it belongs to a group of meloid beetles characterized by aposematic coloration and chemical defenses. The specific epithet 'reticulata' refers to a net-like or reticulated pattern, likely describing the elytral markings. Field observations indicate adults are active during warmer months and may be found in association with flowering plants.
Pogonomyrmex bicolor
bicolored harvester ant
Pogonomyrmex bicolor, the bicolored harvester ant, is a species of harvester ant native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Pogonomyrmex, this species is characterized by its seed-collecting behavior and potent defensive sting. The species was described by Cole in 1968.
Pyrausta lethalis
Lethal Pyrausta, lethal pyrausta moth
Pyrausta lethalis is a small crambid moth described by Grote in 1881. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. The species is characterized by distinctive purplish-brown forewings with contrasting pale subterminal areas. Adults are active across much of the year, with records spanning March through October.
Semanotus juniperi
Semanotus juniperi is a rare longhorned beetle (family Cerambycidae) in the tribe Callidiini. It was described by Fisher in 1915 and was long considered endemic to the Santa Catalina Mountains in Arizona. Recent field observations have documented the species in additional locations in northern Arizona and southern Nevada, where it develops in large limbs of Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma). Adults are large, black beetles that are rarely encountered alive; most records come from rearing larvae from infested wood or from dead adults found in emergence holes.
Stenosphenus beyeri
Stenosphenus beyeri is a longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Schaeffer in 1905. It belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini, a group of primarily wood-boring beetles. The genus Stenosphenus contains multiple North American species associated with hardwood trees. Available records indicate this species occurs in the southwestern United States.
Sternidius decorus
Sternidius decorus is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, subfamily Lamiinae. It was originally described as Liopus decorus by Fall in 1907. The species has been documented from Arizona and New Mexico, where it has been collected by beating oak vegetation. It appears to be associated with oak woodland habitats in the southwestern United States.
Syntomeida melanthus
Black-banded Wasp Moth
Syntomeida melanthus, the black-banded wasp moth, is a day-flying arctiine moth native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Adults exhibit wasp-mimicry with contrasting coloration and are active during spring and fall in the United States. The species was described by Pieter Cramer in 1779 and belongs to a genus known for sequestering cardiac glycosides from host plants.