Southwestern-us
Guides
Euphoria casselberryi
Euphoria casselberryi is a species of flower scarab beetle in the subfamily Cetoniinae. It belongs to a genus known for colorful, bee-mimicking adults that are fast, erratic fliers with a distinctive flight mechanism where the elytra remain closed while the membranous hind wings deploy. The species was described by Robinson in 1937 and is known from limited records in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Eupithecia bolterii
Pug moth
Eupithecia bolterii is a small moth in the family Geometridae, first described by George Duryea Hulst in 1900. It is one of many 'pug' moths in the genus Eupithecia, characterized by narrow wings and a distinctive resting posture. The species is known from the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona and Texas. Adults are active in early spring and have been documented visiting apple flowers, contributing to nocturnal pollination.
Eupithecia classicata
Eupithecia classicata is a geometrid moth described by Pearsall in 1909. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, specifically in Arizona and Durango. The species belongs to the 'pug' moths, a group recognized by their narrow wings and distinctive resting posture. Larvae feed on Arbutus arizonica flowers or leaf buds. Adults have been observed visiting apple flowers, suggesting a potential role in nocturnal pollination.
Eupithecia longidens
Eupithecia longidens is a small moth in the family Geometridae, commonly known as a 'pug' moth. It is native to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. The species has a wingspan of approximately 19 mm. Like other members of the genus Eupithecia, it exhibits a distinctive resting posture with narrow wings held tightly against the body.
Eupithecia pertusata
Eupithecia pertusata is a small moth in the family Geometridae, commonly known as pug moths. It is restricted to the southwestern United States, occurring in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. The species has a wingspan of approximately 17 mm. Like other Eupithecia species, it is nocturnal and has been documented visiting flowers, contributing to nighttime pollination services.
Eupithecia phyllisae
Eupithecia phyllisae is a small moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Rindge in 1963. It is endemic to the southwestern United States, known only from New Mexico and Arizona. The species is named in honor of Phyllis Rindge, the wife of the author. Like other members of the genus Eupithecia, it is a nocturnal moth attracted to light sources.
Eupithecia prostrata
Eupithecia prostrata is a species of pug moth in the family Geometridae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1938. It is one of approximately 140 Eupithecia species known from North America. Members of this genus are commonly called 'pugs' and are recognized by their narrow wings and distinctive resting posture. The species has been documented visiting apple flowers at night, contributing to nocturnal pollination services.
Eupithecia vargoi
Eupithecia vargoi is a species of inchworm moth in the family Geometridae. Like other members of the genus Eupithecia, it is characterized by narrow wings and a distinctive resting posture. The species has been documented visiting apple flowers at night, contributing to nocturnal pollination of fruit crops. It belongs to a diverse genus of small moths commonly known as "pugs," many of which are challenging to identify to species level without detailed examination.
Eupithecia vitreotata
Eupithecia vitreotata is a small geometrid moth described by Samuel E. Cassino in 1927. 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 visiting apple flowers, contributing to nocturnal pollination.
Evergestis obliqualis
Slender Evergestis
Evergestis obliqualis is a small crambid moth described by Grote in 1883. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults fly during summer months, and larvae feed on Portulaca species.
Excultanus neomexicanus
Excultanus neomexicanus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. It is a member of the tribe Scaphoideini and subtribe Phlepsiina. The species was described by Baker in 1895 and is native to the southwestern United States.
Fotella
Fotella is a monotypic moth genus in the family Noctuidae, containing the single species Fotella notalis. The genus was established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. It is restricted to arid regions of the southwestern United States.
Givira lotta
Pine Carpenterworm Moth
Givira lotta, commonly known as the pine carpenterworm moth, is a species of carpenter moth in the family Cossidae. First described in 1910, it is native to the southwestern United States where it inhabits pine forests. The species is notable for its specific association with ponderosa pine as a larval host.
Glaucodontia
Glaucodontia is a monotypic genus of moths in the family Crambidae, established by Munroe in 1972. The genus contains a single species, Glaucodontia pyraustoides, known from the southwestern United States. The genus is classified within the subfamily Odontiinae.
Glaucotes yuccivorus
Glaucotes yuccivorus is a species of longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae, and the sole member of the monotypic genus Glaucotes. Described by Fall in 1907, this beetle is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species epithet 'yuccivorus' indicates an association with yucca plants, likely as a host. It belongs to the tribe Acanthocinini within the diverse family Cerambycidae.
Gyascutus planicosta cribriceps
Gyascutus planicosta cribriceps is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is one of the larger buprestid beetles in North America and is known to occur on willow (Salix) as well as other host plants. The subspecies is part of a complex that was formerly treated as a subgenus of Hippomelas but is now recognized as the distinct genus Gyascutus. Adults are active during summer months and can be collected by beating host vegetation or observed in flight.
Hadoa duryi
Orange-and-black Cicada
Hadoa duryi is a species of cicada in the family Cicadidae, commonly known as the Orange-and-black Cicada. The species was originally described as Tibicen duryi by Davis in 1917 and later transferred to the genus Hadoa. It occurs in the southwestern United States, where adults have been observed on trunks and branches of recently dead pinyon pine (Pinus edulis). The species appears to be associated with pinyon-juniper woodland habitats.
Hadoa townsendii
Soaptree Sun-Singer
Hadoa townsendii is a cicada species commonly known as the Soaptree Sun-Singer. The species was originally described by Uhler in 1905 and is currently classified in the genus Hadoa, which was separated from the broader Okanagana genus based on morphological and molecular evidence. This medium-sized cicada is associated with arid and semi-arid habitats in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Hahncappsia huachucalis
Hahncappsia huachucalis is a small crambid moth described by Hahn William Capps in 1967. It is restricted to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona and Texas. The species exhibits moderate sexual size dimorphism and has a summer flight period.
Haplidus testaceus
Haplidus testaceus is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1873. It belongs to the subfamily Cerambycinae and tribe Hesperophanini. Field observations indicate this species is associated with dead coniferous wood, particularly pinyon pine. It has been documented in the southwestern United States and represents a relatively poorly known member of its genus.
Harrisina metallica
Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth, Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer
Harrisina metallica is a day-flying moth in the family Zygaenidae, commonly known as the western grapeleaf skeletonizer. Adults are deep metallic blue in color and exhibit wasp-mimicry, resembling spider wasps in the family Pompilidae. The species is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Larvae are specialized feeders on grape leaves and Parthenocissus species, skeletonizing foliage by consuming tissue between leaf veins. Caterpillars possess stinging hairs that can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in humans.
Heliastus benjamini
Arroyo Grasshopper
Heliastus benjamini, commonly known as the arroyo grasshopper, is a band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Arizona and broader distribution in the southwestern United States. The species inhabits desert environments, particularly canyon and arroyo systems.
Hemileuca oliviae
Range Caterpillar, Range Caterpillar Moth
Hemileuca oliviae, the range caterpillar, is a day-flying saturniid moth native to grasslands of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species is notable for periodic population outbreaks that can cause significant damage to rangeland vegetation, impacting forage availability for livestock. Its distribution is restricted to open grassland habitats due to predation pressure from woodland rodents on eggs and pupae. The moth has been studied extensively for its ecological interactions, including host plant relationships, water physiology, and natural enemy complexes.
pestrangelandgrasslandoutbreakrodent-predationparasitoid-hostday-flying-mothSaturniidaeHemileucasouthwestern-USChihuahuaNew-Mexicolivestock-forage-competitionintegrated-pest-managementAnastatus-semiflaviduscondensed-tannin-responsewater-physiologyPeromyscus-trueipinyon-mouse-predationpopulation-cyclesMONA-number-7729Hodges-number-7729Hexurella apachea
Hexurella apachea is a species of mygalomorph spider in the family Hexurellidae, described by Gertsch and Platnick in 1979. It is native to the United States, specifically occurring in the southwestern borderlands region. As a dwarf funnel web spider, it belongs to a lineage of small-bodied mygalomorphs with distinctive burrowing habits.
Hymenoclea palmii
Burrowbush Borer Moth
A clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, notable for its wasp-mimicking appearance. The species is associated with burrobrush (Hymenoclea monogyra), a toxic desert shrub. Adults are active during the summer monsoon season in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The common name reflects its larval association with the host plant's stems or roots.
Hyperaspis disrupta
Hyperaspis disrupta is a small lady beetle native to southwestern North America. Adults measure 1.60–1.80 mm and are distinguished by yellow anterior and lateral borders on the pronotum in males, with elytra bearing discal and apical spots. The species is a specialist predator of scale insects. Its larvae are covered in white waxy secretions that serve as camouflage and protection against ant attacks, making them frequently mistaken for mealybugs or other pests.
Hyperaspis significans
waxy lady beetle
Hyperaspis significans is a small lady beetle native to southwestern North America. Adults measure 2.20–2.65 mm and display distinct sexual dimorphism in pronotum coloration. The species is a specialized predator of scale insects, with larvae that produce a conspicuous white waxy coating for protection. Like other members of the genus, it serves as an important biological control agent against pest scales.
Hypopacha
Hypopacha is a monotypic moth genus in the family Lasiocampidae, erected by Berthold Neumoegen and Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1893. The genus contains a single species, Hypopacha grisea, described by Neumoegen in 1882. It is native to the southwestern United States.
Knudsonia lathraeata
Knudsonia lathraeata is a species of geometrid moth described in 2021 by Matson and Ferguson. It belongs to a recently established genus within the family Geometridae. The species is known from very few observations, reflecting either rarity or limited survey effort in its range.
Kodiosoma fulva
Kodiosoma fulva is a moth species in the family Erebidae and the sole member of the monotypic genus Kodiosoma. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically in Arizona, Nevada, and California. Both the genus and species were described by Richard Harper Stretch in 1872. The species epithet is sometimes rendered as 'fulvum' in older literature.
Laetilia dilatifasciella
Western Scale-feeding Snout
Laetilia dilatifasciella is a small snout moth (Pyralidae) native to the southwestern United States. Adults have forewings 6–8 mm in length and are active in spring and late summer through fall. The species is notable for its predatory larvae that feed on scale insects, making it one of relatively few moth species with carnivorous immature stages.
Leptinotarsa haldemani
Haldeman's green potato beetle
Leptinotarsa haldemani, commonly known as Haldeman's green potato beetle, is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is named after 19th-century American entomologist Samuel Stehman Haldeman. The species is distinguished by its glossy metallic green elytra, black head, and black appendages. It feeds primarily on wild Solanaceae species and is occasionally found on cultivated potatoes.
Listrochelus snowi
Listrochelus snowi is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species was described by Saylor in 1940 and is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It belongs to a genus of scarabs commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Litaneutria skinneri
Skinner's Ground Mantis
Litaneutria skinneri is a small ground-dwelling mantid native to the southwestern United States. Unlike most mantids that employ ambush predation from vegetation, this species is cursorial, actively pursuing prey across open ground. It inhabits arid and semi-arid environments including desert and grassland ecosystems. The species was described by Rehn in 1907 and remains relatively poorly studied compared to its congener L. minor.
Lithurgopsis apicalis
orange-tipped woodborer
Lithurgopsis apicalis is a solitary woodborer bee in the family Megachilidae, commonly known as the orange-tipped woodborer. Adults are active pollinators that visit flowers of several plant families, particularly Cactaceae, Malvaceae, and Asteraceae. The species nests in the hollow stalks of Agave plants, where females excavate tunnels and provision cells with pollen. It occurs across the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Litoprosopus coachella
palm flower moth, palm budworm
Litoprosopus coachella, commonly known as the palm flower moth or palm budworm, is a moth species in the family Erebidae. The species is notable for its larval stage, which feeds on palm flowers and buds, particularly of ornamental fan palms. Mature caterpillars abandon host plants to pupate, frequently entering human dwellings where they spin cocoons incorporating carpet fibers and other materials. The species is widely distributed in North America, with substantial populations in urban areas of the southwestern United States where palm landscaping is common. Adult moths are dull-colored and nocturnal.
Loxosceles apachea
Apache Recluse
Loxosceles apachea, the Apache recluse, is a species of recluse spider in the family Sicariidae. It is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Like other recluse spiders, it possesses cytotoxic venom that can cause necrotic lesions in rare cases, though bites are uncommon and typically occur only when the spider is trapped against skin. The species is poorly studied compared to the more widespread brown recluse (L. reclusa).
Lygistopterus slevini
Lygistopterus slevini is a species of net-winged beetle in the family Lycidae. As with other lycids, adults are likely to exhibit aposematic coloration warning of chemical defenses. The species is documented from the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona and New Mexico. Observations suggest activity in late spring to early summer, consistent with the phenology of related net-winged beetles in arid regions.
Lytta morrisoni
Morrison's Blister Beetle
Lytta morrisoni is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, subfamily Meloinae, and tribe Lyttini. It belongs to the subgenus Paralytta within the genus Lytta. The species was described by Horn in 1891. Like other members of Meloidae, it possesses chemical defenses based on cantharidins.
Melacoryphus admirabilis
Admirable Seed Bug
Melacoryphus admirabilis is a seed bug in the family Lygaeidae, native to the Nearctic region of North America. The species is closely related to other soapberry bugs and shares ecological associations with plants in the family Sapindaceae. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico, typically in warm, arid habitats. Like other members of its genus, it feeds on seeds and plant fluids. The species is occasionally encountered in large aggregations.
Melymacra apicalis
Melymacra apicalis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Van Duzee in 1916. It belongs to the genus Melymacra, which is part of the diverse and speciose family of true bugs commonly known as plant bugs or capsid bugs. The species is documented from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and California.
Mesepiola specca
Mesepiola specca is a small moth in the family Prodoxidae, a group known as yucca moths. It inhabits arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species was described by Davis in 1967 and remains poorly known due to limited observations.
Metapelma schwarzi
Metapelma schwarzi is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Eupelmidae, characterized by its relatively large size among chalcidoid wasps at approximately six millimeters in body length. The species is known to parasitize wood-boring beetles, particularly in the families Buprestidae and Cerambycidae. It has been documented from the southwestern United States, including Arizona and Texas.
Mexalictus arizonensis
Arizona mexalictus
Mexalictus arizonensis, commonly known as the Arizona mexalictus, is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It is a small, solitary bee endemic to the southwestern United States. The species was described by Eickwort in 1978 and is one of the few members of the genus Mexalictus, a group of bees restricted to North America. Like other halictids, it is likely a generalist pollinator, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Mimorista trimaculalis
Mimorista trimaculalis is a small crambid moth described by Grote in 1878. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States. Adults are active during the warm season, with records spanning May through September. The species name refers to the three spots (tri-maculalis) characteristic of its wing pattern.
Mozena arizonensis
Mozena arizonensis is a leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae, described by Ruckes in 1955. The species is distributed across the southwestern United States and Mexico, with records from Arizona and Central America. It has been documented on Vachellia constricta (white-thorn acacia) in southeastern Arizona.
Neobarrettia spinosa
Greater Arid-land Katydid, Red-eyed Katydid, Red-eyed Devil, Giant Texas Katydid, Spiny Bush Katydid
Neobarrettia spinosa is a large, predatory katydid native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Unlike most katydids, it is an obligate carnivore, actively hunting and consuming prey including other insects, small vertebrates, and even endangered songbirds. The species is notable for its striking threat display, during which it rears back, spreads its wings, and exposes its bright coloration while presenting formidable mandibles and spiny forelegs. It is one of only two Neobarrettia species extending into the United States from a genus otherwise restricted to northern Mexico.
Neocallotillus elegans
Elegant Calloused Clerid
Neocallotillus elegans is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, originally described as Tillus elegans by Erichson in 1847. The species was transferred to the newly erected genus Neocallotillus in 2016 following a taxonomic revision that split the genus Callotillus into two genera based on morphological characters. It occurs across the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America.
Neochodaeus repandus
Neochodaeus repandus is a species of sand-loving scarab beetle in the family Ochodaeidae, first described by Fall in 1909. The species is restricted to sandy habitats in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It belongs to a genus and family of beetles specialized for life in loose, sandy substrates.
Neochodaeus striatus
Neochodaeus striatus is a species of scarab beetle in the family Ochodaeidae, commonly known as sand-loving scarab beetles. The species was described by LeConte in 1854 and is known from sandy habitats in the southwestern United States. It is one of several species in the genus Neochodaeus, which is restricted to the Nearctic region.