Spring-active
Guides
Pacificanthia consors (LeConte, 1851)
brown leatherwing beetle
Pacificanthia consors, commonly known as the brown leatherwing beetle, is a soldier beetle (family Cantharidae) native to western North America. Adults are active in spring, particularly April and May, and are associated with plant litter habitats. The species exhibits predatory habits in both adult and larval stages.
Paracotalpa
little bears
Paracotalpa is a genus of scarab beetles in the subfamily Rutelinae, commonly known as "little bears" due to the fuzzy, hairy appearance of adults. The genus contains four recognized species distributed west of the Rocky Mountains in western North America. Adults are active primarily in spring and are associated with various plant communities in arid and semi-arid regions.
Paracotalpa puncticollis
Punctate Little Bear, Punctate Little Bear Scarab Beetle
Paracotalpa puncticollis is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as the punctate little bear. It inhabits piñon-juniper ecosystems in the southwestern United States, where it feeds on juniper foliage. The species is poorly studied, with limited published research since 1972. Adults are active primarily in spring, with peak activity in April.
Paraulacizes irrorata
speckled sharpshooter
A large and distinctive North American sharpshooter leafhopper, readily recognizable by its size and speckled pattern. Adults feed on phloem of grasses and are active from early spring through summer. Eggs are laid in woody twigs, stems, or petioles, where they are vulnerable to parasitism by the egg parasitoid *Gonatocerus fasciatus*.
Priocnemis
spider wasp
Priocnemis is a genus of spider wasps in the family Pompilidae, subfamily Pepsinae, containing approximately 30 species. These solitary aculeate wasps are specialized predators of spiders, with females hunting and paralyzing prey to provision nest cells for their larvae. The genus has a wide geographic distribution including North America, Europe, and Asia, with species varying in size from small to relatively large among pompilids.
Psenocerus supernotatus
Currant-tip Borer
Psenocerus supernotatus, commonly known as the Currant-tip Borer, is a small longhorned beetle (family Cerambycidae) notable for its remarkable ant-mimicry. At only 4 millimeters in length, it is the sole species in the genus Psenocerus. The beetle exhibits Batesian mimicry, with white markings on its elytra creating the illusion of a constricted "waist" that resembles ant body segmentation. Despite its common name suggesting currant as a host, it has been reared from multiple hardwood species including Green Hawthorn, Tulip Tree, and Black Willow.
Pyractomena borealis
Spring Treetop Flasher, Spring tree-top flasher
Pyractomena borealis is a firefly species in the beetle family Lampyridae, commonly known as the Spring Treetop Flasher. It exhibits one of the widest distributions of any North American firefly, ranging from Alberta across Canada to the Maritime Provinces and southward to all U.S. states east of the Mississippi River. The species is active in spring and is associated with wooded habitats. Like other fireflies, it produces bioluminescence, though specific flash pattern details for this species are not well documented in available sources.
Rhamphomyia nasoni
dance fly
Rhamphomyia nasoni is a species of dance fly in the family Empididae, first described by Coquillett in 1895. The species has been documented in the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area during spring citizen science events. Like other dance flies, it is likely associated with aerial mating swarms and nuptial gift-giving behaviors characteristic of the genus, though specific behavioral details for this species remain poorly documented.
Schizocosa avida
lance wolf spider
Schizocosa avida is a species of wolf spider (family Lycosidae) native to North America. It is one of the most frequently observed Schizocosa species, with substantial iNaturalist documentation. The species is known to serve as a host for the parasitic mantidfly Climaciella brunnea, whose larvae board female spiders and consume their egg sac contents. Like other wolf spiders, it is a ground-dwelling active hunter.
Spilodiscus gloveri
clown beetle
Spilodiscus gloveri is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Horn in 1870. It is characterized by a black body with two distinctive red maculations (spots) on the elytra, a color pattern that inspired the genus name 'Spilodiscus' (spotted disc). The species occurs in North America, with documented records from the south-central and south-western United States.
Stenolophus lecontei
LeConte's Seedcorn Beetle
Stenolophus lecontei is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as LeConte's Seedcorn Beetle. It is distributed across North America, with records from both the United States and Canada. The species is closely related to Stenolophus comma, with which it shares the common name "seedcorn beetle" and similar ecological associations. Adults have been observed at blacklight in early spring, suggesting nocturnal activity patterns.
Tachysphex terminatus
Tachysphex terminatus is a small solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, part of a species group characterized by specific nesting behaviors in sandy substrates. Females construct individual burrows with multiple cells, provisioned with paralyzed prey for larval development. The species occurs in North America and shares the genus-wide trait of provisioning nests with orthopteran prey, primarily grasshopper nymphs.
Taphrocerus chevrolati
Taphrocerus chevrolati is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found in North America, with records from New Mexico, Arizona, and Alberta, Canada. Adults are associated with sedges and grasses, though larval host relationships remain unclear. The species was described by Obenberger in 1924.
Thanatus
false crab spiders, running crab spiders
A genus of running crab spiders (family Philodromidae) described by C.L. Koch in 1837. Adults reach 5–6 mm in body length and are primarily ground-dwelling hunters found on low vegetation and open surfaces. The genus is distinguished from similar Philodromus by eye arrangement differences and is characterized by a prominent leaf-like cardiac mark on the anterior dorsal abdomen. Thanatus species overwinter as adults and are among the most abundant active spiders in early spring in temperate regions.
Thanatus formicinus
Running Crab Spider, Ant-mimic Crab Spider
Thanatus formicinus is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae with a Holarctic distribution spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. It is a ground-dwelling hunter active during spring and early summer, often observed basking on warm surfaces like concrete paths. The species exhibits ant-mimicry in both appearance and behavior, a distinctive trait among crab spiders.
Thanatus striatus
Striped Running Crab Spider
Thanatus striatus is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, characterized by its striped cephalothorax and ground-dwelling hunting behavior. The species has a broad distribution across the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, Turkey, Russia, and Central Asia. It is active primarily in spring and early summer, with adults capable of overwintering. The species is distinguished from similar slender crab spiders by its more robust body form and preference for ground-level habitats.
Trigonopeltastes floridanus
Trigonopeltastes floridanus is a flower chafer beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is endemic to Florida and associated with the flowers of Opuntia australis, the Florida pricklypear cactus. The species has been observed mating on cactus flowers, suggesting a close ecological relationship with this endemic host plant. Like other members of the genus, it likely feeds on pollen and floral tissues.
Xyelinae
xyeline sawflies
Xyelinae is a subfamily of primitive sawflies within the family Xyelidae, representing one of the earliest-diverging lineages of Hymenoptera. Members are small to medium-sized insects with distinctive morphological features including broad heads and relatively short antennae. The subfamily includes extant genera such as Xyela and Pleroneura, with larvae that develop in plant tissues. Xyelinae sawflies are primarily associated with conifers, particularly pines, where they exhibit specialized host relationships.