Strong-flier
Guides
Archaeoprepona demophon
one-spotted prepona, banded king shoemaker, demophon shoemaker
Archaeoprepona demophon is a neotropical butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, recognized by its black wings with bright pale blue transverse bands. The species ranges from Mexico through Central America and the West Indies to northern South America. It inhabits forest edges at canopy and subcanopy levels. Larvae feed on plants in the genus Annona and Malpighia glabra, while adults are attracted to rotting fruit and dung.
Blattella asahinai
Asian cockroach
Blattella asahinai, the Asian cockroach, is a small peridomestic cockroach species first described in 1981 from Okinawa, Japan. It is nearly morphologically identical to the German cockroach (B. germanica) but occupies distinct ecological niches, preferring outdoor habitats with leaf litter and vegetation. The species is a strong flier attracted to light, contrasting with its flight-avoidant relative. Since its introduction to Florida in 1986, it has spread throughout the southeastern United States, where it can reach extremely high population densities in suitable habitats.
Chortophaga viridifasciata viridifasciata
Greenstriped Grasshopper, Northern Green-striped Locust
The greenstriped grasshopper is a medium-sized bandwinged species widely distributed across North America, extending into Central America. Northern populations are univoltine, overwintering as late-instar nymphs and maturing in early spring, while southern populations may produce two or more generations annually. Adults exhibit strong sexual dimorphism in coloration: most females are green, most males are brown. The species is a strong flier with long wings extending beyond the abdomen, and males produce crepitation during flight. Though abundant in the eastern United States, populations remain patchy in western regions where the species is restricted to moist microhabitats.
Circotettix
Circotettix is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, containing approximately 9-10 described species. The genus is notable for its cytogenetic characteristics, with several species studied for chromosomal variations that correlate with geographic distribution. Species within this genus are distributed across western North America, with records from Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, and Kansas. Some species, such as C. rabula, have been subjects of thermal behavior studies examining altitudinal variation.
Hadrotettix trifasciatus
three-banded grasshopper, three-banded range grasshopper
Hadrotettix trifasciatus is a large band-winged grasshopper native to western North American grasslands. It is among the largest rangeland grasshopper species, with females reaching dry weights of approximately 469 mg. The species is notable for its distinctive wing banding pattern and preference for forbs over grasses in its diet. Despite its size, it maintains low population densities across most of its range and is not considered economically significant.
Hypoderma tarandi
Reindeer Warble Fly, Reindeer Botfly, Caribou Bot Fly
Hypoderma tarandi is a parasitic warble fly (Diptera: Oestridae) that infests reindeer and caribou across Arctic and subarctic regions. Adult females lay eggs on host hair shafts; larvae penetrate the skin and develop in subcutaneous tissues, creating warble lesions. The species has exceptionally strong flight capacity in females, with maximum lifetime flight distances estimated at 600–900 km, an adaptation linked to the migratory behavior of its host. Adults do not feed; they rely entirely on fat reserves accumulated during larval development. The species causes economic damage to hides, meat, and milk production in domesticated herds and has been documented causing ophthalmomyiasis in humans.
Mermiria bivittata bivittata
Twostriped Slantfaced Grasshopper
Mermiria bivittata bivittata is a large, long-winged grasshopper widely distributed across North America, with its center of abundance in the tallgrass prairie. It is a specialist feeder on native grasses, reaching densities up to one adult per square yard in undisturbed habitat. Despite its potential as a pest due to high individual consumption rates, populations typically remain at low densities and rarely cause significant economic damage. The subspecies exhibits late hatching, relatively slow nymphal development, and strong flight capabilities.
Neococytius cluentius
Cluentius sphinx
Neococytius cluentius, commonly known as the Cluentius sphinx, is a large hawkmoth in the family Sphingidae. It is the sole species in its genus. The species has a broad distribution across the Neotropics, extending northward into the southern United States. Adults are powerful fliers and are attracted to light.
Trimerotropis pallidipennis
pallidwinged grasshopper
The pallidwinged grasshopper is a moderately-sized bandwinged grasshopper with the most extensive distribution of any bandwinged grasshopper in the New World, ranging from southwestern Canada to Argentina. It inhabits desert and semidesert environments where populations undergo sporadic irruptions that can cause significant agricultural damage. The species possesses strong flight capabilities and is known for nocturnal swarming behavior attracted to artificial lights. Outbreaks are typically brief, lasting one to two years, and are associated with above-normal rainfall that promotes egg survival and nymphal development.