Synanthropic
Guides
Tasgius
large rove beetles
Tasgius is a genus of large rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, containing at least 20 described species. Members of this genus are notable for their relatively large size compared to most rove beetles. At least one species, T. winkleri, has been introduced to North America from Europe and has established populations across multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces. The genus is characterized by morphological features including dilated front tarsi in males.
Tasgius ater
Large rove beetle
Tasgius ater is a large rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, native to Europe and now introduced to North America, Australia, and New Zealand. It is among the larger species in this diverse beetle family and exhibits typical rove beetle morphology with shortened elytra exposing most of the abdomen. The species has expanded its range significantly in North America since first detected in the 1930s.
Tasgius winkleri
Tasgius winkleri is a rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) native to Europe that has become established in North America. First reported in New York in 1938, it has since spread to both coasts and westward to Illinois and Colorado. This synanthropic species thrives in human-disturbed habitats and is seldom found far from human activity. Males can be distinguished by their dilated front tarsi (expanded 'feet'). The species was previously confused with T. melanarius under the name Tasgius globulifer until taxonomic revision in 1987.
Tegenaria domestica
Barn Funnel Weaver, Domestic House Spider
Tegenaria domestica is a funnel-web spider in the family Agelenidae, native to Europe but now distributed nearly worldwide through human introduction. It is one of the smaller species in its genus, with females averaging 7.5–11.5 mm and males 6–9 mm in body length. The species is notable for building characteristic funnel-shaped webs and for recently documented colonial behavior in a unique cave environment in Greece/Albania, where thousands of individuals cooperatively maintained a communal web exceeding 100 square meters.
Tegenaria pagana
Rural Funnel-web Spider, House Funnel-web Spider
Tegenaria pagana is a small funnel-web spider in the family Agelenidae, first described from Greece in 1840. It is a synanthropic species strongly associated with human habitations, earning it the common name 'house funnel-web spider.' The species is native to the Palearctic region from Europe through North Africa to Central Asia, but has been introduced globally and is now established on multiple continents. A 2013 taxonomic revision substantially reduced its synonymy, consolidating several previously recognized species. It has been studied as a comparative model for eye development and troglomorphic evolution in cave-dwelling spiders.
Tenebroides mauritanicus
cadelle, cadelle beetle
Tenebroides mauritanicus, the cadelle, is a cosmopolitan stored-product pest beetle in the family Trogossitidae. Adults are exclusively carnivorous, feeding on other insects including flour beetles and false powderpost beetles, while larvae consume grain products and transition to predatory behavior as they develop. The species is notable for its longevity, with adults surviving over 50 days and larvae over 120 days without food. It is the only member of Trogossitidae known to infest stored grain, causing significant damage through both direct feeding and by gnawing holes in packaging that expose food to other pests.
Thereuonema
Thereuonema is a genus of scutigeromorph centipedes in the family Scutigeridae. The genus contains at least one well-documented species, Thereuonema tuberculata, which is native to Asia and has been introduced to Europe and North America. Members of this genus are associated with human-modified environments and have established populations outside their native range.
Theridiidae
tangle-web spiders, cobweb spiders, comb-footed spiders
Theridiidae is a large, globally distributed family of araneomorph spiders comprising over 2,600 species in more than 130 genera. Members are characterized by a comb of serrated bristles (setae) on the tarsus of the fourth leg, used to manipulate silk. The family exhibits remarkable diversity in web architecture, ranging from irregular tangle webs to specialized gumfoot webs and sheet-like structures. Theridiids are ecribellate, producing sticky capture silk rather than woolly silk, and are entelegyne with females possessing a genital plate. The family includes medically significant species such as widow spiders (Latrodectus), model organisms for social behavior research (Anelosimus), and specialized kleptoparasites (Argyrodinae).
Thermobia
Thermobia is a genus of primitive insects in the family Lepismatidae, order Zygentoma. The genus name derives from Greek roots meaning 'warmth' and 'life,' reflecting its members' thermophilic nature. The best-known species, Thermobia domestica (firebrat), is a common synanthropic pest of heated indoor environments worldwide. The genus was originally described as Termophila by Grassi in 1887, emended to Thermophila in 1889, and renamed to Thermobia by Bergroth in 1890.
Tinea
Tinea is a genus of fungus moths in the family Tineidae, established as one of the earliest subgroups of moths. It is the type genus of both its family and subfamily. Historically, the genus encompassed many species now placed in other genera. Species within Tinea include economically significant pests such as the casemaking clothes moth (Tinea pellionella).
Tinea pellionella
case-bearing clothes moth, casemaking clothes moth, fur moth
Tinea pellionella is a small tineid moth commonly known as the case-bearing or casemaking clothes moth. It is a cosmopolitan pest of stored woollen goods and natural keratinous materials. The species is distinguished by larval behavior: caterpillars construct portable silken cases reinforced with debris and food fibers, which they carry while feeding. Adults are weak fliers with reduced mouthparts and do not feed. The species has become less common in modern centrally heated homes due to drier conditions.
Tinea unidentified-az
Tinea unidentified-az is a member of the fungus moth family Tineidae, a lineage that predates many more recognizable moth species. The genus Tinea includes several species with specialized larval habits, most notably the casemaking clothes moth (Tinea pellionella), whose larvae construct portable silk tubes incorporating food debris and frass. Tineid moths as a group are characterized by their ability to exploit keratinaceous materials and other organic substrates. This particular taxon designation suggests an unidentified or undescribed species from Arizona, though specific details remain undocumented.
Tineola
clothes moths
Tineola is a genus of small moths in the family Tineidae containing two described species, including the economically significant common clothes moth (T. bisselliella). The genus is notable for larvae that possess specialized digestive capabilities enabling them to metabolize keratin, a protein found in hair, wool, feathers, and other animal-derived materials. These moths are synanthropic, having evolved alongside humans and now rarely occurring outside human dwellings.
Tineola bisselliella
webbing clothes moth, common clothes moth, clothing moth
Tineola bisselliella is a small moth in the family Tineidae, notable as a significant pest of stored wool and natural fibers. Adults are 6–7 mm in body length with a 9–16 mm wingspan, characterized by pale yellowish-ochreous forewings and a distinctive red-orange tuft of hair on the head. The species is synanthropic, now rarely found outside human dwellings. Larvae possess the unusual ability to digest keratin, enabling them to feed on wool, silk, fur, and other animal-derived materials. Adults do not feed and have atrophied mouthparts; all damage is caused by larval feeding.
Triatoma sanguisuga
Eastern Bloodsucking Conenose, Mexican Bed Bug, Kissing Bug
Triatoma sanguisuga is a blood-feeding assassin bug in the subfamily Triatominae, commonly known as the eastern bloodsucking conenose or kissing bug. It is the most widespread triatomine species in the United States and serves as a vector for Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. Unlike highly efficient South American vectors such as Triatoma infestans, T. sanguisuga typically defecates after feeding rather than during, reducing but not eliminating transmission risk to humans. The species has been implicated in documented autochthonous human Chagas disease cases in the United States.
Trogium pulsatorium
larger pale booklouse, deathwatch, common booklouse, grain psocid
Trogium pulsatorium is a granary booklouse in the family Trogiidae with a near-cosmopolitan distribution spanning six continents. It inhabits stored grain facilities, warehouses, and human dwellings where it feeds on dry organic matter. The species is notable for its association with stored products and its historical confusion with true deathwatch beetles due to shared common names.
Urozelotes rusticus
Urozelotes rusticus is a cosmopolitan ground-dwelling spider in the family Gnaphosidae and the type species of the genus Urozelotes. Originally described from Europe in 1872, it has been introduced to the Americas, tropical Africa, Australia, and South Africa through human activity. Its synanthropic habits enable it to thrive in buildings and modified environments worldwide.
Zoropsis spinimana
Mediterranean Spiny False Wolf Spider, Nosferatu-Spinne
Zoropsis spinimana is a medium-sized zoropsid spider native to the Mediterranean region that has expanded its range northward into Central and Northern Europe and been introduced to the United States and United Kingdom. The species is notable for its wolf spider-like appearance but with eyes more spread out along the cephalothorax, and for its strong association with human dwellings where it finds mild temperatures and abundant prey. It is an active nocturnal hunter that does not build webs. Sexual maturity occurs in autumn, with egg-laying in spring. Climate change and human-mediated transport have facilitated its range expansion.
Zygiella
Missing-sector Orbweb Spiders
Zygiella is a genus of orb-weaver spiders distinguished by their distinctive webs, which feature a missing sector containing a single signaling thread that leads to a tubular retreat. First described by F. O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1902, the genus underwent taxonomic revision in 2015 when Parazygiella was synonymized with Zygiella. The genus has a global distribution, with species found across Europe, North America, Asia, and introduced populations in South America and elsewhere.
Zygiella x-notata
missing sector orb weaver, silver-sided sector spider, Winter Spider, Opensector Orbweaver
Zygiella x-notata is an orb-weaving spider distinguished by its characteristic web with a missing sector in the upper half, connected by a signal thread to a peripheral retreat. Adult females measure 5–11 mm, males up to 7 mm. The species exhibits strong synanthropic behavior, commonly found on human structures such as window frames, walls, and fences. It has an annual life cycle with reproduction in summer and egg sac production in autumn. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to North America, New Zealand, and other regions worldwide.