Taxonomic-confusion
Guides
Anurapteryx crenulata
Crenulatewinged Grasshopper
Anurapteryx crenulata is a moth species in the family Sematuridae, originally described from North America. The species was previously classified under the grasshopper genus Cordillacris as C. crenulata, but has since been reclassified to the moth genus Anurapteryx. Very little biological information is available for this species under its current taxonomic placement. Most detailed ecological and behavioral data in the literature refers to the species under its former grasshopper classification.
Billaea
Billaea is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately 80 described species. Most larvae are parasitoids of beetle larvae, particularly cerambycids and lucanids, with some species attacking lepidopteran hosts in the family Pyralidae. Several species have been investigated as biological control agents for agricultural and forestry pests, including palm weevils and sugarcane borers.
Tachinidaeparasitoidbiological-controlCerambycidaeDryophthoridaeCrambidaeviviparousplanidiaforest-pestagricultural-pestoil-palmsugarcanepalm-weevilwood-borersoutheast-AsiaSouth-AmericaEuropeBulgariaBrazilTurkeyMexicoPeruintegrated-pest-managementnatural-enemyhost-searchingkairomonessuperparasitismmass-rearingGalleria-mellonellalaboratory-hostfrassgallerytunnelpupal-parasitoidlarval-parasitoidectoparasitoidendoparasitoidColeopteraLepidopteraDipteraBrachyceraDexiinaeDexiiniRobineau-Desvoidy-183080-speciesglobal-distributionforestryagricultureornamental-palmsdate-palmcoconutRhynchophorusDiatraeaPrionusXylotrechusclimate-matchingestablishment-potentialMediterraneanMiddle-EastCaliforniainvasive-speciesred-palm-weevilAmerican-palm-weevilred-ring-diseasevector-controlnatural-mortalitypest-managementsustainable-agriculturehost-specificitytrophic-associationnew-host-recordparasitism-ratefield-parasitismlaboratory-rearingadult-longevityfecunditysex-ratiopupal-viabilitypupal-durationplanidia-lengthfood-resourcespollenhoneysucroseflowering-plantsspontaneous-floracompanion-plantshabitat-managementconservation-biological-controlaugmentative-biological-controlclassical-biological-controlquarantinehost-rangecircumstantial-evidencetaxonomic-confusionB.-rhynchophoraeB.-menezesiB.-adelphaB.-claripalpisB.-rutilansB.-cerambycivoraB.-steiniB.-fortisB.-irrorataB.-pectinataB.-setosaB.-trianguliferaB.-lataB.-intermediaB.-biserialisB.-giganteaB.-rubensB.-maritimaB.-marmorataB.-aurifronsB.-verticalisB.-flavaB.-chinensisB.-brevicaudaB.-kurahashiiB.-micronychiaB.-papeiB.-setigeraB.-yintiaolingB.-rufescensB.-triquetrusB.-rubidaB.-rufiventrisB.-brasiliensisB.-friburgensisB.-giacomeliB.-kosteraeB.-plaumanniB.-shannoniB.-africanaB.-argentaureaB.-atkinsoniB.-capensisB.-communisB.-decisaB.-edwardsiB.-erectaB.-ficorumB.-grandisB.-impigraB.-interruptaB.-kolomyetziB.-luteolaB.-malayanaB.-minorB.-monohammiB.-montanaB.-morosaB.-nipigonensisB.-orbitalisB.-ovataB.-quadrinotaB.-rhingiaeformisB.-robustaB.-satisfactaB.-sibleyiB.-sjostedtiB.-solivagaB.-trivittataB.-trochanterataB.-vanemdeniB.-velutinaB.-versicolorB.-villeneuveiB.-vitripennisB.-ziminiB.-lateralisB.-lativentrisCaenocara tenuipalpum
desert cockroach
Caenocara tenuipalpum is a small beetle species in the family Ptinidae (formerly Anobiidae), first described by Fall in 1905. The common name "desert cockroach" is a misnomer, as this is a beetle, not a cockroach. It is known from North America with very few documented observations.
Dendrocharis flavicornis
Dendrocharis flavicornis is a species of false click beetle in the family Eucnemidae. It was previously classified under the genus Brachyelatus, and sources using that older name have described it as displaying brilliant blue and green metallic coloration. The species has been recorded from Australia. Fossil specimens attributed to this lineage, dating from 34–55 million years ago, represent the first known fossil record for the chalcid wasp subfamily Chrysolampinae—though this fossil assignment appears to reflect the earlier, incorrect wasp classification rather than the current coleopteran placement.
Depressaria radiella
parsnip moth, parsnip webworm
Depressaria radiella is a Eurasian moth introduced to North America in 1862 (Ontario) and New Zealand in 2004. It is a 'superspecialist' herbivore effectively restricted to two closely related apiaceous genera (Heracleum and Pastinaca) throughout its native and introduced ranges. The species is univoltine, with adults active from August through May after overwintering. It has undergone slow westward expansion across North America over 160+ years, reaching the West Coast only after more than 50 years. The species exhibits lower genetic diversity than its congener D. depressana, possibly reflecting its narrow host specialization.
Galenara olivacea
Galenara olivacea is a geometrid moth species described by Rindge in 1958. It was previously classified under the genus Campylacantha, which explains its appearance in grasshopper field guides as a potential source of confusion. The species is known from North America with limited observational records.
Gambrinus confusus
Gambrinus confusus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. As a member of this family, it possesses the characteristic ability to right itself when overturned by producing an audible clicking sound through a specialized thoracic hinge mechanism. The genus Gambrinus is part of the diverse click beetle fauna, with species typically associated with decaying wood and forest floor habitats. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Gonipterus scutellatus
eucalyptus snout beetle, eucalyptus weevil, gum tree weevil
Gonipterus scutellatus is a weevil species endemic to Australia that feeds and breeds exclusively on Eucalyptus trees. It is greyish-brown with a light-colored transverse band and measures approximately 13 mm in length. The species is frequently confused with closely related weevils—G. gibberus, G. platensis, and G. pulverulentus—which share common names and were historically misidentified as G. scutellatus. Populations outside Australia previously attributed to this species have been reidentified through DNA analysis: those in New Zealand, North America, and western Europe are G. platensis, while African and eastern European populations represent an undescribed species.
Hadrophallus bubalus
Hadrophallus bubalus is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Fabricius in 1794. It is classified within the subfamily Smiliinae and tribe Ceresini. The genus Hadrophallus was established to accommodate this and related species, which are characterized by distinctive pronotal modifications. The species has been documented in citizen science observations, with 392 records on iNaturalist.
Haploglenius flavicornis
Haploglenius flavicornis is an owlfly species in the family Ascalaphidae, first described by McLachlan in 1871. The species is distributed in Middle America. Taxonomic confusion exists in the literature, with the same scientific name having been applied to unrelated wasp species; the name Brachyelatus flavicornis used for Australian chalcid wasps represents a separate taxon and is not a valid synonym.
Ischnus
Ischnus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae. The genus has an almost cosmopolitan distribution, with records from Europe including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Species-level biology is poorly documented; most available literature refers to the amphipod Echinogammarus ischnus, a taxonomically unrelated organism with a similar name. The genus contains at least three described species: Ischnus agitator, I. alpinicola, and I. coxalis.
Meligramma cincta
Meligramma cincta is a European hoverfly species in the family Syrphidae. The species has a complex taxonomic history, having been placed in multiple genera including Melangyna, Meligramma (as either a separate genus or subgenus), and Fagisyrphus by different authorities. It is one of approximately 529 observation records on iNaturalist.
Metamasius mosieri
Florida bromeliad weevil
Metamasius mosieri is a small weevil in the family Dryophthoridae, commonly known as the Florida bromeliad weevil. It feeds on bromeliads but occurs at very low population densities in natural habitats and is considered only an occasional, minor pest on ornamental species. It is native to Florida and Cuba and is frequently confused with the more destructive Mexican bromeliad weevil (Metamasius callizona).
Microchrysa
soldierfly
Microchrysa is a genus of soldier flies in the family Stratiomyidae, subfamily Sarginae. The genus was established by Loew in 1855 and contains approximately 40 described species distributed across multiple continents. Historical taxonomic confusion with the synonym Chrysomyia (Macquart, 1834) has led to misidentifications, particularly with blow flies in the genus Chrysomya. The genus is well-represented in citizen science observations with over 7,500 records.
Omus submetallicus
Lustrous Night-stalking Tiger Beetle, Smith's Brome
Omus submetallicus is a nocturnal tiger beetle species in the family Cicindelidae, found in western North America. Adults are active at night and have been observed hunting in intertidal zones, capturing amphipods at low tide. The species has historically been confused with Omus californicus lecontei, leading to taxonomic uncertainty and unclear conservation status. Two subspecies are recognized: O. submetallicus submetallicus and O. submetallicus niger.
Pachyonychis
A genus of flea beetles (family Chrysomelidae) established by H. Clark in 1860, containing a single described species, Pachyonychis paradoxa. The genus name has been subject to taxonomic confusion due to its similarity to the related genus Pachyonychus.
Paluda
Paluda is a genus of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Cicadulini) established by DeLong in 1937. It belongs to the true bugs (Hemiptera) within the suborder Auchenorrhyncha. The genus is recorded from northern Europe, specifically Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. As a member of the Cicadulini tribe, it is part of a group of grass-feeding leafhoppers, though species-level biology remains poorly documented.
Phocides pigmalion
Pigmalion Skipper
Phocides pigmalion, known as the Pigmalion Skipper, is a Neotropical butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species ranges from Central America to Argentina and has been subject to historical taxonomic confusion with related species Phocides batabano and Phocides bicolora. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form and P. p. hewitsonius.
Poecilocera
Poecilocera is a monotypic genus of aquatic leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, containing the single species Poecilocera harrisii. The genus was established by Schaeffer in 1919. The name has been used historically in both Coleoptera and Orthoptera, creating taxonomic confusion.
Scaphomorphus trivittatus
Scaphomorphus trivittatus is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae. The species was originally described by Thomas Say in 1832 and has historically been known under the synonym Boisea trivittatus. It is native to western Canada and is not the same organism as the boxelder bug (Boisea trivittata), a common true bug that shares a similar former scientific name. The species has been recorded in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
Sparganothis pulcherrimana
Beautiful Sparganothis, Aproned Sparganothis
A tortricid moth of eastern North America, historically confused with Sparganothis niveana. The species occurs from Florida to Texas and north to at least Iowa and Ontario. Its common name "aproned" likely refers to a distinctive wing pattern feature. The distribution remains incompletely documented due to past taxonomic confusion with congeners.
Sphenophorus melanocephalus
Uneven Billbug
Sphenophorus melanocephalus is a weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae, commonly known as the Uneven Billbug. It is native to North America with confirmed records from Ontario, Québec, and Vermont. The species has a notable taxonomic history: because type specimens were unavailable, the name was once misapplied to Sphenophorus nubilus. Like other billbugs in the genus, it is associated with grass-feeding habits, though species-specific details remain limited.
Tetraclipeoides denticulatus
Tetraclipeoides denticulatus is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Haldeman in 1848. It is distributed across the western and central United States and western Canada. The species has been historically confused with bark and ambrosia beetles, as evidenced by its misidentification as "Gnathotrichus denticulatus" in major entomological collections. It belongs to a genus of dung beetles within the diverse Scarabaeidae family.