Taxonomic-revision

Guides

Abacetini
Abacetini is a tribe of ground beetles (family Carabidae) containing at least 3 genera and approximately 40 described species. Taxonomic treatment of this group has been revised: it was formerly recognized as a distinct tribe but is now often treated as the subtribe Abacetina within the tribe Pterostichini. Members of this group are part of the diverse ground beetle fauna, which are predominantly predatory and terrestrial.
ground-beetles Carabidae taxonomic-revision Pterostichini
Aceratagallia semiarida
Aceratagallia semiarida is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, originally described under the genus Ceratagallia. It belongs to a genus of small, slender leafhoppers found primarily in arid and semiarid regions of North America. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with no confirmed observations in major biodiversity databases. Its taxonomic placement was revised from Ceratagallia to Aceratagallia based on morphological characteristics.
leafhopper Cicadellidae Megophthalminae Aceratagallia arid-adapted poorly-known-species taxonomic-revision
Acidota
A genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini) established in 1829. Species occur across the Holarctic region, with documented presence in Eurasia and North America. The genus includes at least 10 described species, with recent taxonomic work clarifying species boundaries and geographic distributions in Russia and China.
Staphylinidae Omaliinae Anthophagini rove-beetles Holarctic Stephens-1829 A.-crenata A.-cruentata A.-quadrata A.-dawai taxonomic-revision Russian-fauna Chinese-fauna high-elevation rhododendron-litter
Acontia
Acontia is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, established by Ferdinand Ochsenheimer in 1816. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many species formerly placed here now transferred to Tarache. The genus remains under study, with related genera Eusceptis, Pseudalypia, and Spragueia sometimes included but currently treated as separate pending further research.
moths Noctuidae Acontiinae taxonomic-revision
Acylophorus
Acylophorus is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, tribe Staphylinini, subtribe Acylophorina. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with documented species across sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, the Mascarene Islands, and northern Europe. Taxonomic revisions have established numerous species synonymies and described multiple new species from African and insular populations. The genus is characterized by morphological features including distinctive forebody structure, maxillary palpi, antennae, and aedeagus morphology used in species-level identification.
rove-beetles Staphylinidae Staphylininae cosmopolitan taxonomic-revision
Aethodelphax
Aethodelphax is a genus of planthoppers in the family Delphacidae, established in 2011 to accommodate eight North American species previously classified in Delphacodes. The genus includes one newly described species and seven transferred species, all associated with native grassland habitats in the midwestern and southeastern United States. Species in this genus are small, delicate delphacids distinguished by specific genitalic and wing venation characters.
grassland-specialist North-American-endemic taxonomic-revision
Agabus cordatus
Agabus cordatus is a species of predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae, originally described by LeConte in 1853. It is currently treated as a synonym of Ilybiosoma cordatum, a genus distinguished from Agabus by subtle morphological features of the male genitalia and body proportions. Like other members of the subfamily Agabinae, it is an aquatic beetle inhabiting freshwater systems. Records indicate presence in North America.
synonym diving-beetle aquatic-beetle North-American-fauna taxonomic-revision
Agathidini
Agathidini is a tribe of braconid parasitoid wasps within the subfamily Agathidinae. Members are found primarily in Southeast Asia, with particular diversity in Thailand. The tribe has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with ten new genera described in 2017 to address previous issues of species being placed in 'dumping ground' genera. Females lay eggs inside early-stage caterpillars of various moths, with larvae developing internally and consuming the host before it pupates.
parasitoid Braconidae Southeast-Asia Thailand biological-control caterpillar-parasite taxonomic-revision 2017-revision
Agonocryptus discoidaloides
Agonocryptus discoidaloides is a species of ichneumonid wasp in the subfamily Cryptinae. Originally described as a subspecies by Viereck in 1905, it was elevated to species rank (stat. nov.) by Supeleto & Aguiar in 2022. The first published images of males were published in 2022, documenting both typical morphology and morphological variation within the species. It is one of 16 Agonocryptus species for which distribution records were substantially expanded in a 2022 taxonomic revision.
ichneumonid-wasp parasitoid Cryptinae Neotropical taxonomic-revision stat.-nov.2022
Agonoxeninae
palm moths
Agonoxeninae is a subfamily of small moths within the family Elachistidae (grass-miner moths). The group has undergone substantial taxonomic revision, expanding from a monotypic arrangement centered on Agonoxena to encompass approximately 13 genera, with several genera transferred from Cosmopterigidae. Members are commonly referred to as palm moths, reflecting an ecological association with palms. The classification history illustrates ongoing debate about boundaries between Agonoxeninae, Blastodacnidae, and Elachistidae.
palm-moths leaf-miners taxonomic-revision Gelechioidea
Alleculina
comb-clawed beetles
Alleculina is a subtribe of comb-clawed beetles within the darkling beetle family Tenebrionidae. Members of this group were formerly classified as a separate family (Alleculidae) but have been reclassified as a subfamily (Alleculinae) and subsequently as a subtribe within the Tenebrionidae. These beetles do not resemble 'classic' darkling beetles in appearance, presenting a challenge for identification. The subtribe includes genera such as Hymenorus.
Tenebrionidae Alleculinae comb-clawed-beetles Coleoptera darkling-beetles taxonomic-revision subtribe
Allocapnia rickeri
Midwest Snowfly
Allocapnia rickeri is a small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae, commonly known as the Midwest Snowfly. It is one of numerous small, dark stoneflies in the genus Allocapnia that emerge during cold months when few other insects are active. The species has been documented across the central and eastern United States. Like other capniids, it is associated with clean, cold streams and is an important indicator of water quality.
winter-stonefly bioindicator coldwater Plecoptera Capniidae Allocapnia lotic emergence brachyptery aptery genitalia-identification Frison-1942 Midwest southeastern-US clean-water-indicator January-March small-stonefly wingless-female stream-insect shredder gatherer seasonal-resource water-quality aquatic-insect terrestrial-adult short-lived-adult oviposition submerged-eggs high-dissolved-oxygen low-temperature central-US eastern-US Alabama Arkansas Delaware Georgia Illinois hexapod hemimetabolous Euholognatha Nemouroidea Arctoperlaria Insecta Arthropoda Animalia GBIF Catalogue-of-Life iNaturalist NCBI taxonomy accepted-species 1942 Frison Ricker Midwest-Snowfly snowfly small-dark-stonefly clean-streams rivers well-oxygenated lotic-habitat cold-months winter-activity wing-reduction female-aptery male-flight epiproct paraproct terminalia taxonomic-revision congeners distribution-records observations 9-observations eukaryote metazoan arthropod insect stonefly winter-emerging January February March cold-weather near-freezing below-freezing water-surface submerged-substrates allochthonous-organic-material stream-ecosystems seasonal-food-resource insectivorous-birds predators scarce-prey unpolluted no-economic-importance stream-monitoring water-quality-indicator high-quality-coldwater microscopic-examination taxonomic-keys male-terminalia reliable-separation genitalic-examination overlapping-distribution similar-habitat small-size under-10-mm body-length reduced-wings absent-wings fully-developed-wings specific-identification published-descriptions illustrations subsequent-revisions characteristic family-Capniidae common-name extended-nymphal-period one-to-two-years short-lived does-not-feed aquatic-nymph clean-cold-streams low-temperatures year-round winter-months January-through-March family centered-Midwest extends-southeastern United-States documented appears most-reliably distinguished subtle-differences terminal-abdominal-structures should-be-compared against published subsequent genus-level characterized reduced absent females fully-developed males requires-examination male-genitalia structure paraprocts reliable separation overlaps similar many externally definitive relies microscopic examination comparison keys used biological indicator programs presence indicates cold conditions no-direct economic importance shredders gatherers processing allochthonous organic material stream ecosystems seasonal food resource insectivorous birds other when alternative prey scarce serves high-quality habitats development aquatic nymphal stages terrestrial adult stage nymphs develop streams extended period likely one two years based related species adults do-not feed active during weather air temperatures may near below freezing winged capable flight wingless short-winged remain water surface mating occur winter entering deposit eggs submerged substrates small commonly known numerous dark emerge few insects central eastern associated clean important under mm body length members genus wings possess fully developed specific identification level within requires male genitalia particularly most reliably subtle differences these terminal abdominal structures should compared descriptions taxonomic revisions winter-emerging maintain low high dissolved oxygen levels throughout year United States distribution centered extends southeastern months typically through this activity gives rise common name do not provides quality monitoring no direct habitat morphology size genitalic
Alopecosa exasperans
Alopecosa exasperans is a wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. It forms part of the albostriata species group alongside A. albostriata and A. mutabilis, a group distributed across Siberia and the northern Nearctic. The species has been recorded in Canada and Greenland. Taxonomic research suggests this species group may eventually be transferred to the genus Mustelicosa based on male palp morphology.
wolf-spider Lycosidae Araneae Nearctic Palearctic taxonomic-revision
Amoebaleria helvola
Amoebaleria helvola is a species of small fly in the family Heleomyzidae, first described by Hermann Loew in 1862. The species was originally placed in the genus Scoliocentra before being transferred to Amoebaleria. Heleomyzid flies are generally associated with decaying organic matter, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. It is one of several species in the genus Amoebaleria, which is distributed across the Holarctic region.
Diptera Heleomyzidae Holarctic taxonomic-revision
Amphipyrinae
Amphipyrinae is a subfamily of owlet moths (Noctuidae) historically used as a catchall taxon for genera lacking clear morphological synapomorphies for assignment to other subfamilies. Molecular phylogenetic studies have significantly redefined the group, transferring numerous genera to other subfamilies. Following major revisions, the genus Amphipyra is now the only genus definitively retained in Amphipyrinae. The subfamily currently contains over 50 genera and 210 described species, though this classification remains unstable pending further research.
polyphyletic taxonomic-revision molecular-phylogenetics noctuid-moths unstable-classification
Anacampsis consonella
Anacampsis consonella is a small gelechiid moth species originally described by Zeller in 1873. It was long treated as a junior synonym of A. rhoifructella but was reinstated as a valid species based on differences in larval morphology, phenology, and genital structure. The species feeds as a larva on leaves of Viburnum prunifolium (blackhaw viburnum).
moth Gelechiidae leaf-miner Viburnum North-America taxonomic-revision
Anacharis
Anacharis is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Figitidae, established by Dalman in 1823. The genus occurs in the Palaearctic and Indomalayan regions, with species documented from Europe, Norway, and Thailand. A 2018 taxonomic revision redescribed four previously known Palaearctic species and described three new species, including the first Indomalayan record for the genus. The genus was also subject to nomenclatural changes, including the synonymization of A. gracilipes with A. eucharoides and the transfer of A. flavidicornis to the genus Aegilips.
parasitoid figitidae hymenoptera palaearctic indomalayan taxonomic-revision
Anarsioses aberrans
A small leafmining moth in the family Gracillariidae, originally described from North America in 1930. The species was transferred between multiple genera before molecular and morphological studies established its placement in the new genus Anarsioses, distinguished from related Phyllonorycter by asymmetrical male genitalia and distinct larval biology.
leafminer Gracillariidae Lithocolletinae North-America asymmetric-genitalia taxonomic-revision
Ancylis diminuatana
A tortricid moth reinstated as a valid species by Huemer and Gilligan (2016) following taxonomic revision of the Ancylis geminana group. Previously treated as a synonym of A. diminutana (Haworth), it is now recognized as distinct based on DNA barcode data and morphological differences. The species is not Holarctic in distribution, unlike some related Ancylis species.
Tortricidae Olethreutinae taxonomic-revision DNA-barcoding Nearctic leafroller-moth 2016-reinstatement
Ancylosis
snout moths
Ancylosis is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, established by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1839. The genus exhibits broad geographic distribution across multiple continents, with species recorded from Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Taxonomic revision work in recent years has clarified species boundaries, established new synonyms, and reinstated several previously synonymized species. The genus contains multiple subgenera including Ancylosis, Heterographis, Cabotia, and Syria, though some species remain unassigned.
Pyralidae Phycitinae snout-moth Zeller-1839 Palaearctic Afrotropical cosmopolitan-distribution taxonomic-revision genitalia-morphology species-complex
Anisoscelis
leaf-footed bugs
Anisoscelis is a genus of leaf-footed bugs (Coreidae: Anisoscelini) distributed from the southern United States through Central and South America. The genus currently comprises approximately nine species, though species counts vary due to taxonomic revisions. Members are associated with passion vine plants (Passifloraceae) as host plants. Several species exhibit expanded, leaf-like hind tibial structures. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with former subgenus Bitta now restored to generic rank.
Coreidae leaf-footed-bug Passifloraceae phytophagous taxonomic-revision egg-parasitoid-host
Ankosus
Ankosus is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, described by Oman and Musgrave in 1975. It belongs to the subfamily Errhomeninae and tribe Bathysmatophorini. As a member of the Membracoidea superfamily, these insects are part of the diverse Auchenorrhyncha lineage within Hemiptera. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature beyond its original taxonomic description.
leafhopper Cicadellidae Errhomeninae Bathysmatophorini taxonomic-revision
Anobiopsis
Anobiopsis is a genus of beetles in the family Ptinidae (formerly Anobiidae), described by Fall in 1905. The genus placement has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some sources placing it in Anobiidae and others in Ptinidae following modern family-level reclassification. No observations of this genus have been recorded in iNaturalist.
beetle ptinid anobiid taxonomic-revision
Anthicus
antlike flower beetles
Anthicus is the type genus and largest genus of Anthicidae, a family of beetles commonly known as antlike flower beetles. The genus contains at least 100 described species and exhibits high morphological diversity. Species in this genus are small beetles that resemble ants in appearance and behavior. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with some species formerly placed in Anthicus now transferred to other genera such as Furcanthicus based on morphological characters.
ant-mimicry taxonomic-revision morphological-diversity
Anthobium
Anthobium is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini) established by William Elford Leach in 1819. The genus has undergone extensive taxonomic revision, with multiple former genera (Deliphrum, Lathrimaeum, Eudeliphrum, Arpediopsis) synonymized under Anthobium. Species are organized into numerous species groups including atrocephalum, fusculum, gracilipalpe, nigrum, morchella, reflexum, consanguineum, crassum, tectum, algidum, morosum, fortepunctatum, and convexior groups. The genus is distributed across the entire Palaearctic region, with highest diversity in mountainous areas of China, the Himalayas, and Nepal.
rove-beetle Staphylinidae Omaliinae Palaearctic mountain-fauna taxonomic-revision China Himalaya Nepal
Anurida
Anurida is a genus of springtails (Collembola) in the family Neanuridae, established in 1865 by Laboulbène. The genus has cosmopolitan distribution with species occupying diverse habitats including intertidal marine zones, river floodplains, riparian areas, and forest ecosystems. Well-studied species include the intertidal specialist Anurida maritima, which exhibits complex tidal-entrained behaviors, and the terrestrial A. granaria, which has documented mycophagous associations. The genus shows notable morphological diversity in chaetotaxy and eye reduction, with some species groups exhibiting cryptic genetic divergence despite morphological similarity.
Collembola springtails intertidal tidal-behavior cryptic-species endosymbionts Wolbachia Spiroplasma diapause univoltine mycophagy chaetotaxy Neanuridae cosmopolitan-distribution circatidal-rhythm egg-diapause salt-marsh river-floodplain riparian-zone forest-habitat Beringian-fauna genetic-divergence-without-morphological-change tidal-entrainment aggregation-behavior sexual-dimorphism-in-foraging starvation-mortality holometabolous-like-development setal-reduction ocelli-reduction hammerae-group Anurida-maritima-species-group Laboulbène-1865 Poduromorpha Neanurinae Pseudachorutinae terrestrial marine-intertidal freshwater-riparian nutrient-cycling organic-matter-decomposition fungal-dispersal apothecia-feeding clay-wall-nests air-filled-cavities tidal-refuge weather-dependent-activity temperature-dependent-diapause-termination mitochondrial-genome-divergence ancient-circatidal-behavior cytoplasmic-incompatibility male-killing Type-V-cif-genes genome-wide-differentiation Pool-seq-phylogenomics Holarctic-distribution temperate-zone-adaptation overwintering-eggs autumn-mortality physiological-stress foraging-efficiency low-temperature-limitation tidal-inundation-response behavioral-synchronization nest-construction sexual-reproduction colonial-aggregation fungal-association Peziza-arvernensis riverina granaria octoculata hirsuta elegans reducta narli bisetosa Vladivostok-Botanical-Garden Primorsky-Krai Poland Southern-Brazil North-western-Europe United-Kingdom The-Netherlands Andean Arctic Sub-arctic Cape Caribbean Central-Australia coniferous-broadleaved-forest protected-forest vertical-clay-walls creek-walls salt-marsh-foraging marsh-wandering nest-marsh-exchange molting-refuge egg-deposition-sites sexually-mature-aggregation hibernating-eggs spring-hatching summer-egg-laying autumn-diapause-termination winter-development-suppression adult-death starvation-risk glycogen-depletion lipid-depletion body-size-decline sluggishness-at-low-temperature limited-low-water-period temperate-survival-strategy cosmopolitan-species-with-local-adaptation genetic-crosses-needed sex-ratio-studies-needed endosymbiont-effects-unknown reproductive-manipulation-potential selfish-genetic-elements maternal-inheritance phylogenomic-analysis single-copy-orthologous-genes nuclear-genome-divergence mitochondrial-lineage-association species-group-concept morphological-stasis evolutionary-divergence systematic-revision-needed tribe-validity Neanurinae-subdivision Pseudachorutinae-placement higher-rank-taxonomy-match GBIF-records iNaturalist-observations Catalogue-of-Life-acceptance NCBI-taxonomy Entognatha Hexapoda Eukaryota Metazoa Animalia Arthropoda springtail-biodiversity soil-mesofauna intertidal-invertebrate marine-terrestrial-transition-zone estuarine-ecology tidal-flat-ecology floodplain-ecology riparian-ecology forest-floor-ecology mycophagous-collembolan fungal-feeding-springtail nutrient-cycler decomposer detritivore organic-matter-processor ecosystem-engineer-(nest-construction)microhabitat-specialist habitat-partition sexual-dimorphism behavioral-plasticity environmental-cue-response phototaxis-modification thermotaxis-response hydrotaxis-response aggregation-pheromone-(inferred)social-behavior-(colonial)reproductive-behavior courtship oviposition-site-selection egg-guarding-(absent)diapause-evolution life-history-strategy univoltinism semelparity-(effective)annual-life-cycle seasonal-polyphenism-(absent)developmental-arrest cold-requirement-for-development temperature-threshold 5°C-diapause-termination spring-warming-trigger phenology population-dynamics demography mortality-factor starvation environmental-stress climate-sensitivity habitat-specificity endemism-(some-species)cryptic-biodiversity molecular-taxonomy integrative-taxonomy phylogeography population-genetics genomic-resources Wolbachia-genome Spiroplasma-genome bacterial-endosymbiosis host-microbe-interaction reproductive-parasitism mutualism-(unknown)commensalism-(unknown)symbiont-phylogeny horizontal-gene-transfer-(absent-in-data)prophage-genes cif-gene-evolution Type-V-clade male-killing-gene-absence CI-gene-presence wmk-gene-presence SpAID-absence bacterial-genome-reduction-(inferred)host-adaptation coevolution symbiont-sharing-between-host-lineages genetic-divergence-with-symbiont-sharing speciation-mechanism reproductive-isolation cytoplasmic-incompatibility-as-speciation-driver-(unlikely-given-identical-cif-sequences)alternative-speciation-mechanisms ecological-speciation behavioral-isolation habitat-isolation temporal-isolation geographic-isolation allopatric-divergence parapatric-divergence sympatric-divergence-(possible)cryptic-species-identification-challenge morphological-taxonomy-limitations molecular-systematics-necessity DNA-barcoding genome-skimming Pool-seq phylogenomic-inference species-delimitation integrative-species-concept operational-taxonomic-unit evolutionary-significant-unit conservation-unit biodiversity-assessment faunistics biogeography dispersal-ability passive-dispersal active-dispersal habitat-fidelity site-fidelity nest-fidelity philopatry-(inferred)population-structure gene-flow genetic-differentiation isolation-by-distance isolation-by-environment local-adaptation phenotypic-plasticity genetic-accommodation evolutionary-developmental-biology evo-devo setal-development sensory-organ-development eye-reduction-evolution cave-adaptation-(absent)soil-adaptation intertidal-adaptation desiccation-resistance-(inferred)salinity-tolerance hypoxia-tolerance-(inferred)nest-air-pocket-maintenance respiratory-adaptation cuticular-waterproofing-(inferred)osmoregulation ion-regulation excretory-system Malpighian-tubules-(standard)labial-glands digestive-system midgut hindgut feeding-apparatus maxilla mandible labrum epipharynx hypopharynx mouthparts-entognathous head-capsule antennae segment-number segment-fusion thorax abdomen furca-(absent-in-some-Neanuridae)tenaculum collophore ventral-tube reticulate-pattern pigmentation coloration size-variation body-shape cylindrical-body setal-arrangement macrosetae microsetae sensory-setae mechanoreceptors chemoreceptors hygroreceptors thermoreceptors photoreceptors ocelli-structure eye-number-reduction eye-complete-loss-(some-species)pigment-loss cuticular-granulation cuticular-tubercles cuticular-scales body-sclerotization intersegmental-membranes appendage-structure leg-segmentation claw-structure unguiculus tenent-hair empodial-appendage tibiotarsus femur trochanter coxa subcoxa abdominal-segmentation tergite-structure sternite-structure pleurite-structure tergal-chaetotaxy sternal-chaetotaxy pleural-chaetotaxy axial-setae paraxial-setae marginal-setae p-row-setae a-row-setae m-row-setae setal-formula setal-nomenclature Fjellberg-system Gisin-system taxonomic-stability nomenclatural-acts type-species type-locality type-specimen original-description subsequent-redescriptions faunal-revisions catalogues checklists databases GBIF iNaturalist NCBI BOLD COL ITIS Encyclopedia-of-Life Wikipedia primary-literature taxonomic-literature ecological-literature physiological-literature genomic-literature symbiont-literature behavioral-literature entomology acarology soil-zoology marine-biology intertidal-ecology estuarine-science limnology freshwater-biology terrestrial-ecology forest-ecology fungal-ecology microbial-ecology symbiosis-research evolutionary-biology population-biology conservation-biology biodiversity-science systematics phylogenetics paleontology-(absent)fossil-record-(absent)amber-inclusion-(possible-but-unreported)subfossil-(absent)quaternary-record-(absent)historical-ecology anthropogenic-impact pollution-sensitivity bioindicator-potential conservation-status-(unevaluated)IUCN-Red-List-(absent)habitat-protection-needs protected-area-occurrence invasive-potential-(low)agricultural-pest-(absent)household-pest-(absent)economic-importance-(minimal)scientific-importance-(high)model-organism-potential teaching-organism research-subject biodiversity-component ecosystem-service-provider cultural-significance-(absent)traditional-knowledge-(absent)indigenous-knowledge-(absent)vernacular-names-(absent)etymology Anurida-(etymology-unknown,-possibly-Greek-'an-'-without-+-'oura'-tail,-referring-to-reduced-furca)Laboulbène 1865 historical-taxonomy classical-taxonomy modern-taxonomy future-research-needs taxonomic-revision phylogenetic-analysis population-genomic-study functional-genomic-study developmental-study physiological-study behavioral-study ecological-study symbiont-study conservation-study
Apantesis
tiger moths
Apantesis is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1855. Following phylogenetic research published in 2016, the genera Grammia, Holarctia, and Notarctia were merged into Apantesis, substantially expanding its species diversity. The genus is found in North and Central America, with some species documented in other regions including Iraq. Members are characterized by bold color patterns typical of tiger moths, including striped forewings and often brightly colored abdomens that serve as aposematic signals.
tiger-moth Erebidae Arctiinae taxonomic-revision nocturnal aposematic-coloration North-America citizen-science National-Moth-Week
Apantesis edwardsii
A tiger moth in the family Erebidae, Apantesis edwardsii was described by Stretch in 1872. It has a highly restricted distribution, known only from the San Francisco area of California and Klamath County in Oregon. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis in a taxonomic revision that consolidated several related genera.
tiger-moth Erebidae Arctiinae endemic California Oregon restricted-range taxonomic-revision
Apantesis incorrupta
Immaculate Tiger Moth
Apantesis incorrupta is an arctiine tiger moth in the family Erebidae, described by Henry Edwards in 1881. It occurs across the southwestern United States and Mexico, inhabiting grasslands and open woodlands. The species produces two generations annually and is notable for research demonstrating larval self-medication behavior using alkaloid compounds to combat parasitoids. It was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis in recent taxonomic revisions.
tiger-moth arctiine self-medication pharmacophagy alkaloid-sequestration bivoltine southwestern-North-America grassland open-woodland nocturnal UV-light-attraction Henry-Edwards-1881 taxonomic-revision Grammia-incorrupta parasitoid-defense
Apantesis nevadensis
Nevada tiger moth
Apantesis nevadensis, the Nevada tiger moth, is a small tiger moth in the family Erebidae. It was described by Grote and Robinson in 1866. The species occurs across western North America from the Pacific Northwest through the Rocky Mountain states and intermountain region, extending into the Canadian prairies. It inhabits arid and semi-arid environments including deserts, sagebrush rangelands, juniper woodlands, and open forests. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis in 2009 along with related tiger moth genera.
tiger-moth western-North-America arid-habitat-specialist taxonomic-revision
Apantesis nevadensis superba
Grammia nevadensis superba
Apantesis nevadensis superba is a subspecies of tiger moth in the family Erebidae, originally described as Arctia superba by Stretch in 1874. It belongs to a group of tiger moths formerly placed in the genus Grammia. The subspecies is part of the Apantesis nevadensis species complex, which includes moths with distinctive striped forewing patterns characteristic of tiger moths. Like other members of its genus, it possesses defensive compounds as a chemical defense against predators. The subspecies has been documented through limited observations, with records in iNaturalist indicating it is encountered infrequently.
subspecies tiger-moth Arctiinae Erebidae Lepidoptera North-America defensive-compounds taxonomic-revision
Apantesis phyllira
Phyllira Tiger Moth
Apantesis phyllira, commonly known as the Phyllira Tiger Moth, is a species of tiger moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Dru Drury in 1773, this moth was formerly classified under the genus Grammia but was transferred to Apantesis along with related species. It occurs across a broad range of North America from eastern Canada to the southern United States and west to the Great Plains. The species is listed as endangered in Connecticut, reflecting conservation concerns in parts of its range.
tiger-moth Erebidae Arctiinae North-America grassland woodland agricultural-pest-potential endangered-(Connecticut)blacklight-attracted taxonomic-revision
Apantesis virgo
Virgin Tiger Moth
A tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Linnaeus in 1758. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis in 2009 along with related taxa. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form in the Great Lakes and Atlantic regions, and A. v. gigas in the southeastern United States. The species overwinters as larvae.
tiger-moth Arctiinae North-America Linnaeus-1758 taxonomic-revision
Apantesis williamsii
Williams' Tiger Moth
A tiger moth of the family Erebidae found across northern North America. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet light. The species was transferred from the genus Grammia to Apantesis during a taxonomic revision that consolidated several related genera. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form and A. w. tooele from central Utah.
tiger-moth erebidae north-america taxonomic-revision
Apatelodidae
American silkworm moths
Apatelodidae is a family of medium-sized bombycoid moths endemic to the New World, with highest diversity in the Neotropical region. The family contains approximately 14 genera and 222+ species following recent taxonomic revisions, though generic boundaries remain in flux due to ongoing phylogenetic studies. Adults typically exhibit cryptic coloration in greyish, straw-yellow, or reddish-brown tones with darker wing markings. Larvae of at least some species possess urticating setae, a trait first documented in the family in 2025. The family was elevated from subfamily status within Bombycidae in recent decades and continues to undergo substantial taxonomic restructuring.
Bombycoidea Neotropical silkworm-moths urticating-setae taxonomic-revision molecular-systematics cryptic-species herbivory parasitoid-host
Aphaniosoma
Aphaniosoma is a genus of small flies in the family Chyromyidae, established by Becker in 1903. The genus is particularly diverse in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, with recent taxonomic work describing 19 new species from this region. Species-level identification relies on detailed examination of male genitalia and other subtle morphological characters.
Diptera Chyromyidae Eastern-Mediterranean Middle-East Egypt taxonomic-revision genus flies
Apodemia
metalmark butterflies
Apodemia is a New World genus of metalmark butterflies (family Riodinidae) ranging from Canada to Brazil. The genus contains approximately 18 described species, including the type species Apodemia mormo (Mormon metalmark). Species-level taxonomy has undergone revision; Apodemia paucipuncta was transferred to the new genus Hallonympha based on morphological and behavioral characters. Oviposition behavior varies geographically: northern populations of A. mormo deposit single eggs on soil or rocks, while southern populations lay eggs in groups on host plants.
Riodinidae metalmark-butterflies New-World Nearctic Neotropical grassland-butterflies Eriogonum oviposition-plasticity taxonomic-revision genus-level-taxonomy
Arachosia
A genus of anyphaenid sac spiders native to the Americas, first described by Octavius Pickard-Cambridge in 1882. The genus comprises 21 recognized species, including seven recently described species. Arachosia species are primarily associated with grassland and forest habitats. A taxonomic revision resolved long-standing identification problems in the A. cubana species complex and documented disjunct distribution patterns suggesting potential cryptic speciation.
spider anyphaenid sac-spider Neotropical Nearctic genital-morphology cryptic-species grassland forest taxonomic-revision
Arctiina
Arctiina is a subtribe of tiger moths within the family Erebidae, historically treated as the tribe Arctiini before taxonomic reclassification lowered its rank while retaining its content. The subtribe contains approximately 5 valid genera following extensive synonymization in 2016, with species distributed across the Palaearctic and Neotropical regions. Members exhibit classic tiger moth characteristics including aposematic coloration and, in males, eversible androconial glands (coremata) used for pheromone dispersal during courtship.
tiger-moths aposematic-coloration coremata pheromone-communication chemical-sequestration cryptic-species DNA-barcoding Palaearctic Neotropical taxonomic-revision
Argynnini
Fritillaries
Argynnini is a tribe of brush-footed butterflies in the subfamily Heliconiinae, commonly known as fritillaries. The group comprises roughly 100 species worldwide, with approximately 30 species in North America. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have substantially revised generic boundaries within the tribe, with several formerly recognized genera now synonymized under Argynnis and Boloria, while others such as Speyeria and Fabriciana have been reinstated as distinct. Members of this tribe are characterized by their often bright orange and black patterned wings and their ecological associations with specific larval host plants, primarily violets (Viola) and related species.
butterflies fritillaries Heliconiinae Nymphalidae Lepidoptera orange-and-black-butterflies viola-feeders univoltine partial-migrants taxonomic-revision
Argyria lacteella
milky urola moth, Southern Milky Argyria Moth
A small crambid moth with a wingspan of approximately 11 mm, distinguished by milky-white to pale gray coloration. Taxonomic identity was recently clarified through DNA hybridization capture from the 1794 Fabricius lectotype, resolving decades of confusion with the widespread North American species now assigned to Argyria gonogramma. The species occurs primarily in the southeastern United States, Caribbean, and Neotropics. Adults are active from spring through fall.
museomics DNA-hybridization-capture type-specimen taxonomic-revision DNA-barcoding COI-5P nomenclatural-clarification
Arhaphe mimetica
Arhaphe mimetica is a largid bug (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Largidae) occurring in the United States. Originally described as Japetus mimeticus in 1911, the species was later transferred to Pararhaphe before being restored to Arhaphe. A lectotype was designated in a 2011 taxonomic revision. It is one of four recognized Arhaphe species in the United States north of Mexico.
Largidae Hemiptera Heteroptera true-bug North-America United-States taxonomic-revision lectotype-designated
Aspicerinae
Aspicerinae is a subfamily of parasitic cynipoid wasps within the family Figitidae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea). The subfamily contains multiple genera including Aspicera, Prosaspicera, Callaspidia, Omalaspis, and Paraspicera. Members are primarily Holarctic in distribution, though some genera extend into the Neotropical, Afrotropical, and Oriental regions. The group has undergone extensive recent taxonomic revision, revealing substantially greater species diversity than previously recognized.
parasitoid cynipoid Holarctic taxonomic-revision Figitidae undescribed-diversity
Asthenini
Asthenini is a tribe of geometer moths within the subfamily Larentiinae, established by Warren in 1893. The tribe has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with its circumscription historically debated; it was notably merged with Eupitheciini by Holloway in 'The Moths of Borneo'. A critical 2002 review by Xue and Scoble recognized 18 core genera, though subsequent research has reinstated some previously excluded genera such as Eois and Minoa. The tribe remains taxonomically fluid, with some genera of uncertain placement.
geometer-moth Larentiinae taxonomic-revision moth-tribe
Asyndetus
Asyndetus is a large genus of long-legged flies in the family Dolichopodidae, containing over 100 described species with worldwide distribution. The genus was established by Loew in 1869. Species occur across diverse biogeographic regions including the West Indies, the Palaearctic, and Scandinavia. Several species have been subject to taxonomic revision, with numerous synonymizations and transfers to other genera.
Diptera Dolichopodidae long-legged-flies genus-level worldwide-distribution taxonomic-revision
Atalopedes campestris
Field Skipper, sachem
Atalopedes campestris, commonly known as the field skipper or sachem, is a small grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. Adults have a wingspan of 35–41 mm. Males are orange with brown edges and a large black stigma on the forewing; females are darker brown with variable lighter markings. The species has undergone significant northward range expansion in North America during the 21st century, attributed to winter warming trends associated with climate change. In 2022, the eastern North American population was designated as a separate species, A. huron (huron sachem).
climate-change-indicator range-expansion phenology grass-skipper sexual-dimorphism taxonomic-revision
Athous
click beetles
Athous is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) established by Eschscholtz in 1829. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with numerous Nearctic and Palearctic species transferred to other genera including Hemicrepidius, Harminius, and Acanthathous. Species occur across forested habitats in the Nearctic and Palearctic regions, with some species showing distinct habitat preferences for either broadleaved or coniferous woodlands. Larvae are predaceous or feed on dead invertebrates, and adults occasionally feed on plant material.
click-beetles Elateridae forest-beetles predatory-larvae wireworms broadleaved-woodland coniferous-plantation bioturbation pest-predation Nearctic Palearctic taxonomic-revision
Athrips
Athrips is a genus of small moths in the family Gelechiidae containing approximately 60 described species distributed across the Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions. Species are organized into species-groups based on morphological and presumably phylogenetic relationships, with the largest diversity centered in arid and semi-arid regions of Central Asia. The genus was revised taxonomically in 2005 for the Palaearctic region, with subsequent revisions for China (2009) and Africa (2010). One species, A. mouffetella, has been genome-sequenced as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project.
Gelechiidae microlepidoptera Palaearctic Afrotropical genome-sequenced taxonomic-revision
Atractodes
Atractodes is a cosmopolitan genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, first described by Gravenhorst in 1829. The genus has been historically classified in different subfamilies, with some species groups placed in Phygadeuontinae and others in Cryptinae. Multiple species groups have been defined to accommodate morphologically similar species, particularly in the Neotropical region where recent taxonomic revisions have described numerous new species. The genus exhibits considerable diversity in the Americas, with records from North America, Central America, and South America, as well as Europe.
parasitoid ichneumonidae hymenoptera cosmopolitan neotropical-diversity taxonomic-revision species-groups
Attinella
Attinella is a genus of North American jumping spiders in the family Salticidae. It was established by Nathan Banks in 1905 with Attinella dorsata as the type species. The genus was synonymized with Sitticus from 1979 to 2017, when it was reinstated as a senior synonym of Sittiab. It currently contains three recognized species: A. concolor, A. dorsata, and A. juniperi.
Salticidae jumping-spiders North-America Sitticini reinstated-genus taxonomic-revision