Taxonomic-synonym
Guides
Alberada
Alberada is a genus of snout moths described by C. Heinrich in 1939. It belongs to the subfamily Phycitinae within the family Pyralidae. The taxonomic status of this genus is disputed: some authorities treat it as a synonym of Zophodia, while others recognize it as a valid genus. The genus includes five described species, four of which were described by Neunzig in 1997.
Arachnidomyia
Arachnidomyia is a genus-group name established by Townsend in 1934 within the flesh fly family Sarcophagidae. Its taxonomic status remains unsettled: Catalogue of Life treats it as a synonym of Sarcophaga (Mehria), while GBIF marks it as doubtful and iNaturalist classifies it as a subgenus of Sarcophaga. The genus contains few documented species and is rarely referenced in modern literature.
Arganthomyza vittipennis
Arganthomyza vittipennis is a small fly species in the family Anthomyzidae, originally described by Walker in 1857. It is currently classified as a synonym of Ischnomyia albicosta based on GBIF taxonomy, though iNaturalist maintains it as a valid species under Arganthomyza. The genus Arganthomyza comprises minute flies associated with wetland and marsh habitats. This species has been documented in the Nearctic region with limited observational records.
Arianops gigantea
Arianops gigantea is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Barr in 1974. It belongs to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small beetles often associated with leaf litter and soil habitats. The specific epithet "gigantea" suggests relatively large size compared to congeners, though absolute dimensions remain undocumented in available sources. The species is currently known from taxonomic catalogues with no verified observations in major biodiversity databases.
Atomosiella
Atomosiella is a genus of robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1937. Its taxonomic status is uncertain; it is treated as a synonym of Amathomyia in Catalogue of Life and marked as doubtful in GBIF. The genus belongs to the diverse family of predatory Asilidae, though specific biological information about Atomosiella itself is not documented in available sources.
Bigonichetini
Bigonichetini is a tribe of tachinid flies (family Tachinidae) established by Townsend in 1919. Its taxonomic status remains unsettled; some authorities consider it a synonym of Loewiini. The tribe includes four genera: Cucuba, Lissoglossa, Triarthria, and Trichactia. Members are parasitoid flies, though specific host associations for the tribe as a whole are poorly documented.
Boloria chariclea grandis
Purple Lesser Fritillary
Boloria chariclea grandis is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently classified under the genus Boloria, though some sources place it in the genus Clossiana. The subspecies is recognized as a synonym in some taxonomic databases. It belongs to a group of butterflies commonly known as lesser fritillaries, which are typically associated with northern and montane habitats.
Cactobrosis
Cactobrosis is a genus of snout moths in the subfamily Phycitinae, erected by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1914. Its taxonomic status is disputed: some sources treat it as a valid genus, while others synonymize it with Zophodia. The genus contains four described species, including C. fernaldialis, C. insignatella, C. longipennella, and C. maculifera.
Calledapteryx
scoopwing moths
Calledapteryx is a monotypic genus of scoopwing moths in the family Uraniidae, containing only the species Calledapteryx dryopterata. The genus was established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1868. Some taxonomic authorities treat Calledapteryx as a synonym of Epiplema.
Callophrys niphon clarki
Callophrys niphon clarki is a subspecies of the eastern pine elfin butterfly, a member of the family Lycaenidae. The parent species, Callophrys niphon, is native to North America. This subspecies was described by T. Freeman in 1938. According to GBIF records, this name is currently treated as a synonym under the genus Incisalia as Incisalia niphon. Very few observations (4) of this subspecies have been recorded in iNaturalist, suggesting it is either rare, poorly surveyed, or taxonomically merged with related forms.
Calopompilus pyrrhomelas
Calopompilus pyrrhomelas is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, originally described as Pompilus pyrrhomelas by Walker in 1866. It is currently treated as a synonym of Chirodamus pyrrhomelas in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic uncertainty within the genus. The species epithet "pyrrhomelas" (from Greek "pyrrhos" = flame-colored, "melas" = black) suggests distinctive coloration. As a pompilid wasp, it belongs to a group of solitary wasps known for hunting spiders to provision their nests.
Celastrina echo sidara
echo azure, western azure
Celastrina echo sidara is a subspecies of the echo azure butterfly, originally described by Clench in 1944. It belongs to the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the gossamer-winged butterflies. The subspecies is currently treated as a synonym of Celastrina ladon in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic uncertainty within the Celastrina echo species complex. As a member of the Polyommatinae subfamily, it shares characteristics with other 'blue' butterflies.
Copivaleria
Copivaleria is a monotypic moth genus in the family Noctuidae, erected by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. It contains a single species, Copivaleria grotei (Grote's sallow), described by Herbert Knowles Morrison in 1874. The genus is currently considered a synonym of Psaphida by the Global Lepidoptera Names Index.
Cymindis punctifera
Cymindis punctifera is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. The species was described by LeConte in 1884. It is currently treated as a synonym of Pinacodera punctifera, though both names appear in use across different taxonomic databases. The species is known from the United States.
Dearthrus stebbinsi
carpet beetle
Dearthrus stebbinsi is a species of carpet beetle in the family Dermestidae, first described by Beal in 1954. The species is currently recognized as a synonym of Globicornis stebbinsi by some taxonomic authorities, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revision within this group of beetles. It is known from western North America, with confirmed records from British Columbia, Canada. Like other members of Dermestidae, it belongs to a family characterized by larvae that feed on keratinous materials.
Diploschizia
sedge moths
Diploschizia is a genus of sedge moths in the family Glyphipterigidae. It was established by John B. Heppner in 1981. Most modern taxonomic treatments consider Diploschizia to be a synonym of Glyphipterix. The genus includes approximately twelve described species, such as D. impigritella (Yellow Nutsedge Moth), a tiny moth measuring only 4 mm in length. Species in this group are typically small and associated with sedges or related plants.
Ellychnia flavicollis
Ellychnia flavicollis is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae. It belongs to the genus Ellychnia, a group commonly known as "dark fireflies" that lack the light-producing organs typical of most fireflies. The species was originally described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1868. Based on available records, it occurs in North America. As with many Ellychnia species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Ellychnia greeni
Ellychnia greeni is a firefly species originally described in the genus Ellychnia but currently recognized as a synonym of Photinus greeni. The species was described by Fender in 1962 and is known from North America. Like other members of the family Lampyridae, it is a beetle with bioluminescent capabilities, though specific details about its biology remain limited in available sources.
Ellychnia hatchi
dark firefly
Ellychnia hatchi is a species of dark firefly in the family Lampyridae, first described by Fender in 1962. The species is currently recognized as a synonym of Photinus hatchi in some taxonomic databases, though it remains listed under Ellychnia in others. Dark fireflies of the genus Ellychnia are non-luminescent as adults, lacking the light-producing organs characteristic of most fireflies. The species is known from North America.
Enopliinae
Enopliinae is a subfamily of checkered beetles (family Cleridae) established by Gistel in 1848. The subfamily contains approximately 20 genera distributed across multiple continents. Some authorities consider Enopliinae a synonym of Korynetinae, reflecting ongoing taxonomic debate. Members of this subfamily are part of the diverse Cleridae radiation within the superfamily Cleroidea.
Esperia
Esperia is a genus of moths in the family Oecophoridae, first described by Jacob Hübner in 1825. The genus belongs to the subfamily Oecophorinae, a diverse group of small to medium-sized moths commonly known as concealer moths. The genus is currently recognized as a synonym in some taxonomic treatments. Species in this genus are part of the Gelechioidea superfamily, one of the most species-rich clades within Lepidoptera.
Euparagia scutellaris
Euparagia scutellaris is a species of potter wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. It is native to the western United States. The species was described by Cresson in 1879 and is currently treated as a synonym of Euparagia maculiceps by some authorities, though both names remain in use. Larvae are known to feed on weevil larvae.
Euphydryas chalcedona macglashanii
Euphydryas chalcedona macglashanii is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to a genus whose members are known for their distinctive orange and black checkered wing patterns. The subspecies is currently recognized as a synonym under the genus Occidryas in some taxonomic treatments. Checkerspot butterflies in this group are associated with specific host plants and have been subject to conservation concern due to habitat loss and climate change impacts across western North America.
Fissicrambus haytiellus
Carpet-grass Webworm Moth
Fissicrambus haytiellus, commonly known as the carpet-grass webworm moth, is a species in the family Crambidae. First described by Zincken in 1821, it is currently treated as a synonym of Fissicrambus fissiradiellus in some taxonomic databases. The species occurs in the Caribbean and southeastern United States.
Furcillaria
Furcillaria is a genus of flat-backed millipedes established by Shelley in 1981 within the family Xystodesmidae. It originally comprised four species from the eastern United States: Furcillaria aequalis, F. convoluta, F. laminata, and F. thrinax. In 2021, taxonomic authorities reevaluated the genus and deemed it a junior synonym of Sigmoria, a decision now reflected in major databases such as the Catalogue of Life. Some sources, including GBIF and NCBI, continue to list Furcillaria as accepted, reflecting ongoing taxonomic debate or lag in database updates. The genus belongs to the tribe Apheloriini, a group of xystodesmid millipedes characterized by complex gonopod morphology.
Heliopyrgus sublinea
East-Mexican white-skipper
Heliopyrgus sublinea, commonly known as the East-Mexican white-skipper, is a species of spread-wing skipper in the butterfly family Hesperiidae. The species was described by Schaus in 1902. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Heliopetes sublinea, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revisions within the genus. The species has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 3970.1 for North American lepidopteran identification systems.
Limnophila rufibasis
Limnophila rufibasis is a crane fly species originally described by Osten Sacken in 1860. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Prionolabis rufibasis, reflecting taxonomic reclassification from Limnophila to Prionolabis. The species belongs to the family Limoniidae, a diverse group of small to medium-sized crane flies. Records indicate presence in eastern North America.
Limonia rostrata
Limonia rostrata is a species of limoniid crane fly in the family Limoniidae. It is currently treated as a synonym of Geranomyia rostrata by some taxonomic authorities. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1823. Like other limoniid crane flies, it belongs to a diverse group of delicate, long-legged flies often found in moist habitats.
Limotettix osborni
Limotettix osborni is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, originally described by Ball in 1928. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Scleroracus osborni in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic uncertainty or revision in the genus Limotettix. Distribution records indicate presence in western North America including Alberta, British Columbia, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, and potentially other regions.
Lordithon oregonus
Lordithon oregonus is a species of rove beetle (Staphylinidae) described by Campbell in 1982. The species was originally described under the genus Lordithon but has been synonymized under Bobitobus oregonus in some taxonomic treatments. It is known from the Pacific Northwest region of North America, with records from British Columbia, California, Oregon, and Washington. The genus Lordithon belongs to the tribe Xantholinini within the subfamily Staphylininae.
Macrodiplosis castaneae
Macrodiplosis castaneae is a gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae. The species is associated with chestnut trees (Castanea spp.), though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. It was described by Stebbins in 1910 and is currently listed as a synonym of Harmandiola castaneae in some taxonomic databases.
Marasmia
Marasmia is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. It was established by Julius Lederer in 1863 and is currently treated as a synonym of Cnaphalocrocis in most modern taxonomic databases, though it remains in use in some literature. The genus includes species that are significant agricultural pests, particularly of rice crops. The best-known species, Marasmia ruralis (also known as Cnaphalocrocis medinalis or the rice leaf roller), causes substantial damage to global rice production by folding leaves for feeding and shelter.
Melanolemma
Melanolemma is a genus of broad-nosed weevils in the family Curculionidae, established by Van Dyke in 1935. The genus is currently considered a synonym of Peritaxia according to the Catalogue of Life, though it remains listed as accepted in GBIF and NCBI. Only one species, M. montana, has been formally described. The genus belongs to the tribe Byrsopagini within the subfamily Entiminae.
Microplontus edentulus
Microplontus edentulus is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae. The species was originally described by Schultze in 1896 under the genus Ceuthorrhynchus, and later transferred to Microplontus. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Ceuthorrhynchus edentulus in some taxonomic treatments. Very few observations of this species exist in public databases.
Monodontomerinae
Monodontomerinae is a subfamily of chalcidoid wasps within the family Torymidae, established by Ashmead in 1899. Members are small parasitoid wasps that attack the larvae of other insects, particularly those developing in plant galls. The subfamily is characterized by distinctive morphological features of the antennae and ovipositor structure. Taxonomic status has been debated, with some classifications treating it as a synonym of Toryminae.
Nelphe
Nelphe is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer in 1858. The genus is currently treated as a synonym of Eucereon by some taxonomic authorities, including GBIF and Catalogue of Life. Two species have been historically placed in this genus: Nelphe carolina (Little Carol's wasp moth) and Nelphe relegatum. The genus belongs to the tribe Arctiini within the subfamily Arctiinae.
Neogalerucella lineola
Neogalerucella lineola is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. The species is currently classified under the genus Neogalerucella, though it was historically placed in Galerucella. It belongs to a group of beetles commonly known as leaf beetles, which are primarily herbivorous and often associated with specific host plants. The taxonomic status of this species as a synonym of Galerucella lineola indicates ongoing revisions in the classification of this genus group.
Norrbomia sordida
Norrbomia sordida is a species of small dung fly in the family Sphaeroceridae, originally described as Copromyza sordida by Zetterstedt in 1847. The species has undergone taxonomic revision, with some authorities placing it in the genus Borborillus as B. sordidus. It is known from Hawaii and represents one of the few documented occurrences of this genus in the Pacific region. Sphaeroceridae are among the smallest true flies and are primarily associated with decomposing organic matter.
Notiodes laticollis
Notiodes laticollis is a species of weevil in the family Erirhinidae, originally described by Blatchley in 1916. The species has undergone taxonomic revision, with GBIF currently listing it as a synonym under the genus Endalus as Endalus laticollis, while NCBI retains it in Notiodes. Erirhinidae weevils are typically associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, often feeding on aquatic plants.
Notiodes robustus
Notiodes robustus is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, originally described by Schaeffer in 1908. The species has undergone taxonomic revision, with some sources listing it under the synonym Endalus robustus in the family Brachyceridae, though current consensus places it in Curculionidae. As a member of the genus Notiodes, it belongs to a group of small weevils. Published information on its biology and ecology remains sparse.
Oligolochus ornatus
flower weevil
Oligolochus ornatus is a species of flower weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It was described by Casey in 1920 and is currently classified under the genus Oligolochus, though some taxonomic databases list it as a synonym of Anacentrus ornatus. As a member of the Curculionidae, it possesses the characteristic elongated snout (rostrum) typical of weevils. Very little specific biological information is available for this species.
Paratillus carus
Paratillus carus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, originally described by Newman in 1840. The species is currently considered a synonym of Tarsostenus carus in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revision within this group. It belongs to a family of predatory beetles commonly associated with other insects in various habitats.
Perimede ricina
Perimede ricina is a small moth described by Ronald W. Hodges in 1962. The species is currently classified in the family Momphidae, though it was historically placed in Cosmopterigidae. It occurs in eastern and central North America, with records spanning from Louisiana to Massachusetts. Adults are active primarily during spring through fall, with some late-season activity in November.
Platynus ovatulus
Platynus ovatulus is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, originally described by Bates in 1884. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Dyscolus ovatulus in some taxonomic databases. It occurs in North America, with documented records from Mexico and the United States. As a member of Platynini, it belongs to a group of predominantly nocturnal ground beetles.
Plebejus icarioides lycea
Plebejus icarioides lycea is a subspecies of the Boisduval's blue butterfly, a member of the family Lycaenidae. The species Plebejus icarioides is known to have multiple subspecies distributed across western North America. According to GBIF taxonomy, this subspecies is currently treated as a synonym, with the accepted name being Cupido pembina. The subspecies was originally described by W.H. Edwards in 1864.
Plebejus lupini monticola
Plebejus lupini monticola is a subspecies of blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It was described by Clemence in 1909 and is currently treated as a synonym of Plebejus monticola. The taxonomic status reflects ongoing revisions within the Plebejus genus, which includes several closely related species and subspecies of lycaenid butterflies found in western North America.
Poanes taxiles
Taxiles Skipper
Poanes taxiles is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. This species is closely related to Poanes melane (Umber Skipper), with which it has been historically confused or synonymized. Like other Poanes skippers, it is associated with grassland and riparian habitats. Adults are active during warmer months and visit a variety of flowering plants for nectar.
Pseudohadrotoma
Pseudohadrotoma is a genus of carpet beetles in the family Dermestidae, established by Kalík in 1951. It is currently treated as a synonym of Megatoma by GBIF, though iNaturalist recognizes it as a subgenus. The group contains species distributed in northern Europe, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. These beetles belong to a family known for feeding on animal-derived materials such as keratin.
Samea castellalis
Stained-glass Moth
Samea castellalis, commonly known as the Stained-glass Moth, is a species of pyraloid moth in the family Crambidae. The species was described by Guenée in 1854 and is currently treated as a synonym of Samea ecclesialis in some taxonomic databases, though both names remain in use. It is a moderately well-documented species with over 6,000 observations recorded on iNaturalist. The moth occurs across a broad Neotropical and Nearctic range.
Sphecomyiella
Sphecomyiella is a genus of flies in the family Pyrgotidae, established by Hendel in 1933. The genus is currently considered a synonym of Pyrgota, though its taxonomic status remains uncertain across sources. Pyrgotidae are known as pyrgotid flies, a group of parasitoid flies that target scarab beetles. The genus has been recorded in iNaturalist with over 1,000 observations, suggesting some level of field recognition, though identifications may reflect historical rather than current taxonomy.