Texas
Guides
Abablemma duomaculata
double-eyed algibelle
Abablemma duomaculata is a moth species in the family Erebidae, subfamily Acontiinae. It was first described by Barnes and Benjamin in 1925, originally under the genus Phobolosia. The species is known from southern Texas extending into Mexico. It is commonly referred to as the double-eyed algibelle.
Ablautus rufotibialis
Texas Prospector
Ablautus rufotibialis is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Back in 1909. Like other members of the genus Ablautus, it is a small predatory dipteran. The species epithet 'rufotibialis' refers to reddish coloration on the tibiae. Robber flies in this genus are active in early spring and exhibit distinctive courtship behaviors.
Acanalonia parva
Acanalonia parva is a species of planthopper in the family Acanaloniidae, first described by Doering in 1932. It is a relatively small member of the genus Acanalonia, which is characterized by their distinctive flattened, often leaf-like appearance. The species is known from the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from New Mexico and Texas. Like other acanaloniids, it likely feeds on plant sap using its piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Acanalonia similis
Acanalonia similis is a small planthopper species in the family Acanaloniidae, measuring 4.2–4.9 mm in length. It occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The species is distinguished from its close relative Acanalonia invenusta by more prominent reticulation (network-like sculpturing) across its elytra.
Acanthocephala alata
leaf-footed bug
Acanthocephala alata is a species of leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae, described by Burmeister in 1835. It is native to Mexico and occurs from Texas through Central America to Colombia. The species belongs to the tribe Acanthocephalini and is one of the more frequently observed coreids in its range, with over 3,000 documented observations.
Achurum minimipenne
Tamaulipan Toothpick Grasshopper
A slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae, characterized by its slender, elongated body form typical of toothpick grasshoppers. The species occurs in the southern United States and Mexico. Like other members of the genus Achurum, it exhibits cryptic coloration adapted to its environment.
Achurum sumichrasti
Sumichrast Toothpick Grasshopper
Achurum sumichrasti, commonly known as the Sumichrast Toothpick Grasshopper, is a species of slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It belongs to a group of grasshoppers commonly referred to as toothpick grasshoppers, characterized by their slender, elongated body form. The species has been documented across Central America and the southern United States, with observational records indicating established populations in Texas, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits cryptic coloration that provides camouflage against its surroundings.
Acmaeodera
Acmaeodera is a large genus of jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) with over 150 species in North America, reaching greatest diversity in the desert southwest and Mexico. Adults are metallic, often with distinctive color patterns, and are frequently observed visiting flowers to feed on pollen. The genus is distinguished by unique flight morphology: elytra are fused along the midline and remain closed during flight, functioning as a protective shield over the abdomen while only the hindwings provide propulsion. This trait, combined with abdominal banding in many species, creates a wasp-like appearance in flight and has led to recognition of several species as hymenopteran mimics. Larvae are wood-borers in twigs and branches of various woody plants.
Buprestidaejewel-beetlesmetallic-wood-boring-beetlesflower-visitorspollen-feederselytra-fusionflight-morphologyhymenopteran-mimicrywood-borersNorth-AmericaMexicoArizonaTexasCaliforniaNew-MexicoOklahomaAlbertaAsteraceaeCercocarpusspring-activemonsoon-activefall-activetaxonomically-difficultcollector's-itemdiurnalCerceris-preyAcmaeodera obtusa
Acmaeodera obtusa is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Horn in 1878. The species is distributed in North America. Field observations from Texas indicate adults are active flower visitors, particularly associated with Asteraceae hosts in juniper woodland habitats.
Acmaeodera ornatoides
Acmaeodera ornatoides is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Barr in 1972. The species occurs in North America, with documented records from Texas and Oklahoma. Adults have been observed visiting flowers of Coreopsis species and Opuntia engelmannii (Engelmann's pricklypear), suggesting a floral association common among congeners. The species is part of a diverse genus of flower-visiting buprestids.
Acmaeodera paradisjuncta
Acmaeodera paradisjuncta is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1940. It belongs to the large genus Acmaeodera, which contains numerous flower-visiting species. The species has been documented from Texas and is associated with flowering plants in dry, open habitats. Like many congeners, adults are likely attracted to flowers for feeding on pollen.
Acmaeodera princeps
Acmaeodera princeps is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species occurs in North America, with confirmed observations in Texas and New Mexico. Adults have been collected on flowers of Thelosperma filifolium (stiff greenthread) and are active in late spring to early summer. Like other Acmaeodera species, adults likely feed on pollen and are diurnal flower visitors.
Acmaeodera quadrivittatoides
Acmaeodera quadrivittatoides is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Nelson & Westcott in 1995. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with documented records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Field observations indicate adults are attracted to flowers, particularly those of Opuntia species and various composites, where they feed on pollen.
Acmaeodera rubrocuprea
Acmaeodera rubrocuprea is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Westcott & Nelson in 2000. The species is known from the southwestern United States and Mexico. It has been confirmed as breeding exclusively within dead branches of Cercocarpus ledifolius (curl-leaf mountain mahogany), making it one of five buprestid species associated exclusively with this host genus. The specific epithet 'rubrocuprea' refers to its reddish-copper coloration.
Acmaeoderopsis hulli
Acmaeoderopsis hulli is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, occurring in Central America and North America. The species has been documented from mesquite-dominated habitats in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Adults are associated with Prosopis glandulosa (honey mesquite) and have been collected by beating branches and sweeping foliage. The genus Acmaeoderopsis is a small group within Buprestidae with limited published biological information.
Acrobasis cirroferella
Acrobasis cirroferella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by George Duryea Hulst in 1892. The species is known from Florida and Texas in the United States. Larvae feed on Myrica cerifera (wax myrtle).
Acrolophus furcatus
Acrolophus furcatus is a small moth in the family Acrolophidae, described by Lord Walsingham in 1887. The species is known from arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern North America, with records from Arizona, California, and Texas. Like other members of the genus, it is commonly referred to as a 'grass tubeworm moth' due to larval behavior. The family Acrolophidae was historically treated as a subfamily of Tineidae but is now recognized as distinct.
Acronicta tota
Acronicta tota is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, first described by Grote in 1879. It belongs to the dagger moth genus Acronicta, a diverse group of noctuid moths whose caterpillars often possess distinctive tufts or projections. The species is documented from Texas and has been recorded in North America. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be nocturnal and attracted to light sources, though specific behavioral details remain poorly documented.
Acronicta valliscola
Acronicta valliscola is a small noctuid moth described by André Blanchard in 1968. It is known exclusively from Big Bend National Park in western Texas, making it one of the most geographically restricted species in the genus. The species has a wingspan of 30–35 mm. Very little is known about its biology or ecology due to its limited known distribution and few documented observations.
Acrotona austiniana
Acrotona austiniana is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Casey in 1910. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Texas. As a member of one of the largest beetle families, it contributes to the documented diversity of Staphylinidae in the region.
Adelpha fessonia
Band-celled Sister, Mexican Sister
Adelpha fessonia is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the band-celled sister or Mexican sister. The species occurs from Panama northward through Central America to Mexico, with periodic vagrant populations establishing in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Adults have a wingspan of 56–70 mm. The species exhibits partial migration patterns, with Texas populations representing temporary rather than permanent residents.
Agallissus lepturoides
Mexican Palm Petiole Borer
A longhorn beetle species in the Cerambycinae subfamily, first described by Chevrolat in 1844. The common name 'Mexican Palm Petiole Borer' refers to its specialized relationship with palm hosts. It has a documented but limited distribution in southern North America and Central America.
Agonum texanum
Agonum texanum is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Platyninae. The species was originally described by LeConte in 1878 as Platynus texanus. It is endemic to Texas, United States, and has been recorded in the GBIF database from both the USA and Mexico. As a member of the genus Agonum, it belongs to a diverse group of ground beetles commonly found in moist habitats.
Agrilus addendus
Agrilus addendus is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Crotch in 1873 and occurs in Central America and North America. Like most members of the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, adults are associated with foliage of their larval host plants rather than flowers. The species has been documented from Texas, where it has been swept from mesquite-acacia fence lines.
Agrilus cochisei
Agrilus cochisei is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1948. The species occurs in Central America and North America. Adults have been observed on Ambrosia psilostachya (western ragweed) and Sphaeralcea flowers in western Texas.
Agrilus esperanzae
Esperanza Ranch Agrilus
Agrilus esperanzae is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Knull in 1935. The species has been documented in Central America and North America, with specific collecting records from Texas. Adults are attracted to flowers of Tiquilia canescens (shrubby tiquilia).
Agrilus lautuellus
Agrilus lautuellus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Fisher in 1928. The species is found in North America. Based on field observations, adults have been collected from Diospyros texana (Texas persimmon) foliage in west Texas, where they were observed sitting on leaves in the manner typical of many Agrilus species. Like other members of the genus, it is presumed to develop as a larva in recently dead wood of its host plant, though larval biology remains unconfirmed.
Agrilus toxotes
Agrilus toxotes is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Obenberger in 1935. The species was historically known only from Mexico until specimens were collected in south Texas in the 1980s, representing a northward range extension into the United States. It belongs to the large genus Agrilus, which contains hundreds of species worldwide. The species name refers to the archer fish genus Toxotes, though the specific reason for this epithet choice is not documented in available sources.
Agroecotettix
Aridland Scrub Jumpers
Agroecotettix is a genus of medium-sized brachypterous grasshoppers in the subfamily Melanoplinae, containing 19 described species. These short-winged, flight-limited grasshoppers inhabit aridland scrub and desert regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus was revised in 2024 with the description of 16 new species, revealing previously unrecognized diversity in this cryptic group. Species identification relies primarily on male genitalia morphology.
Agroecotettix modestus
Modest Aridland Scrub Jumper
Agroecotettix modestus is a species of grasshopper in the family Acrididae, first described by Bruner in 1908. It belongs to a genus of aridland scrub grasshoppers found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is associated with desert and semi-arid environments, particularly in Texas and northeastern Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it is adapted to hot, dry conditions and exhibits behaviors such as seeking shade during extreme heat.
Alabagrus texanus
Alabagrus texanus is a species of braconid wasp first described by Cresson in 1872. It belongs to the family Braconidae, a large group of parasitoid wasps that play important roles in biological control. The species is known from North America, with the specific epithet 'texanus' suggesting a connection to Texas, though its precise distribution and biology remain poorly documented in available sources.
Alaruasa lepida
Alaruasa lepida is a fulgorid planthopper species first described by Spinola in 1839. Originally placed in the genus Poiocera, it was later transferred to Alaruasa. The species belongs to the family Fulgoridae, a group of true bugs known for their often elaborate head projections. Records indicate occurrence in parts of Mexico (Nuevo León, Veracruz), Guatemala (Baja Verapaz), and Texas, USA.
Amastris lycioda
A treehopper in the family Membracidae, first described by Ball in 1933. The species name 'lycioda' reflects its documented association with plants in the genus Lycium. The first Texas record was published in 2024, establishing a specific host plant relationship with Lycium berlandieri.
Amblycorypha huasteca
Texas false katydid
Amblycorypha huasteca, commonly known as the Texas false katydid, is a species of bush-cricket in the family Tettigoniidae. It belongs to the round-headed katydid genus Amblycorypha, a group renowned for exceptional leaf-mimicry. The species occurs in the south-central United States and northeastern Mexico. Like other Amblycorypha, it produces species-specific songs through stridulation of forewing structures to attract mates.
Amblycorypha rivograndis
Rio Grande Valley False Katydid
Amblycorypha rivograndis is a species of round-headed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, first described by Thomas J. Walker in 2004. The specific epithet "rivograndis" refers to the Rio Grande Valley, indicating its geographic association with this region of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Amblycorypha, it belongs to a group commonly known as false katydids or bush-crickets, recognized for their remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage.
Amblyscirtes celia
Celia's Roadside-Skipper, roadside rambler
Amblyscirtes celia is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as Celia's Roadside-Skipper or roadside rambler. It is found from Texas south to northeastern Mexico, with occasional strays to southwestern Louisiana. The species has multiple generations per year and is active throughout the year in southern Texas.
Anagyrus paralia
Anagyrus paralia is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae, described by Noyes and Menezes in 2000. It belongs to the genus Anagyrus, which contains numerous species used in biological control of mealybugs and other scale insects. The specific epithet "paralia" suggests a coastal or shore-associated habitat, though detailed ecological data remain limited. Like other Anagyrus species, it is presumed to be a primary parasitoid of mealybugs (Pseudococcidae), but host records specific to this species have not been documented in the available literature.
Anartia fatima
Banded Peacock, Fatima
Anartia fatima, the banded peacock, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It occurs from southern Texas through Mexico and Central America to Panama, inhabiting subtropical open areas and disturbed habitats such as second-growth woodlands. Males defend territories around host plants to secure mating opportunities, a behavior documented in both this species and its congener Anartia jatrophae. The species exhibits wing color polymorphism, with individuals bearing either white or yellow median bands.
Andrenosoma xanthocnemum
Texas Chiselmouth
A species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, subfamily Laphriinae. Like other members of its subfamily, larvae are predators of wood-boring beetle larvae. The genus Andrenosoma reaches its greatest diversity in the Neotropics, with A. xanthocnemum being one of several species restricted to Texas and the western United States.
Anisostena cyanea
Anisostena cyanea is a small leaf beetle in the subfamily Hispinae, first described by Staines in 1994. The species has been recorded from Arizona and Texas in the southwestern United States, and from Mexico. Adults have been collected on several species of Bothriochloa grasses, though whether these represent true host plants remains uncertain.
Anomala diabla
Anomala diabla is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Rutelinae, described by Potts in 1976. It belongs to the large genus Anomala, which contains numerous species commonly known as chafers. Information regarding its biology, appearance, and ecology is extremely limited in published literature. The species is known from Texas, USA.
Anomala insitiva
Iridescent Anomala
Anomala insitiva is a species of shining leaf chafer in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Robinson in 1938. It belongs to the genus Anomala, a diverse group of scarab beetles commonly known as chafers. The species has been documented in Texas, USA. Like other members of the genus, it likely exhibits the metallic coloration characteristic of shining leaf chafers.
Anoncia aciculata
Anoncia aciculata is a species of moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, first described by Edward Meyrick in 1928. It is a small gelechioid moth known from limited records in the southwestern United States. The species belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae are often associated with plant material, though specific biology for this species remains poorly documented.
Antaeotricha haesitans
Antaeotricha haesitans is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, first described by Lord Walsingham in 1912. The species is characterized by a wingspan of approximately 12 mm and distinctive fawn-ochreous forewings with brown patterning. Its distribution spans parts of Mexico and the southern United States.
Anthanassa frisia
Cuban Crescent, Cuban Crescentspot, Cuban Checkerspot
A small to medium-sized checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, with a complex subspecies structure spanning the Caribbean, southern Florida, and the Neotropics. The nominate subspecies occurs in the West Indies and Florida, while subspecies tulcis (sometimes treated as a separate species) ranges from Argentina to the southwestern United States. Adults fly year-round in tropical regions and have distinct seasonal activity patterns in temperate areas. Larvae feed on specific Acanthaceae host plants.
Anthanassa tulcis
Pale-banded Crescent, Tulcis Crescent
Anthanassa tulcis, commonly known as the Pale-banded Crescent or Tulcis Crescent, is a brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Henry Walter Bates in 1864. The species ranges from Argentina northward through Central America and Mexico to southern Texas, with occasional strays to west Texas. Some taxonomic authorities treat A. tulcis as a subspecies of A. frisia (the Cuban Crescent), but it is widely accepted as a distinct species in modern classifications.
Apachekolos weslacensis
Weslaco Pixie
Apachekolos weslacensis is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, originally described from Texas in 1951. The species is known by the common name "Weslaco Pixie." It belongs to the genus Apachekolos, a small group of asilid flies distributed in North America. Very little published information exists regarding its biology or ecology.
Apatides
horned powder-post beetles
Apatides is a genus of beetles in the family Bostrichidae, commonly referred to as horned powder-post beetles. The genus was established by Casey in 1898 and contains at least four described species, including Apatides fortis, A. pollens, A. puncticeps, and A. robustus. Members of this genus are wood-boring beetles that have been documented in western Texas and neighboring regions, where they are attracted to ultraviolet light sources.
Aphonopelma anax
Texas tan tarantula
Aphonopelma anax, the Texas tan tarantula, is among the largest tarantula species in the United States, with mature individuals reaching leg spans of 5–6 inches. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are larger-bodied with shorter legs and can live up to 40 years, while males have longer legs, smaller bodies, and typically survive less than two years after maturity. Males abandon their burrows during the late summer and early fall mating season to actively search for sedentary females, traveling up to 1.2 km in a single night and covering areas up to 29 hectares. The species employs behavioral thermoregulation, retreating into temporary burrows during daytime heat and emerging in the evening when thermal conditions permit sustained activity.
Aphonopelma armada
Texas Black Spot Tarantula
Aphonopelma armada is a species of tarantula in the family Theraphosidae, endemic to Texas in the United States. It is commonly known as the Texas Black Spot Tarantula. Like other members of the genus Aphonopelma, it is a large-bodied, ground-dwelling spider that constructs burrows. The species was originally described as Dugesiella armada by Chamberlin in 1940 before being transferred to Aphonopelma.