Texas-endemic
Guides
Acmaeodera riograndei
Acmaeodera riograndei is a rarely collected species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. First described by Nelson in 1980, this species was historically known only from the Big Bend region of Texas. In May 2022, it was documented from Val Verde County, Texas, representing a significant range extension. Adults have been observed feeding on flowers of Echinocereus enneacanthus carnosus (strawberry cactus) in dry, rocky canyon habitats. The species appears to be active during late spring and early summer, with adults flying to cactus flowers during hot daytime conditions.
Acmaeodera robigo
Acmaeodera robigo is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by Josef Knull in 1954 from specimens collected at Lake Corpus Christi in south Texas. The species remained poorly known until 1996, when it was recorded from a pupal cell in Dalea formosa at White River Lake in northern Texas, representing a range extension of nearly 500 miles. Subsequent collections have documented the species in west Texas at Seminole Canyon State Historic Park. The species exhibits variability in elytral markings and punctation not noted in the original description.
Acmaeodera starrae
Acmaeodera starrae is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1966. The species is found in North America, with documented occurrences in Texas and New Mexico. Based on field observations, adults are known to visit flowers of Echinocereus enneacanthus carnosus (strawberry cactus) and other low-growing desert plants. The species is considered rare and is infrequently encountered by collectors.
Acoma conjuncta
Acoma conjuncta is a species of scarab beetle described by Howden in 1962. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae, a group commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species has been documented only from Texas, USA, suggesting a restricted geographic range. As a member of the genus Acoma, it is part of a small group of scarab beetles primarily distributed in western North America.
Acrobasis pallicornella
Acrobasis pallicornella is a species of snout moth in the genus Acrobasis, described by Ragonot in 1887. It belongs to the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae. The species is known from Texas, with limited available information about its biology and ecology. Like other members of the genus Acrobasis, it likely has a concealed larval lifestyle, though this has not been documented specifically for this species.
Acrobasis texana
Acrobasis texana is a species of snout moth described by Herbert H. Neunzig in 1986. It belongs to the genus Acrobasis, a group of moths commonly known as knot-horns or casebearers. The species epithet refers to Texas, where it was first discovered. Like other members of its genus, it likely has concealed-feeding larvae, though specific life history details remain undocumented.
Adoneta gemina
Adoneta gemina is a species of slug caterpillar moth in the family Limacodidae, first described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1906 from southern Texas. It belongs to the superfamily Zygaenoidea, a group that includes flannel moths, slug caterpillar moths, and leaf skeletonizer moths. The species has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 4682. As a member of the Limacodidae family, its larvae are expected to have the reduced prolegs and slug-like crawling form characteristic of this group, though specific larval descriptions for this species are not documented in available sources.
Aethiophysa dualis
Aethiophysa dualis is a crambid moth described from South Texas in 1914. It belongs to the subfamily Glaphyriinae, a group of small to medium-sized moths within the Crambidae family. The species is known from a restricted geographic range in southern North America.
Agrilus bespencus
Agrilus bespencus is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It was described by Barr in 2008 from Texas. As a member of the hyperdiverse genus Agrilus, it belongs to one of the largest genera in the animal kingdom. The species is known only from its original taxonomic description, with minimal biological or ecological data available.
Agrilus turnbowi
mistletoe buprestid
Agrilus turnbowi is a small metallic wood-boring beetle described from southern Texas in 1990. It is notable as the first buprestid species documented to develop in mistletoe, specifically within dead stems of Phoradendron tomentosum parasitizing mesquite. The species exhibits purplish-red coloration with complex patterns of golden setae on the elytra, traits shared with related Mexican species A. andersoni and A. howdenorum that also associate with mistletoe hosts.
Alpheias oculiferalis
Alpheias oculiferalis is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, first described by Émile Louis Ragonot in 1891. It belongs to the genus Alpheias within the subfamily Galleriinae. The species is endemic to the US state of Texas, with 54 iNaturalist observations supporting its continued presence in the region.
Ambracius liviae
Ambracius liviae is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Ferreira and Henry in 2010. The species is known from Texas, USA. As a member of the subfamily Phylinae (implied by genus placement), it likely exhibits the slender body form and reduced cuneus characteristic of this group. The specific epithet honors an individual named Livia.
Ammobatoidini
cuckoo bees
Ammobatoidini is a tribe of cleptoparasitic bees in the family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae. The tribe contains at least four genera (Aethammobates, Ammobatoides, Holcopasites, and Schmiedeknechtia) and approximately 30 described species. Members are obligate cleptoparasites, laying eggs in the nests of host bees. The tribe has been documented in North America, with some species having restricted geographic ranges.
Ammopelmatus monahansensis
Ammopelmatus monahansensis is a species of Jerusalem cricket in the family Stenopelmatidae, described by Stidham & Stidham in 2001. The genus Ammopelmatus comprises sand dune endemic species found in the southwestern United States. These flightless orthopterans are characterized by their large size, fossorial habits, and nocturnal activity patterns. A. monahansensis is one of several described species within this genus that are restricted to specific sand dune systems.
Anisodactylus texanus
Texas Prick
Anisodactylus texanus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Schaeffer in 1910. The species is endemic to Texas and surrounding regions. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized carabid beetles commonly found in open habitats. The common name "Texas Prick" has been proposed humorously based on a literal interpretation of the scientific name, though this is not formally accepted.
Antaeotricha agrioschista
Antaeotricha agrioschista is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, described by Edward Meyrick in 1927. It is known from Texas, North America, and is characterized by its distinctive wing patterning of light grey forewings overlaid with white and sprinkled with dark fuscous markings. The species has a wingspan of 20–21 mm. Limited information exists regarding its biology, host associations, and ecological relationships.
Antaeotricha irene
Antaeotricha irene is a small moth in the family Depressariidae, described by William Barnes and August Busck in 1920. It is known from Texas in North America. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in wing pattern, with males displaying much more extensive dark markings than females. Larvae feed on Sida species.
Aon noctuiformis
Aon Moth
Aon noctuiformis, commonly known as the aon moth, is the sole species in the monotypic genus Aon within the family Erebidae. First described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1892, this moth is known exclusively from the US state of Texas. The species epithet 'noctuiformis' suggests a resemblance to owlet moths (Noctuidae), though it belongs to the related family Erebidae.
Aphonopelma moderatum
Rio Grande Gold Tarantula
Aphonopelma moderatum, commonly known as the Rio Grande Gold Tarantula, is a species of tarantula endemic to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. It is a medium-sized member of the genus Aphonopelma, with females exhibiting distinctive orange and black coloration and exceptional longevity. The species is known for its docile temperament in captivity and has been observed in burrowing behavior as spiderlings, though adults often occupy hides rather than constructing deep burrows.
Araneus bonsallae
Araneus bonsallae is an orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae. The species was described by McCook in 1894. It is known from north-central Texas in the United States. As a member of the genus Araneus, it constructs orb-shaped webs to capture prey, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Arethaea ambulator
Hill Country Thread-leg Katydid, Walking Thread-leg Katydid
Arethaea ambulator is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, characterized by its exceptionally long, thread-like legs. The species was described by Hebard in 1936 and is endemic to the hill country region of central Texas. It belongs to a genus of slender, elongate katydids commonly known as thread-leg katydids.
Astalotesia
Astalotesia is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae, containing a single species, Astalotesia bucurvata. The genus was established by Ferguson in 1983 based on specimens collected in Texas. As a member of the subfamily Ennominae, it belongs to a diverse group of geometrid moths commonly known as inchworms or loopers.
Batrisodes texanus
Coffin Cave mold beetle, Inner Space Caverns mold beetle
Batrisodes texanus is a minute troglobitic beetle endemic to caves in Williamson County, Texas. This eyeless species measures only 2.60–2.88 mm and inhabits the unique microenvironment of cave systems, where it feeds on organic matter such as mold and detritus. The species is federally listed as endangered due to its extremely restricted range and vulnerability to habitat disturbance. It belongs to the diverse rove beetle family Staphylinidae, specifically the subfamily Pselaphinae, which contains many cave-adapted species.
Batrisodes venyivi
Helotes Mold Beetle
Batrisodes venyivi, commonly known as the Helotes Mold Beetle, is a small, eyeless troglobitic beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It is endemic to eight caves in Bexar County, Texas, and was listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2000. The species exhibits classic cave-adapted traits including elongated antennae, legs, and sensory setae. Very little is known about its behavior, population trends, or life history due to the logistical challenges of accessing its subterranean habitat.
Bolbocerosoma elongatum
Bolbocerosoma elongatum is an earth-boring scarab beetle in the family Geotrupidae, described by Howden in 1955. It is a member of the subfamily Bolboceratinae, a group characterized by fossorial (burrowing) habits. The species is known from North America, with records from Texas. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits the typical earth-boring beetle morphology adapted for digging in soil.
Brachypnoea rotundicollis
Brachypnoea rotundicollis is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by American entomologist Charles Frederic August Schaeffer in 1906. The species has a restricted distribution in southeastern Texas, with only 11 documented observations. Little is known about its biology or ecology beyond basic taxonomic and distributional records.
Cacama collinaplaga
Hill Country Cactus-Dodger
Cacama collinaplaga is a species of cicada in the family Cicadidae, described by Sanborn and Heath in 2011. It belongs to the genus Cacama, commonly known as cactus dodgers, which are associated with cactus hosts in arid regions of western North America. The species is found in the Hill Country region of Texas, where it inhabits areas with cactus vegetation.
Cacotherapia nigrocinereella
A species of snout moth described by George Duryea Hulst in 1900. The species is endemic to Texas and is one of few documented members of the genus Cacotherapia. Knowledge of its biology remains limited due to scarcity of records.
Calligrapha wickhami
Calligrapha wickhami is a leaf beetle species in the subgenus Erythrographa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Chrysomelinae), distinguished by reddish testaceous coloration extending to dark body parts including elytral markings. It is the only species in this subgenus not found in Mexico, being restricted to southern Texas. The subgenus Erythrographa is endemic to Central America and particularly diverse in the Mexican Transition Zone between the Nearctic and Neotropical realms.
Carmenta welchelorum
Carmenta welchelorum is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, described in 1977 from south-central Texas. As a member of the genus Carmenta, it belongs to a group of seed-feeding clearwing moths primarily distributed in the Americas. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited information available beyond its original description and type locality.
Catonia texana
Catonia texana is a species of planthopper in the family Achilidae, first described by O'Brien in 1971. It belongs to the tribe Plectoderini within the subfamily Myconinae. The species is known from Texas, with distribution records primarily from this state. As a member of the Fulgoromorpha, it possesses the characteristic morphology of planthoppers, including a body shape adapted for jumping and often cryptic coloration.
Ceropales elegans quaintancei
Ceropales elegans quaintancei is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, described by Viereck in 1902. It belongs to a genus known for kleptoparasitic behavior, where females lay eggs in the nests of other spider wasps rather than hunting spiders directly. The subspecies is recorded from Texas. Like other members of Ceropales, it likely has a slender body with contrasting coloration typical of spider wasps.
Chloroplus
Chloroplus is a monotypic genus of spur-throated grasshoppers in the family Acrididae. The genus contains a single described species, Chloroplus cactocaetes. It is classified within the subfamily Melanoplinae, a diverse group of grasshoppers commonly known as spur-throated grasshoppers due to the presence of a peg-like projection on the prosternum. The genus was established by Hebard in 1918.
Chloroplus cactocaetes
Texas Cholla Grasshopper
Chloroplus cactocaetes is a spur-throated grasshopper and the sole species in the genus Chloroplus. It is endemic to Texas and closely associated with cholla cacti (Cylindropuntia species). The species was described by Hebard in 1918 and remains poorly known despite its distinctive habitat specialization.
Chrysobothris axillaris
Chrysobothris axillaris is a North American jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species was described by Horn in 1886. Based on field observations in the Davis Mountains of Texas, adults have been collected from Quercus grisea (gray oak) with fresh foliage, suggesting an association with oak hosts. The species appears to be active in late spring to early summer.
Cicindelidia politula
Limestone Tiger Beetle
Cicindelidia politula, the Limestone Tiger Beetle, is a species of tiger beetle occurring primarily in Texas with extensions into Oklahoma. Adults are active in late September and October, inhabiting dry to xeric upland areas with exposed limestone outcroppings. The species is closely related to the more widespread Cicindelidia punctulata but is distinguished by its shiny blue-black to black elytra with white markings absent or limited to the apices, and red abdomen. Adults are notably wary and difficult to approach, exhibiting fast escape flights and challenging capture behavior.
Cirolanides
Cirolanides is a genus of eyeless isopods in the family Cirolanidae, first described by Benedict in 1896. The genus contains two species: C. texensis and C. wassenichae. Members are characterized by reduced visual structures and specialized appendages adapted for subterranean life. These crustaceans represent a lineage adapted to dark, aquatic habitats.
Cirolanides texensis
Cirolanides texensis is a subterranean isopod species endemic to Texas. It belongs to the family Cirolanidae, a group of predominantly aquatic isopods that includes many cave-dwelling species. The species was described in 1896 by Benedict and is known from limited observations in karst groundwater systems.
Colpa octomaculata texensis
Colpa octomaculata texensis is a subspecies of mammoth wasp in the family Scoliidae, first described by Saussure in 1858. It belongs to a group of large-bodied parasitoid wasps whose larvae develop on scarabaeid beetle grubs. Recent phylogenetic research using ultraconserved element (UCE) data has clarified the evolutionary position of the genus Colpa, finding it to be sister to the tribe Scoliini and rendering the traditional tribe Campsomerini non-monophyletic. This subspecies represents part of a taxonomic complex that has historically been poorly resolved due to limited systematic study.
Cotinis boylei
South Texas Coastal Cotinis
Cotinis boylei is a flower chafer beetle in the subfamily Cetoniinae, placed in the subgenus Criniflava within the genus Cotinis. It is known from coastal Texas and appears to be a rare species with very few documented observations. The species was described by Goodrich in 1966.
Dalquestia rothorum
Dalquestia rothorum is a species of harvestman (order Opiliones) in the family Globipedidae. It was described by Cokendolpher and Stockwell in 1986. The species belongs to a genus endemic to western North America and is known from limited collection records in Texas.
Dellacasiellus griffini
Dellacasiellus griffini is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Gordon and Skelley in 2007 and is currently known only from Texas in the southern United States. The species belongs to a small genus of aphodiine dung beetles. Very few observations exist in public databases.
Dielis tejensis
Dielis tejensis is a recently described scoliid wasp endemic to Texas, first known from male specimens and later from mtDNA-verified females. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism in body structure and color pattern, with females previously misidentified as Dielis plumipes fossulana. It is notable as the first documented case of partial seasonal polyphenism in Scoliidae, correlated with a multi-generational life cycle and potential aestivation of female immature stages.
Dioryctria caesirufella
Dioryctria caesirufella is a snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described from Texas in 1983. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in forewing length. Its forewings display a distinctive bluish-grey ground color with reddish dusting. The larval host plant is possibly bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), though this association requires confirmation.
Diplotaxis rex
King Ranch Diplotaxis
Diplotaxis rex is a species of scarab beetle described by Vaurie in 1958. It belongs to the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, and tribe Diplotaxini. The species is native to North America, with documented occurrence in Texas. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is a small chafer beetle. The common name "King Ranch Diplotaxis" suggests an association with the historic King Ranch region of southern Texas.
Dromochorus welderensis
Gulf Prairie Tiger Beetle
Dromochorus welderensis is a tiger beetle species described in 2019 from Texas, USA. It belongs to the genus Dromochorus, a group of flightless, fast-running tiger beetles associated with open, eroded clay habitats. The species is named for the Welder Wildlife Refuge in Texas, where it was discovered. As a recently described species, detailed information about its biology remains limited.
Elaphidionopsis
Elaphidionopsis is a monotypic genus of longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) established by Linsley in 1936. The genus contains a single species, Elaphidionopsis fasciatipennis, described by Linsley and Chemsak. The genus belongs to the tribe Elaphidiini within the subfamily Cerambycinae. Based on field observations, adults of the type species have been collected at mercury-vapor and ultraviolet lights in juniper chaparral habitats in west Texas.
Eleodes veterator
Texas Coastal Teneb
Eleodes veterator is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the Texas Coastal Teneb. As a member of the Eleodes genus, it shares the defensive "head stand" behavior characteristic of clown beetles, where the beetle elevates its abdomen to release defensive secretions. The species was described by Horn in 1874. Information specific to this species is limited compared to better-known congeners such as E. suturalis and E. hispilabris.
Endasys texanus
Endasys texanus is a species of ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, described by Cresson in 1872. It belongs to a genus of parasitoid wasps within the superfamily Ichneumonoidea. The species epithet 'texanus' indicates a connection to Texas, likely reflecting the type locality or region of original collection. Like other members of Ichneumonidae, this species is presumed to be a parasitoid, though specific host relationships and biology remain poorly documented.
Epicaerus texanus
Epicaerus texanus is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae. The species was described by Casey in 1888 and is known from North America, with records from Texas. As a member of the subfamily Entiminae, it possesses the characteristic short, broad rostrum typical of this group. Very little specific ecological or behavioral information has been documented for this particular species.