Texas-endemic
Guides
Esperanza
Esperanza is a genus of broad-headed bugs in the family Alydidae, established by Barber in 1906. The genus contains at least one described species, E. texana. These true bugs belong to the infraorder Pentatomomorpha and are part of the subfamily Micrelytrinae within the tribe Micrelytrini. The genus is primarily known from Texas based on available distribution records.
Eubolina
Eubolina is a monotypic moth genus in the family Erebidae, subfamily Erebinae. It contains a single species, Eubolina impartialis, commonly known as the eubolina moth. The genus was established by Leon F. Harvey in 1875. The sole species is primarily distributed in southern Texas, United States.
Eucosma knudsoni
Eucosma knudsoni is a species of tortricid moth described from Texas in 2015. It belongs to a large genus of small moths commonly known as bell moths or eucosmas, many of which are associated with Asteraceae host plants. The species is known from very few observations, reflecting both its recent description and likely restricted distribution or cryptic habits. As a member of the Olethreutinae subfamily, it possesses the characteristic tortricid resting posture with wings held rooflike over the body.
Eugnosta deceptana
Deceptive Cochylid
Eugnosta deceptana is a small tortricid moth known from southern Texas. Adults are active across much of the year with records from November through January and again in March, May, June, and August. The species was described by August Busck in 1907 and remains poorly documented beyond basic collection data.
Eustictus knighti
Eustictus knighti is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Johnston in 1930. It belongs to the genus Eustictus, a group of small, often inconspicuous mirids found in North America. The species is known from limited records, primarily from Texas. As with most members of Miridae, it is presumed to be phytophagous, feeding on plant fluids, but specific host associations remain undocumented.
Fania connectus
Fania connectus is a small cossid moth described in 1916 from Texas. The species exhibits distinctive wing patterning with contrasting smoky brown and silvery white areas separated by dark transverse markings. Adults are active in both spring and fall, suggesting a bivoltine life cycle. The genus Fania is poorly known, with limited biological data available.
Glyphocystis viridivallis
Glyphocystis viridivallis is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae. It is the sole member of the monotypic genus Glyphocystis. The species was described by André Blanchard in 1973 and is known only from Texas. Very little is known about its biology or ecology.
Gonodonta sinaldus
moonseed fruitpiecer, moonseed fruitpiercer
Gonodonta sinaldus is a small moth in the family Erebidae, known for its specialized larval association with moonseed vine. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 36 mm. The species exhibits a disjunct distribution pattern, with core populations in the Texas Hill Country and scattered records extending north to Dallas and south through the Neotropics.
Gryllus thinos
Texas Beach Field Cricket
Gryllus thinos is a field cricket species described in 2019 from Texas coastal habitats. Commonly known as the Texas Beach Field Cricket, it inhabits sandy beach environments, distinguishing it from other Gryllus species that typically occupy inland grasslands and fields. The species is characterized by its specialized coastal habitat association and relatively recent taxonomic recognition.
Hadoa chisosensis
Southern Piñon Sun-Singer
Hadoa chisosensis is a species of annual cicada in the genus Hadoa, native to Texas and adjacent areas of northern Mexico. The species is commonly known as the Southern Piñon Sun-Singer. As a member of the Cicadidae family, it produces acoustic signals typical of cicadas. The specific epithet 'chisosensis' refers to the Chisos Mountains region of Texas, indicating its association with this geographic area.
Haideoporus texanus
Edwards Aquifer Diving Beetle
Haideoporus texanus is a stygobiontic diving beetle endemic to the Edwards Aquifer of Texas. It is a subterranean aquatic species adapted to life in groundwater systems, with larvae possessing characteristic morphological features including a nasale and absence of primary pores MXd and LAc. The species was described in 1976 and represents an independently evolved lineage within the subfamily Hydroporinae.
Hemileuca chinatiensis
chinati sheepmoth, Chinati buck moth
Hemileuca chinatiensis, commonly known as the chinati sheepmoth or Chinati buck moth, is a species of giant silkmoth in the family Saturniidae. The species was described by Tinkham in 1943 and is native to North America. It belongs to the genus Hemileuca, which comprises 24 species in North America, commonly referred to as buck moths or sheep moths. These moths are diurnal and often mistaken for butterflies due to their bright coloration.
Hemileuca peigleri
Texas buck moth
Hemileuca peigleri, the Texas buck moth, is a day-flying saturniid moth endemic to central Texas. Adults are short-lived and do not feed, relying on fat reserves accumulated during larval development. The species is closely associated with oak habitats, where larvae feed on several oak species. Taxonomic status has been debated, with some authorities treating it as a subspecies of Hemileuca maia, though it is currently recognized as a distinct species.
Hentzia alamosa
Hentzia alamosa is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae, described by Richman in 2010. The species is currently known only from Texas in the United States. As a member of the genus Hentzia, it belongs to a group of diminutive jumping spiders characterized by sexually dimorphic morphology, particularly enlarged and often darkened front legs in males. Very little is known about its specific biology or ecology.
Hesperia balcones
Hesperia balcones is a species of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, described by Grishin in 2023. The species epithet "balcones" refers to the Balcones Escarpment in Texas, indicating the geographic region where this species occurs. As a recently described taxon, detailed information about its biology and ecology remains limited.
Heterelmis comalensis
Comal Springs riffle beetle
Heterelmis comalensis is a federally endangered aquatic beetle endemic to two spring systems in Texas. Described in 1988, this flightless species measures approximately 2 mm and inhabits shallow gravel substrates in spring riffles fed by the Edwards Aquifer. The species has been the focus of intensive conservation research, including captive breeding programs and studies on sexual dimorphism identification.
Heterocerus texanus
Heterocerus texanus is a species of variegated mud-loving beetle in the family Heteroceridae. This small beetle was described by Pacheco in 1964 and is native to Texas. Members of the genus Heterocerus are typically found in muddy or sandy habitats near water. The family Heteroceridae is characterized by beetles with fossorial (digging) adaptations and clubbed antennae.
Homoeosoma parvalbum
Homoeosoma parvalbum is a species of snout moth (family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae) described in 1985 by André Blanchard and Ed Knudson. It is currently known only from Texas, United States. No ecological or biological details have been documented for this species in published literature.
Hymenorus texensis
Hymenorus texensis is a species of comb-clawed beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, subfamily Alleculinae. Described by Fall in 1931, this species belongs to a group formerly treated as the separate family Alleculidae before being reclassified as a subfamily of Tenebrionidae. Comb-clawed beetles in this genus typically have antennae with segments longer than wide, resembling ground beetles (Carabidae), but differ in having concealed mandibles. The species epithet "texensis" indicates a type locality or primary distribution in Texas.
Hypothyce mixta
East Texas Hypothyce
Hypothyce mixta is a species of scarab beetle described by Howden in 1968. It belongs to the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species has been recorded from sandy soils in eastern Texas, representing a restricted distribution within the Nearctic region. Like other members of the genus Hypothyce, it is likely associated with soil habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Inguromorpha texasensis
Inguromorpha texasensis is a moth species in the family Cossidae, known as carpenter or goat moths. The species is endemic to Texas and adjacent regions in the southern United States. It belongs to a genus of medium-sized moths whose larvae bore into wood. Observations suggest adult activity during warmer months, though detailed natural history remains poorly documented.
Isogona texana
Isogona texana is a small moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae. The species was described by Smith in 1900 and is known from Texas. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 24 mm. This species belongs to a genus of moths commonly known as owlet moths, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Lacinipolia
Owlet moth
Lacinipolia sp-texas is an owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, currently known only from an informal designation used in citizen science contexts. The genus Lacinipolia comprises numerous small to medium-sized noctuine moths, many of which are challenging to distinguish by external appearance alone. This particular designation suggests a distinctive form or population from Texas, though formal taxonomic description may be pending.
Listrochelus bottimeri
Listrochelus bottimeri is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Reinhard in 1950. It belongs to the tribe Rhizotrogini, a group commonly known as June beetles or May beetles. The species is known only from Texas in the United States. Like other members of this tribe, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Listrochelus reinhardi
Listrochelus reinhardi is a species of scarab beetle described by Saylor in 1940. It belongs to the genus Listrochelus within the tribe Rhizotrogini, a group commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species is known from limited observations in Texas, USA. As with other members of Rhizotrogini, it is presumed to have subterranean larval stages and adult emergence patterns typical of the group, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Listrochelus texensis
Listrochelus texensis is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Saylor in 1940. It is known from southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. As a member of the Rhizotrogini tribe, it likely exhibits root-feeding habits in larval stages typical of related taxa, though specific ecological studies remain limited.
Megischus texanus
Texas Crown Wasp
Megischus texanus, commonly known as the Texas Crown Wasp, is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Stephanidae. Crown wasps are characterized by their distinctive elongated, crown-like projection on the head and their parasitoid lifestyle targeting wood-boring beetle larvae. This species represents one of relatively few documented members of this ancient wasp family in North America.
Microcentrus solussidus
Microcentrus solussidus is a treehopper species described in 2004 from Texas. It belongs to the tribe Microcentrini, characterized by pronotal modifications that extend over the body. The genus Microcentrus is part of the subfamily Stegaspidinae, a group of treehoppers found in the Nearctic region. This species was described relatively recently compared to many congeners, reflecting ongoing taxonomic work in this morphologically diverse family.
Microweisea minuta
Pinpoint Lady Beetle
Microweisea minuta is an exceptionally small lady beetle (family Coccinellidae) native to Texas. Adults measure under 1 mm in length, making it one of the smallest members of its family. The species has a dark, piceous-colored body with a dark brown ventral surface. Like other members of the genus Microweisea, it is associated with scale insects and likely serves as a predator of these pests in its habitat.
Mojaviodes blanchardae
Mojaviodes blanchardae is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It is the sole member of the monotypic genus Mojaviodes. The species was described by Munroe in 1972 and is known from Texas in North America. Very few observations of this species exist, with only four documented records.
Mompha bottimeri
Bottimer's Mompha
Mompha bottimeri is a small moth in the family Momphidae, first described by August Busck in 1940. The species is named in honor of T. N. Bottimer, a Texas entomologist who collected the type specimens. It belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae are predominantly internal feeders on plant tissues, particularly stems and fruits. The species has been documented primarily from Texas and neighboring regions in the southern United States.
Nemoria bifilata planuscula
Texas White-barred Emerald
Nemoria bifilata planuscula is a subspecies of emerald moth in the family Geometridae, described by Ferguson in 1969. It is known from Texas and represents one of several geographically defined populations within the Nemoria bifilata species complex. The subspecific epithet distinguishes it from other N. bifilata populations based on subtle morphological differences. Like other members of the genus, it belongs to the emerald moth group characterized by green coloration.
Neocicada chisos
Chisos Cicada
Neocicada chisos is a species of cicada in the family Cicadidae, one of three species originally described in the genus Neocicada before its taxonomic expansion. The species was first described as Cicada chisos by Davis in 1916 and later transferred to the genus Neocicada. It is endemic to the Chisos Mountains region of Texas and adjacent northern Mexico, with records from Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. As with other cicadas, males produce sound using tymbals—specialized membranes on the ventral base of the abdomen.
Neodavisia melusina
Neodavisia melusina is a species of snout moth (family Pyralidae) described in 1984 from specimens collected in Texas. It belongs to a small genus within the subfamily Pyralinae. The species is known from a limited geographic range in the southern United States and adjacent Mexico, with most records from Texas. It is one of the better-documented species in its genus due to its relatively accessible range.
Neofidia texana
Neofidia texana is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, restricted to central and east-central Texas. It was originally described in 1934 by Charles Frederic August Schaeffer as a variety of Fidia viticida, but is now recognized as a distinct species. The species is associated with plants in the grape family (Vitaceae).
Nicagus occultus
Nicagus occultus is a species of stag beetle in the family Lucanidae, described in 2005 by Paulsen and Smith. It belongs to the subfamily Aesalinae, a group of small to medium-sized stag beetles often associated with decaying wood. The species is known from Texas, USA, and represents a relatively recent addition to the described North American lucanid fauna.
Norvellina texana
Norvellina texana is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Ball in 1907. The specific epithet 'texana' indicates its association with Texas, which is also its documented geographic range. As a member of the tribe Platymetopiini, it belongs to a group of leafhoppers characterized by particular morphological features of the head and wing venation. Like other cicadellids, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts adapted for feeding on plant vascular fluids.
Odontivalvia
Odontivalvia is a monotypic genus of crambid moths established by Munroe in 1973. The sole species, Odontivalvia radialis, is recorded from Texas. Larvae are known to feed on Leucophyllum minus and construct distinctive silken tunnels covered with frass on host plant branches.
Ogdoconta sexta
Ogdoconta sexta is a small noctuid moth described in 1913 from extreme southern Texas. Adults are active in spring and early summer, with a secondary flight period in September. The species has a very restricted known range, limited to two counties at the Texas-Mexico border.
Oneida grisiella
Oneida grisiella is a species of snout moth in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Epipaschiinae. Described by Solis in 1991, this species is known from only two documented observations, both from the US state of Texas. It belongs to the genus Oneida, a group of relatively obscure pyralid moths.
Oscarinus texensis
Oscarinus texensis is a dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Cartwright in 1972. The species is endemic to Texas, USA, and belongs to a genus known for its ecological role in cattle farming systems. Like other members of Oscarinus, this species is associated with bovine dung and contributes to nutrient cycling in agricultural landscapes.
Oscarinus welderi
Oscarinus welderi is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described in 2007 from Texas. It belongs to a genus known for dung-feeding ecology, though specific details for this species remain limited. The species is documented from very few observations.
Oxyelophila callista
Oxyelophila callista is a small moth species in the family Crambidae, described by William Trowbridge Merrifield Forbes in 1922. It is known from Texas and is characterized by aquatic larval development, an unusual trait among Lepidoptera. The species has a wingspan of approximately 13 mm and shows adult activity in spring and autumn.
Paracyrtophyllus robustus
Central Texas Leaf-Katydid, Truncated True Katydid
Paracyrtophyllus robustus is a true katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Caudell in 1906. It is endemic to central Texas and surrounding regions of North America. The species is commonly known as the central Texas leaf katydid or truncated true katydid, reflecting both its geographic restriction and its leaf-mimicking appearance. It is among the more frequently observed katydid species in its range, with over 2,400 documented observations.
Parochodaeus pixius
Parochodaeus pixius is a species of sand-loving scarab beetle in the family Ochodaeidae, described from Texas in 2011. Members of this genus are small, compact beetles associated with sandy habitats. The species epithet "pixius" refers to the pitch-like (tar-like) coloration of the body. Ochodaeid beetles are poorly studied but are generally considered to be detritivores or scavengers in sandy environments.
Petrophila daemonalis
Devil's River Petrophila
Petrophila daemonalis is a small moth in the family Crambidae, first described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1907 (published 1908). The species is known from Texas, where it inhabits riparian environments associated with the Devils River. The common name reflects this association. As a member of the subfamily Acentropinae, it belongs to a group of crambid moths often associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats.
Phidippus pruinosus
Apache Jumping Spider
Phidippus pruinosus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae, described by George and Elizabeth Peckham in 1909. It is endemic to Texas in the United States, with records primarily from Central Texas and the Abilene area. The species is associated with xeric habitats and juniper vegetation. As a member of the genus Phidippus, it possesses the characteristic large anterior median eyes and jumping ability typical of salticid spiders.
Photinus concisus
Short-flash Firefly
Photinus concisus is a species of firefly in the beetle family Lampyridae, described by Lloyd in 1968. It is known from Kerrville, Texas, and is closely related to the widespread and well-studied Photinus pyralis. As a member of the genus Photinus, it likely exhibits bioluminescent courtship behavior typical of the group, though specific details for this species remain poorly documented. The common name "Short-flash Firefly" suggests a distinctive flash pattern used in mate recognition.
Phydanis bicolor
Texas Snakeherb Flea Beetle
Phydanis bicolor is a rarely collected flea beetle in the tribe Alticini, subfamily Galerucinae. It is known from Texas and is among the least frequently encountered species of its genus. The species has been documented from very few collections, with recent work providing the first adult host record.
Phyllomydas bruesii
Phyllomydas bruesii is a species of mydas fly in the family Mydidae, described by Johnson in 1926. The species is known from a small number of observations and limited published records. Like other members of the genus Phyllomydas, it is a large-bodied fly with distinctive morphology characteristic of the Mydidae family.