Tropical-distribution
Guides
Chrysoplatycerus
Chrysoplatycerus is a genus of parasitic wasps in the family Encyrtidae, first described by Ashmead in 1889. The genus belongs to the subfamily Tetracneminae and contains species that are parasitoids, primarily associated with scale insects (Coccoidea). Based on museum records, the genus includes at least three described species: C. ferrisi, C. flavicollis, and C. splendens. These wasps are minute, typically under 2 mm in body length, with reduced wing venation characteristic of the family. The genus has been recorded from Hawaii, Cuba, and Panama, suggesting a distribution concentrated in tropical and subtropical regions.
Derolathrus
Jacobson's beetles
Derolathrus is a genus of minute beetles in the family Jacobsoniidae, containing 12 described species. The genus includes both extant and extinct species, with fossil records from Cretaceous amber deposits in Myanmar and France. Several species exhibit troglomorphic adaptations, including reduced or absent eyes. The genus has a disjunct global distribution spanning tropical and subtropical regions.
Elaver
Elaver is a genus of sac spiders in the family Clubionidae, established by Octavius Pickard-Cambridge in 1898. The genus comprises approximately 52-53 species distributed across multiple continents. These spiders are recognized members of the sac spider group, though species-level diversity and biology remain incompletely documented.
Gryllodes sigillatus
Tropical house cricket, Indian house cricket, banded cricket
Gryllodes sigillatus is a small cricket species widely farmed for human consumption and animal feed, particularly as a sustainable protein source. Native to Southwestern Asia, it has spread throughout tropical regions worldwide and is commonly associated with human habitations. The species has gained prominence in commercial insect farming due to its resistance to Acheta domesticus densovirus (AdDNV), which devastated populations of the common house cricket. It serves as a model organism in behavioral and evolutionary ecology research, particularly for studies on mating systems, sexual selection, and neurobiology.
Neriidae
cactus flies, banana stalk flies, banana flies
Neriidae is a family of true flies (Diptera) comprising approximately 100 species in 19 genera. Formerly treated as a subfamily of Micropezidae, Neriidae are distinguished by their unreduced fore legs. Adults are slender, long-legged flies with elongated bodies and heads, particularly in males. The family exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism and is notable for spectacular male combat behavior. Neriidae are primarily tropical in distribution, with limited representation in temperate regions of North America and Australia.
Pinophilini
Pinophilini is a tribe of rove beetles in the subfamily Paederinae, family Staphylinidae. The tribe is divided into two subtribes: Pinophilina and Procirrina. The subtribe Procirrina contains eight extant genera with approximately 764 species. The oldest known fossil representative is †Cretoprocirrus trichotos from Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber (ca. 99 Ma), extending the fossil record of this tribe back from the previously known Cenozoic occurrences.
Trochoideus desjardinsi
handsome fungus beetle
Trochoideus desjardinsi is a species of handsome fungus beetle in the family Endomychidae, characterized by its broad distribution across tropical and subtropical regions. The species exhibits a notable ecological association with social insects, having been documented in nests of ants and termites. Adults are attracted to light and have been collected from various decaying plant materials and economically important crops.