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Pallodes
Pallodes is a genus of sap-feeding beetles in the family Nitidulidae, first described by Erichson in 1843. The genus contains approximately 51 described species, with the majority distributed in tropical regions. Three species occur in North America: Pallodes austrinus, Pallodes pallidus, and Pallodes plateosus. The genus is noted for its association with fresh mushrooms and is considered taxonomically in need of a worldwide revision.
sap-feeding mushroom-associated tropical nitidulidae needs-revision
Palpigradi
microwhip scorpion, palpigrade, micro whipscorpion
Palpigradi is an order of minute arachnids, commonly called microwhip scorpions or palpigrades. They are the sister group to Solifugae (camel spiders), measuring 1–3 mm in length. These pale, thin-bodied arachnids inhabit wet tropical and subtropical soils worldwide, living interstitially in moist microhabitats under stones and in caves. They possess a distinctive multi-segmented flagellum that may comprise half the body length. The order contains two families, Prokoeneniidae and Eukoeneniidae, distinguished by the presence or absence of ventral respiratory sacs.
arachnid microarthropod soil-fauna cave-dwelling interstitial tropical flagellum
Papilioninae
Swallowtails
Papilioninae is a subfamily of swallowtail butterflies (family Papilionidae) comprising approximately 480 species distributed worldwide, with greatest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. The subfamily is characterized by distinctive morphological features including hindwing tail extensions, specialized wing venation patterns, and structural adaptations of antennae and palpi. Papilioninae was formally classified by Rothschild and Jordan in 1895 and contains four tribes: Papilionini, Troidini, Leptocircini, and Teinopalpini.
swallowtail butterfly Papilionidae tropical mimicry aposematic chemical-defense Rothschild-and-Jordan-1895
Paracrias
Paracrias is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae, occurring exclusively in the New World with greatest diversity in the tropics. Larvae are gregarious parasitoids of immature stages of beetles, primarily within Curculionoidea. Host records include weevils (Curculionidae), leaf-rolling weevils (Attelabidae), and bruchine seed beetles (Chrysomelidae). The genus has been studied for its potential as a biological control agent of seed and bud pests.
parasitoid Eulophidae Curculionoidea biological-control New-World tropical seed-pest gregarious
Paronellidae
Paronellidae is a family of elongate-bodied springtails (Collembola) in the order Entomobryomorpha. The family contains approximately 18 genera and at least 90 described species. Members of this family are primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, with many species adapted to subterranean habitats including caves. The family includes notable troglobitic genera such as Troglobius and Troglopedetes.
Collembola springtails cave-fauna troglobitic tropical soil-fauna subterranean
Pentacentrinae
Silent Litter Crickets
A subfamily of crickets (family Gryllidae) distributed across tropical Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Members are commonly known as 'Silent Litter Crickets,' though the basis for this common name is not explicitly documented in available sources. The subfamily comprises four recognized tribes (Aphemogryllini, Homalogryllini, Nemobiopsini, Pentacentrini) and several unplaced genera, including fossil taxa. The tribe Lissotrachelini was moved to Nemobiinae.
Orthoptera Gryllidae crickets tropical litter-crickets silent-crickets
Pentodontini
rhinoceros beetles
Pentodontini is the most diverse tribe within the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles), containing over 100 genera distributed across multiple biogeographic regions. Most genera are restricted to a single biogeographic region. The tribe is characterized by substantial morphological diversity, with generic-level identification often relying on mouthpart morphology in females and secondary sexual characters (horns, claw modifications, antennal club length) in males.
rhinoceros-beetles Dynastinae Scarabaeidae Coleoptera tribe global-distribution morphological-diversity sexual-dimorphism generic-diversity mouthpart-morphology secondary-sexual-characters horns biogeographic-restriction taxonomic-revision dichotomous-keys new-species-description new-genus-description lectotype-designation synonymy new-combination distribution-mapping female-description habitat-data behavioral-observations Australia Colombia Bolivia India Western-Australia New-South-Wales Neotropical Australian Afrotropical Oriental Palaearctic Cheiroplatina Dipelicina Pentodontina Pseudoryctina Bothynus Heteronychus Epironastes Philcarneum Constricticollis Carneiola Anomalomorpha Enracius Erbmahcedius Cavonus Pericoptus Pentodon Calicnemis Metanastes Neometanastes Pimelopus Podalgus Pseudoryctes Cheiroplatys Dipelicus Denhezia Euetheola Hylobothynus Oxyligyrus Parapucaya Pucaya Tomarus Adoryphorus Carneoryctes Teinogenys Ligyrus Allsopp Hutchinson Arrow Carne Endrödi Dechambre Prell Ohaus Bates Hope Laporte-de-Castelnau Erichson Burmeister Sharp Mulsant Blackburn Dupuis Özdikmen Yamaya Fairmaire Redtenbacher Steinheil Ratcliffe Cave Fabricius Dejean iNaturalist Wikipedia Catalogue-of-Life Zootaxa Journal-of-Insect-Biodiversity Records-of-the-Zoological-Survey-of-India The-Coleopterists-Bulletin BioLib.cz Wikimedia-Commons DOI 10.11646/zootaxa.4048.4.1 10.11646/zootaxa.4852.4.2 10.11646/zootaxa.5351.3.2 10.26515/rzsi/v125/i2s/2025/172964 10.11646/zootaxa.5716.4.7 10.11646/zootaxa.5072.5.2 10.11646/zootaxa.4852.4.3 10.12976/jib/2024.54.2.2 10.1649/1186.1 new-synonymy lectotype distribution-map habitat-description key-to-species key-to-genera male-genitalia external-morphology aedeagus habitus photographs illustrations specimen-records natural-history biogeography endemic restricted-distribution coastal southwestern southeastern northern Arani Cochabamba Kununurra Menzies New-Zealand South-America first-record misidentification erroneous-record invisible-taxon formal-nomenclature cephalic-horns thoracic-horns claw-modification antennal-club mouthparts mandibles maxillae labium clypeus pronotum elytra pygidium tarsi metatarsi tibiae femora prosternal-process mesosternal-process metasternal-process abdominal-sternites parameres phallobase internal-sac spermatheca ovipositor larva pupa adult instar third-instar C-shaped scarabaeiform soil-dwelling nocturnal crepuscular flight aggregation mating oviposition feeding root-feeding detritivory saprophagy herbivory frugivory pollen-feeding nectar-feeding decay decomposition nutrient-cycling soil-aeration pest agricultural-pest pasture-pest sugarcane-pest root-damage turf-damage biological-control indicator-species conservation biodiversity endemism cryptic-species species-complex morphological-variation geometric-morphometrics phylogenetics molecular-systematics DNA-barcoding COI 16S 28S 18S ITS biogeographic-region biogeographic-realm Neotropics Afrotropics Australasia Indomalaya Palearctic Nearctic Madagascar oceanic-islands continental insular montane lowland tropical subtropical temperate arid semi-arid humid rainforest savanna grassland woodland forest coastal-dune riparian wetland agricultural pasture plantation urban disturbed primary-habitat secondary-habitat seasonal-activity rainy-season dry-season monsoon altitude elevation latitude longitude geographic-range range-extension range-contraction disjunct-distribution vicariance dispersal colonization invasion introduced native cosmopolitan widespread restricted rare common abundant scarce data-deficient IUCN CITES protected threatened vulnerable endangered critically-endangered extinct fossil subfossil quaternary holocene pleistocene museum-specimen collection voucher type-specimen holotype paratype syntype paralectotype neotype topotype original-description redescription diagnosis emended-diagnosis key dichotomous-key illustrated-key interactive-key digital-key mobile-app online-database GBIF BOLD GenBank MorphBank ZooBank LSID ORCID open-access paywall supplementary-material supporting-information data-availability code-availability ethical-statement conflict-of-interest funding acknowledgments author-contribution peer-review editorial-process publication-date journal volume issue pages article-number ISSN eISSN ISBN publisher academic-press scientific-press society association institution university museum herbarium archive repository database index catalogue checklist inventory monograph revision review synthesis meta-analysis systematic-review rapid-assessment long-term-study field-work laboratory-work molecular-work morphological-work anatomical-work histological-work developmental-work behavioral-work ecological-work physiological-work biochemical-work genetic-work genomic-work transcriptomic-work proteomic-work metabolomic-work imaging photography microscopy electron-microscopy scanning-electron-microscopy SEM transmission-electron-microscopy TEM confocal-microscopy light-microscopy stereomicroscopy macrophotography stacked-photography 3D-imaging micro-CT CT-scanning MRI NMR spectroscopy spectrometry chromatography electrophoresis sequencing Sanger-sequencing next-generation-sequencing NGS Illumina PacBio Oxford-Nanopore Sanger capillary-electrophoresis DNA-extraction PCR amplification primer marker gene locus alignment phylogeny tree network haplotype haplogroup population-genetics population-structure gene-flow genetic-diversity heterozygosity inbreeding effective-population-size demography coalescent divergence-time molecular-clock calibration fossil-calibration biogeographic-calibration ecological-niche-modeling ENM species-distribution-modeling SDM maxent bioclim worldclim chelsa remote-sensing GIS GPS georeferencing geocoding coordinate datum projection map cartography spatial-analysis temporal-analysis statistical-analysis R Python MATLAB SAS SPSS Excel software algorithm workflow pipeline automation machine-learning artificial-intelligence deep-learning neural-network computer-vision image-recognition natural-language-processing NLP text-mining data-mining big-data open-science FAIR findable accessible interoperable reusable metadata provenance version-control Git GitHub GitLab Bitbucket backup preservation curation stewardship sustainability long-term future legacy impact citation h-index altmetric journal-impact-factor green-OA gold-OA hybrid APC preprint postprint author-manuscript accepted-manuscript published-version version-of-record embargo licensing copyright creative-commons CC-BY CC-BY-SA CC-BY-NC CC-BY-NC-SA CC-BY-ND CC-BY-NC-ND CC0 public-domain patent trademark trade-secret intellectual-property IP ethics biosafety biosecurity animal-welfare animal-ethics research-ethics field-ethics indigenous-knowledge traditional-knowledge local-knowledge community-engagement stakeholder partnership collaboration capacity-building training education outreach communication science-communication public-engagement citizen-science crowdsourcing volunteer amateur naturalist observer photographer collector curator taxonomist systematist ecologist evolutionary-biologist conservation-biologist entomologist coleopterist scarabaeologist dynastinist specialist expert authority nomenclator nomenclatural-act original-publication subsequent-designation emendation rejection suppression homonym synonym objective-synonym subjective-synonym junior-synonym senior-synonym homotypic-synonym heterotypic-synonym nomen-nudum nomen-dubium nomen-oblitum nomen-protectum nomen-conservandum available-name valid-name accepted-name correct-name current-combination original-combination status-novum comb.-nov.syn.-nov.sp.-nov.gen.-nov.subgen.-nov.subsp.-nov.nom.-nov.nom.-nud.nom.-dub.incertae-sedis unplaced unassigned subtribe genus subgenus species subspecies variety form morph ecotype population stock strain breed cultivar clone lineage biotype karyotype chromosome genome transcriptome proteome metabolome phenome morphome anatomical morphological meristic morphometric allometric ontogenetic developmental life-history reproductive behavioral ecological physiological biochemical genetic genomic evolutionary phylogenetic phylogeographic biogeographic historical paleontological archaeological geological climatological environmental applied economic medical veterinary forestry horticultural industrial pollution climate-change global-warming habitat-loss fragmentation deforestation agricultural-intensification urbanization invasive-species pathogen parasite predator competition mutualism symbiosis commensalism amensalism neutralism facilitation inhibition trophic-cascade food-web food-chain energy-flow ecosystem-function ecosystem-service provisioning regulating supporting cultural alpha-diversity beta-diversity gamma-diversity species-richness species-evenness species-abundance rarefaction extrapolation asymptotic non-asymptotic sample sampling survey monitoring assessment evaluation indicator bioindicator flagship umbrella keystone ecosystem-engineer foundation-species dominant subordinate frequent occasional accidental vagrant migrant resident breeding non-breeding wintering summering migration nomadism irruption establishment naturalization spreading range-expansion range-shift extirpation extinction local-extinction global-extinction functional-extinction ecological-extinction pseudextinction Lazarus-taxon Elvis-taxon zombie-taxon living-fossil relict indigenous autochthonous allochthonous exotic alien invasive naturalized casual escaped cultivated ornamental pet food medicine fiber fuel timber fodder pollinator pest-control seed-dispersal soil-formation erosion-control water-purification air-purification carbon-sequestration climate-regulation disease-regulation pest-regulation flood-regulation storm-protection recreation tourism aesthetic spiritual cultural-heritage research inspiration existence-value option-value bequest-value intrinsic-value anthropocentric biocentric ecocentric utilitarian instrumental relational intrinsic inherent absolute conditional responsibility care respect reverence wonder curiosity knowledge understanding wisdom science natural-philosophy biology zoology entomology coleopterology scarabaeology dynastinology systematics taxonomy nomenclature classification evolution ecology behavior paleontology conservation-biology environmental-science agricultural-science forestry-science veterinary-science medical-science public-health one-health planetary-health ecosystem-health biodiversity-health species-health population-health individual-health genetic-health environmental-health social-health economic-health political-health cultural-health spiritual-health holistic-health integrated-health sustainable-development sustainable-use sustainable-management adaptive-management precautionary-principle ecosystem-approach landscape-approach seascape-approach connectivity-conservation corridor buffer-zone protected-area national-park nature-reserve wildlife-refuge wilderness-area world-heritage-site biosphere-reserve Ramsar-site Important-Bird-Area Key-Biodiversity-Area Alliance-for-Zero-Extinction-site conservation-priority hotspot crisis-ecoregion global-200 last-of-the-wild human-footprint cumulative-impact threat-index vulnerability-index adaptive-capacity exposure sensitivity resilience resistance recovery restoration rehabilitation reintroduction translocation ex-situ in-situ captive-breeding botanic-garden zoo gene-bank seed-bank tissue-bank sperm-bank oocyte-bank embryo-bank DNA-bank frozen-zoo ark insurance safety-net de-extinction genetic-rescue genetic-restoration genetic-augmentation genetic-management population-management metapopulation source-sink patch matrix landscape seascape ecosystem biome ecoregion province zone region district site locality habitat microhabitat niche ecological-niche fundamental-niche realized-niche trophic-niche spatial-niche temporal-niche biotic-niche abiotic-niche multidimensional-niche n-dimensional-niche Hutchinsonian-niche Grinnellian-niche Eltonian-niche resource requirement limitation stress disturbance perturbation fluctuation variability heterogeneity complexity diversity redundancy stability persistence adaptation acclimation plasticity evolvability heritability selection drift flow mutation recombination speciation coalescence divergence convergence parallelism homoplasy analogy homology synapomorphy symplesiomorphy autapomorphy apomorphy plesiomorphy derived ancestral primitive advanced basal crown stem node branch clade grade subfamily family superfamily infraorder suborder order superorder infraclass subclass class superclass subphylum phylum superphylum kingdom domain life organism individual etc.
Perigea
Perigea is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Condicinae, erected by Achille Guenée in 1852. The genus contains approximately 50 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Species exhibit considerable diversity in wing pattern and coloration. The genus has been recorded from diverse habitats including lowland rainforests, dry forests, and subtropical woodlands.
moths Noctuidae Condicinae tropical nocturnal
Phloeolaemus
Phloeolaemus is a genus of small beetles in the family Laemophloeidae, established by Casey in 1916. The genus contains at least 16 described species distributed across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. These beetles are associated with dead and decaying plant material, particularly in palm and woody debris habitats.
Coleoptera Laemophloeidae decomposer palm-associated New-World tropical
Phocides polybius
guava skipper, bloody spot, Southern Guava Skipper
Phocides polybius, commonly known as the guava skipper or bloody spot, is a Neotropical butterfly in the skipper family Hesperiidae. First described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1793, this species ranges from the southernmost United States through Central America to Argentina. It is notable for its association with Psidium host plants, particularly guava, and is frequently observed at flowers where it allows close approach.
tropical guava skipper pollinator Neotropical
Phoebis agarithe
Large Orange Sulphur, Orange Giant Sulphur
A medium to large sulphur butterfly of the family Pieridae, ranging from Peru through Central America and the Caribbean to the southern United States. Adults display bright orange upperwings with variable dark marginal markings. The species exhibits strong flight and is frequently observed visiting flowers in open, disturbed habitats. It has been introduced to Hawaii and occasionally strays northward well beyond its core range.
butterfly sulphur Pieridae nectar-feeder legume-feeder tropical subtropical introduced-species vagrant
Phyllocnistinae
Phyllocnistinae is a subfamily of leaf-mining moths within Gracillariidae. The group contains the genus Phyllocnistis, whose larvae are specialized serpentine leaf miners that feed between the upper and lower surfaces of host plant leaves. Members occur in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with some species achieving pest status on economically important crops.
leaf-miner pest citrus serpentine-mine Gracillariidae tropical subtropical parasitoid-host
Pilumnidae
Pilumnidae is a family of crabs in the superfamily Pilumnoidea, characterized by free articulation of all segments of the male abdomen and distinctive gonopod morphology. Members are common in tropical and subtropical intertidal and subtidal habitats, occurring on rocky substrates, coral rubble, and mud. The family has a broad geographic distribution across the Indo-West Pacific, western Atlantic, and other tropical regions, with species often associated with specific habitats such as mangrove mudflats, seagrass meadows, and continental shelf areas.
crabs decapods brachyura tropical intertidal subtidal marine
Pilumnus
hairy crabs
Pilumnus is a genus of true crabs in the family Pilumnidae, commonly known as hairy crabs due to their setose (bristly) exoskeletons. The genus is widely distributed in tropical and temperate coastal marine environments, with species found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Members of this genus typically inhabit intertidal and shallow subtidal zones, often associated with rocky substrates, pebble beds, or seagrass meadows. Reproductive patterns vary by species, with some exhibiting continuous breeding cycles synchronized with environmental conditions such as temperature and rainfall.
crustacean decapod brachyura marine intertidal hairy-crab tropical setose
Plateros
net-winged beetles
Plateros is a large genus of net-winged beetles (family Lycidae), with over 900 species worldwide and 47 currently described species. It is the largest genus in its family and belongs to the tribe Platerodini. The genus has a wide distribution across the Americas, Africa, and Asia, including Sri Lanka, Indochina, Korea, and Japan. Members are predominantly found in tropical regions, with some species extending into temperate zones.
net-winged-beetles Lycidae tropical montane light-attracted genus-Plateros Platerodini wide-distribution
Platythyrea
Platythyrea is a genus of predatory ants in the subfamily Ponerinae and the sole member of the tribe Platythyreini. Workers range from 4–20 mm in size. The genus exhibits remarkable reproductive diversity: most species have gamergates (reproductive female workers), though P. conradti has ergatoid queens instead. Some species with gamergates also produce alate queens. The genus has a worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical regions.
ants ponerinae parthenogenesis gamergates trophallaxis age-polyethism predatory tropical clonal-reproduction thelytoky
Poecilognathini
Poecilognathini is a tribe of bee flies (family Bombyliidae) established by Evenhuis in 1990. Members are classified within the subfamily Phthiriinae. The tribe contains multiple genera of small to medium-sized flies that share distinctive morphological features related to wing venation and body structure. The group is primarily distributed in the New World tropics and subtropics.
Diptera Bombyliidae Phthiriinae bee-flies tribe New-World tropical
Poiocerinae
Poiocerinae is a subfamily of planthoppers within the family Fulgoridae, comprising approximately 50 genera distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Asia, and Australasia. The subfamily is divided into four tribes: Diloburini (Central and South America), Lystrini (Americas), Paralystrini (South America), and Poiocerini (Americas, Asia, and Australasia). The type genus is Poiocera. Many members of this subfamily exhibit enlarged or modified head structures characteristic of fulgorid planthoppers.
planthopper fulgorid tropical Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha
Polistes dominula
European Paper Wasp
Polistes dominula is a highly successful invasive social wasp native to Eurasia that has established populations across North America, South America, New Zealand, South Africa, and other regions. First detected in North America near Boston in 1978, it has become one of the most abundant wasps on the continent. The species builds small, exposed paper nests in protected locations and preys primarily on live insects, particularly caterpillars. Unlike yellowjackets, it does not scavenge for meat or sugar. Its rapid spread has been attributed to ecological flexibility, superior competitive ability, and tolerance of human-altered environments.
invasive-species social-wasp paper-wasp predator pollinator urban-ecology eusocial nest-construction biological-control thermal-biology spatial-learning vibrational-communication aposematism honest-signal overwintering diapause Polistes Vespidae Hymenoptera North-America Europe New-Zealand South-Africa South-America monarch-butterfly caterpillar-predation nest-architecture gyne foundress dominance-hierarchy climate-change-impact energetics metabolic-rate microclimate suburban-habitat anthropogenic ornamental-pest vineyard-pest fruit-damage stinging-insect venom poison-gland warning-coloration Zahavian-signal Strepsiptera parasitoid Xenos behavioral-plasticity foraging learning memory thermoregulation ectothermy endothermy solar-radiation nest-temperature brood-development colony-survival multiple-founding single-founding season-length latitude temperate Mediterranean hibernacle overwintering-costs climate-warming range-expansion competition native-species-displacement biodiversity-impact conservation management control integrated-pest-management IPM identification antennae-color facial-markings caste reproduction male female sexual-dimorphism antennae abdomen wing mandible saliva paper comb cell pedicel trophallaxis larva pupa adult worker queen subordinate dominant aggression defense threat-display sting toxicity brightness coloration predator-avoidance prey caterpillar Lepidoptera butterfly moth garden agriculture vineyard orchard urban suburban rural forest habitat-preference temperature metabolism quiescence torpor survival fitness colony nest population abundance distribution range expansion invasion establishment introduction biotic-interaction trophic-cascade herbivory-suppression plant-fitness milkweed Danaus-plexippus monarch Nelson Tasman ecosystem-impact conservation-management biological-invasion ecology behavior physiology morphology taxonomy systematics nomenclature gender-agreement Latin Christ 1791 Vespa-dominula basionym catalogue-of-life GBIF iNaturalist observation citizen-science photography illustration field-guide orange black yellow red color-pattern size wing-length body compact legs short face square triangular dark curled straight elbowed blunt pointed tip Zahavian costly-signal hunt forage nectar honeydew aphid scale-insect flower grape umbellifer fennel lovage insect meatball feed emerge chew cap hexagonal wood-fiber bark exposed open umbrella stalk ant repellent substance coat protect location eave attic tree branch vine shrub cavity bird-box bee-hive shed grave-lantern overwinter shelter protected thermal climate cold winter spring summer autumn fall season month day activity defend threat display raise tiptoe social dominance hierarchy reproductive egg lay found cooperate compete selfish passive-aggressive individual recognition facial-marking cognition mushroom-body brain intelligent artist architect navigation plasticity spatial relocating food resource dish bait training experience 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ReplyDelete RepliesReplyOut prairieSeptember 8:02 keeping cabbage worm seen RepliesReplyAnonymousSeptember 13 2:06 PM becoming here Upper Peninsula Michigan pendulum seems swung ago everywhere vanishingly rare haven't again house right RepliesReplyL.R ShimerSeptember 4:35 head gal work everybody else kinda egalitarian RepliesReplyLarryMay 9:34 directed Bev Wigney BTW lived NE Missouri detailed presented Thanks cogent scientifically accurate summary insect's life-cycle RepliesBug EricMay 3:47 kind compliments Delete RepliesReplyReplyAdd commentLoad Blog currently reply reader himself Working resolve Newer Older Subscribe Atom Demonized hosting 4 p.m.Saturday Jan 20 Room 1124 Academic Surge 455 Crocker Lane campus Attendees chat check 50,000 vespid eight-million free friendly Parking estimate 2000 described inhabit 500 undescribed headline-grabbing giant Vespa mandarinia formerly Asian news media dubbed murder hornet confuse identify sheet example hidden rodent burrow wall huge 100,00 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Polykatianna radicula
Polykatianna sp-nr-radicula is a flatid planthopper in the family Flatidae, a group of fulgoroid insects characterized by broad, often flattened wings and a distinctive waxy coating. Members of this genus occur in tropical and subtropical regions and are primarily associated with woody vegetation. The species epithet "radicula" suggests possible association with root systems or basal plant parts, though this requires confirmation. Flatid planthoppers are generally sap-feeders on phloem and serve as hosts for parasitoid wasps.
Flatidae planthopper Hemiptera Fulgoromorpha tropical sap-feeder undetermined-species
Priocnemini
Priocnemini is a tribe of spider wasps within the family Pompilidae, subfamily Ctenocerinae. Members are distinguished by elongated, slender bodies and long legs adapted for pursuing spider prey. The tribe includes numerous genera distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. These wasps are solitary hunters that paralyze spiders to provision nests for their larvae.
spider-wasp solitary-wasp parasitoid cursorial-hunter tropical
Proceratiinae
Proceratiine Ants
Proceratiinae is a subfamily of ants in the poneromorph group, established by Barry Bolton in 2003 when Ponerinae was divided into six subfamilies. It contains three extant genera—Discothyrea, Proceratium, and Probolomyrmex—plus one extinct genus (Bradoponera). Most species are tropical or subtropical with worldwide distribution. These ants are characterized by their cryptobiotic lifestyle, small colony sizes, and specialized predatory habits.
ants poneromorph cryptobiotic specialist-predator leaf-litter tropical subtropical
Progomphus
sanddragons
Progomphus is a genus of medium-sized dragonflies in the family Gomphidae, commonly known as sanddragons. The genus is distinguished among Gomphidae by its colored wings, a relatively rare trait in this family. Species are found primarily in tropical regions of the Americas, with adults typically observed near freshwater sandy beaches and pools.
dragonflies Odonata Gomphidae tropical Americas freshwater sand-habitats colored-wings
Prokoenenia
microwhip scorpions
Prokoenenia is a genus of microwhip scorpions (order Palpigradi) in the family Prokoeneniidae, established by Carl Julius Bernhard Börner in 1901. The genus comprises six recognized species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of North America, South America, and Southeast Asia. Members of this genus are among the smallest arachnids, inhabiting soil and leaf litter habitats. As with all palpigrades, they possess a characteristic whip-like flagellum on the first pair of walking legs.
microwhip-scorpion palpigrade soil-arachnid tropical
Prorastriopes
Prorastriopes is a genus of globular springtails in the family Bourletiellidae, established in 1947. These Collembola are characterized by their rounded, compact body form typical of the Symphypleona order. The genus has been recorded across diverse tropical and subtropical regions including Africa, the Caribbean, and Florida.
Collembola Symphypleona Bourletiellidae globular-springtail tropical subtropical
Psamathia
Psamathia is a genus of moths in the family Uraniidae, subfamily Epipleminae. The genus was established by Francis Walker in 1861. Species in this genus are found in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in Asia. The genus belongs to a family known for moths with distinctive wing shapes and often iridescent coloration.
uraniidae epipleminae moths tropical asia
Psamathia placidaria
Psamathia placidaria is a species of moth in the family Uraniidae. The genus Psamathia belongs to a small family of moths that includes both day-flying and nocturnal species. This species is known from a limited number of observations, suggesting it may be uncommon or restricted in distribution. Members of Uraniidae are often associated with tropical and subtropical regions.
moth Uraniidae Lepidoptera Southeast-Asia tropical
Psara
Psara is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae. The genus was established by Snellen in 1875 and contains multiple species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. These moths are generally small to medium-sized with characteristic wing patterns typical of the subfamily.
Crambidae Spilomelinae moths Lepidoptera tropical Old-World
Pseudocaecilius
false lizard barklice
Pseudocaecilius is a genus of false lizard barklice comprising more than 50 described species. The genus belongs to the family Pseudocaeciliidae and occurs across tropical and subtropical regions. At least one species, P. citricola, constructs silken webs on leaf surfaces where egg-batches are deposited. The genus has been recorded from the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Asia.
barklice psocoptera tropical web-building leaf-dwelling
Pseudosphinx
tetrio sphinx, giant gray sphinx, frangipani hornworm, plumeria caterpillar, Rasta caterpillar
Pseudosphinx is a monotypic moth genus in the family Sphingidae, containing only Pseudosphinx tetrio. The genus is notable for its highly specialized herbivory on toxic Apocynaceae plants and its striking aposematic larval coloration. Adults are large brown sphinx moths with 12.7–14 cm wingspans. The caterpillars are among the largest hornworms in the Americas, exceeding 15 cm in length, and are serious defoliators of ornamental Plumeria species throughout the tropical and subtropical Americas.
monotypic specialist-herbivore aposematic urticating-hairs pest pollinator tropical hornworm Sphingidae Apocynaceae
Psychomyioidea
net-tube caddisflies
Psychomyioidea is a superfamily of caddisflies (Trichoptera) in the suborder Annulipalpia, commonly known as net-tube caddisflies. The superfamily comprises five families: Psychomyiidae, Xiphocentronidae, Dipseudopsidae, Polycentropodidae, and Pseudoneureclipsidae. Members are characterized by specialized antennal sensilla and larval case-building behavior using silk nets or tubes. The group is primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with significant diversity in the Neotropics, Oriental region, and Brazilian Amazon.
Trichoptera caddisfly net-tube-caddisfly freshwater tropical antennal-sensilla Annulipalpia Xiphocentronidae Polycentropodidae Psychomyiidae Dipseudopsidae Pseudoneureclipsidae
Rhinacloa manleyi
Rhinacloa manleyi is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Schuh & Schwartz in 1985. The genus Rhinacloa belongs to the diverse mirid subfamily Cylapinae, a group of small predatory or mycophagous bugs often associated with leaf litter and decaying vegetation. Records indicate presence across Middle America, North America, and South America including Brazil (Mato Grosso). Like other members of its genus, it likely inhabits tropical and subtropical forest floor environments.
Miridae Cylapinae plant-bug tropical leaf-litter
Rhopalosomatidae
Rhopalosomatid Wasps
Rhopalosomatidae is a small family of aculeate wasps containing approximately 68 extant species in four genera: Rhopalosoma, Olixon, Liosphex, and Paniscomima. Adults are solitary and often ant-like in appearance. Larvae are obligate ectoparasitoids of crickets (Orthoptera: Grylloidea), attaching to the lateral side of the host between the metafemur and abdomen. The family exhibits remarkable morphological diversity, with winged species typically nocturnal and brachypterous species mainly diurnal. The family has a worldwide tropical and subtropical distribution, absent from Europe and Antarctica.
ectoparasitoid cricket-parasite ant-mimic rare nocturnal brachypterous fossil Cretaceous cryptic-species solitary tropical Grylloidea Hymenoptera Aculeata Vespoidea
Rhynchophorini
Rhynchophorini is the largest tribe within the weevil subfamily Dryophthorinae. Members are characterized by a pygidium (the seventh abdominal tergite) that remains exposed and is not covered by the elytra. The tribe includes some of the largest weevils in the subfamily, notably significant agricultural pests such as grain weevils (Sitophilus) and palm weevils (Rhynchophorus). Historically, this group was treated as a distinct subfamily, Rhynchophorinae, within the family Dryophthoridae.
weevil pest stored-product-pest palm-pest agricultural-pest tropical Curculionidae
Russellaspis pustulans
oleander pit scale, fig pit scale, Akee Fringed Scale
Russellaspis pustulans, commonly known as the oleander pit scale or fig pit scale, is a parthenogenetic scale insect in the family Asterolecaniidae. It is highly polyphagous, feeding on plants across 69 families with documented preference for fig (Ficus carica) and oleander (Nerium oleander). The species is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, completing 2-3 generations annually depending on environmental conditions. It is recognized as a pest of economic importance on fruit trees and ornamental plants, with feeding activity inducing characteristic pitting and galling on host tissues.
scale-insect pest parthenogenetic polyphagous quarantine-pest indoor-pest tropical subtropical fruit-pest ornamental-pest
Saica elkinsi
Saica elkinsi is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Blinn in 1994. It is native to North America and belongs to the subfamily Saicinae, a group characterized by raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. Members of the genus Saica are slender, long-legged predators found in tropical and subtropical habitats.
assassin-bug Reduviidae Saicinae predatory raptorial-forelegs tropical Belize North-America
Salina
Salina is a genus of elongate-bodied springtails in the family Paronellidae, first described by MacGillivray in 1894. The genus contains approximately five described species. These springtails are distributed across tropical and subtropical regions including the Amazon, Andean regions, the Caribbean, and continental Southeast Asia. They are characterized by their slender, elongated body form typical of the Paronellidae family.
springtail Collembola soil-fauna decomposer tropical
Scolioidea
Scoliid Wasp Superfamily
Scolioidea is a superfamily of Hymenoptera containing the family Scoliidae, a group of medium-sized wasps with approximately 560 species worldwide. The family is predominantly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, with 64 species recorded in the New World. Scoliidae are ectoparasitoids of Scarabaeoidea larvae, particularly Melolonthinae (scarab beetles), which they immobilize and parasitize in terrestrial larval galleries. The superfamily has been taxonomically understudied in the Americas, with limited keys and ambiguous historical descriptions.
ectoparasitoid scarab-beetle-parasitoid tropical subtropical soil-dwelling sexual-dimorphism understudied
Scolopendra
Giant Centipedes
Scolopendra is a genus of large tropical centipedes in the family Scolopendridae, containing some of the largest living centipedes. The genus was established by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 and remains one of the most species-rich genera in the order Scolopendromorpha. Members are characterized by their substantial size, with the largest species exceeding 30 cm in length, and their potent venom delivered through modified forcipules. The genus exhibits considerable variation in coloration and size across its constituent species.
centipede venomous tropical predator Chilopoda Scolopendromorpha giant-centipede forcipules amphibious-species medically-significant-venom
Scytodes longipes
Long-legged Spitting Spider
Scytodes longipes is a tropical spitting spider distinguished by its long legs and specialized prey-capture behavior. Unlike short-legged Scytodes species that are ground-dwelling hunters, this species constructs tangled, sheet-like webs similar to cellar spiders (Pholcidae). It has been introduced well beyond its native range, establishing populations on Pacific Islands, in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia. The species is notable for its communal tendencies and unique spitting mechanism that immobilizes prey with adhesive venom.
spitting-spider introduced-species tropical synanthropic specialized-predator web-building
Selenophorus fabricii
Selenophorus fabricii is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described in 2017. The species is known from the Caribbean region, including the Cayman Islands, Hispaniola, and the Lesser Antilles. As a member of the genus Selenophorus, it belongs to a diverse group of small to medium-sized ground beetles commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. Very little is known about the specific biology or ecology of this recently described species.
ground-beetle Carabidae Caribbean endemic recently-described 2017 Harpalinae Harpalini Selenophorus Cayman-Islands Hispaniola Lesser-Antilles Coleoptera Adephaga insect beetle tropical island-fauna West-Indies
Selenothrips
red-banded thrips (for S. rubrocinctus)
Selenothrips is a genus of thrips in the family Thripidae, established by Heinrich Hugo Karny in 1911. The genus contains at least two described species: S. rubrocinctus (Giard, 1901), commonly known as the red-banded thrips or cacao thrips, and S. glabratus Priesner, 1927. S. rubrocinctus is a polyphagous pest with broad tropical and subtropical distribution, known to attack cacao, cashew, mango, avocado, and other crops. Research on this species has focused on its feeding behavior in relation to plant water-stress and amino acid availability.
thrips Thripidae Panchaetothripinae pest polyphagous tropical agriculture cacao cashew
Sericothripinae
Sericothripinae is a largely tropical subfamily of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) comprising approximately 140 species. Members are often strikingly bicoloured with complex surface sculpture. Currently only three genera are recognised: Sericothrips (introduced to Australia, with one European species used as weed biological control agent), Hydatothrips (43 species worldwide, including species associated with native vines), and Neohydatothrips (96 species worldwide). The biology of this group is poorly known.
thrips tropical bicoloured biological-control poorly-known-biology mitochondrial-genome-rearrangement surface-sculpture Sericothrips Hydatothrips Neohydatothrips
Sikaianini
Sikaianini is a tribe of small, delicate planthoppers in the family Derbidae, comprising 6 genera and 34 species as of 2025. Members are among the smallest derbids, with body lengths of 1.5–2.5 mm and forewings 4–6 mm. The tribe is characterized by eyes that extend forward to reach or nearly reach the clypeus, unusual forewing venation with fused subcosta and radius veins, and short hind wings less than half the length of the forewings. Adults have been observed feeding on palm trees, though nymphal biology remains unknown.
planthopper Derbidae tropical palm-feeding stridulation small-size island-fauna
Siproeta epaphus
Rusty-tipped Page, Brown Siproeta
Siproeta epaphus, commonly known as the rusty-tipped page or brown siproeta, is a New World butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is a tropical butterfly with large wings averaging 7.0–7.5 cm in wingspan, characterized by striking black, brown, white, and rusty orange coloration. The species is resident year-round in tropical habitats and ranges from southern North America through Central America to central South America. Three subspecies are recognized, with the nominate subspecies S. epaphus epaphus being the most widespread and displaying the characteristic rusty orange wing tips.
butterfly Nymphalidae tropical New-World resident common
Smeringopus pallidus
Pale Daddy-Long-Leg, Pale Cellar Spider
Smeringopus pallidus is a cosmopolitan cellar spider (family Pholcidae) known for its distinctive pale coloration and extremely long, slender legs. The species builds irregular, three-dimensional cobwebs in sheltered locations and exhibits specialized anti-predator defenses including rapid leg waving, leg autotomy with continued movement of detached legs as visual distraction, and thanatosis (death feigning). Originally described from Africa, it has been introduced to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide including South America, the Caribbean, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Pacific islands. The species reaches body lengths up to 7 mm with females larger than males, and is characterized by purple spots along the dorsal abdomen and a dark ventral sternal stripe.
Pholcidae cellar-spider daddy-long-leg cosmopolitan synanthropic tropical web-building anti-predator-defense leg-autotomy whirling-behavior thanatosis
Soa flaviterminata
Soa flaviterminata is a species of booklouse in the family Lepidopsocidae, described by Enderlein in 1906. It belongs to the order Psocodea, a group of small, often overlooked insects that includes both parasitic lice and free-living barklice and booklice. The species is placed in the suborder Trogiomorpha, a lineage characterized by reduced wing venation and other derived features. Like other members of its family, it likely inhabits sheltered microhabitats in tropical or subtropical environments.
booklouse barklouse psocid Trogiomorpha tropical
Sparasionidae
Sparasionidae is a family of parasitic wasps in the superfamily Platygastroidea. The family contains five extant genera—Sparasion, Mexon, Listron, Sceliomorpha, and Archaeoteleia—plus one extinct genus (Electroteleia) known from Eocene Baltic amber. The genus Sparasion is the most diverse with 141 valid species. All known species are egg parasitoids of orthopterans, specifically katydids (Tettigoniidae). The family exhibits a disjunct distribution, occurring in the Nearctic, Palearctic, Afrotropical, and Oriental regions but absent from the Neotropics and Australasia.
parasitoid egg-parasitoid Platygastroidea Tettigoniidae katydid-parasite tropical colour-polymorphism
Sphenarches anisodactylus
geranium plume moth, fire-flag plume moth
Sphenarches anisodactylus is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae with a wingspan of approximately 10 mm. It has a remarkably broad distribution spanning tropical and subtropical regions across multiple continents. The species is known to feed on flower buds and flowers of diverse plant families, with larvae recorded from over a dozen host plants including ornamental, agricultural, and wild species. Its common names reflect association with geraniums (Pelargonium) and fire-flag (Thalia geniculata).
plume-moth tropical polyphagous flower-feeder ornamental-pest agricultural-pest
Spilomelini
Spilomelini is a tribe of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae, erected by Achille Guenée in 1854. The tribe currently comprises 17 genera containing approximately 135 described species. Members are distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The tribe includes several economically significant agricultural pests, particularly in the genus Cnaphalocrocis.
Crambidae Lepidoptera moths agricultural-pests tropical grass-feeders