United-states
Guides
Drasteria graphica
Graphic Moth, Coastal Graphic
Drasteria graphica is a day-flying moth in the family Erebidae, found in coastal dune habitats along the Atlantic seaboard and Great Lakes shores. Adults have a wingspan of 30–35 mm and are active from May to August. The subspecies D. g. atlantica is listed as threatened in Connecticut.
Driotura gammaroides
Driotura gammaroides is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, tribe Chiasmini. It was originally described as Athysanus gammaroides by Van Duzee in 1894 and later transferred to the genus Driotura. The species is documented from multiple states in the eastern and central United States. Like other members of its family, it is a phloem-feeding insect associated with vascular plants.
Drosophila colorata
Drosophila colorata is a species of vinegar fly in the family Drosophilidae, first described by Walker in 1849. It is recorded from the United States. The species is accepted in GBIF and NCBI taxonomic databases, though Catalogue of Life lists it as a synonym. Very little specific biological information is available for this species beyond its basic taxonomic placement and geographic occurrence.
Dylobolus rotundicollis
Firefly Longhorn
Dylobolus rotundicollis is a longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Lamiinae, tribe Hemilophini. It was described by James Thomson in 1868 and is known from Costa Rica and the United States. The species has been historically classified under the genus Mecas, which remains a synonym. Observations suggest adult activity during summer months in North American regions.
Dynastes tityus
Eastern Hercules beetle, elephant beetle, ox beetle
Dynastes tityus, the eastern Hercules beetle, is among the largest and heaviest beetles in the United States. Males possess prominent thoracic and cephalic horns used in combat with rival males for access to mates. The species exhibits remarkable humidity-dependent color change in its elytra, shifting from green-gray-tan to deep brown when moisture is absorbed. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. The complete life cycle may extend up to three years in the wild, with larvae developing in decaying wood within tree cavities.
Dyschirius sculptus
Dyschirius sculptus is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Scaritinae. It was described by Bousquet in 1988 and is known from the United States. Members of the genus Dyschirius are generally associated with moist, sandy or muddy habitats near water.
Dysphenges secretus
Dysphenges secretus is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Gilbert and Riley in 2012. It was one of three new species of the genus Dysphenges described from the United States in a paper published in The Pan-Pacific Entomologist. The genus Dysphenges belongs to the tribe Alticini, a large group of leaf beetles known for their enlarged hind femora that enable jumping.
Elasmus polistis
Elasmus polistis is a minute parasitoid wasp in the family Eulophidae, first described by Burks in 1971. It is an ectoparasitoid specializing on the brood of paper wasps in the genus Polistes. The species has been documented attacking prepupae and pupae inside host nests, entering despite defensive behaviors by adult wasps. It has been recorded from the United States and Brazil, with confirmed host associations including multiple Polistes species.
Ellychnia
dark firefly, diurnal firefly
Ellychnia is a genus of fireflies (family Lampyridae) containing approximately 24 species found across the United States. Unlike most fireflies, adults are diurnally active and lack bioluminescent organs, instead using chemical signals for mate recognition. Adults are characterized by black bodies with distinctive rose-colored markings on the pronotum. Larvae inhabit rotting logs in moist terrestrial environments.
Elytroleptus rufipennis
Elytroleptus rufipennis is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) described by LeConte in 1884. It belongs to the tribe Trachyderini, a group known for often striking coloration and patterns. The species name 'rufipennis' refers to reddish wing covers. Records indicate presence in Mexico and the United States.
Empoa casta
Empoa casta is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by McAtee in 1926. It belongs to the subfamily Typhlocybinae, a diverse group of small leafhoppers often associated with woody plants. The species is known from scattered records across the eastern and southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it produces brochosomes—nanoparticle secretions that coat the body surface.
Empoa vestita
Empoa vestita is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae. It was described by McAtee in 1926. Like other members of the genus Empoa, it produces brochosomes—nanoparticles that create a superhydrophobic, anti-reflective coating on its body. The species has been recorded from several north-central U.S. states including Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and New Hampshire.
Enallagma divagans
Turquoise Bluet
Enallagma divagans, the turquoise bluet, is a narrow-winged damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is endemic to the United States. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival.
Enallagma recurvatum
Pine Barrens Bluet, Pale Barrens Bluet
Enallagma recurvatum is a small damselfly endemic to the United States. It inhabits freshwater lakes, particularly in pine barrens and similar sandy, acidic lake systems. The species is considered threatened due to habitat loss from development, water quality degradation, and shoreline alteration. Its restricted range and specialized habitat requirements make it vulnerable to environmental changes.
Enargia decolor
Pale Enargia, Aspen Twoleaf Tier Moth
A noctuid moth with boreal-transcontinental distribution across North America, primarily associated with trembling aspen and related poplar species. Adults are active in late summer, with larvae capable of reaching outbreak densities that cause extensive defoliation of host stands. The species shows a disjunct western distribution pattern that may represent cryptic diversity.
Enchenopa n-sp-az-ii
Enchenopa n-sp-az-ii is an undescribed species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, provisionally designated from Arizona. Treehoppers in this genus are recognized for their enlarged and often elaborately shaped pronotum that extends over the body. This species represents part of the documented but not yet formally described diversity of Enchenopa in the southwestern United States.
Eosphoropteryx
Eosphoropteryx is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Plusiinae, established by Dyar in 1902. The genus contains a single described species, Eosphoropteryx thyatyroides. It belongs to the tribe Plusiini, a group of owlet moths commonly known as loopers or plusiines. Records indicate occurrence in the northeastern United States.
Eparces quadriceps
Eparces quadriceps is a Nearctic ichneumonid wasp in subfamily Ichneumoninae, first described by Cresson in 1867. The species has been recorded from multiple states across the United States, with recent taxonomic revision providing updated nomenclatural clarification and new distributional records. As a member of the parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae, it likely functions as a parasitoid of other insects, though specific host associations remain undocumented in available sources.
Epiblema glenni
Glenn's Epiblema
Epiblema glenni is a small tortricid moth species described by Wright in 2002. It belongs to the leafroller moth family Tortricidae, a diverse group whose larvae typically feed concealed within rolled or tied leaves. The species is known from scattered records across the eastern and central United States.
Epigrimyia polita
Epigrimyia polita is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae. It is known as a parasitoid of adult Galgupha ovalis bugs, a species of shield bug. The species was described by Townsend in 1891 and is found in the United States.
Epinotia nonana
Epinotia nonana is a small tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. First described by Kearfott in 1907 from the northeastern United States, this species belongs to a large genus of leafroller moths. As with many Epinotia species, detailed biological information remains limited. The species has been documented in Vermont and other parts of the United States based on collection and observation records.
Episinus amoenus
cobweb spider
Episinus amoenus is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, first described by Banks in 1911. It is found in the United States and Mexico. The species belongs to the genus Episinus, which is characterized by its distinctive web-building behavior and morphology.
Eratoneura emquu
Eratoneura emquu is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae, described by Ross and DeLong in 1953. Like other members of its genus, it is a small plant-feeding insect that produces brochosomes—unique nanoparticles that coat its body surface. The species has been documented in several eastern U.S. states including Florida, Maine, Mississippi, and New Hampshire. Very few direct observations of this species have been recorded.
Eratoneura hartii
Red Apple Leafhopper
Eratoneura hartii is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae, commonly known as the Red Apple Leafhopper. Like other members of its genus, it produces brochosomes—complex protein-lipid nanoparticles that coat the body and wings, conferring superhydrophobic and anti-reflective properties. The species has been recorded in the eastern and midwestern United States. As a typhlocybine leafhopper, it is presumed to feed on plant vascular tissues, though specific host associations for this species are not well documented.
Eratoneura lundi
Eratoneura lundi is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae, described by Hepner in 1967. It belongs to a genus known for producing brochosomes—unique nanoparticle coatings that make leafhopper exoskeletons superhydrophobic and anti-reflective. The species has been recorded in the eastern United States, specifically in New Hampshire and Tennessee.
Eratoneura manus
Eratoneura manus is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Beamer in 1932. As a member of the subfamily Typhlocybinae, it shares the characteristic brochosome-producing capabilities common to this group. The species has been recorded in the northeastern United States, specifically New Hampshire and New York. Like other Eratoneura species, it likely feeds on plant phloem sap.
Eremobates socal
windscorpion, sun spider
Eremobates socal is a species of solifuge (windscorpion or sun spider) in the family Eremobatidae, described by Brookhart and Cushing in 2004. The specific epithet 'socal' refers to its occurrence in Southern California. Like other solifuges, it is a fast-running, non-venomous arachnid often mistaken for a spider due to its appearance. The species is part of a group of arachnids characterized by their large chelicerae and rapid, erratic movement patterns.
Eremocoris opacus
Eremocoris opacus is a species of seed bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, described by Van Duzee in 1921. It belongs to the tribe Drymini within the subfamily Rhyparochrominae. The species has been documented in the United States, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Esenbeckia delta
Esenbeckia delta is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae. Originally described as Pangonia delta by Hine in 1920, it was later transferred to the genus Esenbeckia. The species is known from the United States and Mexico. Like other tabanids, adults are likely blood-feeders, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Essostrutha laeta
Essostrutha laeta is a longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Newman in 1840. It belongs to the subfamily Lamiinae and tribe Hemilophini. The species is known from a transcontinental range spanning Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States.
Estoloides aquilonius
Estoloides aquilonius is a longhorn beetle species in the family Cerambycidae, described by Linsley and Chemsak in 1984. It is known from the United States. As a member of the subfamily Lamiinae and tribe Desmiphorini, it belongs to a diverse group of wood-boring beetles. Very few observations of this species have been documented.
Eteobalea wyattella
Wyatt's Cosmet Moth, Wyatt's Stagmatophora Moth
Eteobalea wyattella is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, originally described as Stagmatophora wyattella by Barnes and Busck in 1920. The species has been recorded from scattered localities across the eastern and central United States. It belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae are often associated with plant stems or seeds. The species remains poorly known in terms of its biology and immature stages.
Ethmia burnsella
Ethmia burnsella is a small moth species in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae), described by Powell in 1973. It is known only from northern Texas in the United States. The species is characterized by distinctive wing coloration with pale ocherous forewings featuring contrasting dark markings. Like other members of the genus Ethmia, it likely has larvae that feed on plants in the Boraginaceae family or related families, though specific host records for this species are not documented.
Ethmia monachella
Ethmia monachella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae, known from Colorado and Oklahoma in the United States. The species was described by August Busck in 1910. Adults have distinctive wing patterning with contrasting dark and light markings typical of the genus. The genus Ethmia is notable for its larval specialization on plants in the Boraginaceae family and related families.
Euantha litturata
Euantha litturata is a bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, first described by Olivier in 1811. It belongs to the subfamily Dexiinae and tribe Cordyligastrini. The species has been documented in North America with specific records from the United States, Mexico, and Guatemala.
Eucaerus varicornis
Eucaerus varicornis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853. It belongs to the tribe Lachnophorini within the subfamily Lebiinae. The species is known from North America, with records from the United States. Like other members of the genus Eucaerus, it is likely associated with ground-dwelling habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Euchaetes zella
Euchaetes zella is a small moth in the family Erebidae, described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1903. It occurs in the southwestern United States and is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Euchaetes. The genus is notable for including the milkweed tussock moth (Euchaetes egle), whose biology has been well studied, though comparable details for E. zella remain undocumented.
Eucosma kiscana
Eucosma kiscana is a small moth species in the family Tortricidae, first described by Kearfott in 1907 under the basionym Thiodia kiscana. It belongs to the large genus Eucosma, a group of tortricid moths commonly known as phaneta or eucosma moths. The species has been documented in the northeastern United States, with confirmed records from Vermont. Like many Eucosma species, it is likely associated with herbaceous or woody plants, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Euerythra phasma
Red-tailed Specter Moth, red-tailed specter
Euerythra phasma, commonly known as the red-tailed specter moth, is a species in the family Erebidae (subfamily Arctiinae). First described by Leon F. Harvey in 1876, this moth is endemic to the south-central United States. The species is represented by over 1,100 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-documented by citizen scientists.
Eumesosoma
Eumesosoma is a genus of harvestmen (Opiliones) in the family Sclerosomatidae, established by Cokendolpher in 1980. The genus contains six extant species distributed across the United States, plus one fossil species from the Eocene. One species, Eumesosoma roeweri, has been studied for its antipredator freezing behavior.
Eunota californica
California Tiger Beetle
Eunota californica, commonly known as the California Tiger Beetle, is a ground-dwelling beetle in the family Carabidae (subfamily Cicindelinae). The species was originally described as Cicindela californica by Ménétriés in 1843 and later transferred to the genus Eunota. It occurs in Mexico and the United States, with 55 iNaturalist observations documenting its presence. As a member of the tiger beetle group, it is likely a fast-running, visually-oriented predator, though specific behavioral studies for this species are limited.
Eupithecia matheri
Eupithecia matheri is a small geometrid moth described by Frederick H. Rindge in 1985. It is one of numerous 'pug' moths in the genus Eupithecia, characterized by narrow wings and a distinctive resting posture. Adults are active in late winter and early spring, with flight records from late January through early April. The species has been documented visiting apple flowers at night, contributing to nocturnal pollination services.
Euprora
Euprora is a monotypic moth genus in the family Tineidae, established by Busck in 1906. The genus contains a single species, Euprora argentiliniella, found in the southern United States. Adults are small moths with distinctive silvery-white markings on golden ochreous forewings.
Euryopis tavara
Euryopis tavara is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, subfamily Hadrotarsinae. Unlike most theridiids, it does not construct prey-catching webs. The species is known from the United States and shares the genus-wide trait of specialized ant predation. It is one of approximately twenty Euryopis species recorded in North America north of Mexico.
Eusama amanda
Eusama amanda is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Ball in 1909. It belongs to the tribe Platymetopiini within the subfamily Deltocephalinae. The species is part of a genus whose members are associated with grassland and prairie habitats. Records indicate occurrence in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Eusphalerum carolinensis
Eusphalerum carolinensis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Zanetti in 2014. It belongs to the subfamily Omaliinae and tribe Eusphalerini. The species is known from multiple states in the eastern and central United States.
Eustromula validum
Eustromula validum is a species of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) in the tribe Elaphidiini. It was described by LeConte in 1858. The species occurs in North and Middle America, with records from the United States and Mexico. As a member of Elaphidiini, it belongs to a group of cerambycids often associated with woody plants.
Eutettix luridus
Eutettix luridus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, and tribe Platymetopiini. First described by Van Duzee in 1890, this species has been recorded from multiple states in the eastern and central United States including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, and Michigan. As a member of the leafhopper family, it likely feeds on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts, though specific host plant associations remain undocumented in the available literature.
Eutettix pediculus
Eutettix pediculus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hepner in 1942. It belongs to the subfamily Deltocephalinae and tribe Platymetopiini. This species has been recorded from multiple states in the central and southeastern United States, including Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee. As a member of the leafhopper family, it likely feeds on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts, though specific host associations and detailed biology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Eutrichillus canescens
Eutrichillus canescens is a species of longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae, described by Dillon in 1956. The species belongs to the tribe Acanthocinini, a group of primarily wood-boring beetles. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with coniferous or hardwood forest habitats. The specific epithet 'canescens' refers to a grayish or hoary appearance, suggesting a distinctive coloration among related species.