Urban
Guides
Amitermes parvulus
Amitermes parvulus is a higher termite species studied primarily in urban environments, where it exhibits unusual colony characteristics for its group. The species forms few but spatially expansive colonies that frequently merge together, with all studied colonies headed by inbred neotenic reproductives—traits rarely observed in higher termites. It co-exists with the subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes in urban landscapes, with differences in food preference and availability potentially enabling this co-existence. The species was first described by Light in 1932.
Arocatus melanocephalus
elm seed bug
Arocatus melanocephalus, commonly known as the elm seed bug, is a true bug in the family Lygaeidae. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to North America in the 2000s and has become a notable nuisance pest in urban areas. The species is distinguished by its dark red body, black head, and characteristic M-shaped spot on the pronotum. Adults produce a strong, unpleasant odor reminiscent of bitter almonds from metathoracic scent glands. Unlike many Lygaeinae species, it has limited ability to store cardenolides.
Attulus fasciger
Asiatic Wall Jumping Spider
Attulus fasciger is a small jumping spider native to northern and western Asia, introduced to North America in the mid-20th century. It measures 3–4 mm and exhibits brownish-black coloration with mottled brown-and-grey patterning. The species has successfully established in human-modified environments, particularly on man-made structures where artificial lighting extends its foraging opportunities. Males are distinguished from females by a more slender abdomen and enlarged black palps.
Attulus pubescens
Downy jumping spider
Attulus pubescens is a small jumping spider in the family Salticidae, formerly classified as Sitticus pubescens until 2017. Females reach approximately 5 mm in body length, with males slightly smaller at around 4 mm. The species exhibits dark coloration with variable white markings and is frequently associated with human structures, including walls, fences, and building interiors. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, and has been introduced to North America.
Blepharidopterus chlorionis
Honeylocust plant bug, Honey Locust Plant Bug
Blepharidopterus chlorionis, commonly known as the honeylocust plant bug, is a mirid bug and significant pest of honey locust trees (Gleditsia triacanthos). Nymphs and adults feed on expanding leaf tissues using piercing-sucking mouthparts, causing leaves to crinkle, twist, cup, and become stunted. Damage is most severe in spring when new foliage emerges, though trees often produce a second flush of leaves in summer that masks early injury. The species completes one generation per year, with eggs overwintering in twigs and hatching when buds break in spring.
Calliphora vicina
Blue Blowfly, Blue Bottle Fly
Calliphora vicina is a blow fly in the family Calliphoridae, commonly known as the blue bottle fly due to its metallic blue-gray coloration. It is one of the most important species in forensic entomology because of its predictable colonization patterns on carrion. The species is particularly significant for estimating post-mortem intervals, especially during cooler months when it remains active at temperatures below those tolerated by other blow flies.
Callobius bennetti
Bennett's Laceweaver, Hackled Mesh Weaver, hacklemesh weaver, night spider, tangled nest spider
Callobius bennetti is a cribellate spider in the family Amaurobiidae, known by multiple common names including Bennett's Laceweaver, Hackled Mesh Weaver, night spider, and tangled nest spider. The species is native to North America, with documented occurrences in Canada and the United States. It is sometimes mistaken for hobo spiders due to superficial similarities in appearance and habitat preferences. Like other amaurobiids, it constructs tangled, mesh-like webs and exhibits the characteristic cribellate silk production method using a calamistrum to comb silk from the cribellum.
Choreutis
Choreutis is a genus of metalmark moths in the family Choreutidae, established by Jacob Hübner in 1825. It serves as the type genus for both the family Choreutidae and subfamily Choreutinae. Several species within this genus, particularly Choreutis nemorana (fig-tree skeletonizer) and Choreutis sexfasciella (Banyan Leaf Skeletonizer), have become notable as invasive pests of Ficus species, with documented range expansions into Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean region.
Clepsis
Garden Tortrix Moth (C. peritana), Banded Ivy Tortrix (C. dumicolana)
Clepsis is a genus of tortricid moths established by Guenée in 1845. The genus includes several economically significant pest species, most notably Clepsis peritana (Garden Tortrix) and Clepsis dumicolana (Banded Ivy Tortrix). Members are characterized by leaf-rolling larval behavior, where caterpillars spin together leaves to create protective shelters. The genus has a broad geographic distribution spanning North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
Culex quinquefasciatus
Southern House Mosquito
Culex quinquefasciatus, the southern house mosquito, is a medium-sized brown mosquito distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It is a significant disease vector, transmitting pathogens including West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, lymphatic filariasis (Wuchereria bancrofti), and potentially Zika virus. The species is taxonomically part of the Culex pipiens species complex and is one of the most abundant peridomestic mosquitoes globally. Its genome was sequenced in 2010, revealing 18,883 protein-coding genes.
Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus
Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus is a julid millipede native to northern Europe that has been introduced to North America and is now widespread there. It reaches up to 30 mm in length and is distinguished by a smooth, flat telson rather than a projecting one. The species is common in urban and semi-natural habitats including parks, gardens, and grasslands. Activity peaks in spring and fall, with reduced presence in summer and winter.
Dysderidae
woodlouse hunters, sowbug-eating spiders, cell spiders, woodlouse hunter spiders
Dysderidae is a family of araneomorph spiders commonly known as woodlouse hunters or sowbug-eating spiders. The family is found primarily in Eurasia and North Africa, with one species, Dysdera crocata, introduced worldwide. Members are characterized by six eyes arranged in a semicircle, enlarged chelicerae with long fangs, and haplogyne genitalia lacking a sclerotized epigyne in females. The two largest genera, Dysdera and Harpactea, comprise most of the family's approximately 665 species.
Entomobrya clitellaria
Entomobrya clitellaria is a slender-bodied springtail species described by J.E. Guthrie in 1903. Native to North America, it has established introduced populations in Australia. The species is readily recognizable by its yellowish body with contrasting black banding and darkly pigmented antennae. It shows a strong association with urban and human-modified environments across its range.
Entomobrya multifasciata
Entomobrya multifasciata is a cosmopolitan springtail species in the family Entomobryidae, first described by Tullberg in 1871. It is characterized by a distinctive wavy striped pattern and elongated body form. The species shows a notable preference for urban environments over wooded areas.
Evania appendigaster
blue-eyed ensign wasp
Evania appendigaster is a parasitoid wasp in the family Evaniidae, commonly known as the blue-eyed ensign wasp. It is one of the larger ensign wasps, with forewings reaching about 7 mm and body length up to 11 mm. The species is a solitary oothecal parasitoid that attacks the egg cases of multiple cockroach species. It likely originated in Asia and has become widespread globally, particularly in tropical, subtropical, and temperate urban environments.
Larinioides sclopetarius
bridge-spider, gray cross spider, grey cross spider, bridge orbweaver
Larinioides sclopetarius is a relatively large orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae with Holarctic distribution. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to North America and is strongly associated with human-made structures, particularly bridges, where it builds webs near artificial light sources over water. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in body mass and leg proportions, with males maturing faster and earlier than females. It is notable for its high density aggregations in urban environments, where light-attracted insect prey supports populations of up to 100 individuals per square meter in optimal feeding locations.
Latrodectus geometricus
Brown Widow, Brown Button Spider, Grey Widow, Brown Black Widow, House Button Spider, Geometric Button Spider
Latrodectus geometricus, commonly known as the brown widow, is a widow spider in the family Theridiidae native to Africa with a cosmopolitan distribution due to human-mediated introduction. It is smaller and lighter in color than black widow species, with distinctive black-and-white geometric patterns on the dorsal abdomen and an orange-yellow hourglass marking ventrally. The species is notable for its highly aggressive behavior toward native black widow spiders in invaded ranges, actively seeking out and killing them rather than competing for resources. While possessing neurotoxic venom, its bites are significantly less dangerous to humans than those of black widows due to lower venom delivery.
Leiobunum
harvestmen, daddy long-legs
Leiobunum is a genus of harvestmen (order Opiliones, family Sclerosomatidae) comprising over 100 described species. Members are characterized by exceptionally long legs relative to body size, with the second pair serving as sensory appendages rather than locomotory structures. The genus exhibits pronounced gregarious behavior, with many species forming dense aggregations on vertical surfaces. Leiobunum species are found across North America, Europe, and Asia, with some populations demonstrating rapid invasive spread in Europe.
Macrosiagon flavipennis
Macrosiagon flavipennis is a species of wedge-shaped beetle in the family Ripiphoridae. Originally described by LeConte in 1866 from North America, it has since been recorded from Central America and, more recently, from Chile—representing the first South American record for the species. Like other members of Ripiphoridae, its biology and ecology remain poorly known.
Oecobiidae
disc web spiders, flatmesh weavers, wall spiders
Oecobiidae is a family of araneomorph spiders containing approximately 130 described species across seven genera. Members are small to moderately sized (2–20 mm body length) and are commonly known as disc web spiders or wall spiders due to their characteristic flat, star-shaped webs constructed on vertical surfaces. The family exhibits distinctive morphological traits including evenly radiating leg placement around the prosoma and a characteristic anal gland bearing a tuft of long hairs. Many species are synanthropic, occurring in and around human dwellings, while others inhabit desert or rocky environments.
Oecobius navus
wall spider, baseboard spider, stucco spider
A small cribellate spider, 2–2.5 mm in body length, native to Europe and Northern Africa but introduced globally. Builds flat, circular webs with lateral openings on artificial structures. Uses an unusual hunting method: running around prey to entangle it in sticky silk ribbons from the anal tubule and spinnerets before biting.
Opilio parietinus
Opilio parietinus is a harvestman species native to Europe that has been introduced to North America. It was historically common on house walls in Central Europe but has been largely displaced by the invasive congener Opilio canestrinii. The species can be distinguished from O. canestrinii by dark spots on its coxae and a generally grayish-green coloration.
Oreoneta
A genus of dwarf spiders (family Linyphiidae) established in 1894, comprising approximately 30 species distributed across cold-temperate and Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Most species inhabit high-latitude or high-altitude environments. The genus was revised extensively by Saaristo & Marusik in 2004, resulting in numerous new species descriptions.
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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-beetlesDynastinaeScarabaeidaeColeopteratribeglobal-distributionmorphological-diversitysexual-dimorphismgeneric-diversitymouthpart-morphologysecondary-sexual-charactershornsbiogeographic-restrictiontaxonomic-revisiondichotomous-keysnew-species-descriptionnew-genus-descriptionlectotype-designationsynonymynew-combinationdistribution-mappingfemale-descriptionhabitat-databehavioral-observationsAustraliaColombiaBoliviaIndiaWestern-AustraliaNew-South-WalesNeotropicalAustralianAfrotropicalOrientalPalaearcticCheiroplatinaDipelicinaPentodontinaPseudoryctinaBothynusHeteronychusEpironastesPhilcarneumConstricticollisCarneiolaAnomalomorphaEnraciusErbmahcediusCavonusPericoptusPentodonCalicnemisMetanastesNeometanastesPimelopusPodalgusPseudoryctesCheiroplatysDipelicusDenheziaEuetheolaHylobothynusOxyligyrusParapucayaPucayaTomarusAdoryphorusCarneoryctesTeinogenysLigyrusAllsoppHutchinsonArrowCarneEndrödiDechambrePrellOhausBatesHopeLaporte-de-CastelnauErichsonBurmeisterSharpMulsantBlackburnDupuisÖzdikmenYamayaFairmaireRedtenbacherSteinheilRatcliffeCaveFabriciusDejeaniNaturalistWikipediaCatalogue-of-LifeZootaxaJournal-of-Insect-BiodiversityRecords-of-the-Zoological-Survey-of-IndiaThe-Coleopterists-BulletinBioLib.czWikimedia-CommonsDOI10.11646/zootaxa.4048.4.110.11646/zootaxa.4852.4.210.11646/zootaxa.5351.3.210.26515/rzsi/v125/i2s/2025/17296410.11646/zootaxa.5716.4.710.11646/zootaxa.5072.5.210.11646/zootaxa.4852.4.310.12976/jib/2024.54.2.210.1649/1186.1new-synonymylectotypedistribution-maphabitat-descriptionkey-to-specieskey-to-generamale-genitaliaexternal-morphologyaedeagushabitusphotographsillustrationsspecimen-recordsnatural-historybiogeographyendemicrestricted-distributioncoastalsouthwesternsoutheasternnorthernAraniCochabambaKununurraMenziesNew-ZealandSouth-Americafirst-recordmisidentificationerroneous-recordinvisible-taxonformal-nomenclaturecephalic-hornsthoracic-hornsclaw-modificationantennal-clubmouthpartsmandiblesmaxillaelabiumclypeuspronotumelytrapygidiumtarsimetatarsitibiaefemoraprosternal-processmesosternal-processmetasternal-processabdominal-sternitesparameresphallobaseinternal-sacspermathecaovipositorlarvapupaadultinstarthird-instarC-shapedscarabaeiformsoil-dwellingnocturnalcrepuscularflightaggregationmatingovipositionfeedingroot-feedingdetritivorysaprophagyherbivoryfrugivorypollen-feedingnectar-feedingdecaydecompositionnutrient-cyclingsoil-aerationpestagricultural-pestpasture-pestsugarcane-pestroot-damageturf-damagebiological-controlindicator-speciesconservationbiodiversityendemismcryptic-speciesspecies-complexmorphological-variationgeometric-morphometricsphylogeneticsmolecular-systematicsDNA-barcodingCOI16S28S18SITSbiogeographic-regionbiogeographic-realmNeotropicsAfrotropicsAustralasiaIndomalayaPalearcticNearcticMadagascaroceanic-islandscontinentalinsularmontanelowlandtropicalsubtropicaltemperatearidsemi-aridhumidrainforestsavannagrasslandwoodlandforestcoastal-duneriparianwetlandagriculturalpastureplantationurbandisturbedprimary-habitatsecondary-habitatseasonal-activityrainy-seasondry-seasonmonsoonaltitudeelevationlatitudelongitudegeographic-rangerange-extensionrange-contractiondisjunct-distributionvicariancedispersalcolonizationinvasionintroducednativecosmopolitanwidespreadrestrictedrarecommonabundantscarcedata-deficientIUCNCITESprotectedthreatenedvulnerableendangeredcritically-endangeredextinctfossilsubfossilquaternaryholocenepleistocenemuseum-specimencollectionvouchertype-specimenholotypeparatypesyntypeparalectotypeneotypetopotypeoriginal-descriptionredescriptiondiagnosisemended-diagnosiskeydichotomous-keyillustrated-keyinteractive-keydigital-keymobile-apponline-databaseGBIFBOLDGenBankMorphBankZooBankLSIDORCIDopen-accesspaywallsupplementary-materialsupporting-informationdata-availabilitycode-availabilityethical-statementconflict-of-interestfundingacknowledgmentsauthor-contributionpeer-revieweditorial-processpublication-datejournalvolumeissuepagesarticle-numberISSNeISSNISBNpublisheracademic-pressscientific-presssocietyassociationinstitutionuniversitymuseumherbariumarchiverepositorydatabaseindexcataloguechecklistinventorymonographrevisionreviewsynthesismeta-analysissystematic-reviewrapid-assessmentlong-term-studyfield-worklaboratory-workmolecular-workmorphological-workanatomical-workhistological-workdevelopmental-workbehavioral-workecological-workphysiological-workbiochemical-workgenetic-workgenomic-worktranscriptomic-workproteomic-workmetabolomic-workimagingphotographymicroscopyelectron-microscopyscanning-electron-microscopySEMtransmission-electron-microscopyTEMconfocal-microscopylight-microscopystereomicroscopymacrophotographystacked-photography3D-imagingmicro-CTCT-scanningMRINMRspectroscopyspectrometrychromatographyelectrophoresissequencingSanger-sequencingnext-generation-sequencingNGSIlluminaPacBioOxford-NanoporeSangercapillary-electrophoresisDNA-extractionPCRamplificationprimermarkergenelocusalignmentphylogenytreenetworkhaplotypehaplogrouppopulation-geneticspopulation-structuregene-flowgenetic-dive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americana
American cockroach, waterbug, ship cockroach, kakerlac, Bombay canary
The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is the largest species of common cockroach, despite its common name, it is not native to the Americas. It is a significant pest in human structures worldwide, particularly in food preparation and storage areas. The species has been extensively used in scientific research, including studies on olfaction, neurobiology, and behavior. At UC Davis, it serves as the featured athlete in the annual Roach Races, a popular public engagement event held during Picnic Day since 1992.
Platycorypha nigrivirga
tipu psyllid
Platycorypha nigrivirga, the tipu psyllid, is a Neotropical psyllid species that has become invasive in multiple temperate regions. It exhibits strict host specificity to Tipuana tipu (Fabaceae), feeding on phloem and causing leaf curling and premature defoliation. The species was first documented in Southern California in 2008 and has established populations in Europe and Africa. It is subject to biological control by a complex of generalist arthropod predators.
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.
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scenicus
Zebra Jumping Spider, Zebra Spider, Zebra Back Spider
Salticus scenicus is a small jumping spider recognized by its bold black-and-white striped pattern. Adult females measure 4–7 mm in body length, males 4–6 mm. Males exhibit elongated chelicerae with long fangs used in combat with rival males. The species is native to Eurasia but has spread globally through human commerce, now common across temperate regions of North America and Europe. It is frequently observed on vertical surfaces such as walls and fenceposts in urban and suburban environments.
Sarucallis kahawaluokalani
Crapemyrtle Aphid
Sarucallis kahawaluokalani, the crapemyrtle aphid, is a specialist phloem-feeding pest native to Southeast Asia and first described from Hawaii in 1907. It has spread globally through the ornamental plant trade, closely tracking the distribution of its host plant Lagerstroemia spp. The species exhibits complex life cycle alternation between asexual summer generations and sexual autumn generations producing overwintering eggs. Heavy infestations cause aesthetic and physiological damage through honeydew production and associated sooty mold growth.
Scythris sinensis
Scythris sinensis is a small moth in the family Scythrididae, described by Felder & Rogenhofer in 1875. Native to eastern Asia, it has established populations across Europe and North America, often associated with human activity. The species is thermophilous and synanthropic, with larvae that mine the leaves of goosefoot plants. Adults are generally bivoltine, with a possible third partial generation in warmer southern regions.
Supella
brown-banded cockroaches
Supella is a genus of small, synanthropic cockroaches in the family Ectobiidae, with the brown-banded cockroach (S. longipalpa) being the most widespread and well-known species. Native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, the genus has achieved cosmopolitan distribution through human-mediated transport. Members of this genus are distinguished by transverse pale bands across the wings and abdomen, pronounced sexual dimorphism in wing development, and a preference for warm, dry indoor environments. The type species S. longipalpa is a significant public health pest that completes its entire life cycle within human-built structures.
Themira lohmanus
Lohman's ensign-fly
A relatively large and robust sepsid fly described in 2017 from two urban parks in New York City. Originally collected in 2007 and misidentified as Themira biloba, it was recognized as a distinct species through morphological differences (asymmetrical male surstyli), 4.46% COI DNA divergence, and complete post-zygotic reproductive isolation. The species is notable as the first new Themira species described from the Nearctic in 90 years despite occurring in one of the world's most intensively studied urban areas.
Zygiella x-notata
missing sector orb weaver, silver-sided sector spider, Winter Spider, Opensector Orbweaver
Zygiella x-notata is an orb-weaving spider distinguished by its characteristic web with a missing sector in the upper half, connected by a signal thread to a peripheral retreat. Adult females measure 5–11 mm, males up to 7 mm. The species exhibits strong synanthropic behavior, commonly found on human structures such as window frames, walls, and fences. It has an annual life cycle with reproduction in summer and egg sac production in autumn. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to North America, New Zealand, and other regions worldwide.