Urban-adapter
Guides
Bombus griseocollis
brown-belted bumblebee, brown-belted bumble bee
Bombus griseocollis is a widespread North American bumblebee species commonly known as the brown-belted bumblebee. It is notable for its flexible habitat use, occurring in both natural and heavily urbanized environments including densely populated cities. The species maintains stable populations across much of its range, in contrast to many declining North American bumblebees. It exhibits primitively eusocial colony organization with temporal division of labor among workers.
Bombus rufocinctus
red-belted bumblebee
Bombus rufocinctus, commonly known as the red-belted bumblebee, is a North American bumble bee species characterized by striking color polymorphism in abdominal patterning. Queens measure 16-18 mm, workers 11-12 mm, and males 12-13 mm. The species inhabits wooded areas, urban parks, and gardens across Canada and the western, midwestern, and northeastern United States. Males exhibit perching behavior and possess cephalic labial glands that secrete complex chemical mixtures likely involved in mating signaling. Nests are typically constructed on or above ground level.
Burnsius oileus
Tropical Checkered-Skipper
A small skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) found from the southern United States through the Neotropics. Adults are active year-round in tropical regions and during warmer months in temperate areas. The species was transferred from genus Pyrgus to Burnsius in 2019 based on molecular phylogenetic studies.
Cardisoma guanhumi
blue land crab, great land crab
Cardisoma guanhumi is a large terrestrial crab native to tropical and subtropical Atlantic coastlines of the Americas. Adults exhibit striking sexual dimorphism in coloration and claw morphology, with males developing enlarged claws and typically displaying deep blue coloration while females remain lighter. The species constructs deep burrows in coastal soils that extend to the water table, enabling survival in terrestrial environments despite reproductive dependence on marine habitats for larval development. Populations have declined across much of their range due to overharvesting and habitat degradation, leading to protected status in several countries including Puerto Rico and Colombia.
Culex coronator
Culex coronator is a highly invasive Neotropical mosquito species first described from Trinidad and Tobago in 1906. It was first detected in the United States in Louisiana in 2004 and has since spread rapidly across the southeastern USA, now documented in 14 states and 386 counties. The species has been implicated as a potential vector of West Nile virus and other arboviruses, with laboratory studies confirming vector competence under certain temperature conditions. Its rapid expansion and adaptation to urban environments pose significant public health concerns.
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.
Hylaeus communis
Common Masked Bee
Hylaeus communis is a small, nearly hairless solitary bee native to the Palearctic region and recently introduced to North America. It is one of the most common and adaptable species in its genus, exhibiting extreme generalism in habitat use and floral visitation. Females transport nectar and pollen internally in a crop, rather than on body hairs, and nest in pre-existing cavities. The species is partially bivoltine with flight activity from late May through September.
Isodontia auripes
Brown-legged Grass-carrier Wasp, brown-legged grass-carrier
Isodontia auripes, the brown-legged grass-carrier wasp, is a solitary thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae. The species is known for its distinctive nesting behavior: females construct nests in pre-existing cavities such as window tracks, wind chimes, or abandoned carpenter bee tunnels, filling them with dry grass and provisioning them with paralyzed tree crickets (Oecanthus spp.) as food for their larvae. The wasp is non-aggressive toward humans and has been observed using nests made by Xylocopa virginica or mining bees. Larvae feed for approximately three days before pupating for two days.
Neoscona
Spotted Orb-weavers, Barn Spiders
Neoscona is a genus of orb-weaver spiders (Araneidae) containing over 100 described species, commonly known as spotted orb-weavers and barn spiders. The genus was erected by Eugène Simon in 1895 to separate species from the obsolete genus Epeira. Neoscona species are among the most common orb-weavers in North America and are found throughout most parts of the world. They construct vertical orb webs with approximately twenty radii and an open hub, typically hunting at night and retreating to the web periphery or a curled leaf during the day.
Phyciodes mylitta
Mylitta Crescent, Mylitta Crescentspot
Phyciodes mylitta, commonly known as the Mylitta Crescent or Mylitta Crescentspot, is a small brush-footed butterfly native to western North America. It is an abundant, weedy species that has expanded its range following the introduction of European thistle species. The butterfly is strongly associated with thistles (Cirsium, Carduus, and Silybum) as larval host plants, and adults visit diverse flowers for nectar. It is notable for its variable wing patterns, with males showing especially variable upperside markings, and for its ability to breed continuously in warm conditions.
Pieris rapae
small white, cabbage white, cabbage butterfly, small cabbage white, imported cabbageworm (larval stage), white butterfly (New Zealand)
Pieris rapae is a small to medium-sized butterfly in the family Pieridae, native to Europe and Asia and introduced to North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. Adults are white with black wing markings; females bear two additional black spots on the forewings. The species is a significant agricultural pest in its larval stage, known as the imported cabbageworm, feeding on cruciferous crops. It has been extensively studied for its responses to climate change, with long-term data showing progressively earlier spring emergence in North America.
Polistes canadensis
red paper wasp, Neotropical red paper wasp
Polistes canadensis is a primitively eusocial paper wasp native to the Neotropical region, recognized as the most widely distributed American species in its genus. Colonies are founded by groups of females in spring, with a single dominant queen and multiple foundresses averaging 9.1 individuals. The species exhibits a distinctive nesting strategy: rather than reusing combs, it continuously constructs new ones—averaging about 38 per colony—moving brood rearing to fresh structures as older combs are abandoned. This multiple-comb tactic functions as a defense against infestation by tineid moth larvae, which prey on wasp pupae. Workers display age-related task division (temporal polyethism), performing 22 distinct behavioral acts throughout their lives, with foraging typically beginning around the fifth week. Males adopt alternative mating strategies: territorial defense of landmark sites on ridgelines, or patrolling when territories are scarce. The species is notable for its confrontational dominance hierarchy, with queens aggressively suppressing subordinate reproduction through physical attacks rather than pheromonal control.
Spicauda simplicius
Plain Longtail
Spicauda simplicius, commonly known as the plain longtail, is a neotropical skipper butterfly with a broad distribution from northern Mexico to northern Argentina. It exhibits cryptic brown coloration with elongated hindwing tails characteristic of the genus. The species is highly adaptable, thriving in both degraded open habitats and closed forests, and has been observed in urban environments. It is among the most abundant hesperiids in its range, with stable populations active year-round in suitable climates. The species feeds exclusively on plants in the bean family (Fabaceae) and has been documented using numerous agricultural and wild host plants.
Strymon melinus
Gray Hairstreak
Strymon melinus, the Gray Hairstreak, is a small lycaenid butterfly widespread across North America. Males exhibit density-dependent mating tactics, defending perches on hilltops at low densities and switching to patrolling behavior when intruder numbers increase. The species thrives in weedy, disturbed habitats and urban environments, with a notably long flight season from February to November at low elevations. It is considered stable or increasing in parts of its range, including California's Central Valley.
Tapinoma melanocephalum
Ghost ant
Tapinoma melanocephalum, commonly known as the ghost ant, is a minute ant species recognized by its distinctive bicolored appearance: dark brown head and thorax contrasting with pale, translucent legs, antennae, and gaster. Native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia, it has become a globally distributed "tramp" species through human commerce, establishing populations in greenhouses, heated buildings, and tropical urban environments worldwide. The species is considered a significant household pest, particularly in Florida and Hawaii, where it nests indoors and forages for sweet foods. Recent taxonomic revision has revealed that what was long considered T. melanocephalum actually comprises two cryptic species, with T. pithecorum described as new in 2020.
Toxomerus
Calligrapher Flies
Toxomerus is a large genus of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) distributed across the Americas, with over 130 described Neotropical species and additional Nearctic endemics. Species are small (typically 6–9 mm), characterized by large eyes with posterior indentation and diagnostic abdominal patterns. Most larvae are predatory on soft-bodied insects, particularly aphids, though at least three species are known pollen-feeders. Adults are pollinivorous, feeding on nectar and pollen from diverse flowering plants. The genus includes notable ecological specialists such as Toxomerus basalis, a kleptoparasite of sundews (Drosera), and several species introduced to the Afrotropics.
hoverflyflower-flyaphid-predatorpollinatorbiological-controlHymenoptera-mimickleptoparasiteintroduced-speciesNeotropicalNearcticAfrotropical-introductionpolyvoltineSyrphiniSyrphinaeDipteraSyrphidaeToxomerus-marginatusToxomerus-disparToxomerus-pulchellusToxomerus-basalisToxomerus-floralisToxomerus-politusToxomerus-apegiensisDroserasundewpollenivorypredatory-larvaeurban-adapteragricultural-beneficialcryptic-larvaeeye-dimorphismterritorial-behaviorDNA-barcodingcitizen-sciencemuseum-collectionsrange-expansionconservation-concernVelarifictorus micado
Japanese Burrowing Cricket
Velarifictorus micado, the Japanese burrowing cricket, is a true cricket native to East Asia that was introduced to the eastern United States in 1959. The species exhibits two distinct life cycle modes: egg diapause and nymphal diapause, which vary geographically across its native range. In North America, it has expanded from the eastern seaboard to the eastern Great Plains and northern United States, with recent observations suggesting it is more mobile and potentially more ecologically impactful than previously assumed.
Zelus renardii
leaf hopper assassin bug, sundew assassin bug
Zelus renardii is a medium to large assassin bug native to western North and Central America that has become a successful global invader. The species is diurnal and employs a distinctive predatory strategy using sticky secretions from glandular setae on its forelegs to capture prey, earning it the common name 'sundew assassin bug.' It has been introduced to the Mediterranean basin, Pacific islands, Hawaii, Chile, Argentina, and Easter Island, primarily through human-mediated transport of nursery plants. The species is considered for biological control of agricultural pests but its generalist predatory habits create complex trophic interactions.