Urban-habitat
Guides
Agapostemon texanus
metallic green sweat bee, Texas striped sweat bee
Agapostemon texanus is a ground-nesting sweat bee with the widest geographic range of any species in its genus, spanning from southern Canada to Costa Rica. Both sexes exhibit metallic blue-green coloration on the head and thorax, while males display distinctive black and yellow abdominal banding. The species is exclusively solitary, differing from other Agapostemon that may form communal nests. It is a generalist forager active from March through October, transporting pollen on its hind legs.
Monomorium minimum
Monomorium minimum is a small myrmicine ant species documented as an effective predator of mosquito eggs in urban environments. The species has been observed removing 99.4% of Aedes aegypti eggs from experimental containers within 4 days, demonstrating significant potential for biological control of disease-vectoring mosquitoes. As a member of the genus Monomorium, it belongs to a group often referred to as 'tramp ants' associated with human-modified habitats.
Myrmica specioides
Myrmica specioides is an ant species native to the West Palearctic region that has established introduced populations in North America. It was first recorded in the eastern United States in 2013 from Wake County, North Carolina. The species was identified through morphometric comparison to type specimens and DNA barcoding. Its invasive potential and ecological impacts in North America remain subjects of discussion.
Perigona
Perigona is a genus of ground beetles (Carabidae) comprising more than 170 described species. Members of this genus are distributed across multiple continents, with records from Europe, North America, and Africa. The genus is taxonomically complex, with numerous subgenera recognized including Cryptoperigona, Euripogena, Euryperigona, Neoperigona, Perigona, Perigonillus, Ripogena, Trechicus, Typhlonestra, Xenogona, and Xenogonilla.
Perigona nigriceps
Perigona nigriceps is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Lebiinae. It has been recorded across multiple continents, with confirmed observations in the Azores (Faial, Graciosa, São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira) and historical captures in urban woodland habitats in Paris, France. The species was described by Dejean in 1831 and is currently accepted under that authorship, though it has also been attributed to Nietner (1858) in some sources.
Stimulopalpus japonicus
Japanese barklouse
Stimulopalpus japonicus is a tropical barklouse species in the family Amphientomidae, first described by Günther Enderlein in 1906. Males have never been documented, suggesting females may reproduce via thelytoky (parthenogenesis). The species is native to Japan but has established populations across East Asia, South Asia, and as an introduced species in the United States (since the 1940s) and Italy. It is frequently observed aggregating on rocks and concrete surfaces.