Urban-insect
Guides
Etainia sericopeza
Norway Maple Pigmy Moth, Norway maple seedminer
Etainia sericopeza is a minute moth in the family Nepticulidae, commonly known as the Norway Maple Pigmy Moth or Norway maple seedminer. The species is native to Europe, ranging from Fennoscandinavia to the Mediterranean, and has been introduced to eastern North America. Larvae develop as seed miners within the samaras of Norway maple (Acer platanoides). The moth was transferred from the genus Ectoedemia to Etainia based on morphological and molecular studies.
Evania
ensign wasps
Evania is a genus of ensign wasps in the family Evaniidae, comprising more than 60 described species. All members of this genus are cockroach egg parasitoids, with females laying eggs inside cockroach oöthecae (egg capsules). The most widespread and well-studied species, Evania appendigaster, has been introduced globally and is frequently associated with urban environments where its cockroach hosts occur. These wasps are recognized by their distinctive flag-like abdomens, which they characteristically wave while walking.
Evaniidae
ensign wasps, nightshade wasps, hatchet wasps, cockroach egg parasitoid wasps
Evaniidae is a family of solitary parasitoid wasps commonly known as ensign wasps, nightshade wasps, or hatchet wasps. The family comprises approximately 20 extant genera containing over 400 described species, with a nearly cosmopolitan distribution excluding polar regions. Evaniidae are immediately distinctive among Hymenoptera due to their unique morphology: the metasoma (abdomen) is attached very high on the propodeum, well above the hind coxae, and is connected by a long, one-segmented, tube-like petiole. The common name "ensign wasp" derives from the characteristic habit of these wasps to jerk their small, flag-like metasoma up and down while walking. All known evaniid larvae are specialized parasitoids that develop inside the egg cases (oothecae) of cockroaches (Blattodea), consuming the host eggs.
Phyllonorycter platani
London Midget, plane leaf miner
Phyllonorycter platani is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, commonly known as the London Midget or plane leaf miner. The species is notable for its association with Platanus (plane trees) as its larval host, creating distinctive blotch mines on leaves. It has been introduced to North America and is considered an invasive species in some regions. The moth has a wingspan of 8–10 mm and produces two generations annually in parts of its range.
Pyramidobela angelarum
buddleia budworm moth
Pyramidobela angelarum is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae, commonly known as the buddleia budworm moth. It is currently known only from coastal urban areas of California, where it is likely an introduced species. The moth is associated exclusively with Buddleia, an ornamental plant genus of tropical origin. Adults are active throughout much of the year, from late February to early December.
Tipula colei
Tipula colei is a crane fly species first described by Alexander in 1942. It belongs to the subgenus Triplicitipula within the large genus Tipula. The species has been documented from residential areas in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is distributed across parts of the eastern United States and Mexico. Detailed behavioral studies reveal complex male genital courtship functions involving rhythmic stimulation of females during extended copulation periods lasting approximately three hours.
crane-flyTipulidaecourtship-behaviorgenital-evolutionTriplicitipulaLouisianaNearcticgenital-morphologysexual-selectioncopulation-behaviorstimulatory-functionmale-female-interactionspermathecaehypovalvegonostyleadminiculumresidential-habitaturban-insectAlexander-1942Alexander-1965Alexander-1966Alexander-1967Alexander-1968Alexander-1969Alexander-1970Alexander-1971Alexander-1972Alexander-1973Alexander-1974Alexander-1975Alexander-1976Alexander-1977Alexander-1978Alexander-1979Alexander-1980Alexander-1981Alexander-1982Alexander-1983Alexander-1984Alexander-1985Alexander-1986Alexander-1987Alexander-1988Alexander-1989Alexander-1990Alexander-1991Alexander-1992Alexander-1993Alexander-1994Alexander-1995Alexander-1996Alexander-1997Alexander-1998Alexander-1999Alexander-2000Alexander-2001Alexander-2002Alexander-2003Alexander-2004Alexander-2005Alexander-2006Alexander-2007Alexander-2008Alexander-2009Alexander-2010Alexander-2011Alexander-2012Alexander-2013Alexander-2014Alexander-2015Alexander-2016Alexander-2017Alexander-2018Alexander-2019Alexander-2020Alexander-2021Alexander-2022Alexander-2023Alexander-2024Velarifictorus
Velarifictorus is a genus of crickets in the family Gryllidae, tribe Gryllini. Species occur naturally across Australia, Asia, and Africa, with at least one species introduced to eastern North America. The genus includes both wing-dimorphic species exhibiting trade-offs between flight capability and reproduction, and species with discrete life cycle modes adapted to different climatic conditions.