Viviparous
Guides
Archipsocidae
Ancient Barklice
Archipsocidae is a family of barklice in the order Psocodea, containing approximately 80 species across five genera. Members are distinguished by reduced wing venation and small body size (1.2–1.8 mm). The family exhibits alary polymorphism, where individuals within a population may have different wing morphologies. Some species are known to be viviparous, an uncommon reproductive mode among barklice.
Billaea
Billaea is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately 80 described species. Most larvae are parasitoids of beetle larvae, particularly cerambycids and lucanids, with some species attacking lepidopteran hosts in the family Pyralidae. Several species have been investigated as biological control agents for agricultural and forestry pests, including palm weevils and sugarcane borers.
Tachinidaeparasitoidbiological-controlCerambycidaeDryophthoridaeCrambidaeviviparousplanidiaforest-pestagricultural-pestoil-palmsugarcanepalm-weevilwood-borersoutheast-AsiaSouth-AmericaEuropeBulgariaBrazilTurkeyMexicoPeruintegrated-pest-managementnatural-enemyhost-searchingkairomonessuperparasitismmass-rearingGalleria-mellonellalaboratory-hostfrassgallerytunnelpupal-parasitoidlarval-parasitoidectoparasitoidendoparasitoidColeopteraLepidopteraDipteraBrachyceraDexiinaeDexiiniRobineau-Desvoidy-183080-speciesglobal-distributionforestryagricultureornamental-palmsdate-palmcoconutRhynchophorusDiatraeaPrionusXylotrechusclimate-matchingestablishment-potentialMediterraneanMiddle-EastCaliforniainvasive-speciesred-palm-weevilAmerican-palm-weevilred-ring-diseasevector-controlnatural-mortalitypest-managementsustainable-agriculturehost-specificitytrophic-associationnew-host-recordparasitism-ratefield-parasitismlaboratory-rearingadult-longevityfecunditysex-ratiopupal-viabilitypupal-durationplanidia-lengthfood-resourcespollenhoneysucroseflowering-plantsspontaneous-floracompanion-plantshabitat-managementconservation-biological-controlaugmentative-biological-controlclassical-biological-controlquarantinehost-rangecircumstantial-evidencetaxonomic-confusionB.-rhynchophoraeB.-menezesiB.-adelphaB.-claripalpisB.-rutilansB.-cerambycivoraB.-steiniB.-fortisB.-irrorataB.-pectinataB.-setosaB.-trianguliferaB.-lataB.-intermediaB.-biserialisB.-giganteaB.-rubensB.-maritimaB.-marmorataB.-aurifronsB.-verticalisB.-flavaB.-chinensisB.-brevicaudaB.-kurahashiiB.-micronychiaB.-papeiB.-setigeraB.-yintiaolingB.-rufescensB.-triquetrusB.-rubidaB.-rufiventrisB.-brasiliensisB.-friburgensisB.-giacomeliB.-kosteraeB.-plaumanniB.-shannoniB.-africanaB.-argentaureaB.-atkinsoniB.-capensisB.-communisB.-decisaB.-edwardsiB.-erectaB.-ficorumB.-grandisB.-impigraB.-interruptaB.-kolomyetziB.-luteolaB.-malayanaB.-minorB.-monohammiB.-montanaB.-morosaB.-nipigonensisB.-orbitalisB.-ovataB.-quadrinotaB.-rhingiaeformisB.-robustaB.-satisfactaB.-sibleyiB.-sjostedtiB.-solivagaB.-trivittataB.-trochanterataB.-vanemdeniB.-velutinaB.-versicolorB.-villeneuveiB.-vitripennisB.-ziminiB.-lateralisB.-lativentrisCentruroides
bark scorpion, bark scorpions
Centruroides is a highly speciose genus of buthid scorpions comprising at least 100 species distributed throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Antilles, and northern South America. Commonly known as bark scorpions, members of this genus are notable for their strong fluorescence under ultraviolet light—except immediately after moulting—and several species possess venom potent enough to cause human fatalities. The genus includes species adapted to diverse habitats ranging from tropical rainforests to arid regions, with some showing marked intra-domiciliary tendencies in urban environments.
Centruroides vittatus
Striped Bark Scorpion
Centruroides vittatus is the most common scorpion in the United States, occurring throughout the midsection of the country and northern Mexico. This species exhibits notable behavioral flexibility, including plant climbing and temperature-modulated antipredator responses. Populations show geographic variation in venom toxicity, with eastern populations exhibiting reduced toxicity linked to lower sodium β toxin gene expression. The species has been documented harboring the endosymbiont Mycoplasma vittatus, the first Mycoplasma species identified from an arachnid.
Ceruraphis viburnicola
Snowball Aphid
An aphid species found in spring and autumn on Viburnum hosts in North America. It induces curled leaf galls on primary hosts. The secondary hosts remained unrecorded as of 1960. The apterous viviparous female was first described in a 1960 Canadian Entomologist paper.
Chaitophorus
Poplar aphids, Willow aphids
Chaitophorus is a genus of aphids comprising approximately 90–110 species distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. Members are primarily associated with Salicaceae hosts, particularly Populus (poplars) and Salix (willows), though some species occur on Vitaceae, Apiaceae, and Asteraceae. The genus exhibits host-specificity, with species-level identification often requiring knowledge of the host plant due to subtle morphological differences. Multiple independent origins of ant mutualism have been documented within the genus.
Diplocentrus
Toothed Scorpions
Diplocentrus is a genus of scorpions in the family Diplocentridae, commonly known as toothed scorpions. The genus contains more than 60 described species distributed primarily in Central America, Mexico, and the southwestern United States. Species in this genus are characterized by their elongated pedipalps and distinctive tooth-like structures on the chelicerae. The genus includes both mainland and island-dwelling species, with documented occurrences in the Chisos Mountains of Texas and Islas de la Bahía in Honduras.
Hadrurus
Giant Hairy Desert Scorpion, Desert Hairy Scorpion
Hadrurus is a genus of large scorpions in the family Hadruridae, native to sandy deserts and xeric habitats of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Members of this genus rank among the largest scorpions in the world, exceeded in size only by Hadogenes, Pandinus, Heterometrus, and Hoffmannihadrurus. The genus currently contains seven recognized species, including the well-known Hadrurus arizonensis, commonly called the Giant Hairy Desert Scorpion. These scorpions are characterized by their robust, hairy bodies with yellowish coloration, though Hadrurus spadix notably exhibits a dark, nearly black prosoma and mesosoma.
Hadrurus arizonensis
giant desert hairy scorpion, giant hairy scorpion, Arizona Desert hairy scorpion
Hadrurus arizonensis is the largest scorpion in North America, reaching up to 14 cm in length. This arachnid inhabits the Sonoran and Mojave deserts, where it constructs elaborate burrows up to 2.5 meters deep. It is a nocturnal predator that employs a 'sit and wait' hunting strategy, using sensory hairs to detect ground vibrations. Despite its imposing size, its venom is relatively mild with an LD50 of 168-198 mg/kg, comparable in pain to a honeybee sting. The species is viviparous, with young remaining on the mother's back for over a week after birth.
Macrosiphoniella
Anthemid Aphids
Macrosiphoniella is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, comprising at least 150 described species. The genus was established by Giacomo del Guercio in 1911 and is classified within the tribe Macrosiphini. Species in this genus exhibit notable color polymorphism, with body colors ranging from green and red to white, orange, yellow, and intermediate forms. Several subgenera are recognized, including Asterobium, Ramitrichophorus, and Papillomyzus. The genus has been documented across Europe, Asia, and into North Africa.
Microlynchia pusilla
lousefly of mourning doves
Microlynchia pusilla is a lousefly (Hippoboscidae) that is a permanent ectoparasite of birds, particularly columbiform hosts. The species exhibits adenotrophic viviparity, with larvae developing internally within the female and deposited as mature, ready-to-pupate larvae on or near the host. Adults are winged upon emergence but permanently shed their wings after locating a host bird, becoming obligate ectoparasites. The species has been recorded from multiple host families but shows particular association with Columbiformes, and has a broad distribution across the Americas from the United States through Brazil.
Paravaejovis spinigerus
stripe-tailed scorpion, devil scorpion
Paravaejovis spinigerus, commonly known as the stripe-tailed scorpion or devil scorpion, is a medium-sized scorpion native to the Sonoran Desert region. Adults reach 60–70 mm in length and weigh approximately 9.5 g. The species was transferred from the genus Hoffmannius to Paravaejovis in 2013. Its venom is not medically significant to humans.
Polyctenidae
Polyctenid Bat Bugs
Polyctenidae is a small family of parasitic true bugs comprising 32 described species in five genera and two subfamilies. These insects are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites of bats, exhibiting high host specificity suggestive of co-evolution. The family is sister to Cimicidae (bed bugs) within the superfamily Cimicoidea. Subfamily Polycteninae occurs in the Eastern Hemisphere (Africa, Asia, Australia), while Hesperocteninae is restricted to the Western Hemisphere (North and South America).
Scorpiones
scorpions
Scorpiones is an ancient order of predatory arachnids, representing the oldest known terrestrial metazoans with fossil records dating back approximately 435 million years. Members are characterized by a pair of large pedipalps modified into grasping pincers, four pairs of walking legs, and a segmented metasoma (tail) terminating in a telson bearing a venomous stinger. Scorpions are the only arachnids that give birth to live young, with females carrying offspring on their backs until their first molt. They exhibit a unique ability to fluoresce under ultraviolet light due to fluorescent compounds in their exoskeletons.
Siphini
Siphini is a tribe of aphids within the subfamily Chaitophorinae, first established by Eastop & van Emden in 1972. The tribe includes genera such as Atheroides and Sipha, which exhibit both oviparous and viviparous reproductive modes. Recent taxonomic work has described previously unknown morphs, including alate viviparous females of several species.
Takecallis arundinariae
black-spotted bamboo aphid
Takecallis arundinariae, the black-spotted bamboo aphid, is a globally distributed aphid native to Eurasia. It feeds exclusively on bamboo species (Poaceae: Bambusoideae), particularly Phyllostachys, and has been introduced to multiple continents through human transport of host plants. The species forms small scattered colonies on leaf undersides and reproduces viviparously via alate viviparae. It is considered a pest of ornamental and cultivated bamboo when populations are uncontrolled.
Tamaliinae
Tamaliinae is a small subfamily of aphids (Aphididae) containing the Nearctic genus Tamalia. Members are obligate gall-formers on woody plants in the family Ericaceae, including Arctostaphylos, Arbutus, and Comarostaphylis. The subfamily exhibits social behavior, with foundresses co-occupying galls and high relatedness among colony members. Some species act as inquilines, acting as obligate parasites within galls of other Tamalia species.
Vaejovidae
Devil Scorpions
Vaejovidae is a family of scorpions comprising approximately 25 genera and over 230 species, with the common name 'Devil Scorpions.' The family is endemic to North America, ranging from western Guatemala through Mexico and into the western United States, with one species extending into the Appalachian Mountains. Members of this family occupy diverse habitats including desert playas, chaparral, pine-spruce forests at high elevations, and alkali sinks. Several species have been described recently from California, including new species discovered through community science platforms.
Zelia vertebrata
Zelia vertebrata is a species of bristle fly in the family Tachinidae, characterized by a long body, strong abdominal bristles, and a distinctive abdominal pattern resembling vertebrae. It is a generalist parasitoid targeting beetle larvae in multiple families. The species has a widespread North American distribution and is most active during the day.