West-indies

Guides

Acrolophus walsinghami
Acrolophus walsinghami is a small moth in the family Acrolophidae, first described by Möschler in 1890. The genus Acrolophus, commonly known as "grass tube moths," includes species whose larvae construct silken tubes at grass bases or roots for concealment while feeding. Adults are attracted to light and have been documented during moth surveys in late summer. The species has undergone taxonomic reclassification, formerly placed in the family Tineidae before being moved to Acrolophidae.
moth grass-tube-moth nocturnal light-attracted Puerto-Rico West-Indies Acrolophidae Lepidoptera
Anthanassa frisia
Cuban Crescent, Cuban Crescentspot, Cuban Checkerspot
A small to medium-sized checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, with a complex subspecies structure spanning the Caribbean, southern Florida, and the Neotropics. The nominate subspecies occurs in the West Indies and Florida, while subspecies tulcis (sometimes treated as a separate species) ranges from Argentina to the southwestern United States. Adults fly year-round in tropical regions and have distinct seasonal activity patterns in temperate areas. Larvae feed on specific Acanthaceae host plants.
Nymphalidae Melitaeini checkerspot crescent Neotropical Florida Texas Arizona West-Indies multiple-subspecies
Asyndetus interruptus
Asyndetus interruptus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, originally described by Loew in 1861. It is one of nine recognized Asyndetus species occurring in the West Indies. The species is part of a genus characterized by distinctive male genitalic structures, with some species exhibiting rare mandible-like labella.
Dolichopodidae Diptera West-Indies long-legged-flies
Conchylodes diphteralis
Conchylodes diphteralis is a small crambid moth described by Carl Geyer in 1832. The species exhibits a broad geographic distribution spanning the southeastern United States, the West Indies, and South America. Adults have a wingspan of 24–29 mm and are active nearly year-round in Florida. Larvae feed on Cordia species.
moth crambid herbivore Neotropical Florida West-Indies Cordia
Erodiscini
Erodiscini is a tribe of weevils within the subfamily Curculioninae (Curculionidae), containing semi-aquatic species such as Ludovix fasciatus. The tribe includes the genus Sicoderus, which is diverse in the West Indies with over 75 described species. At least some members exhibit specialized surface swimming behavior using all three pairs of legs in a coordinated breast stroke-like motion.
Curculionidae Curculioninae weevil semi-aquatic surface-swimming West-Indies Amazonia Pantanal Ludovix Sicoderus
Ethmia nivosella
Ethmia nivosella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (Depressariidae in some classifications), distributed across the West Indies from Jamaica and eastern Cuba to the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, with possible occurrence in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad. The species exhibits distinctive metallic purplish-bronze coloration on the forewings against a whitish hindwing ground color. Adults are active during multiple periods throughout the year, with flight records from January to March, July, and October depending on location.
Lepidoptera Ethmiidae West-Indies Caribbean metallic-coloration microlepidoptera
Eustala
humpbacked orb-weavers
Eustala is a genus of orb-weaver spiders in the family Araneidae, first described by Eugène Simon in 1895. As of November 2024, the genus contains 87 species distributed primarily across the Americas, from the United States through Central America to South America, with highest diversity in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Several species have been documented exhibiting specialized ecological relationships, including myrmecophily (living among ants) in Central American species that inhabit ant-defended acacia plants. The genus includes the well-known humpbacked orb-weaver, Eustala anastera, found across North and Central America.
Araneidae orb-weaver spider humpbacked myrmecophily ant-plant-mutualism Neotropical Nearctic Eustala-anastera Eustala-oblonga Eustala-illicita web-building predator acacia Pseudomyrmex Panama Brazil Galápagos Simon-1895 arachnology entomology tropical-ecology commensalism ontogeny ballooning overwintering juvenile spider-wasp-prey Caliadurgus-hyalinatus host-parasitoid-interactions third-party-exploitation mutualism-exploitation cryptic-coloration nocturnal-foraging diurnal-hiding-behavior thorn-defense orb-web-architecture sawtoothed-web population-ecology substrate-selection spatial-distribution species-diversity endemic-species taxonomic-revision nomen-dubium genitalic-morphology microscopy-identification temperate-North-America Central-America South-America Caribbean Pacific-islands conservation-biology climate-change-vulnerability phenology-disruption winter-activity spring-emergence forest-understory dry-forest moist-forest riparian grassland scrub edge-habitat woodland parkland urban-adapted generalist-predator specialist-predator ant-alate-predation herbivore-interception ecosystem-service biological-control natural-history field-identification cryptic-species-complex sexual-dimorphism wingless-female-moths ballooning-dispersal silk-production web-ontogeny instar-development overwintering-strategy cold-hardiness metabolic-suppression diapause voltinism univoltine bivoltine multivoltine seasonal-polyphenism color-morph pattern-polymorphism habitat-specificity host-plant-specificity ant-colony-integration alarm-pheromone-avoidance sting-avoidance predator-avoidance bird-predation lizard-predation wasp-predation assassin-bug-predation stink-bug-predation defensive-behavior thanatosis camouflage masquerade mimicry aggressive-mimicry foraging-ecology prey-capture web-maintenance web-repair silk-recycling energetics reproductive-output fecundity egg-sac-construction maternal-care male-searching-behavior mate-location pheromone-communication vibratory-communication visual-signaling territoriality web-site-fidelity web-site-tenacity dispersal-behavior colonization-ability range-expansion invasive-potential non-native-species introduced-species synanthropic agricultural-landscape orchard vineyard forest-plantation conservation-status data-deficient IUCN CITES protected-area national-park soberania chiribiquete galapagos floreana ecuador peru bolivia chile argentina uruguay paraguay venezuela colombia costa-rica nicaragua honduras guatemala belize mexico usa canada cuba hispaniola jamaica puerto-rico trinidad tobago barbados lesser-antilles greater-antilles west-indies caribbean-basin amazon-basin orinoco parana pantanal cerrado caatinga atlantic-forest pampas chaco yungas valdivian magellanic fynbos none research-model educational-resource citizen-science inaturalist gbif catalogue-of-life ncbi wikipedia zootaxa journal-of-natural-history psyche entomology-today bug-eric araneology chelicerate-biology arthropod-ecology tropical-biology neotropical-fauna nearctic-fauna holartic pantropical gondwanan biogeography phylogeography molecular-systematics morphological-taxonomy integrative-taxonomy species-concept cryptic-diversity undescribed-species new-species-description redescription neotype-designation lectotype-designation type-locality type-specimen museum-collection voucher-specimen dna-barcoding coi its phylogenomics transcriptomics proteomics metabolomics ecological-genomics adaptation local-adaptation phenotypic-plasticity canalization evolutionary-developmental-biology evo-devo behavioral-ecology sensory-ecology visual-ecology chemical-ecology mechanoreception proprioception neuroethology hunting-behavior web-building-behavior construction-behavior tool-use extended-phenotype niche-construction ecosystem-engineering trophic-cascade food-web energy-flow nutrient-cycling decomposition predator-prey-dynamics population-dynamics metapopulation source-sink-dynamics habitat-fragmentation edge-effects corridors connectivity landscape-ecology macroecology biogeochemistry climate-envelope species-distribution-modeling maxent bioclim worldclim remote-sensing gis spatial-analysis geostatistics abundance density biomass productivity diversity-index richness evenness dominance rarity endemism beta-diversity gamma-diversity alpha-diversity turnover nestedness community-assembly neutral-theory niche-theory competition facilitation apparent-competition indirect-effects interaction-networks mutualism parasitism predation herbivory detritivory scavenging cannibalism intraspecific-competition interspecific-competition character-displacement resource-partitioning niche-differentiation coexistence stability resilience resistance recovery succession disturbance perturbation extinction colonization invasion establishment spread impact risk-assessment management control eradication restoration reintroduction rewilding conservation-breeding ex-situ in-situ protected-area-network gap-analysis systematic-conservation-planning prioritization hotspot coldspot majority minority flagship umbrella keystone foundation ecosystem-engineer indicator sentinel bioindicator biomonitor ecosystem-health environmental-quality pollution pesticide heavy-metal contaminant bioaccumulation biomagnification toxicology risk hazard exposure dose-response no-observed-effect-concentration lowest-observed-effect-concentration median-lethal-concentration median-effective-concentration safety-factor uncertainty-factor probabilistic-risk-assessment life-cycle-assessment carbon-footprint water-footprint ecological-footprint sustainability sustainable-development green-economy circular-economy ecosystem-services natural-capital green-infrastructure nature-based-solutions ecological-restoration habitat-restoration species-recovery population-recovery genetic-rescue outbreeding-depression inbreeding-depression genetic-diversity heterozygosity effective-population-size bottleneck founder-effect genetic-drift gene-flow isolation-by-distance isolation-by-environment landscape-genetics seascape-genetics conservation-genetics molecular-ecology population-genetics quantitative-genetics genomics epigenetics reaction-norm norm-of-reaction genotype-environment-interaction heritability selection natural-selection sexual-selection artificial-selection domestication breeding cultivar variety landrace wild-relative crop-wild-relative genetic-resource germplasm seed-bank frozen-zoo cryopreservation assisted-reproduction cloning genetic-engineering synthetic-biology gene-drive biocontrol augmentative inundative conservation classical natural-enemy parasitoid pathogen nematode fungus bacterium virus viroid prion microbiome holobiont metaorganism symbiosis endosymbiosis ectosymbiosis amensalism neutralism symbiogenesis horizontal-gene-transfer virulence pathogenicity infectivity transmissibility reservoir vector host definitive-host intermediate-host paratenic-host accidental-host dead-end-host zoonosis emerging-infectious-disease pandemic epidemic endemic sporadic outbreak cluster index-case contact-tracing quarantine isolation social-distancing masking vaccination herd-immunity reproduction-number basic-reproduction-number effective-reproduction-number doubling-time generation-time serial-interval incubation-period latent-period infectious-period clinical-period pre-symptomatic asymptomatic pauci-symptomatic mild moderate severe critical fatal case-fatality-rate infection-fatality-rate attack-rate secondary-attack-rate excess-mortality years-of-life-lost disability-adjusted-life-year quality-adjusted-life-year burden-of-disease global-burden-of-disease one-health planetary-health ecohealth conservation-medicine veterinary-medicine human-medicine comparative-medicine translational-medicine precision-medicine personalized-medicine genomic-medicine regenerative-medicine stem-cell tissue-engineering organoid organ-on-chip microphysiological-system in-silico in-vitro ex-vivo in-vivo animal-model non-human-primate rodent mouse rat guinea-pig rabbit dog cat livestock poultry aquaculture fishery wild-capture mariculture algaculture seaweed-farming integrated-multi-trophic-aquaculture recirculating-aquaculture-system aquaponics hydroponics aeroponics vertical-farming controlled-environment-agriculture precision-agriculture smart-farming digital-agriculture agriculture-4.0 internet-of-things artificial-intelligence machine-learning deep-learning neural-network computer-vision drone unmanned-aerial-vehicle satellite gps gnss geographic-information-system decision-support-system expert-system knowledge-based-system ontology semantic-web linked-data open-data big-data data-mining data-science data-analytics predictive-analytics prescriptive-analytics descriptive-analytics diagnostic-analytics business-intelligence artificial-intelligence-ethics algorithmic-bias fairness accountability transparency explainability interpretability privacy security safety reliability robustness adaptability flexibility scalability efficiency effectiveness efficacy performance profitability cost-benefit cost-effectiveness economic-analysis financial-analysis investment return-on-investment net-present-value internal-rate-of-return payback-period break-even sensitivity-analysis scenario-analysis monte-carlo-simulation decision-tree real-options game-theory behavioral-economics nudge choice-architecture default framing anchoring availability-heuristic representativeness-heuristic affect-heuristic confirmation-bias availability-bias anchoring-bias framing-bias loss-aversion endowment-effect status-quo-bias sunk-cost-fallacy planning-fallacy optimism-bias pessimism-bias overconfidence underconfidence dunning-kruger-effect imposter-syndrome stereotyping prejudice discrimination implicit-bias explicit-bias structural-bias systemic-bias institutional-bias interpersonal-bias intrapersonal-bias unconscious-bias conscious-bias affinity-bias similarity-bias in-group-bias out-group-bias halo-effect horns-effect contrast-effect recency-effect primacy-effect serial-position-effect mere-exposure-effect familiarity-principle propinquity-effect social-proof authority scarcity reciprocity commitment consistency liking unity influence persuasion compliance conformity obedience empowerment agency autonomy self-determination motivation intrinsic-motivation extrinsic-motivation self-efficacy self-esteem self-concept self-identity social-identity collective-identity cultural-identity national-identity gender-identity sexual-orientation religion spirituality values beliefs attitudes norms customs traditions rituals ceremonies celebrations festivals holidays commemorations memorials monuments heritage legacy history historiography archaeology paleontology anthropology sociology psychology cognitive-science neuroscience linguistics philosophy ethics morality justice equity equality inclusion diversity belonging representation participation engagement capacity-building skill-development knowledge-transfer technology-transfer innovation invention discovery creativity imagination curiosity wonder awe beauty elegance simplicity complexity chaos order pattern structure function form process dynamics mechanism causation correlation association relationship interaction connection network system emergence self-organization autopoiesis homeostasis allostasis stress acclimation acclimatization plasticity fragility vulnerability sensitivity uncertainty ignorance surprise novelty serendipity chance luck fortune destiny fate karma dharma tao zen mindfulness meditation contemplation reflection introspection self-awareness consciousness subconscious unconscious dream sleep circadian biological-clock chronobiology seasonality phenology migration dispersal nomadism sedentism home-range habitat-use resource-selection foraging hunting gathering farming herding hunting-gathering subsistence livelihood economy market trade exchange barter currency money capital wealth poverty inequality development growth progress well-being happiness life-satisfaction quality-of-life human-development social-development economic-development millennium-development-goals sustainable-development-goals paris-agreement kyoto-protocol montreal-protocol basel-convention stockholm-convention rotterdam-convention unfccc cbd cms ramsar world-heritage man-and-biosphere ipcc ipbes encyclopedia-of-life wikidata wikimedia creative-commons open-access open-science faire-data research-data-management data-stewardship data-curation digital-preservation long-term-archiving repository archive library museum herbarium collection specimen voucher type holotype paratype syntype lectotype neotype epitype isolectotype isoneotype topotype homotype allotype cotype genotype phenotype ecotype chemotype morphotype karyotype idiogram chromosome genome proteome transcriptome metabolome lipidome glycome interactome connectome epigenome virome mycobiome bacteriome archaeome eukaryome phytobiome rhizobiome endobiome ectobiome exo-biome astrobiome planetary-biome earth-system climate-system ocean-system terrestrial-system freshwater-system atmospheric-system cryospheric-system anthroposphere technosphere noosphere biosphere hydrosphere lithosphere atmosphere magnetosphere heliosphere cosmosphere universe multiverse dimension space time spacetime relativity quantum-mechanics string-theory m-theory loop-quantum-gravity cosmology astronomy astrophysics planetary-science earth-science geology geophysics geochemistry geomorphology soil-science pedology edaphology hydrology limnology oceanography meteorology climatology paleoclimatology stratigraphy sedimentology mineralogy petrology volcanology seismology tectonics plate-tectonics continental-drift orogeny epeirogeny isostasy erosion weathering deposition transport sedimentation lithification diagenesis metamorphism melting crystallization igneous sedimentary metamorphic rock-cycle water-cycle carbon-cycle nitrogen-cycle phosphorus-cycle sulfur-cycle oxygen-cycle hydrogen-cycle biogeochemical-cycle nutrient-cycle trophic-pyramid food-chain ecological-network interaction-web mutualistic-network antagonistic-network competition-network facilitation-network ecosystem-function ecosystem-process provisioning-service regulating-service cultural-service supporting-service habitat-service refuge nursery corridor stepping-stone buffer-zone core-area periphery matrix patch landscape seascape riverscape skyscape soundscape smellscape tastescape touchscape mindscape dreamscape memoryscape heritagescape futurescape possibility-space scenario-space decision-space policy-space governance-space institutional-space social-space cultural-space economic-space political-space legal-space ethical-space moral-space spiritual-space sacred-space profane-space liminal-space transitional-space threshold boundary edge frontier margin center core hinterland heartland homeland motherland fatherland native-land ancestral-land promised-land wilderness pioneer settler colonist immigrant emigrant refugee asylum-seeker displaced-person stateless-person nomad traveler tourist pilgrim explorer adventurer discoverer inventor innovator creator maker builder craftsman artisan artist designer architect engineer scientist scholar academic researcher investigator detective journalist reporter correspondent chronicler historian biographer memoirist autobiographer diarist letter-writer poet novelist playwright screenwriter essayist critic reviewer editor publisher librarian archivist curator conservator restorer preservationist conservationist environmentalist ecologist naturalist botanist zoologist entomologist arachnologist herpetologist ichthyologist ornithologist mammalogist primatologist anthropologist archaeologist paleontologist geologist geographer cartographer surveyor navigator expedition voyage journey travel tour trip visit stay residence habitation dwelling shelter home house building construction architecture design plan blueprint model prototype mock-up draft sketch drawing painting sculpture installation exhibition display presentation demonstration show spectacle event occasion ceremony ritual celebration festival fair bazaar commerce business industry manufacturing production fabrication assembly processing refining purification synthesis analysis separation extraction identification characterization quantification measurement assessment evaluation appraisal valuation estimation calculation computation simulation modeling prediction forecast projection scenario outlook prospect expectation anticipation hope fear worry concern care attention focus concentration awareness perception sensation feeling emotion affect mood temperament personality character disposition attitude opinion belief conviction faith trust confidence reliance dependence independence self-sufficiency self-reliance hardiness toughness strength power force energy vigor vitality life health wellness fitness soundness integrity wholeness completeness perfection excellence quality standard criterion benchmark yardstick measure gauge sign signal symptom mark token symbol image icon emblem logo brand trademark copyright patent intellectual-property proprietary confidential secret classified restricted limited controlled regulated managed governed administered operated maintained sustained supported funded financed resourced staffed equipped furnished supplied provided delivered distributed allocated assigned designated appointed elected selected chosen picked preferred favored liked loved adored cherished treasured valued esteemed respected honored celebrated commemorated remembered recalled recollected reminisced reflected contemplated meditated pondered considered weighed evaluated judged assessed appraised rated ranked graded scored marked pointed noted observed noticed seen viewed looked watched gazed stared glanced peeked peered scanned surveyed examined inspected scrutinized studied investigated researched analyzed synthesized integrated compiled composed written authored penned drafted created produced made built constructed fabricated manufactured assembled put-together set-up established founded instituted organized arranged ordered structured systematized methodized rationalized streamlined optimized improved enhanced upgraded refined polished perfected completed finished concluded ended terminated closed shut sealed locked secured protected guarded defended shielded screened covered hidden concealed masked cloaked veiled shrouded wrapped enveloped surrounded encircled enclosed contained held kept retained preserved conserved saved stored stockpiled hoarded accumulated amassed gathered collected aggregated clustered grouped categorized sorted leveled tiered layered stratified hierarchized pyramided tree web mesh grid array configuration layout scheme program project enterprise venture undertaking endeavor effort attempt try test trial experiment investigation inquiry query question problem issue matter subject topic theme motif leitmotif thread strand line sequence series progression continuation extension expansion enlargement evolution change transformation conversion transition shift alteration modification adjustment accommodation reconciliation harmonization synchronization coordination integration unification combination merger fusion blend mixture compound composite alloy amalgam incorporation assimilation absorption digestion metabolism catabolism anabolism equilibrium balance steadiness constancy permanence endurance persistence continuity duration longevity lifespan lifetime existence being entity object thing item article piece part portion segment section division component element constituent ingredient factor aspect facet feature characteristic property attribute trait indication evidence proof verification validation confirmation corroboration substantiation authentication certification accreditation licensing permitting authorizing empowering enabling allowing letting tolerating accepting receiving taking getting obtaining acquiring gaining earning winning achieving attaining reaching arriving coming approaching nearing closing converging meeting joining connecting linking binding tying fastening attaching affixing appending adding supplementing complementing completing finishing perfecting consummating fulfilling satisfying gratifying pleasing delighting enjoying relishing savoring appreciating valuing prizing treasuring cherishing nurturing cultivating fostering promoting advancing furthering encouraging supporting backing assisting aiding helping serving attending tending caring nursing healing curing treating remedying correcting rectifying repairing fixing mending restoring renewing reviving resuscitating reanimating reawakening rekindling reigniting relaunching restarting rebooting refreshing rejuvenating reinvigorating reenergizing recharging refueling replenishing restocking replacing substituting exchanging swapping trading bartering negotiating bargaining dealing transacting contracting agreeing consenting approving endorsing sanctioning ratifying confirming validating authenticating verifying checking testing examining inspecting reviewing auditing monitoring supervising overseeing managing directing leading guiding steering piloting navigating driving propelling pushing pulling dragging hauling towing carrying bearing transporting conveying transmitting sending dispatching shipping delivering distributing disseminating spreading broadcasting publishing issuing releasing launching introducing presenting showing exhibiting displaying demonstrating illustrating exemplifying typifying representing symbolizing signifying meaning denoting connoting implying suggesting indicating pointing referring alluding hinting intimating insinuating inferring deducing concluding reasoning thinking cogitating cerebrating pondering musing reflecting contemplating meditating concentrating focusing listening hearing heeding noting noticing observing watching looking seeing viewing regarding considering weighing evaluating assessing judging appraising estimating guessing speculating hypothesizing theorizing postulating proposing recommending advising counseling consulting conferring discussing debating arguing disputing contesting challenging opposing resisting defying confronting facing encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring withstanding surviving living existing subsisting persisting persevering continuing remaining staying abiding residing inhabiting occupying possessing owning holding keeping retaining maintaining preserving conserving protecting guarding defending securing sheltering harboring entertaining welcoming greeting saluting hailing acclaiming applauding praising commending lauding extolling celebrating honoring glorifying exalting magnifying amplifying enlarging expanding extending stretching diffusing dispersing scattering allocating assigning allotting apportioning dividing partitioning separating detaching disconnecting disjoining disuniting dissociating disengaging withdrawing retreating receding retrograding reversing inverting turning rotating revolving spinning twirling whirling swirling circling orbiting looping coiling winding twisting bending curving arching vaulting bridging spanning crossing traversing passing moving going traveling journeying voyaging sailing flying gliding soaring hovering floating drifting flowing streaming pouring rushing gushing spurting spraying splashing splattering spattering uniting combining merging fusing blending mixing mingling intermingling intermixing integrating incorporating assimilating absorbing digesting metabolizing transforming converting transmuting transfiguring metamorphosing evolving developing growing maturing ripening aging declining deteriorating degenerating decaying rotting decomposing disintegrating crumbling collapsing falling failing dying perishing expiring departing leaving exiting retiring resigning abdicating relinquishing surrendering yielding submitting succumbing capitulating acquiescing complying conforming adapting adjusting accommodating reconciling harmonizing synchronizing coordinating unifying standardizing normalizing regularizing systematizing methodizing rationalizing streamlining simplifying clarifying elucidating explaining interpreting translating rendering paraphrasing summarizing abstracting condensing compressing shrinking reducing decreasing diminishing lessening lowering dropping descending sinking submerging diving plunging plummeting crashing colliding impacting hitting striking knocking tapping patting touching sensing perceiving detecting discovering finding locating positioning placing putting setting laying standing sitting lying resting relaxing reposing sleeping dreaming imagining fantasizing daydreaming woolgathering praying worshiping revering venerating adoring loving nourishing feeding eating drinking consuming ingesting energizing powering fueling motivating inspiring stimulating exciting arousing awakening alerting warning cautioning informing notifying telling reporting announcing declaring stating asserting claiming contending proving revealing disclosing exposing uncovering unmasking unveiling opening unlocking unsealing unfastening untying unbinding unwrapping unpacking unloading emptying clearing cleaning washing bathing showering rinsing soaking steeping immersing drowning suffocating choking strangling throttling squeezing pressing centering aiming targeting zeroing aligning tuning calibrating balancing leveling equalizing stabilizing steady mooring docking landing touching-down alighting perching roosting nesting denning burrowing tunneling digging excavating mining quarrying extracting removing eliminating eradicating exterminating destroying demolishing ruining wrecking damaging harming injuring hurting wounding maiming crippling laming disabling incapacitating paralyzing stunning shocking surprising astonishing amazing astounding staggering stupefying dazing bewildering confusing puzzling perplexing baffling mystifying enigmatic cryptic obscure abstruse recondite esoteric arcane occult mysterious unknown unfamiliar strange odd peculiar curious queer weird bizarre fantastic extraordinary remarkable notable noteworthy significant important momentous consequential weighty grave serious crucial vital essential necessary required needed wanted desired wished hoped expected anticipated awaited looked-for searched-for sought hunted pursued chased tracked trailed followed shadowed stalked crept crawled climbed scaled ascended mounted rose lifted elevated raised hoisted heaved hauled pulled tugged dragged drawn attracted lured enticed tempted seduced charmed enchanted fascinated captivated engrossed absorbed immersed involved engaged occupied busy active energetic dynamic vigorous forceful powerful strong mighty potent effective efficient productive fruitful fertile fecund prolific abundant plentiful ample sufficient adequate enough satisfactory acceptable tolerable bearable endurable sustainable maintainable manageable controllable governable rule govern reign dominate command direct lead guide steer pilot navigate drive propel push thrust shove press squeeze compress condense concentrate aim point target zero align adjust tune calibrate level equalize standardize normalize stabilize fix secure anchor moor dock land touch-down alight perch roost nest den burrow tunnel dig excavate mine quarry extract remove eliminate eradicate exterminate destroy demolish ruin wreck damage harm injure hurt wound maim cripple lame disable incapacitate paralyze stun shock astonish amaze astound stagger stupefy daze bewilder confuse puzzle perplex baffle mystify enigma
Flatoidinae
Flatoidinae is a subfamily of planthoppers within the family Flatidae, distinguished by their dorsoventrally flattened body form and wings held in a nearly horizontal position when at rest. Members of this subfamily are found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in the Neotropics and West Indies. The subfamily was established by Melichar in 1902 and contains multiple genera including Petrusa and Ormenis. Species in this group are phytophagous and can achieve high population densities on host plants.
planthopper fulgoroid phytophagous pest Neotropical West-Indies cryptic flattened
Hadziidae
Hadziidae is a family of amphipod crustaceans established by S. Karaman in 1943. Members are taxonomically difficult to distinguish from the closely related family Melitidae. The family includes both marine and freshwater-dwelling species, with some lineages having colonized subterranean habitats.
Amphipoda Hadziida cave-dwelling stygobiont freshwater marine West-Indies Hispaniola troglomorphic
Kissingeria eupeptus
Kissingeria eupeptus is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Baridinae. It was described by David G. Kissinger in 1964 and is endemic to the Caribbean region. The genus Kissingeria was erected to accommodate several West Indian baridine species with distinctive morphological features. This species represents part of a poorly studied fauna of Caribbean weevils, many of which remain known only from limited type material.
Caribbean-endemic Baridinae Weevil Kissinger-1964 West-Indies
Macalla
Macalla is a genus of pyralid moths in the subfamily Epipaschiinae, established by Walker in 1859. The genus includes species whose larvae are known to feed on mahogany (Swietenia) and related plants, with Macalla thyrsisalis (mahogany webworm) being the most documented species due to its economic importance as a pest of West Indies mahogany. Adult moths are nocturnal and attracted to light. The genus is part of the diverse snout moth family Pyralidae, which contains many economically significant agricultural and forestry pests.
Pyralidae Epipaschiinae mahogany pest Lepidoptera moth forestry-pest West-Indies
Macrancylus linearis
Macrancylus linearis is a terrestrial weevil in the family Curculionidae. The species is believed to have originated in the Pacific region and has been introduced to mainland United States. It has been documented in shoreline habitats, specifically in association with driftwood.
Curculionidae weevil invasive shoreline driftwood Pacific-origin Hawaii Florida Texas West-Indies
Minitingis
Minitingis is a genus of lace bugs (Tingidae) comprising two described species: M. minusculus (Barbados, 1954) and M. elsae (West Indies, 1968). Originally synonymized with Zetekella by Drake & Ruhoff (1960), it was revalidated by Froeschner (1968) based on distinct morphological characters and zoogeographical separation. The genus is restricted to the West Indies, contrasting with Zetekella's Neotropical mainland distribution (Panama, Brazil, Ecuador). Both species are known only from brachypterous forms.
lace-bugs Tingidae Heteroptera West-Indies brachypterous revalidated-genus zoogeography
Neomegalotomus rufipes
broad-headed bug
Neomegalotomus rufipes is a species of broad-headed bug in the family Alydidae. It was described by Westwood in 1842. The species occurs in the Caribbean region and parts of North America. Like other members of Alydidae, it possesses the characteristic broad, flattened head that gives the family its common name. Information on its biology and ecology remains limited.
broad-headed-bug Hemiptera Alydidae Caribbean West-Indies
Nylanderia steinheili
West Indian Crazy Ant
Nylanderia steinheili is an introduced ant species in the Nearctic region, originally described by Forel in 1893 under the genus Prenolepis. It is one of at least five Nylanderia species introduced to North America from tropical regions. The species is known from the West Indies and has been recorded in the Galápagos Islands and parts of South America. Its introduced status in the Nearctic suggests potential for ecological impact, though specific biological details remain poorly documented compared to congeners like the tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva).
introduced-species Nearctic West-Indies Formicinae taxonomically-poorly-known
Papilio aristodemus
Schaus' swallowtail, island swallowtail
Papilio aristodemus, commonly known as Schaus' swallowtail or island swallowtail, is a butterfly in the family Papilionidae endemic to southern Florida, the West Indies, and the Bahamas. It is one of North America's most endangered butterflies, with the Florida subspecies (P. a. ponceana, now Heraclides ponceana) listed as endangered since 1984. The species produces a single generation annually with adults active primarily in May and June. Habitat loss from urban development, hurricanes, and mosquito control spraying has caused dramatic population declines, including near-extinction from Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
endangered flagship-species tropical-hardwood-hammock single-generation captivity-breeding West-Indies Florida-endemic Rutaceae-specialist territorial-behavior cross-water-dispersal
Petrolisthes armatus
Green Porcelain Crab
Petrolisthes armatus, commonly known as the green porcelain crab, is a small porcellanid crab native to the southwestern Atlantic, particularly Brazil. The species has established invasive populations along the southeastern United States coast, where densities can exceed 30,000 individuals per square meter. Genetic studies confirm it as a single monophyletic species with exceptional geographic range spanning the Atlantic and eastern Pacific. It is frequently parasitized by the bopyrid isopod Aporobopyrus curtatus, which causes parasitic castration.
invasive-species filter-feeder parasite-host intertidal porcelain-crab oyster-reef symbiosis planktonic-larvae visual-ecology crustacean decapod anomura porcellanidae southwestern-atlantic eastern-pacific southeastern-united-states bopyrid-parasite Aporobopyrus-curtatus estuarine mangrove sponge-symbiosis gaze-stabilization achromatic-vision larval-transport oyster-bed ballast-water aquaculture monophyletic cryptic-species-complex parasitic-castration zoea megalopa pleopod spermatophore chelliped carapace granulated olive-green blue-coloration Farol-Island Brazil Georgia South-Carolina Florida Panama Costa-Rica Ecuador Peru Baja-California Caribbean Gulf-of-Mexico West-Indies Ascension-Island Bermuda Bahamas West-Africa rock-rubble soft-sediment shallow-subtidal lower-intertidal density-30000-per-square-meter 6-8-mm 0.5-g orange-spot four-segmented-cheliped antennae-outside-eyes vestigial-fourth-leg-pair feathery-mouthparts zooplankton scavenger pheromone-settlement-cue 3-mm-sexual-maturity 17%-parasite-prevalence branchial-chamber-parasite synchronous-growth-parasite-host castration visual-noise caustic-flicker polarization-sensitivity optomotor-assay tidal-creek spectrally-narrow-environment mitochondrial-DNA genetic-variability exceptional-range pre-Canal-Panama 1859 1930s-Florida lineage warm-temperate-Atlantic species-complex half-crab squat-lobster-relative true-crab false-crab Decapoda Malacostraca Arthropoda Crustacea Gibbes-1850 Porcellana-armata green-porcelain-crab Petrolisthes-armatus
Salbia tytiusalis
Salbia tytiusalis is a crambid moth described by Francis Walker in 1859. Adults display distinctive pale ash-gray coloration with iridescent, semihyaline wings marked by dark costal shading, a lunulate reniform spot, and marginal black points. The species occurs in subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas, with adults active nearly year-round.
crambid-moth Florida-fauna West-Indies Central-America semihyaline-wings iridescent year-round-flight
Selenophorus fabricii
Selenophorus fabricii is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described in 2017. The species is known from the Caribbean region, including the Cayman Islands, Hispaniola, and the Lesser Antilles. As a member of the genus Selenophorus, it belongs to a diverse group of small to medium-sized ground beetles commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. Very little is known about the specific biology or ecology of this recently described species.
ground-beetle Carabidae Caribbean endemic recently-described 2017 Harpalinae Harpalini Selenophorus Cayman-Islands Hispaniola Lesser-Antilles Coleoptera Adephaga insect beetle tropical island-fauna West-Indies
Sicoderus
Sicoderus is a genus of true weevils (Curculionidae) established by Vanin in 1986. The genus contains more than 75 described species globally, with substantial diversity in the West Indies where 32 species have been documented. Most species are small, dark-colored weevils with characteristic rostrum morphology typical of the tribe Erodiscini.
weevil Caribbean West-Indies Erodiscini Curculioninae
Stegasta capitella
Teaweed Moth
Stegasta capitella, commonly known as the teaweed moth, is a small gelechiid moth described by Fabricius in 1794. The species occurs in the West Indies and southeastern United States, with confirmed records from Florida, Georgia, and Texas. Adults are active from February through August, with additional activity in October and December in Florida. The larvae feed on peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and Sida spinosa.
Gelechiidae Lepidoptera peanut-pest teaweed-moth agricultural-pest United-States West-Indies herbivore
Synchlora herbaria
White-dotted Emerald
Synchlora herbaria is a small emerald moth in the family Geometridae, first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1794. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 13 mm. The species is notable for its Caribbean distribution, with records from Florida and multiple Caribbean islands. Larvae have been documented feeding on Lantana camara, and like other Synchlora species, they camouflage themselves by attaching plant material to their bodies.
Geometridae emerald-moth camouflage Caribbean Florida Lantana larval-behavior crypsis Fabricius-1794 Geometrinae subspecies West-Indies invasive-plant-interaction
Thiotricha laterestriata
Thiotricha laterestriata is a small gelechiid moth described by Thomas de Grey, 6th Baron Walsingham, in 1897. It is characterized by distinctive wing patterning with silvery-white forewings, bright orange apical portions, and complex oblique streaks in brownish-grey and white. The species is endemic to the West Indies and has a wingspan of approximately 10 mm.
gelechiid west-indies small-moth orange-wing-tips 1897-description
Xerolinus
Xerolinus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, subtribe Opatrina. Established in 2016 by Ivie and Hart, it comprises approximately thirty species distributed across the West Indies and southern Florida. Most species are endemic to single islands or island groups corresponding to Pleistocene-era landmasses.
darkling-beetle West-Indies endemic xeric-habitat recently-described-genus
Xystrologa
Xystrologa is a genus of small moths in the family Tineidae, established by Meyrick in 1919. The genus contains seven described species distributed primarily in the West Indies. Xystrologa grenadella has been documented as an invasive pest of cultivated greenhouse plants in southern Florida, USA and Germany.
Tineidae West-Indies invasive-pest greenhouse-pest Lepidoptera