Western-north-america
Guides
Neduba macneilli
MacNeill's Shieldback
Neduba macneilli is a shield-backed katydid endemic to western North America. It belongs to a relict genus whose diversification reflects cycles of allopatric isolation and secondary contact associated with the evolving geography of the region. The species was redescribed in a 2021 revision that used molecular phylogenetics, morphology, calling song analysis, and karyotypes to define species boundaries. Like other Neduba species, it has been documented as prey for the Great Golden Digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus).
Neduba sierranus
sierra shieldback
Neduba sierranus, the sierra shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid endemic to western North America. It belongs to a relict genus whose diversification reflects cycles of allopatric isolation and secondary contact in the tumultuous geological history of the region. The species was redescribed in a 2021 comprehensive revision of the genus Neduba using molecular phylogenetics, morphology, calling song analysis, and karyotypes. Like other Neduba species, it is flightless and characterized by a distinctive shield-like pronotum that extends backward over the abdomen.
Nemocestes incomptus
Nemocestes incomptus is a native root weevil species in western North America. It is recognized as a significant agricultural pest of strawberries in western Washington, where larvae feed on plant roots. The species has been documented in California, Washington, and British Columbia.
Neoalcis
Neoalcis is a monotypic genus of geometrid moths established by James Halliday McDunnough in 1920. It contains a single species, Neoalcis californiaria (brown-lined looper), described by Packard in 1871. The genus is endemic to western North America, where its sole species occurs along the Pacific coast from California to British Columbia.
Neoaliturus tenellus
Beet Leafhopper
Neoaliturus tenellus, commonly known as the beet leafhopper, is a significant agricultural pest in western North America. This leafhopper species is a documented vector of Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii (CPt) and beet curly top virus (BCTV), pathogens that affect potato, sugar beet, and other vegetable and seed crops. The species exhibits complex seasonal movement patterns between crop and noncrop hosts, utilizing weedy vegetation for overwintering and summer development. Its population dynamics and pathogen transmission ecology have been studied extensively in the Columbia River Basin and southern New Mexico to improve pest management forecasting.
Neoapodemia
Neoapodemia is a subgenus of metalmark butterflies (family Riodinidae) within the genus Apodemia. Species in this subgenus are primarily found in western North America. The group is characterized by distinctive wing patterns and is associated with specific host plants in the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae). The subgenus was established based on morphological and ecological differences from other Apodemia groups.
Neobaphion planipenne
Neobaphion planipenne is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1866. It belongs to a genus with limited documented species, and like other members of Tenebrionidae, it exhibits morphological adaptations associated with arid or semi-arid environments. The species name 'planipenne' refers to the flattened (plane) wing condition. Documentation of this species in scientific literature and biodiversity databases remains sparse.
Neocaloreas leucobasis
Neocaloreas leucobasis is a species of metalmark moth in the family Choreutidae. The genus Neocaloreas was established to accommodate species formerly placed in the related genus Caloreas, reflecting revised understanding of relationships within this group of small, often colorful moths. Choreutidae moths are characterized by their distinctive wing patterns and diurnal or crepuscular habits. This species is known from limited collection records and iNaturalist observations, primarily from western North America.
Neochthebius vandykei
minute moss beetle
Neochthebius vandykei is a species of minute moss beetle in the family Hydraenidae. It was described by Knisch in 1924. The species is found in western North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada and California, USA. Like other members of Hydraenidae, it is a small beetle associated with moist habitats.
Neocladura americana
Neocladura americana is a species of crane fly in the family Limoniidae, described by Alexander in 1917. It is known from the western United States, with records from Washington south to California. As a member of the Chioneinae subfamily, it belongs to a diverse group of small to medium-sized crane flies. Very little has been published regarding its specific biology, habitat preferences, or ecological role.
Neoclypeodytes cinctellus
Neoclypeodytes cinctellus is a small predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. It is distributed across western North America and northern Central America. The species has been documented as a predator of the critically endangered Devils Hole pupfish (*Cyprinodon diabolis*), representing a notable conservation concern. It was formerly described under the name *N. centralis* before being synonymized.
Neoclypeodytes ornatellus
Neoclypeodytes ornatellus is a small diving beetle (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) in the tribe Bidessini. The species was described by Fall in 1917 and is part of a western North American genus characterized by distinctive elytral maculation patterns. A lectotype was designated for this species in a 2001 revision of the genus.
Neoclypeodytes quadripustulatus
A small diving beetle in the genus Neoclypeodytes, characterized by the distinctive elytral pattern of four maculae (two per elytron) that is diagnostic for the genus. The species was described by Fall in 1917 and occurs in western North America. A lectotype was designated in the 2001 revision by Young.
Neoclytus conjunctus
Western Ash Borer
Neoclytus conjunctus is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by LeConte in 1857. It is commonly known as the Western Ash Borer. The species belongs to the Clytini tribe, a group known for wasp-mimicking appearance and rapid movement. Like other Neoclytus species, it is associated with woody hosts and is distributed in western North America.
Neocoelidia lineata
Neocoelidia lineata is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Baker in 1898. It belongs to the subfamily Neocoelidiinae, a group characterized by distinctive morphological features within the leafhopper family. The species has been recorded from several western North American jurisdictions including British Columbia, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Neocoelidia ramona
Neocoelidia ramona is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Ball in 1916. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Neocoelidia lactipennis. The species belongs to the subfamily Neocoelidiinae and tribe Neocoelidiini. Distribution records indicate occurrence in California, Nevada, and Utah in the western United States.
Neohermes californicus
California fishfly
Neohermes californicus is a species of fishfly in the family Corydalidae, first described by Walker in 1853 as Chauliodes californicus. It belongs to the order Megaloptera, a small group of primitive holometabolous insects that includes fishflies, dobsonflies, and alderflies. The species is found in North America, particularly in western regions including California. Fishflies in this genus are associated with aquatic habitats during their larval stages. Adults are typically nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Neohypdonus gentilis
Western Gentle Click Beetle
Neohypdonus gentilis is a click beetle species in the family Elateridae, commonly known as the Western Gentle Click Beetle. It is a member of the genus Neohypdonus, which was established to accommodate species formerly placed in related genera. The species is documented from western North America, primarily in Canadian provinces and adjacent regions. As with other elaterids, adults possess the characteristic click mechanism for righting themselves when overturned.
Neonemobius near-mormonius
Neonemobius near-mormonius is a small ground cricket in the family Trigonidiidae, characterized by its diminutive size and cryptic coloration. The species is part of a genus of tiny crickets commonly known as "ground crickets" or "pygmy crickets" that inhabit leaf litter and ground-level vegetation. Like other members of Neonemobius, it produces high-frequency calling songs that are often inaudible to unaided human hearing. The specific epithet "near-mormonius" suggests morphological similarity to N. mormonius, a closely related species with which it may be confused.
Neophasia menapia
pine white
Neophasia menapia, commonly known as the pine white, is a butterfly species in the family Pieridae found in western North America. The species is characterized by white wings with black venation and wing bars, superficially resembling the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Research indicates N. menapia is palatable to avian predators, supporting its classification as a likely Batesian mimic rather than a Müllerian co-mimic. The species is univoltine, with one summer brood, and is associated with coniferous forest habitats.
Neophyllura arbuti
Pacific Madrone Psyllid
Neophyllura arbuti is a psyllid species in the family Liviidae, commonly known as the Pacific Madrone Psyllid. It is associated with Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii), a broadleaf evergreen tree native to western North America. The species was originally described as Euphyllura arbuti by Schwarz in 1904 and later transferred to the genus Neophyllura. Records indicate occurrence in California, Oregon, and British Columbia.
Neophyllura arctostaphyli
Neophyllura arctostaphyli is a psyllid species in the family Liviidae, originally described by Schwarz in 1904 as Euphyllura arctostaphyli. The species is associated with bearberry (Arctostaphylos), as indicated by its specific epithet. It belongs to a genus of jumping plant lice that feed on woody plants.
Neoplatypedia constricta
Neoplatypedia constricta is a small cicada species in the family Cicadidae, first described by Davis in 1920. It belongs to the tribe Platypediini, a group characterized by small body size and distinctive morphological features. The species occurs in western North America, with records from multiple states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, and Iowa. Like other platypediine cicadas, it likely produces high-frequency songs that are difficult for humans to hear.
Neorhynchocephalus
tangle-veined flies
Neorhynchocephalus is a genus of tangle-veined flies (family Nemestrinidae) first described by Lichtwardt in 1909. The genus comprises seven extant species and three fossil species. Members of this genus are parasitoids whose larvae develop inside grasshopper hosts. Neorhynchocephalus sackenii has been documented as a significant parasite of rangeland grasshoppers in western North America, with parasitism rates reaching up to 24 percent in field studies.
Nepytia freemani
Western False Hemlock Looper
Nepytia freemani is a geometrid moth known as the western false hemlock looper, described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1963. The species has a one-year life cycle, overwintering as eggs with larvae emerging in mid-May, feeding through summer, and pupating in late July. Adults appear in August and September. The species has been documented reaching outbreak proportions, with a notable outbreak occurring in north central Utah from 1965 to 1967.
Nerophilus
mortarjoint casemakers
Nerophilus is a monotypic genus of caddisflies in the family Odontoceridae, containing the single described species N. californicus. These insects are commonly known as mortarjoint casemakers, a name reflecting their larval case-building behavior. The genus was established by Nathan Banks in 1899 and is endemic to western North America. As members of the order Trichoptera, adults possess hairy wings and aquatic larval stages.
Nevadasilus
Nevadasilus is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Artigas & Papavero in 1995. The genus is recognized within the diverse Asilidae family, which comprises predatory flies known for their aerial hunting behavior. Records indicate the genus contains species distributed in western North America, particularly associated with arid and semi-arid regions. The genus name reflects its documented occurrence in Nevada and surrounding areas.
Nevadasilus auriannulatus
Nevadasilus auriannulatus is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) first described by Hine in 1906. It is one of only two recognized species in the genus Nevadasilus, a small genus endemic to western North America. The species has been documented through 143 iNaturalist observations, indicating moderate but growing awareness among naturalists. As a member of the Asilidae, it is presumed to be an aerial predator of other insects, though specific ecological studies on this species remain limited.
Nicholia eriogoni
Nicholia eriogoni is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1929. It belongs to a small genus of mirid bugs found in western North America. The species is documented from Arizona and is associated with plants in the genus Eriogonum (wild buckwheat).
Nicoletia wheeleri
California mantis, Wheeler's mantis, California mantid
Nicoletia wheeleri is a native praying mantis species of western North America, historically known as Stagmomantis wheeleri or S. californica. It is a medium-sized mantid with variable green to brown coloration. The species has experienced population declines, potentially due to competition with introduced mantis species such as Mantis religiosa and Tenodera sinensis. It is one of five native mantis species recorded in California.
Nicrophorus nigrita
Black Burying Beetle
Nicrophorus nigrita, the black burying beetle, is a species of carrion beetle described by Mannerheim in 1843. It is distinguished from other Nearctic burying beetles by its uniformly black elytra lacking the typical orange or red markings found in congeners. Adults range from 12–28 mm in length and possess distinctive red-orange antennal clubs. The species occurs along the western coast of North America.
Nippononebria virescens
greenish false gazelle beetle
Nippononebria virescens is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the greenish false gazelle beetle. It is native to western North America, where it inhabits meadow habitats. Adults are nocturnal and carnivorous. The species is relatively poorly documented, with limited observational records.
Nisoscolopocerus apiculatus
leaf-footed bug
Nisoscolopocerus apiculatus is a species of leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae, first described by Barber in 1928. It is a true bug in the order Hemiptera, characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of the group. The species is known from limited collection records in western North America.
Nitidotachinus agilis
Nitidotachinus agilis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Horn in 1877. It belongs to the subfamily Tachyporinae, a group commonly known as cramp-ball fungi beetles or associated with decaying organic matter. The species is documented from western North America, with records spanning from the southwestern United States to the Pacific Northwest.
Noctueliopsis
Noctueliopsis is a genus of crambid moths established by Munroe in 1961. The genus contains approximately twelve described species, primarily distributed in western North America from the southwestern United States through Mexico. Species within this genus were previously classified under other genera such as Loxostege and Phlyctaenia before being reassigned based on genitalic morphology. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing patterns and male genitalia features that separate it from related crambine genera.
Nyctoporis aequicollis
Nyctoporis aequicollis is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Eschscholtz in 1831. It belongs to a genus of beetles found in western North America. The species is rarely documented, with limited published information on its biology.
Nyctoporis sponsa
Nyctoporis sponsa is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Casey in 1907. The genus Nyctoporis is native to western North America, and members are generally associated with arid and semi-arid habitats. The species is documented in scattered records across the southwestern United States.
Occidentodema mcfarlandi
Occidentodema mcfarlandi is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Thomas Henry in 1999. The genus Occidentodema was established to accommodate western North American species previously associated with other genera. This species is part of the diverse Miroidea superfamily, which includes numerous plant-feeding true bugs. Records indicate it is rarely encountered, with limited observational data available.
Ochlodes agricola
Rural Skipper
Ochlodes agricola, commonly known as the rural skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is found in North America, particularly in mid-elevation habitats and foothills. The species has been identified as declining in western North American populations, with studies documenting a 1.6% annual reduction in butterfly numbers across the region associated with warming fall temperatures.
Ochlodes sylvanoides
Woodland Skipper
Ochlodes sylvanoides, the Woodland Skipper, is a small orange-brown skipper butterfly found across western North America. Adults are active from midsummer through fall and feed on flower nectar. Larvae develop on various grass species in the family Poaceae. The species occupies diverse habitats including woodlands, grasslands, and urban gardens.
Ochlodes yuma
Yuma Skipper
Ochlodes yuma, commonly known as the Yuma skipper, is a grass skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) endemic to wetlands of western North America. The species is notable for its specialized relationship with common reed (Phragmites australis), which serves as its sole known larval host plant. Five subspecies have been described, reflecting geographic variation across its range. The species has been assigned MONA/Hodges number 4057.
Ochthephilus biimpressus
spiny-legged rove beetle
Ochthephilus biimpressus is a species of spiny-legged rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Mäklin in 1852. It is a small rove beetle with characteristic short elytra that leave most of the abdomen exposed, a defining trait of its family. The species is distributed across western North America from Alaska to California and eastward to Colorado and Montana.
Ochthephilus columbiensis
Ochthephilus columbiensis is a species of spiny-legged rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It was described by Hatch in 1957. The species is distributed across western North America, including the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, and adjacent Canadian provinces.
Odontophotopsis inconspicua
Odontophotopsis inconspicua is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps known for their aposematic coloration and powerful sting. The genus Odontophotopsis is characterized by distinctive mandibular and dental structures. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and resemble ants, while males possess wings. This species was described by Blake in 1886. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Odontophotopsis microdonta
Odontophotopsis microdonta is a species of velvet ant (Mutillidae) described by Ferguson in 1967. Males are winged and active from mid-spring through mid-autumn. The species is known from California and Nevada in the western United States. As with all Mutillidae, females are wingless and possess a powerful sting.
Odynerus dilectus
A potter wasp species in the subfamily Eumeninae, recorded from the United States and Alberta, Canada. Females construct distinctive turrets at nest entrances and provision nests with prey, primarily alfalfa weevil larvae in agricultural contexts, though small caterpillars have also been documented as prey. The species has been investigated as a potential biological control agent for alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) in integrated pest management programs.
Oecanthus californicus
Western Tree Cricket
Oecanthus californicus, the Western Tree Cricket, is a species of tree cricket in the family Oecanthidae. It is found in western North America, including the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is one of five tree cricket species recorded in Colorado. Males produce songs by stridulating their forewings to attract females, and engage in courtship feeding involving a metanotal gland secretion. The species has been observed in habitats ranging from coniferous woodlands to grassy fields and meadows.
Oecanthus californicus pictipennis
A subspecies of Western Tree Cricket found in western North America. Males produce species-specific songs by stridulating modified forewings to attract females. Like other tree crickets, males possess a metanotal gland that secretes a feeding substance consumed by females during courtship. Identification to subspecies level requires examination of antennal markings on the first two basal segments.
Oecanthus salvii
Sage Tree Cricket
Oecanthus salvii, described by Collins in 2020, is a recently recognized species of tree cricket in the family Oecanthidae. Known by the common name Sage Tree Cricket, this species belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive acoustic communication and specialized courtship behaviors. As a newly described taxon, detailed biological information remains limited. The species has been documented through citizen science observations, with records accumulating on platforms such as iNaturalist.
Oecleus obtusus
Oecleus obtusus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Ball in 1902. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species has been recorded from western North America, including the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other cixiid planthoppers, it is presumed to have piercing-sucking mouthparts and a life cycle that likely involves nymphal development in soil or plant litter, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.