Western-north-america
Guides
Prorella tremorata
Prorella tremorata is a small geometrid moth described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1949. It is known from California and Nevada in the western United States. Adults have been recorded in February, April, and October, suggesting either multiple generations or an extended flight period. The species remains poorly documented beyond basic collection records.
Proserpinus clarkiae
Clark's sphinx
Proserpinus clarkiae, known as Clark's sphinx, is a small sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae. It occurs in western North America from British Columbia to Baja California and eastward to the Rocky Mountain states. Adults fly in spring and feed on nectar from diverse flowering plants, while larvae specialize on Clarkia unguiculata.
Proteinus basalis
Proteinus basalis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Mäklin in 1852. It belongs to the subfamily Proteininae, a group of small staphylinids often associated with decaying organic matter. The species has been recorded across western North America from Alaska to California, with additional records in western Canada. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with moist, decaying substrates where it feeds on fungal spores and small invertebrates.
Protogygia
Protogygia is a genus of noctuid moths described by McDunnough in 1929, comprising approximately 17 described species distributed primarily in western North America. The genus is characterized by medium-sized adults with distinctive wing patterning and is associated with arid and semi-arid habitats, particularly active sand dune systems. Species identification relies heavily on male genitalia morphology, with several species groups recognized based on structural features of the uncus and clasper. The genus includes recently described species, reflecting ongoing taxonomic refinement in this cryptic group.
Protolophidae
Protolophid Harvestmen
Protolophidae is a family of harvestmen (order Opiliones) containing approximately six described species within the single genus Protolophus. The family is restricted to Western North America. Its taxonomic status remains unsettled; while traditionally recognized as a distinct family, some recent treatments have subsumed it within Sclerosomatidae.
Protolophus
Protolophus is a genus of harvestmen (Opiliones) in the family Protolophidae, distributed in the western United States. The genus was established by Banks in 1893 and contains eight extant species plus one fossil species from Baltic amber. The family's taxonomic status remains contested, with some treatments recognizing Protolophidae as distinct and others subsuming it within Sclerosomatidae.
Protoperigea
Protoperigea is a genus of noctuid moths established by McDunnough in 1937. The genus contains six described species, most of which were described by Mustelin in 2006. Species occur in western North America, with records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus belongs to the subfamily Noctuinae, one of the largest groups of noctuid moths.
Protorthodes curtica
Protorthodes curtica is a small noctuid moth with dark reddish forewings and distinctive pale markings. It inhabits dry forested regions of western North America, primarily east of the Cascade and Coastal ranges. The species has an extended adult flight period from late June through mid-October. Larvae are known to feed on herbaceous plants across several families.
Protorthodes eureka
Protorthodes eureka is a small noctuid moth described by Barnes and Benjamin in 1927. It inhabits arid western North American habitats including sagebrush prairie and pinyon-juniper woodlands. Adults are active in late summer and early autumn. The species is characterized by distinctive reddish-brown forewings with dark longitudinal streaking and arrowhead-shaped subterminal spots.
Proutianus americanus
A species of false click beetle in the family Eucnemidae, native to western North America. The species was described by Horn in 1872. Very little published information exists on its biology or ecology, and it appears to be rarely encountered or reported in entomological literature.
Psammopolia
Psammopolia is a genus of noctuid moths erected in 2009 by Crabo and Lafontaine. The genus contains five described species distributed in western North America. The name derives from Greek roots suggesting a sand-dwelling association. Species were previously classified in other genera before molecular and morphological analysis supported their separation.
Psammopolia wyatti
Psammopolia wyatti is a noctuid moth first described in 1926, restricted to coastal sand beach habitats in western North America from southern Oregon to the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia. Adults are active from late May through early September and are attracted to light. The species has been formally cataloged in both 1983 and 2010 MONA (Moths of North America) indices.
Psephenus falli
Western Water Penny Beetle
Psephenus falli is a species of water penny beetle in the family Psephenidae. It is known from the west coast of North America. Like other members of its family, the larvae are aquatic and have a distinctive flattened, disc-like form that gives the group its common name. The species was described by Thomas Casey in 1893.
Pseudacontia crustaria
Pseudacontia crustaria is a species of noctuid moth described by Morrison in 1875. It belongs to the genus Pseudacontia within the subfamily Noctuinae. The species is known from the Canadian prairie provinces and appears to have a restricted distribution in western North America. Available information on its biology and ecology remains limited.
Pseudanarta crocea
Crossed Golden Arches
Pseudanarta crocea is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 22 mm. It occurs across western North America from the Canadian prairies through the Rocky Mountain states to the southwestern United States. The species was originally described as Anarta crocea by Edwards in 1875 before transfer to Pseudanarta.
Pseudanarta vexata
Pseudanarta vexata is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, described by John G. Franclemont in 1941. It belongs to the genus Pseudanarta, a group of noctuid moths found in western North America. The species is poorly documented in public sources, with no observations recorded on iNaturalist and limited published information available.
Pseudeva palligera
Western Unspotted Looper
Pseudeva palligera is a noctuid moth of western North America, occurring from British Columbia and Alberta south through California. It is a member of the looper moth group within subfamily Plusiinae. The species is characterized by relatively small size and unspotted wing patterning that distinguishes it from related taxa. Adults are attracted to light and have been documented in diverse habitats including montane areas and riparian zones.
Pseudips
Pseudips is a genus of bark beetles in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Scolytinae. The genus includes species native to western North America and Central America that primarily attack pine trees (Pinus species). The best-documented species, Pseudips mexicanus, is a secondary bark beetle that colonizes stressed or weakened pine hosts. Research on this species in British Columbia has documented its polygynous mating system and univoltine life cycle in northern populations.
Pseudocopaeodes
Pseudocopaeodes is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, described by Skinner & Williams in 1923. The genus contains a single recognized species, Pseudocopaeodes eunus (alkali skipper). As a hesperiine skipper, it belongs to the grass skipper subfamily. The genus is native to western North America.
Pseudocopaeodes eunus
alkali skipper, Carson wandering skipper (for ssp. obscurus)
Pseudocopaeodes eunus is a rare skipper butterfly endemic to alkali flat habitats in the western United States and Mexico. The species comprises five recognized subspecies, with P. e. obscurus (Carson wandering skipper) federally listed as endangered due to habitat loss and extremely limited distribution. As of 2007, only four populations were known to persist. The species is highly specialized, with larvae dependent on saltgrass as their sole documented host plant.
Pseudohemihyalea edwardsii
Edwards' Glassy-wing Moth, Edwards' glassy-wing
Pseudohemihyalea edwardsii is a tiger moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864. The species is named in honor of actor-entomologist Henry Edwards. It occurs in oak woodlands and mixed hardwood forests at low elevations across the western United States, from Oregon and Washington south through California and east to western New Mexico. The forewings measure 27–31 mm in length. The species serves as a known host for the tachinid fly Paradejeania rutilioides.
Pseudohylesinus
Pseudohylesinus is a genus of crenulate bark beetles (family Curculionidae) comprising at least 20 described species. Members are small, slender beetles (approximately 2.8 mm length) associated with coniferous trees in western North America. The genus includes economically notable species such as the Douglas-fir hylesinus (P. nebulosus), which attacks Douglas-fir and related hosts. Species in this genus exhibit distinctive reproductive behaviors including acoustic signaling and primary attraction to host volatiles rather than pheromone-mediated aggregation.
Pseudohylesinus granulatus
Fir Root Bark Beetle
A bark beetle species in the weevil family Curculionidae, commonly known as the Fir Root Bark Beetle. Native to western North America, it is associated with fir trees and develops in root systems. The species was described by J.M. Swaine in 1918.
Pseudomasaris
pollen wasps
Pseudomasaris is a genus of solitary pollen wasps in the family Vespidae, comprising 15 species found exclusively in arid regions of western North America. Unlike most wasps, which provision their nests with paralyzed prey, Pseudomasaris females collect pollen and nectar to feed their larvae—a behavior convergent with bees. The genus is the sole representative of the subfamily Masarinae in North America. Adults are typically black with yellow or white markings; some species exhibit coloration resembling yellowjackets (Vespula), though they lack the longitudinal fold characteristic of social vespids when at rest.
Pseudomasaris coquilletti
Pseudomasaris coquilletti is a species of pollen wasp in the family Vespidae. It occurs in the western United States, specifically in Oregon, California, Utah, and Arizona. Like other members of the genus Pseudomasaris, adults feed on pollen and nectar rather than other insects.
Pseudomasaris macneilli
A solitary pollen wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. Like other Pseudomasaris species, females construct mud nests and provision cells with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzing prey. The species was described by Bohart in 1963 and belongs to a genus of 14 species restricted to western North America.
Pseudomasaris maculifrons
pollen wasp
Pseudomasaris maculifrons is a solitary pollen wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. Unlike predatory social wasps, females construct mud nests provisioned with pollen and nectar rather than insect prey. Males exhibit distinctive hilltopping behavior, perching repeatedly in the same locations on isolated peaks to await females. The species occurs in western North America and is active primarily in spring.
Pseudomasaris marginalis
Pseudomasaris marginalis is a North American pollen wasp in the subfamily Masarinae, family Vespidae. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary wasp that constructs mud nests provisioned with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzed prey. The species was described by Cresson in 1864. Pollen wasps in this genus are distinguished from social vespids by their clubbed antennae and lack of a longitudinal fold when at rest. Males of related species exhibit hilltopping behavior, perching at elevated sites to encounter females.
Pseudomasaris micheneri
Pseudomasaris micheneri is a pollen wasp in the subfamily Masarinae, described by Bohart in 1963. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary wasp that constructs mud nests and provisions cells with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzed prey. The species belongs to a group of wasps that exhibit oligolectic pollination relationships, primarily visiting flowers in the genera Penstemon, Phacelia, and Eriodictyon. Males are known to exhibit hilltopping behavior, perching at elevated sites to await females.
Pseudomasaris occidentalis
Western pollen wasp
Pseudomasaris occidentalis is a solitary wasp in the subfamily Masarinae, commonly known as the western pollen wasp. Unlike most wasps that provision their nests with prey, masarine wasps are unique among vespids in feeding their larvae exclusively on pollen and nectar. The species is native to western North America and is one of approximately 14 species in the genus Pseudomasaris, all of which are restricted to North America.
Pseudomasaris phaceliae
Scorpionweed pollen wasp
Pseudomasaris phaceliae is a solitary pollen wasp in the subfamily Masarinae, known as the scorpionweed pollen wasp. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits oligolectic behavior, collecting pollen and nectar from a narrow range of flowering plants to provision its mud nest cells. The species is native to western North America and is one of approximately 14 species in the genus Pseudomasaris, the only masarine genus occurring in North America. Males are distinguished by their elongated, clubbed antennae and engage in hilltopping behavior to locate females.
Pseudomasaris texanus
Pseudomasaris texanus is a pollen wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. Like other members of its genus, females construct mud nests provisioned with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzed prey. The species was described by Cresson in 1871 and is one of several Pseudomasaris species documented in western North America.
Pseudomasaris vespoides
pollen wasp
Pseudomasaris vespoides is a solitary pollen wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. Unlike social vespids that provision nests with prey, females construct mud nests and provision cells exclusively with pollen and nectar, resembling bee-like behavior. The species is strongly associated with Penstemon flowers, from which females collect pollen. Males are distinguished by their conspicuously long, clubbed antennae and exhibit hilltopping behavior on elevated terrain to locate females.
Pseudomasaris zonalis
Pseudomasaris zonalis is a species of pollen wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Masarinae. Like other members of the genus Pseudomasaris, it is a solitary wasp that provisions its nests with pollen and nectar rather than paralyzed prey. The species was described by Cresson in 1864. Pollen wasps in this genus are known for their specialized oligolectic relationships with certain flowering plants, particularly in the genera Penstemon, Phacelia, and Eriodictyon.
Pseudomethoca athamas
Pseudomethoca athamas is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. The species is found in western North America, specifically in California, Oregon, and Baja California. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and males are winged. The genus Pseudomethoca includes species that have been proposed as models for mimicry by checkered beetles (family Cleridae), particularly the orange-banded checkered beetle Enoclerus ichneumoneus.
Pseudonomoneura
Pseudonomoneura is a genus of mydas flies (family Mydidae) comprising seven described species distributed in western North America, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The genus was established by Bequaert in 1961 to accommodate species previously placed in related genera. Adults are generally robust, moderately sized flies with distinctive wing venation characteristic of the family.
Pseudopomala brachyptera
short-winged toothpick grasshopper, bunch grass locust, bunchgrass grasshopper
Pseudopomala brachyptera is a slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the short-winged toothpick grasshopper or bunch grass locust. It is most abundant in northeastern Wyoming but occurs wherever taller grasses are present. The species overwinters as eggs in the soil, with adults present from mid-July through August. Despite being a grass feeder, it rarely causes significant rangeland damage due to low population densities and restricted habitat requirements.
Pseudopsallus angularis
yerba santa plant bug
Pseudopsallus angularis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae. It is distributed across western North America from the southwestern United States into northwestern Mexico, with records from California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, and Baja California. The species is associated with yerba santa (Eriodictyon species) and related host plants.
Pseudouroctonus
Pseudouroctonus is a genus of vaejovid scorpions established by H. L. Stahnke in 1974. The genus contains approximately 20 species distributed across the drylands and mountains of western North America. Members of this genus are notable for their stenotopic habitat requirements and have been subject to recent taxonomic revision using molecular methods, which has revealed substantial cryptic diversity. The genus includes the P. minimus complex, a group whose diversification patterns have been used to study the relative impacts of pre-Quaternary tectonics versus Pleistocene climate change on speciation.
Pseudozonitis vittipennis
Pseudozonitis vittipennis is a blister beetle (family Meloidae) in the subfamily Nemognathinae, described by Horn in 1875. It is one of approximately 12 species in the genus Pseudozonitis, a New World group characterized by elongated maxillae adapted for nectar feeding. The species is known from western North America, with records from the southwestern United States. Like other nemognathine blister beetles, adults are flower visitors and larvae are parasitoids or predators of other insects.
Psoloessa
brown-spotted range grasshopper (P. delicatula), Texas spotted range grasshopper (P. texana)
Psoloessa is a genus of slant-faced grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Gomphocerinae. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across western North America, from British Columbia to Mexico. Two species—P. delicatula (brown-spotted range grasshopper) and P. texana (Texas spotted range grasshopper)—are documented in Colorado and Wyoming grasshopper surveys. Members of this genus are characterized by their slant-faced morphology typical of the Gomphocerinae.
Psorthaspis luctuosa
Psorthaspis luctuosa is a species of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, first described by Nathan Banks in 1910. The genus Psorthaspis belongs to a group of solitary wasps known for hunting spiders as prey for their larvae. Records of this species are sparse, with limited observational data available. A related species, Psorthaspis portiae, has been documented in the Santa Rita Mountains of Arizona, suggesting similar montane habitats may be occupied by P. luctuosa.
Psorthaspis planata
Psorthaspis planata is a spider-hunting wasp in the family Pompilidae, native to western North America with highest observation frequency in California and Baja California. The species specializes in hunting trapdoor spiders, with the California trapdoor spider documented as prey. Sexual dimorphism in eye and ocellar structure has been described, with females showing eyes positioned remote from the head vertex and low ocelli placement.
Psychomastax
monkey grasshoppers
Psychomastax is a genus of monkey grasshoppers in the family Eumastacidae, first described by Rehn and Hebard in 1918. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in arid regions of the western United States, primarily California and Nevada. These grasshoppers are characterized by their distinctive morphology typical of Eumastacidae, which are known for their jumping ability and often colorful appearance. The genus name reflects their placement within the Psychomastacini tribe.
Pterocheilus
Pterocheilus is a genus of fossorial mason wasps in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. Unlike most potter wasps that nest in pre-existing cavities or construct free-standing mud nests, species in this genus excavate burrows in soil or sand. The genus exhibits its greatest diversity in southwestern North America, with approximately 40 species recognized in the region. Females possess specialized morphological adaptations for digging, including tarsal rakes on the forelegs and a psammophore—long setae on the labial palps used to transport excavated soil away from the nest entrance.
Pterocheilus mirandus
Pterocheilus mirandus is a solitary mason wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae, described by Cresson in 1897. Like other members of the genus Pterocheilus, this species is fossorial, excavating burrows in soil rather than using pre-existing cavities or constructing mud nests. The genus is most diverse in the southwestern United States, with approximately forty North American species. Most Pterocheilus species are poorly known biologically due to their secretive nesting habits and effective concealment of burrow entrances.
Pterocheilus quinquefasciatus
Pterocheilus quinquefasciatus is a fossorial solitary mason wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. Females excavate burrows in sandy or soft soil rather than using pre-existing cavities or building mud nests. The species is relatively large for the genus, with females measuring 13–16 mm in body length. It has been documented using caterpillars of Heliothis phloxiphaga (Darker Spotted Straw Moth) as prey in Badlands National Park, South Dakota, with females paralyzing victims and carrying them in flight to the burrow.
Pteronarcella
giant stoneflies, least salmonfly, dwarf salmonfly
Pteronarcella is a genus of giant stoneflies (family Pteronarcyidae) containing at least two described species: Pteronarcella badia (least salmonfly) and Pteronarcella regularis (dwarf salmonfly). These are among the largest stoneflies in North America, with adults known for their distinctive drumming communication behavior. Research on P. badia has provided significant insights into aquatic insect phylogeography and dispersal mechanisms in western North America.
Pteronarcella badia
Least Salmonfly
Pteronarcella badia, commonly known as the least salmonfly, is a stonefly species in the family Pteronarcyidae found in western North America. It is one of two species in the genus Pteronarcella. The species occupies mid-elevation mountain streams and exhibits complex population genetic structure with six deeply divergent clades across its range. Adults are capable of overland flight, which serves as an important dispersal mechanism between drainage systems.
Pteronarcys californica
giant salmonfly, salmonfly, California giant stonefly
Pteronarcys californica, commonly called the giant salmonfly, is among the largest stoneflies in North America. The nymphal stage lasts 3–4 years in cold, well-oxygenated rivers, after which adults emerge in synchronized mass events during late spring to early summer. Adults are strikingly colored with bright orange abdomens, leg joints, and thorax segments, and carry egg masses resembling clusters of salmon roe. The species serves as a critical food source for salmonid fishes and is highly valued by fly anglers, making it both ecologically and culturally significant across western North American river systems.