Western-north-america
Guides
Trimerotropis undescribed-species-a
An undescribed species within the bandwinged grasshopper genus Trimerotropis, recognized from specimens collected in the western United States. As an undescribed taxon, it lacks formal scientific description but has been documented in entomological surveys and collections. Species in this genus are typically associated with arid and semi-arid habitats, often exhibiting cryptic coloration and strong flight capabilities characteristic of Oedipodinae.
Trimerotropis undescribed-species-b
Trimerotropis undescribed-species-b is a bandwinged grasshopper in the genus Trimerotropis, a diverse group containing over 40 described species and several undescribed taxa. The genus is characterized by shared color patterns and structural features that make species-level identification challenging. Members of Trimerotropis are typically associated with arid and semi-arid habitats in western North America. This undescribed species has been documented in species lists for Colorado and Wyoming, indicating it occurs within the documented range of the genus but has not yet received formal taxonomic description.
Trimerotropis undescribed-species-c
An undescribed species within the bandwinged grasshopper genus Trimerotropis. The genus contains over 40 described species, with several undescribed taxa recognized in western North American grasshopper surveys. Species in this genus share banded wing patterns and occupy arid and semi-arid habitats. This particular undescribed taxon has been documented in grasshopper survey work but awaits formal scientific description.
Trimerotropis verruculata suffusa
Crackling Forest Grasshopper
Trimerotropis verruculata suffusa is a subspecies of bandwinged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the Crackling Forest Grasshopper. It belongs to the Oedipodinae subfamily, characterized by their ability to produce sound during flight. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader species T. verruculata. Available records indicate presence across western North America including British Columbia, California, New Mexico, and Vermont.
Trimerotropis whitei
White's dune grasshopper
Trimerotropis whitei, commonly known as White's dune grasshopper, is a band-winged grasshopper described by Rentz and Weissman in 1984. The species belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae, characterized by their banded hind wings. It is found in dune habitats in western North America and Central America.
Trimytis pruinosa
Trimytis pruinosa is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The genus Trimytis belongs to a diverse family of beetles commonly found in arid and semi-arid environments. Like other tenebrionids, this species is likely adapted to dry conditions and exhibits nocturnal behavior patterns. The specific epithet "pruinosa" refers to a frosted or powdery appearance, suggesting a characteristic waxy or dusty coating on the cuticle.
Triocnemis
Triocnemis is a monotypic genus of noctuid moths established by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1881. The genus contains a single species, Triocnemis saporis, which occurs in western North America. Little is known of its biology or ecology beyond basic distributional records.
Triorophus rugiceps
Triorophus rugiceps is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851. The genus Triorophus belongs to the tribe Tenebrionini, a group of primarily ground-dwelling beetles. This species is native to western North America. Like many tenebrionids, it is likely nocturnal and associated with arid or semi-arid habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Triplax cuneata
Triplax cuneata is a species of pleasing fungus beetle in the family Erotylidae, described by Boyle in 1954. The genus Triplax comprises small beetles associated with fungi, particularly mushrooms and polypores. T. cuneata has been recorded from western North America including the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. Like other members of its genus, it likely inhabits fungal fruiting bodies where it feeds and reproduces.
Trirhabda nitidicollis
Rabbitbrush Beetle, Rabbitbrush Leaf Beetle
Trirhabda nitidicollis is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in western North America, where adults feed on rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa). The species is commonly encountered in pinyon-juniper woodland habitats during summer months.
Trogloderus
Trogloderus is a genus of psammophilic darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) endemic to dunes and sandy habitats in the western United States. The genus comprises ten described species, including six new species described in 2019 from desert regions across the Intermountain Region. Molecular phylogenetic analysis dates the most recent common ancestor to 5.2 million years ago, with speciation driven by geographic features of the Lahontan Trough, Bouse Embayment, and Kaibab Plateau during the mid-Pleistocene.
Trogloderus vandykei
Trogloderus vandykei is a darkling beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in the psammophilic genus Trogloderus. Originally described as a subspecies of T. costatus from outside 29 Palms, California, it was elevated to species status by Johnston (2018). The subspecific name T. costatus mayhewi was synonymized with T. vandykei. Like other members of its genus, this species is associated with sandy habitats in the western United States.
Tropisternus columbianus
water scavenger beetle
Tropisternus columbianus is a water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae. It is known to produce sound through stridulation, a behavior studied in western Oregon populations alongside congeneric species. The species occurs across western North America and has been recorded in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats.
Tropisternus sublaevis
Tropisternus sublaevis is a species of water scavenger beetle in the family Hydrophilidae. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1855. It is distributed across western and central North America, with records from the United States and Mexico. The species belongs to the subgenus Tropisternus (Tropisternus) and has been subject to some taxonomic confusion, with a later homonym described by Blatchley in 1910.
Trox gemmulatus
Hide beetle
Trox gemmulatus is a hide beetle in the family Trogidae, native to arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. These beetles specialize in consuming desiccated animal remains, including dried skin, fur, feathers, and connective tissue. Adults are typically 8–11 mm in length and are known for their rough, debris-caked appearance and thanatosis behavior—feigning death when disturbed. The species is most active during spring and is frequently associated with the final stages of vertebrate decomposition.
Tuxedo susansolomonae
Tuxedo susansolomonae is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Randall T. Schuh in 2004. The genus Tuxedo belongs to the subfamily Phylinae, a group of small, often cryptically colored mirids associated with diverse host plants. The species epithet honors Susan Solomon. Members of this genus are found in western North America.
Twiningia blanda
Twiningia blanda is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, and tribe Platymetopiini. The species was described by Ball in 1901. Records indicate this species occurs in western North America, specifically in California and Colorado. As a member of the leafhopper family, it likely feeds on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts, though specific host plant associations and ecological details remain undocumented in the provided sources.
Tylcus
Tylcus is a monotypic genus of longhorn beetles (family Cerambycidae) containing a single species, Tylcus hartwegii. The genus was established by Casey in 1912 and is classified within the tribe Clytini of the subfamily Cerambycinae. As the sole representative of its genus, Tylcus hartwegii serves as the type species and defines the morphological characteristics of this otherwise poorly documented group.
Tymnes oregonensis
Oregon Leaf Beetle
Tymnes oregonensis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, tribe Alticini. It is native to western North America. The species was originally described by Crotch in 1873 and has been historically treated under the genus Phyllotreta as a synonym. Available records indicate presence in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Manitoba, with broader distribution across North America. Like other members of the Alticini, it possesses enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping.
Typhlodromus occidentalis
Typhlodromus occidentalis is a phytoseiid mite species specialized as an oligophagous predator of spider mites, particularly the twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). Laboratory studies indicate it has an obligate feeding requirement during the larval stage—all larvae die without prey. The species exhibits distinctive behavioral patterns including high larval walking activity compared to related species, but the lowest deutonymphal activity among studied phytoseiids. Formerly classified under the genera Metaseiulus and Galendromus, this species has been subject to taxonomic revision. Its life history traits differ from polyphagous phytoseiid species, with longer larval stages and shorter deutonymphal stages.
Tyrus corticinus
Bark Ant-loving Rove Beetle
Tyrus corticinus is a small rove beetle in the subfamily Pselaphinae, commonly known as ant-loving beetles. The species inhabits bark and decaying wood in western North America. It is one of few documented members of its genus in the region. Records remain sparse, with limited observational data available.
Tytthotyle maculata
Furnace Heat Lubber
Tytthotyle maculata is a species of lubber grasshopper in the family Romaleidae, commonly known as the Furnace Heat Lubber. It is native to arid regions of western North America, particularly California and surrounding areas. As a member of the Romaleidae, it belongs to a family known for large, flightless or poorly flying grasshoppers with aposematic coloration. The specific epithet 'maculata' refers to spotted or mottled patterning.
Udea brevipalpis
Udea brevipalpis is a small crambid moth described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1966. It is known from a limited range in western North America, with records from California, Colorado, and Utah. Adults are active during mid-summer.
Udea livida
Udea livida is a species of moth in the family Crambidae, first described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1966. The species is known from a limited number of records in western North America, specifically from British Columbia, Washington, and Utah. As a member of the genus Udea, it belongs to a diverse group of snout moths, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented.
Udea profundalis
False Celery Leaftier
Udea profundalis is a small crambid moth described by Packard in 1873. It is found in western North America from British Columbia to Texas, with records east of the Rocky Mountains now attributed to the similar species Udea rubigalis. The species is commonly known as the False Celery Leaftier. Adults are deep ochreous-brown with distinctive wing markings including an angulated inner line, round discal dot, and bell-shaped reniform spot on the forewings.
Udea radiosalis
Udea radiosalis is a small moth in the family Crambidae, first described by Möschler in 1883. The species occurs across western North America from the Canadian prairies to the southwestern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is a nocturnal insect with documented activity on flowering plants. The species is part of a group of moths that have been observed visiting apple blossoms, contributing to nocturnal pollination services in agricultural settings.
Udea turmalis
Udea turmalis is a crambid moth described by Grote in 1881. It is found in western North America, with records spanning from western Canada through the western United States. Adults fly during summer months and possess distinctive wing markings that aid in identification.
Udea washingtonalis
Washington Udea Moth
Udea washingtonalis, commonly known as the Washington Udea Moth, is a small crambid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. The species is distributed across western North America, with records from Alaska, British Columbia, California, Montana, and Washington. Adults are active from May to August and have a wingspan of approximately 21 mm. Four subspecies have been recognized, differentiated by geographic distribution.
Unamis
Unamis is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Omaliinae, containing approximately seven described species. The genus is native to western North America, with species distributed across British Columbia, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. It was established by Casey in 1893.
Utacapnia trava
Yellowstone Snowfly
Utacapnia trava, commonly known as the Yellowstone snowfly, is a small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae. It is one of approximately 16 species in the genus Utacapnia, which is endemic to western North America. The species was originally described as Capnia trava in 1965 before being transferred to Utacapnia. Like other winter stoneflies, adults are active during cold months when most other insects are dormant.
Valda frontalis
Valda frontalis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. It was described by Thomas L. Casey in 1893 and belongs to the tribe Valdini. The species is known from the western United States, specifically California and Washington. As a member of the Pselaphinae, it is part of a diverse group of small beetles often associated with leaf litter and soil habitats.
Valgus californicus
Valgus californicus is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Cetoniinae, and tribe Valgini. It was described by Horn in 1870. The species has a limited known distribution in western North America, primarily recorded from California and Oregon in the United States, with additional records from Sinaloa in Mexico. Like other members of the genus Valgus, it is likely associated with decaying wood and woody debris, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Vanduzeephylus falcatus
Vanduzeephylus falcatus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Van Duzee in 1917 under the basionym Reuteroscopus falcatus. The species belongs to a small genus of mirid bugs distributed in western North America. It is a true bug (Heteroptera) characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of the order Hemiptera.
Vandykea tuberculata
Serpentine Cypress Long-horned Beetle
Vandykea tuberculata is a species of longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) and the sole representative of its genus. It was described by Linsley in 1932 and is known from serpentine cypress habitats in western North America. The species is classified in the subfamily Cerambycinae and tribe Oemini.
Vanessa annabella
West Coast Lady
The West Coast Lady is one of three North American "painted lady" butterflies, endemic to western North America. Long-term monitoring by UC Davis researcher Art Shapiro since 1972 documents this species as in conspicuous decline across its California range, with populations dwindling even in urban and weedy habitats where it was once abundant. The species is known to overwinter as adults in mild climates, emerging on warm winter days to nectar.
Veromessor andrei
Andre's Harvester Ant
Veromessor andrei is a North American seed-harvester ant endemic to western North America. Formerly classified in the genus Messor, it was reclassified to Veromessor based on phylogenetic studies. The species exhibits color polymorphism, with workers varying in coloration. Like other Veromessor species, it is a granivorous ant that harvests and stores seeds, playing a significant ecological role as a keystone species in arid and semi-arid habitats. The species has been the subject of behavioral and ecological research, though less extensively studied than V. pergandei.
Visoka
Visoka is a genus of small winter stoneflies in the family Nemouridae, established by Ricker in 1952. These insects are part of the order Plecoptera, a group of aquatic insects whose nymphs inhabit cold, well-oxygenated freshwater environments. The genus has been recorded from western North America including Alberta, Alaska, British Columbia, California, and Idaho. As with other nemourids, adults are typically small with reduced wing venation.
Visoka cataractae
Cataract Forestfly
Visoka cataractae is a species of stonefly in the family Nemouridae, commonly known as the Cataract Forestfly. It is a small, winter-emerging stonefly distributed across western North America from Alaska to California. The species was originally described as Nemoura cataractae by Neave in 1933 before being transferred to the genus Visoka. Like other nemourids, it is associated with forested stream habitats.
Vitula serratilineella
Beehive Honey Moth, driedfruit moth, bumble bee wax moth
Vitula serratilineella, commonly known as the beehive honey moth or driedfruit moth, is a wax moth species native to western North America. It is a significant pest of beekeeping operations, infesting honey bee products and wax. The species was described by Ragonot in 1887 and has been the subject of pheromone-based monitoring research. Females produce a specific three-component pheromone blend that has been successfully used in field trapping programs.
Vitula setonella
Vitula setonella is a small snout moth species in the family Pyralidae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1927. It is known from a limited number of localities in western North America, including British Columbia and parts of the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of 14–16 mm.
Wyliea mydas
Mydas Bronzewing
Wyliea mydas is a large western robber fly (family Asilidae) noted for its striking wasp-mimetic coloration. The species exhibits a wholly black abdomen and vivid red wings, distinguishing it from similar mimetic flies. It has been documented from western North America, with its range extending into Mexico. The species is considered among the most visually impressive robber flies due to its bold aposematic coloration, presumably modeled after spider wasps in the genera Pepsis and Hemipepsis.
Xanthippus
Redshanked Grasshopper
Xanthippus is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Oedipodinae. The genus was established by Saussure in 1884 and contains species distributed across western North America, including the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions. Species in this genus are characterized by their association with sandy or loose-soil habitats and their distinctive coloration patterns.
Xanthippus corallipes
Red-shanked Grasshopper, Redshanked Grasshopper, Red Shanks
Xanthippus corallipes, commonly known as the red-shanked grasshopper, is a large band-winged grasshopper native to western North America. Adults are conspicuous in spring, producing loud crepitation during flight and displaying yellow, dark-banded wings. The species exhibits geographic variation in life cycle duration, with northern populations requiring two years to develop and southern populations completing development in one year. Though typically occurring at low densities, occasional population outbreaks have caused significant damage to rangeland grasses and cultivated crops.
Xanthippus corallipes altivolus
Red shanks
Xanthippus corallipes altivolus is a subspecies of the redshanked grasshopper found from foothills to timberline in Colorado and western North America. Adults are medium to large, tan-colored grasshoppers with distinctive red inner hind femora and orange hind tibiae. This subspecies is distinguished from other X. corallipes subspecies by its high-elevation habitat. Populations can cause significant damage to rangeland grasses during outbreak years.
Xanthippus corallipes corallipes
Redshanked Grasshopper, Red Shanks
A large rangeland grasshopper of western North America, adults are present in spring and are conspicuous due to loud crepitation during evasive flight. The subspecies exhibits strong flight capability and feeds almost exclusively on grasses and sedges. Populations normally remain at low densities but occasionally erupt into outbreaks that damage rangeland and crops. Northern populations have a two-year life cycle while southern populations complete development in one year.
Xanthippus corallipes leprosus
Redshanked Grasshopper
Xanthippus corallipes leprosus is a subspecies of the redshanked grasshopper, a large rangeland species native to western North America. Adults are conspicuous in spring, producing loud crepitation during evasive flight and displaying yellow, dark-banded wings. The subspecies exhibits geographic variation in life cycle duration, with northern populations completing development in two years and southern populations in one year. Adults feed almost exclusively on grasses and sedges, and while typically present at low densities, populations occasionally erupt to damaging levels.
Xanthorhoe macdunnoughi
Xanthorhoe macdunnoughi is a geometrid moth first described by Louis W. Swett in 1918. It occurs in open wooded areas of western North America, with records extending east to western Alberta and south to California. The species has a wingspan of approximately 28 mm and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 7372.
Xenochodaeus simplex
Xenochodaeus simplex is a species of sand-loving scarab beetle in the family Ochodaeidae. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America, where it inhabits sandy substrates. The species was originally described as Ochodaeus simplex by LeConte in 1854 before being transferred to Xenochodaeus.
Xenodusa montana
Xenodusa montana is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Aleocharinae. It is a myrmecophilous species, meaning it lives in association with ants. The species is known from western North America.
Xerophloea peltata
Xerophloea peltata is a leafhopper species in the subfamily Ledrinae, characterized by its distinctive shield-like body shape. The species occurs across western North America from British Columbia to Colorado and Arizona. It belongs to a genus whose members are adapted to arid and semi-arid environments.