Western-united-states
Guides
Acmaeodera alpina
Acmaeodera alpina is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Barr in 1972. It occurs in the western United States and exhibits atypical behavior for the genus by being more frequently encountered on granite and bare soil than on flowers. Adults have been recorded utilizing Leptodactylon pungens as a host plant.
Acrolophitus
Crested-keel grasshopper
Acrolophitus is a genus of North American grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Gomphocerinae. The genus contains at least four described species, including Acrolophitus hirtipes, A. maculipennis, A. nevadensis, and A. pulchellus. These grasshoppers are found primarily in western North America, inhabiting rangeland and grassland habitats. The genus is characterized by distinctive morphological features of the pronotum.
Agalliopsis novellina
Agalliopsis novellina is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Oman in 1935. It belongs to the tribe Agalliini, a group of small leafhoppers often associated with herbaceous vegetation. The species has been recorded from several western U.S. states including Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and New Mexico.
Agnippe abdita
Agnippe abdita is a small gelechiid moth with a wingspan of 8.5–9 mm, recorded from Utah, Arizona, and California. Adults are active in March. The larvae feed on Cercocarpus ledifolius and Cercocarpus montanus, with larval presence varying by region: March in southern California, June in eastern California and Utah.
Aligia californica
Aligia californica is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, described by Van Duzee in 1925. It is native to the western United States, with records from California and Oregon. As a member of the tribe Platymetopiini, it belongs to a group of deltocephaline leafhoppers whose members are generally associated with herbaceous vegetation.
Ampumixis
Ampumixis is a monotypic genus of riffle beetles in the family Elmidae, containing the single species Ampumixis dispar. The genus was described by Sanderson in 1954 and is endemic to the Western United States, specifically the region between California and Oregon. Adults are small, measuring approximately 2.1–2.5 mm in length.
Antrodiaetus montanus
Mountain Folding-Door Spider
Antrodiaetus montanus is a mygalomorph spider in the family Antrodiaetidae, commonly known as folding-door spiders. The species constructs silk-lined burrows with hinged, trapdoor-like closures made of silk and soil. It is native to mountainous regions of the western United States. Like other antrodiaetids, it exhibits fossorial behavior and is rarely observed above ground except during dispersal events.
Aridia compressa
Aridia compressa is a species of planthopper in the family Dictyopharidae, first described by Ball in 1909. It belongs to the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, a group known for their distinctive head morphology and often elaborate pronotal extensions. The species is recorded from arid and semi-arid regions of the western United States.
Ballucus barri
Ballucus barri is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Gordon in 2006. The species belongs to the genus Ballucus, which comprises small dung beetles. Records indicate it occurs in the western United States.
Banasa tumidifrons
Banasa tumidifrons is a species of stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, native to North America. The species has been documented feeding on Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) in the western United States, representing a known host plant association. Like other members of the genus Banasa, it is likely a plant-feeding species that utilizes tree and shrub sap. The species was described by Thomas and Yonke in 1981.
Bonneyana
Bonneyana is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, and tribe Platymetopiini. The genus was established by Oman in 1949. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized Hemiptera with characteristic leafhopper morphology. The genus is part of the diverse leafhopper fauna of North America, with species distributed primarily in the western and southwestern United States.
Bucculatrix sororcula
Bucculatrix sororcula is a micro-moth in the family Bucculatricidae, first described by Annette Frances Braun in 1963. It is recorded from Arizona and California in western North America. Members of this genus are commonly known as ribbed cocoon-maker moths due to the distinctive ribbed structure of their larval cocoons. The family Bucculatricidae is a small group of leaf-mining moths within the superfamily Gracillarioidea.
Campylacantha olivacea vivax
Campylacantha olivacea vivax is a subspecies of grasshopper in the family Acrididae, subfamily Melanoplinae. It is found in the central and southwestern United States including Colorado, Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, and Missouri. The species exhibits uniform green to brown coloration without bright contrasting patterns. It belongs to a genus characterized by specific male subgenital plate morphology useful for identification.
Catocala irene
Irene's underwing
Catocala irene, known as Irene's underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae first described by Hans Hermann Behr in 1870. It is found in the western United States, specifically in Utah, California, and Nevada. The species has a wingspan of 65–75 mm and adults are active from July to September, with likely one generation per year. The larvae feed on Populus and Salix species.
Chionodes rhombus
Chionodes rhombus is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Hodges in 1999 and is known from multiple western North American states. The larvae feed on Populus species, making this a specialized herbivore with documented host plant relationships.
Chionodes tessa
Chionodes tessa is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Clarke in 1947. It is known from western North America, with records from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, and Arizona. As a member of the large genus Chionodes, it belongs to a group of small moths whose larvae typically feed on plant material, though specific host associations for this species remain undocumented.
Cicindela plutonica
Alpine Tiger Beetle
Cicindela plutonica, the alpine tiger beetle, is a tiger beetle species native to the western United States. It occurs in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and California. The species is assigned to the subgenus Cicindela (Tribonia). Two subspecies are recognized: C. p. plutonica and C. p. leachi.
Cicindela pulchra dorothea
Cicindela pulchra dorothea is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae, endemic to the western United States. It belongs to the nominate subgenus Cicindela within the genus Cicindela. The subspecies was described by Rumpp in 1977 and is recognized as distinct from the nominate form C. pulchra pulchra. Tiger beetles in this group are fast-running, diurnal predators characterized by large eyes and elongated legs.
Clidophleps vagans
Clidophleps vagans is a species of cicada in the family Cicadidae, first described by Davis in 1925. It belongs to the subfamily Tibicininae and tribe Tibicinini. The species is found in western North America, with records from Arizona, California, and Nevada. As a member of the cicada family, it produces sound through tymbal organs and undergoes incomplete metamorphosis with nymphal stages spent underground.
Comadia bertholdi
Lupine Borer Moth
Comadia bertholdi, commonly known as the lupine borer moth, is a cossid moth species native to the western United States. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in forewing length, with males measuring 13–17 mm and females 18–19 mm. Adults are active from spring through summer, and the larvae are specialized feeders on Lupinus species. Three subspecies are recognized, differentiated by geographic distribution.
Copibryophila
Copibryophila is a monotypic moth genus in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Acontiinae. It contains a single species, Copibryophila angelica, described from California in 1900. The genus was established by John Bernhardt Smith.
Cuerna curvata
Cuerna curvata is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Oman and Beamer in 1944. It belongs to the tribe Proconiini, a group of relatively large and often colorful leafhoppers. Records indicate this species occurs in the western United States, specifically California, Nevada, and Utah. As with most members of its genus, detailed ecological and behavioral information remains limited in published literature.
Cyrtopeltocoris albofasciatus
Cyrtopeltocoris albofasciatus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, a diverse group of true bugs commonly known as capsid bugs or mirid bugs. The species was described by Reuter in 1876 and is distributed across parts of western and southwestern North America. Like other members of Miridae, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts adapted for feeding on plant fluids. The specific epithet "albofasciatus" (white-banded) suggests a distinctive pale banding pattern on the body.
Dasymutilla aureola
Pacific velvet ant
Dasymutilla aureola, commonly known as the Pacific velvet ant, is a species of solitary wasp in the family Mutillidae. Despite its common name, it is not an ant but a wingless female wasp. The species is found in the western United States and is characterized by its large, square-shaped head and dense hair coloration in red, yellow, or orange. Like other velvet ants, females possess a potent sting used for defense and subduing hosts.
Deraeocoris bakeri
Deraeocoris bakeri is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1921. It is native to western North America, with documented occurrences in California, Colorado, and Nevada. As a member of the genus Deraeocoris, it belongs to a group of predatory plant bugs that are often associated with agricultural and natural ecosystems.
Diamimus subsericeus
A species of broad-nosed weevil in the tribe Byrsopagini. The genus Diamimus is a small group within the diverse weevil subfamily Entiminae. Records indicate occurrence in the western United States. No published biological studies of this species have been located.
Dicyphonia minuta
Dicyphonia minuta is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Beamer in 1936. It belongs to the tribe Hecalini within the subfamily Deltocephalinae. Distribution records indicate occurrence in the western United States, specifically Arizona and Wyoming. As a member of the Hemiptera, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of true bugs.
Dioryctria gulosella
Snout moth
Dioryctria gulosella is a small snout moth in the family Pyralidae, described by George Duryea Hulst in 1890. The species is known from the western United States, with records from Colorado, New Mexico, and California. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with coniferous habitats. Adults have a wingspan of 21–27 mm.
Diplotaxis obscura
Diplotaxis obscura is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is distributed across western and central North America, with records from the United States and Canada. The species belongs to the genus Diplotaxis, a group of small chafers often attracted to lights at night. Limited specific ecological information is available for this species.
Drasteria fumosa
Smoky Arches
Drasteria fumosa, known as the Smoky Arches, is a moth species in the family Erebidae. Adults have a wingspan of 34–43 mm and are active during summer months. The species was first described by Herman Strecker in 1898.
Elophila occidentalis
Elophila occidentalis is a small crambid moth described by William Harry Lange in 1956. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in wing size, with females notably larger than males. Adults are active during summer months with multiple generations per year. Larvae are aquatic and feed on submerged aquatic plants.
Eremochrysa pallida
Eremochrysa pallida is a species of green lacewing in the family Chrysopidae, first described by Banks in 1911. It is native to the western United States. Like other members of its family, it is a predatory insect, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species has been historically classified under the genus Chrysopiella before its current placement in Eremochrysa.
Erythroneura coloradensis
Erythroneura coloradensis is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae, first described by Gillette in 1892. The genus Erythroneura comprises numerous small, often colorful leafhoppers commonly referred to as "microleafhoppers," many of which are associated with woody plants. Species in this genus are frequently encountered in late autumn on sun-warmed surfaces. Specific biological details for E. coloradensis remain poorly documented in available literature, though congeners are known to feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. The species has been recorded from multiple states in the central and western United States.
Estigmene albida
Estigmene albida is a moth species in the family Erebidae, described by Richard Harper Stretch in 1874. It is a medium-sized tiger moth with a wingspan of approximately 50 mm. The species occurs in western and southwestern North America, with a range extending from Montana and South Dakota south to New Mexico and Arizona, and disjunct populations in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.
Ethmia lassenella
Ethmia lassenella is a small moth species in the family Ethmiidae, found in the western United States. Adults are active in early spring, with a distinctive appearance featuring steel gray forewings marked with bright red-orange and black spots, and white hindwings with a broad black marginal band. The species is one of approximately 50 Ethmia species occurring north of Mexico, most of which are concentrated in the southwestern United States.
Eupithecia nabokovi
Eupithecia nabokovi is a small geometrid moth described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1946. The species is found in the western United States, where adults have been documented visiting apple flowers at night, contributing to nocturnal pollination. The wingspan measures approximately 19 mm.
Eurybunus
Eurybunus is a genus of harvestmen (Opiliones) in the family Globipedidae, established by Nathan Banks in 1893. The genus contains four described species: E. brunneus, E. pallidus, E. riversi, and E. spinosus. All species are endemic to the Western United States. Taxonomic placement has been disputed, with some sources historically placing the genus in Sclerosomatidae, though current consensus recognizes Globipedidae.
Euxoa trifasciata
Euxoa trifasciata is a noctuid moth species found in western North America. It belongs to the large genus Euxoa, which contains numerous cutworm species. The species was described by Smith in 1888. Available records indicate its presence in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and California, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Fishia nigrescens
Fishia nigrescens is a noctuid moth species described in 2013, found in arid regions of the western United States. Adults are active in late fall, primarily October. The species name refers to the dark, charcoal gray forewing coloration. Larvae have been documented feeding on Ericameria nauseosa, a shrub in the sunflower family.
Gelechia bianulella
Gelechia bianulella is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, first described by Chambers in 1875. It belongs to a large genus of twirler moths, many of which are poorly known biologically. The species has been recorded from scattered localities across western and south-central North America.
Glyptoscelis alternata
Glyptoscelis alternata is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Crotch in 1873. The species is native to the western United States. As a member of the genus Glyptoscelis, it belongs to a group of leaf beetles whose members are generally associated with vegetation.
Gryllus integer
Western Trilling Cricket
Gryllus integer, the western trilling cricket, is a field cricket species distinguished by its nearly continuous trilling song rather than discrete chirps. It occurs in the western United States, where males produce species-specific calling songs to attract females. The species has been extensively studied for its behavioral ecology, including alternative mating tactics, personality traits, and antipredator responses. Populations show geographic variation in song structure, with some California males producing chirped songs rather than continuous trills.
Haeterius exiguus
clown beetle
Haeterius exiguus is a small clown beetle in the family Histeridae. It is found in western North America, with records from the western United States and Canada. The species was described by Mann in 1911. Like other members of the genus Haeterius, it is associated with ants, though specific host relationships for this species remain poorly documented.
Hahncappsia coloradensis
Hahncappsia coloradensis is a crambid moth first described by Grote and Robinson in 1867. It is distributed across the western and central United States, from Iowa to Arizona. Adults are active from spring through late summer, with larvae feeding on sunflower species.
Heliolonche carolus
Chicory Flower Moth
Heliolonche carolus is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1936. It is commonly known as the Chicory Flower Moth. The species is recorded from western North America, specifically California and Arizona. As a member of the subfamily Heliothinae, it is likely associated with flowering plants, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Hemipenthes inops
Hemipenthes inops is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, found in the western United States. It is distinguished from other members of its genus by its mostly transparent wings, whereas congeners typically have patterned or darkened wings. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are known to be hyper-parasitoids, developing as parasites of other parasitic insects.
Hoplia hirta
Hoplia hirta is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, described by LeConte in 1880. It is distributed in the western United States, with records from California, Nevada, and Oregon. Like other members of the genus Hoplia, it is likely associated with flowering plants as an adult, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species name 'hirta' refers to hairy or bristly characteristics, presumably of the adult beetle's body surface.
Idiostatus apollo
Apollo Shieldback
Idiostatus apollo, commonly known as the Apollo Shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It was described by Rentz in 1973 and is found in western North America, specifically in California, Nevada, and Oregon. The species belongs to the subfamily Tettigoniinae and tribe Platycleidini.
Laccocera obesa
Laccocera obesa is a planthopper species in the family Delphacidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1897. It belongs to a family known for including significant agricultural pests, particularly of cereal crops. The species has been recorded across western North America from Alberta to California.
Lasionycta benjamini
Lasionycta benjamini is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Hill in 1927. It belongs to the genus Lasionycta, which was revised in 2009 with keys and descriptions published for 43 species including this one. The species is known from mountainous regions in the western United States.