White-sands
Guides
Aleptina arenaria
Aleptina arenaria is a small noctuid moth described in 2011. The species is known exclusively from White Sands National Park in New Mexico, where it inhabits the gypsum sand dune field. Its specific epithet references this specialized sandy habitat. The species is known from only two observations, making it one of the most geographically restricted moths in North America.
Euxesta abana
Euxesta abana is a species of picture-winged fly in the family Ulidiidae, described by Charles Howard Curran in 1935. It is known from a single documented location at White Sands National Park in the Tularosa Basin of New Mexico. The species belongs to a genus whose members are commonly known as picture-winged flies due to their patterned wings. Beyond its type locality and taxonomic placement, little is documented about its biology or ecology.
Protogygia biclavis
Protogygia biclavis is a noctuid moth described by Grote in 1879. It is strongly associated with gypsum dune habitats, particularly the White Sands National Monument in New Mexico, and has been recorded from additional arid regions in California, Utah, and Arizona. The species exhibits local adaptation to white gypsum sand environments.
Protogygia pectinata
Protogygia pectinata is a noctuid moth described by Lafontaine in 2004. It is known exclusively from White Sands National Park in Otero County, New Mexico, where it inhabits the distinctive gypsum dune ecosystem. The species name 'pectinata' refers to comb-like structures, likely describing a diagnostic morphological feature of the adult moth. Very few observations exist, reflecting either genuine rarity or limited survey effort in this restricted habitat.