Widespread-distribution
Guides
Acentrella turbida
Acentrella turbida is a small minnow mayfly in the family Baetidae, first described by McDunnough in 1924. It is one of the most widespread mayfly species in North America, occurring across the continent from Alaska and Canada through the continental United States to northern Mexico, with additional populations in Central America. The species was originally described under the genus Pseudocloeon before being transferred to Acentrella. It belongs to a diverse genus containing numerous small, delicate mayfly species often difficult to distinguish without close examination.
Aeolothrips collaris
Aeolothrips collaris is a predatory thrips species in the family Aeolothripidae. It occurs across multiple continents including Africa, Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Like other members of its genus, it is recognized by distinctive wing patterning. The species was described by Priesner in 1919.
Anomis flava
cotton looper, tropical anomis, white-pupiled scallop moth
Anomis flava is a widespread moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Fabricius in 1775. It is known by multiple common names reflecting its agricultural significance (cotton looper), geographic range (tropical anomis), and distinctive eye morphology (white-pupiled scallop moth). The species has a broad distribution spanning tropical and subtropical regions across Asia, Africa, Australasia, Pacific Islands, and North America (as the subspecies A. flava fimbriago). It is primarily recognized as a pest of cotton and other malvaceous plants.
Bezzia nobilis
Bezzia nobilis is a biting midge in the family Ceratopogonidae, widely considered one of the most common species in the genus Bezzia. It has a notably broad geographic distribution spanning Eurasia, North America, Central America, and South America. Adults are distinguished by black and yellow banded legs, while larvae and pupae have characteristic coloration and morphological features. The species is predatory, with larvae feeding on immobile prey including dead insects, bacteria, and protozoa.
Callidium violaceum
violet tanbark beetle
Callidium violaceum, commonly known as the violet tanbark beetle, is a longhorned beetle (family Cerambycidae) first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is one of the earliest described cerambycid species and remains taxonomically valid. The species is broadly distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, occurring in Europe, northern Asia, and North America. It is associated with coniferous woodlands and develops in dead or dying conifer wood.
Ceratina dallatorreana
Dalla Torre's ceratina
Ceratina dallatorreana is a small carpenter bee in the family Apidae, first described by Friese in 1896. The species exhibits a rare reproductive strategy among bees: it reproduces exclusively by parthenogenesis and never produces males. This bee has been documented across three continents—Africa, Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America—making it one of the more broadly distributed Ceratina species. Its wide geographic range and unique reproductive biology distinguish it from most other small carpenter bees.
Chrysobothris dentipes
Spurred Metallic Wood-borer
Chrysobothris dentipes is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the Spurred Metallic Wood-borer. It is one of the most widespread species in its genus, occurring across much of North America, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern Mexico. Adults are frequently encountered on dead pine wood, particularly on exposed roots and trunks of recently dead pines. The species was among the earliest described in the genus Chrysobothris, with the specific epithet referring to the toothed spine on the front femora.
Coccinella trifasciata
three-banded lady beetle, three-banded ladybug
Coccinella trifasciata, the three-banded lady beetle, is a widely distributed species in the family Coccinellidae. It occurs across North America, Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), Oceania, and Southern Asia. The species includes three recognized subspecies, with C. t. perplexa found from Labrador to New Jersey and west to Alaska and California, and C. t. subversa ranging from British Columbia to California. Adults of the subspecies C. t. perplexa have been documented as hosts for the parasitoid wasp Perilitus coccinellae in Ontario, Canada.
Coleosoma acutiventer
Coleosoma acutiventer is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae. It has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning from the United States through Central America to Argentina. The species was originally described as Achaea acutiventer by Keyserling in 1884. As a theridiid spider, it constructs irregular, tangled webs for prey capture.
Disclisioprocta stellata
somber carpet, bougainvillea looper
Disclisioprocta stellata is a small geometrid moth with a broad intercontinental distribution spanning sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, and the Americas from Canada to South America. The species was introduced to Hawaii in 1993 and has established there. Adults are active year-round in southern regions and during late summer and fall in northern areas. The larvae feed on a variety of plants including bougainvillea, giving rise to one of its common names.
Ectaetia
minute black scavenger flies
Ectaetia is a small genus of minute black scavenger flies in the family Scatopsidae. Adults are generally shiny and black, reaching up to 7 mm in length. The genus has been documented across multiple biogeographic realms including the Nearctic, Palearctic, Oriental, and Neotropical regions. Records from GBIF confirm presence in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Elaphropus parvulus
Elaphropus parvulus is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, originally described by Dejean in 1831 as Bembidium parvulum. The species has a remarkably broad distribution spanning North America, Europe, temperate Asia, and Africa. It belongs to a genus of minute carabid beetles commonly associated with riparian and wetland habitats. Despite its wide geographic range, detailed natural history information for this specific species remains limited in the available literature.
Empicoris vagabundus
thread-legged bug
Empicoris vagabundus is a small predatory insect in the family Reduviidae, commonly known as thread-legged bugs. The species measures 6–7 mm in length and is distinguished by its elongated, slender legs. It has been documented across Europe, much of Asia, and the Americas, inhabiting deciduous trees where it hunts barklice and other small insects. The species is attracted to ultraviolet light sources and has been observed as bycatch in mosquito surveillance traps.
Entomobrya unostrigata
cotton springtail
Entomobrya unostrigata is a slender springtail in the family Entomobryidae, first described by Stach in 1930. The species has a broad geographic distribution spanning Europe, the Mediterranean, Australia, and the Hawaiian Islands. It is one of 17 Entomobrya species recorded from the Canary Islands, where it was previously reported prior to recent taxonomic surveys. Identification relies on dorsal macrochaetotaxy patterns rather than coloration alone, as pigmentation varies widely and fades in preservative.
Epinotia cruciana
willow tortrix, Willow Tortrix Moth
Epinotia cruciana, commonly known as the willow tortrix, is a small tortricid moth with a wingspan of 12–15 mm. The species is distinguished by its characteristic wing pattern featuring pale brown ground color with dark brown markings on the forewings that form a cross-like shape, referenced in its specific epithet "cruciana". It has a broad distribution spanning Europe, Asia, and North America. The larvae are specialized feeders on willows and sallows, particularly Salix repens.
Euarestoides acutangulus
Euarestoides acutangulus is a species of fruit fly in the family Tephritidae, one of six recognized species in the genus Euarestoides. It has the broadest geographic distribution of any species in the genus, occurring across much of the Americas from Canada to Chile. The species is associated with plants in the Asteraceae family, particularly Ambrosia (ragweeds) and related genera. Larval development occurs within the flower heads of host plants.
Galeatus affinis
Galeatus affinis is a species of lace bug in the family Tingidae, first described by Herrich-Schaeffer in 1835. The species has a broad geographic distribution spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), North America, and Southern Asia. As a member of the lace bug family, it exhibits the characteristic reticulated, lace-like forewings typical of Tingidae. The species was originally described under the genus Tingis before being transferred to Galeatus.
Haplodrassus signifer
Ensign Ground Hunter
Haplodrassus signifer is a species of ground spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It has a broad distribution spanning North America, Europe, North Africa, Turkey, Israel, the Caucasus, Russia, Central Asia, China, Korea, and Japan. The species is part of a large genus of active hunting spiders that do not build webs to capture prey.
Helophora insignis
Helophora insignis is a sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae. It has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning North America, Europe, the Caucasus, Russia (from European regions to the Far East), Kyrgyzstan, and China. The species belongs to a genus characterized by the construction of horizontal sheet webs, a trait that distinguishes Linyphiidae from other spider families.
Hemerobius humulinus
brown lacewing
Hemerobius humulinus is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae. It has a broad distribution spanning Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), North America, and Southern Asia. The species overwinters as an adult and becomes active in early spring. Like other brown lacewings, it is a predator of aphids and other small insects.
Hesperia comma hulbirti
Hesperia comma hulbirti is a subspecies of skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, described by Lindsey in 1939. It belongs to the widespread Hesperia comma species complex, commonly known as the silver-spotted skipper or common branded skipper. As a subspecies, it represents a geographically defined population with distinct characteristics from the nominate form. The species complex has a broad distribution across multiple continents.
Hypocaccus brasiliensis
clown beetle
Hypocaccus brasiliensis is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, originally described by Paykull in 1811 as Hister brasiliensis. It is a widely distributed species with records spanning multiple continents including Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. The species belongs to a genus of small histerid beetles commonly associated with decaying organic matter and carrion.
Irbisia sericans
black grass bug
Irbisia sericans is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae. It is widely distributed across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species is commonly known as a 'black grass bug' and belongs to a genus associated with grass-feeding habits. Like other mirids, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of true bugs.
Lerodea eufala
Eufala Skipper, Rice Leaffolder
Lerodea eufala, commonly known as the Eufala Skipper or Rice Leaffolder, is a small grass-feeding skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is widely distributed across the Americas, from the southeastern United States through Mexico and Central America to Patagonia, with seasonal northward range expansion during summer months. The species is notable for its association with agricultural and weedy grasses, including cultivated sorghum and sugarcane, and maintains multiple generations per year in warm climates.
Ligyrocoris sylvestris
dirt-colored seed bug
Ligyrocoris sylvestris is a dirt-colored seed bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, widespread across multiple continents including North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The species name 'sylvestris' (meaning 'of the forest') reflects its association with wooded habitats. It belongs to a genus of closely related species that exhibit marked differences in habitat preferences and life cycles, with some species adapted to relatively dry fields while others occupy wetter marginal habitats.
Limonia duplicata
Limonia duplicata is a species of limoniid crane fly originally described by Doane in 1900. The species is currently treated as a synonym of Rhipidia maculata. It has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning the Nearctic, West Palearctic, and East Palearctic regions, including North America from Alaska to California and Tennessee, much of Europe, and eastward through Russia, Central Asia, East Asia, and China.
Lyctus villosus
Lyctus villosus is a species of powder-post beetle in the family Bostrichidae, described by Lesne in 1911. The species has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, Oceania, and South America. As a member of the powder-post beetle group, it is associated with wood-boring habits, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Marasmia trapezalis
Trapeze Moth
Marasmia trapezalis is a widely distributed moth in the family Crambidae, first described by Guenée in 1854. The species occurs across Africa, the Pacific region, Australia, and parts of the Americas including the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Peru. It has been recorded from the Galápagos Islands and various regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The species is known by the common name "Trapeze Moth" and has accumulated over 660 citizen science observations on iNaturalist.
Megachile umbripennis
Shadow-winged Resin Bee
Megachile umbripennis, commonly known as the Shadow-winged Resin Bee, is a solitary bee species in the family Megachilidae. It was first described by Frederick Smith in 1853. The species is notable for its characteristically dark, shadow-colored wings, from which its common name derives. It has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning southern Asia, various Pacific islands, Australia, and the eastern coast of the United States.
Micrathyria aequalis
spot-tailed dasher
Micrathyria aequalis, commonly known as the spot-tailed dasher, is a species of skimmer dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is widely distributed across the Caribbean Sea, Central America, North America, and South America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no immediate threats to its survival. The IUCN status was last reviewed in 2017.
Microdipoena guttata
Microdipoena guttata is a species of minute true spider in the family Mysmenidae, first described by Banks in 1895. It possesses a broad native distribution spanning from the United States through Central America to Paraguay. The species has been introduced to several African localities including Ivory Coast, DR Congo, and the Comoros. As a member of the Mysmenidae, it belongs to one of the smallest families of spiders, whose members are typically found in leaf litter, moss, and other humid microhabitats.
Micromus subanticus
Antique Brown Lacewing
Micromus subanticus is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae. It has a wide geographic distribution spanning the Caribbean, Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), Central America, and North America. The species has been studied in Florida for its life cycle and parasitism patterns. As a brown lacewing, it is presumed to be predatory in both adult and larval stages, though specific prey associations are not well documented.
Mochtherus tetraspilotus
Mochtherus tetraspilotus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by W.S. MacLeay in 1825. The species has a broad distribution spanning multiple continents including Australia, Asia, and North America. It belongs to the subfamily Lebiinae, a group often associated with arboreal or ground-dwelling predatory habits. The specific epithet "tetraspilotus" refers to four spots or markings.
Murmidius ovalis
minute beetle, murmidius beetle
Murmidius ovalis is a small beetle species in the family Murmidiidae, commonly known as the minute beetle or murmidius beetle. Originally described as Hister ovalis by Beck in 1817, it is a widespread species found across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. The species has also been recorded from the Galápagos Islands.
Neoneides muticus
Neoneides muticus is a species of stilt bug in the family Berytidae. It is found across North America, with records from Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The species was originally described by Say in 1832 under the basionym Berytus muticus. Stilt bugs in this family are characterized by their elongated, slender legs and typically inhabit vegetation in various terrestrial habitats.
Neoscona oaxacensis
Western Spotted Orbweaver, Zig-zag Spider
Neoscona oaxacensis is a large orb-weaving spider distributed across the Americas from the United States to South America, including the Galápagos Islands. Females reach 9–18 mm in body length, males 6–13 mm. The species exhibits highly variable dorsal abdominal patterning, with a distinctive black-and-white pattern that aids identification. It constructs spiral orb webs to capture flying insects and is active primarily from late spring through autumn. The species was first described from Oaxaca, Mexico in 1863.
Neottiura bimaculata
Neottiura bimaculata is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae. It has a broad distribution spanning North America, Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus, Russia (Siberia), Central Asia, China, and Japan. The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1767 under the name Aranea bimaculata. Two subspecies are recognized: N. b. bimaculata and N. b. pellucida.
Neriene clathrata
Latticed Sheet-web Weaver
Neriene clathrata is a sheetweb spider in the family Linyphiidae, commonly known as the Latticed Sheet-web Weaver. The species has an exceptionally wide geographic distribution spanning the Holarctic region, occurring across North America, Europe, North Africa, the Caucasus, Russia (from European to Far East), China, Korea, and Japan. Despite its broad range, detailed biological information remains limited. As a member of the Linyphiidae, it constructs sheet webs rather than orb webs.
Olibroporus punctatus
A small beetle in the family Phalacridae, Olibroporus punctatus was described by Casey and has been subject to taxonomic revision to clarify its distinction from related genera. The species has a documented widespread distribution, though specific biological details remain poorly known in the accessible literature.
Philonthus quadricollis
Philonthus quadricollis is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Horn in 1884. It belongs to a large genus of predatory beetles commonly associated with decaying organic matter and carrion. The species has a broad transcontinental distribution across North America, with records from Canada and much of the United States.
Phryxe vulgaris
Phryxe vulgaris is a species of tachinid fly distributed across a broad geographic range spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. As a member of the family Tachinidae, it is a parasitoid fly, though specific host relationships for this species are not well documented in the available literature. The species was first described by Fallén in 1810 under the basionym Tachina vulgaris.
Praeacedes atomosella
Praeacedes atomosella is a small moth in the family Tineidae, notable as the sole species in its genus. It has a remarkably wide geographic distribution spanning multiple continents, including Europe, Australia, Hawaii, and the Americas. The species has been frequently misidentified in various regions, complicating accurate distribution records. Its broad range suggests either natural dispersal capabilities or human-mediated transport.
Pseudolimnophila luteipennis
Pseudolimnophila luteipennis is a species of limoniid crane fly first described by Osten Sacken in 1860. The species is widespread across North and Central America, with substantial observational records documenting its presence. As a member of the family Limoniidae, it belongs to one of the most diverse families of crane flies.
Quasimellana eulogius
common mellana
Quasimellana eulogius, commonly known as the common mellana, is a grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It has a broad distribution spanning Central America, North America, and South America. The species has been documented in at least 1,451 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is relatively well-encountered in its range.
Rasahus hamatus
corsair
Rasahus hamatus is a species of corsair, a group of predatory assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. It occurs widely across the Western Hemisphere, from North America through Central America and the Caribbean to South America, including the Galápagos Islands. As a member of the subfamily Peiratinae, it belongs to a lineage known for ground-dwelling habits and active predation on other arthropods.
Seeversiella globicollis
A small rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) distributed from southern Canada through the United States to Honduras. Originally described as Atheta globicollis in 1907, the species was transferred to Seeversiella in a 2006 revision that synonymized S. bispinosa with it. The genus Seeversiella is primarily Nearctic and Neotropical in distribution. No ecological or biological studies of this species have been published.
Silvanoprus scuticollis
Silvanoprus scuticollis is a silvanid flat bark beetle with a remarkably broad distribution spanning six continents. The species was described by Walker in 1859 and belongs to the family Silvanidae, a group of beetles commonly associated with stored products and decaying plant material. Its presence across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions suggests either strong dispersal capabilities or human-mediated spread through trade.
Sphragisticus nebulosus
dirt-colored seed bug
Sphragisticus nebulosus is a species of true bug in the family Rhyparochromidae, commonly known as dirt-colored seed bugs. It has a broad distribution spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. The species was first described by Fallén in 1807 under the name Lygaeus nebulosus. Like other members of its family, it is associated with seeds and ground-level vegetation.
Steatoda albomaculata
white-spotted false widow, white-spotted false widow spider
Steatoda albomaculata is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, commonly known as the white-spotted false widow. It is widely distributed across North America, Europe, Russia, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Asia. The species has been studied for its predation efficiency on various prey types and is recognized as a generalist predator. It was formerly considered to have two subspecies, but Steatoda albomaculata infuscata was synonymized with the nominate form in 2024, leaving no valid subspecies.
Stenocaecilius casarum
lizard barklouse
Stenocaecilius casarum is a species of lizard barklouse in the family Caeciliusidae. It has one of the widest geographic distributions of any barklouse species, occurring across six continents and numerous oceanic islands. The species was first described by Badonnel in 1931. Its common name refers to its lizard-like appearance and movement patterns.