Wingless-female
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Macaria loricaria
False Bruce spanworm, Eversmann's peacock
Macaria loricaria is a geometrid moth with pronounced sexual dimorphism: males are fully winged with a wingspan of 25–29 mm, while females are wingless. The species has a broad transcontinental distribution spanning northern Eurasia from Fennoscandia to Sakhalin, and North America from Alaska to Newfoundland and south to Colorado. Adults are active in mid-summer, with timing varying by region. The larvae feed on willow, birch, and aspen species.
Mutillidae
Velvet Ants, Hairy Ants, Panda Ants
Mutillidae, commonly known as velvet ants, are a family of solitary wasps comprising over 3,000 described species. Despite their common name, they are not ants but wingless female wasps that resemble large, hairy ants. The family exhibits striking sexual dimorphism: females are apterous (wingless), brightly colored, and possess a powerful sting, while males are winged and generally darker in coloration. Velvet ants are parasitoids of ground-nesting bees and wasps, with females actively searching for host nests to lay eggs on or near the host pupae or larvae. They form one of the world's largest known Müllerian mimicry complexes, with numerous species sharing aposematic red, orange, or yellow and black coloration to warn predators of their potent defensive capabilities.
Myrmilloides grandiceps
Myrmilloides grandiceps is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae) in the order Hymenoptera. Originally described as Mufilla grandiceps by Blake in 1872, it was later transferred to the genus Myrmilloides. The species epithet 'grandiceps' refers to the notably large head characteristic of this species. As with other mutillids, females are wingless and ant-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The genus Myrmilloides is part of the diverse velvet ant fauna of the New World.
Myrmosa
Myrmosa is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Myrmosidae. These insects are part of a small family of wasps that exhibit sexual dimorphism and unusual life history traits. The genus contains several described species, including Myrmosa atra, Myrmosa moesica, and Myrmosa unicolor. Taxonomic placement has been historically unstable, with some sources placing Myrmosidae as a subfamily within Mutillidae.
Neodusmetia
Neodusmetia is a genus of encyrtid parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae. The genus contains at least one described species, Neodusmetia sangwani, which has achieved international recognition as one of the most successful examples of classical biological control. This species was introduced from India to multiple countries to control the invasive Rhodes grass scale, Antonina graminis, a major pest of pasture grasses.
Neodusmetia sangwani
Neodusmetia sangwani is a minute encyrtid parasitoid wasp native to India, renowned as one of the most successful classical biological control agents ever deployed. It was introduced to the United States in the 1950s and Brazil in 1967 to combat the Rhodesgrass mealybug (Antonina graminis), a destructive pest of pasture grasses. The species exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism: females are wingless, short-lived, and sedentary, while males are winged. Its introduction saved an estimated $17 million annually in turf management costs in Texas alone.
Odontophotopsis melicausa
A species of velvet ant in the genus Odontophotopsis, first described by Blake in 1871. The genus is characterized by distinctive dental modifications on the mandibles. Like other mutillids, this species exhibits sexual dimorphism with wingless females and winged males.
Odontophotopsis setifera
Odontophotopsis setifera is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, described by Schuster in 1952. Velvet ants are solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often possess aposematic coloration. The genus Odontophotopsis is part of the diverse Mutillidae fauna of North America.
Operophtera bruceata
Bruce spanworm, Bruce Spanworm Moth, native winter moth, hunter's moth
Operophtera bruceata is a native North American geometrid moth commonly known as the Bruce spanworm. Females are wingless and flightless, while males have fully developed wings with a 25–30 mm wingspan. The species is notable for forming a documented clinal hybrid zone with the invasive congener winter moth (O. brumata) in the northeastern United States. Population outbreaks have caused significant defoliation of deciduous forests, with one outbreak in Alberta peaking in 1958 at approximately 50,000 square miles of moderate to heavy infestation.
Operophtera occidentalis
Western Bruce Spanworm
Operophtera occidentalis, commonly known as the Western Bruce Spanworm, is a moth species in the family Geometridae. It is native to western North America. The species is closely related to the Bruce spanworm (Operophtera bruceata), with which it shares similar ecological traits and appearance. Adults are active in late autumn, with males possessing fully developed wings while females are wingless.
Orgyia
tussock moths, vapourer moths
Orgyia is a genus of tussock moths in the family Erebidae, characterized by pronounced sexual dimorphism: males are fully winged and diurnal, while females are wingless with reduced, scale-like wings and remain flightless. The genus was established by Ochsenheimer in 1810 and contains cosmopolitan species distributed across most global regions except the Neotropics. Several species are significant forest and agricultural pests, notably Orgyia pseudotsugata (Douglas-fir Tussock Moth), which undergoes periodic outbreaks in western North America.
Orgyia definita
Definite Tussock Moth, Definite-marked Tussock Moth
Orgyia definita is a tussock moth in the family Erebidae, native to eastern North America. Males have functional wings with a wingspan of approximately 30 mm, while females are wingless—a distinctive trait shared with other Orgyia species. The larvae feed on a broad range of woody deciduous plants. The species was first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1865.
Orgyia vetusta
Western Tussock Moth
Orgyia vetusta, the Western Tussock Moth, is a species of tussock moth in the family Erebidae. It is native to western North America, ranging from British Columbia through the Pacific States to New Mexico, with an isolated population in Idaho. The species is known to undergo periodic outbreaks, and females are wingless while males possess functional wings. Larvae are notable for their distinctive hair tufts and tussocks.
Paleacrita vernata
Spring Cankerworm, Spring Cankerworm Moth
Paleacrita vernata is a geometrid moth known as the spring cankerworm. Males have functional wings and fly from February to late May, while females are wingless and climb tree trunks to lay eggs. The larvae are defoliators of deciduous trees and shrubs, with documented feeding on Acer, Ulmus, Betula, Prunus, and Quercus species. The species has been observed using flax as a secondary host, indicating broader host flexibility than previously recognized.
Phausis reticulata
Blue Ghost
A firefly species in the family Lampyridae known for the distinctive blueish-white glow of males observed at night. Males are fully winged and capable of flight, producing a steady continuous glow rather than flashing patterns typical of many fireflies. Females are wingless, paedomorphic, and retain a larval body form into adulthood. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism in both morphology and bioluminescent display.
Phausis rhombica
Phausis rhombica is a firefly species in the beetle family Lampyridae, described by Fender in 1962. It belongs to the genus Phausis, which includes other "shadow ghost" fireflies characterized by neotenic, wingless, glowing females and winged, non-luminous males. The species is found in North America, with distribution records from Alberta, Canada.
Phengodes mexicana
glowworm beetle
Phengodes mexicana is a species of glowworm beetle in the family Phengodidae. The species was described by Wittmer in 1976. It occurs in Central America and North America. Members of the genus Phengodes are notable for their bioluminescent larvae and adult females, which are wingless and resemble larvae in appearance.
bioluminescentwingless-femalelarviform-femaleglowworm-beetlePhengodidaeElateriformiaPolyphagaColeopteraInsectaArthropodaAnimaliaCentral-AmericaNorth-AmericaWittmer-1976PhengodesPhengodes-mexicanaspeciesglowwormbeetleinsectarthropodanimalbioluminescencelarviformwinglessfemalelarvalarvaeadultmaledistributionrangegeographic-rangegeographic-distributionMiddle-AmericaAmericaAmericasWittmer1976descriptiontaxonomyclassificationmexicanaPhigalia
Phigalia is a genus of geometer moths in the family Geometridae, established by Duponchel in 1829. Species in this genus are primarily North American and European, with several exhibiting distinctive life history traits including winter-emerging adults and, in some species, wingless females. The genus includes notable species such as the Spring Cankerworm (P. titea) and the Small Phigalia (P. strigataria), both of which are early-season defoliators of deciduous trees.
Phigalia strigataria
Small Phigalia Moth
A small geometer moth (family Geometridae) native to North America. Males are winged and active in early spring, while females are wingless. The species exhibits a life history nearly identical to the Spring Cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata), with which it shares geographic range and seasonal timing. Adults do not feed; larvae are the dispersal and feeding stage.
Phigalia titea
Half-wing Moth, Spiny Looper
Phigalia titea, commonly known as the Half-wing Moth or Spiny Looper, is a geometrid moth native to eastern North America. Adult males have fully developed wings with an average wingspan of approximately 34 mm, while females are wingless (apterous). The species is notable for its exceptionally early adult activity period in late winter and early spring, making it one of the first moths to appear each year. Larvae are polyphagous loopers (inchworms) that feed on a wide variety of deciduous hardwood trees and can cause significant defoliation during outbreak years.
Photomorphus banksi
Photomorphus banksi is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of wasps in which females are wingless and often brightly colored. The genus Photomorphus belongs to the diverse Mutillidae family, characterized by dense hair and aposematic coloration. As with other velvet ants, females are solitary and ground-dwelling, while males possess wings. This species is known from a small number of observations, suggesting it may be uncommon or undercollected.
Photomorphus obscurus
Photomorphus obscurus is a species of velvet ant (Mutillidae), a family of wasps in which females are wingless and often brightly colored. The genus Photomorphus belongs to the subfamily Sphaeropthalminae. Velvet ants are solitary parasitoids, with females typically searching for host nests on the ground. This species has been documented through limited observations on iNaturalist. The specific epithet "obscurus" refers to its dark or indistinct coloration.
Photomorphus paulus
Photomorphus paulus is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Velvet ants are solitary wasps with wingless females and winged males. The genus Photomorphus is poorly documented, with limited published information on this particular species. Observations suggest it occurs in arid regions of western North America.
Pseudomethoca anthracina
Pseudomethoca anthracina is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often possess potent stings. Like other mutillids, this species exhibits sexual dimorphism with winged males and apterous females. The genus Pseudomethoca is part of a diverse assemblage of velvet ants in North America. Observations suggest activity in sandy habitats, consistent with many mutillid species that nest in soil.
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.
Pseudomethoca brazoria
A species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, characterized by the wingless females typical of this family. The species name refers to Brazoria County, Texas, suggesting a geographic association with the Gulf Coastal Plain region. As with other mutillids, females are solitary and possess a potent sting, while males are winged and less frequently encountered.
Pseudomethoca contumax
Pseudomethoca contumax is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Like all mutillids, the wingless females are covered in dense, often brightly colored setae, while males possess wings. The species is distributed across the western and central United States and northern Mexico. Members of this genus are known for their rapid, erratic movement patterns and are frequently suggested as potential models for mimetic species in other insect families.
Pseudomethoca flammigera
Pseudomethoca flammigera is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae (order Hymenoptera). The genus Pseudomethoca contains species that are frequently suggested as models for mimicry complexes involving other insects, particularly checkered beetles in the family Cleridae. As with other mutillids, females are wingless and males are winged. The species is known from very limited observation records.
Pseudomethoca meritoria
Pseudomethoca meritoria is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae (order Hymenoptera). The genus Pseudomethoca is part of a diverse group of solitary wasps in which females are wingless and exhibit aposematic coloration. Like other mutillids, this species likely exhibits the characteristic traits of the family: females are wingless and ant-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The genus name Pseudomethoca indicates a close relationship to the genus Methoca, from which it may be distinguished by subtle morphological differences.
Pseudomethoca oceola
Pseudomethoca oceola is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, order Hymenoptera. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and possess a potent sting, while males are winged. The genus Pseudomethoca contains species that are often proposed as models for mimicry by checkered beetles (Cleridae), particularly in the genus Enoclerus.
Pseudomethoca sanbornii
Pseudomethoca sanbornii is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, a group of solitary wasps known for their aposematic coloration and powerful sting. Females are wingless and ant-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The species occurs across much of the eastern and central United States. Like other mutillids, females are reportedly capable of delivering a painful sting, though they are not aggressive and sting only in defense.
Pseudomethoca toumeyi
Pseudomethoca toumeyi is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, order Hymenoptera. The genus Pseudomethoca is part of a diverse group of solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often exhibit aposematic coloration. Like other mutillids, this species likely possesses a powerful sting used for defense. The species is documented from a limited number of observations, with 18 records currently available.
Psyche casta
Bagworm Moth
Psyche casta is a nocturnal bagworm moth in the family Psychidae. Males are small, winged insects with metallic brown wings, while females are wingless and grub-like. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism and is native to the Palearctic region, with introduced populations in North America. Caterpillars construct portable protective cases from grass and plant material.
Pterombrus rufiventris
Pterombrus rufiventris is a parasitoid wasp in the family Thynnidae, native to North America. The species is notable for its specialized life history as a parasite of tiger beetle (Cicindela) larvae. It is considered rare but has been documented across a wide geographic range from southern California to Texas and eastward to Georgia and Virginia. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism typical of thynnid wasps, with wingless females and winged males. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form in the eastern range and P. r. hyalinatus in the western portion of its distribution.
Sphaeropthalma arota
velvet ant
Sphaeropthalma arota is a velvet ant (family Mutillidae) native to western North America. Phylogeographic studies indicate this name represents a cryptic species complex comprising four genetically distinct lineages that cannot be distinguished by current morphological methods. The species is adapted to arid environments, with diversification events linked to late Neogene mountain building and aridification in western North America. Like other mutillids, females are wingless and wasp-like in appearance, while males possess wings.
Sphaeropthalma auripilis
Sphaeropthalma auripilis is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, first described by Blake in 1871. Velvet ants are solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often brightly colored with aposematic coloration warning of their painful sting. The genus Sphaeropthalma is one of the larger genera within Mutillidae in North America. This species is part of a diverse group of parasitoid wasps that primarily attack other solitary wasps and bees.
Sphaeropthalma coaequalis
Sphaeropthalma coaequalis is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, described by Cameron in 1896. Velvet ants are solitary wasps in which females are wingless and often brightly colored with dense, velvety pubescence. The species is part of a diverse genus containing numerous North American species. As with other mutillids, females are likely parasitoids of other ground-nesting insects, though specific host records for this species remain undocumented in the provided sources.
Sphaeropthalma imperialis
Sphaeropthalma imperialis is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps known for their aposematic coloration and potent sting. Females are wingless and resemble large, hairy ants, while males possess wings. The species was described by Blake in 1871. Like other mutillids, this species exhibits sexual dimorphism and is parasitoid in its life history. The genus Sphaeropthalma is diverse and primarily distributed in the Americas.
Sphaeropthalma marpesia
Sphaeropthalma marpesia is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, described by Blake in 1879. The species is distributed across the western and southwestern United States and Mexico. Velvet ants in this genus are solitary wasps with wingless females and winged males. The specific epithet 'marpesia' references the Amazon queen Marpesia, a namesake shared with the daggerwing butterflies of genus Marpesia.
Sphaeropthalma pensylvanica
velvet ant
Sphaeropthalma pensylvanica is a velvet ant (family Mutillidae), a group of solitary wasps known for their striking aposematic coloration and painful sting. The species exhibits notable sexual dimorphism: females are wingless and resemble ants, while males possess wings. It has been documented as a parasitoid of mud dauber wasps, particularly developing within cocoons of the organ pipe mud dauber (Trypoxylon politum). Research has revealed unusual reproductive characteristics including facultative size-dependent sex allocation, where larger females produce proportionally more female offspring. The species is also notable for phoretic copulation, a mating behavior in which the male transports the female by flight or foot from the initial contact site before mating occurs.
Timulla
velvet ants
Timulla is a genus of velvet ants (family Mutillidae) comprising nearly 200 described species. These solitary wasps exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are wingless and often brightly colored with dense velvety pubescence, while males are winged. The genus occurs across the Americas and has been documented as a parasitoid of solitary bees and other ground-nesting insects. Some Timulla species serve as models for Müllerian or Batesian mimicry complexes, notably with ground spiders in the genus Sergiolus.
Timulla ferrugata
velvet ant
Timulla ferrugata is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae, found in the southeastern United States. Females are wingless and wasp-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The species is known for its aposematic orange and brown coloration. Despite their common name, velvet ants are actually solitary wasps, not ants.
Timulla grotei
Timulla grotei is a species of velvet ant in the family Mutillidae. Like other members of this genus, females are wingless and wasp-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The genus Timulla is known for species that are frequently mimicked by spiders in the genus Sergiolus, which share similar bold coloration patterns. This particular species occurs in North America and is one of numerous Timulla species documented in the region.
Timulla vagans
velvet ant
Timulla vagans is a species of velvet ant (family Mutillidae) distributed across North America including the United States, Mexico, and Canada. As with all velvet ants, females are wingless and wasp-like in appearance, while males possess wings. The species exhibits the characteristic dense, velvety pubescence that gives the family its common name.
Tipula simplex
range crane fly
Tipula simplex, commonly known as the range crane fly, is a crane fly species in the family Tipulidae found in California and potentially Oregon. It is notable for pronounced sexual dimorphism in wing development: males possess fully developed wings, while females are essentially wingless with reduced wings subequal to the halteres. The species inhabits unirrigated pastures and has been documented to reach larval densities capable of causing significant pasture damage.