Wingless
Guides
Myrmecophilus
ant crickets
Myrmecophilus is a genus of minute crickets commonly known as ant crickets, containing the majority of species in the family Myrmecophilidae. These insects are obligate myrmecophiles, living exclusively within ant colonies. Species vary in size from less than 1.5 mm to 4.7 mm, generally correlating with the body size of their host ant species. The genus has a worldwide distribution with numerous described species across Europe, Asia, North America, and other regions.
Neonemobius eurynotus
California ground cricket, Bay Area ground cricket
Neonemobius eurynotus is a small ground cricket endemic to coastal California. It occurs primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, where it inhabits terrestrial ground-level environments. The species was described in 1918 and remains poorly studied, with limited observational records available.
Odontoxiphidium
meadow katydids
Odontoxiphidium is a genus of meadow katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, tribe Conocephalini. The genus contains a single described species, O. apterum, found in the southeastern United States. The genus was established by Morse in 1901.
Omalonomus
Omalonomus is a genus of blind, wingless, lightly pigmented subterranean rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae. The type species Omalonomus relictus was described in 1990 from the Cypress Hills of Alberta-Saskatchewan, Canada. Its highly modified morphology reflects adaptation to a hypogeous lifestyle. The genus is considered a preglacial relict, supporting evidence for ice-free refugia in the Cypress Hills during Pleistocene glaciation.
Ornithocoris
Ornithocoris is a genus of hematophagous cimicid bugs that parasitize birds. Species in this genus are temporary ectoparasites, feeding on blood during all life stages and retreating to nests or shelter crevices between meals. The genus includes economically significant poultry pests, with O. toledoi documented from galliform hosts and parrots in South America and the southern United States.
Pachytroctes
Pachytroctes is a genus of small, wingless insects in the family Pachytroctidae, order Psocodea. Members of this genus are part of a group formerly known as booklice, now classified within Psocodea alongside barklice and parasitic lice. The genus was established by Enderlein in 1904 and has been recorded across multiple continents including Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia.
Pedetontus
jumping bristletails
Pedetontus is a genus of jumping bristletails (order Archaeognatha) in the family Machilidae, first described by Silvestri in 1911. The genus contains approximately 10 described species, with additional cryptic diversity identified through molecular studies, particularly in China where 17 species have been documented. Species are wingless and retain numerous ancestral characteristics including monocondylous mandibles and well-developed abdominal appendages. Recent mitogenomic studies indicate that current morphological classification within the genus requires revision due to paraphyly and cryptic species complexes.
Pediodectes daedalus
Pediodectes daedalus is a species of shieldback katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. The genus Pediodectes comprises wingless or short-winged katydids distributed across the Great Plains of North America. Adults of this genus are typically found in prairie and grassland habitats, often associated with herbaceous vegetation. Species in Pediodectes are known for their cryptic coloration, though some individuals may exhibit more contrasting markings. The genus is taxonomically challenging, with species identification often requiring examination of morphological details beyond external coloration.
Pediodectes grandis
grand shieldback
Pediodectes grandis, commonly known as the grand shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. The species was first described by Rehn in 1904 under the basionym Stipator grandis. It is distributed across parts of Central America and North America, with records from northeastern Mexico and Texas. Like other members of the genus Pediodectes, adults are wingless, which can complicate distinguishing adults from nymphs. The species is part of a genus where identification from photographs alone is challenging due to variable color patterns that change with individual age and condition.
Pediodectes nigromarginatus
Black-margined Shieldback
Pediodectes nigromarginatus, commonly known as the black-margined shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in central North America, with records from Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and northeastern Mexico. The species belongs to a genus of wingless or short-winged katydids adapted to grassland and prairie habitats. Two subspecies are recognized: P. n. nigromarginatus and P. n. griseis.
Pediodectes stevensonii
Stevenson's shieldback
Pediodectes stevensonii, known as Stevenson's shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It belongs to the genus Pediodectes, which comprises flightless katydids distributed across the Great Plains of North America. The species is characterized by its wingless condition and distinctive coloration patterns that differ from the more cryptic green typical of many katydids.
Pediodectes tinkhami
Tinkham's Shieldback, Tinkham's shieldback katydid
Pediodectes tinkhami, or Tinkham's shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in North America, with records from Texas and northeastern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Pediodectes, it is wingless as an adult, which can make distinguishing adults from nymphs difficult. Species identification within Pediodectes is challenging from photographs alone due to variable color patterns and age-related changes in appearance.
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-AmericaAmericaAmericasWittmer1976descriptiontaxonomyclassificationmexicanaPodismini
spur-throated grasshoppers
Podismini is a tribe of spur-throated grasshoppers within the subfamily Melanoplinae of the family Acrididae. It is distinguished from other Melanoplinae tribes by a cosmopolitan northern hemisphere distribution, with substantial representation outside the Americas. The tribe comprises approximately 12 genera and at least 20 described species, organized into four subtribes (Miramellina, Podismina, Tonkinacridina) and one genus group (Bradynotae). Members are characterized by winglessness or reduced wings in many species, particularly in montane and temperate lineages.
Pristoceuthophilus arizonae
Arizona camel cricket
Pristoceuthophilus arizonae is a species of camel cricket (family Rhaphidophoridae) described by Hebard in 1935. As a member of the Rhaphidophoridae, it belongs to a group of wingless, nocturnal orthopterans commonly associated with dark, moist microhabitats. The species is endemic to the southwestern United States, with confirmed records from Arizona.
Psocathropos
Psocathropos is a genus of small, wingless psocids (booklice) in the family Psyllipsocidae. Members of this genus are troglophilic or troglobitic, often found in caves and other subterranean habitats. The genus was established by Ribaga in 1899 and contains species distributed across multiple continents including North America, the Caribbean, and South Asia.
Psyllipsocus decoratus
A small barklouse species in the family Psyllipsocidae, described by Mockford in 2011. Members of this genus are typically found in sheltered microhabitats and are characterized by reduced or absent wings. The species name "decoratus" suggests distinctive ornamental or patterned features.
Ptininae
Spider Beetles
Ptininae is a subfamily of small beetles commonly known as spider beetles, containing approximately 500 species. Members are characterized by rounded, compact bodies, long slender legs, and complete absence of wings. Both adults and larvae are scavengers. The subfamily has been treated variously as part of Anobiidae or as the separate family Ptinidae.
Purealus beckelorum
A recently described cleonine weevil endemic to the southern High Plains, representing the type species of its monotypic genus. Distinguished from all other world Cleonini by two unique character states: widely separated procoxae and a distinctly tumescent, asperate base of elytral interval 3. A moderately robust, wingless species with body length 7.8–9.4 mm. Known from only nine specimens despite targeted collecting efforts.
Rhachocnemis validus
Coast Sand-treader Cricket
Rhachocnemis validus, known as the Coast Sand-treader Cricket, is a species of camel cricket in the family Rhaphidophoridae. It is native to coastal regions of California and is distinguished from similar taxa by its specialized adaptations for life in sandy habitats. Unlike the unrelated "plasterer bees" (genus Colletes) that share a similar common name pattern, this species is an orthopteran with nocturnal habits and is not a pollinator.
Sciaphilus
Sciaphilus is a genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Entiminae, tribe Sciaphilini. The genus contains at least two described species: Sciaphilus asperatus and S. costulatus. Species are distributed across Europe, Northern America, and parts of Asia. The best-studied species, S. asperatus, is wingless, parthenogenetic, and polyphagous.
Sciaphilus asperatus
Scaly strawberry weevil, Strawberry root weevil
A wingless, parthenogenetic weevil with a broad Palaearctic distribution, recently introduced to North America. Adults feed on leaves of diverse plants, producing distinctive notched edges, while larvae develop underground on roots. The species exhibits high reproductive output and can form locally abundant populations.
Sclerodermus carolinensis
Sclerodermus carolinensis is a small parasitoid wasp in the family Bethylidae, native to the southeastern United States. Adults are typically 1.5–6 mm in length and often wingless, making them easily mistaken for ants. The species parasitizes wood-boring beetles and occasionally co-infests homes where such beetles are present. Females are long-lived (up to seven months) and greatly outnumber males, which are short-lived (about one week).
Sclerodermus macrogaster
Sclerodermus macrogaster is a small parasitic wasp in the family Bethylidae, native to the southeastern United States. The species gained attention in 2018 when it was documented for the first time infesting a home in North America, following a report from Florida where a resident was stung. Adults are typically wingless and easily mistaken for ants. The species parasitizes wood-boring beetles, which occasionally leads to co-infestation of structures where such beetles are present.
Siphonaptera
fleas, pireler (Turkish)
Siphonaptera (fleas) are small, wingless, holometabolous insects that are obligate ectoparasites of mammals and birds. Adults are 2–5 mm long, bilaterally flattened, and possess enlarged hind legs adapted for jumping. Larvae are legless, worm-like, and feed on organic debris including blood clots and adult flea feces. The order comprises approximately 2,500 described species, with roughly 94% parasitizing mammals and 6% specializing on birds. Some species are significant vectors of human and animal pathogens, including plague, typhus, and tularemia.
Sphaeropsocus
Sphaeropsocus is a genus of small psocopterans in the family Sphaeropsocidae, first described by Hagen in 1882. It belongs to the suborder Troctomorpha, a group of barklice and booklice characterized by specialized mouthpart structures. The genus is part of a small family containing few described species, most of which are rarely encountered. Members of this genus are minute insects associated with dead plant material and organic debris.
Staphylinini
Staphylinini is a tribe of large rove beetles within the family Staphylinidae. The tribe contains at least 20 genera and approximately 120 described species. Members are distributed across multiple biogeographic regions, with documented occurrences in the Palaearctic, Neotropical, and Oriental regions. Some species exhibit specialized ecological associations, including termitophily.
Styracosceles
New Mexico camel cricket
Styracosceles is a genus of camel crickets in the family Rhaphidophoridae, established by Hubbell in 1936. The genus contains at least four described species distributed in western North America, including the New Mexico camel cricket (Styracosceles neomexicanus). These crickets are part of the subfamily Ceuthophilinae and are found in arid and semi-arid habitats.
Tapinellinae
Tapinellinae is a subfamily of small, wingless insects within the family Pachytroctidae (order Psocodea). These minute hexapods are part of the diverse assemblage of barklice and booklice relatives, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The subfamily was established by Enderlein in 1908 and contains genera characterized by particular morphological features of the head and mouthparts. Members are found in association with decaying organic matter in forest habitats.
Thinopinus pictus
Pictured Rove Beetle
Thinopinus pictus is a wingless rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) endemic to sandy beaches along the Pacific coast of North America from southern Alaska to Baja California. Both larvae and adults are strictly nocturnal predators that emerge from temporary sand burrows at night to hunt beach hoppers (Orchestoidea). The species exhibits limited dispersal and predictable emergence patterns tied to tidal cycles, with populations forming a 15–30 meter wide band that shifts seaward during neap tides and landward during spring tides.
Timema
Timemas
Timema is a genus of small, wingless stick insects representing the sole extant member of the family Timematidae and suborder Timematodea. Native to mountainous regions of western North America, these insects are considered the sister group to all other stick insects, making them evolutionarily significant as a basal lineage. The genus exhibits remarkable diversity in reproductive mode, with five of twenty-one species being parthenogenetic, including two species that have reproduced asexually for over one million years—the longest known asexual period for any insect. Timema species display sophisticated cryptic coloration matching their host plants, with color morphs including green, gray, brown, and striped variants that have been extensively studied as models for ecological speciation and natural selection.
Timema chumash
Chumash Timema
Timema chumash is a species of walkingstick insect in the family Timematidae, endemic to California. Like other members of the genus Timema, it is a small, wingless phasmid with reduced body size compared to most stick insects. The species was described by Hebard in 1920. It is part of a genus notable for being the only known genus of stick insects in the Americas with a relictual distribution in western North America.
Timema knulli
Knull's Timema
Timema knulli, commonly known as Knull's Timema, is a stick insect species endemic to California. It belongs to the genus Timema, which represents a relictual lineage of wingless, small-bodied phasmids. The species was described by Strohecker in 1951 and is named in honor of the entomologist Joseph Knull. Like other Timema species, it exhibits cryptic coloration and morphology adapted for camouflage on host plants.
Timema nevadense
Nevada Timema
Timema nevadense, known as the Nevada Timema, is a species of walkingstick in the family Timematidae. The species was described by Strohecker in 1966. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Timema, which represents a basal lineage of Phasmida restricted to western North America. Like other Timema species, it is a small, wingless stick insect with reduced morphology compared to more derived phasmids.
Timema podura
Sierra Nevada timema, Sierra Nevada Mountains Timema
Timema podura is a species of walkingstick insect in the family Timematidae. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada region of North America. Like other Timema species, it is known for cryptic camouflage that matches its host vegetation. The species was described by Strohecker in 1936.
Timema poppense
Pope Valley Timema
Timema poppense is a small walkingstick insect endemic to California, originally described from a nature reserve in Pope Valley in 1999. It belongs to the family Timematidae, a basal lineage of stick insects characterized by reduced wings and nocturnal habits. The species name was corrected from the original "poppensis" to "poppense" to match the neuter gender of the genus Timema per ICZN rules.
Timema ritense
Santa Rita timema, Santa Rita Mountains Timema
Timema ritense is a species of walkingstick insect in the family Timematidae, endemic to the Santa Rita Mountains of southern Arizona. The species was originally described as 'Timema ritensis' but underwent a mandatory spelling correction to 'ritense' to match the neuter gender of the genus Timema, following ICZN Article 31.2. Like other members of the genus Timema, it is a small, wingless phasmid with reduced morphology compared to other stick insects. The species is among the few Timema species with documented distribution records, though detailed ecological studies remain limited.
Tricholepidion
Tricholepidion
Tricholepidion is a genus of wingless insects in the order Zygentoma, containing a single described species, T. gertschi. It is endemic to the northern coast of California and represents the sole living member of the family Lepidotrichidae, with fossil relatives known from Eocene amber. Its taxonomic position is uncertain; molecular studies have sometimes recovered it as more distantly related to Pterygota than other Zygentoma, which would render Zygentoma paraphyletic. The genus is considered a 'living fossil' due to its isolated phylogenetic position and the extinction of all other family members.
Trogiidae
Granary Booklice
Trogiidae is a family of small, wingless or short-winged insects commonly known as granary booklice. The family comprises approximately 11 genera and more than 50 described species. Members are classified in the order Psocodea (formerly Psocoptera), suborder Trogiomorpha. Several fossil genera are known from Cretaceous and Eocene amber deposits.
Udeopsylla
robust camel cricket
Udeopsylla is a monotypic genus of camel crickets in the family Rhaphidophoridae, containing only the species Udeopsylla robusta. These insects are nocturnal, wingless orthopterans with distinctive defensive behaviors when disturbed, including regurgitation, defecation, and adopting exaggerated postures. The genus was established by Scudder in 1862.