Xeric-habitat
Guides
Acmaeodera pulchella
Flat-headed Bald Cypress Sapwood Borer, Flat-headed Baldcypress Sapwood Beetle
Acmaeodera pulchella is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, commonly known as the flat-headed bald cypress sapwood borer. The species is widely distributed across North America, with records from the United States and Canada including Manitoba and Ontario. It is associated with bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) based on its common name, though specific ecological relationships require further documentation. Adults are active during summer months and have been observed on flowers of herbaceous vegetation in prairie and open woodland habitats.
Acmaeodera texana
Texas jewel beetle
Acmaeodera texana is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, first described by LeConte in 1860. It occurs in North America, with records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is considered uncommon in many parts of its range, including Missouri where it has been recorded only sporadically. Adults have been observed visiting flowers of Liatris hirsuta and other herbaceous plants in xeric prairie habitats.
Anthicus bellulus
Anthicus bellulus is a species of ant-like flower beetle in the family Anthicidae, described by LeConte in 1851. The species is distributed across western North America, with records from British Columbia, Canada, through the western United States into Mexico. As with other members of the genus Anthicus, adults are typically found in dry, open habitats and are often associated with flowers or ground-level vegetation. The species is rarely encountered in large numbers and is known from relatively few collections.
Brachinus aabaaba
Brachinus aabaaba is a species of bombardier beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Terry Erwin in 1970. It belongs to the genus Brachinus, which is renowned for its chemical defense mechanism that produces a hot, noxious spray from the abdomen when disturbed. The species name 'aabaaba' is unusual and appears to be a non-standard formation, possibly reflecting a descriptive or arbitrary designation by the author. Records indicate this species occurs in Mexico and the southwestern United States.
Chelinidea
cactus bugs, cactus leaffooted bugs
Chelinidea is a genus of leaf-footed bugs (family Coreidae) comprising five described species distributed across Central and North America, with three species introduced to Australia. Members are specialized feeders on cacti in the genus Opuntia, making them significant in both natural ecosystems and agricultural contexts. The genus represents the sole member of the monotypic tribe Chelinideini.
Cicindelidia politula politula
Limestone Tiger Beetle
A subspecies of tiger beetle endemic to limestone outcroppings in northern Texas and adjacent Oklahoma. Adults are active in late summer and fall, with emergence tied to rainfall patterns in xeric habitats. The subspecies is characterized by shiny black to blue-black elytra with minimal or apically-limited white markings. Adults are extremely wary and difficult to approach, exhibiting short escape flights and heat-avoidance behaviors including sun-facing and shade-seeking.
Geolycosa xera archboldi
Archbold's Burrowing Wolf Spider
Geolycosa xera archboldi is a subspecies of burrowing wolf spider in the family Lycosidae. Like other members of the genus Geolycosa, it constructs and inhabits deep, silk-lined burrows in sandy soils. The subspecies designation suggests geographic isolation and potential ecological specialization. Adults are nocturnal hunters that may be detected at night by the reflective glow of their eyes when illuminated by artificial light.
Hippiscini
band-winged grasshoppers
Hippiscini is a tribe of band-winged grasshoppers within the subfamily Oedipodinae and family Acrididae. Members are characterized by their distinctive banded or patterned wings, which are often brightly colored and visible during flight. The tribe has a worldwide distribution, with many species inhabiting xeric, open habitats including grasslands, prairies, and weedy fields. Some species within this group have historically been considered important locust pests due to their potential for population outbreaks and gregarious behavior.
Lacinipolia acutipennis
Lacinipolia acutipennis is a noctuid moth occurring in xeric, low-elevation habitats of western North America. Adults are active in late summer and early autumn, with flight records from mid-August through late September. The species is most readily distinguished from its congener Lacinipolia pensilis by forewing shape and color pattern details. Larval biology remains poorly documented, though they are suspected to be generalist feeders that may climb shrubs to forage.
Lomographa vestaliata
White Spring Moth, Spring Faerie
A small, all-white geometrid moth with a wingspan of 15–23 mm. Adults are diurnal and active in spring, often associated with flowering plants. The species occurs across much of North America in dry, shrubby habitats.
Mecidea major
Mecidea major is a grass-feeding stink bug in the family Pentatomidae. A detailed life history study in southern New Mexico documented year-round activity of adults and nymphs, including winter months—unusual for a pentatomid. The species is bivoltine with a possible partial third generation. Five nymphal instars have been described and can be distinguished by body size and wing pad development.
Naphrys xerophila
Naphrys xerophila is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It is a small spider, with adults measuring 2–4 mm in body length. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States, where it inhabits dry, xeric environments.
Peoria floridella
Florida Peoria Moth
Peoria floridella is a small moth in the family Pyralidae, described by Shaffer in 1968. It is endemic to peninsular Florida, where it inhabits dry sandhill and scrub ecosystems. The species has been observed in association with sand live oak (Quercus geminata), suggesting a potential host relationship. Like many Phycitinae moths, it likely has a concealed larval stage, though detailed life history information remains limited.
Phidippus pruinosus
Apache Jumping Spider
Phidippus pruinosus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae, described by George and Elizabeth Peckham in 1909. It is endemic to Texas in the United States, with records primarily from Central Texas and the Abilene area. The species is associated with xeric habitats and juniper vegetation. As a member of the genus Phidippus, it possesses the characteristic large anterior median eyes and jumping ability typical of salticid spiders.
Philodromus infuscatus
Running crab spider
Philodromus infuscatus is a running crab spider in the family Philodromidae, part of the infuscatus species group comprising 20 species and 2 subspecies. The species is divided into two subspecies: P. i. infuscatus in the eastern United States and P. i. utus Chamberlin in the western United States. It is the only member of its species group to reach Canada. These spiders are active hunters that do not build webs to capture prey.
Plinthocoelium suaveolens suaveolens
bumelia borer, cerambycid beetle
Plinthocoelium suaveolens suaveolens is a striking longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, renowned as one of North America's most beautiful cerambycids. Adults display brilliant iridescent green elytra, coppery head and pronotum, and exceptionally long black antennae and legs with contrasting orange femora. The nominate subspecies occurs across the southeastern and south-central United States, where larvae develop in roots of living gum bumelia trees (Sideroxylon lanuginosum). Adults are active primarily during July and August, often seen flying to host flowers or perching on tree trunks. The species is notably wary and difficult to approach for photography.
Protorthodes eureka
Protorthodes eureka is a small noctuid moth described by Barnes and Benjamin in 1927. It inhabits arid western North American habitats including sagebrush prairie and pinyon-juniper woodlands. Adults are active in late summer and early autumn. The species is characterized by distinctive reddish-brown forewings with dark longitudinal streaking and arrowhead-shaped subterminal spots.
Rhopalomyia chrysothamni
chrysanthemum gall midge
A gall midge in the family Cecidomyiidae that induces small, conical-tubular stem galls on rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa, formerly Chrysothamnus nauseosus). Research demonstrates that female attack rates and gall development are strongly influenced by host plant water and nutrient availability, with a documented trade-off between gall quantity and quality.
Spharagemon bolli
Boll's Grasshopper, Boll's Locust
Spharagemon bolli is a species of band-winged grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as Boll's Grasshopper or Boll's Locust. It is characterized by cryptic coloration that provides camouflage in its preferred dry, rocky habitats. The species has been documented in xeric igneous glades and surrounding dry woodlands, where its coloration makes it difficult to relocate after jumping. It is one of several Spharagemon species found in North America.
Strategus antaeus
ox beetle, smooth ox beetle
Strategus antaeus, commonly known as the ox beetle or smooth ox beetle, is a large rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is the second largest beetle in eastern North America. The species occurs in xeric sand prairie remnants and is associated with oak trees, particularly Quercus marilandica (post oak). Live individuals are rarely encountered; carcass remnants are typically found at the base of host trees.
Strymon istapa
Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak, Mallow Hairstreak, Dotted Hairstreak, Hewitson's Hairstreak
Strymon istapa is a widespread hairstreak butterfly found in xeric habitats across the southern United States, Central America, and parts of the Caribbean. It is notably adaptable to human-altered landscapes, frequently occurring in rural and suburban areas with open fields or overgrown weeds resulting from land clearing. The species exhibits a distinctive behavioral trait of rubbing its hindwings together, presumably to draw attention to antenna-mimicking scales on the hindwing margin. Multiple common names reflect its association with mallow vegetation and its spotted wing pattern.
Vanduzea nolina
Vanduzea nolina is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Ball in 1932. The genus Vanduzea is characterized by species that are obligately associated with specific host plants, with adults and nymphs typically found on stems and in leaf axils. This species is named after its host plant genus Nolina (beargrass), indicating a specialized plant-insect relationship. Like other members of the tribe Amastrini, V. nolina likely exhibits ant-tended behavior, where honeydew-producing nymphs are protected by ants in exchange for nutritional rewards.
Xeracris minimus
least desert grasshopper
Xeracris minimus, commonly known as the least desert grasshopper, is a species of slant-faced grasshopper in the family Acrididae. The species is found in Central America and North America. It belongs to a genus adapted to arid environments, as indicated by the genus name 'Xeracris' (from Greek xeros, dry, and Acris, a related grasshopper genus).
Xerolinus
Xerolinus is a genus of darkling beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, subtribe Opatrina. Established in 2016 by Ivie and Hart, it comprises approximately thirty species distributed across the West Indies and southern Florida. Most species are endemic to single islands or island groups corresponding to Pleistocene-era landmasses.