A living guide to Kauaʻi

Insects, Spiders & Relatives of Kauaʻi

Explore the island’s native and introduced species, habitats, watersheds and conservation work. Each record connects its description, images and sources with the interactive Atlas.

Page 8 of 11

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  Asian Tiger Mosquito

  Aedes albopictus

  Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) belongs to Culicidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status is introduced — invasive.

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  Yellow Fever Mosquito

  Aedes aegypti

  Aedes aegypti is retained here as a historical Kauaʻi record, not a confirmed current island population.

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  Cheumatopsyche analis

  Cheumatopsyche analis

  Cheumatopsyche analis is an introduced net-spinning caddisfly with aquatic larvae and winged adults.

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  Hydroptila potosina

  Hydroptila potosina

  Hydroptila potosina is an introduced microcaddisfly formerly reported in Hawaiʻi as H. arctia.

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  Mesovelia amoena

  Mesovelia amoena

  Mesovelia amoena is associated with seeps and small spring-fed flows rather than open ponds.

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  Buenoa pallipes

  Buenoa pallipes

  Buenoa pallipes is an introduced backswimmer documented in Hawaiian freshwater inventories.

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  Brachydeutera ibari

  Brachydeutera ibari

  Brachydeutera ibari is the name used in the historical Hawaiian aquatic inventories.

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  Procanace hardyi

  Procanace hardyi

  Procanace hardyi was described in 2016 from Kauaʻi material.

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  Procanace quadrisetosa

  Procanace quadrisetosa

  Procanace quadrisetosa is a Kauaʻi member of the dark nigroviridis species complex.

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  Procanace wirthi

  Procanace wirthi

  Procanace wirthi is recorded from Kauaʻi and Oʻahu.

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  Canaceoides angulatus

  Canaceoides angulatus

  Canaceoides angulatus can be separated from C. hawaiiensis by the arrangement of hairs on the femur: they cover the posterior surface irregularly rather than forming two ordered rows.

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  Notiphila insularis

  Notiphila insularis

  Notiphila insularis is a Hawaiian endemic shore fly with records from several islands, rather than a Kauaʻi-only endemic.

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  Hyposmocoma eepawai

  Hyposmocoma eepawai

  Hyposmocoma eepawai has amphibious caterpillars that carry small, bugle-shaped cases made from silk and sand.

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  Hyposmocoma uhauiole

  Hyposmocoma uhauiole

  Hyposmocoma uhauiole is an amphibious case-making moth of eastern Kauaʻi streams, including Uhauʻiole, Wailua, and Keāhua.

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  Hyposmocoma wailua

  Hyposmocoma wailua

  Hyposmocoma wailua was described from amphibious caterpillars in the upper Wailua River.

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  Hyposmocoma marginenotata

  Hyposmocoma marginenotata

  Hyposmocoma marginenotata was described from a series of Kauaʻi moths collected at roughly 3,000–4,000 feet, including Kaholuamano.

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  Udea stellata

  Udea stellata

  Udea stellata caterpillars feed on māmaki relatives in the genus Pipturus.

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  Odontomyia ochropa

  Odontomyia ochropa

  Odontomyia ochropa is a soldier fly whose aquatic larvae were confirmed by rearing adults from a duck pond near Singapore.

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  Neotermes connexus

  Neotermes connexus

  Neotermes connexus is a member of Kalotermitidae in the order Blattodea. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is native/indigenous hawaiian. Neotermes connexus is a native Hawaiian drywood/dampwood-type forest termite recorded from Kauaʻi.

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  Itodacne sordidus

  Itodacne sordidus

  Itodacne sordidus is a member of Elateridae in the order Coleoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic — kauaʻi. Itodacne sordidus is a Kauaʻi-endemic click beetle. Adult and wireworm-like larval stages are distinct and shoul

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  Itodacne kauaiensis

  Itodacne kauaiensis

  Itodacne kauaiensis is a member of Elateridae in the order Coleoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic — kauaʻi. Itodacne kauaiensis is a Kauaʻi-endemic click beetle retained in Hawaiian elaterid taxonomy. Click beetles und

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  Itodacne major

  Itodacne major

  Itodacne major is a member of Elateridae in the order Coleoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic — kauaʻi. Itodacne major is a large Kauaʻi-endemic click beetle identified in Hawaiian elaterid keys. Click beetles undergo c

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  Dacnitus currax

  Dacnitus currax

  Dacnitus currax is a member of Elateridae in the order Coleoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic — kauaʻi. Dacnitus currax is a Kauaʻi-endemic click beetle recognized in current ITIS taxonomy and historical Hawaiian colle

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  Apetasimus pleomelarrosus

  Apetasimus pleomelarrosus

  Apetasimus pleomelarrosus is a member of Nitidulidae in the order Coleoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic — kauaʻi. Apetasimus pleomelarrosus is an endemic Hawaiian sap beetle documented as locally abundant on Kauaʻi. I

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  Apetasimus kauaiensis

  Apetasimus kauaiensis

  Apetasimus kauaiensis is a member of Nitidulidae in the order Coleoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic — kauaʻi. Apetasimus kauaiensis is a Kauaʻi-endemic sap beetle in the native Hawaiian Apetasimus radiation. Sap beetl

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  Arciellia dolichostoma

  Arciellia dolichostoma

  Arciellia dolichostoma is a member of Dolichopodidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic — kauaʻi. Arciellia dolichostoma is a Kauaʻi-endemic long-legged fly documented from high-elevation Puʻu O Kila. Adu

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  Arciellia xanthopleura

  Arciellia xanthopleura

  Arciellia xanthopleura is a member of Dolichopodidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic — kauaʻi. Arciellia xanthopleura is a Kauaʻi-endemic long-legged fly documented from Pihea Trail in montane wet fore

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  Eurynogaster paludis

  Eurynogaster paludis

  Eurynogaster paludis is a member of Dolichopodidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic — kauaʻi. Eurynogaster paludis is a Kauaʻi-endemic long-legged fly documented from Pihea Trail. Long-legged flies are

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  Eurynogaster kauaiensis

  Eurynogaster kauaiensis

  Eurynogaster kauaiensis is a member of Dolichopodidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic hawaiian; kauaʻi documented. Eurynogaster kauaiensis is a valid native Hawaiian long-legged fly with documented Kau

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  Major minor

  Major minor

  Major minor is a member of Dolichopodidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic hawaiian; kauaʻi documented. Major minor is a native Hawaiian long-legged fly recorded from Kauaʻi streams. Older Kauaʻi report

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  Conchopus crassinervis

  Conchopus crassinervis

  Conchopus crassinervis is a member of Dolichopodidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic — kauaʻi. Conchopus crassinervis is a Kauaʻi-endemic shore-dwelling long-legged fly described from Poʻipū Beach. Its

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  Conchopus menehune

  Conchopus menehune

  Conchopus menehune is a member of Dolichopodidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic hawaiian; kauaʻi + nihoa. Conchopus menehune (Conchopus menehune) is documented from Kauaʻi. Long-legged flies are gener

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  Conchopus pacificus

  Conchopus pacificus

  Conchopus pacificus is a member of Dolichopodidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is native hawaiian / pacific. Conchopus pacificus (Conchopus pacificus) is documented from Kauaʻi. Long-legged flies are generally

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  Microvelia vagans

  Microvelia vagans

  Microvelia vagans is a member of Veliidae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is native hawaiian. Microvelia vagans (Microvelia vagans) is documented from Kauaʻi. Riffle bugs and small water striders are semiaquati

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  Rambur's Forktail

  Ischnura ramburii

  Rambur's Forktail (Ischnura ramburii) is a member of Coenagrionidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced. Rambur's Forktail (Ischnura ramburii) is documented from Kauaʻi. Damselflies have aquatic predato

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  Familiar Bluet

  Enallagma civile

  Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) is a member of Coenagrionidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced. Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) is documented from Kauaʻi. Damselflies have aquatic predatory naiad

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  Deielia phaon

  Deielia phaon

  Deielia phaon is a member of Libellulidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced. Deielia phaon (Deielia phaon) is documented from Kauaʻi. Skimmer dragonflies have aquatic predatory naiads and aerial preda

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  Globe Skimmer

  Pantala flavescens

  Globe Skimmer (Pantala flavescens) is a member of Libellulidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is indigenous. Globe Skimmer (Pantala flavescens) is documented from Kauaʻi. Skimmer dragonflies have aquatic predato

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  Common Green Darner

  Anax junius

  Common Green Darner (Anax junius) is a member of Aeshnidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is indigenous. Common Green Darner (Anax junius) is documented from Kauaʻi. Darners are large dragonflies with aquatic pr

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  Roseate Skimmer

  Orthemis ferruginea

  Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) is a member of Libellulidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced. Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) is documented from Kauaʻi. Skimmer dragonflies have aquatic p

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  Scarlet Skimmer

  Crocothemis servilia

  Scarlet Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia) is a member of Libellulidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced. Scarlet Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia) is documented from Kauaʻi. Skimmer dragonflies have aquatic

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  Black Saddlebags

  Tramea lacerata

  Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) is a member of Libellulidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced. Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) is documented from Kauaʻi. Skimmer dragonflies have aquatic predato

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  Telmatogeton hirtus

  Telmatogeton hirtus

  Telmatogeton hirtus is a member of Chironomidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic — kauaʻi. Telmatogeton hirtus (Telmatogeton hirtus) is documented from Kauaʻi. Non-biting midges have aquatic or semiaqua

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  Saldula oahuensis

  Saldula oahuensis

  Saldula oahuensis is a member of Saldidae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is endemic hawaiian; kauaʻi documented. Saldula oahuensis (Saldula oahuensis) is documented from Kauaʻi. Shore bugs are small predatory

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  Cricotopus bicinctus

  Cricotopus bicinctus

  Cricotopus bicinctus is a member of Chironomidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced. Cricotopus bicinctus (Cricotopus bicinctus) is documented from Kauaʻi. Non-biting midges have aquatic or semiaquatic

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  Toxorhynchites amboinensis

  Toxorhynchites amboinensis

  Toxorhynchites amboinensis is a member of Culicidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced — biocontrol. Toxorhynchites amboinensis (Toxorhynchites amboinensis) is documented from Kauaʻi. Mosquitoes have a

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  Toxorhynchites brevipalpis

  Toxorhynchites brevipalpis

  Toxorhynchites brevipalpis is a member of Culicidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced — biocontrol. Toxorhynchites brevipalpis (Toxorhynchites brevipalpis) is documented from Kauaʻi. Mosquitoes have a

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  Southern House Mosquito

  Culex quinquefasciatus

  Southern House Mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) is a member of Culicidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced — invasive. Southern House Mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) is documented from Kauaʻi. Mosq

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  Floodwater Mosquito

  Aedes vexans nocturnus

  Floodwater Mosquito (Aedes vexans nocturnus) is a member of Culicidae in the order Diptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced. Floodwater Mosquito (Aedes vexans nocturnus) is documented from Kauaʻi. Mosquitoes have aquatic

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  Giant Asian Mantis

  Hierodula patellifera

  Giant Asian Mantis (Hierodula patellifera) is a member of Mantidae in the order Mantodea. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced. Giant Asian Mantis (Hierodula patellifera) is documented from Kauaʻi. Mantises are sit-and-wait o

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  Mealybug Destroyer

  Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

  Mealybug Destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) is a member of Coccinellidae in the order Coleoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced — biocontrol. Mealybug Destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) is documented from Kauaʻi.

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  Pacific Cockroach

  Euthyrrhapha pacifica

  Pacific Cockroach (Euthyrrhapha pacifica) is a member of Corydiidae in the order Blattodea. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced / adventive. Pacific Cockroach (Euthyrrhapha pacifica) is documented from Kauaʻi. Corydiid cockr

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  Black Earwig

  Chelisoches morio

  Black Earwig (Chelisoches morio) is a member of Chelisochidae in the order Dermaptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced / polynesian-era or early adventive. Black Earwig (Chelisoches morio) is documented from Kauaʻi. Earw

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  Pinkwinged Grasshopper

  Atractomorpha sinensis

  Pinkwinged Grasshopper (Atractomorpha sinensis) is a member of Pyrgomorphidae in the order Orthoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced. Pinkwinged Grasshopper (Atractomorpha sinensis) is documented from Kauaʻi. Pyrgomorp

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  Grass Sharpshooter

  Draeculacephala minerva

  Grass Sharpshooter (Draeculacephala minerva) is a member of Cicadellidae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced. Grass Sharpshooter (Draeculacephala minerva) is documented from Kauaʻi. Leafhoppers are sm

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  White-edged Wingless Cockroach

  Melanozosteria soror

  White-edged Wingless Cockroach (Melanozosteria soror) is a member of Blattidae in the order Blattodea. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced / adventive. White-edged Wingless Cockroach (Melanozosteria soror) is documented from

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  Xyphon reticulatum

  Xyphon reticulatum

  Xyphon reticulatum is a member of Cicadellidae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced. Xyphon reticulatum (Xyphon reticulatum) is documented from Kauaʻi. Leafhoppers are small plant-sap feeders with powe

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  Leafhopper Assassin Bug

  Zelus renardii

  Leafhopper Assassin Bug (Zelus renardii) is a member of Reduviidae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced. Leafhopper Assassin Bug (Zelus renardii) is documented from Kauaʻi. Assassin bugs are predatory

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  Oceanic Field Cricket

  Teleogryllus oceanicus

  Oceanic Field Cricket (Teleogryllus oceanicus) is a member of Gryllidae in the order Orthoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced / ancient human-assisted colonist. Oceanic Field Cricket (Teleogryllus oceanicus) is docume

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  Gonatocerus californicus

  Gonatocerus californicus

  Gonatocerus californicus is a member of Mymaridae in the order Hymenoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced / adventive parasitoid. Gonatocerus californicus (Gonatocerus californicus) is documented from Kauaʻi. Fairyflie