Nature Study in the Sonoran Desert

A Guide to the Flora and Fauna
Arizona, USA & Sonora, Mexico

Trees

Large Shrubs

Alligator Juniper Juniperus deppeana (cones)
Arizona Alder Alnus oblongifolia flower color is GREEN
Arizona Cypress Cupressus arizonica (cones)
Arizona Sycamore Platanus wrightii flower color is GREEN
Arizona Walnut Juglans major flower color is GREEN
Blue Palo Verde Parkinsonia (Cercidium) florida flower color is BRIGHT YELLOW  ^
Bitter Condalia Condalia globosa flower color is WHITE  ^
California Fan Palm Washingtonia filifera flower color is WHITE
Canotia Canotia holacantha flower color is CREAM to WHITE  ^
Crucifixion Thorn Castela emoryi flower color is WHITE  ^
Desert Caper Tree Atamisquea emarginata flower color is WHITE
Desert Willow Chilopsis linearis flower color varies from WHITE to PURPLE
Elephant Tree Bursera microphylla  small flowers are white/cream in color
Emory Oak Quercus emoryi  flower color is GREEN
Fern Bush Lysiloma watsonii flower color is WHITE
Foothill Palo Verde Parkinsonia (C.) microphylla  flower color is YELLOW ^
Fremont Cottonwood Populus fremontii flower color is GREEN
Goodding's Willow Salix gooddingii flower color is GREEN
Huisache Acacia farnesiana flower color is yellow/orange  ^
Ironwood Olneya tesota flower color is PURPLE/LAVENDER/WHITE  ^
Joshua Tree Yucca brevifolia  flower color is WHITE  ^
Mexican Elder Sambucus mexicana 
Mexican Palo Verde Parkinsonia aculeata   ^
Netleaf Hackberry Celtis laevigata reticulata flower color is GREEN
Red Willow Salix laevigata  
Texas Mulberry Morus microphylla  
Screwbean Mesquite Prosopis pubescens    ^
Smoke Thorn Psorothamnus (Dalea) spinosus    ^
Soaptree Yucca Yucca elata  
Sugar Berry Rhus ovata   
Tree Tobacco Nicotianna glauca  
Utah Juniper Juniperous osteosprema (cones)
Velvet Ash Fraxinus velutina  
Velvet Mesquite Prosopis velutina  
Western Soapberry Sapindus saponaria    

Allscale Saltbush Atriplex polycarpa
Arizona Rosewood Vauquelinia arizonica
Arizona Sophora Sophora arizonica 
Arrow-Poison Plant Sebastiania bilocularis 
Arrow Weed Pluchea sericea 
Banana Yucca Yucca baccata   ^
Bernardia Bernardia myricifolia 
Buttonbush Cepahalanthus occidentalis 
Birch-leaf Mountain Mahogany Cercocarpus montanus var glaber 
Burrobrush Hymenoclea salsola 
Catclaw Acacia greggii   ^
Chuparosa Justicia californica 
Colubrina Colubrina californica 
Coursetia Coursetia glandulosa  
Coyote Wllow Salix exigua 
Creosote Bush Larrea tridentata 
Desert Agave Agave deserti   ^
Desert Almond Prunus fasciculata 
Desert Broom Baccharis sarothroides 
Desert Hackberry Celtis pallida   ^
Desert Lavender Hyptis emoryi 
Desert Milkweed Asclepias erosa 
Desert Olive Forestiera 
Desert Thorn Lycium andersonii   ^
Desert Wolfberry Lycium macrodon   ^
False Indigo Amorpha fruticosa 
Four-winged Saltbush Atriplex canescens 
Fremont Thornbush Lycium fremontii   ^
Golden-flowered Century Plant Agave chrysantha   ^
Graythorn Ziziphus obtusifolia   ^
Gum Bumela Sideroxylon lanuginosa   ^
Holly-leaf Buckthorn Rhamnus crocea   ^
Hop Bush Dodonea viscosa 
Hop Tree Ptelea trifoliata 
Iodine Bush Allenrolfea occidentalis 
Jojoba Simmondsia chinensis 
Long-leaf Joint-Fir  Ephedra trifurca (cones)  ^
Oreganillo Aloysia wrightii 
Ocotillo Fouquieria splendens   ^
Pygmy-Cedar Peucephyllum schottii 
Quailbush Atriplex lentiformis 
Red-berry Barberry Berberis haematocarpa   ^
Rough Joint Fir Ephedra aspera (cones)
Seep Baccharis Baccharis salicifolia 
Shrub Live Oak Quercus turbinella 
Skunkbush Rhus trilobata 
Southwestern Coralbean Erythrina flabelliformis   ^
Sotol / Desert Spoon Dasylirion wheeleri   ^
Snapdragon Bush Keckiella (Penstemon) antirrhynoides 
Texas Bird of Paradise Caesalpinia pulcherria   ^
Yellow Trumpet Bush Tecoma stans 
Wait-a-Minute Bush Mimosa aculeaticarpa biuncifera   ^
Warnock's Snakewood Condalia warnockii   ^
White-stemmed Milkweed Asclepias albicans
White-thorn Acacia Acacia constricta   ^
Wolfberry Lycium exsertum   ^

Legend:

,  ,etc.) Indicates the flower color.
^ Thorny plants.

Small Shrubs & Subshrubs

Spring Wildflowers

Allthorn Koeberlinia spinosa   ^
Alkali Goldenbush Isocoma acradenia
Arizona Wrightwort Carlowrightia arizonica flower color is mostly WHITE with Yellow + Purple
Brickell Bush Brickellia coulteri
Brittle Bush Encelia farinosa
Brownfoot Acourtia wrightii 
California Ayenia Ayenia compacta flower color is burgandy-whitish
Canyon Ragweed Ambrosia ambrosioides flower color is GREEN
Coulter's Lyrepod Lyrocarpa coulteri flower color is BROWN to PURPLE
Desert Beard-tongue Penstemon pseudospectabilis 
Desert Holly Acourtia nana flower color is Lavender to Pink
Desert Honeysuckle Anisacanthus thurberi 
Desert Milkweed Asclepias subulata 
Desert Mistletoe Phoradendron californicum 
Desert Rose Mallow Hibiscus coulteri 
Desert Senna Senna covesii 
Desert Tobacco Nicotiana obtusifolia 
Desert Twin Bugs Dicoria canescens 
Emory Dalea  Psorothamnus emoryi 
Fagonia Fagonia laevis   ^
Fairyduster Calliandra eriophylla 
Feather Plume Dalea formosa 
Flat-topped Buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum 
Goldeneye Viguiera parishii (V. deltoidea) 
Goldenhead Acamptopappus spherocephalus 
Gregg's Prairie Clover Dalea greggii 
Holly-leaf Bursage Ambrosia ilicifolia   ^
Lance-leaf Ditaxis Argythamnia lanceolata
Limber Bush Jatropha cardiophylla
Little-leaf Brickell Bush Brickellia microphylla
Little Lemonhead Coreocarpus arizonicus 
Mistletoe Phoradendron tomentosum 
Mojave Aster Xylorhiza tortifolia 
Narrow-leaf Goldenbush Ericameria linearifolia 
Needle-leaf Milkweed Asclepias linaria 
Odora Porophyllum gracile 
Palmer's Bluestar Amsonia palmeri 
Paper Bag Bush Salazaria mexicana   ^
Paper Flower Psilostrophe cooperi
Parry Dalea  Marina parryi
Pelotazo Abutilon incanum flowers are yellow with pink/yellow
Plicate Coldenia Tiquilia plicata 
Ragged Rock Flower Crossosoma bigelovii  
Range Ratany Krameria erecta  
Rock Echeveria Dudleya saxosa 
Rock Hibiscus Hibiscus denudatus 
Sandpaper Plant Petalonyx thurberii 
San Felipe Dogweed Adenophyllum porophylloides 
Sand Wash Groundsel Senecio flaccidus
Sangre de Drago Jatropha cuneata 
Saw-toothed Ditaxis Argythamnia serrata   ^
Seep Weed Suaeda moquinii 
Sida Sida tragiifolia
Shrubby Bedstraw Galium stellatum
Silver Wormwood Artemisia ludoviciana
Snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae 
Sweet Bush  Bebbia juncea 
Tatalencho  Gymnosperma glutinosa 
Tucson Bur Ragweed Ambrosia cordifolia 
Three-seeded Mercury Acalypha californica 
Thurber's Cotton Gossypium thurberi
Triangle-leaf Bursage Ambrosia deltoidea 
Trixis Trixis californica 
Turpentine Bush Ericameria laricifolia 
Twinberry Menodora scabra 
Toumey's Shin Dagger Agave toumeyana  ^
Turpentine Broom Thamnosma montana  
Wand Holdback Caesalpinia virgata 
Waterweed Baccharis sergiloides
Wheelscale Saltbush Atriplex elegans 
White Bursage Ambrosia dumosa 
White Ratany Krameria grayi  
Wire Lettuce Stephanomeria pauciflora 
Woolly Bursage Ambrosia eriocentra 
Woolly Sunflower Eriophyllum confertiflorum 
Wright's Buckwheat Eriogonum wrightii 
Yellow Feltplant Horsfordia newberryi Flower coloris yellow to orange
Yerba Santa Eriodictyon angustifolium 

American Wild Carrot Daucus pusillus 
Arch-nutted Comb Bur Pectocarya recurvata 
Bigelow's Four O'Clock Mirabilis bigelovii 
Blue Dicks Dichelostemma capitatum
Bowlesia Bowlesia incana 
Booth's Suncup Camissonia boothii 
Brittle Spine Flower Chorizanthe brevicornu 
Burro Weed Strangler Orobanche cooperi 
California Goldfields Lasthenia californica   
California Mustard Guillenia lasiophylla 
California Poppy Eschscholtzia californica   
Centaury Centaurium calycosum 
California Suncup Camissonia californica   
Chia Salvia columbariae 
Clarkia Clarkia rhomboidea  (pdf by ct)
Coulter's Globe Mallow Sphaeralcea coulteri 
Coulter's Lupine Lupinus sparsiflorus 
Creamcups Platystemon californicus 
Desert Chicory Rafinesquia neomexicana 
Desert Evening Primrose Oenothera primiveris 
Desert Lily Hesperocallis undulata 
Desert Marigold Baileya radiata 
Desert Poinsettia Euphorbia eriantha (pdf by ct)
Desert Rock Pea Lotus rigidus 
Desert Trumpet Eriogonum inflatum 
Desert Sunflower Geraea canescens 
Desert Windflower Anemone tuberosa 
Desert Zinnia Zinnia acerosa 
Devil's Spine Flower Chorizanthe rigida 
Dakota Mock Vervain Perityle emoryi 
Downy Monkeyflower Mimetanthe pilosa 
Emory Rock Daisy Perityle emoryi 
Evening Snow Linanthus dichotomus 
Globe Mallow Sphaeralcia ambigua 
Golden Dyssodia Thymophylla pentachaeta 
Golden Linanthus Linanthus aureu 
Hackberry Beard-tongue Penstemon subulatus 
Indian Paintbrush Castaleja minor  (pdf ct)
Indianwheat / Woolly Plantain Plantago ovata 
Lacepod Thysanocarpus curvipes 
Miner's Lettuce Claytonia perfoliata 
Mojave Desert Star Monoptilon bellioides 
New Mexico Thistle Cirsium neomexicanum 
Notch-leaved Phacelia Phacelia ambigua 
Owl's Clover Castilleja exserta
Orange Fiddle-neck Amsinckia intermedia 
Parry's Penstemon Penstemon parryi 
Pellitory Perietaria hespera 
Pineapple Weed Matricaria discoidea 
Plains Blackfoot Melampodium leucanthum 
Popcorn Flower Cryptantha angustifolia 
Purple Mat Nama demissum 
Purple Nightshade Solanum xanti 
Rattlesnake Weed Chamaesyce albomarginata 
Red Maids Calandrinia ciliata 
Red-stemmed Fillaree Erodium cicutarium 
Sand Peppergrass Lepidium lasiocarpum 
Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis 
Scrambled Eggs Corydalis aurea 
Seep Monkey Flower Mimulus guttatus 
Silver Puffs Microseris linearifolia 
Small Venus' Looking-glass Triodanis biflora 
Spiny Haplopappus Machaeranthera pinnatifida 
Straggling Mariposa Lilly Calochortus flexuosus (pdf by ct)
Trailing Four O'Clock Allionia incarnata 
Tufted Evening Primrose Oenothera caespitosa 
Whispering Bells Emmenanthe penduliflora
White Easterbonnets Antheropeas lanosum 
White Tackstem Calycoseris wrightii 
Woolly Desertstar Eriastrum eremicum
Woolly Plantain Plantago patagonica 
Yellow-throated Gilia Gilia flavocincta 
Yellow Suncup Camissonia brevipes 
(ct) <-- Wildflower pages by Chris Trask.

Ferns, etc.

Cliff-Brake Pellaea truncata 
Coville's Lip Fern Cheilanthes covillei 
Parry's Lip Fern Cheilanthes parryi 
Standley Cloak Fern Notholaena standleyi
Arizona Spikemoss Selaginella arizonica

Grasses

Summer/Fall Wildflowers

Arizona Cottontop Digitaria californica 
Bermuda Grass Cynodon dactylon 
Big Galeta Pleuraphis rigida 
Buffel Grass Pennisetum ciliare 
Bush Muhly Muhlenbergia porteri 
Curly-mesquite Hilaria belangeri 
Deer Grass Muhlenbergia rigens 
Fluff Grass Erioneuron pulchellum 
Fountain Grass Pennisetum setaceum 
Giant Reed Arundo donax 
Mediterranean Grass Schismus barbatus 
Needle Grama Bouteloua aristidoides 
Plains Bristlegrass Setaria macrostachya 
Purple Three-awn Aristida purpurea 
Rothrock Grama Bouteloua rothrockii
Sideoats Grama  Bouteloua curtipendula
Sixweeks Threeawn  Aristida adscencionis
Witchgrass  Panicum capillare
Wild Oat Avena fatua
Desert Grasses - by Van Devender & Dimmitt, Sonoran Desert Museum.

Bigelow's Tansy Aster Machaeranthera bigelovii 
Bladder Mallow Herissantia crispa 
Blazing Star Mentzelia multiflora 
California Caltrop Kallstroemia californica 
Camphor Weed Heterotheca subaxillaris 
Cardinal Monkeyflower Mimulus cardinalis
Clammy Weed Polanisia trachysperma 
Colorado Four-O'Clock Mirabilis multiflora 
Desert Thorn-apple Datura discolor
Doubleclaw Proboscidea parviflora 
Fringed Amaranth Amaranthus fimbriatus 
Heliotrope Heliotropium currasavicum 
Horehound Marrubium vulgare 
Hummingbird Trumpet Zauschneria californica 
Mojave Milkweed Asclepias nyctaginifolia
Nightshade Solanum douglasii 
Prickleleaf Dogweed  Thymophylla acerosa 
Prickly Poppy Aremone spp.  ^
Prostrate Spurge (Smallseed Sandmat) Chamaesyce polycarpa 
Sacred Datura Datura wrightii 
Salt Marsh Fleabane Pluchea odorata 
Scarlet Four-O'Clock Mirabilis coccinea 
Scarlet Spiderling Boerhavia coccinea 
Skeleton Weed Eriogonum deflexum 
Southern Cattail Typha domingensis 
Spiderling Boerhavia intermedia 
Summer Poppy Kallstroemia grandiflora 
Sunflower Helianthus annuus 
Texas Betony Stachys coccinea 
Thick-leaved Ground Cherry Physalis crassifolia 
Unicorn Plant Proboscidea altheaefolia 
Yerba Mansa Anemopsis californica 
Yellow Columbine Aquilegia chrysantha 
Wooly Tidestromia Tidestromia lanuginosa 
Wright's Thelypody Thelypodium wrightii 
Yuma Sandmat Chamaesyce setiloba 

Cacti

Weeds

Beavertail Prickly Pear Opuntia basilaris   ^
Buckhorn Cholla Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa   ^
Cardon Cactus Pachycereus pringlei   ^
Cane Cholla Cylindropuntia spinosior   ^
Chain Fruit Cholla Opuntia fulgida   ^
Compass Barrel Cactus Ferocactus cylindraceus   ^
Coville's Barrel Ferocactus emoryii   ^
Desert Christmas Cactus Cylindropuntia leptocaulis   ^
Diamond Cholla Cylindropuntia ramosissima  ^
Engelmann Prickly Pear Opuntia engelmannii   ^
Engelmann Hedgehog Cactus Echinocereus engelmannii   ^
Fishook Barrel Cactus Ferocactus wislizenii   ^
Fishook Cactus Mammillaria grahamii var. microcarpa   ^
Graham's Pincushion Mammillaria grahamii   ^
Nightblooming Cereus Peniocereus greggii   ^
Organ Pipe Cactus Cereus thurberi   ^
Pancake Prickly Pear Opuntia chlorotica   ^
Pencil Fruit Cholla Opuntia arbuscula   ^
Saguaro Cactus Cereus giganteus   ^
Senita Cactus Cereus schottii   ^
Silver or Golden Cholla Cylindropuntia echinocarpa  ^
Teddy Bear Cholla Cylindropuntia bigelovii   ^

Vines

Arizona Swallowwort Cynanchum arizonicum
Bigseed Cuscuta Cuscuta indecora
Big Root Marah gilensis
Canyon Grape Vitis arizonica
Canyon Morning-glory Ipomoea barbatisepala
Climbing Milkweed Funastrum cynanchoides
Climbing Wortclub Boerhavia scandens
Finger-leaf Gourd Cucurbita digitata 
Indian Root Aristolochia watsonii 
Janusia Vine Janusia gracilis 
Morning Glory Ipomoea hederacea 
Paiute False Bindweed Calystegia longipes 
Poison Ivy Rhus radicans 
Snapdragon Vine Maurandella antirrhiniflora 
Woodbine Parthenocissus vitacea 
Virgin's Bower Clematis drummondii 

African Sumac (Karee) Rhus lancea 
Amaranthus (Pig Weed) Amaranthus palmeri 
Asian Mustard Brassica tournefortii 
Australian Saltbush Atriplex semibacatta 
Barley Hordeum glaucum 
Blessed Milkthistle Silybum marianum 
Buffel Grass Pennisetum ciliare 
Burclover Medicago polymorpha 
Castorbean Ricinus communis 
Cheeseweed Malva parviflora 
Cocklebur Xanthium strumarium 
Common Groundsel Senecio vulgaris 
Creeping Wood-sorrel Oxalis corniculata 
Desert Horse-purslane Trianthema portulacastrum 
Fountain Grass Pennisetum setaceum 
Giant Reed Arundo donax 
Hyssop Spurge Chamaesyce hyssopifolia 
Johnson Grass Sorghum halepense 
Lamb's Quarters Chenopodium album 
London Rocket Sysibrium irio 
Malta Star Thistle Centaurea melitensis
Mediterranean Grass Schismus barbatus 
Pineapple Weed Matricaria discoidea 
Prostrate Pigweed Amaranthus albus 
Puncture Vine Tribulus terestris   ^
Purple Nutsedge Cyperus rotundus 
Red Brome Grass Bromus rubens 
Rupturewort Herniaria hirsuta cinerea 
Russian Thistle Salsola tragus   ^
Shepherd's Purse Capsella bursa-pastoris 
Silverleaf Nightshade  Solanum elaeagnifolium  ^
Sow Thistle Sonchus oleraceus 
Spotted Ladysthumb Polygonum persicaria 
Spiderling Boerhavia intermedia 
Tamarisk (Salt Cedar) Tamarix pentandra  
Vitex  Vitex agnus-castus
Yerba de Tago Eclipta prostrata 

Mammals

Reptiles & Amphibians

Audubon's Cottontail Sylvilagus audubonii
Black-tailed Jackrabbit Lepus californicus (rs)
Cliff Chipmunk Eutamias dorsalis
Coyote Canis latrans
Desert Bighorn Sheep Ovis canadensis
Ferral Burro Equus asinus
Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus (rs)
Harris' Antelope Squirrel Ammospermophilus harrisi
Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus
Peccary (Javelina) Pecari angulatus (rs)
Ringtail (rs)
Rock Squirrel Citelus variegatus
Round-tail Ground Squirrel Citelus tereticaudus
Western Pipistrel Pipistrellus hesperus (cpnha)
Whitethroat Woodrat Neotoma albigula
(rs) <-- Photography by Robert Shantz.

Fish

Green Sunfish Lepomis cyanellus

Chuckwalla Sauromalus obesus
Clark's Spiny Lizard Pyrocephalus rubinus (th)
Desert Iguana Dipsosaurus dorsalis
Desert Horned Lizard Phrynosoma platyrhinos
Desert Tortoise Gopherus agassizii
Desert Spiny Lizard Sceloporus magister
Eastern Collared Lizard Crotaphytus collaris
Gila Monster Heloderma suspectus (rs)
Greater Earless Lizard Cophosaurus texanus
Lesser Earless Lizard Holbrookia maculata
Long-tailed Brush Lizard Urosaurus graciosus
Mediterranean Gecko Hemidactylus turcicus
Red-eared Slider Trachemys scripta elegans
Side-blotched Lizard Uta stansburiana
Sonoran Collared Lizard Crotaphytus nebrius
Tree Lizard Urosaurus ornatus
Western Banded Gecko Coleonyx variegatus
Western Whiptail Cnemidophorus tigris
Zebra-tailed Lizard Callisaurus draconoides


Black-necked Garter Snake Thamnophis cyrtopsis
Gopher Snake  Pituophis catenifer
Ground Snake  Sonora semiannulata
Lyre Snake  Trimorphodon biscutatus
Mohave Rattlesnake Crotalus scutulatus
Ringneck Snake Diadophis punctatus
Sonoran Whipsnake Masticophis bilineatus
Speckled Rattlesnake Crotalus mitchellii
Tiger Rattlesnake Crotalus tigris


Canyon Tree Frog Hyla arenicolor
Couch's Spadefoot Toad Scaphiopus couchii
Lowland Leopard Frog Rana yavapaiensis
Red Spotted Toad Bufo punctatus
Sonoran Desert Toad Bufo alvarius
Southern Spadefoot Toad Scaphiopus multiplicatus

Birds of Desert & Foothills

City Birds

American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens (rs)
Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Polioptila melanura (rs)
Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza biliniata
Brewer's Sparrow Spizella breweri (rs)
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus (rs)
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia
Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Canyon Towhee Pipilo fuscus
Common Raven Corvus corax (rs)
Costa's Hummingbird Calypte costae
Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre
Gambel's Quail Callipepla gambelii
Gila Woodpecker Melanerpes uropygialis
Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus (rs)
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus (rs)
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus
Lucy's Warbler Vermivora luciae (th)
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis (rs)
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis (rs)
Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus
Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya (rs)
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus (rs)
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni (rs)
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys
Verdin Auriparus flaviceps (pc)


(rd) <-- Bird photography by Rich Ditch.
(rs) <-- Photography by Robert Shantz.

Abert's Towhee Piplio aberti
Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia (rd)
Barn Owl Tyto alba
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans (rs)
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater (rs)
European Starling Sturnus vulgarus
Gila Woodpecker Melanerpes uropygialis
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus (rs)
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Inca Dove Columbina inca
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Peach-Faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis
Rock Pigeon Columba livia
Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya (rs)
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
Verdin Auriparus flaviceps (pc)


(th) <-- Photography by Thomas Heinrich.
(pc) <-- Photography by Patrick Coin.

Water & Riparian Habitat Birds

Butterflies

Abert's Towhee Piplio aberti
American Coot Fulica americana (rs)
American Widgeon Anas americana
American Pipit Anthus rubescens (sz)
Bell's Vireo Vireo bellii
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon (rs)
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans (rs)
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Common Merganser Mergus merganser
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (rs)
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus (rs)
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Green Heron Butorides virescens
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus (rs)
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Lazuli Bunting Passerina amoena (rs)
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Northern Pintail Anas acuta
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Red-naped Sapsucker Sphyrapicus nuchalis (rs)
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus (rs)
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
Snowy Egret Egretta thula (rs)
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus (rs)
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi (rs)
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus (th)
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia (rs)


(sz) <-- Photography by Sandy Z.

Arizona Powdered Skipper Systasea zampa
Arizona Sister Adelpha bredowii eulalia
Bordered Patch Chlosyne lacinia crocale
California Checkerspot Chlosyne californica
Chalcedona Checkerspot Euphydryas chalcedona
Cloudless Sulphur Phoebis sennae (rs)
Dainty Sulphur Nathalis iole
Edward's Blue Hemiargus ceraunus gyas
Elada Checkerspot Texoloa elada
Fatal Metalmark Calephelis nemesis
Giant Swallowtail Papilio cresphontes
Golden-banded Skipper Autochton cellus (rs)
Golden-headed Scallopwing Staphylos ceos
Gray Hairstreak Strymon melinus
Great Purple Hairstreak Atlides halesus
Leda Hairstreak Ministrymon leda
Leila Hackberry Butterfly Asterocampa leila
Marine Blue Leptotes marina
Monarch Danaus plexippus
Mormo Metal-Mark Apodemia mormo
Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa
Northern White Skipper Heliopetes ericetorum
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
Palmer's Metal-Mark Apodemia palmeri
Phyleus Skipper Hylephila phyleus
Pipevine Swallowtail Battus philenor
Pygmy Blue Brephidium exile
Queen Danaus gillipus
Red Spotted Purple Limenitis arthemis arizonensis
Rudkin's Black Swallowtail Papilio polyxenes coloro
Scrub Mallow Hairstreak Strymon istapa
Snout Butterfly Libytheana bachmanni
Variegated Fritillary Euptoieta claudia

(rs) Photography by Robert Shantz.

Moths

Flies, Bees & Wasps

Baccharis Inchworm Moth Elpiste metanemaria
Five-lined Sphinx Hyles lineata
Hubbard's Silk Moth Sphingicampa hubbardi
Jessica's Underwing Catocala jessica
Melipotis acontioides no common name
Milkweed Tiger Moth Lerina incarnata
Schinia Moth Schinia sp.
Sesiid Moth Hymenoclea palmii
Tomato Hornworm Manduca quinquemaculata

Misc. Insects

Desert Subterranean Termite Heterotermes aureus
Encrusting Termites Gnathamitermes perplexus
Firebrat Thermobia domestica
Green Lacewing Chrysopa sp.

Alkali Bee Nomia sp.
Bear-Trap Ant Odontomachus
Big-headed Ant (Pheidole sp.) (tl)
Bot Fly Cuterebra sp.
Cactus Bee Diadasia sp.  (rs)
Carpenter Ant (Camponotus festinatus) (tl)
Carpenter Bee Xylocopa californica
Cricket Hunter Wasp Chlorion aerarium
Dark-winged Fungus Gnat Sciaridae
Desert Harvester Ant Messor pergandei
Digger Bee Centris pallida
Fruit Fly Euaresta stigmatica
Gall Midge Asphondylia
Green Sweat Bee Agapostemon texanus
Harvester Ant Pogonomyrmex
Hover Fly Syrphidae
Honey Bee Apis mellifera
Honeypot Ant (Myrmecocystus mimicus) (tl)
Long-legged Fly Dolichopodidae
Leaf-cutter Ant (Acromyrmex versicolor) (tl)
Native Fire Ant (Solenopsis xyloni) (tl)
Paper Wasp Polistes
Robber Fly Saropogon mohawki
Sonoran Bumblebee Bombus sonorus
Tachinid Fly Tachinidae
Tarantula Hawk Pepsis - (Pompilidae)

More Wasps and Bees ...

(sasi) <-- Sonoran Arthropods Studies Inc.
(tl) <-- Photography by TightLoop.com

Dragonflies & Damselflies

Fungi

Blue-eyed Darner
California Dancer
Comanche Skimmer
Desert Firetail
Familiar Bluet
Filigree Skimmer
Flame Skimmer
Gray Sand Dragon
Great Spreadwing
Green Darner
Mexican Amberwing
Neon Skimmer
Rambur's Forktail
Red Rock Skimmer
Red Saddlebags
Rubyspot
Variegated Meadowhawk

Bermuda Smut - a fungus infection -Ustilago cynodontis
Bracket Fungus Ganoderma sp.
Desert Shaggy Mane Podaxis pistillaris
Diminutive Mushrooms Mycena sp.
Fishscale Lichen - a fungus/alga symbiont Psora crenata
Peltula Lichen - a pearly black soil crust lichen - Peltula richardsii
Hard-skinned Puffball Astraeus hygrometricus 

Mollusks

Decollate Snail Decollata rumina 
Garden Snail Helix aspera 
Gray Garden Slug Deroceras 
Tallus Snail Sonorella spp.

True Bugs

Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Allies

Apache Cicada Diceroprocta apache
Assassin Bug Reduviidae
Bee Assassin Apiomerus spissipes
Bordered Plant Bug Largus sp.
Charcoal & Red Seed Bug Neacoryphus lateralis
Chilopsis Sharpshooter Neokolla sp.
Cochineal Scale Dactylopius sp.
Conchuela Bug Chlorochroa ligata
Creosote Bush Stink Bug Dendrocoris contaminatus
Flatid Planthoppers Flatidae
Green Lacewing Chrysopa sp.
Hackberry Petiole Psyllid Pachypsylla sp.
Leaf-footed Bug Acanthocephala granulosa
Leaf-footed Bug Leptoglossus zonatus
Mealybug Pseudococcidae
Mesquite Thorn Hopper Platycentrus acuticornis
Milkweed Bug Lygaeus kalmii
Milkweed Bug, Large Oncopeltus sp.
Negro Bugs Thyreocoridae
Seed Bug/False Chinch Bug Nysius sp.
Oleander Aphid Aphis nerii
Orange Assassin Pselliopsis
Plant Hopper Oeclidius sp.
Prickly Pear Leaf-footed Bug Narnia sp.
Say's Stink Bug Chlorochroa sayi
Smoketree Sharpshooter Homalodisca liturata
Wax Scale Margarodidae
Water Strider Gerridae
Whitefly Aleyrodidae

Alkali Grasshopper Anconia integra
Blue-winged Grasshopper Leprus intermedius Creosote Bush Katydid Insara covilleae
Creosote Bush Walkingstick Diapheromera covilleae
Desert Clicker Grasshopper Ligurotettix coquilletti
Elegant Bush Katydid Insara elegans
Green Bird Grasshopper Schistocerca shoshone
Gray Bird Grasshopper Schistocerca nitens
Horse Lubber Grasshopper Taeniopoda eques (rs)
Many Hued Grasshopper Poecilotettix sanguineus
Pallid-winged Grasshopper Trimerotropis pallidipennis
Praying Mantis sp.
Red-shanked Grasshopper Xanthippus corallipes
Spur-throated Grasshopper Barytettix humphreysii
Tree Cricket Oecanthus spp.
Spotted Bird Grasshopper Schistocerca lineata
Yarrow's Spur-throat Grasshopper Melanoplus yarrowii

Beetles

Spiders & other Arthropods

Acmaeodera Beetle Acmaeodera alicia
Ambrosia Leaf Beetles Zygogramma tortuosa
Ashy-gray Lady Bird Olla v-nigrum
Burrobrush Leaf Beetle Leptinotarsa lineolata
Casebearer Leaf Beetle Cryptocephalus
Chrysobothris Jewel Beetle Chrysobothris sp.
Convergent Lady Beetle Hippodamia convergens
Creosote Litter Beetle Pachybrachis mellitus
Double-banded Bycid Sphaenothecus bivitatta
Fig-Eater Beetle Cotinis mutabilis
Flower Longhorned Beetle Crossidius sp.
Hercules Beetle Dynastes granti
Iron Cross Beetle Tegrodera aloga
Leaf Beetle Chrysomelidae
Long-jawed Longhorn Beetle Dendrobias mandibularis
Masked Chafer Cyclocephala melanocephala
Metalic Wood-boring Beetle Hippomelas shenicus
Net-winged Beetle Lycidae
Palo Verde Root Borer Derobrachus geminatus
Pinacate Beetle Eleodes spinipes
Red-eared Blister Beetle Lytta auriculata
Seven-spot Lady Bird Coccinella septempunctata
Silver Twig Weevil Ophryastes argentata
Striped Willow Flea Beetle Disonycha alternata
Three-lined Potato Beetle Lema daturaphila
Tiger Beetle Cicindela spp.

Arizona Bark Scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus
Banded Garden Spider Argiope trifasciata
Black Widow Spider Latrodectus hesperus (cpnha)
Crab Spider Misumenops deserti
Desert Centipede Scolopendra polymorpha
Desert Tarantula Aphonopelma sp.
Dictynid Spider Dictyna
Fishing Spider Dolomedes gertschi
Funnel Web Spider Agelenidae
Gall Mite Eriophyes
Giant Crab Spider Olios fasciculatus
Giant Desert Centipede Scolopendra heros (cpnha)
Giant Hairy Scorpion Hadrurus arizonensis
Giant Millipede Orthoporus ornatus
Greenhouse Millipede Oxidus gracilis
Green Lynx Peucetia viridans
Jumping Spider Thiodina
Red Velvet Mite Dinothrombium (tl)
Southern House Spider Kukulcania hibernalis
Sun Spider Eremobates sp.
Sheet Web Spider Linyphiidae
Tarantula Spider Theraphosidae
Thin-Legged Wolf Spider Pardosa sp.
Wall Spider Oecobius annulipes
Wolf Spider Hogna sp.
(tl) <-- Photography by TightLoop.com
(cpnha) <-- Cabeza Prieta Natural History Association

Habitats

Bosque - Mesquite Woodland
Basin
Fire

Riparian - Desert Oases
Soil Crust
Desert Varnish @ Waynes World


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