Newest recorded species in the Smokies
Here are some of the species recently recorded in Great Smoky Mountains National Park as part of the Smokies ATBI. Check the Species Tally for more.
| Species | Group | Documented date | Where documented | Documented by | ID'd by | About | Record type* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Lonchodryinus sp. (Unnamed pincer wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Dryinidae | 9/10/2001 | Snakeden Ridge | Mike Santella | Milo van Loon | iNaturalist | NR genus |
 | Andricus weldi (Unnamed oak gall wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae | 11/8/2023 | Twenty Mile | Melinda Fawver, Doug Bruce | Solomon Hendrix, Kyle Kittelberger | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Andricus weldi (Unnamed oak gall wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae | 11/17/2023 | Cades Cove | Will Kuhn, Jaimie Matzko, Sam Rosolina, Ivy Hoig, Manfred Grote | Adam Kranz | iNaturalist. On white oak | NR species |
 | Neuroterus quercusverrucarum (Oak flake gall wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae | 11/17/2023 | Cades Cove | Will Kuhn, Jaimie Matzko, Sam Rosolina, Ivy Hoig, Manfred Grote | Adam Kranz | iNaturalist. On white oak | NR species |
 | Philonix fulvicollis (Unnamed oak gall wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae | 11/17/2023 | Cades Cove | Will Kuhn, Jaimie Matzko, Sam Rosolina, Ivy Hoig, Manfred Grote | Adam Kranz | iNaturalist. On oak | NR genus |
 | Callirhytis quercusfutilis (Oak wart gall wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae | 11/17/2023 | Cades Cove | Will Kuhn, Jaimie Matzko, Sam Rosolina, Ivy Hoig, Manfred Grote | Adam Kranz | iNaturalist. On white oak | NR species |
 | Acraspis erinacei (Hedgehog gall wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae | 11/17/2023 | Cades Cove | Will Kuhn, Jaimie Matzko, Sam Rosolina, Ivy Hoig, Manfred Grote | Adam Kranz | iNaturalist. On white oak | NR species |
 | Macrodiplosis qoruca (Oak vein pocket gall midge) | Insects: Diptera: Cecidomyiidae | 11/17/2023 | Cades Cove | Will Kuhn, Jaimie Matzko, Sam Rosolina, Ivy Hoig, Manfred Grote | Adam Kranz | iNaturalist. On red oak | NR species |
 | Acraspis pezomachoides (Unnamed oak gall wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae | 11/17/2023 | Cades Cove | Will Kuhn, Jaimie Matzko, Sam Rosolina, Ivy Hoig, Manfred Grote | Adam Kranz | iNaturalist. On oak | NR species |
 | Medon icarus (Unnamed rove beetle) | Insects: Coleoptera: Staphylinidae | 2020-2021 | Mt LeConte, Clingmans Dome, Mt Kephart, Big Cataloochee Mt, Balsam Mt Tr, Alum Cave Tr | Mike Caterino | Mike Caterino | Described in The Coleopterists Bulletin in 2023 | NTS species |
 | Proctophyllodes prob. occidentalis (Feather mite on blue jay) | Arachnids: Sarcoptiformes: Proctophyllodidae | 11/2023 | Purchase Knob | Paul Super | Paul Super | NR species | |
 | Palpada pusilla (Bicolored plushback) | Insects: Diptera: Syrphidae | 10/21/2023 | Off HWY 129 near Calderwood Dam | Melinda Fawver | Melinda Fawver, Trina Roberts | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Phytometra rhodarialis (Pink-bordered yellow) | Insects: Lepidoptera: Erebidae | 8/26/2023 | Off HWY 129 near Calderwood Dam | Melinda Fawver | Melinda Fawver, Adrienne van den Beemt | iNaturalist | NR genus |
 | Carmenta pyralidiformis (Boneset borer moth) | Insects: Lepidoptera: Sesiidae | 8/26/2023 | Off HWY 129 near Calderwood Dam | Melinda Fawver | Melinda Fawver, Daniel Gilbert | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Miscogastrinae sp. (Wasp parasite of leafminer flies) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae | 7/23/2023 | Appalachian Trail near Fontana | Will Kuhn | Jeong Yoo | Wasp documented on iNaturalist that emerged from this leafmining fly | NR subfamily |
 | Timulla dubitatiformis (Unnamed velvet ant) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Mutillidae | 7/23/2023 | Foothills Parkway | Melinda Fawver | Kevin Williams | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Graminella villica (Unnamed leafhopper) | Insects: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae | 9/23/2023 | Cades Cove | Melinda Fawver | Melinda Fawver, Solomon Hendrix | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Asindulum montanum (Unnamed predatory fungus gnat) | Insects: Diptera: Keroplatidae | 9/22/2023 | Clingmans Dome | RJ Smith | Scott Fitzgerald | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Loxostege cereralis (Alfalfa webworm moth) | Insects: Lepidoptera: Crambidae | 9/17/2023 | Foothills Parkway | Melinda Fawver | Melinda Fawver | iNaturalist | NR genus |
 | Draeculacephala robinsoni (Unnamed sharpshooter) | Insects: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae | 9/17/2023 | Foothills Parkway | Melinda Fawver | Solomon Hendrix | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Phasia aurulans (Unnamed bristle fly) | Insects: Diptera: Tachninidae | 9/6/2023 | Alum Cave Trail | Will Kuhn | Will Kuhn | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Liriomyza schmidti (Unnamed leafminer fly) | Insects: Diptera: Agromyzidae | 8/17/2023 | Brushy Mountain | Will Kuhn | Charley Eiseman | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Pentaphyllus pallidus (Unnamed darkling beetle) | Insects: Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae | 6/2/2023 | Deep Creek Campground | Clarence Holmes | Boris Büche, Clarence Holmes | iNaturalist | NR genus |
 | Helorus ruficornis (Unnamed lacewing parasite wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Heloridae | 6/28/2019 | Baskins Creek Trail | Fire Recovery Bioblitz participants | Nathaniel Green via iNaturalist | iNaturalist; photographed by Mike Santella | NR species |
 | Nesticus binfordae, N. cherokeensis, N. dykemanae (Unnamed cave cobweb spiders) | Arachnids: Araneae: Nesticidae | ~1992-2002 | Several locations in GSMNP | Marshal Hedin and others | Marshal Hedin & Marc A Milne (describers) | Described in ZooKeys in 2023. N. binfordae and N. dykemanae are Smokies endemics; N. cherokeensis is endemic to the Southern Appalachians. | NTS species ×3 |
 | Hellinsia paleaceus (Ironweed plume moth) | Insects: Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae | 9/22/2022 | Twin Creeks | Will Kuhn | plumemothdotcom on iNaturalist | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Melanophthalma intermis (Minute brown scavenger beelte) | Insects: Coleoptera: Latridiidae | 3/31/2023 | Twin Creeks | Antoine Fletcher | via DNA barcoding | NR species | |
 | Rhagonycha lineola (Unnamed soldier beetle) | Insects: Coleoptera: Cantharidae | 4/30/2022 | Cades Cove | Jared Gorrell on iNaturalist | Michael Geiser on iNaturalist | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Aprostecetus sp. (Unnamed eulophid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Eulophidae | 9/24/2022 | Clingmans Dome | Will Kuhn | Jeong Yoo on iNaturalist | iNaturalist | NR genus |
 | Neolasioptera boehmeriae (Boehmeria stem gall midge) | Insects: Diptera: Cecidomyiidae | 1/19/2023 | Twin Creeks | Will Kuhn | Timothy Frey | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Polycyrtus neglectus (Unnamed ichneumonid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae | 9/20/2022 | Bud Ogle Place | zakqary on iNaturalist | Richard L Baxter | iNaturalist | NR genus |
 | Liriomyza eupatoriella (Unnamed ironweed leafminer fly) | Insects: Diptera: Agromyzidae | 10/20/2022 | Sugarlands Visitor Center | Will Kuhn | Charley Eiseman | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Orthocentrus sannio (Unnamed ichneumonid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae | 9/24/2022 | Clingmans Dome | Will Kuhn | Andrei (ichman) on iNaturalist | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Megarhyssa atrata (Black giant ichneumonid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae | 8/24/2022 | Cades Cove | mortmann83 on iNaturalist | Jay Brasher, Jaz Anderson | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Liriomyza asclepiadis (Milkweed leaf-miner fly) | Insects: Diptera: Agromyzidae | 7/31/2022 | Purchase Knob | Will Kuhn | Charley Eiseman | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Acrocercops astericola (Aster tentiform blotchminer moth) | Insects: Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae | 7/29/2022 | Purchase Knob | Will Kuhn | Charley Eiseman | iNaturalist | NR genus |
 | Spilopteron occiputale (Unnamed ichneumonid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae | 7/12/2022 | Tremont | Will Kuhn | Richard L Baxter | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Acronicta funeralis (Funerary dagger) | Insects: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae | 6/2/2022 | Twin Creeks | Luca Pfeiffer | k8thegr8 on iNaturalist | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Phytomyza loewii (Unnamed leaf-miner fly on Clematis) | Insects: Diptera: Agromyzidae | 6/3/2022 | Greenbrier | Will Kuhn | Charley Eiseman | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Bibio albipennis (White-winged march fly) | Insects: Diptera: Bibionidae | 5/18/2022 | Purchase Knob | Ken Hobson | mabuva2021, Even Dankowicz on iNaturalist | iNaturalist | NR species |
| Rhagonycha lineola (Unnamed soldier beetle) | Insects: Coleoptera: Cantharidae | 4/30/2022 | Cades Cove | Jared Gorrell | Michael Geiser | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Stigmus sp. (Unnamed aphid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Crabronidae | 4/17/2022 | Cades Cove | Julie Elfin | Milo "Bulle" van Loon | iNaturalist | NR genus |
 | Coptera cingulatae (Unnamed diapriid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Diapriidae | 6/28/2019 | Twin Creeks | Fire Recovery Bioblitz participants | David G. Notton | iNaturalist | NR genus |
 | Myadestes townsendi (Townsend's solitaire) | Birds: Passeriformes: Turdidae | 10/9/2021 | Clingmans Dome | athoma18 on iNaturalist | torgos23, Al Hooks on iNaturalist | iNaturalist | NR genus |
 | Zygota sp. (Unnamed diapriid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Diapriidae | 6/27/2021 | Abrams Creek | DLiA & Bioblitz participants | Victor Kolyada, David G. Notton | iNaturalist; IDed from diagnostic photographs by Mike Santella | NR genus |
 | Tephrochlamys flavitarsis (Unnamed heleomyzid fly) | Insects: Diptera: Heliomyzidae | 6/14/2019 | near Clingmans Dome | Graham Montgomery | Graham Montgomery, Chris Angell | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Desmognathus adatsihi (Cherokee mountain dusky) | Vertebrates: Amphibians: Plethodontidae | described 9/28/2022 | Cosby area | R. Alexander Pyron, Todd W. Pierson | R. Alexander Pyron, David A. Beamer (describers) | species description in Zootaxa | NTS species |
 | Myrmosa unicolor (Unnamed myrmosid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Myrmosidae | 6/27/2021 | Abrams Creek | DLiA & Bioblitz participants | Kevin Williams, Susanna Heideman | iNaturalist; IDed from diagnostic photographs by Mike Santella | NR genus |
 | Dolichurus greenei (Unnamed cockroach wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ampulicidae | 6/28/2019 | Baskins Creek Trail | Fire Recovery Bioblitz participants | Susanna Heideman | iNaturalist; IDed from diagnostic photographs by Mike Santella | NR genus |
 | Ampedus oblessus (Unnamed click beetle) | Insects: Coleoptera: Elateridae | 11/9/2022 | Anthony Creek Trail | Julie Elfin | Tyler on iNaturalist, Blaine Mathison | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Aclista sp. (Unnamed diapriid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Diapriidae | 11/7/2022 | Baskins Creek Trail | Fire Recovery Bioblitz participants | Victor Kolyada | iNaturalist; IDed from diagnostic photographs by Mike Santella | NR genus |
 | Tricholabus sp. (Unnamed ichneumonid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae | 7/20/2021 | Twin Creeks complex | Will Kuhn | Brandon Claridge | iNaturalist; IDed from diagnostic photographs by Mike Santella | NR genus |
 | Eutanyacra sp. (Unnamed ichneumonid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae | 7/20/2021 | Twin Creeks complex | Will Kuhn | Brandon Claridge | iNaturalist; IDed from diagnostic photographs by Mike Santella | NR genus |
 | Caryomyia caryae (Hickory sticky globe gall midge) | Insects: Diptera: Cecidomyiidae | 10/12/2022 | Sunkota Ridge | anaturalist68 on iNaturalist | Timothy Frey | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Thecodiplosis brachynteroides (Unnamed gall midge on Virginia pine) | Insects: Diptera: Cecidomyiidae | 10/10/2022 | near Rich Mountain Loop Trail, Cades Cove | Will Kuhn | Joshua C'deBaca, Jeff Clark | iNaturalist | NR genus |
 | Omolicna uhleri (Unnamed derbid planthopper) | Insects: Hemiptera: Derbidae | 10/6/2022 | near DLiA office | Will Kuhn | Will Kuhn, Kyle Kittelberger | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Liriomyza galiivora (Unnamed leafminer fly on licorice bedstraw) | Insects: Diptera: Agromyzidae | 8/4/2022 | near DLiA office | Will Kuhn | GretaL on iNaturalist, Charley Eiseman | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Palpada sp. near furcata (Northern striped plushback) | Insects: Diptera: Syrphidae | 7/29/2022 | Purchase Knob | Will Kuhn | Paul Super, Catherine C. Galley | iNaturalist; referenced in Skevington et al. 2019 as "Palpada undescribed species 1" | NR species |
 | Marmara smilacisella (Unnamed leaf blotch miner on Smilax rotundifolia) | Insects: Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae | 7/26/2022 | Powerline right-of-way off HWY 115 | Will Kuhn | Will Kuhn, Charley Eiseman | iNaturalist | NR species |
| Pachynematus auratus (Unnamed sawfly) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae | 6/30/2020 | Gregory Bald | Garrett Harrison, Leah Crowley, Alex Siggers (DLiA interns), Will Kuhn | Dave Smith | Collected via sweep net | NR species | |
 | Amiota communis, A. steyskali, A. minor (Vinegar flies) | Insects: Diptera: Drosophilidae | 1953 | Cades Cove | JM Carpenter | Lance E Jones, David A Grimaldi | From Revision of Nearctic Species of the Genus Amiota Loew (link) | NR species ×3 |
 | Amiota fulvitibia (Vinegar fly) | Insects: Diptera: Drosophilidae | 1999 | Roaring Fork Creek and Trillium Gap Trails | JM Cumming | Lance E Jones, David A Grimaldi (describers) | From Revision of Nearctic Species of the Genus Amiota Loew (link) | NTS species |
 | Amiota tessae (Vinegar fly) | Insects: Diptera: Drosophilidae | 1987 | near Clingmans Dome | DW Webb | Lance E Jones, David A Grimaldi (describers) | From Revision of Nearctic Species of the Genus Amiota Loew (link) | NTS species |
 | Amiota brayi (Vinegar fly) | Insects: Diptera: Drosophilidae | 2001 | Husky Gap Trail | JM Cumming | Lance E Jones, David A Grimaldi (describers) | From Revision of Nearctic Species of the Genus Amiota Loew (link) | NTS species |
 | Ossiannilssonola flavomarginata (Leafhopper) | Insects: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae | 7/22/2022 | Peck's Corner | Will Kuhn | Will Kuhn, Kyle Kittelberger | Photographed at UV light sheet; iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Nemorimyza maculosa (Leaf-miner fly on fireweed) | Insects: Diptera: Agromyzidae | 7/19/2022 | Oconaluftee Visitor Center | Will Kuhn | Charley Eiseman | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Desmognathus gvnigeusgwotli (Cherokee black-bellied salamander) | Vertebrates: Amphibians: Plethodontidae | described 7/19/2022 | Cosby area | species description in Bionomina; first 2 new-to-science vertebrates formally described in Smokies since ATBI began | NTS species | ||
 | Desmognathus mavrokoilius (Pisgah black-bellied salamander) | Vertebrates: Amphibians: Plethodontidae | 8/2019, described in 2022 | Straight Fork in Swain Co. | R. Alexander Pyron, Todd W. Pierson | R. Alexander Pyron, David A. Beamer (describers) | Species name roughly translates to "black belly" in EBCI Tsalagi; species description in Bionomina; first 2 new-to-science vertebrates formally described in Smokies since ATBI began | NTS species |
 | Baetisca berneri (Chonky mayfly) | Insects: Ephemeroptera: Baetiscidae | 7/15/2022 | Abrams Falls Trail | Kelly van Assendelft | Kelly van Assendelft, Becky Nichols | iNaturalist | NR species |
 | Insects: Diptera: Cecidomyiidae | 7/13/2022 | Middle Prong Trail | Will Kuhn | Timothy Frey | iNat, likely parasitoids of Anthophora, found on alternate-leaf dogwood | NR genus | |
 | Mezira subsetosa (Unnamed flat bug) | Insects: Hemiptera: Aradidae | 7/2/2022 | Deep Creek Campground | Clarence Holmes | Clarence Holmes | iNat, native to East Asia | NR genus |
 | Monodontomerus sp. (Unnamed torymid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Torymidae | 6/27/2022 | Oconaluftee Visitor Center | lrussoutk on iNaturalist | lrussoutk and jeongyoo on iNaturalist | iNat, likely parasitoids of Anthophora (digger bees) | NR genus |
 | Strumigenys louisianae (Louisiana pygmy snapping ant) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Formicidae | 6/7/2022 | Off Greenbrier Road | Josiah Kilburn | Josiah Kilburn | iNat | NR species |
 | Asteromyia clarkei (Gall midge) | Insects: Diptera: Cecidomyiidae | 6/3/2022 | Off Greenbrier Road | Will Kuhn | Daniel McClosky on iNaturalist | iNat | NR species |
 | Macrobiotus margoae (Unnamed water bear) | Tardigrades: Parachela: Macrobiotidae | 11/2018 | Purchase Knob, moss on a tree trunk in the forest | Nate Gross, Mackenzie McClay | Described by Daniel Stec, Matteo Vecchi, Paul J. Bartels, and others | "Named in honor of Bartels' life partner, Margo Nottoli, who has shown tardigrade-like tolerance toward pressure, heat, and stress through 20 years of her husband's research obsession" Stec et al. Zoological Letters 2021: 7(9) | NTS species |
 | Cerotainia albipilosa (Robber fly) | Insects: Diptera: Asilidae | 6/29/2021 | Vegetation near DLiA office | Will Kuhn | Tristan A. McKnight | Beautifully photographed by Mike Santella for iNaturalist; feeds on small flying insects | NR species |
 | Ichneumon devinctor (Wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae | 4/11/2022 | Porters Creek Trail | Great Smokies Eco-Adventure participants | Richard Baxter, Brandon Claridge | caterpillar parasitoid; iNat | NR species |
 | Ceropales bipunctata (Two-speckled cuckoo spider wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Pompilidae | 9/26/2021 | off White Oak Branch Trail | Keith Langdon | Juan Cepeda Espinosa | cleptoparasites of other spider wasps; iNat | NR species |
 | Cerceris kennicottii (Weevil wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Crabronidae | 7/14/2021 | Foothills Parkway West | Keith Langdon | Juan Cepeda Espinosa, Milo van Loon | digs tunnels in soil and stocks with weevils and other beetles to feed their larvae; iNat | NR species |
 | Amphibolips quercusostensackenii (Oak gall wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae | 2/7/2022 | Maddron Bald Trail | messyjessie on iNaturalist | Jeff Clark | iNat | NR species |
 | Neopamera bilobata (Dirt-colored seed bug) | Insects: Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae | 6/27/2021 | Abrams Creek Ranger Station | Will Kuhn | Előd Kondorosy, Will Kuhn | collected at a UV light; iNat | NR genus |
 | Neolasioptera verbisinae (Wingstem stem gall midge) | Insects: Diptera: Cecidomyiidae | 10/4/2021 | Metcalf Bottoms area | Julie Elfin | Yann Kemper | iNat | NR species |
 | Andricus quercusflocci (Oak gall wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae | 10/12/2021 | Along Deep Creek Trail | ladyjanaye on iNaturalist | megachile on iNaturalist | iNat | NR species |
 | Kokkocynips imbricariae (Banded bullet gall wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae | 10/2/2021 | Goldmine Loop Trail near Backcountry Campsite 67 | Will Kuhn | Jeff Clark, Timothy Frey | iNat | NR species |
 | Amphibolips cookii (Oak apple gall wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae | 10/2/2021 | Sunkota Ridge Trail | anaturalist68 on iNaturalist | megachile on iNaturalist | iNat | NR species |
| Megarhyssa macrurus macrurus (Long-tailed giant ichneumonid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae | 8/23/2021 | Mountain Farm Museum at Oconaluftee | Callia Johnson | Zachary Dankowicz | iNat | NR species | |
| Opheltes glaucopterus barberi (Ichneumonid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae | 9/19/2021 | Rainbow Falls Trail | Bridget McCall | Richard Baxter | iNat | NR species | |
| Podium luctuosum (Mud-dauber wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Sphecidae | 9/5/2021 | Davidson Gap | Denise Williams | Susanna Heideman | iNat | NR species | |
| Neopristilophus aethiops (Click beetle) | Insects: Coleoptera: Elateridae | 5/29/2021 | GSMNP | gab-e on iNaturalist | Blaine Mathison | iNat | NR genus | |
| Erythroneura tricincta (Three-banded leafhopper) | Insects: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae | 6/26/2021 | Abrams Creek near AC Campground | Will Kuhn | Solomon Hendrix | iNat | NR species | |
| Sphenostethus taslei (Prionid beetle) | Insects: Coleoptera: Cerambycidae | 6/20/2021 | Gatlinburg Trail near Maintenance Yard | walkingstick2 on iNaturalist | Tyler (chickenparmesan24 on iNaturalist) | iNat | NR species | |
| Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Grape phylloxera) | Insects: Hemiptera: Phylloxeridae | 8/10/2002 | Cataloochee Creek Road | Scott Ranger | Timothy Frey, megachile on iNaturalist | aphid that forms blister galls on grape leaves; iNat | NR genus | |
| Clinodiplosis rhododendri (Rhododendron gall midge) | Insects: Diptera: Cecidomyiidae | 3/24/2021 | Elkmont Nature Trail | Yann Kemper | Timothy Frey | midge that causes leaf curl on rhododendron; iNat | NR species | |
| Helorus anomalipes (Parasitic wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Heloridae | 6/28/2019 | Off Baskins Creek Trail | Participants of 2019 Fire Recovery Bioblitz | Will Kuhn, Miles Zhang | collected via Malaise trap; iNat | NR species | |
| Metapelma sp. (Parasitic wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae | 6/28/2019 | Off Baskins Creek Trail | Participants of 2019 Fire Recovery Bioblitz | Jeong Yoo | collected via Malaise trap; iNat | NR genus | |
| Polistes hirsuticornis (Hairy-horned paper wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Vespidae | 9/26/2020 | Field near Oconaluftee Visitor Center | Melissa McMasters | Chris Alice Kratzer | iNat | NR species | |
| Exomala orientalis (Oriental beetle) | Insects: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae | 6/10/2021 | Deep Creek Campground | Clarence Holmes | Clarence Holmes, Mark Apgar | First record of this exotic species in GSMNP; iNat | NR species | |
| Phytomyza agromyzina (Leafminer fly) | Insects: Diptera: Agromyzidae | 5/10/2021 | Abrams Creek Rd at park boundary | Will Kuhn | Charley Eiseman | leafminer on alternate-leaved dogwood (Cornus alternifolia); iNat | NR species | |
| Bimastos nanae (Earthworm) | Annelida: Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae | 11/1/2017 | Quiet Walkway north of Carlos Campbell Overlook | MA Callaham and MK Taylor | Roberto Carrera-Martinez and others | Named for Nan Christine Hediger, mother of author Carpenter. Species description in Zootaxa 2021. | NTS species | |
| Schizomyia verbesinae (Wingstem flower gall midge) | Insects: Diptera: Cecidomyiidae | 10/1/2021 | Twin Creeks and Deep Creek | Will Kuhn | Timothy Frey | Photographed on wingstem near DLiA office; iNat | NR species | |
| Megastylus sp. (Parasitic wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae | 6/28/2019 | Off Baskins Creek Trail | Participants of 2019 Fire Recovery Bioblitz | Andrei (ichman on iNaturalist), | iNat | NR genus | |
| Lymeon orbus (Parasitic wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae | 10/9/2020 | Park housing behind Oconaluftee | Callia Johnson | Jonathan Hoskins | Callia found in her park housing and released outside😁; iNat | NR species | |
| Fascista cercerisella (Redbud leaffolder moth) | Insects: Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae | 7/21/2020 | Tremont entrance | Will Kuhn | Will Kuhn, Cosmic Cat on iNaturalist | Makes a "taco" out of a redbud leaf; iNat | NR species | |
| Xylophagus fulgidusa (Awl fly) | Insects: Diptera: Xylophagidae | 4/25/2019 | Twin Creeks Complex | Derek Hennen | Chris Angell, Lorenzo D'Alessio | iNat | NR species | |
| Acronicta hastulifera (Frosted dagger moth) | Insects: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae | 9/19/2020 | Townsend Wye | Chasa Fulkerson | Chasa Fulkerson, k8thegr8 on iNaturalist | iNat | NR species | |
| Rhopalomyia solidaginis (Goldenrod bunch gall midge) | Insects: Diptera: Cecidomyiidae | 8/29/2020 | Cades Cove, Sparks Ln | station50images on iNaturalist | station50images on iNaturalist, Daniel McClosky | gall forms tuft of leaves at the top of goldenrod plantsiNat | NR species | |
| Amphibolips confluenta (Spongy oak apple gall wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae | 6/2/2020 | Old Settlers Trail | mountainmaddix on iNaturalist | mountainmaddix on iNaturalist, Timothy Frey | iNat | NR genus | |
| Amphibolips quercusinanis (Larger empty oak apple wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Cynipidae | 4/25/2020 | Road Turn Branch off HWY 441 | acornparker on iNaturalist | Timothy Frey | iNat | NR species | |
| Sobarocephala latifrons (Druid fly) | Insects: Diptera: Clusiidae | 7/18/2019 | GSMNP | Graham Montgomery | Graham Montgomery | iNat | NR species | |
| Olethreutes footiana (Leafroller moth) | Insects: Lepidoptera: Tortricidae | 7/16/2019 | GSMNP | Graham Montgomery | mothvet on iNaturalist | iNat | NR species | |
| Metatropiphorus belfragii (Damsel bug) | Insects: Hemiptera: Nabidae | 6/10/2019 | GSMNP | Graham Montgomery | Jean-François Roch | iNat | NR species | |
| Trogus pennator (Ichneumonid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae | 8/3/2019 | GSMNP | Graham Montgomery | Juan Cepeda Espinosa, Graham Montgomery | iNat | NR species | |
| Euodynerus hidalgo boreoorientalis (Hidalgo mason wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Vespidae | 8/4/2019 | GSMNP | Graham Montgomery | Matthias Buck, Graham Montgomery | iNat | NR species | |
| Decusa expansa (Rove beetle) | Insects: Coleoptera: Staphylinidae | 6/19/2019 | GSMNP | Graham Montgomery | Boris Büche | iNat | NR species | |
| Hemierana marginata (Flat-faced longhorn beetle) | Insects: Coleoptera: Cerambycidae | 6/27/2019 | Grotto Falls area | Graham Montgomery | catenatus on iNaturalist | iNat | NR species | |
| Euodynerus schwarzi (Mason wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Vespidae | 6/27/2019 | GSMNP | Graham Montgomery | Heather Holm, Matthias Buck | iNat | NR species | |
| Agroiconata bivittata (Tortoise beetle) | Insects: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae | 7/21/2020 | Tremont | Will Kuhn | Will Kuhn, Rob Westerduijn | iNat | NR species | |
| Aceria nr. fraxiniflora (Ash flower gall mite) | Arachnids: Endeostigmata: Eriophyidae | 6/18/2020 | near DLiA office, Twin Creeks | Will Kuhn | Emily Summerbell, megachile on iNaturalist | probably an undescribed gall mite species; iNat | NTS species | |
| Hesperomyces virescens (Green beetle hanger fungus) | Fungi: Laboulbeniales: Laboulbeniaceae | 6/18/2020 | near DLiA office, Twin Creeks | Will Kuhn | Will Kuhn, Brett Jackson, others | external fungus parasite of Asian ladybird beetles; iNat | NR genus | |
| Erythrodiplax miniscula (Little blue dragonlet) | Insects: Odonata: Libellulidae | 9/3/2021 | Fairview Cemetery | Tom Howe (GRISLD) | Tom Howe | spotted perching on ground; photographed; OC record | NR genus | |
| Celithemis elisa (Calico pennant) | Insects: Odonata: Libellulidae | 2021 | Oconaluftee area | GRISLD | spotted in meadow | NR species | ||
| Trichopria sp. (Diapriid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Diapriidae | 7/22/2021 | Cades Cove | Julie Elfin | Will Kuhn, David G Notton | Collected as part of a DLiA biodiversity study; Malaise trap; iNat | NR genus | |
| Ampulex canaliculata (Cockroach wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Ampulicidae | 7/8/2021 | Cades Cove | Julie Elfin, Madeline Olliff | David G Notton, Will Kuhn, John Ascher | Collected as part of a DLiA biodiversity study; Lindgren funnel trap; iNaturalist | NR family | |
| Leucospis affinis (Leucospid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Leucospidae | 6/30/2021 | Oconaluftee Farm Museum | Will Kuhn, Madeline Olliff, Xavier Reyes, Florencia Loncan | Will Kuhn | Photographed on the side of corn crib; iNaturalist | NR family | |
| Belyta sp. (Diapriid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Diapriidae | 7/5/2020 | Grotto Falls area | Graham Montgomery | Victor Kolyada, David G Notton, Graham Montgomery | Posted photo to iNaturalist | NR genus | |
| Lepidodermella squamata (Hairy belly) | Gastrotricha | 3/12/2021 | Oconaluftee area | Paul Super, Sarah Elizabeth Super | Paul Super | Discovered living in sample of pond water | NR phylum | |
| Liriomyza violivora (Violet leafminer fly) | Insects: Diptera: Agromyzidae | 6/23/2020 | near Abrams Creek Campground | Will Kuhn | Charley Eiseman | Identified from a photo of a mined leaf posted to iNaturalist | NR species | |
| Caenochrysis doriae (Cuckoo wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Chrysididae | 6/28/2019 | Baskins Creek Trail | Participants of 2019 Fire Recovery Bioblitz | villu on iNaturalist | two individuals collected and identified; iNaturalist 1 and 2 | NR species | |
| Psammaletes mexicanus (Sand wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Crabronidae | 6/28/2019 | Baskins Creek Trail | Participants of 2019 Fire Recovery Bioblitz | Matthias Buck | iNaturalist | NR species | |
| Perilampus sp. (Perilampid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Perilampidae | 6/28/2019 | Baskins Creek Trail | Participants of 2019 Fire Recovery Bioblitz | Jeong Yoo | iNaturalist | NR genus | |
| Chalcedectus caelatus (Pteromalid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae | 6/28/2019 | Baskins Creek Trail | Participants of 2019 Fire Recovery Bioblitz | Jeong Yoo | iNaturalist | NR species | |
| Parancistrocerus pedestris (Potter wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Vespidae | 6/29/2019 | Baskins Creek Trail | Participants of 2019 Fire Recovery Bioblitz | Matthias Buck, Heather Holm | iNaturalist | NR species | |
| Zagrammosoma multilineatum (Tattoed wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Eulophidae | 8/16/2001 | Andrews Bald ATBI plot | IC Stocks | Ryan Perry, Will Kuhn | Sat on a shelf for 20 years waiting to be identified! iNaturalist | NR species | |
| Torymus sp. (Chalcid wasp) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Torymidae | 9/14/2020 | Twin Creeks | Will Kuhn | Jeong Yoo, Miles Zhang | two individuals emerged from a gall along with several other species; iNaturalist 1 and 2 | NR genus | |
| Epeolus inornatus (Cellophane-cuckoo bee) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Apidae | 6/29/2019 | Baskins Creek Trail | Participants of 2019 Fire Recovery Bioblitz | Thomas Onuferko, John Ascher | iNaturalist; this bee the news: Asheville Citizen Times, Daily Times, WBIR | NR species | |
| Adoxophyes furcatana (Totricid moth) | Insects: Lepidoptera: Tortricidae | 3/15/2002 | Tremont | Michelle Prysby | Paul Super | collected from a moth refrigerator trap | NR species | |
| Selasphorus rufus (Rufous hummingbird) | Vertebrates: Birds: Trochilidae | 8/12/2020 | Clingmans Dome | Ruben Stoll | Ruben Stoll | NR species | ||
| Dasypus novemcinctus (Nine-banded armadillo) | Vertebrates: Mammals: Dasypodidae | 6/4/2019 | Newfound Gap and Cades Cove | Ryan Williamson | Ryan Williamson | spotted on trail cams | NR species | |
| Longistigma caryae (Giant bark aphid) | Insects: Hemiptera: Aphididae | 2020 | GSMNP | NR species | ||||
| Rudbeckia triloba var. rupestris (Blue Ridge three-lobed coneflower) | Plants, vascular: Asteraceae | 2020 | GSMNP | NR species | ||||
| Callophrys irus (Frosted elfin butterfly) | Insects: Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae | 2020 | GSMNP | NR species | ||||
| Anthemurgus passiflorae (Yellow passionflower bee) | Insects: Hymenoptera: Andrenidae | 2020 | GSMNP | GRISLD | GRISLD | Only forages on yellow passionflower | NR species |
* Record types: NR = newly recorded for GSMNP (NR species = newly recorded species for GSMNP, NR genus = newly recorded genus, etc.); NTS = new-to-science (recently described). More details here.
Source National Park Service. Last updated: January 20, 2024
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Frequently Asked Questions
Did these species just arrive in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
In most cases, probably not. Although these species were recently detected in the Smokies, they have likely been present there for a long time. There are, however, occasional new arrivals: some species are naturally expanding their ranges, like the nine-banded armadillo, while others are invasive species that arrive typically by accidental human introduction. There are also rare unlikely visitors; this happens with migrating birds being blown off course, such as the rufous throated hummingbird.
Is this a complete list of new species to the Smokies?
This list is not exhaustive, but it includes most of the new records since 2020. There are additional species tagged in this iNaturalist list.
How are new species ordered in this table?
Entries are ordered roughly by when we discover that they’re a new discovery. It can take weeks to decades to go from collecting or documenting a specimen in the Smokies to identifying it down to the species level. If the specimen appears to represent a species that’s new to science, the process can take even longer; there’s a formal process of comparing that specimen to specimens from putative related species, determining that it is, in fact, a species that hasn’t been named yet, then naming (“describing”) that species in a peer-reviewed scientific journal article. This slowness is exacerbated by a lack of trained taxonomists, who catalog these organisms–a crisis that’s been termed the taxonomic impediment.