Ant-predator
Guides
Aphilanthops
ant-queen kidnapper
Aphilanthops is a genus of solitary digger wasps endemic to North America, commonly known as "ant-queen kidnappers." The four described species are specialized predators of winged ant queens, particularly in the genus Formica. Adult females hunt during ant nuptial flights, paralyze ant queens, and transport them to underground nest burrows where they serve as provisions for developing larvae. The genus is distinguished from similar beewolf wasps (Philanthus) by straight rather than notched inner eye margins.
Aphilanthops frigidus
Eastern Ant-Queen Kidnapper
Aphilanthops frigidus is a solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, commonly known as the Eastern Ant-Queen Kidnapper. The species is endemic to North America and specializes in hunting winged queens of ants in the genus Formica. Females excavate individual nest burrows in sandy soil, provisioning brood cells with paralyzed ant queens for their larvae. The species is active primarily during the summer months when ant colonies undergo their annual nuptial flights.
Aphilanthops hispidus
ant-queen kidnapper
Aphilanthops hispidus is a solitary wasp species in the family Crabronidae, known as an "ant-queen kidnapper" for its specialized predation on winged queens of ants in the genus Formica. The species occurs in North America, including the southwestern United States and Mexico, and has been documented as abundant on flowers of seepwillow (Baccharis salicifolia) during late summer months. Adult females excavate underground burrows to store paralyzed ant queens as food for their developing larvae.
Aphilanthops subfrigidus
Western Queen Ant Kidnapper
Aphilanthops subfrigidus, known as the Western Queen Ant Kidnapper, is a solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae. Like other members of its genus, this species is a specialist predator of winged ant queens, particularly those in the genus Formica. The wasp hunts during the brief annual swarming period of ant colonies, paralyzing queens and transporting them to underground nest burrows as provisions for its larvae. It is native to western North America and is most commonly encountered when adults visit flowers for nectar.
Clypeadon
Clypeadon is a genus of solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Philanthinae. These wasps are known to hunt harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex species) as prey for their larvae. The genus contains nine described species distributed in North America, primarily in western and southwestern regions of the United States.
Clypeadon sculleni
harvester ant hunter
Clypeadon sculleni is a species of solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, tribe Aphilanthopini. It is a specialist predator of harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex species), paralyzing workers to provision nests for its larvae. The species has been documented in western North America, particularly in association with flowering saltcedar (Tamarix) where adults seek nectar.
Cremastocheilus maritimus
Cremastocheilus maritimus is a species of anteater scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Cetoniinae. Like other members of its genus, it is a myrmecophile that lives within ant colonies and feeds on ant brood. The species was described by Casey in 1915 and is known from coastal California. It shares the genus-wide adaptations for ant colony infiltration, including death-feigning behavior to gain entry and specialized mouthparts for piercing ant larvae.
Euryopis
Ant-eating Spiders
Euryopis is a genus of small comb-footed spiders (family Theridiidae, subfamily Hadrotarsinae) distributed worldwide. Unlike most theridiids, these spiders do not construct prey-catching webs. They are specialized ant predators, using a unique hunting technique where they immobilize ants with silk and haul them to safe feeding locations. The genus contains approximately 82 species as of October 2025, with about 20 species recorded in North America north of Mexico.
Euryopis argentea
Silver Cobweb Weaver
Euryopis argentea is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, first described by Emerton in 1882. It belongs to the subfamily Hadrotarsinae, a group distinguished by their unique hunting behavior. Unlike typical theridiids that construct tangled prey-catching webs, Euryopis species are active ant predators that use silk in a specialized ambush technique. The species has been recorded from the United States, Canada, and Russia (Kamchatka).
Euryopis californica
Euryopis californica is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, notable for its highly specialized ant-hunting behavior. Unlike most theridiids that construct tangled webs to capture prey, this species is an active predator that specifically targets harvester ants. It has been documented as a predator of Veromessor pergandei, employing unique hunting tactics to overcome the formidable defenses of these aggressive ants. The species occurs in the United States and Mexico.
Euryopis formosa
Euryopis formosa is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, first described by Banks in 1908. It belongs to the genus Euryopis, a group of small ant-hunting spiders that exhibit unusual behavioral traits for their family. The species is found in the United States and Canada. Like other members of its genus, it does not construct prey-catching webs but instead employs active hunting strategies targeting ants.
Euryopis funebris
Euryopis funebris is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, subfamily Hadrotarsinae. It is native to North America and has been introduced to South Africa. Unlike typical theridiids that build tangled webs, this species is an active ant-hunting specialist that uses silk to immobilize prey rather than construct capture webs.
Euryopis quinquemaculata
Five-spotted ant-hunting spider
Euryopis quinquemaculata is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, placed in the subfamily Hadrotarsinae. Unlike typical theridiids that construct tangled webs to catch prey, this species is an active ant specialist that hunts without building prey-capturing webs. The species name refers to the five-spotted abdominal pattern characteristic of this and related Euryopis species. It occurs in the United States, where it inhabits areas with high ant activity.
Euryopis tavara
Euryopis tavara is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, subfamily Hadrotarsinae. Unlike most theridiids, it does not construct prey-catching webs. The species is known from the United States and shares the genus-wide trait of specialized ant predation. It is one of approximately twenty Euryopis species recorded in North America north of Mexico.
Euryopis texana
Euryopis texana is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, subfamily Hadrotarsinae. It belongs to a genus of ant-specialist predators that hunt without building prey-catching webs. The species occurs in the United States and Mexico. Like other Euryopis, it likely employs a distinctive hunting strategy of ambushing ants and immobilizing them with silk before delivering a venomous bite.
Loxosceles arizonica
Arizona brown spider, Arizona Recluse
Loxosceles arizonica, commonly known as the Arizona brown spider or Arizona Recluse, is a recluse spider species in the family Sicariidae. Field studies indicate that ants constitute its primary prey, particularly species in the genera Novomessor and Camponotus. Like other Loxosceles species, it possesses cytotoxic venom capable of causing necrotic lesions, though documented cases of envenomation in humans appear limited compared to more widespread relatives such as L. reclusa.
Microdon aurulentus
Golden-haired Ant Fly
Microdon aurulentus is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae. Commonly known as the Golden-haired Ant Fly, this species belongs to the subfamily Microdontinae, whose larvae are known to develop within ant colonies. The species was described by Fabricius in 1805. Recent research involving specimen collections in Illinois has contributed to updated distribution records for this species.
Neivamyrmex kiowapache
Neivamyrmex kiowapache is a species of legionary ant in the subfamily Dorylinae, described by Snelling & Snelling in 2007. As a member of the genus Neivamyrmex, it belongs to a group of nomadic army ants that conduct nocturnal raids on other ant nests to prey on larvae and pupae. The species is known from extremely limited observational records, with only three observations documented in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Neivamyrmex mandibularis
legionary ant
Neivamyrmex mandibularis is a species of legionary ant in the subfamily Dorylinae. Like other Neivamyrmex species, it is nomadic and primarily nocturnal, raiding nests of other ant species to prey on larvae and pupae. The species is part of a genus containing the only army ants native to North America north of Mexico. Workers are subterranean and rarely observed by the general public, while winged reproductive males are occasionally attracted to lights at night.
Neivamyrmex melshaemeri
Legionary ant
Neivamyrmex melshaemeri is a species of legionary ant in the genus Neivamyrmex, which comprises nomadic army ants found primarily in North America. Like other members of this genus, it exhibits specialized predatory behavior and social parasitism of other ant colonies. The species was described by Haldeman in 1852 and represents part of a distinctive radiation of New World army ants.
Nomamyrmex esenbeckii
Nomamyrmex esenbeckii is a species of army ant in the subfamily Dorylinae. It is one of the largest army ant species and is known for its specialized predatory behavior. The species is distributed across much of South America, with records from Brazil, Colombia, and other countries. It is recognized as a specialized predator of other ants, particularly Atta leafcutter ants.
Oecobiidae
disc web spiders, flatmesh weavers, wall spiders
Oecobiidae is a family of araneomorph spiders containing approximately 130 described species across seven genera. Members are small to moderately sized (2–20 mm body length) and are commonly known as disc web spiders or wall spiders due to their characteristic flat, star-shaped webs constructed on vertical surfaces. The family exhibits distinctive morphological traits including evenly radiating leg placement around the prosoma and a characteristic anal gland bearing a tuft of long hairs. Many species are synanthropic, occurring in and around human dwellings, while others inhabit desert or rocky environments.