Aphid-predator
Guides
Passaloecus annulatus
Passaloecus annulatus is a small solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Pemphredoninae. Females hunt aphids as food for their larval offspring and also feed on aphid honeydew. The species nests in pre-existing cavities such as beetle borings in dead wood, hollow stems, or vacant galls, partitioning these into linear series of cells. It occurs across North America.
Passaloecus cuspidatus
aphid wasp
Passaloecus cuspidatus is a small solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Pemphredoninae. It is an aphid predator that provisions its nests with paralyzed or dead aphids as food for its larvae. The species is found in North America, including Canada and the United States. Like other members of its genus, it nests in pre-existing cavities such as beetle borings in dead wood, hollow stems, and vacant galls.
Pemphredon
Typical Aphid Wasps, Aphid Wasps
Pemphredon is a genus of small to medium-sized solitary wasps in the family Crabronidae, commonly known as aphid wasps. The genus contains approximately 37 recognized species distributed across the Holarctic and northern Oriental regions. Females are specialized predators of aphids, which they hunt to provision nest cells for their larvae. These wasps are considered beneficial insects in agricultural and garden settings due to their role in aphid population control.
Pemphredon inornata
aphid wasp
Pemphredon inornata is a small solitary wasp in the family Crabronidae, commonly known as an aphid wasp. The species hunts aphids as prey for its larvae, paralyzing them and transporting them to nest cavities in hollow stems, twig pith, or pre-existing holes in wood. It is one of approximately 20 recognized Pemphredon species in North America north of Mexico. The wasp has been documented exhibiting rapid, evasive flight that allows it to bypass ant guards at aphid colonies.
Pemphredonina
Pemphredonina is a subtribe of small aphid-hunting wasps within the family Crabronidae. Members are solitary predators that provision nests with aphids as food for their larvae. The subtribe includes genera such as Passaloecus, which are notable for their ecological role in aphid population control and their use of pre-existing cavities for nesting.
Pemphredonini
Pemphredonini is a tribe of small, solitary wasps within the subfamily Pemphredoninae (family Crabronidae). These apoid wasps are commonly known as aphid wasps due to their specialized predation on aphids and other small Hemiptera. The tribe contains multiple genera, including the widespread Pemphredon. Adults are often observed visiting flowers for nectar.
Pipiza puella
Sumac Gall Pithead
Pipiza puella is a small hoverfly (Syrphidae) known by the common name 'sumac gall pithead.' Adults are active flower visitors, feeding on nectar and pollen. The species has been documented in eastern and central North America as well as Norway. Larvae are reported to be aphid predators, though detailed life history information remains limited.
Pipizinae
Pitheads & Kin
Pipizinae is a subfamily of hoverflies (Syrphidae) containing approximately 70 species across eight extant genera. Formerly classified as a tribe within Eristalinae, molecular phylogenetic studies published in 2015 reinstated it as a distinct subfamily, sister to Syrphinae. Members are small to medium-sized flies, predominantly black in coloration with some species displaying orange abdominal markings. The subfamily is notable for its specialized larval predation on aphids, particularly wax-secreting species.
Platycheirus
Sedgesitters
Platycheirus is a large genus of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) commonly known as sedgesitters. The genus was established in 1828 and is primarily Holarctic in distribution, with approximately 110 species in the Palearctic and 70 in the Nearctic region. Species are slender, small to medium-sized flies, often with distinctive leg modifications in males used for species identification.
Platycheirus scutatus
hoverfly
Platycheirus scutatus is a very common Holarctic hoverfly with a wide distribution across the Northern Hemisphere. Adults are notable pollinators that feed on diverse flowers, while larvae are aphid predators. The species has an exceptionally long flight period and may remain active during cold weather. Multiple broods occur throughout warmer months.
Podabrus
soldier beetle, leatherwing
Podabrus is a genus of soldier beetles (family Cantharidae) found in California. Adults are elongate beetles with soft, flexible wing covers that give rise to the common name "leatherwings." The genus is one of three common genera of soldier beetles in California, alongside Cantharis and Chauliognathus. Members of this genus are diurnal and frequently observed on flowers or foliage.
Podabrus
soldier beetle
Podabrus is a genus of soldier beetles (family Cantharidae) found in California. Members are elongate beetles with soft, flexible wing covers that give rise to the common name 'leatherwings.' The genus is one of approximately 11 genera of soldier beetles occurring in California, with about 160 species total in the state. Adults are diurnal and frequently observed on flowers or foliage.
Podabrus binotatus
soldier beetle
Podabrus binotatus is a soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. Adults are elongate beetles with soft, flexible wing covers that give rise to the common name 'leatherwings.' The species has been observed feeding on aphids and other soft-bodied insects in gardens. Like other cantharid beetles, it possesses defensive chemical glands.
Podabrus brunnicollis poricollis
soldier beetle
Podabrus brunnicollis poricollis is a subspecies of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. Like other members of the genus Podabrus, it is an elongate beetle with soft, flexible wing covers. The species is found in California and contributes to biological control of aphids and other soft-bodied insects in gardens and agricultural settings.
Podabrus fissus
soldier beetle, leatherwing
Podabrus fissus is a soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae, first described by LeConte in 1881. As a member of the genus Podabrus, it shares the characteristic elongate body form and soft, flexible elytra typical of leatherwings. The species is found in North America and exhibits the aphid-feeding behavior common to many Cantharidae.
Podabrus knobeli
soldier beetle
Podabrus knobeli is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. It is native to North America and is one of approximately 160 soldier beetle species found in California. As a member of the genus Podabrus, it shares the characteristic elongated body form and aphid-feeding habits common to this group of beneficial garden insects.
Podabrus modestus
soldier beetle
Podabrus modestus is a species of soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. Adults measure 8.5–11 mm in length. The species occurs in eastern North America, including Canada and the United States. Like other soldier beetles, it is active during the day and commonly found on flowers and foliage.
Podabrus pruinosus
downy leather-winged beetle
Podabrus pruinosus, commonly known as the downy leather-winged beetle, is a soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae. Adults measure 9–15 mm in length and are distinguished by their orange bodies with black-brown, finely hairy wing covers. The species is active during spring and summer, when adults have been observed feeding on aphids. Larvae are larger than adults, reaching 15–20 mm, and live in soil.
Podabrus quadratus
soldier beetle
Podabrus quadratus is a soldier beetle in the family Cantharidae, native to North America. Like other members of its genus, it is recognized by its elongate body and contrasting coloration of dark brown to black with orange, red, or yellow markings. The species has been observed actively hunting aphids and other soft-bodied insects on vegetation. Adults are diurnal and frequently encountered on flowers or foliage infested with honeydew-producing insects.
Propylea
fourteen-spotted lady beetles
Propylea is a genus of small lady beetles (Coccinellidae) containing four recognized species. The most widely known member, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata, is native to the Palearctic region and has become invasive in North America. Propylea japonica is an important biological control agent in Chinese agroecosystems, where it preys on aphids, whiteflies, and other soft-bodied pests. Species in this genus exhibit complex behaviors including selective foraging, intraguild predation, and mating-related dietary shifts.
Propylea quatuordecimpunctata
14-spotted ladybird beetle, Fourteen-spotted Lady Beetle, P-14
A small lady beetle (3.5–4.5 mm) native to the Palearctic and introduced to North America as a biological control agent for aphids. Exhibits remarkable color polymorphism with over 100 documented pattern variations, ranging from cream-yellow to nearly black. A generalist predator of aphids and other soft-bodied insects, with demonstrated invasive capacity in North America.
Pselliopus
orange assassin bug
Pselliopus sp-near-barberi is an assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, closely related to or conspecific with Pselliopus barberi. It is a predatory true bug characterized by orange and black coloration, serving as aposematic warning coloration. This species is an active predator of small insects including leafhoppers and aphids, and has been documented as a natural enemy of crapemyrtle aphids in urban landscapes.
Pseneo simplicicornis
Pseneo simplicicornis is a species of aphid wasp in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Pemphredoninae. First described by W. Fox in 1898, this species belongs to a group of solitary wasps that provision their nests with aphids as food for their larvae. The genus Pseneo comprises small, slender wasps that are part of the diverse Crabronidae family, which includes many predatory wasp lineages.
Psenini
Psenini is a tribe of aphid wasps in the family Crabronidae, subfamily Pemphredoninae. The tribe comprises approximately 11 genera and at least 460 described species. Members are solitary wasps that provision nests with aphids (Aphididae) as food for their larvae. The tribe was established by A. Costa in 1858 and has been historically classified within Sphecidae, though modern taxonomy places it in Crabronidae.
Rhagonycha fulva
Common Red Soldier Beetle, Bloodsucker Beetle, Hogweed Bonking Beetle
Rhagonycha fulva, commonly known as the common red soldier beetle or hogweed bonking beetle, is a soft-bodied beetle in the family Cantharidae. It was first described by Scopoli in 1763 as Cantharis fulva. The species is widespread across Europe and Anatolia, and has been introduced to North America where it is established in British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario. Adults are active from June to August and are frequently observed mating on flowers.
Scymnus creperus
dusky lady beetle
Scymnus creperus is a small dusky lady beetle (Coccinellidae: Scymnini) native to North America. Adults measure 1.76–2.68 mm and display distinctive coloration: yellowish-red head and pronotum with a small black spot, and black elytra with red apices. The species is notable for its larval defense mechanism—secretion of a sticky white wax from integument pores that reduces aggression by the imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta. It preys on aphids and has been documented feeding on the bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi.
Scymnus fraternus
dusky lady beetle
Scymnus fraternus is a small lady beetle in the subfamily Scymninae, commonly known as dusky lady beetles. The species was described by LeConte in 1852 and occurs in northeastern North America. Records indicate presence in Ontario, Québec, and Vermont. Like other Scymnus species, it likely preys on small hemipteran pests such as aphids and scale insects, though specific ecological studies for this species are limited.
Scymnus indianensis
Indiana lady beetle
Scymnus indianensis, commonly known as the Indiana lady beetle, is a small dusky lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It belongs to the genus Scymnus, which comprises minute lady beetles often characterized by their dull coloration and pubescent bodies. The species was described by Weise in 1929 and is documented from North America, with specific records from Ontario, Canada. Like other members of Scymninae, it is presumed to be a predator of small soft-bodied insects, though direct observations of its biology remain limited.
Sphaerophoria contigua
Tufted Globetail
Sphaerophoria contigua is a species of syrphid fly commonly known as the Tufted Globetail. As a member of the hoverfly family Syrphidae, it exhibits the characteristic hovering behavior and yellow-and-black coloration typical of many flower flies. The species is a predator of aphids, with larvae feeding on these soft-bodied insects. Adults are pollinators that visit flowers for nectar and pollen.
Stigmus americanus
aphid wasp
Stigmus americanus is a small aphid wasp in the family Crabronidae (formerly Pemphredonidae). It is native to North America and is known for nesting in twigs of various trees and shrubs. The species provisions its nests with paralyzed aphids as food for its larvae, and is subject to parasitism by cuckoo wasps in the genus Omalus.
Sympherobius californicus
California brown lacewing
Sympherobius californicus is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae, first described by Banks in 1911. It is native to Central America, North America, and Oceania, with distribution records from Hawaii. The species was introduced to New Zealand in 1936 as a biological control agent targeting aphids and mealybugs affecting crops, but failed to establish.
Syrphidae
hover flies, flower flies, syrphid flies, drone flies
Syrphidae is a species-rich family of true flies comprising over 6,000 described species worldwide, with approximately 800 species in North America. Adults are commonly known as hover flies, flower flies, or drone flies due to their characteristic hovering flight and frequent flower visitation. Many species exhibit Batesian mimicry of bees and wasps, gaining protection from predators through their resemblance to stinging Hymenoptera. The family provides critical ecosystem services: adults are significant pollinators second only to bees, especially in Arctic climates, while larvae display diverse ecological roles including predation on crop pests and nutrient cycling in aquatic habitats.
Syrphinae
Typical Hover Flies
Syrphinae is one of three subfamilies in the hoverfly family Syrphidae, containing over 1,600 species. The subfamily is monophyletic and primarily comprises aphidophagous species, with larvae that prey on aphids and other small Hemiptera. Adults are common flower visitors and important pollinators. A minority of species exhibit alternative larval feeding strategies, including phytophagy.
Syrphus
Common Flower Flies
Syrphus is a genus of hoverflies in the family Syrphidae, characterized by distinctive calypter morphology. The genus is distinguished from other Syrphini by long hairs on the upper surface of the lower lobe of the calypter, a unique diagnostic feature. Adults are common flower visitors and pollinators, while larvae are primarily aphid predators. The genus includes approximately 20 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with several species occurring in North America and Europe.
Syrphus attenuatus
Yellow-margined Flower Fly
Syrphus attenuatus is a species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) described by Hine in 1922. As a member of the subfamily Syrphinae, its larvae are presumed aphid predators, though this specific life history has not been directly documented for this species. The species is known from Norway and Sweden according to distribution records, and is referred to by the common name "Yellow-margined Flower Fly." Like other Syrphus species, adults likely visit flowers for nectar and pollen.
Syrphus knabi
Eastern Flower Fly
Syrphus knabi is an uncommon species of syrphid fly found in eastern North America. Adults are medium-sized hover flies, 7.2–12.9 mm in length, with distinctive yellow and black banded abdomens and sexually dimorphic head coloration. The species is a known aphid predator in its larval stage.
Syrphus opinator
Black-margined Flower Fly
Syrphus opinator, commonly known as the black-margined flower fly, is a species of hover fly in the family Syrphidae. Adults are frequently mistaken for honey bees due to their similar appearance and behavior. The species is found in western North America, including the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and California. Like other members of the subfamily Syrphinae, its larvae are predatory, feeding on aphids.
Syrphus rectus
Yellow-legged Flower Fly
Syrphus rectus is a hover fly (family Syrphidae) commonly known as the yellow-legged flower fly. It is frequently encountered in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, with occasional records from Europe. The species exhibits Batesian mimicry of stinging Hymenoptera, with black and yellow abdominal banding. Both life stages serve ecological functions: larvae are aphid predators, while adults visit flowers for nectar and contribute to pollination.
Syrphus ribesii
Common Banded Hoverfly
Syrphus ribesii is a common Holarctic hoverfly and an effective aphid predator in both agricultural and natural ecosystems. Adults are frequent flower visitors, feeding on nectar and pollen while providing pollination services. The species is highly migratory and shows remarkable adaptability to diverse habitats from farmland to forest. Two distinct chromosome races exist across much of Europe.
Syrphus vitripennis
Black-thighed Flower Fly
Syrphus vitripennis is a common Holarctic hoverfly (Syrphidae) with distinctive yellow and black wasp-mimicking coloration. Adults are medium-sized (8–11 mm body length, wing length 7.25–10.25 mm) and frequent flowers from March to October, peaking in July–August. Larvae are aphid predators, making this species economically significant for biological control. The species is highly migratory, with documented seasonal movements between latitudes. It is one of five Syrphus species in Britain and can be difficult to distinguish from congeners, particularly S. rectus in males.
Tachyporus
Tachyporus is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the tribe Tachyporini, serving as the type genus for both its tribe and subfamily. The genus comprises approximately 35 species in North and Central America alone, with additional species in Europe and other regions. Species such as Tachyporus hypnorum have been extensively studied for their role as generalist predators in agricultural ecosystems, particularly in cereal fields where they contribute to aphid control.
Toxomerus
Calligrapher Flies
Toxomerus is a large genus of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) distributed across the Americas, with over 130 described Neotropical species and additional Nearctic endemics. Species are small (typically 6–9 mm), characterized by large eyes with posterior indentation and diagnostic abdominal patterns. Most larvae are predatory on soft-bodied insects, particularly aphids, though at least three species are known pollen-feeders. Adults are pollinivorous, feeding on nectar and pollen from diverse flowering plants. The genus includes notable ecological specialists such as Toxomerus basalis, a kleptoparasite of sundews (Drosera), and several species introduced to the Afrotropics.
hoverflyflower-flyaphid-predatorpollinatorbiological-controlHymenoptera-mimickleptoparasiteintroduced-speciesNeotropicalNearcticAfrotropical-introductionpolyvoltineSyrphiniSyrphinaeDipteraSyrphidaeToxomerus-marginatusToxomerus-disparToxomerus-pulchellusToxomerus-basalisToxomerus-floralisToxomerus-politusToxomerus-apegiensisDroserasundewpollenivorypredatory-larvaeurban-adapteragricultural-beneficialcryptic-larvaeeye-dimorphismterritorial-behaviorDNA-barcodingcitizen-sciencemuseum-collectionsrange-expansionconservation-concernToxomerus arcifer
Bow-shaped Calligrapher
Toxomerus arcifer is a small hover fly in the family Syrphidae, commonly known as the Bow-shaped Calligrapher. Adults are pollinators that visit flowers for nectar and pollen. Larvae are predators of aphids and other small soft-bodied insects. The species is part of a large New World genus with over 140 described species, many of which remain poorly studied.
Toxomerus geminatus
Eastern Calligrapher
Toxomerus geminatus, commonly known as the Eastern Calligrapher, is a small hover fly (Syrphidae) native to eastern North America. Adults measure 6.1–7.6 mm and are frequently found hovering around flowers where they feed on nectar and pollen. The species is very similar in appearance to the Western Calligrapher (Toxomerus occidentalis). Larvae are predators of aphids and mites, contributing to biological control in agricultural and natural settings.
Toxomerus marginatus
Margined Calligrapher, Margined Calligrapher Fly
Toxomerus marginatus is a common North American hoverfly (Syrphidae) measuring 5–6 mm. Adults are frequent flower visitors, while larvae are predatory on thrips, aphids, and small caterpillars. The species has been documented as the most numerous syrphid controlling aphids in California Central Coast lettuce fields. It exhibits strong attraction to methyl salicylate, a floral compound and herbivore-induced plant volatile.
Toxomerus occidentalis
Western Calligrapher
Toxomerus occidentalis, commonly known as the Western Calligrapher, is a species of hover fly (family Syrphidae) native to western North America. Adults are frequent visitors to flowers where they feed on nectar and pollen. The larvae are predatory, feeding on aphids and mites. The species was described by Curran in 1922 and is one of the more commonly observed syrphid flies in its range.
Trichopsomyia
Trichopsomyia is a genus of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) established by Williston in 1888. The genus contains approximately 30 described species distributed across multiple continents. Adults are typical hoverflies with large compound eyes and a single pair of wings. Larvae are flattened, legless, and aphid predators. The genus belongs to the tribe Pipizini within subfamily Eristalinae.
Tropidiina
Tropidiina is a subtribe of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) containing 11 genera. Recent phylogenetic studies indicate it is sister to the tribe Eristalini, revealing that Milesiini as currently defined is polyphyletic. Members are characterized by a thickened hind femur and a body that narrows progressively from rear to head. The subtribe has broad geographic distribution with highest diversity in the Americas and Europe.