Aquatic-predator
Guides
Abedus
ferocious water bugs
Abedus is a genus of giant water bugs in the family Belostomatidae, found in freshwater habitats of the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. These brown insects are notable for their exclusive male parental care, where females glue eggs onto the male's back and males carry and tend them until hatching. Most species are flightless or have greatly reduced flight capabilities. They are sit-and-wait predators that capture prey with raptorial front legs and subdue it with a venomous proboscis.
Dolichopus aurifex
Dolichopus aurifex is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Van Duzee in 1921. As a member of the genus Dolichopus, it shares characteristics with other species in this group, including elongated legs and metallic coloration typical of many dolichopodids. The species belongs to a diverse family of predatory flies known for their agility and complex courtship behaviors.
Lethocerus
giant water bugs, toe biters, electric light bugs
Lethocerus is a genus of large predatory aquatic true bugs in the family Belostomatidae. Members are among the largest true bugs, with some species exceeding 12 cm in length. The genus is distinguished from related genera by specific morphological features of the fore femur and parasternites. Unlike other giant water bugs, females do not deposit eggs on males' backs; instead, eggs are laid on emergent vegetation above the waterline and guarded by males. The genus shows greatest diversity in the Americas, with limited representation in Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia.
Pelocoris femoratus
creeping water bug, saucer bug
Pelocoris femoratus is a species of creeping water bug in the family Naucoridae. It is found across Central America, North America, and South America. The species inhabits still waters with dense vegetation, where it actively hunts other arthropods. It is active from spring through autumn and can deliver a painful bite if mishandled.
Renocera
Renocera is a genus of marsh flies (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) comprising approximately eight described species. Larvae of multiple species are confirmed predators of fingernail clams (family Sphaeriidae), earning them the common designation of 'clam-killing flies.' The genus has been documented in both Palaearctic and Nearctic regions. Detailed life histories have been established for several species, including R. pallida.
Sanfilippodytes edwardsi
Sanfilippodytes edwardsi is a predaceous diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae, first described by Wallis in 1933. The species is endemic to western North America, with records from Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. As a member of the subfamily Hydroporinae, it inhabits freshwater aquatic environments where it preys on small invertebrates.
Sepedon neili
Sepedon neili is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, first described by Steyskal in 1951. Like other members of the genus Sepedon, it is a snail-killing fly whose larvae are aquatic predators of pulmonate snails. The species belongs to one of several species groups within Sepedon based on shared morphological characteristics. Adult flies are associated with wetland habitats where their snail prey occur.
Thermonectus marmoratus
sunburst diving beetle, yellow-spotted diving beetle, spotted diving beetle
Thermonectus marmoratus is a small, brightly colored diving beetle native to southwestern North America and Mexico. Adults are distinguished by black elytra with yellow or golden spots and possess specialized adaptations for aquatic life, including air bubble storage beneath the wings for extended underwater respiration. The species is notable for its aposematic coloration warning of chemical defenses, and for the extraordinary visual system of its larvae—featuring bifocal lenses with dual retinas that constitute the first recorded instance of bifocal vision in the animal kingdom. Larvae are active predators with complex stemmata capable of near and far vision, polarization sensitivity, and behavioral scanning mechanisms to extend their narrow visual fields.