Carnivorous
Guides
Chariessa
checkered beetles
Chariessa is a genus of checkered beetles in the family Cleridae, containing approximately six to seven described species. These beetles are carnivorous predators typically associated with oak trees (Quercus), where they likely prey on wood-boring insects. The genus has a broad distribution spanning North, Central, and South America, with some species also occurring in the Palearctic region. Species such as Chariessa pilosa demonstrate this wide range, occurring across both North America and Eurasia.
Chariessa dichroa
Blue Clerid
Chariessa dichroa is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It occurs in North America, with records concentrated along the West Coast. The species is distinguished from congeners by its black legs. As a member of the genus Chariessa, it is carnivorous.
Cymothoida
Predaceous and Parasitic Isopods
Cymothoida is a suborder of isopod crustaceans comprising more than 2,700 described species across four superfamilies. Members are predominantly carnivorous or parasitic, distinguished by specialized mouthparts including a mandible with a tooth-like process adapted for cutting or slicing. The group includes diverse lifestyles ranging from free-living scavengers to obligate parasites of fish and crustaceans.
Euthyrhynchus
Florida predatory stink bug
Euthyrhynchus is a monotypic genus of predatory stink bugs in the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Asopinae. The sole species, E. floridanus (Florida predatory stink bug), is native to the southeastern United States and has expanded its range northward in recent decades, now regularly occurring as far north as the Mid-Atlantic and New England. This carnivorous shield bug is considered beneficial in agricultural and garden settings due to its predation on pest insects.
Mantodea
mantises, mantids, praying mantises
Mantodea is an order of predatory insects comprising over 2,400 species in approximately 430 genera and 15 families, with Mantidae being the largest family. Members are characterized by raptorial forelegs adapted for catching prey, triangular heads with large compound eyes on flexible necks, and elongated bodies. The order exhibits two primary foraging strategies: ambush predation (the ancestral condition) and cursorial pursuit of prey. Mantodea has undergone significant taxonomic revision, having been elevated from a suborder of Orthoptera to full order status, then subsequently grouped with cockroaches and termites within Dictyoptera based on molecular phylogenetic evidence.
Meconema meridionale
Southern Oak Bush-cricket
Meconema meridionale is a small bush-cricket in the family Tettigoniidae, native to southern Europe and expanding northward. It measures 14–17 mm in body length (excluding antennae). The species is carnivorous, arboreal, and nocturnal. It has been documented as a predator of the invasive horse-chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella). Since 2001, it has established populations in the United Kingdom, representing a northward range expansion linked to climate change.
Meconema thalassinum
Oak Bush-cricket, Drumming Katydid
Meconema thalassinum is a small, pale green arboreal bush-cricket in the family Tettigoniidae. Native to Europe, it is the only native arboreal Orthopteran species in the UK and has been introduced to North America within the last 75 years. Males attract females through a unique non-stridulatory method: drumming their hind limbs against leaves to produce vibrations. Unlike most bush-crickets, this species is carnivorous, feeding on invertebrate prey.
Nebria diversa
sea beach gazelle beetle
Nebria diversa is a coastal ground beetle endemic to sandy Pacific beaches of western North America. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), restricting dispersal to coastal habitats. The species is nocturnal and occupies a narrow ecological niche beneath driftwood and debris on open sandy shorelines.
Nebria eschscholtzii
Eschscholtz's gazelle beetle
Nebria eschscholtzii, commonly known as Eschscholtz's gazelle beetle, is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae. It occurs in western North America, ranging from Alaska through the Pacific Northwest to California. The species inhabits riparian zones along stream edges from lowland to upland elevations. Adults are nocturnal and carnivorous.
Nebria frigida
frigid gazelle beetle
Nebria frigida is a ground beetle species in the subfamily Nebriinae, described by R.F. Sahlberg in 1844. It exhibits a Holarctic distribution spanning the Palearctic and Nearctic realms. Adults are nocturnal and carnivorous. The species inhabits cold-temperate and boreal regions, with populations established across northern Eurasia and western North America.
Nebria gebleri
Gebler's gazelle beetle
Nebria gebleri is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Dejean in 1831. It is found in North America, with a distribution spanning Alaska, Canada, and the western United States. The species comprises six recognized subspecies, each associated with specific mountain ranges. Adults are nocturnal and carnivorous.
Nebria gregaria
gregarious gazelle beetle
Nebria gregaria is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the gregarious gazelle beetle. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), nocturnal, and carnivorous. The species is restricted to riparian habitats and is found in Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, eastern Russia, and China.
Nebria kincaidi
Kincaid's gazelle beetle
Nebria kincaidi is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, first described by Schwarz in 1900. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), nocturnal, and carnivorous. The species comprises two recognized subspecies with distinct geographic distributions in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Nebria labontei
Labonte's gazelle beetle
Nebria labontei is a ground beetle endemic to the mountains of Oregon, United States. It belongs to the genus Nebria, a group commonly known as gazelle beetles for their running speed. The species was described by Kavanaugh in 1984 and is one of several Nebria species restricted to western North American mountain ranges.
Nebria lituyae
Lituya's gazelle beetle
Nebria lituyae, known as Lituya's gazelle beetle, is a ground beetle species in the subfamily Nebriinae. It is endemic to a restricted alpine region spanning Alaska and British Columbia. The species inhabits moist ground on hill summits at high elevations. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), nocturnal, and carnivorous.
Nebria pallipes
Pale-legged Gazelle Beetle
Nebria pallipes is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, distributed across eastern North America from lowland to upland areas. Adults are nocturnal, gregarious, and carnivorous. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1823.
Nebria suturalis
seamed gazelle beetle
Nebria suturalis, commonly known as the seamed gazelle beetle, is a flightless ground beetle in the family Carabidae. The species exhibits wing dimorphism with both forms incapable of flight. Adults are strictly nocturnal and carnivorous. It is restricted to high-elevation habitats, occurring on mountain tops across a disjunct range in northeastern North America and the Rocky Mountains.
Nebria vandykei
Van Dyke's gazelle beetle
Nebria vandykei is an alpine ground beetle in the family Carabidae, endemic to the Pacific Northwest of North America. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), nocturnal, and carnivorous. The species occupies a specialized niche along stream margins and snowfield edges, habitats subject to extreme environmental stress. Research indicates this species has undergone adaptive evolution in response to cold, heat, and desiccation stress, with selection acting on stress response pathways despite a history of rapid demographic shifts.
Neobarrettia
arid-land katydid, spiny predatory katydid
Neobarrettia is a genus of nine North American predatory katydids distinguished by prominent spines and powerful mandibles adapted for carnivory. These insects inhabit arid and semi-arid regions from the southwestern United States through Mexico. They are known for aggressive threat displays and the ability to inflict painful bites when handled.
Neobarrettia spinosa
Greater Arid-land Katydid, Red-eyed Katydid, Red-eyed Devil, Giant Texas Katydid, Spiny Bush Katydid
Neobarrettia spinosa is a large, predatory katydid native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Unlike most katydids, it is an obligate carnivore, actively hunting and consuming prey including other insects, small vertebrates, and even endangered songbirds. The species is notable for its striking threat display, during which it rears back, spreads its wings, and exposes its bright coloration while presenting formidable mandibles and spiny forelegs. It is one of only two Neobarrettia species extending into the United States from a genus otherwise restricted to northern Mexico.
Neobarrettia victoriae
lesser arid-land katydid
Neobarrettia victoriae is a large, spiny predatory katydid known as the lesser arid-land katydid. It is one of two North American species in the genus Neobarrettia, both characterized by robust bodies, powerful mandibles, and spiny forelegs adapted for capturing prey. Unlike most katydids, this species is an obligate carnivore. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the south-central United States and Mexico.
Nippononebria altisierrae
high sierra false gazelle beetle
Nippononebria altisierrae, commonly known as the high sierra false gazelle beetle, is a black-colored ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It was originally described as Nebria altisierrae by Kavanaugh in 1984 and later transferred to the genus Nippononebria. The species belongs to the subgenus Vancouveria and is endemic to California's mountainous regions.
Nippononebria virescens
greenish false gazelle beetle
Nippononebria virescens is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the greenish false gazelle beetle. It is native to western North America, where it inhabits meadow habitats. Adults are nocturnal and carnivorous. The species is relatively poorly documented, with limited observational records.