Caterpillar-hunter
Guides
Ammophila juncea
Ammophila juncea is a species of thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae. It belongs to a diverse genus of solitary hunting wasps known for provisioning nests with paralyzed caterpillars. Like other Ammophila species, females construct burrows in sandy soil and provide paralyzed prey for their larval offspring. The species was described by Cresson in 1865 and occurs in North and Middle America.
Ammophila nigricans
thread-waisted wasp
Ammophila nigricans is a large, striking thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, recognized by its deep blue-black body with red abdominal banding and black wings. It is one of the largest eastern species in its genus, comparable in size to A. procera but readily distinguished by its coloration. Females are solitary nesters that excavate burrows in clayey or sandy soil and provision them with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larvae. The species ranges across the eastern United States from Kansas and Texas to New England and south to Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana. It appears less common than most other Ammophila species.
Ammophila pictipennis
thread-waisted wasp
Ammophila pictipennis is a thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, widespread in eastern North America and south to Mexico City. It is one of the most common and distinctive members of its genus east of the Rocky Mountains. The species is solitary and nests in sandy or hard-baked soil, provisioning each nest with a single paralyzed caterpillar for its larva. Females exhibit characteristic roosting behavior, gripping vegetation with their mandibles during inclement weather or overnight.
Ammophila procera
Common Thread-waisted Wasp
Ammophila procera is a large, solitary thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, among the most conspicuous members of its genus in North America. Females construct burrows in sandy or compact soils, provision them with paralyzed caterpillar prey, and seal the nest after laying a single egg. The species is notable for its elaborate nest-closing behaviors and landmark-based navigation. Adults feed on flower nectar and are frequently observed visiting blossoms, particularly goldenrod.
Ancistrocerus lineativentris
Ancistrocerus lineativentris is a solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae, family Vespidae. It is one of approximately 70 species in the genus Ancistrocerus, which occurs primarily in the Holarctic region. Like other eumenine wasps, it is a solitary nester that provisions its offspring with paralyzed caterpillars. The species was described by Cameron in 1906, but detailed natural history information specific to this species remains limited in published sources.
Calosoma affine
related beautiful black searcher
Calosoma affine is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, described by Maximilien Chaudoir in 1843. It is one of the so-called "caterpillar hunters," large predatory beetles known for ascending trees to feed on caterpillars. The species occurs in Mexico and the southern United States, where adults are active both day and night and exhibit gregarious behavior.
Calosoma angulatum
angulate caterpillar hunter
Calosoma angulatum, commonly known as the angulate caterpillar hunter, is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae. First described by Chevrolat in 1834, this species ranges from the southwestern United States through Central America into northern South America. It inhabits premontane moist forests and oak-savannah ecosystems. Adults are known to prey on Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm), indicating a role as a predator of agricultural pest caterpillars.
Calosoma aurocinctum
gold-ringed caterpillar hunter, Texas Green Calosoma
Calosoma aurocinctum is a large ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, commonly known as the gold-ringed caterpillar hunter or Texas Green Calosoma. It was described by Maximilien Chaudoir in 1850. The species occurs from Texas south through Mexico to Central America, inhabiting lowland to mid-elevation areas. As a member of the caterpillar hunter genus Calosoma, it likely exhibits arboreal foraging behavior to prey on caterpillars, though specific behavioral observations for this species are limited.
Calosoma eremicola
solitary caterpillar hunter
Calosoma eremicola, the solitary caterpillar hunter, is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae. It was described by Fall in 1910 and is found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Baja California. The species inhabits the eastern Mojave Desert vegetation zone.
Calosoma frigidum
Cold-country Caterpillar Hunter
Calosoma frigidum is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the cold-country caterpillar hunter. First described by William Kirby in 1837, this species occurs throughout southern Canada and the northern United States. Adults are nocturnal predators that climb trees to hunt caterpillars, hiding under debris during daylight hours. The species shows sensitivity to soil temperature changes, with elevated temperatures causing adults to abandon their burrows.
Calosoma haydeni
Hayden's caterpillar hunter
Calosoma haydeni is a ground beetle species in the family Carabidae, described by Horn in 1870. It belongs to the genus Calosoma, commonly known as caterpillar hunters. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), which limits their flight capability. The species occurs in Mexico and the southern United States, with two recognized subspecies showing distinct geographic distributions.
Calosoma lepidum
neat beautiful black searcher
Calosoma lepidum is a ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1844. Adults are sub-brachypterous, indicating reduced flight capability. The species inhabits open prairie habitats with short grass in the northern Great Plains and adjacent montane regions.
Calosoma macrum
long caterpillar hunter
Calosoma macrum is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the long caterpillar hunter. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853. The species is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it inhabits mid-elevation open areas. Adults are active predators that hunt caterpillars, including arboreal species.
Calosoma marginale
rimmed caterpillar hunter, Wrinkle-winged Calosoma
A large ground beetle in the genus Calosoma, commonly known as the rimmed caterpillar hunter. Adults are crepuscular and active predators that hunt caterpillars and scarabaeid beetles. The species occurs across a broad geographic range from Central America through the southern and central United States. Adults overwinter in the ground.
Calosoma moniliatum
collared beautiful black searcher
Calosoma moniliatum, commonly known as the collared beautiful black searcher, is a large predatory ground beetle in the family Carabidae. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged and flightless). The species occurs in western North America, inhabiting short grass prairies and dry forests.
Calosoma obsoletum
old beautiful black searcher
Calosoma obsoletum is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Thomas Say in 1823. It belongs to the 'caterpillar hunter' genus Calosoma, known for arboreal hunting behavior. The species occurs across the Great Plains and western North America, where both adults and larvae prey on lepidopteran caterpillars.
Calosoma prominens
projecting caterpillar hunter
Calosoma prominens is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853. It belongs to the caterpillar hunter genus Calosoma, known for arboreal foraging behavior targeting caterpillar prey. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it inhabits arid scrublands dominated by acacia and cactus vegetation. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a voracious predator of caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects, though specific ecological studies for this species are limited.
Calosoma sayi
Black Caterpillar Hunter, Say's Caterpillar Hunter
Calosoma sayi is a large ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, commonly known as the Black Caterpillar Hunter or Say's Caterpillar Hunter. It is one of the largest carabid beetles in North America, measuring 25–28 mm in length. Unlike many congeners, it lacks metallic coloration, instead appearing uniformly lustrous black. Both adults and larvae are active predators that specialize in hunting caterpillars and other soft-bodied insect larvae.
Calosoma semilaeve
Black Calosoma, Semi-smooth Beautiful Black Searcher
Calosoma semilaeve is a large ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, commonly known as the black calosoma or semi-smooth beautiful black searcher. First described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1851, this species inhabits cultivated fields and roadsides in the western United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Calosoma, it is an active predator of caterpillars and other insects.
Calosoma simplex
simple beautiful black searcher
Calosoma simplex is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1878. It belongs to the genus Calosoma, whose members are known for arboreal hunting behaviors and caterpillar predation. The species occurs in southwestern North America, including parts of the United States and Mexico. Like other Calosoma species, it likely functions as a predator of caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects.
Calosoma splendidum
Splendid Caterpillar Hunter
Calosoma splendidum is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Dejean in 1831. It is distributed across the Caribbean, southeastern United States, and Mexico. The species is notable for its metallic green to golden-green or light brown coloration and its absence of the red elytral border found in related species.
Calosoma subaeneum
coppery beautiful black searcher
Calosoma subaeneum is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, described by Maximilien Chaudoir in 1869. It belongs to the genus Calosoma, commonly known as caterpillar hunters or searchers, which are large predatory beetles. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), a trait that limits dispersal ability. The species occurs in lowland areas of western North America.
Calosoma sycophanta
forest caterpillar hunter, Agreeable Caterpillar Hunter
Calosoma sycophanta is a large, metallic ground beetle renowned for its specialized predation on caterpillars. Adults reach 21–35 mm in length and display striking iridescent green elytra with a bluish scutellum, though coloration shifts with light angle to show blue, bronze, copper, gold, or black tones. Both adults and larvae are arboreal hunters, ascending trees to prey on caterpillars including Lymantria dispar (gypsy moth), Thaumetopoea processionea (oak processionary), and Thaumetopoea pityocampa. The species is diurnal and visually orients toward dark objects and tree bases in forests. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to North America for biological control and is now established in the northeastern United States.
Calosoma tepidum
lukewarm beautiful black searcher
Calosoma tepidum is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Carabinae, first described by LeConte in 1851. It belongs to the 'caterpillar hunter' group within the genus Calosoma, characterized by large size and predatory habits. The species is flightless despite possessing fully developed wings, a condition attributed to thoracic muscle reduction. It has been the subject of recent genomic research as part of a model system for studying wing evolution in insects.
Calosoma wilkesii
Wilkes's beautiful black searcher
Calosoma wilkesii is a flightless ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Wilkes's beautiful black searcher. It is one of approximately 120 species in the genus Calosoma, a group known as "caterpillar hunters" for their predatory habits on lepidopteran larvae. The species has been the subject of genomic research due to its brachypterous (short-winged) condition, which represents an evolutionary transition to flightlessness. It occurs in western North America from British Columbia to California.
Eremnophila
thread-waisted wasps
Eremnophila is a genus of solitary thread-waisted wasps in the family Sphecidae, comprising approximately nine described species distributed primarily across the Americas. These wasps are specialized caterpillar hunters that provision subterranean nests with paralyzed prey for their larvae. Adults are frequent flower visitors, particularly to spotted horsemint (Monarda punctata), goldenrods, and other late-summer asters. A distinctive behavioral trait involves prolonged tandem mating, where males grasp females by the neck and accompany them during foraging activities.
Mischocyttarus mexicanus mexicanus
Mexican Paper Wasp
Mischocyttarus mexicanus mexicanus is a subspecies of paper wasp in the family Vespidae. It is one of three Mischocyttarus species occurring in the United States and southwestern Canada, all belonging to the subgenus Phi. The species constructs small, uncovered paper combs similar to those of Polistes wasps. Nests have been observed in exposed situations in Texas, though related subspecies may use cavities. This wasp is a social species with flexible colony founding, where 1–20 females may initiate nests together.
Parancistrocerus pedestris
Parancistrocerus pedestris is a small solitary mason wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. The species was first described by de Saussure in 1856. Like other members of its genus, it is a cavity-nesting wasp that provisions its nests with paralyzed caterpillars as food for its larval offspring. The species is part of a taxonomically challenging group where live specimens are often difficult to distinguish from related species without microscopic examination.
Parancistrocerus perennis
two-banded mason wasp, perennial mason wasp
Parancistrocerus perennis, commonly known as the two-banded mason wasp or perennial mason wasp, is a small solitary wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. It is native to eastern North America, ranging from southern Ontario to Florida and west to the Mississippi River. The species is a cavity-nesting predator that hunts specific caterpillar families to provision its nests. Two subspecies are recognized: P. p. perennis and P. p. anacardivora, the latter occurring in southern populations and distinguished by reddish markings.
Parancistrocerus rectangulis
Parancistrocerus rectangulis is a small solitary mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. Like other members of its genus, it nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow twigs or beetle borings, provisioning cells with paralyzed caterpillars as food for its larvae. The species was described by Viereck in 1908. Specific natural history details for this species remain poorly documented in published literature, though genus-level traits suggest typical eumenine biology.
Podalonia argentipilis
Cutworm Hunter Wasp, Cutworm Wasp
Podalonia argentipilis is a solitary thread-waisted wasp in the family Sphecidae, subfamily Ammophilinae. Females hunt soil-dwelling caterpillars (cutworms), paralyze them with venom, and provision underground burrows as food for their larvae. Unlike most sphecid wasps, this species digs the burrow after capturing prey rather than before. The species is part of a genus of nineteen North American species that are frequently mistaken for Sphex or Ammophila wasps due to similar body plans.
Pterocheilus pimorum
Pterocheilus pimorum is a solitary mason wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. Like other members of its genus, it is fossorial, excavating burrows in soil rather than using pre-existing cavities or building free-standing mud nests. The species was described by Viereck in 1908. Very little is known about its specific biology, though it likely shares the general characteristics of the genus: females dig burrows using modified forelegs with stout spines (tarsal rakes) and a psammophore (beard of setae on the mouthparts) for transporting excavated soil.
Pterocheilus quinquefasciatus
Pterocheilus quinquefasciatus is a fossorial solitary mason wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. Females excavate burrows in sandy or soft soil rather than using pre-existing cavities or building mud nests. The species is relatively large for the genus, with females measuring 13–16 mm in body length. It has been documented using caterpillars of Heliothis phloxiphaga (Darker Spotted Straw Moth) as prey in Badlands National Park, South Dakota, with females paralyzing victims and carrying them in flight to the burrow.
Pterocheilus sinopis
Pterocheilus sinopis is a species of solitary mason wasp in the family Vespidae, subfamily Eumeninae. It is one of approximately 40 species in the genus Pterocheilus, a group characterized by fossorial (burrow-digging) nesting behavior. The species was described by Richard M. Bohart in 1999. Like other members of its genus, females are equipped with specialized anatomical adaptations for excavating soil burrows, including a psammophore (a "beard" of setae on the palps) for transporting soil away from nest sites.
Scaphinotus elevatus coloradensis
Scaphinotus elevatus coloradensis is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by Van Dyke in 1907. It belongs to the subfamily Carabinae, which includes the so-called "caterpillar hunters" and "snail hunters"—large, charismatic beetles known for their prominent mandibles. The subspecies epithet "coloradensis" indicates its association with Colorado, and records indicate it occurs in the western United States and Canada. Like other members of the genus Scaphinotus, it is likely a nocturnal predator adapted to montane or foothill habitats.
Stenodynerus fundatiformis gonosceles
Stenodynerus fundatiformis gonosceles is a subspecies of mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae. The genus Stenodynerus contains solitary, cavity-nesting wasps provisioned with paralyzed caterpillars. This subspecies is poorly documented in available sources, with only one observation recorded on iNaturalist. Males of the genus have a distinctive antennal modification: the last antennal segment is folded like a finger against the adjacent segment.
Stenodynerus taosoides
Stenodynerus taosoides is a species of mason wasp in the subfamily Eumeninae (family Vespidae). Members of the genus Stenodynerus are solitary wasps that construct nests in pre-existing cavities, provisioning them with paralyzed caterpillars as food for their larval offspring. The species name suggests a connection to the Taos region of northern New Mexico, though specific details about its distribution and biology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Zeta
potter wasps
Zeta is a small neotropical genus of potter wasps in the subfamily Eumeninae, family Vespidae. The genus currently contains four species, with most having restricted geographic distributions. Three species are limited to specific regions: Zeta confusum is endemic to Cuba, Zeta abdominale occurs on several Caribbean islands, and Zeta mendozanum is restricted to the Monte and Patagonia regions of Argentina. Zeta argillaceum is the exception, being widespread and common across much of the neotropics.