Defensive-behavior
Guides
Anuroctonus pococki bajae
Californian swollen stinger scorpion
Anuroctonus pococki bajae is a subspecies of scorpion in the family Chactidae, endemic to Baja California. It is distinguished by a pronounced swollen bulb on the telson (stinger segment), a trait referenced in its common name. The species exhibits defensive, aggressive behavior when provoked and is nocturnal. Under ultraviolet light, it fluoresces bright blue-green like other scorpions.
Apis mellifera scutellata
African Honey Bee, East African Lowland Honey Bee, Africanized Honey Bee
Apis mellifera scutellata is a subspecies of the western honey bee native to central, southern, and eastern Africa. It is smaller and slightly darker than European honey bees, with a fuzzy thorax and black-striped abdomen. This subspecies is the primary ancestor of Africanized honey bees, which originated from escaped experimental colonies in Brazil in 1957 and subsequently spread throughout the Americas. A. m. scutellata exhibits heightened defensive behavior, rapid colony growth, and strong swarming tendencies compared to European subspecies.
Callosamia
promethea moths, silkmoths
Callosamia is a genus of large silkmoths in the family Saturniidae, first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864. The genus contains three North American species: C. promethea, C. angulifera, and C. securifera. These moths are notable for their striking appearance, strong host plant associations with woody plants, and distinct behavioral differences including diurnal versus nocturnal mating activity that contributes to reproductive isolation between sibling species.
Cassida rubiginosa
Thistle Tortoise Beetle
Cassida rubiginosa, commonly known as the thistle tortoise beetle, is a leaf beetle in the subfamily Cassidinae native to Europe and Asia that has been introduced to North America, New Zealand, and other regions as a biological control agent for invasive thistles. The beetle derives its common name from the tortoise-like appearance of adults, whose elytra and pronotum form a shield-like covering over the body. Both adults and larvae feed on thistle foliage, with larvae possessing a distinctive defensive structure—a forked caudal appendage used to carry accumulated feces and exuviae as a mobile 'fecal shield' that deters predators. The species has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing thistle biomass and seed production, though its host range extends beyond the primary target to other Cardueae species.
Ceratocanthinae
Pill Scarab Beetles
Ceratocanthinae is a subfamily of scarabaeoid beetles within Hybosoridae, comprising approximately 366 species in 43 genera distributed across three tribes. These small beetles (2.0–10.0 mm) are renowned for their unique ability to perform complete conglobation—rolling their body into a tight ball by curling three body trunk segments and folding their tibiae. This defensive behavior, which evolved once in the Mesozoic, represents the only known complete conglobation in insects and is supported by specialized exoskeletal structures and thickened, mechanically reinforced dorsal cuticle.
Cisthene
lichen moths
Cisthene is a genus of lichen moths in the family Erebidae, erected by Francis Walker in 1854. Species in this genus are known to produce acoustic warning signals that deter bat predators, a behavior termed acoustic aposematism. Research on Cisthene martini has demonstrated this phenomenon occurs in natural habitats, not just laboratory settings. Some species exhibit reduced evasive flight behavior when approached by bats, suggesting reliance on sound-based defense.
Elateridae
Click Beetles, elaters, snapping beetles, spring beetles, skipjacks
Elateridae, commonly known as click beetles, is a cosmopolitan family of beetles characterized by a unique clicking mechanism used for defense and righting. The family contains approximately 10,000 species worldwide. Members possess a prosternal spine and mesosternal notch that, when snapped together, produce an audible click capable of launching the beetle into the air. Some species exhibit bioluminescence, with about 200 luminescent species known primarily from Latin America and Oceania, and one recently discovered in Asia. Larvae, known as wireworms, are often soil-dwelling and can be significant agricultural pests.
Eleodes armata
Armored Stink Beetle
Eleodes armata, commonly known as the armored stink beetle, is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It inhabits arid regions of the western United States and Mexico. The species is distinguished by prominent spurs on all legs, a feature reflected in its specific epithet 'armata' (armed). Like other members of the genus Eleodes, it exhibits the characteristic head-standing defensive posture when disturbed.
Eleodes carbonaria
desert stink beetle
Eleodes carbonaria is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly referred to as a desert stink beetle. It belongs to the genus Eleodes, a group known for their defensive head-standing behavior when threatened. The species has been documented with multiple subspecies across North America, indicating considerable geographic variation. Like other members of its genus, it is primarily associated with arid and semi-arid environments.
Eleodes caseyi
desert stink beetle, clown beetle
Eleodes caseyi is a species of desert stink beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. It belongs to the genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles, which are characterized by their defensive head-stand posture. The species was described by Blaisdell in 1909. Like other members of its genus, it is adapted to arid environments.
Eleodes eschscholtzii
desert stink beetle
Eleodes eschscholtzii is a species of darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to arid regions of western North America. The species is part of the diverse Eleodes genus, commonly known as clown beetles or desert stink beetles, characterized by defensive chemical secretion and a distinctive head-stand posture when threatened. Two subspecies are recognized: E. e. eschscholtzii and E. e. lucae.
Eleodes extricata
Extricated Darkling Beetle
Eleodes extricata is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the extricated darkling beetle or desert stink beetle. It belongs to the genus Eleodes, a group often referred to as clown beetles or stink beetles due to their defensive behavior of raising their abdomen when threatened. The species was originally described by Thomas Say in 1824 as Blaps extricata. Records indicate a distribution in Mexico.
Eleodes fuchsii
Eleodes fuchsii is a darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Blaisdell in 1909. As a member of the genus Eleodes, it belongs to a group commonly known as "clown beetles" or "stink beetles," recognized for their defensive posture of raising the abdomen when disturbed. The species is part of a large North American genus with over 200 described species, many of which inhabit arid and semi-arid regions.
Eleodes gracilis
desert stink beetle
Eleodes gracilis is a species of desert stink beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by LeConte in 1858. The species belongs to the genus Eleodes, commonly known as stink beetles or darkling beetles, which are characterized by their defensive behavior of raising the abdomen when disturbed. Two subspecies are recognized: Eleodes gracilis gracilis and Eleodes gracilis distans. The species is distributed in Mexico and has been recorded in the southwestern United States.
Eleodes halli
Eleodes halli is a species of darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) in the genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles. The genus is characterized by defensive head-standing behavior when disturbed. Species within this genus are often large, conspicuous beetles of arid and semi-arid regions, with several exhibiting Batesian mimicry of tiger beetles. Eleodes halli was described by Blaisdell in 1941.
Eleodes hirsuta
Hairy Stink Beetle, Hairy Eleodes
Eleodes hirsuta is a large darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) native to western North America, recognized by its conspicuously hairy body and defensive chemical-secreting behavior. The species belongs to the 'clown beetle' group, known for their characteristic head-stand posture when threatened. Adults are primarily nocturnal and active during warmer months in arid and semi-arid grassland habitats.
Eleodes hispilabris
Rough-lipped Darkling Beetle, desert stink beetle
Eleodes hispilabris is a darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) native to North America, where it occurs in arid and semi-arid regions including the Great Plains. It is closely related to and frequently confused with Eleodes suturalis, sharing similar size, coloration, and a reddish-brown sutural stripe on the elytra. The species exhibits scale-dependent habitat selection and performs the characteristic defensive 'head stand' behavior typical of the genus Eleodes.
Eleodes longicollis
desert stink beetle, clown beetle
Eleodes longicollis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the desert stink beetle or clown beetle. It is a large, flightless beetle native to arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species is notable for its distinctive defensive behavior of raising its abdomen and standing on its head when threatened, a posture that has earned members of the genus the common name 'clown beetles.' Like other Eleodes species, it possesses defensive glands capable of producing noxious secretions.
Eleodes obscura glabriuscula
Eleodes obscura glabriuscula is a subspecies of the widespread darkling beetle Eleodes obscura, distinguished by its relatively smoother (less setose) elytral surface compared to the nominate subspecies. As a member of the Eleodes subgenus Eleodes, it exhibits the characteristic defensive head-stand posture typical of clown beetles when threatened. The subspecies occurs in western North America and shares the general habitat preferences of E. obscura, favoring arid and semi-arid environments.
Eleodes parowana
Eleodes parowana is a species of darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) described by Blaisdell in 1925. The genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles, is characterized by defensive head-standing behavior when disturbed. Species within this genus are primarily nocturnal and inhabit arid and semi-arid regions of North America. E. parowana is one of numerous Eleodes species found in western North American deserts and grasslands.
Eleodes pedinoides
clown beetle
Eleodes pedinoides is a darkling beetle (family Tenebrionidae) native to Mexico. Like other members of the genus Eleodes, it exhibits the defensive 'headstand' behavior characteristic of clown beetles, raising its abdomen when disturbed to release defensive secretions. The species is closely related to E. suturalis and E. hispilabris, with which it shares general body form and dark coloration. Available information on this species is limited compared to its better-known North American congeners.
Eleodes rileyi reducta
Eleodes rileyi reducta is a subspecies of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. Like other members of the genus Eleodes, it exhibits the defensive "head stand" behavior characteristic of clown beetles. The species E. rileyi and its subspecies are part of the diverse Eleodes fauna of western North America, though specific information distinguishing E. rileyi reducta from the nominate subspecies is limited in available sources.
Eleodes spiculifera
Eleodes spiculifera is a species of clown beetle (family Tenebrionidae) described by Triplehorn in 2007. It belongs to a genus renowned for defensive head-standing behavior when disturbed. The species is part of the diverse Eleodes fauna of western North America, a region where these beetles are conspicuous components of arid and semi-arid ecosystems.
Eleodes sponsa
Eleodes sponsa is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as clown beetles. The species was described by LeConte in 1858. Members of the genus Eleodes are characterized by their defensive "head stand" behavior, where they elevate their abdomen when threatened. The species occurs in North American grassland and prairie habitats.
Eleodes versatilis
Eleodes versatilis is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, first described by Blaisdell in 1921. The genus Eleodes, commonly known as clown beetles or stink beetles, is characterized by defensive head-standing behavior when disturbed. Specific information about E. versatilis is limited; the species has been recorded in taxonomic databases but detailed natural history documentation is sparse. Members of the genus are primarily nocturnal and inhabit arid and semi-arid environments across North America.
Eleodes veterator
Texas Coastal Teneb
Eleodes veterator is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly known as the Texas Coastal Teneb. As a member of the Eleodes genus, it shares the defensive "head stand" behavior characteristic of clown beetles, where the beetle elevates its abdomen to release defensive secretions. The species was described by Horn in 1874. Information specific to this species is limited compared to better-known congeners such as E. suturalis and E. hispilabris.
Eleodes wheeleri
desert stink beetle
Eleodes wheeleri is a species of darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae, commonly referred to as a desert stink beetle. It belongs to the large genus Eleodes, whose members are known for their defensive head-stand posture. The species was described in 2012 and is part of a diverse group of beetles adapted to arid environments.
Exema
warty leaf beetles
Exema is a genus of warty leaf beetles in the tribe Fulcidacini, subfamily Cryptocephalinae. These small beetles (2–3 mm) are renowned for their remarkable fecal mimicry—when disturbed, they retract their head, legs, and antennae into grooves, resembling caterpillar frass. The genus occurs worldwide with at least 9 species in North America. Exema species have been documented on Asteraceae hosts including gray-headed coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) and sweet coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa). Larvae are case-bearing, constructing protective cases from their own feces.
Exema gibber
warty leaf beetle
Exema gibber is a species of warty leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, native to North America. As a member of the tribe Chlamisini, it exhibits remarkable frass-mimicry camouflage, retracting its head, legs, and antennae into body grooves when disturbed to resemble caterpillar droppings. The species measures approximately 2–3 mm in length and has been observed feeding on Asteraceae plants, including gray-headed coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) and sweet coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa).
Exema mormona
warty leaf beetle
Exema mormona is a species of warty leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Karren in 1966. It belongs to the tribe Chlamisini, whose members are known for their remarkable mimicry of caterpillar frass. The species occurs in North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in published literature.
Fulcidacini
Warty Leaf Beetles
Fulcidacini is a tribe of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) within the subfamily Cryptocephalinae, historically treated as the distinct subfamily Chlamisinae. The tribe comprises 11 genera and approximately 400 species, with roughly 80% of species occurring in the Neotropics. Members are commonly known as warty leaf beetles due to their distinctive appearance and are characterized by case-bearing larvae that construct protective cases from fecal material.
Garella nilotica
Black-olive Caterpillar Moth, Bungee Caterpillar
A small moth of the family Nolidae with a pantropical distribution spanning North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Pacific islands. The species is known for its larvae, which feed on a broad range of woody plants across at least five plant families. First described by Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1881, it has become established in numerous regions through human-mediated transport or natural dispersal.
Geolycosa wrighti
Black-bellied Burrowing Wolf Spider
Geolycosa wrighti is a burrowing wolf spider in the family Lycosidae, found in the United States and Canada. As a member of the genus Geolycosa, it constructs and occupies vertical burrows in soil, spending most of its life underground. The species is known for distinctive defensive behavior where individuals block their burrow entrance using their cephalothorax and legs when disturbed.
Grylloprociphilus
woolly beech aphid, boogie-woogie aphid, beech blight aphid
Grylloprociphilus is a genus of woolly aphids in the family Aphididae, established by Smith & Pepper in 1968. The genus contains at least one described species, G. imbricator, commonly known as the woolly beech aphid or boogie-woogie aphid. These aphids are notable for producing dense white waxy secretions that cloak host tree branches, and for their distinctive defensive behavior of synchronized posterior swaying when disturbed. The genus exhibits heteroecious holocyclic life cycles with host alternation between primary and secondary hosts.
Grylloprociphilus imbricator
Beech Blight Aphid, Woolly Beech Aphid, Boogie-Woogie Aphid
Grylloprociphilus imbricator, commonly known as the beech blight aphid or boogie-woogie aphid, is a small sap-feeding insect in the family Aphididae. It forms dense colonies on American beech trees (Fagus grandifolia), covering branches with thick blankets of fluffy white wax produced from specialized abdominal glands. The species exhibits a complex life cycle involving both beech and cypress hosts, with parthenogenetic reproduction on beech and root-feeding stages on cypress. When disturbed, colonies perform a distinctive synchronized swaying behavior that gives rise to their common name.
Hypercompe scribonia
Giant Leopard Moth, Great Leopard Moth, Giant Woolly Bear (larval stage), Black Woolly Bear (larval stage), Eyed Tiger Moth
Hypercompe scribonia, the giant leopard moth, is the largest eastern tiger moth in North America. Adults are striking white moths with black circular spots and bars, while larvae are known as giant woolly bears—large, densely hairy black caterpillars with red rings visible between body segments when curled. The species is nocturnal, with males frequently attracted to lights. Larvae overwinter and complete development in spring, feeding on a broad range of herbaceous and woody plants.
Mordwilkoja
Mordwilkoja is a genus of gall-forming aphids in the family Aphididae, subfamily Pemphiginae. Species in this genus induce galls on host plants and exhibit defensive behaviors against predators. The genus has been used as an outgroup in molecular studies of social behavior evolution in related aphid genera.
Oxytrigona tataira
Tataira Fire Bee, tataíra, abelha-de-fogo
Oxytrigona tataira is a Brazilian stingless bee in the tribe Meliponini. It has been reported across Brazil and is described in the literature as notably defensive. One study documents an unusual association with Membracoidea (leafhoppers and relatives), in which the bees induce the insects to release liquid and collect material from their waxy coverings and egg masses. A separate case report describes a medically significant encounter, although a single case cannot show how severe encounters usually are.
Parasteatoda lunata
Parasteatoda lunata is a species of cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae. GBIF recognizes it as an accepted species, and its occurrence records are concentrated in Europe. A study documenting the species in central Spain reports that local establishment may be associated with a cool, Eurosiberian climate and with the presence of suitably shaped and positioned objects. In that study, individuals dropped motionless to the ground when disturbed.
Pseudopucrolia
harvestman
Pseudopucrolia is a genus of armored harvestmen in the family Gonyleptidae. GBIF currently lists four accepted species under the genus, and its indexed occurrences are concentrated in Brazil. The genus includes Pseudopucrolia discrepans, a litter-dwelling species studied for defensive behavior that varies with time of day and sex. Species-level identification requires taxonomic characters; a general field identification should not be inferred from the genus name alone.
Statilia maculata
Asian jumping mantis, 小蟷螂, ko-kamakiri, 좀사마귀, joem-sa-ma-gui
Statilia maculata is a medium-sized praying mantis native to East Asia, commonly known as the Asian jumping mantis. Adults range from 40–50 mm (males) to 45–58 mm (females). The species inhabits low-lying vegetation including weeds and shrubs, distinguishing it from canopy-dwelling relatives. First described by Carl Peter Thunberg in 1784 from specimens thought to be from eastern India, it is now recognized across a broad Asian range. The species exhibits notable sexual dimorphism in cercal structure, with females possessing more articles and longer cerci than males.
Udeopsylla
robust camel cricket
Udeopsylla is a monotypic genus of camel crickets in the family Rhaphidophoridae, containing only the species Udeopsylla robusta. These insects are nocturnal, wingless orthopterans with distinctive defensive behaviors when disturbed, including regurgitation, defecation, and adopting exaggerated postures. The genus was established by Scudder in 1862.
Uroleucon verbesinae
Bicolored Frostweed Aphid
Uroleucon verbesinae is a North American aphid species in the family Aphididae. It belongs to the large genus Uroleucon, whose members typically feed on plants in the Asteraceae family. The species reproduces parthenogenetically during spring and summer, producing all-female colonies. Like other Uroleucon aphids, it exhibits synchronized defensive behaviors when disturbed.
Vaejovis carolinianus
southern unstriped scorpion, southern devil scorpion
Vaejovis carolinianus is a small, dark scorpion native to the southeastern United States and the only scorpion species native to Tennessee. Adults are generally less than 2 inches in length with claws and tail extended. The species exhibits defensive behaviors including stinging and chelae pinches, with risk assessment capabilities that allow it to modify responses based on environmental features such as refuge availability. It is a generalist predator of smaller arthropods and has been observed to be cannibalistic.