Free-living
Guides
Abrolophus
Abrolophus is a genus of predatory mites in the family Erythraeidae, first described by Antonio Berlese in 1891. The genus comprises approximately 120 described species distributed across multiple continents. Species in this genus are free-living and belong to the subfamily Abrolophinae.
Clastopteridae
Clastopterid Spittlebugs
Clastopteridae is a family of spittlebugs (Cercopoidea) within the order Hemiptera, containing at least 10 genera and approximately 100 described species. The family was established by Stål in 1858. Members are free-living hemipterans, distinct from the related froghoppers (Aphrophoridae) that produce protective spittle masses. The genus Clastoptera is the most well-known and widespread in the family.
Dascillus
soft-bodied plant beetles
Dascillus is a genus of soft-bodied beetles in the family Dascillidae, containing approximately 20-24 described species. The genus belongs to the subfamily Dascillinae, which comprises free-living beetles found primarily in forested areas of the Northern Hemisphere and Australia. Species of Dascillus have been described from China, including Hubei and Sichuan provinces, as well as from Europe.
Himalopsyche phryganea
Himalopsyche phryganea is a free-living caddisfly species in the family Rhyacophilidae, first described by Ross in 1941. Molecular phylogenetic studies have established it as the sole member of the phryganea species group within the genus. The species is known from North America, though the genus Himalopsyche is predominantly distributed in alpine to montane regions of Central and East Asia.
Neospintharus
Neospintharus is a genus of comb-footed spiders in the family Theridiidae, subfamily Argyrodinae. First described by Exline in 1950, it was synonymized with Argyrodes in 1962 but revalidated in 2004. Phylogenetic studies confirm it as sister group to Rhomphaea within monophyletic Argyrodinae. The genus comprises free-living species that are not kleptoparasitic, distinguishing them from other Argyrodinae genera.
Podocinidae
Podocinidae is a family of free-living predatory mites in the order Mesostigmata. The family comprises 38 species across three genera: Africoseius, Podocinella, and Podocinum. These mites are primarily soil and leaf litter inhabitants, with most species in the genus Podocinum. Their biology remains poorly known despite taxonomic documentation from multiple continents.
Rhyacophila angelita
Rhyacophila angelita is a species of free-living caddisfly described by Banks in 1911. It belongs to the family Rhyacophilidae, a group characterized by predatory larvae that do not construct portable cases. The species is known from North America.
Rhyacophila carpenteri
Rhyacophila carpenteri is a free-living caddisfly species in the family Rhyacophilidae, described by Milne in 1936. It is found in North America. As a member of the genus Rhyacophila, it belongs to a group commonly known as 'caseless caddis' that do not construct protective cases during their larval stage.
Rhyacophila formosa
Rhyacophila formosa is a species of free-living caddisfly first described by Nathan Banks in 1911. As a member of the family Rhyacophilidae, it belongs to a group of caddisflies whose larvae do not construct portable cases, instead living freely on rocky substrates in freshwater habitats. The species is known to occur in North America.
Rhyacophila nigrita
Rhyacophila nigrita is a free-living caddisfly species described by Nathan Banks in 1907. It belongs to the family Rhyacophilidae, a group of caddisflies whose larvae do not construct protective cases. The species has been documented in North America, with specific records from Vermont in the United States. Available information for this species remains limited.
Rhyacophilidae
Free-living Caddisflies
Rhyacophilidae is a family of caddisflies (Trichoptera) commonly known as free-living caddisflies. Larvae are distinctive for not constructing portable cases, instead living freely on substrates in freshwater habitats. Most species are predatory. The family contains over 700 described species, with the genus Rhyacophila alone comprising approximately 500 species distributed primarily across the Northern Hemisphere.