Gastropod-predator
Guides
Petrochirus diogenes
Giant Hermit Crab
Petrochirus diogenes is a large marine hermit crab native to the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean. It is notable for its ability to occupy fully grown shells of the queen conch (Lobatus gigas), which it acquires by preying upon living conchs. Originally described by Linnaeus in 1758 as Cancer diogenes, the species epithet references the Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope, who famously lived in a large ceramic jar.
Scaphinotus relictus
Relic Snail-eating Beetle, rilictual snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus relictus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Relic Snail-eating Beetle. This species is found in western North America, with records from Alberta and British Columbia in Canada southward through Idaho, Montana, Washington, and California in the United States. It inhabits deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forest habitats. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal in their activity patterns.
Sciomyzoidea
Kelp, Marsh, Thick-headed Flies and Allies
Sciomyzoidea is a superfamily of acalyptrate flies (Diptera: Acalyptratae) comprising at least 11 families, including the well-known Sciomyzidae (snail-killing or marsh flies), Sepsidae (scavenger flies), and Coelopidae (seaweed flies). The superfamily exhibits diverse ecological specializations, with some families associated with marine or coastal habitats and others with freshwater or terrestrial environments. The family Sciomyzidae is particularly notable for its larval predation and parasitism on gastropods.