Generalist
Guides
Arilus cristatus
North American wheel bug, wheel bug
Arilus cristatus, the North American wheel bug, is a large assassin bug distinguished by a semicircular, wheel-shaped pronotal crest. Adults reach up to 38 mm in length and are gray to brownish-gray, while nymphs are bright red and black without the characteristic wheel structure. The species is a generalist predator that employs raptorial front legs and a powerful proboscis to subdue and liquefy prey. It is valued as a biological control agent but possesses a defensive bite to humans that is notably painful and prolonged.
Enallagma civile
Familiar Bluet
Enallagma civile, commonly known as the familiar bluet, is a narrowwinged damselfly native to much of the United States and southern Canada. This species is a habitat generalist and predatory insect that has been extensively studied as a model organism for understanding climate change effects on aquatic invertebrates. Research indicates that rising water temperatures significantly impact its development, survival, and adult body size, with temperatures above 38°C causing substantial mortality. The species produces multiple generations per year and serves as host to various parasites including Arrenurus water mites and gregarine protozoans.
Harpalus opacipennis
Harpalus opacipennis is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, described by Haldeman in 1843. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Harpalus, which contains numerous species of medium-sized ground beetles distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. The species name 'opacipennis' refers to the dull or opaque appearance of the elytra (wing covers). Like other members of Harpalus, this species is likely a generalist predator and scavenger, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Himacerus
damsel bugs
Himacerus is a genus of predatory damsel bugs in the family Nabidae, subfamily Nabinae. The genus includes several Eurasian species, with Himacerus apterus being the most studied. These bugs are generalist predators that inhabit forest edges, meadows, and open woodlands. Some species have been introduced to North America, notably H. apterus in eastern Canada.
Hylaeus communis
Common Masked Bee
Hylaeus communis is a small, nearly hairless solitary bee native to the Palearctic region and recently introduced to North America. It is one of the most common and adaptable species in its genus, exhibiting extreme generalism in habitat use and floral visitation. Females transport nectar and pollen internally in a crop, rather than on body hairs, and nest in pre-existing cavities. The species is partially bivoltine with flight activity from late May through September.
Lycaena phlaeas
small copper, American copper, common copper
Lycaena phlaeas is a holarctic butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the small copper or American copper. It is widespread across Europe, Asia, North America, and North Africa. The species is notable for its bright orange forewings with dark borders and black spots. It has been identified as a generalist species that shows resilience to habitat degradation, with populations in Germany demonstrating a positive trend in the Grassland Butterfly Index despite overall declines in grassland butterfly populations.
Phyciodes tharos
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos, commonly known as the Pearl Crescent, is a small brush-footed butterfly native to North America. It is one of the most widespread and abundant crescent butterflies, occurring from southern Canada through the United States and into Mexico. The species is notable for its variable wing patterns and its ecological flexibility, thriving in disturbed and open habitats. Populations in warmer southern regions may produce up to six generations annually, while northern populations typically have fewer broods.
Strongygaster triangulifera
bristle fly
Strongygaster triangulifera is a small parasitic tachinid fly widely distributed across North America. It is a generalist parasitoid that primarily attacks adult Coleoptera, with documented hosts in at least 10 beetle families including Coccinellidae, Chrysomelidae, Curculionidae, and Scarabaeidae. Records also exist from Dermaptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, and Orthoptera. The species has been observed parasitizing both native and invasive insect species, including the multicolored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) and the kudzu bug (Megacopta cribraria).