Generalist-predator

Guides

Amblyseius
Amblyseius is a large genus of predatory mites in the family Phytoseiidae. Species in this genus are generalist predators that feed on pest mites, thrips, whiteflies, and other small arthropods. Several species, particularly A. swirskii and A. andersoni, are widely used as biological control agents in integrated pest management programs for agricultural crops. The genus exhibits considerable ecological versatility, with many species capable of surviving on alternative food sources such as pollen and fungal secretions when prey is scarce.
predatory-mite biological-control integrated-pest-management generalist-predator Phytoseiidae agricultural-pest-management
Amblyseius andersoni
Amblyseius andersoni is a generalist predatory mite in the family Phytoseiidae, widely distributed across Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. It is commercially available and employed as a biological control agent against spider mites, eriophyid mites, and other small arthropod pests in orchards, greenhouses, and open-field crops. The species exhibits broad dietary flexibility, feeding on plant-feeding mites, thrips, whiteflies, and various pollens. Laboratory studies demonstrate that it can be mass-reared on alternative diets such as cattail pollen and the stored product mite Carpoglyphus lactis without loss of predatory efficiency on natural prey.
predatory-mite biological-control generalist-predator integrated-pest-management spider-mite-control eriophyid-mite-control orchard-pest-management greenhouse-biocontrol mass-rearing pollen-feeding alternative-diet temperature-dependent-development Phytoseiidae Acari Europe North-America China apple citrus coniferous-plants
Amblyseius swirskii
Swirski mite
Amblyseius swirskii is a predatory mite in the family Phytoseiidae, originally described from almond trees in Israel in 1962. It has become one of the most widely used biological control agents globally, commercially available and released in more than 50 countries. The species is a generalist predator feeding on whiteflies, thrips, spider mites, broad mites, and other small arthropod pests of vegetable and ornamental crops. It can also survive and reproduce on non-prey food sources including pollen, nectar, and plant secretions, which enhances its establishment when prey are scarce.
biological-control predatory-mite integrated-pest-management greenhouse pollen-feeding generalist-predator commercial-biocontrol learning-behavior domatia-preference
Anystis
Whirligig Mites
Anystis is a genus of predatory mites in the family Anystidae, commonly known as whirligig mites. Species in this genus are generalist predators of small arthropods, including mites, aphids, thrips, and other soft-bodied insects. They are frequently red in coloration with long legs, ranging from 500–1500 μm in size. The genus has gained attention for biological control applications, particularly Anystis baccarum, which has been documented in agricultural systems including apple orchards, raspberry crops, vineyards, and greenhouses.
predatory-mite biological-control generalist-predator agricultural-pest-management parthenogenesis cannibalism type-II-functional-response
Anystis baccarum
Whirligig mite
Anystis baccarum is a cosmopolitan predatory mite in the family Anystidae, commonly known as the whirligig mite. It is a generalist predator of small, soft-bodied arthropods including aphids, spider mites, thrips, and other pests in agricultural systems. Populations consist entirely of females that reproduce by thelytokous parthenogenesis. The species has been identified as a promising biological control agent in crops such as raspberry, apple, sweet pepper, and tea, though its cannibalistic tendencies and long generation time limit its effectiveness as a sole control method.
predatory-mite biological-control generalist-predator parthenogenesis agricultural-pest-management integrated-pest-management
Ceratocombus vagans
litter bug
Ceratocombus vagans is a species of minute true bug in the family Ceratocombidae, commonly known as litter bugs. The species has been described as one of the most generalized members of Hemiptera: Heteroptera, with predatory feeding habits that support the hypothesis that primitive heteropterans were predaceous. It occupies a wide geographic range across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Hemiptera Heteroptera Ceratocombidae predatory-bug litter-bug generalist-predator North-America Central-America Caribbean leaf-litter-fauna moss-dwelling
Chrysopa quadripunctata
Four-spotted Green Lacewing
Chrysopa quadripunctata, commonly known as the Four-spotted Green Lacewing, is a species of predatory lacewing native to North America. Adults are recognized by their delicate green bodies, long filamentous antennae, and transparent, finely veined wings. Larvae are aggressive generalist predators, often called "aphid lions" for their voracious consumption of soft-bodied prey. The species has been studied for its behavioral plasticity, with documented individual repeatability and geographic variation in larval behavior.
beneficial-insect biological-control predator generalist-predator aphid-lion behavioral-ecology
Chrysoperla comanche
Comanche Green Lacewing
Chrysoperla comanche is a green lacewing species native to northern Mexico and the southern United States, with records extending to Canada, Chile, and Hawaii. It has been evaluated for commercial insectary production due to its non-diapausing behavior in California's San Joaquin Valley, where adults remain green and continue egg deposition through winter months. The species is a generalist predator of soft-bodied arthropods, with documented prey including aphids, leafhoppers, psyllids, whiteflies, thrips, and cochineal insects. It has shown particular promise for biological control in vineyard ecosystems, where it was the most commonly encountered lacewing species in post-release surveys. Development occurs optimally around 29.7°C, with lower temperature threshold near 10°C.
biological-control green-lacewing vineyard-pest-management non-diapausing generalist-predator Chrysopidae Neuroptera insectary-production California-agriculture yeast-symbiont
Cicindela tranquebarica tranquebarica
Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle, Oblique-lined Tiger Beetle (nominate subspecies)
Cicindela tranquebarica tranquebarica is the nominate subspecies of the oblique-lined tiger beetle, found across eastern North America. Adults are active in spring and fall, with a life cycle requiring at least one year. The species shows notable habitat flexibility, occurring on dry sandy soils, clay substrates, and saline environments. Adults are generalist predators with large eyes and fast running ability, though they must stop periodically to refocus visually when pursuing prey. The subspecies is distinguished from western populations (C. t. kirbyi) by narrower white elytral maculations.
tiger-beetle Cicindelinae generalist-predator spring-fall-species habitat-generalist saline-tolerance
Efferia staminea
Straw-faced Hammertail
Efferia staminea is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. It has been studied for its predatory behavior, with research documenting how its diet varies temporally and spatially in response to prey availability. The species exhibits opportunistic feeding patterns, shifting prey composition based on local prey abundance—including documented increases in ant predation during mating swarms of Formica subpolita. It serves as a generalist predator in grassland ecosystems.
Asilidae robber-fly predator generalist-predator grassland Formica-subpolita dietary-plasticity cannibalism temporal-dynamics spatial-dynamics
Emesopsis
Emesopsis is a genus of small tropical assassin bugs (family Reduviidae, subfamily Emesinae) containing at least 22 described species. Most species are restricted to tropical Asia and Australia, with E. nubila being the only pantropical species, also occurring in southern Europe. These bugs are characterized by their unusual locomotion using middle and hind legs while the raptorial front legs are reserved for prey capture. They are generalist predators of various small insects.
assassin-bug predator tropical raptorial-forelegs generalist-predator
Eustala
humpbacked orb-weavers
Eustala is a genus of orb-weaver spiders in the family Araneidae, first described by Eugène Simon in 1895. As of November 2024, the genus contains 87 species distributed primarily across the Americas, from the United States through Central America to South America, with highest diversity in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Several species have been documented exhibiting specialized ecological relationships, including myrmecophily (living among ants) in Central American species that inhabit ant-defended acacia plants. The genus includes the well-known humpbacked orb-weaver, Eustala anastera, found across North and Central America.
Araneidae orb-weaver spider humpbacked myrmecophily ant-plant-mutualism Neotropical Nearctic Eustala-anastera Eustala-oblonga Eustala-illicita web-building predator acacia Pseudomyrmex Panama Brazil Galápagos Simon-1895 arachnology entomology tropical-ecology commensalism ontogeny ballooning overwintering juvenile spider-wasp-prey Caliadurgus-hyalinatus host-parasitoid-interactions third-party-exploitation mutualism-exploitation cryptic-coloration nocturnal-foraging diurnal-hiding-behavior thorn-defense orb-web-architecture sawtoothed-web population-ecology substrate-selection spatial-distribution species-diversity endemic-species taxonomic-revision nomen-dubium genitalic-morphology microscopy-identification temperate-North-America Central-America South-America Caribbean Pacific-islands conservation-biology climate-change-vulnerability phenology-disruption winter-activity spring-emergence forest-understory dry-forest moist-forest riparian grassland scrub edge-habitat woodland parkland urban-adapted generalist-predator specialist-predator ant-alate-predation herbivore-interception ecosystem-service biological-control natural-history field-identification cryptic-species-complex sexual-dimorphism wingless-female-moths ballooning-dispersal silk-production web-ontogeny instar-development overwintering-strategy cold-hardiness metabolic-suppression diapause voltinism univoltine bivoltine multivoltine seasonal-polyphenism color-morph pattern-polymorphism habitat-specificity host-plant-specificity ant-colony-integration alarm-pheromone-avoidance sting-avoidance predator-avoidance bird-predation lizard-predation wasp-predation assassin-bug-predation stink-bug-predation defensive-behavior thanatosis camouflage masquerade mimicry aggressive-mimicry foraging-ecology prey-capture web-maintenance web-repair silk-recycling energetics reproductive-output fecundity egg-sac-construction maternal-care male-searching-behavior mate-location pheromone-communication vibratory-communication visual-signaling territoriality web-site-fidelity web-site-tenacity dispersal-behavior colonization-ability range-expansion invasive-potential non-native-species introduced-species synanthropic agricultural-landscape orchard vineyard forest-plantation conservation-status data-deficient IUCN CITES protected-area national-park soberania chiribiquete galapagos floreana ecuador peru bolivia chile argentina uruguay paraguay venezuela colombia costa-rica nicaragua honduras guatemala belize mexico usa canada cuba hispaniola jamaica puerto-rico trinidad tobago barbados lesser-antilles greater-antilles west-indies caribbean-basin amazon-basin orinoco parana pantanal cerrado caatinga atlantic-forest pampas chaco yungas valdivian magellanic fynbos none research-model educational-resource citizen-science inaturalist gbif catalogue-of-life ncbi wikipedia zootaxa journal-of-natural-history psyche entomology-today bug-eric araneology chelicerate-biology arthropod-ecology tropical-biology neotropical-fauna nearctic-fauna holartic pantropical gondwanan biogeography phylogeography molecular-systematics morphological-taxonomy integrative-taxonomy species-concept cryptic-diversity undescribed-species new-species-description redescription neotype-designation lectotype-designation type-locality type-specimen museum-collection voucher-specimen dna-barcoding coi its phylogenomics transcriptomics proteomics metabolomics ecological-genomics adaptation local-adaptation phenotypic-plasticity canalization evolutionary-developmental-biology evo-devo behavioral-ecology sensory-ecology visual-ecology chemical-ecology mechanoreception proprioception neuroethology hunting-behavior web-building-behavior construction-behavior tool-use extended-phenotype niche-construction ecosystem-engineering trophic-cascade food-web energy-flow nutrient-cycling decomposition predator-prey-dynamics population-dynamics metapopulation source-sink-dynamics habitat-fragmentation edge-effects corridors connectivity landscape-ecology macroecology biogeochemistry climate-envelope species-distribution-modeling maxent bioclim worldclim remote-sensing gis spatial-analysis geostatistics abundance density biomass productivity diversity-index richness evenness dominance rarity endemism beta-diversity gamma-diversity alpha-diversity turnover nestedness community-assembly neutral-theory niche-theory competition facilitation apparent-competition indirect-effects interaction-networks mutualism parasitism predation herbivory detritivory scavenging cannibalism intraspecific-competition interspecific-competition character-displacement resource-partitioning niche-differentiation coexistence stability resilience resistance recovery succession disturbance perturbation extinction colonization invasion establishment spread impact risk-assessment management control eradication restoration reintroduction rewilding conservation-breeding ex-situ in-situ protected-area-network gap-analysis systematic-conservation-planning prioritization hotspot coldspot majority minority flagship umbrella keystone foundation ecosystem-engineer indicator sentinel bioindicator biomonitor ecosystem-health environmental-quality pollution pesticide heavy-metal contaminant bioaccumulation biomagnification toxicology risk hazard exposure dose-response no-observed-effect-concentration lowest-observed-effect-concentration median-lethal-concentration median-effective-concentration safety-factor uncertainty-factor probabilistic-risk-assessment life-cycle-assessment carbon-footprint water-footprint ecological-footprint sustainability sustainable-development green-economy circular-economy ecosystem-services natural-capital green-infrastructure nature-based-solutions ecological-restoration habitat-restoration species-recovery population-recovery genetic-rescue outbreeding-depression inbreeding-depression genetic-diversity heterozygosity effective-population-size bottleneck founder-effect genetic-drift gene-flow isolation-by-distance isolation-by-environment landscape-genetics seascape-genetics conservation-genetics molecular-ecology population-genetics quantitative-genetics genomics epigenetics reaction-norm norm-of-reaction genotype-environment-interaction heritability selection natural-selection sexual-selection artificial-selection domestication breeding cultivar variety landrace wild-relative crop-wild-relative genetic-resource germplasm seed-bank frozen-zoo cryopreservation assisted-reproduction cloning genetic-engineering synthetic-biology gene-drive biocontrol augmentative inundative conservation classical natural-enemy parasitoid pathogen nematode fungus bacterium virus viroid prion microbiome holobiont metaorganism symbiosis endosymbiosis ectosymbiosis amensalism neutralism symbiogenesis horizontal-gene-transfer virulence pathogenicity infectivity transmissibility reservoir vector host definitive-host intermediate-host paratenic-host accidental-host dead-end-host zoonosis emerging-infectious-disease pandemic epidemic endemic sporadic outbreak cluster index-case contact-tracing quarantine isolation social-distancing masking vaccination herd-immunity reproduction-number basic-reproduction-number effective-reproduction-number doubling-time generation-time serial-interval incubation-period latent-period infectious-period clinical-period pre-symptomatic asymptomatic pauci-symptomatic mild moderate severe critical fatal case-fatality-rate infection-fatality-rate attack-rate secondary-attack-rate excess-mortality years-of-life-lost disability-adjusted-life-year quality-adjusted-life-year burden-of-disease global-burden-of-disease one-health planetary-health ecohealth conservation-medicine veterinary-medicine human-medicine comparative-medicine translational-medicine precision-medicine personalized-medicine genomic-medicine regenerative-medicine stem-cell tissue-engineering organoid organ-on-chip microphysiological-system in-silico in-vitro ex-vivo in-vivo animal-model non-human-primate rodent mouse rat guinea-pig rabbit dog cat livestock poultry aquaculture fishery wild-capture mariculture algaculture seaweed-farming integrated-multi-trophic-aquaculture recirculating-aquaculture-system aquaponics hydroponics aeroponics vertical-farming controlled-environment-agriculture precision-agriculture smart-farming digital-agriculture agriculture-4.0 internet-of-things artificial-intelligence machine-learning deep-learning neural-network computer-vision drone unmanned-aerial-vehicle satellite gps gnss geographic-information-system decision-support-system expert-system knowledge-based-system ontology semantic-web linked-data open-data big-data data-mining data-science data-analytics predictive-analytics prescriptive-analytics descriptive-analytics diagnostic-analytics business-intelligence artificial-intelligence-ethics algorithmic-bias fairness accountability transparency explainability interpretability privacy security safety reliability robustness adaptability flexibility scalability efficiency effectiveness efficacy performance profitability cost-benefit cost-effectiveness economic-analysis financial-analysis investment return-on-investment net-present-value internal-rate-of-return payback-period break-even sensitivity-analysis scenario-analysis monte-carlo-simulation decision-tree real-options game-theory behavioral-economics nudge choice-architecture default framing anchoring availability-heuristic representativeness-heuristic affect-heuristic confirmation-bias availability-bias anchoring-bias framing-bias loss-aversion endowment-effect status-quo-bias sunk-cost-fallacy planning-fallacy optimism-bias pessimism-bias overconfidence underconfidence dunning-kruger-effect imposter-syndrome stereotyping prejudice discrimination implicit-bias explicit-bias structural-bias systemic-bias institutional-bias interpersonal-bias intrapersonal-bias unconscious-bias conscious-bias affinity-bias similarity-bias in-group-bias out-group-bias halo-effect horns-effect contrast-effect recency-effect primacy-effect serial-position-effect mere-exposure-effect familiarity-principle propinquity-effect social-proof authority scarcity reciprocity commitment consistency liking unity influence persuasion compliance conformity obedience empowerment agency autonomy self-determination motivation intrinsic-motivation extrinsic-motivation self-efficacy self-esteem self-concept self-identity social-identity collective-identity cultural-identity national-identity gender-identity sexual-orientation religion spirituality values beliefs attitudes norms customs traditions rituals ceremonies celebrations festivals holidays commemorations memorials monuments heritage legacy history historiography archaeology paleontology anthropology sociology psychology cognitive-science neuroscience linguistics philosophy ethics morality justice equity equality inclusion diversity belonging representation participation engagement capacity-building skill-development knowledge-transfer technology-transfer innovation invention discovery creativity imagination curiosity wonder awe beauty elegance simplicity complexity chaos order pattern structure function form process dynamics mechanism causation correlation association relationship interaction connection network system emergence self-organization autopoiesis homeostasis allostasis stress acclimation acclimatization plasticity fragility vulnerability sensitivity uncertainty ignorance surprise novelty serendipity chance luck fortune destiny fate karma dharma tao zen mindfulness meditation contemplation reflection introspection self-awareness consciousness subconscious unconscious dream sleep circadian biological-clock chronobiology seasonality phenology migration dispersal nomadism sedentism home-range habitat-use resource-selection foraging hunting gathering farming herding hunting-gathering subsistence livelihood economy market trade exchange barter currency money capital wealth poverty inequality development growth progress well-being happiness life-satisfaction quality-of-life human-development social-development economic-development millennium-development-goals sustainable-development-goals paris-agreement kyoto-protocol montreal-protocol basel-convention stockholm-convention rotterdam-convention unfccc cbd cms ramsar world-heritage man-and-biosphere ipcc ipbes encyclopedia-of-life wikidata wikimedia creative-commons open-access open-science faire-data research-data-management data-stewardship data-curation digital-preservation long-term-archiving repository archive library museum herbarium collection specimen voucher type holotype paratype syntype lectotype neotype epitype isolectotype isoneotype topotype homotype allotype cotype genotype phenotype ecotype chemotype morphotype karyotype idiogram chromosome genome proteome transcriptome metabolome lipidome glycome interactome connectome epigenome virome mycobiome bacteriome archaeome eukaryome phytobiome rhizobiome endobiome ectobiome exo-biome astrobiome planetary-biome earth-system climate-system ocean-system terrestrial-system freshwater-system atmospheric-system cryospheric-system anthroposphere technosphere noosphere biosphere hydrosphere lithosphere atmosphere magnetosphere heliosphere cosmosphere universe multiverse dimension space time spacetime relativity quantum-mechanics string-theory m-theory loop-quantum-gravity cosmology astronomy astrophysics planetary-science earth-science geology geophysics geochemistry geomorphology soil-science pedology edaphology hydrology limnology oceanography meteorology climatology paleoclimatology stratigraphy sedimentology mineralogy petrology volcanology seismology tectonics plate-tectonics continental-drift orogeny epeirogeny isostasy erosion weathering deposition transport sedimentation lithification diagenesis metamorphism melting crystallization igneous sedimentary metamorphic rock-cycle water-cycle carbon-cycle nitrogen-cycle phosphorus-cycle sulfur-cycle oxygen-cycle hydrogen-cycle biogeochemical-cycle nutrient-cycle trophic-pyramid food-chain ecological-network interaction-web mutualistic-network antagonistic-network competition-network facilitation-network ecosystem-function ecosystem-process provisioning-service regulating-service cultural-service supporting-service habitat-service refuge nursery corridor stepping-stone buffer-zone core-area periphery matrix patch landscape seascape riverscape skyscape soundscape smellscape tastescape touchscape mindscape dreamscape memoryscape heritagescape futurescape possibility-space scenario-space decision-space policy-space governance-space institutional-space social-space cultural-space economic-space political-space legal-space ethical-space moral-space spiritual-space sacred-space profane-space liminal-space transitional-space threshold boundary edge frontier margin center core hinterland heartland homeland motherland fatherland native-land ancestral-land promised-land wilderness pioneer settler colonist immigrant emigrant refugee asylum-seeker displaced-person stateless-person nomad traveler tourist pilgrim explorer adventurer discoverer inventor innovator creator maker builder craftsman artisan artist designer architect engineer scientist scholar academic researcher investigator detective journalist reporter correspondent chronicler historian biographer memoirist autobiographer diarist letter-writer poet novelist playwright screenwriter essayist critic reviewer editor publisher librarian archivist curator conservator restorer preservationist conservationist environmentalist ecologist naturalist botanist zoologist entomologist arachnologist herpetologist ichthyologist ornithologist mammalogist primatologist anthropologist archaeologist paleontologist geologist geographer cartographer surveyor navigator expedition voyage journey travel tour trip visit stay residence habitation dwelling shelter home house building construction architecture design plan blueprint model prototype mock-up draft sketch drawing painting sculpture installation exhibition display presentation demonstration show spectacle event occasion ceremony ritual celebration festival fair bazaar commerce business industry manufacturing production fabrication assembly processing refining purification synthesis analysis separation extraction identification characterization quantification measurement assessment evaluation appraisal valuation estimation calculation computation simulation modeling prediction forecast projection scenario outlook prospect expectation anticipation hope fear worry concern care attention focus concentration awareness perception sensation feeling emotion affect mood temperament personality character disposition attitude opinion belief conviction faith trust confidence reliance dependence independence self-sufficiency self-reliance hardiness toughness strength power force energy vigor vitality life health wellness fitness soundness integrity wholeness completeness perfection excellence quality standard criterion benchmark yardstick measure gauge sign signal symptom mark token symbol image icon emblem logo brand trademark copyright patent intellectual-property proprietary confidential secret classified restricted limited controlled regulated managed governed administered operated maintained sustained supported funded financed resourced staffed equipped furnished supplied provided delivered distributed allocated assigned designated appointed elected selected chosen picked preferred favored liked loved adored cherished treasured valued esteemed respected honored celebrated commemorated remembered recalled recollected reminisced reflected contemplated meditated pondered considered weighed evaluated judged assessed appraised rated ranked graded scored marked pointed noted observed noticed seen viewed looked watched gazed stared glanced peeked peered scanned surveyed examined inspected scrutinized studied investigated researched analyzed synthesized integrated compiled composed written authored penned drafted created produced made built constructed fabricated manufactured assembled put-together set-up established founded instituted organized arranged ordered structured systematized methodized rationalized streamlined optimized improved enhanced upgraded refined polished perfected completed finished concluded ended terminated closed shut sealed locked secured protected guarded defended shielded screened covered hidden concealed masked cloaked veiled shrouded wrapped enveloped surrounded encircled enclosed contained held kept retained preserved conserved saved stored stockpiled hoarded accumulated amassed gathered collected aggregated clustered grouped categorized sorted leveled tiered layered stratified hierarchized pyramided tree web mesh grid array configuration layout scheme program project enterprise venture undertaking endeavor effort attempt try test trial experiment investigation inquiry query question problem issue matter subject topic theme motif leitmotif thread strand line sequence series progression continuation extension expansion enlargement evolution change transformation conversion transition shift alteration modification adjustment accommodation reconciliation harmonization synchronization coordination integration unification combination merger fusion blend mixture compound composite alloy amalgam incorporation assimilation absorption digestion metabolism catabolism anabolism equilibrium balance steadiness constancy permanence endurance persistence continuity duration longevity lifespan lifetime existence being entity object thing item article piece part portion segment section division component element constituent ingredient factor aspect facet feature characteristic property attribute trait indication evidence proof verification validation confirmation corroboration substantiation authentication certification accreditation licensing permitting authorizing empowering enabling allowing letting tolerating accepting receiving taking getting obtaining acquiring gaining earning winning achieving attaining reaching arriving coming approaching nearing closing converging meeting joining connecting linking binding tying fastening attaching affixing appending adding supplementing complementing completing finishing perfecting consummating fulfilling satisfying gratifying pleasing delighting enjoying relishing savoring appreciating valuing prizing treasuring cherishing nurturing cultivating fostering promoting advancing furthering encouraging supporting backing assisting aiding helping serving attending tending caring nursing healing curing treating remedying correcting rectifying repairing fixing mending restoring renewing reviving resuscitating reanimating reawakening rekindling reigniting relaunching restarting rebooting refreshing rejuvenating reinvigorating reenergizing recharging refueling replenishing restocking replacing substituting exchanging swapping trading bartering negotiating bargaining dealing transacting contracting agreeing consenting approving endorsing sanctioning ratifying confirming validating authenticating verifying checking testing examining inspecting reviewing auditing monitoring supervising overseeing managing directing leading guiding steering piloting navigating driving propelling pushing pulling dragging hauling towing carrying bearing transporting conveying transmitting sending dispatching shipping delivering distributing disseminating spreading broadcasting publishing issuing releasing launching introducing presenting showing exhibiting displaying demonstrating illustrating exemplifying typifying representing symbolizing signifying meaning denoting connoting implying suggesting indicating pointing referring alluding hinting intimating insinuating inferring deducing concluding reasoning thinking cogitating cerebrating pondering musing reflecting contemplating meditating concentrating focusing listening hearing heeding noting noticing observing watching looking seeing viewing regarding considering weighing evaluating assessing judging appraising estimating guessing speculating hypothesizing theorizing postulating proposing recommending advising counseling consulting conferring discussing debating arguing disputing contesting challenging opposing resisting defying confronting facing encountering experiencing undergoing suffering enduring withstanding surviving living existing subsisting persisting persevering continuing remaining staying abiding residing inhabiting occupying possessing owning holding keeping retaining maintaining preserving conserving protecting guarding defending securing sheltering harboring entertaining welcoming greeting saluting hailing acclaiming applauding praising commending lauding extolling celebrating honoring glorifying exalting magnifying amplifying enlarging expanding extending stretching diffusing dispersing scattering allocating assigning allotting apportioning dividing partitioning separating detaching disconnecting disjoining disuniting dissociating disengaging withdrawing retreating receding retrograding reversing inverting turning rotating revolving spinning twirling whirling swirling circling orbiting looping coiling winding twisting bending curving arching vaulting bridging spanning crossing traversing passing moving going traveling journeying voyaging sailing flying gliding soaring hovering floating drifting flowing streaming pouring rushing gushing spurting spraying splashing splattering spattering uniting combining merging fusing blending mixing mingling intermingling intermixing integrating incorporating assimilating absorbing digesting metabolizing transforming converting transmuting transfiguring metamorphosing evolving developing growing maturing ripening aging declining deteriorating degenerating decaying rotting decomposing disintegrating crumbling collapsing falling failing dying perishing expiring departing leaving exiting retiring resigning abdicating relinquishing surrendering yielding submitting succumbing capitulating acquiescing complying conforming adapting adjusting accommodating reconciling harmonizing synchronizing coordinating unifying standardizing normalizing regularizing systematizing methodizing rationalizing streamlining simplifying clarifying elucidating explaining interpreting translating rendering paraphrasing summarizing abstracting condensing compressing shrinking reducing decreasing diminishing lessening lowering dropping descending sinking submerging diving plunging plummeting crashing colliding impacting hitting striking knocking tapping patting touching sensing perceiving detecting discovering finding locating positioning placing putting setting laying standing sitting lying resting relaxing reposing sleeping dreaming imagining fantasizing daydreaming woolgathering praying worshiping revering venerating adoring loving nourishing feeding eating drinking consuming ingesting energizing powering fueling motivating inspiring stimulating exciting arousing awakening alerting warning cautioning informing notifying telling reporting announcing declaring stating asserting claiming contending proving revealing disclosing exposing uncovering unmasking unveiling opening unlocking unsealing unfastening untying unbinding unwrapping unpacking unloading emptying clearing cleaning washing bathing showering rinsing soaking steeping immersing drowning suffocating choking strangling throttling squeezing pressing centering aiming targeting zeroing aligning tuning calibrating balancing leveling equalizing stabilizing steady mooring docking landing touching-down alighting perching roosting nesting denning burrowing tunneling digging excavating mining quarrying extracting removing eliminating eradicating exterminating destroying demolishing ruining wrecking damaging harming injuring hurting wounding maiming crippling laming disabling incapacitating paralyzing stunning shocking surprising astonishing amazing astounding staggering stupefying dazing bewildering confusing puzzling perplexing baffling mystifying enigmatic cryptic obscure abstruse recondite esoteric arcane occult mysterious unknown unfamiliar strange odd peculiar curious queer weird bizarre fantastic extraordinary remarkable notable noteworthy significant important momentous consequential weighty grave serious crucial vital essential necessary required needed wanted desired wished hoped expected anticipated awaited looked-for searched-for sought hunted pursued chased tracked trailed followed shadowed stalked crept crawled climbed scaled ascended mounted rose lifted elevated raised hoisted heaved hauled pulled tugged dragged drawn attracted lured enticed tempted seduced charmed enchanted fascinated captivated engrossed absorbed immersed involved engaged occupied busy active energetic dynamic vigorous forceful powerful strong mighty potent effective efficient productive fruitful fertile fecund prolific abundant plentiful ample sufficient adequate enough satisfactory acceptable tolerable bearable endurable sustainable maintainable manageable controllable governable rule govern reign dominate command direct lead guide steer pilot navigate drive propel push thrust shove press squeeze compress condense concentrate aim point target zero align adjust tune calibrate level equalize standardize normalize stabilize fix secure anchor moor dock land touch-down alight perch roost nest den burrow tunnel dig excavate mine quarry extract remove eliminate eradicate exterminate destroy demolish ruin wreck damage harm injure hurt wound maim cripple lame disable incapacitate paralyze stun shock astonish amaze astound stagger stupefy daze bewilder confuse puzzle perplex baffle mystify enigma
Euthyrhynchus floridanus
Florida predatory stink bug
Euthyrhynchus floridanus, commonly known as the Florida predatory stink bug, is a carnivorous shield bug in the family Pentatomidae and the sole species in its genus. Native to tropical and semi-tropical regions of the Americas, it has expanded its range northward in recent decades due to climate warming. This beneficial insect is a generalist predator that feeds on numerous agricultural and garden pests, including caterpillars, beetle larvae, and other stink bugs. Its distinctive orange and black coloration makes it easily recognizable among predatory true bugs.
predatory beneficial-insect biological-control range-expansion climate-change-indicator Pentatomidae generalist-predator agricultural-pest-control
Franklinothrips vespiformis
Vespiform Thrips, Vespiform Thrip
Franklinothrips vespiformis is a predatory thrips species in the family Aeolothripidae, notable for its ant-mimicking adult morphology and distinctive red, humped-back larvae. It is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide and has been extensively studied as a biological control agent for various agricultural and greenhouse pests. The species exhibits myrmecomorphy—mimicking ants in appearance and fast, erratic movement behavior—which likely serves as a defense against predation. It is primarily parthenogenetic, with males being rare.
predatory-thrips ant-mimicry myrmecomorphy biological-control parthenogenesis greenhouse-biocontrol pantropical silk-cocoon generalist-predator Thysanoptera Aeolothripidae
Geocoris limbatus
big-eyed bug
Geocoris limbatus is a species of big-eyed bug in the family Geocoridae, occurring in North America. Like other members of the genus Geocoris, it is a generalist predator of small arthropods and is considered beneficial in agricultural systems. The species was described by Stål in 1874.
beneficial-insect predator biological-control agricultural-pest-management Hemiptera Geocoridae North-America generalist-predator
Geocoris lividipennis
bigeyed bug
Geocoris lividipennis is a predatory true bug in the family Geocoridae, commonly known as bigeyed bugs. The species is recognized as a beneficial insect in agricultural systems, where it serves as a natural enemy of various crop pests. Adults and nymphs are generalist predators that feed on small arthropods and their eggs. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas and Caribbean islands.
predator biological-control agricultural-beneficial bigeyed-bug generalist-predator Hemiptera Geocoridae integrated-pest-management cotton-pest-control strawberry-pest-control lygus-predator aphid-predator mite-predator whitefly-predator Caribbean-fauna Nearctic-fauna Neotropical-fauna
Geocoris punctipes
big-eye bug, bigeyed bug, Corner-spotted Geocoris
Geocoris punctipes, commonly known as the big-eye bug or bigeyed bug, is a predatory true bug in the family Geocoridae. It is a generalist predator found across the Americas and Oceania, with documented effectiveness in biological control of agricultural pests including whiteflies, aphids, moth eggs and larvae, and plant bugs. The species has been extensively studied for its feeding behavior, reproductive biology, and potential as a natural enemy in integrated pest management programs.
predator biological-control agricultural-pest-management generalist-predator true-bug
Iris oratoria
Mediterranean mantis, iris mantis
Iris oratoria, commonly called the Mediterranean mantis, is a medium-sized praying mantis species native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. The species has been introduced to the southwestern United States, where it was first recorded in southern California in the 1930s and continues to expand its range. Adults reach approximately 6.5 cm in length and are distinguished by violet-brown eyespots on the hindwings that are displayed during threat responses. The species exhibits facultative parthenogenesis and delayed emergence from oothecae as adaptations that may contribute to its invasive success.
Mantodea praying-mantis invasive-species sexual-cannibalism deimatic-display parthenogenesis California Mediterranean-fauna generalist-predator
Labidura riparia
shore earwig, tawny earwig, striped earwig, riparian earwig
Labidura riparia is a cosmopolitan earwig species found primarily in tropical to subtropical regions. It exhibits complex subsocial behavior with maternal care of eggs and young. The species is a generalist predator valued for biological pest control, with documented predation on Lepidoptera larvae, insect eggs, and crop pests including the Asian corn borer and Mediterranean fruit fly pupae. Males possess two functional penises but show a 90% preference for the right penis during copulation, a behavioral asymmetry unique among earwigs.
subsocial-behavior maternal-care penis-asymmetry biological-control nocturnal-predator generalist-predator earwig Dermaptera Labiduridae
Linyphia triangularis
Common sheetweb spider
Linyphia triangularis is a European sheet-web spider in the family Linyphiidae, first described by Carl Alexander Clerck in 1758. It is abundant throughout Europe and has been introduced to Maine, USA, where it is now established in coastal areas. The species constructs horizontal sheet-webs with 'barrage lines' above to intercept flying prey. Adults are active in late summer and autumn.
sheet-web-spider introduced-species pheromone biocontrol web-construction generalist-predator
Mecynogea lemniscata
Basilica Orbweaver
Mecynogea lemniscata, commonly known as the basilica orbweaver, is a species of orb-weaving spider in the family Araneidae. It occurs across a broad geographic range from the United States to Argentina. Females are generalist predators that employ orb-web hunting strategies. Research has documented sixteen distinct behavioral acts during prey capture, with sequences varying according to prey type.
orb-weaver spider Araneidae generalist-predator Neotropical Nearctic
Mischocyttarus flavitarsis
Western Paper Wasp, Yellow-legged Paper Wasp
Mischocyttarus flavitarsis is a social paper wasp native to western North America, distinguished by its relatively docile defensive behavior compared to other vespids. Colonies are initiated in spring by foundress queens and persist until autumn, with nests typically containing fewer than 300 cells. The species exhibits flexible nesting habits, utilizing both natural cavities in riparian forests and anthropogenic structures such as building eaves. Unlike many social wasps, M. flavitarsis rarely stings, instead employing ramming behavior against perceived threats. Males engage in elaborate lekking and territorial scent-marking behaviors near female hibernation sites in autumn.
social-wasp paper-wasp Polistinae western-North-America mild-temperament nest-usurpation lekking-behavior hibernation cavity-nester generalist-predator
Nabidae
Damsel Bugs
Nabidae is a family of predatory true bugs known as damsel bugs, containing over 500 species in approximately 20 genera. These soft-bodied, elongate insects are terrestrial predators that use raptorial forelegs to capture and hold prey, similar to mantids. They are economically important in agriculture due to their predation on crop pests including aphids, lepidopteran eggs, and other small insects. Many species are attracted to lights at night, and some exhibit wing polymorphism with fully winged, short-winged, or wingless forms.
predator agricultural-pest-control biological-control nocturnal raptorial-forelegs wing-polymorphism generalist-predator beneficial-insect true-bug Hemiptera Heteroptera Cimicomorpha
Nabini
Damsel bugs
Nabini is a tribe of damsel bugs in the family Nabidae, comprising predatory true bugs found across diverse terrestrial habitats. Members are characterized by raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey, a slender body form, and a prominent curved rostrum. The tribe includes genera such as Nabis, the most speciose genus in the family. Nabini species are active hunters that contribute to biological control of pest insects in agricultural and natural systems.
predatory agricultural-pest-control generalist-predator Hemiptera terrestrial
Nabis
damsel bugs
Nabis is a genus of damsel bugs in the family Nabidae, comprising predatory true bugs found worldwide. Members are small, slender insects typically under 12 mm in length, recognized by their raptorial front legs adapted for capturing prey. They are primarily nocturnal predators that use a combination of ambush and active hunting strategies to subdue insects larger than themselves. The genus is economically significant as a biological control agent in agricultural systems, particularly in cotton and greenhouse crops.
predator biological-control agricultural-pest-management nocturnal Hemiptera Nabidae generalist-predator integrated-pest-management cotton-pests greenhouse-biological-control
Nabis americoferus
Common Damsel Bug
Nabis americoferus, the common damsel bug, is a small predatory true bug in the family Nabidae. It occurs across North America and Central America, with well-documented populations in eastern Ontario and agroecosystems of the United States. The species produces two generations per year in temperate regions, overwinters as adults in field margins, and colonizes crop fields in late spring. It is an economically important biological control agent, feeding on agricultural pests including aphids, leafminers, and mirid bugs.
predator biological-control agricultural-pest-management nocturnal generalist-predator damsel-bug
Nabis capsiformis
Pale Damsel Bug
Nabis capsiformis, commonly known as the pale damsel bug, is one of the most widespread species in the genus Nabis. It is a generalist predator found across six continents including Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. The species is particularly abundant in agricultural ecosystems where it serves as a biocontrol agent. Both nymphs and adults are effective predators using raptorial front legs to capture prey.
predator biocontrol agricultural-pest-control nocturnal generalist-predator cannibalistic
Nabis inscriptus
damsel bug
Nabis inscriptus is a species of damsel bug in the family Nabidae. It occurs across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. As a member of the genus Nabis, it shares the characteristic predatory habits of damsel bugs, though species-specific behavioral details are not well documented. The species was first described by William Kirby in 1837.
damsel-bug predatory-bug Nabidae Hemiptera true-bug generalist-predator
Nabis roseipennis
sculpted damsel bug, damsel bug
Nabis roseipennis is a small predatory true bug in the family Nabidae, commonly known as the sculpted damsel bug. It is one of the most abundant damsel bugs in cotton and soybean agroecosystems across the southeastern United States. The species is univoltine, with adults active from mid-July through September, and functions as a generalist predator of various agricultural pests. It has been extensively studied for its role in biological control and its tritrophic interactions with resistant crop plants.
predator agricultural-pest-control biological-control soybean cotton alfalfa univoltine nocturnal generalist-predator tritrophic-interactions
Oplomus
Oplomus is a genus of predatory stink bugs in the family Pentatomidae, subfamily Asopinae, containing approximately nine described species. The genus has been studied for biological control potential, particularly Oplomus dichrous as a predator of agricultural pests. Members are generalist predators with documented preferences for certain prey types.
predatory-stink-bug Asopinae biological-control generalist-predator agricultural-pest-management
Orius tristicolor
minute pirate bug, minute flower bug
Orius tristicolor is a minute pirate bug in the family Anthocoridae, known for its role as a generalist predator of small arthropod pests. The species exhibits behavioral plasticity in foraging, adjusting search effort based on leaf damage and prey type. It develops through five nymphal instars before reaching adulthood and has been documented in agricultural systems, particularly in association with thrips and spider mites. The species occurs across a broad geographic range including North, Central, and South America, the Caribbean, and Oceania.
predator biocontrol agricultural-pest-control thrips-predator generalist-predator anthocoridae hemiptera
Perillus lunatus
Perillus lunatus is a species of predatory stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, described by Knight in 1952. Like other members of the genus Perillus, it belongs to the subfamily Asopinae, which contains predatory rather than phytophagous stink bugs. The genus Perillus is best known for P. bioculatus, the two-spotted stink bug, a significant biological control agent of the Colorado potato beetle. Perillus lunatus shares the predatory habits characteristic of this genus, though specific details of its biology are less documented than those of its congener P. bioculatus.
predatory-stink-bug Asopinae Pentatomidae biological-control North-America Knight-1952 Hemiptera Heteroptera Pentatomomorpha Perillus predator generalist-predator natural-enemy insect-predator stink-bug true-bug
Phalangium opilio
European Harvestman, Common Harvestman, Brown Harvestman, Daddy Longlegs
Phalangium opilio is the most widespread harvestman species globally, native to Europe and much of Asia and introduced to North America, North Africa, and New Zealand. It is a synanthropic species that thrives in human-modified environments including agricultural fields, gardens, and urban green spaces. The species has become a model organism for arachnid developmental biology and comparative genomics due to its ease of laboratory culture and continuous life cycle. Adults are generalist predators and scavengers that contribute to biological pest control in agricultural systems.
harvestman model-organism biological-control synanthropic nocturnal generalist-predator Holarctic invasive agricultural-pest-control developmental-biology
Pheidole megacephala
big-headed ant, coastal brown ant, African big-headed ant
Pheidole megacephala is a highly successful invasive ant species native to tropical Africa, considered among the world's worst invasive organisms. It exhibits true worker dimorphism with distinct major and minor worker castes, the former bearing disproportionately large heads used for crushing food. The species forms expansive supercolonies through budding reproduction, enabling rapid territorial expansion. It has spread globally to tropical and subtropical regions, where it aggressively displaces native ant faunas and disrupts ecosystem function through generalist predation and mutualistic associations with sap-sucking insects.
invasive-species worker-dimorphism supercolony tramp-ant agricultural-pest biodiversity-threat generalist-predator mutualism-with-hemipterans
Podisus
spined soldier bugs, predatory stink bugs
Podisus is a genus of predatory stink bugs in the family Pentatomidae containing approximately 17-20 described species. The genus is best known for the spined soldier bug (Podisus maculiventris), a native North American predator widely used in biological control programs. Species in this genus are generalist predators that feed on diverse arthropod prey, with documented predation on over 70 insect species including major agricultural pests. They possess distinctive spiny projections on the shoulders and have been extensively studied for their potential in integrated pest management.
predator biological-control Pentatomidae generalist-predator IPM spined-soldier-bug
Podisus maculiventris
Spined Soldier Bug
Podisus maculiventris, the spined soldier bug, is a native North American predatory stink bug widely studied for biological control applications. It is a generalist predator of over 70 insect species, including agricultural pests such as the Colorado potato beetle, Mexican bean beetle, and brown marmorated stink bug. Unlike plant-feeding stink bugs, it actively hunts and kills prey using toxic venom and digestive enzymes. Adults overwinter and become active on warm winter days. The species has been extensively researched for augmentative release in agricultural systems, particularly against coleopteran and lepidopteran larvae.
biological-control predatory-stink-bug agricultural-pest-management augmentative-release generalist-predator overwintering-adult egg-color-plasticity pheromone-mediated-behavior native-natural-enemy integrated-pest-management
Polistes aurifer
Golden Paper Wasp
Polistes aurifer is a social paper wasp native to western North America, ranging from southern Canada to northern Mexico. The species exhibits pronounced geographic color variation, from predominantly black northern forms to yellow southwestern forms and ferruginous southern populations. It constructs exposed paper nests in sheltered locations and is a generalist predator of caterpillars and other insects. The species has been subject to taxonomic revision, having been treated as a subspecies of P. fuscatus in some classifications, though recent treatments maintain it as distinct.
social-wasp paper-wasp generalist-predator variable-coloration western-North-America biological-control forensic-entomology
Priocnemis minorata
spider wasp
Priocnemis minorata is a medium-sized spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. It is among the first pompilid species to appear in spring, with peak activity in April and May. The species is known for hunting spiders in deciduous forest leaf litter, paralyzing them to provision underground nests for its larvae.
spider-wasp Pompilidae spring deciduous-forest parasitoid generalist-predator
Pseudomyrmex pallidus
Pallidus-group Twig Ants
Pseudomyrmex pallidus is a small, slender ant species native to the Nearctic and Neotropical realms, with an extensive range from the southern United States through Central America and into South America. Workers are monomorphic and exhibit variable coloration from yellow to orange or brown. The species nests exclusively in hollow stems of dead grasses and woody twigs, typically at the interface of grassy and wooded habitats. Colonies are facultatively polygynous and polydomous, containing 1–15 queens and 20–200 workers.
ant twig-ant Pseudomyrmecinae Nearctic Neotropical monomorphic polygynous polydomous stem-nesting generalist-predator
Solenopsis invicta
Red Imported Fire Ant, RIFA
Solenopsis invicta is a highly invasive ant species native to South America that has spread to multiple continents, causing significant ecological and economic damage. It forms large, aggressive colonies that dominate disturbed habitats and displace native ant species through competition and predation. The species exhibits flexible colony reproduction through both nuptial flights and colony budding, with some populations containing multiple queens. Its painful sting and tendency to swarm when disturbed make it a serious public health and agricultural pest.
invasive-species pest agricultural-pest public-health-threat generalist-predator polymorphic-colony multiple-queen stinging-ant soil-mound-builder ecosystem-disruptor
Solifugae
solifuges, camel spiders, sun spiders, wind scorpions, solpugids
Solifugae is an order of arachnids comprising over 1,200 described species in approximately 147 genera and 16 families. These animals are neither true spiders nor scorpions, though they share superficial similarities with both. They are characterized by exceptional speed, large powerful chelicerae used for predation and stridulation, and a preference for arid habitats. The order is divided into two suborders: Australosolifugae (predominantly Southern Hemisphere) and Boreosolifugae (predominantly Northern Hemisphere).
arachnida predator desert nocturnal cursorial generalist-predator non-venomous fossorial stridulation urban-legend
Stagmomantis limbata
bordered mantis, Arizona mantis, bosque mantis, New Mexico praying mantis
Stagmomantis limbata is one of the largest native mantids in North America, reaching approximately 3 inches in length. It exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are flightless, robust, and typically plain green or gray with a dark spot on the tegmina, while males are slender, long-winged, and capable of flight. The species is notable for female-emitted sex pheromones that attract males, with pheromone production linked to female nutritional status and receptivity. Sexual cannibalism occurs, particularly when females are food-limited.
native beneficial-insect sexual-dimorphism pheromone-communication sexual-cannibalism flightless-female nocturnal-male-flight generalist-predator southwestern-North-America riparian-habitat semi-arid-habitat Stagmomantis Mantidae Mantodea
Steatoda albomaculata
white-spotted false widow, white-spotted false widow spider
Steatoda albomaculata is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, commonly known as the white-spotted false widow. It is widely distributed across North America, Europe, Russia, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Asia. The species has been studied for its predation efficiency on various prey types and is recognized as a generalist predator. It was formerly considered to have two subspecies, but Steatoda albomaculata infuscata was synonymized with the nominate form in 2024, leaving no valid subspecies.
spider cobweb-spider Theridiidae false-widow generalist-predator widespread-distribution
Steatoda triangulosa
Triangulate Cobweb Spider, Triangulate Combfoot, Triangulate Bud Spider
Steatoda triangulosa is a small cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, frequently encountered in human-made structures across North America and Europe. Adults measure 3.5–5.9 mm in body length, with females larger than males. The species is recognized by the distinctive triangular pattern on its abdomen. It is synanthropic, thriving in basements, garages, and cellars, and has been introduced to North America from the Palearctic region. The species is not considered dangerously venomous to humans.
synanthropic cobweb-spider house-spider introduced-species non-venomous generalist-predator
Tenodera sinensis sinensis
Chinese praying mantis, Chinese mantis
Tenodera sinensis sinensis, the Chinese praying mantis, is a large non-native mantis in North America, first discovered in 1897 near Philadelphia, likely arriving as a stowaway in nursery stock from Asia. It has become one of the most well-known exotic mantids in the United States, recognized for its substantial size and effective predation on pest insects including the brown marmorated stink bug and spotted lanternfly. The species exhibits flexible hunting strategies that shift between active pursuit and ambush predation depending on satiety level. Adults typically appear in September, with females depositing brown, styrofoam-like egg cases (oothecae) on upright vegetation that overwinter and hatch in spring.
invasive biological-control predator generalist-predator ootheca cannibalism satiety-mediated-behavior non-native North-America Asia-native-range
Tupiocoris
Tupiocoris is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae containing approximately nine described species. The genus includes both herbivorous and predatory species. Tupiocoris notatus is a Solanaceae-specializing herbivore with documented genome-level research on host plant transcriptional responses. Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus is a generalist predatory mirid studied as a potential biocontrol agent for tomato pests in Argentina. Species within this genus show divergent feeding strategies, with some functioning as herbivores and others as omnivorous predators.
Miridae plant-bugs biocontrol predatory-mirids Solanaceae-pests tomato-pests genome-assembly transcriptional-responses Tuta-absoluta Trialeurodes-vaporariorum Argentina Neotropical generalist-predator herbivore pest-management agricultural-entomology
Zelus renardii
leaf hopper assassin bug, sundew assassin bug
Zelus renardii is a medium to large assassin bug native to western North and Central America that has become a successful global invader. The species is diurnal and employs a distinctive predatory strategy using sticky secretions from glandular setae on its forelegs to capture prey, earning it the common name 'sundew assassin bug.' It has been introduced to the Mediterranean basin, Pacific islands, Hawaii, Chile, Argentina, and Easter Island, primarily through human-mediated transport of nursery plants. The species is considered for biological control of agricultural pests but its generalist predatory habits create complex trophic interactions.
invasive-species biological-control sticky-trap-predator generalist-predator intraguild-predation Harpactorinae Nearctic-origin Mediterranean-expansion urban-adapter agricultural-predator semiochemical-communication alarm-pheromone