Island-radiation
Guides
Dysdera
woodlouse hunter, sowbug killer, slater-eating spider, woodlouse spider, pillbug hunter
Dysdera is a genus of spiders in the family Dysderidae, first described by Pierre André Latreille in 1804. The genus originated from Central Asia to Central Europe and has since spread globally through human commerce. Members are specialized predators of woodlice (terrestrial isopods), using enlarged chelicerae and long fangs to pierce their armored prey. The genus exhibits remarkable adaptive radiation, particularly on oceanic islands—most notably the Canary Islands, where 48 endemic species occur. Dysdera crocata, the cosmopolitan woodlouse hunter, is the only widespread species outside its native range and the sole representative in North America.
Entiminae
Broad-nosed Weevils, Broad-nosed Weevil, Short-nosed Weevils
Entiminae is a large subfamily of weevils (Curculionidae) containing over 12,000 described species in more than 1,370 genera. Members are commonly known as broad-nosed or short-nosed weevils due to their characteristically broad, short rostrum. The subfamily exhibits exceptional diversity in size, form, and coloration, with many species displaying metallic or iridescent scales. While most species are polyphagous and feed on a broad range of plants, relatively few are major economic pests. The current tribal classification includes 55 recognized tribes, though this system is considered artificial rather than reflecting natural evolutionary relationships.
Hieroxestinae
Hieroxestinae is a subfamily of moths within the family Tineidae, comprising approximately 275 valid species across six genera. The group shows notable biogeographic patterns, with significant radiations of Opogona and Amphixystis on Indian Ocean islands and a distinct radiation of Opogona on St Helena in the South Atlantic. The subfamily is predominantly tropical in distribution and depauperate in the Americas.
Hogna
wolf spiders
Hogna is a large genus of wolf spiders (Lycosidae) comprising more than 200 described species distributed across all continents except Antarctica. The genus is taxonomically problematic, having never been properly revised even in Europe, and lacks a reliable diagnostic framework. Species are generally large, ground-dwelling hunters that construct open silk-lined burrows rather than using trapdoors. Hogna carolinensis is among the largest wolf spiders in North America, with females reaching 35 mm body length. The genus exhibits notable ecological diversity, with parallel habitat specialization documented in island radiations such as the Galápagos and Madeira.