Kleptoparasite
Guides
Pseudomalus
cuckoo wasps, jewel wasps
Pseudomalus is a genus of cuckoo wasps (family Chrysididae), commonly known as jewel wasps for their brilliant metallic coloration. Species in this genus are kleptoparasites that exploit the nests of solitary wasps and bees. A distinctive behavioral trait involves females ovipositing into aphids, which are then captured by crabronid wasps and carried to their nests—indirectly delivering the cuckoo wasp larva to its eventual host. The genus includes both Palearctic natives and at least one introduced species (P. auratus) now established in North America.
Pseudomalus auratus
cuckoo wasp, jewel wasp
Pseudomalus auratus is a small cuckoo wasp in the family Chrysididae, notable for its striking metallic coloration with emerald green head and thorax contrasting with a ruby red abdomen. Native to the Palearctic region, it has been accidentally introduced to North America, likely before 1828. The species exhibits an unusual indirect parasitic strategy: females oviposit into aphids, which are then captured by crabronid wasps and carried to their nests, where the cuckoo wasp larva emerges to kill the host larva and consume the stored provisions.
Pterocolus
thief weevils
Pterocolus is a genus of thief weevils in the family Attelabidae, containing approximately 16 described species. The genus is characterized by kleptoparasitic behavior, wherein members exploit the leaf nests constructed by other weevils rather than building their own. The most studied species, Pterocolus ovatus, has been documented in Florida where it parasitizes the leaf-rolling weevil Homoeolabus analis. The genus was established by Thomas Say in 1831.
Pterocolus ovatus
thief weevil, leaf roll thief
Pterocolus ovatus is a small weevil known as the thief weevil or leaf roll thief. It is an obligate kleptoparasite that exploits the leaf nests constructed by the oak leaf-rolling weevil, Homoeolabus analis. The species is found in North America, with records from the United States and Canada.
Ranzovius clavicornis
Ranzovius clavicornis is a plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1927. It is notable for its kleptoparasitic relationship with the social spider Anelosimus studiosus, inhabiting spider webs to steal captured prey. The species has been recorded scavenging dead insects and exhibits a widespread distribution across North America.
Sapyga
Sapyga is a genus of sapygid wasps comprising at least 19 described species. Species in this genus are cleptoparasites (kleptoparasites) of solitary bees, particularly megachilid bees. They enter host nests to lay eggs in unfinished or provisioned cells, with their larvae consuming host provisions and killing host larvae. The genus exhibits specialized parasitic adaptations including the ability to oviposit through cell closures.
Sapyga louisi
Louis's Club-horned Cuckoo Wasp, club-horned cuckoo wasp
A small species of club-horned wasp in the family Sapygidae. Adults visit flowers for nectar. The larvae are kleptoparasites that develop by consuming the provisions and host larvae of leaf-cutter bees, including Heriades carinata. The species is distinguished from allies by distinctive yellow body markings and reduced size.
Sapygidae
Club-horned Wasps
Sapygidae is a small family of solitary kleptoparasitic aculeate wasps containing approximately 80 described species. They are generally black wasps with white or yellow markings, superficially resembling some Tiphiidae or Thynnidae. Females oviposit into the nests of solitary bees, where their larvae consume both the host larvae and the food stores provisioned for them. The family has limited economic importance, though some host species are important pollinators. Fossil sapygids are known from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber and Upper Eocene Baltic amber.
Senotainia
satellite flies
Senotainia is a genus of satellite flies in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae, containing over 70 described species. These flies are kleptoparasites and parasitoids primarily associated with solitary wasps and bees. Species such as Senotainia tricuspis are significant pests of honey bees (Apis mellifera), causing senotainiosis through larviparous parasitism. Other species including S. vigilans and S. trilineata parasitize thread-waisted wasps and other fossorial hymenopterans. The genus exhibits a distinctive reproductive strategy where females deposit live first-instar larvae directly onto hosts or at nest entrances rather than laying eggs.
Senotainia trilineata
Three-lined satellite fly
Senotainia trilineata is a satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. It is a kleptoparasitic fly that targets the nests of solitary wasps, particularly species in the families Crabronidae and Sphecidae. The female fly deposits live larvae (larviposits) on or near paralyzed prey being transported by host wasps, or directly at nest entrances. The fly larvae then consume the provisioned prey intended for the wasp's offspring. This species has been documented as a parasite of multiple wasp genera including Ammophila, Cerceris, Hoplisoides, and Aphilanthops, and has also been recorded parasitizing the jewel beetle Phaenops vandykei.
Senotainia vigilans
satellite fly
Senotainia vigilans is a satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. The species is a known parasite of solitary wasp nests, particularly those of the thread-waisted wasp Ammophila procera. Female flies follow prey-laden female wasps back to their burrows and deposit live larvae at the nest entrance. These larvae then enter the burrow and parasitize the developing wasp larvae. The species was described by Allen in 1924.
Solenopsis molesta
thief ant, grease ant
Solenopsis molesta is a small myrmicine ant known for its habit of nesting near other ant colonies and stealing their food and brood, earning it the common name 'thief ant.' Workers are tiny (0.5–3 mm), yellow to pale brown, with reduced eyes and a two-segmented petiole. The species is native to the United States and northern Mexico, where it occupies diverse habitats from soil and rotting logs to human dwellings. Colonies range from a few hundred to a few thousand workers and may be polygynous. Nuptial flights occur from late July through early fall. The species is attracted to grease and protein sources rather than sweets, making it a distinctive household pest that is difficult to control due to its small size and inaccessible nesting sites.
Solenopsis pergandei
Pergande's Thief Ant
Solenopsis pergandei is a small thief ant species in the genus Solenopsis, described by Forel in 1901. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus that includes both native species and the highly invasive red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). Unlike its notorious congener, S. pergandei is not considered a significant pest species. The species is part of a diverse group of Solenopsis ants commonly known as thief ants due to their habit of nesting near other ant colonies and stealing their brood.
Sphecodes
Blood Bees, Cuckoo Sweat Bees
Sphecodes is a genus of kleptoparasitic bees in the family Halictidae, commonly known as blood bees due to their distinctive black and red coloration. With over 300 described species, this is one of the largest genera of cuckoo bees and has a cosmopolitan distribution across all continents except Antarctica. Females lack pollen-collecting structures and instead lay eggs in the nests of ground-nesting host bees, primarily in the genera Lasioglossum, Halictus, and Andrena. The larvae consume the host's pollen provisions and develop at the expense of the host offspring.
Sphecodes johnsonii
Johnson's sphecodes
Sphecodes johnsonii is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae. It belongs to the genus Sphecodes, commonly known as blood bees or cuckoo sweat bees, which are kleptoparasitic bees that exploit the nests of other bees. The species was described by Lovell in 1909 and is found in North America.
Sphecodes mandibularis
Sphecodes mandibularis is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, first described by Cresson in 1872. The genus Sphecodes comprises cleptoparasitic bees that typically invade nests of other halictid bees. This species has been recorded in North America, with confirmed observations in Vermont, United States. Like other members of its genus, it likely exhibits kleptoparasitic behavior, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Sphenometopa
Sphenometopa is a genus of flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) in the subfamily Miltogramminae, established by Townsend in 1908. Members of this genus are parasitoid flies, with larvae that develop in the nests of solitary bees and wasps. The genus is part of a diverse group of kleptoparasitic or parasitoid sarcophagids that exploit the provisions of host insects rather than carrion.
Sphenometopa nebulosa
Sphenometopa nebulosa is a species of flesh fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. Originally described as Araba nebulosa by Coquillett in 1902, this species was later transferred to the genus Sphenometopa. The genus Sphenometopa is part of the kleptoparasitic miltogrammine flesh flies, which are known for their association with solitary bees and wasps. The species is rarely encountered, with only two observations recorded in iNaturalist.
Sphenometopa tergata
satellite fly
Sphenometopa tergata is a satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. It is known to parasitize the nests of ant-queen kidnapping wasps in the genus Aphilanthops, particularly A. frigidus. The species has been observed loitering near nest aggregations of these solitary wasps, suggesting kleptoparasitic or parasitoid behavior. Its taxonomic history includes transfer from the genus Araba to Sphenometopa.
Stelis australis floridensis
Stelis australis floridensis is a subspecies of cleptoparasitic bee in the family Megachilidae. It was described by Mitchell in 1962. Like other members of the genus Stelis, this bee is a kleptoparasite (cuckoo bee) that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees, primarily megachilid hosts. The subspecific epithet 'floridensis' indicates its association with Florida. Very few observations of this taxon have been recorded.
Stelis laticincta
Wide-striped Painted-Dark bee
Stelis laticincta is a species of cuckoo bee in the family Megachilidae, described by Cresson in 1878. As a member of the genus Stelis, it is a kleptoparasite that lays its eggs in the nests of other bees. The species is found in North America.
Stelis louisae
Louisiana Painted-Dark bee
Stelis louisae is a cuckoo bee (kleptoparasite) in the family Megachilidae, described by T.D.A. Cockerell in 1911. It occurs in the eastern United States and Ontario, Canada, with activity recorded from March through September. The species has been observed visiting Helianthus (sunflower) flowers. As a member of the genus Stelis, it likely parasitizes nests of other bees, though specific host records for this species are not documented in the provided sources.
Stizoides
Stizoides is a genus of kleptoparasitic sand wasps in the family Crabronidae, containing approximately 30 described species globally. The genus is notable for its unique parasitic strategy: females exploit the food caches of other solitary wasps rather than hunting their own prey. Two species occur in North America—S. renicinctus (widespread in western North America) and S. foxi (restricted to Arizona and Mexico). Most species are found in Africa, Mediterranean Europe, the Middle East, and India.
Stizoides foxi
Fox's stizoide
Stizoides foxi is a kleptoparasitic sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, one of only two Stizoides species occurring in North America. This species is restricted to Arizona and southward into Mexico, where it parasitizes the food caches of other solitary wasps. Like its congener S. renicinctus, females locate and excavate the burrows of host wasps, destroy the host egg, and replace it with their own egg to exploit the provisioned prey. The species was described by Gillaspy in 1963 and remains poorly known compared to its more widespread relative.
Stizoides renicinctus
Stizoides renicinctus is a kleptoparasitic sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, one of only two species in its genus occurring in North America. The species has no common English name. It is known for its distinctive black body with a red or orange band on the second abdominal tergite, dark wings with translucent tips, and elongate build. Males are frequently observed visiting flowers for nectar, while females actively seek out the burrows of host wasps to exploit their food stores. The species exhibits unusual social behaviors including nighttime sleeping clusters and weather-related aggregations.
Systoechus
Woolly Bee Flies
Systoechus is a genus of bee flies in the family Bombyliidae, containing more than 120 described species. These flies belong to the tribe Bombyliini and are characterized by their woolly appearance. Adults are primarily active in the fall, distinguishing them from the related genus Bombylius which tends to be active in spring. The genus is distinguished from Bombylius by the location of the r-m vein on the wing.
Taxigramma
satellite flies
Taxigramma is a genus of satellite flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae: Miltogramminae) comprising approximately 18 described species globally. Eight species are documented from China, with recent taxonomic work clarifying their distributions and providing first records for several species. Members of this genus are kleptoparasites that exploit other insects, particularly bees.
Taxigramma hilarella
Taxigramma hilarella is a species of satellite fly in the family Sarcophagidae, subfamily Miltogramminae. These flies are kleptoparasites that target the nests of solitary wasps, particularly beewolves (Philanthus spp.). Females follow host wasps back to their burrows and deposit larvae at the nest entrance; the larvae then enter and parasitize the wasp larvae. The species has been recorded from Scandinavia and Denmark.
Thyridanthrax pallidus
Thyridanthrax pallidus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, first described by Coquillett in 1887. The genus Thyridanthrax belongs to the subfamily Anthracinae and tribe Villini. Bee flies in this genus are known for their parasitic or kleptoparasitic life history strategies, with females depositing eggs into the nests of other insects. T. pallidus has been observed as a potential parasite of thread-waisted wasps in the genus Ammophila.
Townsendiella pulchra
Townsendiella pulchra is a cuckoo bee (family Apidae, subfamily Nomadinae) known from the United States and Mexico. It is a kleptoparasite, meaning females lay eggs in the nests of host bees rather than constructing their own. The species specifically targets Hesperapis larreae as its host. As a member of the tribe Townsendiellini, it belongs to a small group of specialized nomadine bees with limited documented natural history.
Toxomerus
Calligrapher Flies
Toxomerus is a large genus of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) distributed across the Americas, with over 130 described Neotropical species and additional Nearctic endemics. Species are small (typically 6–9 mm), characterized by large eyes with posterior indentation and diagnostic abdominal patterns. Most larvae are predatory on soft-bodied insects, particularly aphids, though at least three species are known pollen-feeders. Adults are pollinivorous, feeding on nectar and pollen from diverse flowering plants. The genus includes notable ecological specialists such as Toxomerus basalis, a kleptoparasite of sundews (Drosera), and several species introduced to the Afrotropics.
hoverflyflower-flyaphid-predatorpollinatorbiological-controlHymenoptera-mimickleptoparasiteintroduced-speciesNeotropicalNearcticAfrotropical-introductionpolyvoltineSyrphiniSyrphinaeDipteraSyrphidaeToxomerus-marginatusToxomerus-disparToxomerus-pulchellusToxomerus-basalisToxomerus-floralisToxomerus-politusToxomerus-apegiensisDroserasundewpollenivorypredatory-larvaeurban-adapteragricultural-beneficialcryptic-larvaeeye-dimorphismterritorial-behaviorDNA-barcodingcitizen-sciencemuseum-collectionsrange-expansionconservation-concernTriepeolus concavus
Concave Longhorn-Cuckoo
Triepeolus concavus is a cleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae. Females lay eggs in the ground nests of host bees, particularly sunflower bees (Svastra obliqua expurgata). The species lacks pollen-collecting structures (scopa) and relies on stealing food stores provisioned by host bees. It is found in the United States and Mexico.
Zacosmia
Zacosmia is a genus of bees in the family Apidae, tribe Melectini, established by Ashmead in 1899. The genus contains one described species, Zacosmia maculata. Members are classified as cuckoo bees (kleptoparasites), meaning they lay eggs in the nests of other bee species rather than provisioning their own. The genus is placed within the subfamily Apinae, a diverse group that includes honey bees, bumble bees, and numerous solitary bee lineages.
Zacosmia maculata
Spotted Mini-digger-Cuckoo
Zacosmia maculata is a species of kleptoparasitic bee in the family Apidae, tribe Melectini. As a cuckoo bee, females do not construct nests or collect pollen; instead, they lay eggs in the nests of host bees, primarily species of Hesperapis. The species occurs in western North America and parts of Middle America.
Zaprionus indianus
African fig fly
Zaprionus indianus is a highly invasive drosophilid fruit fly native to West and Central Africa that has established populations across tropical and temperate regions worldwide. It is distinguished by striking longitudinal black and white stripes on the head and thorax. Unlike many invasive drosophilids, it cannot penetrate intact fruit skin and instead exploits pre-existing wounds or oviposition holes made by other species, particularly spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii). It is a significant pest of figs, grapes, and other soft fruits, and exhibits strong interspecific competitive ability.
Zonitis atripennis
Zonitis atripennis is a blister beetle in the family Meloidae, found in North America. Adults feed on plants of the genus Cleome, while larvae develop as kleptoparasites in nests of various bee species. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1823 and includes two recognized subspecies: Z. a. atripennis and Z. a. terminalis.