Kleptoparasitic
Guides
Apinae
Apine Bees
Apinae is the largest subfamily of Apidae, encompassing the majority of bee diversity in the family. It includes the corbiculate bees—bumblebees (Bombini), honey bees (Apini), orchid bees (Euglossini), and stingless bees (Meliponini)—characterized by the presence of a pollen basket (corbicula) on the hind legs. The subfamily also contains numerous solitary and kleptoparasitic groups, including most bees formerly classified in Anthophoridae. Social organization ranges from highly eusocial perennial colonies to solitary nesting, with several tribes entirely composed of nest parasites.
Dioxyini
cuckoo bees
Dioxyini is a tribe of kleptoparasitic cuckoo bees in the family Megachilidae, comprising eight genera and approximately 36 species globally. European representatives include ten species across five genera (Aglaoapis, Dioxys, Ensliniana, Metadioxys, Paradioxys), with two species widespread across the continent and others restricted to southern Europe. These bees do not construct nests or collect pollen, instead exploiting the nest provisions of host bees.
Eusiphona
freeloader flies
Eusiphona is a genus of freeloader flies in the family Milichiidae, established by Coquillett in 1897. The genus contains four described species: E. cooperi, E. flava, E. mira, and E. vittata. Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies, are known for their kleptoparasitic behavior, often associated with predatory insects and their prey. Species in this genus are small dipterans with limited published biological data.
Nomada suavis
Suave Nomad Bee
Nomada suavis is a species of nomad bee in the family Apidae, found in North America. As a member of the genus Nomada, it is a kleptoparasitic cuckoo bee that does not construct its own nest or collect pollen. The species was described by Cresson in 1878. Like other nomad bees, it likely lays its eggs in the nests of host bee species, though specific host relationships for N. suavis have not been documented.
Theridiidae
tangle-web spiders, cobweb spiders, comb-footed spiders
Theridiidae is a large, globally distributed family of araneomorph spiders comprising over 2,600 species in more than 130 genera. Members are characterized by a comb of serrated bristles (setae) on the tarsus of the fourth leg, used to manipulate silk. The family exhibits remarkable diversity in web architecture, ranging from irregular tangle webs to specialized gumfoot webs and sheet-like structures. Theridiids are ecribellate, producing sticky capture silk rather than woolly silk, and are entelegyne with females possessing a genital plate. The family includes medically significant species such as widow spiders (Latrodectus), model organisms for social behavior research (Anelosimus), and specialized kleptoparasites (Argyrodinae).