Laboratory-model
Guides
Alphitobius laevigatus
Black Fungus Beetle
Alphitobius laevigatus, commonly known as the black fungus beetle, is a darkling beetle in the family Tenebrionidae. The species is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America and other regions including the Galápagos Islands. It is commercially bred in large quantities as animal feed, with larvae marketed under the trade name "buffalo worms"—though this name is also used for the related Alphitobius diaperinus, causing potential confusion. Unlike A. diaperinus, A. laevigatus has not been used or discussed for human consumption.
Carausius morosus
Indian Walking Stick, Common Stick Insect, Laboratory Stick Insect
Carausius morosus is a parthenogenetic phasmid native to Tamil Nadu, India, widely distributed globally through accidental introductions and captive culture. Females reproduce without males; no wild males have been reported, though gynandromorphs occasionally occur in captivity. The species is nocturnal, feeding at night and remaining motionless during daylight hours. It has become established outside its native range in locations including Great Britain, Portugal, South Africa, and the United States, where it occasionally damages ornamental plants.
Chelopistes meleagridis
Large Turkey Louse
Chelopistes meleagridis is a chewing louse (suborder Ischnocera, family Philopteridae) that parasitizes domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). Known as the Large Turkey Louse, this ectoparasite has been studied extensively in laboratory settings to understand its reproductive biology and developmental requirements. The species exhibits high fecundity relative to other Ischnocera, with females producing approximately 2-3 eggs daily and 26-29 eggs over their lifetime. Development from egg to adult requires about 29 days under optimal conditions, but successful maturation depends critically on access to host skin fragments in addition to feathers.
Crossopriza
cellar spiders
Crossopriza is a genus of cellar spiders (family Pholcidae) described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1893. The genus comprises 24 species as of October 2025, with native distributions in Africa and Asia. The most widely known member, C. lyoni, has become cosmopolitan through human-mediated introduction and is now found globally in human dwellings.
Crossopriza lyoni
Tailed Cellar Spider, Tailed Daddy Longlegs Spider, Box Spider
Crossopriza lyoni is a cosmopolitan cellar spider (Pholcidae) characterized by extremely long, fragile legs and a distinctive box-shaped abdomen. Females reach 3–7 mm in body length, males 2.5–6 mm, with leg spans up to 6 cm. The species is synanthropic, thriving in human dwellings worldwide, particularly in tropical to subtropical regions. It constructs extensive, irregular cobweb-like webs and is often regarded as both a household pest and beneficial predator of mosquitoes and other arthropods. Native range unknown; now pantropical through human-mediated introduction.
Diplolepis rosae
Mossy Rose Gall Wasp, Rose Bedeguar Gall Wasp, Robin's Pincushion Gall Wasp
A gall-inducing wasp in the family Diplolepididae that forms distinctive mossy, pincushion-like galls on wild roses, primarily Rosa canina and Rosa arvensis. The species is notable for its predominantly parthenogenetic reproduction, with fewer than 5% males in most populations. Females lay up to 60 eggs in developing rose buds, inducing chemically-driven plant tissue distortion that creates the characteristic bedeguar gall. The wasp has been introduced to North America alongside cultivated roses.
Drosophila immigrans
Drosophila immigrans is a vinegar fly in the family Drosophilidae, belonging to the Immigrans-tripunctata radiation within the subgenus Drosophila. It has been used in evolutionary studies to understand virus-host coevolution. The species exhibits seasonal migration patterns in response to temperature extremes and shows altitudinal variation in body melanization correlated with fitness traits. It has a close ecological association with Penicillium moulds on citrus fruit.
Exeristes comstockii
Exeristes comstockii is a parasitoid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. Laboratory studies indicate it is a koinobiont parasitoid with documented host associations including Galleria mellonella and Lucilia sericata. Adult females require specific dietary components—amino acids, salts, and vitamins—for maximal fecundity. The species exhibits unusual fatty acid metabolism, directly incorporating host lipids rather than maintaining species-characteristic fatty acid profiles.
Goeldichironomus
Goeldichironomus is a genus of non-biting midges in the family Chironomidae, containing approximately 14 described species. The genus is distributed across the Neotropical and Nearctic regions, with records from Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia. Species in this genus are notable for their short life cycles, tolerance to environmental stress, and colonization of ephemeral aquatic habitats as pioneer species. They serve as important bioindicators in water quality assessments and are widely used in laboratory toxicity studies. The type species Goeldichironomus holoprasinus has been extensively studied in laboratory conditions, completing development from egg to adult in approximately 13 days at 26°C.
Lobella
Lobella is a genus of springtails (Collembola: Neanuridae) established by Börner in 1906. The genus includes soil-dwelling species, with Lobella sauteri being a notable bioluminescent species that exhibits a novel ATP-dependent endogenous light production system. Members of this genus are found across multiple biogeographic regions including East Asia and North America.
Megaselia scalaris
Scaled Hump-backed Fly, scuttle fly, coffin fly, humpbacked fly, laboratory fly
Megaselia scalaris is a small phorid fly, approximately 2–3 mm in length, widely distributed in warm regions globally. It is one of the most commonly encountered species in the family Phoridae, particularly in urban environments. The species exhibits remarkable ecological flexibility, functioning as a decomposer, facultative parasitoid, and forensic indicator. Adults display characteristic jerky running behavior, earning the common name "scuttle fly." The species has been documented in diverse contexts including coffins, decomposing carrion, termite mounds, social wasp nests, and deteriorating museum specimens.
Neocloeon
Neocloeon is a genus of mayflies in the family Baetidae. The species Neocloeon triangulifer has emerged as an important laboratory model organism for aquatic ecotoxicology and physiological studies due to its sensitivity to environmental stressors and ability to complete its life cycle in controlled conditions. The genus is distinguished by parthenogenetic reproduction in at least some populations, a trait that facilitates laboratory culture. Species in this genus inhabit freshwater streams and serve as bioindicators for water quality assessment.
Psychoda alternata
trickling filter fly, drain fly, moth fly
Psychoda alternata is a small moth fly (family Psychodidae) native to North America that has become cosmopolitan through human transport. Adults are about 4 mm long with broad, hairy wings held rooflike over the body. The species is strongly associated with wastewater treatment systems, where larvae feed on microbial biofilms in trickling filters and percolating beds. It has also been documented as an emerging nuisance pest in potted plants at commercial nurseries. Adults are short-lived, non-feeding, and primarily active in subdued light.
Scaptomyza graminum
Scaptomyza graminum is a small fly in the family Drosophilidae, originally described from Europe in 1823. The species has been used as a laboratory model for genetic studies, particularly for population genetics and chromosomal research. Wild specimens have been collected from grassy areas, though most biological knowledge derives from laboratory-maintained cultures. Under laboratory conditions at 25°C, development from egg to adult takes approximately 14 days. The species exhibits relatively sluggish behavior compared to Drosophila melanogaster, with reduced flight activity and ease of handling for experimental crosses.
Tetramorium tsushimae
Japanese pavement ant
Tetramorium tsushimae, commonly known as the Japanese pavement ant, is a small myrmicine ant native to Asia that has become invasive in North America. Workers are approximately 2.5 mm in length. The species exhibits both monogyne and polygyne colony structures and is known for its territorial behavior, with colonies competing for high-temperature nesting sites to rear reproductives. It has been extensively used as a laboratory surrogate for the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) in toxicity and control studies. The species displays notable cadaveric behaviors on animal remains, creating scratched scars, mounds, and soil-covered nests that have forensic implications.
Xyleborus pfeili
Xyleborus pfeili is an ambrosia beetle in the subfamily Scolytinae, native to regions including Europe and Asia. Like other ambrosia beetles, it cultivates symbiotic fungi within wood tunnels as its primary food source. Laboratory studies have documented its reproduction on semi-artificial diets, revealing arrhenotokous parthenogenesis where unmated females produce only male offspring. The species has been successfully reared using sawdust-based diets with fungal symbionts, providing a model for studying ambrosia beetle biology.