Malacophagy
Guides
Cychrini
snail-eating ground beetles
Cychrini is a tribe of ground beetles (Carabidae) comprising approximately 6 genera and over 300 described species. Members are specialized snail predators (malacophagous), with morphological adaptations including enlarged, sculptured mandibles for crushing shells. The tribe exhibits a disjunct global distribution, with genera occurring in the Holarctic region, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia. Cychrini are among the largest carabid beetles, with many species exceeding 15 mm in length.
Pherbellia
snail-killing flies
Pherbellia is a genus of marsh flies in the family Sciomyzidae, comprising approximately 95 species with a global distribution except the Subantarctic region. The genus is notable for its specialized malacophagous ecology: larvae are predators or parasitoids of gastropod mollusks. Species exhibit diverse host associations, targeting both terrestrial and freshwater snails across multiple families including land snails (Anguispira, Succinea), glass snails (Zonitoides), pond snails (Stagnicola), and even operculate freshwater snails (Valvata). This genus represents one of the most extensively studied groups within Sciomyzidae regarding life cycle biology.
Scaphinotus angusticollis
Narrow-collared Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus angusticollis is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the narrow-collared snail-eating beetle. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), gregarious, and nocturnal. The species exhibits regional color polymorphism, with individuals appearing in dark black or deep red morphs. It has been observed preying on snails, slugs, earthworms, and spiders.
Tetanocera ferruginea
common buff snailkiller
Tetanocera ferruginea is a medium to large sciomyzid fly with light brown coloration and no obvious wing markings. It is an obligate malacophage, with larvae preying on non-operculate snails in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats. The species has a Holarctic distribution and is multivoltine, overwintering in the puparial stage. Despite forming large populations, individuals exhibit very limited movement within habitats.