Midge-predator
Guides
Ochthera
Mantid Shoreflies
Ochthera is a genus of predatory shore flies (Ephydridae) distinguished by raptorial forelegs modified for seizing prey. Adults and larvae are exclusively predatory, feeding on midge and mosquito larvae. The genus has a global distribution with approximately 37-55 species, including 13 species in North America. Some species have documented significance as predators of disease vectors, including African malaria vectors.
Tetragnatha guatemalensis
Guatemalan long-jawed spider
Tetragnatha guatemalensis is a long-jawed orb weaver spider notable for its exceptional social behavior among typically solitary arachnids. Under favorable conditions, particularly during mass emergence of midges, this species constructs extensive communal webs that can span acres. The species demonstrates remarkable tolerance of conspecifics, with thousands of individuals cooperating to build shared silk structures. This social web-building represents the extreme end of a gradient of tolerance seen across the genus Tetragnatha.