Mosquito-predator
Guides
Buenoa scimitra
backswimmer
Buenoa scimitra is a backswimmer (Hemiptera: Notonectidae) first described by Bare in 1925. It inhabits freshwater environments across North America, the Caribbean, and Middle America. The species is a documented predator of mosquito larvae and serves as a known host for the parasitic water mite Hydrachna virella, which attaches to multiple instars and adults.
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.
Evarcha
Evarcha is a genus of jumping spiders (Salticidae) containing approximately 85-98 species distributed worldwide. Members are generally sturdy, often brownish in coloration, and not particularly colorful. The genus is best known for the unusual feeding ecology of E. culicivora, which feeds indirectly on vertebrate blood by preying on blood-carrying mosquitoes. Most species occur in Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe, with some representatives in North America.
Hydrophorus aestuum
Hydrophorus aestuum is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. Like other members of the genus Hydrophorus, it is adapted to semi-aquatic environments where it skates across water surfaces. The species was described by Loew in 1869. Adults are predatory on small insects and other invertebrates, including mosquito larvae.
Microvelia pulchella
smaller water strider
Microvelia pulchella is a semiaquatic predatory bug in the family Veliidae, distributed throughout the American continents from Canada to Argentina. It is the type species of the genus Microvelia and one of the most common species in the Neotropical Region. Laboratory studies demonstrate its potential as a biological control agent against disease-vector mosquitoes and agricultural pests in rice fields. The species serves as a model organism for behavioral and ecological research due to its convenient rearing characteristics and measurable traits.
Monomorium minimum
Monomorium minimum is a small myrmicine ant species documented as an effective predator of mosquito eggs in urban environments. The species has been observed removing 99.4% of Aedes aegypti eggs from experimental containers within 4 days, demonstrating significant potential for biological control of disease-vectoring mosquitoes. As a member of the genus Monomorium, it belongs to a group often referred to as 'tramp ants' associated with human-modified habitats.
Notonecta
backswimmers, common backswimmer, Milky Backswimmers
Notonecta is a genus of aquatic predatory insects commonly known as backswimmers, comprising approximately 70 species. They are distinguished by their habit of swimming upside down, using long hind legs modified as oars. The genus exhibits distinct morphological and behavioral traits that separate it from superficially similar water boatmen (family Corixidae), including triangular cross-section body shape, bold color patterns, and diurnal activity patterns. Notonecta species occupy diverse freshwater habitats and function as active predators of small aquatic organisms.
Notonecta undulata
Grousewinged Backswimmer
Notonecta undulata, commonly known as the grousewinged backswimmer, is an aquatic true bug (Hemiptera: Notonectidae) found across North America. Adults measure 10–12 mm in length and are distinguished from other backswimmers by their 4-segmented antennae and wing pattern featuring a large black spot on the wing membrane median line. The species inhabits small ponds and lakes with slow-moving water, swimming upside down beneath the water surface to capture prey. It is a generalist predator with documented preference for mosquito larvae, and has been studied as a potential biological control agent.
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.
Pantala hymenaea
spot-winged glider
Pantala hymenaea, commonly known as the spot-winged glider, is a migratory dragonfly in the family Libellulidae native to the Americas. It is closely related to and resembles the wandering glider (Pantala flavescens), but is distinguished by a dark basal spot on the hindwing. The species is a strong flier with a very large range across North, Central, and South America, and has been documented as one of five migratory dragonfly species monitored by the Migratory Dragonfly Partnership in North America.
Thermonectus marmoratus
sunburst diving beetle, yellow-spotted diving beetle, spotted diving beetle
Thermonectus marmoratus is a small, brightly colored diving beetle native to southwestern North America and Mexico. Adults are distinguished by black elytra with yellow or golden spots and possess specialized adaptations for aquatic life, including air bubble storage beneath the wings for extended underwater respiration. The species is notable for its aposematic coloration warning of chemical defenses, and for the extraordinary visual system of its larvae—featuring bifocal lenses with dual retinas that constitute the first recorded instance of bifocal vision in the animal kingdom. Larvae are active predators with complex stemmata capable of near and far vision, polarization sensitivity, and behavioral scanning mechanisms to extend their narrow visual fields.