Omnivorous
Guides
Achelous spinimanus
Blotched Swimming Crab
Achelous spinimanus is a swimming crab native to the Western Atlantic, ranging from the USA to Brazil. It inhabits coastal marine environments from shallow waters to 90 m depth, with distinct depth preferences between life stages: juveniles occur at 5–35 m while adults are most abundant at 25 m and range to 40 m. The species exhibits continuous year-round reproduction with ovigerous females present in all seasons, and shows seasonal migration patterns in response to water temperature and salinity changes. It is an emerging fishery resource in Brazil, where it has become a target species following declines in more traditional catches.
Brachystola magna
Plains Lubber Grasshopper, Western Lubber Grasshopper, Homesteader
Brachystola magna is one of the largest grasshoppers in North America, a flightless species inhabiting the Great Plains from the Canadian border to central Mexico. Adults reach 4–6 cm in length, with females substantially larger and heavier than males. The species exhibits a two-year life cycle, with eggs overwintering twice before hatching. Though primarily herbivorous, adults display notable omnivory including scavenging and predation on other insects. The species has historical scientific significance as the subject of Walter Sutton's pioneering work on reduction division and chromosome theory.
Caridea
caridean shrimp, true shrimp
Caridea is a species-rich infraorder of decapod crustaceans comprising over 3,000 described species of true shrimp. Members are distinguished from other shrimp groups by their brooding reproductive strategy, lamellar gill structure, and characteristic abdominal segmentation where the second segment overlaps both the first and third. They occupy diverse aquatic habitats from freshwater streams to abyssal depths exceeding 5,000 meters, with roughly one-quarter of species inhabiting freshwater environments. The group includes commercially significant species such as Pandalus borealis and ecologically important cleaner shrimp that maintain reef fish health.
Crematogaster cerasi
Cherry Acrobat Ant
Crematogaster cerasi is a species of acrobat ant in the tribe Crematogastrini, described by Asa Fitch in 1855. The species is distinguished by specific hair patterns and thoracic ridge characteristics. It is omnivorous, feeding on both animal and plant material. The common name 'Cherry Acrobat Ant' reflects its association with cherry trees and its characteristic behavior of raising its abdomen when disturbed.
Dermaptera
Earwigs
Earwigs comprise the insect order Dermaptera, with approximately 2,000 species in 12 families. They are distinguished by forceps-like cerci at the abdomen tip and hindwings folded beneath short forewings, giving rise to the order name meaning 'skin wings.' Most species are nocturnal, hiding in dark moist places during daylight. While some groups are tiny parasites lacking typical pincers, the majority are free-living and found on all continents except Antarctica.
Forficulidae
common earwigs
Forficulidae is a large family of earwigs containing over 70 genera and more than 500 described species. Members possess the characteristic forceps-like cerci at the abdomen tip that define the order Dermaptera. The family includes notable species such as the European earwig (Forficula auricularia), which has been introduced globally and studied extensively for its agricultural impacts. Forficulidae was formerly treated as a suborder (Forficulina) but is now classified within the suborder Neodermaptera.
Leptophyes punctatissima
Speckled Bush-cricket
Leptophyes punctatissima, commonly known as the Speckled Bush-cricket, is a flightless bush-cricket species distributed across most of Europe. It belongs to the subfamily Phaneropterinae and exhibits distinctive acoustic behavior where both sexes stridulate. Males produce calling songs to which females respond with brief chirps, creating a duetting communication system. The species has been studied extensively for its auditory physiology and directional hearing capabilities.
Mogoplistidae
Scaly Crickets and Allies
Mogoplistidae is a family of scaly crickets within the superfamily Grylloidea, comprising over 370 species in approximately 30 genera worldwide. The family is considered monophyletic and sister to the true crickets (Gryllidae). Members are distinguished by scales covering the abdomen and parts of the thorax, resembling those of Lepidoptera. The family includes three subfamilies: Mogoplistinae, Malgasiinae (restricted to Madagascar and Indian Ocean islands), and the extinct †Protomogoplistinae known from Burmese amber.
OrthopteraGrylloideascaly-cricketscoastalbeach-specialistdriftwood-dependentrare-speciesUK-protected-speciesMediterraneanAtlantic-coastMadagascar-endemicBurmese-amber-fossilscale-coveringLepidoptera-like-scalesomnivorousnocturnallong-ovipositoregg-development-one-yearshingle-habitatcobble-beachesstrandline-invertebrateconservation-concernbeach-cleaning-threatdriftwood-burning-threatOrchelimum vulgare
Common Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum vulgare, the common meadow katydid, is a North American katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It inhabits fields and low meadows across the central and eastern United States and adjacent Canada. Adults are active from midsummer through fall. The species exhibits omnivorous feeding habits, consuming plant material including grass seeds and forbs, as well as opportunistically preying on other insects.
Pheidole bicarinata
Variable Big-headed Ant, Common Big-headed Ant
Pheidole bicarinata, commonly known as the Variable Big-headed Ant, is a North American ant species characterized by its polymorphic worker caste system with distinct minor and major workers. The species exhibits a broad distribution across the central and eastern United States, ranging from Nebraska and Colorado eastward to New Jersey and Florida. Colonies are moderately sized, typically reaching up to approximately 4,000 workers. The species is notable for its dietary flexibility, incorporating insects, seeds, and nectar into its foraging repertoire.
Tylospilus acutissimus
Northern sharp stink bug
Tylospilus acutissimus is a predatory stink bug in the family Pentatomidae, commonly known as the Northern sharp stink bug. Adults measure 9–10 mm in length. The species has a broad distribution spanning from the southwestern United States through Mexico to Colombia, with activity concentrated from April through November.