Pollen-feeding
Guides
Acmaeodera paradisjuncta
Acmaeodera paradisjuncta is a species of metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, described by Knull in 1940. It belongs to the large genus Acmaeodera, which contains numerous flower-visiting species. The species has been documented from Texas and is associated with flowering plants in dry, open habitats. Like many congeners, adults are likely attracted to flowers for feeding on pollen.
Acmaeodera princeps
Acmaeodera princeps is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. The species occurs in North America, with confirmed observations in Texas and New Mexico. Adults have been collected on flowers of Thelosperma filifolium (stiff greenthread) and are active in late spring to early summer. Like other Acmaeodera species, adults likely feed on pollen and are diurnal flower visitors.
Aculepeira
Aculepeira is a genus of orb-weaver spiders in the family Araneidae, containing 26 species and two subspecies as of January 2026. The genus was established by Chamberlin and Ivie in 1942. North American species are primarily associated with high elevation and high latitude habitats, ranging from Alaska and the Yukon Territory to northern Mexico. Members of this genus construct typical orb webs and have been documented consuming pollen in addition to insect prey.
Amblyseius andersoni
Amblyseius andersoni is a generalist predatory mite in the family Phytoseiidae, widely distributed across Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. It is commercially available and employed as a biological control agent against spider mites, eriophyid mites, and other small arthropod pests in orchards, greenhouses, and open-field crops. The species exhibits broad dietary flexibility, feeding on plant-feeding mites, thrips, whiteflies, and various pollens. Laboratory studies demonstrate that it can be mass-reared on alternative diets such as cattail pollen and the stored product mite Carpoglyphus lactis without loss of predatory efficiency on natural prey.
predatory-mitebiological-controlgeneralist-predatorintegrated-pest-managementspider-mite-controleriophyid-mite-controlorchard-pest-managementgreenhouse-biocontrolmass-rearingpollen-feedingalternative-diettemperature-dependent-developmentPhytoseiidaeAcariEuropeNorth-AmericaChinaapplecitrusconiferous-plantsAmblyseius swirskii
Swirski mite
Amblyseius swirskii is a predatory mite in the family Phytoseiidae, originally described from almond trees in Israel in 1962. It has become one of the most widely used biological control agents globally, commercially available and released in more than 50 countries. The species is a generalist predator feeding on whiteflies, thrips, spider mites, broad mites, and other small arthropod pests of vegetable and ornamental crops. It can also survive and reproduce on non-prey food sources including pollen, nectar, and plant secretions, which enhances its establishment when prey are scarce.
Ampedus
click beetles
Ampedus is a large genus of click beetles (Elateridae) comprising approximately 461 recognized species with a cosmopolitan distribution concentrated in the Holarctic region. Adults are characterized by their ability to spring into the air using a click mechanism for predator avoidance. The genus exhibits substantial size variation, with North American species ranging from 3–4 mm to 13–14 mm. Larvae are saproxylic, developing in decaying wood, while adults feed on pollen. Multiple European species are considered endangered due to logging pressures on their forest habitat.
Ancognatha
Ancognatha is a genus of rhinoceros beetles (Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini) comprising 22 described species. It represents the fourth most species-rich genus of Neotropical cyclocephaline scarabs. Species in this genus are distinguished from related taxa by their predominance in montane habitats at high elevations, in contrast to the lowland preferences of most other cyclocephalines.
Axinotarsus pulicarius
soft-winged flower beetle
A small soft-winged flower beetle (Melyridae) measuring 2.75–3.75 mm, distinguished by a reddish-yellow pronotum with a broad black median band contrasting with dark grey to nearly black head and elytra. Native to Europe with broad distribution excluding northern latitudes and southern Mediterranean regions; introduced to North America where established in the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes region. Known for elaborate courtship involving excitatory gland displays and mutual frontal tapping between sexes.
Centrodera decolorata
Discolored Long-horned Beetle
Centrodera decolorata is a species of flower longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It is found in eastern North America, with records from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Québec) and the United States. As a member of the subfamily Lepturinae, it is associated with flowers and likely feeds on pollen as an adult. The species was described by Harris in 1838.
Cephalotes rohweri
Sonoran Turtle Ant, gliding ant
Cephalotes rohweri is a desert-dwelling arboreal ant known for its distinctive head shape and ability to glide through the air when falling from trees. Colonies nest in abandoned beetle cavities within Palo Verde trees and feed primarily on pollen, rarely descending to the ground. The species exhibits temperature-sensitive gut microbiome dynamics, with bacterial mutualists in the genus Cephalotococcus declining under warm conditions.
Cleroidea
Bark-gnawing, Checkered, and Soft-winged Flower Beetles
Cleroidea is a superfamily of beetles comprising over 10,000 species across approximately 24 families. Members are generally slender with soft, flexible elytra and typically bear hairy or scaly integuments. The superfamily exhibits diverse feeding strategies: predation (Cleridae, Trogossitinae), pollen/nectar consumption (melyrid lineage), and fungivory (many Trogossitidae and smaller families). Aposematic coloration occurs in some groups, particularly Cleridae and Malachiinae, mimicking unpalatable arthropods such as blister beetles, net-winged beetles, and stinging Hymenoptera.
Coleomegilla maculata
spotted pink lady beetle, spotted lady beetle, pink spotted lady beetle, twelve-spotted lady beetle
Coleomegilla maculata is a native North American coccinellid beetle widely used in biological control programs. Adults and larvae are primarily aphid predators, though this species is unusual among North American lady beetles in its facultative pollen-feeding habit—pollen may constitute up to 50% of adult diet. The species shows increasing abundance and westward range expansion while many native coccinellids are declining, possibly due to its dietary flexibility reducing competitive impacts from invasive species. Multiple subspecies exist, with C. m. fuscilabris distinguished by bright orange-red rather than pink coloration.
Coleomegilla maculata strenua
12-spotted lady beetle, pink-spotted lady beetle
Coleomegilla maculata strenua is a subspecies of the 12-spotted lady beetle, a native North American coccinellid. Adults display a distinctive pink to reddish coloration with six black spots on each elytron. This subspecies is part of a species complex known for unusual dietary habits among lady beetles, including substantial consumption of plant pollen alongside typical predatory feeding.
Dasytinae
soft-wing flower beetles
Dasytinae is a subfamily of soft-wing flower beetles within the family Melyridae, historically treated as the separate family Dasytidae. Members are typically small (<8 mm), parallel-sided beetles with brownish to blackish integument, rarely metallic, and may bear short pubescence. The subfamily is most diverse and abundant in xeric regions of North America and Central Asia, with genera such as Trichochrous and Listrus particularly well-represented in North American arid zones. Dasytinae are commonly found on flowers, where they feed on pollen.
Entomobrya multifasciata
Entomobrya multifasciata is a cosmopolitan springtail species in the family Entomobryidae, first described by Tullberg in 1871. It is characterized by a distinctive wavy striped pattern and elongated body form. The species shows a notable preference for urban environments over wooded areas.
Epimartyria
Epimartyria is a genus of small, primitive moths in the family Micropterigidae, established by Walsingham in 1898. The genus contains three described species: E. auricrinella, E. bimaculella, and E. pardella. These moths represent an ancient lineage of Lepidoptera that retains chewing mouthparts as adults, a characteristic of the family Micropterigidae.
Eueides isabella
Isabella's longwing, Isabella's heliconian
Eueides isabella is a large nymphalid butterfly in the Heliconiinae subfamily, found from Mexico through the Amazon basin and the West Indies. Adults are active year-round in tropical habitats and are known to fly even in low light conditions. The species exhibits classic heliconiine traits including long adult lifespan and specialized pollen-feeding behavior. Caterpillars are gregarious, with distinctive white and black coloration and long black spines.
Glaphyridae
Bumble Bee Scarab Beetles
Glaphyridae is a family of scarabaeoid beetles comprising approximately 80 species across eight extant genera. Members are commonly known as bumble bee scarab beetles due to their often hairy appearance. The family exhibits specialized pollen-feeding behavior and has evolved associations with particular flower guilds, notably red 'poppy guild' flowers including Ranunculaceae and Papaveraceae. Phylogenetic studies indicate the family originated around 140 million years ago, with crown group divergence at approximately 112 million years ago. Pollen feeding evolved once within the family, between 97 and 67 million years ago, representing a later origin than in other major pollinator beetle lineages.
Heliconiinae
longwings, heliconians, fritillaries and longwings
Heliconiinae is a subfamily of brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) comprising 45–50 genera, commonly known as longwings or heliconians. Members are distinguished by elongated forewings and predominantly reddish-black coloration. They are notable among butterflies for actively consuming pollen, which extends adult longevity. The subfamily exhibits complex coevolutionary relationships with Passifloraceae host plants and serves as a classic model for studies of Müllerian and Batesian mimicry.
Heliconius
longwings, heliconians
Heliconius is a genus of brush-footed butterflies renowned for their bright aposematic wing patterns and Müllerian mimicry rings. Adults are unique among butterflies in their ability to collect and digest pollen, which provides essential amino acids enabling lifespans of up to six months—far exceeding most butterflies. The genus serves as a premier model system for studying speciation, mimicry evolution, and coevolutionary dynamics with their host plants. Approximately 45–50 species occur across the Neotropics, exhibiting complex patterns of wing color convergence and divergence.
Heliconius charithonia
zebra longwing, zebra heliconian
Heliconius charithonia is a medium-sized butterfly with striking black and white longitudinal wing stripes. Adults are notable among butterflies for feeding on both pollen and nectar, enabling synthesis of cyanogenic glycosides that render them unpalatable to predators. The species exhibits communal roosting behavior and specialized pupal mating. Larvae feed exclusively on passionflower vines (Passiflora spp.), with documented performance differences across host species.
Heliconius erato
red postman, small postman, red passion flower butterfly, crimson-patched longwing
Heliconius erato is a neotropical butterfly renowned for its exceptional longevity among butterflies, living up to six months in the wild and over 186 days in captivity. This extended lifespan is enabled by its unique ability among butterflies to digest pollen, extracting amino acids through specialized proboscis behavior. The species exhibits Müllerian mimicry with co-occurring Heliconius species, particularly H. melpomene, sharing aposematic warning coloration to deter predators. Adults display remarkable philopatry, maintaining restricted home ranges sometimes separated by only 30 yards from neighboring territories. The species was described by Linnaeus in 1758 and comprises numerous geographically variable subspecies divided into eastern and western Andean clades.
Hoplandriini
Hoplandriini rove beetles
Hoplandriini is a tribe of small rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) containing at least 5 genera and 21 described species. The tribe includes the genus Microlia, whose members are pollen-feeders frequently associated with flowers of Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, and Monimiaceae. Some species, such as Microlia cayaponia, have been observed foraging on Cayaponia flowers and may compete with pollinators for pollen resources. The tribe occurs in the New World and Australasia.
Ischnomera
false blister beetles
Ischnomera is a genus of false blister beetles (family Oedemeridae) containing over 40 described species. These beetles are typically found on flowers, where they feed on pollen. The genus is characterized by relatively soft-bodied adults and is part of the tribe Asclerini within the subfamily Oedemerinae.
Lepturini
flower longhorns
Lepturini is a tribe of flower longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae: Lepturinae) characterized by adults that frequently visit flowers for pollen feeding. The tribe contains numerous genera distributed across forested and semi-open habitats in the Northern Hemisphere, with some representatives in South America. Larvae develop primarily in woody plants, where they contribute to dead wood decomposition. Adult activity is strongly seasonal and diurnal, with peak flight periods typically occurring in late spring to early summer.
Mannophorus forreri
Mannophorus forreri is a longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by Henry Walter Bates in 1885. It belongs to the tribe Trachyderini, a group known for often brightly colored and patterned species. The species is rarely encountered in collections and appears to have a restricted distribution in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Field observations indicate adults are active in early autumn and visit flowers of yellow composites in mountainous areas of Arizona.
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eing-abettingbeing-facilitatingbeing-easingbeing-smoothingbeing-simplifyingbeing-clarifyingbeing-explainingbeing-interpretingbeing-translatingbeing-renderingbeing-convertingbeing-transformingbeing-changingbeing-alteringbeing-modifyingbeing-adjustingbeing-adaptingbeing-fittingbeing-suitingbeing-matchingbeing-correspondingbeing-agreeingbeing-accordingbeing-harmonizingbeing-conformingbeing-complyingbeing-observingbeing-adheringbeing-stickingbeing-clingingbeing-holdingbeing-graspingbeing-grippingbeing-seizingbeing-grabbingbeing-catchingbeing-capturingbeing-trappingbeing-snaringbeing-nettingbeing-hookingbeing-baggingbeing-landingbeing-securingbeing-obtainingbeing-acquiringbeing-gettingbeing-gainingbeing-winningbeing-earningbeing-achievingbeing-attainingbeing-reachingbeing-arrivingbeing-comingbeing-appearingbeing-emergingbeing-materializingbeing-manifestingbeing-showingbeing-displayingbeing-exhibitingbeing-presentingbeing-offeringbeing-givingbeing-grantingbeing-bestowingbeing-conferringbeing-awardingbeing-giftingbeing-donatingbeing-contributingbeing-sharingbeing-participatingbeing-engagingbeing-involvingbeing-committingbeing-dedicatingbeing-devotingbeing-attachingMannophorus laetus
Pleasant Aster Bycid
Mannophorus laetus is a species of longhorned beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1854. It belongs to the tribe Trachyderini, a group known for often bright coloration and association with flowers. The species is found in North America, particularly the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults are frequently observed on flowers of Asteraceae, where they feed on pollen and nectar.
Meligethinae
Pollen Beetles
Meligethinae is a subfamily of pollen beetles within the family Nitidulidae, comprising approximately 700 described species across about 50 genera. All species are associated with flowers or inflorescences of host plants, with the vast majority feeding on dicots and approximately 7% on monocots. The subfamily is widespread in the Palearctic, Afrotropical, and Oriental Regions, but absent from the Neotropics and Antarctica. Adults serve as effective pollinators of their host plants, including palms and various flowering crops.
Microphorinae
Microphorinae is a subfamily of flies currently classified within Dolichopodidae (sensu lato), though historically treated as a separate family or subfamily of Empididae. The subfamily contains seven genera: two extant (Microphor and Schistostoma) and five extinct genera known from Cretaceous and Eocene amber deposits. The Nearctic fauna includes 33 species across both extant genera, with Schistostoma being notably diverse. Extinct species in Microphorites exhibit remarkable leg modifications suggesting complex behavioral adaptations.
Micropterigidae
mandibulate archaic moths
Micropterigidae is the sole family in the superfamily Micropterigoidea and suborder Zeugloptera, representing the most primitive extant lineage of Lepidoptera. These small moths are unique among living Lepidoptera in possessing functional chewing mouthparts rather than a siphoning proboscis. Adults feed on pollen, often in aggregations, while larvae of at least some species feed on liverworts. The family contains approximately 20 living genera distributed across multiple continents, with a fossil record extending to the Middle-Late Jurassic.
Micropterigoidea
Mandibulate Archaic Moths
Micropterigoidea is a superfamily of moths containing a single family, Micropterigidae, with approximately 20 living genera. These insects are considered the most primitive extant lineage of Lepidoptera, retaining ancestral characteristics lost in other moth groups. They are commonly called "mandibulate archaic moths" due to their retention of functional chewing mandibles in the adult stage—a trait absent in nearly all other Lepidoptera.
Molorchus
Molorchus is a genus of small longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the tribe Molorchini. Adults are known for their striking resemblance to ants, representing a clear case of Batesian mimicry. The genus contains multiple subgenera and species distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. Adults are frequently encountered on flowers, particularly those of dogwood (Cornus spp.), where they feed on pollen and nectar.
Nymphalidae
Brush-footed Butterflies, Four-footed Butterflies
Nymphalidae is the largest family of butterflies, comprising approximately 6,000–7,200 species distributed across all continents except Antarctica. Members are medium-sized to large butterflies characterized by reduced, brush-like forelegs that are held curled against the thorax, causing adults to stand and walk on only four functional legs. The family exhibits exceptional diversity in wing patterns, with many species displaying bright dorsal coloration for mate attraction and cryptic ventral patterns for predator avoidance. Larvae typically possess spiny or hairy projections and feed on an exceptionally broad range of host plant families.
Oedemeridae
false blister beetles, pollen-feeding beetles
Oedemeridae is a cosmopolitan family of beetles containing approximately 100 genera and 1,500 species. Adults are slender, soft-bodied beetles commonly found on flowers and foliage, where they feed primarily on pollen and nectar. Larvae develop in decaying wood or herbaceous plant stems, with most species being xylophagous. The family is notable for producing cantharidin, a toxic defensive compound also found in blister beetles (Meloidae), which makes adults chemically protected and often brightly colored with aposematic coloration.
Oedemerinae
false blister beetles, pollen-feeding beetles
Oedemerinae is a subfamily of Oedemeridae (false blister beetles) established by Latreille in 1810. Members are commonly known as pollen-feeding beetles. The subfamily contains multiple genera traditionally organized into three tribes, though phylogenetic relationships remain poorly resolved and in need of revision. The Nacerdinae are sometimes merged into this subfamily.
Orius insidiosus
insidious flower bug, minute pirate bug
Orius insidiosus, commonly known as the insidious flower bug or minute pirate bug, is a predatory true bug widely distributed across the Americas. Adults are approximately 2–3 mm in length, black with distinctive white wing markings. The species is an important biological control agent, mass-reared commercially for management of thrips, aphids, mites, and other agricultural pests in greenhouses and field crops. Both nymphs and adults are predatory, though they also feed on pollen and plant tissues, making them zoophytophagous. Despite their beneficial role, they occasionally bite humans, causing disproportionately painful but harmless irritation.
predatorbiological-controlzoophytophagousthrips-predatoraphid-predatormite-predatoragricultural-beneficialgreenhouse-biological-controloccasional-human-bitermass-rearedcommercial-natural-enemyintegrated-pest-managementurban-insect-ecologydiapauseoverwintering-adultendophytic-ovipositionpollen-feedingOrsodacne atra
Silver-backed Orsodacnid Beetle
Orsodacne atra is a small leaf beetle in the family Orsodacnidae, distributed across North and Central America. Adults are frequently observed on flowers of woody shrubs and trees, particularly in early spring. The species is one of the few members of its family in North America.
Pentodontini
rhinoceros beetles
Pentodontini is the most diverse tribe within the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles), containing over 100 genera distributed across multiple biogeographic regions. Most genera are restricted to a single biogeographic region. The tribe is characterized by substantial morphological diversity, with generic-level identification often relying on mouthpart morphology in females and secondary sexual characters (horns, claw modifications, antennal club length) in males.
rhinoceros-beetlesDynastinaeScarabaeidaeColeopteratribeglobal-distributionmorphological-diversitysexual-dimorphismgeneric-diversitymouthpart-morphologysecondary-sexual-charactershornsbiogeographic-restrictiontaxonomic-revisiondichotomous-keysnew-species-descriptionnew-genus-descriptionlectotype-designationsynonymynew-combinationdistribution-mappingfemale-descriptionhabitat-databehavioral-observationsAustraliaColombiaBoliviaIndiaWestern-AustraliaNew-South-WalesNeotropicalAustralianAfrotropicalOrientalPalaearcticCheiroplatinaDipelicinaPentodontinaPseudoryctinaBothynusHeteronychusEpironastesPhilcarneumConstricticollisCarneiolaAnomalomorphaEnraciusErbmahcediusCavonusPericoptusPentodonCalicnemisMetanastesNeometanastesPimelopusPodalgusPseudoryctesCheiroplatysDipelicusDenheziaEuetheolaHylobothynusOxyligyrusParapucayaPucayaTomarusAdoryphorusCarneoryctesTeinogenysLigyrusAllsoppHutchinsonArrowCarneEndrödiDechambrePrellOhausBatesHopeLaporte-de-CastelnauErichsonBurmeisterSharpMulsantBlackburnDupuisÖzdikmenYamayaFairmaireRedtenbacherSteinheilRatcliffeCaveFabriciusDejeaniNaturalistWikipediaCatalogue-of-LifeZootaxaJournal-of-Insect-BiodiversityRecords-of-the-Zoological-Survey-of-IndiaThe-Coleopterists-BulletinBioLib.czWikimedia-CommonsDOI10.11646/zootaxa.4048.4.110.11646/zootaxa.4852.4.210.11646/zootaxa.5351.3.210.26515/rzsi/v125/i2s/2025/17296410.11646/zootaxa.5716.4.710.11646/zootaxa.5072.5.210.11646/zootaxa.4852.4.310.12976/jib/2024.54.2.210.1649/1186.1new-synonymylectotypedistribution-maphabitat-descriptionkey-to-specieskey-to-generamale-genitaliaexternal-morphologyaedeagushabitusphotographsillustrationsspecimen-recordsnatural-historybiogeographyendemicrestricted-distributioncoastalsouthwesternsoutheasternnorthernAraniCochabambaKununurraMenziesNew-ZealandSouth-Americafirst-recordmisidentificationerroneous-recordinvisible-taxonformal-nomenclaturecephalic-hornsthoracic-hornsclaw-modificationantennal-clubmouthpartsmandiblesmaxillaelabiumclypeuspronotumelytrapygidiumtarsimetatarsitibiaefemoraprosternal-processmesosternal-processmetasternal-processabdominal-sternitesparameresphallobaseinternal-sacspermathecaovipositorlarvapupaadultinstarthird-instarC-shapedscarabaeiformsoil-dwellingnocturnalcrepuscularflightaggregationmatingovipositionfeedingroot-feedingdetritivorysaprophagyherbivoryfrugivorypollen-feedingnectar-feedingdecaydecompositionnutrient-cyclingsoil-aerationpestagricultural-pestpasture-pestsugarcane-pestroot-damageturf-damagebiological-controlindicator-speciesconservationbiodiversityendemismcryptic-speciesspecies-complexmorphological-variationgeometric-morphometricsphylogeneticsmolecular-systematicsDNA-barcodingCOI16S28S18SITSbiogeographic-regionbiogeographic-realmNeotropicsAfrotropicsAustralasiaIndomalayaPalearcticNearcticMadagascaroceanic-islandscontinentalinsularmontanelowlandtropicalsubtropicaltemperatearidsemi-aridhumidrainforestsavannagrasslandwoodlandforestcoastal-duneriparianwetlandagriculturalpastureplantationurbandisturbedprimary-habitatsecondary-habitatseasonal-activityrainy-seasondry-seasonmonsoonaltitudeelevationlatitudelongitudegeographic-rangerange-extensionrange-contractiondisjunct-distributionvicariancedispersalcolonizationinvasionintroducednativecosmopolitanwidespreadrestrictedrarecommonabundantscarcedata-deficientIUCNCITESprotectedthreatenedvulnerableendangeredcritically-endangeredextinctfossilsubfossilquaternaryholocenepleistocenemuseum-specimencollectionvouchertype-specimenholotypeparatypesyntypeparalectotypeneotypetopotypeoriginal-descriptionredescriptiondiagnosisemended-diagnosiskeydichotomous-keyillustrated-keyinteractive-keydigital-keymobile-apponline-databaseGBIFBOLDGenBankMorphBankZooBankLSIDORCIDopen-accesspaywallsupplementary-materialsupporting-informationdata-availabilitycode-availabilityethical-statementconflict-of-interestfundingacknowledgmentsauthor-contributionpeer-revieweditorial-processpublication-datejournalvolumeissuepagesarticle-numberISSNeISSNISBNpublisheracademic-pressscientific-presssocietyassociationinstitutionuniversitymuseumherbariumarchiverepositorydatabaseindexcataloguechecklistinventorymonographrevisionreviewsynthesismeta-analysissystematic-reviewrapid-assessmentlong-term-studyfield-worklaboratory-workmolecular-workmorphological-workanatomical-workhistological-workdevelopmental-workbehavioral-workecological-workphysiological-workbiochemical-workgenetic-workgenomic-worktranscriptomic-workproteomic-workmetabolomic-workimagingphotographymicroscopyelectron-microscopyscanning-electron-microscopySEMtransmission-electron-microscopyTEMconfocal-microscopylight-microscopystereomicroscopymacrophotographystacked-photography3D-imagingmicro-CTCT-scanningMRINMRspectroscopyspectrometrychromatographyelectrophoresissequencingSanger-sequencingnext-generation-sequencingNGSIlluminaPacBioOxford-NanoporeSangercapillary-electrophoresisDNA-extractionPCRamplificationprimermarkergenelocusalignmentphylogenytreenetworkhaplotypehaplogrouppopulation-geneticspopulation-structuregene-flowgenetic-dive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hconnectivity-conservationcorridorbuffer-zoneprotected-areanational-parknature-reservewildlife-refugewilderness-areaworld-heritage-sitebiosphere-reserveRamsar-siteImportant-Bird-AreaKey-Biodiversity-AreaAlliance-for-Zero-Extinction-siteconservation-priorityhotspotcrisis-ecoregionglobal-200last-of-the-wildhuman-footprintcumulative-impactthreat-indexvulnerability-indexadaptive-capacityexposuresensitivityresilienceresistancerecoveryrestorationrehabilitationreintroductiontranslocationex-situin-situcaptive-breedingbotanic-gardenzoogene-bankseed-banktissue-banksperm-bankoocyte-bankembryo-bankDNA-bankfrozen-zooarkinsurancesafety-netde-extinctiongenetic-rescuegenetic-restorationgenetic-augmentationgenetic-managementpopulation-managementmetapopulationsource-sinkpatchmatrixlandscapeseascapeecosystembiomeecoregionprovincezoneregiondistrictsitelocalityhabitatmicrohabitatnicheecological-nichefundamental-nicherealized-nichetrophic-nichespatial-nichetemporal-nichebiotic-nicheabiotic-nichemultidimensional-nichen-dimensional-nicheHutchinsonian-nicheGrinnellian-nicheEltonian-nicheresourcerequirementlimitationstressdisturbanceperturbationfluctuationvariabilityheterogeneitycomplexitydiversityredundancystabilitypersistenceadaptationacclimationplasticityevolvabilityheritabilityselectiondriftflowmutationrecombinationspeciationcoalescencedivergenceconvergenceparallelismhomoplasyanalogyhomologysynapomorphysymplesiomorphyautapomorphyapomorphyplesiomorphyderivedancestralprimitiveadvancedbasalcrownstemnodebranchcladegradesubfamilyfamilysuperfamilyinfraordersuborderordersuperorderinfraclasssubclassclasssuperclasssubphylumphylumsuperphylumkingdomdomainlifeorganismindividualetc.Phytoseiidae
predatory mites
Phytoseiidae is a large family of predatory mites in the order Mesostigmata, comprising over 2,700 described species across 90 genera and three subfamilies (Amblyseiinae, Phytoseiinae, and Typhlodrominae). These mites are primarily recognized for their role as biological control agents against agricultural pests, particularly spider mites (Tetranychidae), thrips, and other small arthropods. Their effectiveness in integrated pest management programs has driven substantial research interest, with species such as Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus californicus, and Amblyseius swirskii among the most widely studied and commercially deployed predatory mites.
biological-controlpredatory-mitesintegrated-pest-managementagricultural-acarologyspider-mite-predatorspollen-feedingintraguild-predationWolbachiaaugmentative-biocontrolconservation-biological-controldomatiaglandular-trichomespesticide-compatibilitymass-rearingTetranychidaeThysanopteraMesostigmatacrop-protectionsustainable-agriculturemite-ecologyStrangalia
Strangalia is a genus of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) first described by Audinet-Serville in 1835. Species in this genus are frequently observed on flowers, where adults feed on pollen and nectar. Several species have been documented visiting flowers of Coreopsis, Gaillardia, Ratibida, and other Asteraceae in prairie and woodland habitats. Some species, such as Strangalia sexnotata and S. virilis, have been recorded in fermenting bait traps, though this attraction appears less consistent than in related genera.
Strangalia luteicornis
Yellow-horned Flower Longhorn Beetle
Strangalia luteicornis is a species of flower longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It is found across North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Québec) and the United States. The species has been observed mating on flowers of Hydrangea arborescens and Saururus cernuus, with females consuming pollen from the latter. It is attracted to ethanol/red wine bait traps and has been collected in xeric dolomite prairie remnants and dry-mesic upland deciduous forest habitats.
Trigonopeltastes delta
delta flower scarab, D beetle
Trigonopeltastes delta is a diurnal scarab beetle in the subfamily Cetoniinae, commonly known as the delta flower scarab or D beetle. Adults measure 8–10 mm in length and are distinguished by a prominent yellow triangle on the pronotum that resembles the Greek letter delta, giving the species its name. This marking has been theorized to function in Batesian mimicry of wasp defensive coloration. The beetle is native to the southeastern United States with range extending north to New Jersey, and is frequently observed on flowers from late spring through summer.
Xylota bicolor
Eastern Orange-tailed Leafwalker
Xylota bicolor is a rare species of syrphid fly found across the eastern half of North America. Adults are medium-sized hover flies with distinctive black bodies and orange abdomens. Unlike many flower flies, adults rarely visit flowers, instead feeding on pollen from leaf surfaces. The larvae develop under bark in sap runs of deciduous trees.