Predator-prey-coevolution
Guides
Hemileuca
sheep moth, buck moth
Hemileuca n-sp is an undescribed species of sheep moth or buck moth in the family Saturniidae. The genus Hemileuca comprises 24 recognized species in North America, with additional cryptic diversity likely to be resolved through ongoing DNA studies. These moths are diurnal, fast-flying, and often brightly colored, leading to frequent misidentification as butterflies. Males are subject to fatal attraction by Argiope spiders, which mimic female moth pheromones to lure prey. The genus exhibits substantial geographic variation in coloration and morphology, with some species ranging from nearly white to nearly black depending on locality.
Hemileuca hera
Sagebrush Sheep Moth, Hera Buckmoth
Hemileuca hera is a large, day-flying Saturniid moth (buck moth) native to western North America. First described by Thaddeus William Harris in 1841, this species exhibits striking geographic color variation ranging from nearly white to nearly black depending on locale. Adults are diurnal, lack functional feeding mouthparts, and do not feed. The species comprises two recognized subspecies: H. h. hera (Great Basin) and H. h. marcata (Southern Oregon). Larvae feed on sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata, A. tripartita) and other plants including Lupinus and Eriogonum.
Hemileuca maia
buck moth
Hemileuca maia, commonly known as the buck moth, is a saturniid moth native to eastern North America. The species has expanded its range northward in recent decades. Adults are diurnal and do not feed. Larvae feed gregariously on oak foliage and possess urticating spines capable of causing painful reactions in humans and animals. The species has one generation per year, with eggs overwintering on host twigs. Recent taxonomic research has clarified the complex evolutionary relationships within the H. maia-nevadensis species complex, elevating several previously synonymized populations to species status.
Hemileuca nuttalli
Nuttall's Sheep Moth, Nuttall's Buck Moth
Hemileuca nuttalli, or Nuttall's sheep moth, is a medium-sized saturniid moth native to western North America. It is one of approximately 24 species in the genus Hemileuca, commonly known as buck moths or sheep moths. The species exhibits distinctive yellow-orange and black wing patterning and has urticating larvae that feed on woody shrubs. Adults are diurnal and do not feed. In behavioral studies, male H. nuttalli showed no attraction to Argiope aurantia spider pheromone lures, unlike some closely related species, suggesting potential predator-prey coevolutionary dynamics.
Phengodidae
glowworm beetles, glow-worms, railroad-worms, trenecitos, bigotudos
Phengodidae is a family of bioluminescent beetles commonly known as glowworm beetles. The family contains over 250 described species distributed throughout the New World from southern Canada to Chile, with additional diversity in Western Asia through the subfamily Cydistinae. Females and larvae possess bioluminescent organs that emit yellow, green, or red light; the Brazilian railroad worm Phrixothrix hirtus is the only terrestrial organism known to produce true red light. Females are larviform and typically much larger than males, which are winged, short-lived, and often attracted to lights. The family was formerly considered to include the Old World Rhagophthalmidae, now recognized as a separate family.
Photuris
femme fatale lightning bugs, predatory fireflies
Photuris is a genus of predatory fireflies in the family Lampyridae, comprising at least 64 species restricted to temperate North America. Adult females are notable for aggressive mimicry: they imitate the bioluminescent flash signals of females from other firefly genera—primarily Photinus and Pyractomena—to attract, capture, and consume unsuspecting males. This predatory behavior allows Photuris females to obtain high-quality protein meals and acquire defensive chemicals called lucibufagins from their prey. The genus has been extensively studied for its remarkable coevolution of signal systems and chemical ecology.
Promecognissimus laevissimus
smooth millipede hunter
Promecognathus laevissimus is a ground beetle specializing in predation on cyanide-producing millipedes. It possesses exceptional physiological tolerance to hydrogen cyanide and benzaldehyde, toxins that incapacitate most other predators. The species exhibits unique prey-handling behaviors and has been extensively studied for its biochemical resistance mechanisms, which may have potential applications in human medicine for cyanide poisoning treatment.