Efferia candida is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Coquillett in 1893. As a member of the genus Efferia, it belongs to one of the most species-rich genera of robber flies in North America. Robber flies in this genus are characterized by their robust build, large compound eyes, and predatory behavior. The species name "candida" (Latin for "white" or "shining") likely refers to some aspect of its pale or light-colored appearance, though specific diagnostic features distinguishing it from congeners require detailed examination.
Red-legged Hammertail
Efferia cuervana is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, first described by Hardy in 1943. It belongs to the large genus Efferia, which contains numerous species distributed primarily in the Americas. Robber flies in this genus are predatory insects known for their robust build, large compound eyes, and characteristic perching behavior while hunting. The common name 'Red-legged Hammertail' refers to distinctive morphological features of this species.
Efferia gila is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1966. The genus Efferia comprises predatory flies commonly known as robber flies, characterized by their stout bodies, large eyes, and predatory behavior. This species is part of a diverse genus distributed primarily in the Americas.
Efferia leucocoma is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. Robber flies are predatory insects known for their aggressive hunting behavior, capturing other insects in flight. Members of the genus Efferia are generally robust, medium to large-sized flies with characteristic morphological features including a well-developed mystax (beard of bristles on the face). The specific epithet 'leucocoma' refers to white hair-like structures, likely describing some aspect of the species' pubescence or coloration.
Portal Hammertail
Efferia mortensoni is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1966. It is known by the common name "Portal Hammertail." Like other members of the genus Efferia, this species is a predatory dipteran that likely hunts other insects. The species name suggests a connection to the Portal area in southeastern Arizona, a region well-known among entomologists for its exceptional biodiversity. Robber flies in this genus are typically active during daylight hours and are often observed perching on vegetation or the ground while hunting.
Efferia pallidula is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Hine in 1911. As a member of the large and diverse genus Efferia, it shares the characteristic predatory habits and robust morphology typical of this group. The specific epithet "pallidula" suggests pale coloration relative to congeners. Detailed natural history information for this particular species appears limited in the available literature.
Efferia peralta is a species of robber fly (family Asilidae) described by Wilcox in 1966. The genus Efferia belongs to the subfamily Asilinae, a group of large, predatory flies characterized by powerful flight and strong raptorial legs adapted for capturing other insects in flight. Species in this genus are primarily distributed in the Americas, with many occurring in arid and semi-arid regions. E. peralta is among the many Asilidae species whose biology remains poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Straw-faced Hammertail
Efferia staminea is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae. It has been studied for its predatory behavior, with research documenting how its diet varies temporally and spatially in response to prey availability. The species exhibits opportunistic feeding patterns, shifting prey composition based on local prey abundance—including documented increases in ant predation during mating swarms of Formica subpolita. It serves as a generalist predator in grassland ecosystems.
Tucson Hammertail
Efferia subarida is a robber fly species in the family Asilidae, first described by Bromley in 1940. It is commonly known as the Tucson Hammertail and is found in the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona. The species belongs to the diverse genus Efferia, which contains many large, predatory flies characterized by their stout bodies, prominent compound eyes, and powerful flight capabilities. Like other robber flies, E. subarida is an active aerial predator that captures other insects in flight.
Triton Hammertail
Efferia triton is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Triton Hammertail. Like other robber flies, it is an aerial predator that captures prey in flight. The species belongs to the large and diverse genus Efferia, which contains numerous species across North America. Specific ecological details for E. triton remain limited in published sources.
Williston Hammertail
Efferia willistoni is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, commonly known as the Williston Hammertail. It is one of approximately 200 species in the genus Efferia, a diverse group of predatory flies distributed primarily in the Americas. The species was described by Hine in 1919. As with other asilids, it is presumed to be an active aerial predator of other insects.
Efferia yuma is a species of robber fly in the family Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1966. Robber flies in the genus Efferia are among the largest and most charismatic members of the family, often recognized by their impressive size, striking green eyes in males, and predatory habits. The species name "yuma" likely refers to the Yuma region of southwestern Arizona or adjacent California, suggesting an association with arid southwestern habitats. Members of this genus are aerial predators that capture other insects in flight.
Marsh Ground Beetles
Elaphrus is a genus of ground beetles (Carabidae: Elaphrinae) commonly known as marsh ground beetles. The genus contains at least 40 described species distributed across the Palearctic, Nearctic, Near East, and Northern Africa. Many species are strongly associated with wetland habitats, including vernal pools and marshes. Several species exhibit strong morphological resemblance to tiger beetles (Cicindelinae), frequently leading to misidentification by collectors. At least two species, E. viridis and E. sugai, are considered threatened or endangered due to habitat loss and degradation.
Click, Firefly, and Soldier Beetles
Elateroidea is a large superfamily of beetles comprising approximately 25,000 species across multiple families. It includes the familiar click beetles (Elateridae), fireflies and glow-worms (Lampyridae and related families), and soldier beetles (Cantharidae). The superfamily exhibits remarkable morphological diversity, ranging from hard-bodied forms with five abdominal ventrites to soft-bodied forms with 7-8 ventrites connected by membranes. Bioluminescence has evolved independently in multiple lineages, particularly within the lampyroid clade and certain Elateridae. A distinctive clicking mechanism using a prothoracic peg and mesothoracic cavity is present in several sclerotized families, enabling the characteristic jumping behavior of click beetles.
minute pirate bugs
Elatophilus is a genus of minute pirate bugs (family Anthocoridae) comprising approximately 15 described species. Species in this genus are specialist predators associated with coniferous trees, particularly pine. Several species have been studied as biological control agents of scale insects that damage commercially important pine stands. The genus shows strong host-specificity, with life cycles tightly coupled to their prey and host tree phenology.
Coastal Tiger Beetle, Gulf Beach Tiger Beetle
Ellipsoptera hamata is a tiger beetle species in the family Cicindelidae, commonly known as the coastal tiger beetle. It occurs along the Gulf Coast of North America from Florida to Texas, with a distribution that overlaps with its sibling species E. marginata along the lower Gulf Coast of Florida. The species inhabits coastal beaches, mud flats, and salt marshes. Four subspecies are recognized, with E. h. lacerata being the form found in Florida and along the eastern Gulf Coast.
Puritan tiger beetle
Ellipsoptera puritana, the Puritan tiger beetle, is a federally threatened species endemic to a highly restricted range in the northeastern United States. Adults are medium-sized, fast-running predators with distinctive cream-white marginal markings on their elytra. The species occupies a narrow ecological niche: sandy beaches and riverbanks backed by eroding cliffs or bluffs, where larvae burrow into exposed sediment faces. Its two-year life cycle involves larval development in burrows followed by brief adult emergence in mid-summer. Habitat loss from shoreline development, dam construction, and bank stabilization has severely reduced populations, prompting intensive conservation efforts including captive rearing programs.
Emesaya is a genus of thread-legged assassin bugs (Reduviidae: Emesinae) described by McAtee & Malloch in 1925. Members of this genus are characterized by their elongated, slender bodies and raptorial forelegs adapted for predation. The genus includes at least one well-studied species, Emesaya brevipennis, for which life history data has been documented through laboratory rearing.
thread-legged bug
Emesaya brevipennis is a thread-legged assassin bug in the subfamily Emesinae, distributed across the New World from North America through Central America to South America. The species comprises three subspecies, all occurring in North America north of Mexico. The nominate subspecies E. b. brevipennis is the most widely distributed and has been documented as bivoltine in southern Illinois, with five instars. This species exhibits specialized predatory behavior, including kleptoparasitism of spider prey and intraguild predation on conspecifics.
Emesopsis is a genus of small tropical assassin bugs (family Reduviidae, subfamily Emesinae) containing at least 22 described species. Most species are restricted to tropical Asia and Australia, with E. nubila being the only pantropical species, also occurring in southern Europe. These bugs are characterized by their unusual locomotion using middle and hind legs while the raptorial front legs are reserved for prey capture. They are generalist predators of various small insects.
thread-legged assassin bug
Empicoris is a cosmopolitan genus of thread-legged assassin bugs in the subfamily Emesinae. These predatory true bugs are characterized by their elongated, slender legs and cryptic appearance. The genus contains at least 18 described species distributed worldwide. Empicoris species are nocturnal predators that frequent lights at night, likely hunting smaller insects attracted to artificial illumination.
thread-legged assassin bug
Empicoris errabundus is a thread-legged assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It is found across the Caribbean, Central America, and North America. Members of this genus are small, slender predatory insects that have been observed at ultraviolet light sources, likely hunting smaller insects attracted to the light.
thread-legged bug
Empicoris vagabundus is a small predatory insect in the family Reduviidae, commonly known as thread-legged bugs. The species measures 6–7 mm in length and is distinguished by its elongated, slender legs. It has been documented across Europe, much of Asia, and the Americas, inhabiting deciduous trees where it hunts barklice and other small insects. The species is attracted to ultraviolet light sources and has been observed as bycatch in mosquito surveillance traps.
bluets
Enallagma is a genus of damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae, commonly known as bluets. Adults range from 28 to 40 mm in length. Males typically display bright blue and black coloration, while female coloration varies by species. The genus underwent taxonomic revision by Rosser Garrison in 1984. Several species have been studied for their responses to climate change and range expansion dynamics.
Familiar Bluet
Enallagma civile, commonly known as the familiar bluet, is a narrowwinged damselfly native to much of the United States and southern Canada. This species is a habitat generalist and predatory insect that has been extensively studied as a model organism for understanding climate change effects on aquatic invertebrates. Research indicates that rising water temperatures significantly impact its development, survival, and adult body size, with temperatures above 38°C causing substantial mortality. The species produces multiple generations per year and serves as host to various parasites including Arrenurus water mites and gregarine protozoans.
Stream Bluet
Enallagma exsulans, commonly known as the Stream Bluet, is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is distinguished from many other bluet species by its strong association with flowing water rather than still ponds and lakes. The species ranges across much of eastern and central North America.
Orange Bluet
The orange bluet (Enallagma signatum) is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is a small, slender odonate found across eastern North America. The species was first described by Hagen in 1861 and has been subject to taxonomic revision, including work by Rosser Garrison who published a revision of the genus Enallagma in 1984. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with freshwater habitats where it completes its aquatic larval development.
Enoclerus acerbus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by Wolcott in 1911. It belongs to the genus Enoclerus, the largest genus of Cleridae in North America north of Mexico with 32 species. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a predator of woodboring beetles, though specific prey relationships for this species have not been documented. The species is found in North America.
two-spotted checkered beetle
Enoclerus bimaculatus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, found in North America. The species is characterized by two distinct spots on the elytra. As a member of the genus Enoclerus—the largest genus in the Cleridae family in North America north of Mexico—this beetle is a predator of other woodboring beetles, particularly bark beetles in the weevil subfamily Scolytinae. The species was first described by Skinner in 1905.
Red-girdled Gray Enoclerus
A species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, native to North America. It is one of approximately 32 species in the genus Enoclerus north of Mexico. Like other members of its family, it is likely a predator of woodboring beetles and their larvae, though specific prey relationships for this species remain undocumented.
Orange-banded Clerid, Orange-banded Checkered Beetle
Enoclerus ichneumoneus is a conspicuous species of checkered beetle (family Cleridae) found in eastern North America. It is distinguished by a wide orange band across the middle of the elytra and an elongate scutellum. The species is commonly encountered on dead or dying hardwood trees, where it hunts woodboring beetles and their larvae. Its bright coloration and fuzzy appearance have been suggested to represent mimicry of velvet ants (Mutillidae), though this hypothesis remains incompletely tested.
blackbellied clerid
Enoclerus lecontei is a predatory checkered beetle (family Cleridae) specialized in hunting bark beetles. It is found in North and Central America, with well-documented populations in western North America where it serves as a significant predator of the western pine beetle (Dendroctonus brevicomis). The species has been extensively studied for its potential as a biological control agent against forest pest beetles.
Enoclerus luscus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It is found in Central America. As a member of the genus Enoclerus, it belongs to the largest genus of Cleridae in North America north of Mexico, with 32 species. Checkered beetles in this genus are generally predators of other woodboring beetles, particularly bark beetles.
Enoclerus moestus is a checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, found in Central America and North America. The species is a predator associated with freshly cut pine logs and dead wood, where it hunts bark beetles and other small insects. Adults are active at logging sites and have been observed alongside other Enoclerus species including E. lecontei and E. sphegeus.
Enoclerus opifex is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It occurs in Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Enoclerus, it belongs to the largest genus of Cleridae in North America north of Mexico. Checkered beetles in this family are predators, particularly of woodboring beetles such as bark beetles.
White-belted Enoclerus
Enoclerus quadrisignatus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The common name "White-belted Enoclerus" refers to a distinctive pale band across the elytra. Like other members of the genus, it is likely associated with dead wood habitats where it preys on other insects.
Red-bellied Clerid
Enoclerus sphegeus, commonly known as the red-bellied clerid, is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It is found in Central America and North America, including Alberta, Canada. The species is a significant predator of bark beetles, particularly the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) and Ips species. Larval development is variable, with individuals completing either two or three stadia depending on prey size consumed during the first stadium. The species pupates underground.
Orange Tamaulipan Enoclerus
Enoclerus vetus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It occurs in North America. Like other members of the genus Enoclerus, it is likely associated with dead wood habitats where it preys on other beetles, particularly woodboring species. The specific epithet "vetus" (Latin for "old") was given by Wolcott in 1927. The species is known from relatively few observations.
Entypus fulvicornis is a medium-sized to large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae, found in eastern North America. It is distinguished from congeners by its black or dark brown wings, in contrast to the orange wings typical of other Entypus species. The species is a specialist predator of spiders, particularly wolf spiders (Lycosidae) and nursery web spiders (Pisauridae), and is active in late summer and early autumn. It has been documented nectaring from a diverse array of flowering plants across eleven plant families.
Eosalpingogaster is a genus of flower flies (Syrphidae) established by Hull in 1949 and elevated to full generic status based on adult morphology, biological data, and molecular phylogenetics. Species in this genus are specialized predators of carmine cochineal insects (Dactylopius spp., Dactylopiidae), which are the source of carminic acid used in red dyes. The genus includes multiple species, with two new species described in a 2011 revision.
Epischura is a genus of freshwater calanoid copepods in the family Temoridae. The genus contains approximately 11 recognized species, including the well-studied Epischura lacustris of North American lakes and the endemic Epischura baikalensis of Lake Baikal. Species within this genus exhibit diverse feeding strategies ranging from omnivory to predation, with documented consumption of both phytoplankton and zooplankton prey. The genus has been proposed as paraphyletic with respect to Heterocope, with suggestions to transfer the Siberian species E. baikalensis and E. chankensis to the resurrected genus Epischurella.
Epischura lacustris is a predatory calanoid copepod in the family Temoridae. It inhabits freshwater lakes across northeastern North America, including all five Great Lakes. The species exhibits size-selective predation on small zooplankton, particularly Bosmina longirostris, and has been observed to consume both phytoplankton and animal prey. It can be distinguished from other Great Lakes calanoids by three stout caudal setae on each caudal ramus and a noticeably bent urosome in mature specimens.
Episyron biguttatus californicum is a subspecies of spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. As a member of the genus Episyron, it belongs to a group of solitary wasps specialized in hunting spiders as prey for their larvae. The subspecies epithet 'californicum' indicates a geographic association with California. Like other pompilid wasps, females paralyze spiders with their sting and provision underground burrows for their offspring.
windscorpion, sun spider, camel spider
Eremobates ajoanus is a species of solifuge (windscorpion) in the family Eremobatidae, described by Muma and Brookhart in 1988. Like other members of the order Solifugae, it is a nocturnal arachnid predator characterized by large, powerful chelicerae used to capture and subdue prey. The species is found in arid regions of North America, particularly in the southwestern United States and adjacent areas.
windscorpion, sun spider, camel spider, solifuge
Eremobates angustus is a species of solifuge (windscorpion or sun spider) in the family Eremobatidae, described by Muma in 1951. Solifuges are arachnids distinct from spiders and scorpions, characterized by their large, powerful chelicerae and rapid running ability. This species is part of a group of nocturnal, predatory arachnids found in arid and semi-arid regions of North America.
windscorpion, solifuge, sun spider, wind scorpion, camel spider
Eremobates gerbae is a species of solifuge (windscorpion) in the family Eremobatidae, described by Brookhart & Cushing in 2002. Solifuges are arachnids characterized by their large, powerful chelicerae (jaws) and are primarily nocturnal predators of small arthropods. They are not venomous and pose no medical threat to humans despite their fearsome appearance. E. gerbae is one of numerous species in the genus Eremobates, which is particularly diverse in arid regions of western North America.
solifuge, sun spider, wind scorpion
Eremobates inkopansis is a species of solifuge (order Solifugae), an arachnid group commonly known as sun spiders or wind scorpions. Like other members of the family Eremobatidae, this species possesses disproportionately large chelicerae used to capture and subdue prey. Solifugids are frequently mistaken for scorpions or spiders due to their appearance but represent a distinct arachnid lineage. They are primarily nocturnal predators of the arid southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico.
windscorpion, sun spider, camel spider
Eremobates norrisi is a species of solifuge (windscorpion) in the family Eremobatidae, described by Muma & Brookhart in 1988. Solifuges are arachnids distinct from spiders and scorpions, characterized by their large, powerful chelicerae and rapid running ability. Like other members of the genus Eremobates, this species is adapted to arid and semi-arid environments in North America.
windscorpion, sun spider, camel spider
Eremobates palpisetulosus is a species of solifuge (windscorpion) in the family Eremobatidae, first described by Fichter in 1941. Solifuges are arachnids distinct from spiders and scorpions, characterized by their large, powerful chelicerae and rapid running speed. This species has been studied as part of desert arachnid community ecology, particularly in sympatric relationships with other desert predators including wolf spiders, tarantulas, whipscorpions, and scorpions.
dwarf spiders
Erigone is a genus of dwarf spiders in the family Linyphiidae, first described by Jean Victoire Audouin in 1826. Members of this genus are small-bodied spiders characterized by distinctive teeth bordering the carapace. They are carnivorous, preying on small insects. The genus is well-represented in temperate regions with numerous described species.