Predators

Guides

Adephaga
Ground and Water Beetles, adephagans
Adephaga is the second-largest suborder of beetles, comprising over 40,000 species across 10 families. The suborder includes ground beetles (Carabidae), tiger beetles, predaceous diving beetles, and whirligig beetles. Members are characterized by specialized anatomical features including visible notopleural sutures and a first abdominal sternum separated by hind coxae. The vast majority of species belong to the family Carabidae.
beetles predators chemical-defense aquatic-beetles ground-beetles tiger-beetles diving-beetles whirligig-beetles
Allocapnia rickeri
Midwest Snowfly
Allocapnia rickeri is a small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae, commonly known as the Midwest Snowfly. It is one of numerous small, dark stoneflies in the genus Allocapnia that emerge during cold months when few other insects are active. The species has been documented across the central and eastern United States. Like other capniids, it is associated with clean, cold streams and is an important indicator of water quality.
winter-stonefly bioindicator coldwater Plecoptera Capniidae Allocapnia lotic emergence brachyptery aptery genitalia-identification Frison-1942 Midwest southeastern-US clean-water-indicator January-March small-stonefly wingless-female stream-insect shredder gatherer seasonal-resource water-quality aquatic-insect terrestrial-adult short-lived-adult oviposition submerged-eggs high-dissolved-oxygen low-temperature central-US eastern-US Alabama Arkansas Delaware Georgia Illinois hexapod hemimetabolous Euholognatha Nemouroidea Arctoperlaria Insecta Arthropoda Animalia GBIF Catalogue-of-Life iNaturalist NCBI taxonomy accepted-species 1942 Frison Ricker Midwest-Snowfly snowfly small-dark-stonefly clean-streams rivers well-oxygenated lotic-habitat cold-months winter-activity wing-reduction female-aptery male-flight epiproct paraproct terminalia taxonomic-revision congeners distribution-records observations 9-observations eukaryote metazoan arthropod insect stonefly winter-emerging January February March cold-weather near-freezing below-freezing water-surface submerged-substrates allochthonous-organic-material stream-ecosystems seasonal-food-resource insectivorous-birds predators scarce-prey unpolluted no-economic-importance stream-monitoring water-quality-indicator high-quality-coldwater microscopic-examination taxonomic-keys male-terminalia reliable-separation genitalic-examination overlapping-distribution similar-habitat small-size under-10-mm body-length reduced-wings absent-wings fully-developed-wings specific-identification published-descriptions illustrations subsequent-revisions characteristic family-Capniidae common-name extended-nymphal-period one-to-two-years short-lived does-not-feed aquatic-nymph clean-cold-streams low-temperatures year-round winter-months January-through-March family centered-Midwest extends-southeastern United-States documented appears most-reliably distinguished subtle-differences terminal-abdominal-structures should-be-compared against published subsequent genus-level characterized reduced absent females fully-developed males requires-examination male-genitalia structure paraprocts reliable separation overlaps similar many externally definitive relies microscopic examination comparison keys used biological indicator programs presence indicates cold conditions no-direct economic importance shredders gatherers processing allochthonous organic material stream ecosystems seasonal food resource insectivorous birds other when alternative prey scarce serves high-quality habitats development aquatic nymphal stages terrestrial adult stage nymphs develop streams extended period likely one two years based related species adults do-not feed active during weather air temperatures may near below freezing winged capable flight wingless short-winged remain water surface mating occur winter entering deposit eggs submerged substrates small commonly known numerous dark emerge few insects central eastern associated clean important under mm body length members genus wings possess fully developed specific identification level within requires male genitalia particularly most reliably subtle differences these terminal abdominal structures should compared descriptions taxonomic revisions winter-emerging maintain low high dissolved oxygen levels throughout year United States distribution centered extends southeastern months typically through this activity gives rise common name do not provides quality monitoring no direct habitat morphology size genitalic
Araneae
spiders
Araneae is an order of air-breathing arachnids comprising over 51,000 described species across 136 families, ranking seventh in total species diversity among all organismal orders. Members are characterized by two body regions (cephalothorax and unsegmented abdomen), eight legs, cheliceral fangs with venom glands, and abdominal spinnerets that produce silk. The order is divided into two suborders: Mesothelae (87 species, retaining abdominal segmentation) and Opisthothelae (over 39,000 species, without abdominal segmentation). Spiders occupy virtually all terrestrial habitats worldwide except Antarctica, functioning exclusively as predators of insects and other small arthropods.
arachnids predators silk web-building biodiversity cryptic-species DNA-barcoding Madagascar Australia Canada Brazil Tasmania synanthropic conservation integrative-taxonomy
Blissus occiduus
Western Chinch Bug
Blissus occiduus, the western chinch bug, is a phloem-feeding true bug (Hemiptera: Blissidae) that is a significant pest of warm-season turfgrasses, particularly buffalograss and zoysiagrass. The species exhibits strong host preference hierarchies, with buffalograss being the most preferred host followed by zoysiagrass, though it can survive and reproduce on a broad range of grasses including agronomic crops. Field studies have documented inconsistent control with neonicotinoid insecticides, with thiamethoxam showing particularly rapid degradation in buffalograss tissues compared to imidacloprid and clothianidin.
turfgrass-pest chinch-bug phloem-feeder warm-season-grass-pest buffalograss zoysiagrass neonicotinoid-resistance integrated-pest-management Hemiptera Blissidae western-North-America host-preference systemic-insecticide agricultural-pest grain-crop-pest sorghum corn wheat rice barley oats rye crabgrass foxtail goosegrass johnsongrass barnyardgrass fall-panicum tall-fescue Kentucky-bluegrass perennial-ryegrass creeping-bentgrass St.-Augustinegrass centipedegrass bermudagrass phloem-sap-feeder turfgrass-management insecticide-degradation imidacloprid clothianidin thiamethoxam pesticide-efficacy host-suitability nymphal-mortality fecundity survival host-relocation stoloniferous-growth grass-architecture choice-behavior polyphagy specialist-feeding pest-of-lawns golf-course-pest sports-turf-pest residential-pest agricultural-entomology economic-entomology integrated-turf-management Barber-1918 Western-Nearctic Central-America North-America United-States Canada California Colorado Kansas Montana Nebraska New-Mexico Alberta British-Columbia Manitoba Saskatchewan true-bug Lygaeidae Heteroptera Pentatomomorpha Lygaeoidea Hexapoda Arthropoda Insecta Animalia Eukaryota Metazoa arthropod insect bug plant-feeding-insect sap-feeder economic-pest managed-grassland research-subject field-efficacy HPLC-analysis systemic-distribution leaf-tissue-concentration differential-mortality inconsistent-control insecticide-resistance pest-management turfgrass-science agronomy horticulture landscape-management host-plant-resistance cultivar-susceptibility population-dynamics movement-behavior colonization reproduction development nymph adult wing-polymorphism morphology identification-key diagnostic-character geographic-range species-distribution native-range introduced-range occasional-pest seasonal-activity monitoring scouting treatment-threshold action-threshold economic-injury-level damage-symptom plant-discoloration stunting turf-damage yield-loss crop-protection pest-control chemical-control biological-control cultural-control resistant-varieties hybrid-selection planting-date crop-rotation weed-management habitat-manipulation conservation-biological-control natural-enemies predators parasitoids pathogens population-regulation ecosystem-service disservice agricultural-intensification urbanization climate-change range-expansion invasive-potential quarantine phytosanitary regulatory-pest species-complex cryptic-species molecular-identification DNA-barcoding morphological-taxonomy systematics phylogeny evolution adaptation host-race biotype population-genetics gene-flow selection-pressure insecticide-selection resistance-management integrated-resistance-management sustainable-agriculture ecological-intensification precision-agriculture smart-farming digital-agriculture remote-sensing proximal-sensing decision-support-system expert-system modeling simulation forecasting risk-assessment vulnerability exposure sensitivity adaptive-capacity resilience 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quality-control metadata provenance transparency reproducibility replicability rigor robustness uncertainty confidence validation verification calibration sensitivity-analysis uncertainty-quantification decision-making-under-uncertainty precautionary-principle adaptive-decision-making robust-decision-making dynamic-adaptive-policy-pathways real-options-analysis portfolio-analysis multi-criteria-decision-analysis cost-benefit-analysis cost-effectiveness-analysis economic-analysis socio-economic-analysis impact-assessment risk-analysis vulnerability-assessment adaptation-assessment mitigation-assessment sustainability-assessment life-cycle-assessment footprint-analysis material-flow-analysis input-output-analysis computable-general-equilibrium agent-based-modeling system-dynamics Bayesian-network machine-learning artificial-intelligence deep-learning neural-network random-forest support-vector-machine genetic-algorithm optimization heuristic metaheuristic simulation-model process-based-model statistical-model empirical-model mechanistic-model hybrid-model ensemble-model model-selection model-averaging model-validation model-calibration model-evaluation goodness-of-fit predictive-performance forecast-skill early-warning early-action rapid-response emergency-preparedness contingency-planning crisis-management disaster-risk-reduction resilience-building transformational-adaptation incremental-adaptation maladaptation adaptation-limits adaptation-constraints enabling-conditions barriers opportunities co-benefits trade-offs synergies antagonisms spillover-effects leakage additionality permanence reversibility irreversibility tipping-point threshold non-linearity complexity emergence self-organization feedback cascading-effect teleconnection telecoupling spatial-heterogeneity temporal-variability scale cross-scale-interaction cross-sectoral-interaction cross-disciplinary-integration interdisciplinarity transdisciplinarity mode-2-knowledge-production 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integrated-landscape-management ecosystem-based-adaptation ecosystem-based-mitigation blue-infrastructure urban-green-space community-garden allotment-garden home-garden kitchen-garden permaculture food-forest edible-landscape productive-landscape multifunctional-landscape cultural-landscape heritage-landscape protected-area conservation-area restoration-area rewilding reconciliation-ecology conservation-biology restoration-ecology landscape-ecology ecosystem-ecology population-ecology community-ecology behavioral-ecology evolutionary-ecology functional-ecology trait-based-ecology macroecology biogeography phylogeography taxonomy biosystematics evolutionary-biology quantitative-genetics molecular-ecology genomics transcriptomics proteomics metabolomics phenomics geographic-information-system global-positioning-system unmanned-aerial-vehicle satellite-imagery hyperspectral-imaging thermal-imaging LiDAR radar acoustic-monitoring eDNA environmental-DNA metabarcoding metagenomics participatory-monitoring indigenous-and-local-knowledge farmer-field-school plant-clinic integrated-crop-management integrated-natural-resource-management learning-based-management knowledge-based-management evidence-based-management smart-agriculture agroecological-agriculture biodynamic-agriculture holistic-management managed-grazing rotational-grazing mob-grazing forest-farming alley-cropping riparian-buffer windbreak shelterbelt living-fence contour-farming terracing cover-cropping green-manure composting vermicomposting biochar biofertilizer biostimulant biocontrol augmentative-biological-control classical-biological-control microbial-control entomopathogenic-nematode entomopathogenic-fungus entomopathogenic-bacterium entomopathogenic-virus predator parasitoid parasite competitor antagonist natural-enemy beneficial-insect pollinator decomposer detritivore nutrient-cycling soil-health soil-biology soil-microbiome rhizosphere phyllosphere endosphere mycorrhiza nitrogen-fixation phosphorus-solubilization plant-growth-promotion induced-systemic-resistance systemic-acquired-resistance priming hormesis cross-tolerance stress-memory epigenetics transgenerational-effect maternal-effect paternal-effect parental-effect host-microbe-interaction plant-microbe-interaction insect-microbe-interaction multitrophic-interaction food-web trophic-cascade apparent-competition resource-competition interference-competition exploitation-competition scramble-competition contest-competition density-dependence density-independence regulation limitation bottom-up-control top-down-control sideways-control mesopredator-release trophic-trickle trophic-subsidy spatial-subsidy temporal-subsidy ecosystem-engineer foundation-species keystone-species umbrella-species flagship-species indicator-species sentinel-species bioindicator biomonitor ecosystem-service-provider ecosystem-service-beneficiary provisioning-service regulating-service cultural-service supporting-service habitat-service pollination-service pest-control-service nutrient-cycling-service water-purification-service air-purification-service climate-regulation-service erosion-control-service recreation-service aesthetic-service spiritual-service educational-service scientific-service existence-value option-value bequest-value direct-use-value indirect-use-value non-use-value total-economic-value willingness-to-pay willingness-to-accept contingent-valuation choice-experiment benefit-transfer ecosystem-accounting natural-capital-accounting green-accounting inclusive-wealth genuine-progress-indicator index-of-sustainable-economic-welfare happy-planet-index planetary-boundaries doughnut-economics degrowth steady-state-economy circular-economy sharing-economy collaborative-consumption prosumer maker-movement urban-farming vertical-farming controlled-environment-agriculture hydroponics aeroponics aquaponics bioponics integrated-multi-trophic-aquaculture recirculating-aquaculture-system biofloc-technology 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inpatient-management-of-acute-malnutrition prevention-of-acute-malnutrition treatment-of-acute-malnutrition management-of-moderate-acute-malnutrition management-of-severe-acute-malnutrition wasting underweight micronutrient-deficiency anemia iodine-deficiency vitamin-A-deficiency zinc-deficiency iron-deficiency folate-deficiency vitamin-D-deficiency calcium-deficiency obesity overweight diet-related-non-communicable-disease diabetes cardiovascular-disease cancer dental-caries mental-health cognitive-development human-capital economic-growth productivity labor-force-participation employment livelihood income poverty inequality social-exclusion marginalization sustainability intergenerational-equity intragenerational-equity spatial-equity temporal-equity procedural-equity distributional-equity recognitional-equity capability-approach human-development human-flourishing well-being quality-of-life life-satisfaction happiness subjective-well-being objective-well-being material-well-being relational-well-being experiential-well-being eudaimonic-well-being hedonic-well-being psychological-well-being social-well-being physical-well-being spiritual-well-being environmental-well-being planetary-well-being ecohealth global-health public-health environmental-health occupational-health food-safety water-safety air-quality soil-quality biodiversity ecosystem-function ecosystem-stability ecosystem-resilience ecosystem-services natural-capital nature's-contributions-to-people urban-nature urban-biodiversity urban-ecosystem urban-forestry urban-greening urban-cooling urban-heat-island climate-change-adaptation climate-change-mitigation climate-resilient-agriculture low-emission-agriculture carbon-neutral-agriculture carbon-negative-agriculture agroecological-intensification integrated-watershed-management integrated-coastal-zone-management integrated-marine-and-coastal-area-management integrated-water-resources-management participatory-management polycentric-governance collaborative-governance network-governance participatory-governance deliberative-governance transformative-governance social-innovation technological-innovation institutional-innovation organizational-innovation business-model-innovation policy-innovation system-innovation socio-technical-transition sustainability-transition digital-transformation agricultural-transformation rural-transformation urban-transformation landscape-transformation ecosystem-restoration ecosystem-rehabilitation ecosystem-reconstruction ecosystem-replacement ecosystem-protection ecosystem-conservation ecosystem-management ecosystem-stewardship ecosystem-governance biocultural-diversity biocultural-heritage biocultural-rights biocultural-community-protocol free-prior-and-informed-consent access-and-benefit-sharing traditional-knowledge action-research interdisciplinary-research multidisciplinary-research cross-disciplinary-research problem-oriented-research solution-oriented-research use-inspired-research fundamental-research applied-research development-research implementation-research scaling-research outcome-evaluation process-evaluation economic-evaluation multi-criteria-analysis participatory-evaluation developmental-evaluation utilization-focused-evaluation realist-evaluation theory-based-evaluation contribution-analysis process-tracing qualitative-comparative-analysis social-network-analysis institutional-analysis political-economy-analysis power-analysis gender-analysis social-inclusion-analysis poverty-analysis vulnerability-analysis resilience-analysis adaptation-analysis mitigation-analysis sustainability-analysis scenario-analysis foresight anticipatory-analysis roadmapping pathway-analysis transition-analysis transformation-analysis governance-innovation financial-innovation market-based-instrument payment-for-ecosystem-services ecosystem-service-valuation inclusive-wealth-accounting sustainable-development-goals-index environmental-performance-index global-food-security-index global-hunger-index nutrition-index water-poverty-index energy-development-index multidimensional-poverty-index human-development-index gender-development-index gender-inequality-index inequality-adjusted-human-development-index planetary-pressures-adjusted-human-development-index sustainable-development-report world-happiness-report world-development-report world-resources-report global-risks-report global-adaptation-report emissions-gap-report production-gap-report adaptation-gap-report finance-gap-report biodiversity-outlook climate-change-outlook land-degradation-outlook water-outlook energy-outlook food-outlook agriculture-outlook forestry-outlook fisheries-outlook aquaculture-outlook livestock-outlook crop-outlook technology-outlook social-outlook economic-outlook regional-outlook country-outlook sectoral-outlook thematic-outlook special-report technical-report working-paper discussion-paper policy-brief issue-brief fact-sheet guideline manual handbook 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tactical operational foundational structural functional procedural behavioral attitudinal cultural social economic political environmental technological institutional organizational individual collective community societal global local national regional landscape seascape waterscape airscape biosphere noosphere technosphere sociosphere ecosphere hydrosphere atmosphere lithosphere pedosphere cryosphere anthroposphere urban-sphere rural-sphere agricultural-sphere natural-sphere managed-sphere protected-sphere restored-sphere degraded-sphere transformed-sphere connected-sphere disconnected-sphere integrated-sphere fragmented-sphere resilient-sphere vulnerable-sphere adaptive-sphere maladaptive-sphere sustainable-sphere unsustainable-sphere equitable-sphere inequitable-sphere just-sphere unjust-sphere inclusive-sphere exclusive-sphere diverse-sphere homogeneous-sphere complex-sphere simple-sphere dynamic-sphere static-sphere stable-sphere unstable-sphere predictable-sphere unpredictable-sphere controllable-sphere uncontrollable-sphere manageable-sphere unmanageable-sphere governable-sphere ungovernable-sphere navigable-sphere unnavigable-sphere traversable-sphere untraversable-sphere permeable-sphere impermeable-sphere porous-sphere non-porous-sphere transparent-sphere opaque-sphere visible-sphere invisible-sphere tangible-sphere intangible-sphere material-sphere immaterial-sphere physical-sphere metaphysical-sphere empirical-sphere theoretical-sphere practical-sphere applied-sphere pure-sphere basic-sphere strategic-sphere tactical-sphere operational-sphere foundational-sphere superstructural-sphere infrastructural-sphere structural-sphere functional-sphere procedural-sphere behavioral-sphere attitudinal-sphere cultural-sphere social-sphere economic-sphere political-sphere environmental-sphere technological-sphere institutional-sphere organizational-sphere individual-sphere collective-sphere community-sphere societal-sphere global-sphere local-sphere national-sphere regional-sphere landscape-sphere seascape-sphere waterscape-sphere airscape-sphere biosphere-sphere noosphere-sphere technosphere-sphere sociosphere-sphere ecosphere-sphere hydrosphere-sphere atmosphere-sphere lithosphere-sphere pedosphere-sphere cryosphere-sphere anthroposphere-sphere urban-sphere-sphere rural-sphere-sphere agricultural-sphere-sphere natural-sphere-sphere managed-sphere-sphere protected-sphere-sphere restored-sphere-sphere degraded-sphere-sphere transformed-sphere-sphere connected-sphere-sphere disconnected-sphere-sphere integrated-sphere-sphere fragmented-sphere-sphere resilient-sphere-sphere vulnerable-sphere-sphere adaptive-sphere-sphere maladaptive-sphere-sphere sustainable-sphere-sphere unsustainable-sphere-sphere equitable-sphere-sphere inequitable-sphere-sphere just-sphere-sphere unjust-sphere-sphere inclusive-sphere-sphere exclusive-sphere-sphere diverse-sphere-sphere homogeneous-sphere-sphere complex-sphere-sphere simple-sphere-sphere dynamic-sphere-sphere static-sphere-sphere stable-sphere-sphere unstable-sphere-sphere predictable-sphere-sphere unpredictable-sphere-sphere controllable-sphere-sphere uncontrollable-sphere-sphere manageable-sphere-sphere unmanageable-sphere-sphere governable-sphere-sphere ungovernable-sphere-sphere navigable-sphere-sphere unnavigable-sphere-sphere traversable-sphere-sphere untraversable-sphere-sphere permeable-sphere-sphere impermeable-sphere-sphere porous-sphere-sphere non-porous-sphere-sphere transparent-sphere-sphere opaque-sphere-sphere visible-sphere-sphere invisible-sphere-sphere tangible-sphere-sphere intangible-sphere-sphere material-sphere-sphere immaterial-sphere-sphere physical-sphere-sphere metaphysical-sphere-sphere empirical-sphere-sphere theoretical-sphere-sphere practical-sphere-sphere applied-sphere-sphere pure-sphere-sphere basic-sphere-sphere strategic-sphere-sphere tactical-sphere-sphere operational-sphere-sphere foundational-sphere-sphere superstructural-sphere-sphere infrastructural-sphere-sphere structural-sphere-sphere functional-sphere-sphere procedural-sphere-sphere behavioral-sphere-sphere attitudinal-sphere-sphere cultural-sphere-sphere social-sphere-sphere economic-sphere-sphere political-sphere-sphere environmental-sphere-sphere technological-sphere-sphere institutional-sphere-sphere organizational-sphere-sphere individual-sphere-sphere collective-sphere-sphere community-sphere-sphere societal-sphere-sphere global-sphere-sphere local-sphere-sphere national-sphere-sphere regional-sphere-sphere landscape-sphere-sphere seascape-sphere-sphere waterscape-sphere-sphere airscape-sphere-sphere biosphere-sphere-sphere noosphere-sphere-sphere technosphere-sphere-sphere sociosphere-sphere-sphere ecosphere-sphere-sphere hydrosphere-sphere-sphere atmosphere-sphere-sphere lithosphere-sphere-sphere pedosphere-sphere-sphere cryosphere-sphere-sphere anthroposphere-sphere-sphere urban-sphere-sphere-sphere rural-sphere-sphere-sphere agricultural-sphere-sphere-sphere natural-sphere-sphere-sphere managed-sphere-sphere-sphere protected-sphere-sphere-sphere restored-sphere-sphere-sphere degraded-sphere-sphere-sphere transformed-sphere-sphere-sphere connected-sphere-sphere-sphere disconnected-sphere-sphere-sphere integrated-sphere-sphere-sphere fragmented-sphere-sphere-sphere resilient-sphere-sphere-sphere vulnerable-sphere-sphere-sphere adaptive-sphere-sphere-sphere maladaptive-sphere-sphere-sphere sustainable-sphere-sphere-sphere unsustainable-sphere-sphere-sphere equitable-sphere-sphere-sphere inequitable-sphere-sphere-sphere just-sphere-sphere-sphere unjust-sphere-sphere-sphere inclusive-sphere-sphere-sphere exclusive-sphere-sphere-sphere diverse-sphere-sphere-sphere homogeneous-sphere-sphere-sphere complex-sphere-sphere-sphere simple-sphere-sphere-sphere dynamic-sphere-sphere-sphere static-sphere-sphere-sphere stable-sphere-sphere-sphere unstable-sphere-sphere-sphere predictable-sphere-sphere-sphere unpredictable-sphere-sphere-sphere controllable-sphere-sphere-sphere uncontrollable-sphere-sphere-sphere manageable-sphere-sphere-sphere unmanageable-sphere-sphere-sphere governable-sphere-sphere-sphere ungovernable-sphere-sphere-sphere navigable-sphere-sphere-sphere unnavigable-sphere-sphere-sphere traversable-sphere-sphere-sphere untraversable-sphere-sphere-sphere permeable-sphere-sphere-sphere impermeable-sphere-sphere-sphere porous-sphere-sphere-sphere non-porous-sphere-sphere-sphere transparent-sphere-sphere-sphere opaque-sphere-sphere-sphere visible-sphere-sphere-sphere invisible-sphere-sphere-sphere tangible-sphere-sphere-sphere intangible-sphere-sphere-sphere material-sphere-sphere-sphere immaterial-sphere-sphere-sphere physical-sphere-sphere-sphere metaphysical-sphere-sphere-sphere empirical-sphere-sphere-sphere theoretical-sphere-sphere-sphere practical-sphere-sphere-sphere applied-sphere-sphere-sphere pure-sphere-sphere-sphere basic-sphere-sphere-sphere strategic-sphere-sphere-sphere tactical-sphere-sphere-sphere operational-sphere-sphere-sphere foundational-sphere-sphere-sphere superstructural-sphere-sphere-sphere infrastructural-sphere-sphere-sphere structural-sphere-sphere-sphere functional-sphere-sphere-sphere procedural-sphere-sphere-sphere behavioral-sphere-sphere-sphere attitudinal-sphere-sphere-sphere cultural-sphere-sphere-sphere social-sphere-sphere-sphere economic-sphere-sphere-sphere political-sphere-sphere-sphere environmental-sphere-sphere-sphere technological-sphere-sphere-sphere institutional-sphere-sphere-sphere organizational-sphere-sphere-sphere individual-sphere-sphere-sphere collective-sphere-sphere-sphere community-sphere-sphere-sphere societal-sphere-sphere-sphere global-sphere-sphere-sphere local-sphere-sphere-sphere national-sphere-sphere-sphere regional-sphere-sphere-sphere landscape-sphere-sphere-sphere seascape-sphere-sphere-sphere waterscape-sphere-sphere-sphere airscape-sphere-sphere-sphere biosphere-sphere-sphere-sphere noosphere-sphere-sphere-sphere technosphere-sphere-sphere-sphere sociosphere-sphere-sphere-sphere ecosphere-sphere-sphere-sphere hydrosphere-sphere-sphere-sphere atmosphere-sphere-sphere-sphere lithosphere-sphere-sphere-sphere pedosphere-sphere-sphere-sphere cryosphere-sphere-sphere-sphere anthroposphere-sphere-sphere-sphere
Buthidae
fat-tailed scorpions, bark scorpions, arrowbreasted scorpions
Buthidae is the largest family of scorpions, containing approximately 100 genera and 1300 species as of 2025. Members are typically mid-sized to small, with weak, slender pedipalps and characteristically thickened tails. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution throughout tropical and subtropical environments worldwide. Buthidae includes nearly all medically significant scorpion species, with venoms containing potent neurotoxins that affect ion channels.
scorpions arachnids venomous medically-important nocturnal predators tropical subtropical
Cecidomyiinae
gall midges, gall gnats
Cecidomyiinae is the largest subfamily in Cecidomyiidae, comprising over 600 genera and more than 5,000 described species. The subfamily exhibits remarkable ecological diversity: approximately 75% of species are herbivorous, many inducing galls on plants, while others are fungivores, predators, or parasitoids. Gall-inducing species attack a wide diversity of host plants worldwide and represent the most ecologically diverse gall-inducing group of organisms. Members can be distinguished from other Cecidomyiidae by characters of the male genitalia, antennal segment number, and larval abdominal bristles.
gall-midges gall-gnats Cecidomyiidae Diptera plant-galls biological-control agricultural-pests pollinators parasitoids predators fungivores herbivores worldwide-distribution
Dolichovespula
Aerial Yellowjackets, yellowjackets
Dolichovespula is a genus of social wasps in the family Vespidae, commonly known as aerial yellowjackets. These wasps build exposed paper nests in trees, shrubs, or under building overhangs rather than underground. The genus includes approximately 20 species distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, with notable members including the baldfaced hornet (D. maculata) and the aerial yellowjacket (D. arenaria). Some species, such as D. arctica, are social parasites that lack a worker caste and infiltrate nests of other Dolichovespula species to exploit their workforce.
social-wasps yellowjackets aerial-nesters Vespidae predators social-parasites annual-colonies paper-nest-builders Northern-Hemisphere
Ecitonini
army ants
Ecitonini is a tribe of army ants within the subfamily Dorylinae, comprising highly social, nomadic predators of tropical forests. Colonies contain hundreds of thousands to over a million workers that conduct coordinated raids to capture arthropod prey. The tribe exhibits a distinctive two-phase colony cycle alternating between nomadic and stationary periods. Soldiers possess enlarged, sickle-shaped mandibles specialized for defense and prey handling rather than feeding.
army-ants nomadic-ants social-insects predators Neotropical myrmecophile-hosts
Erigoninae
dwarf spiders, money spiders
Erigoninae is the largest subfamily of Linyphiidae (sheet-web weavers), itself the second largest spider family. These minute spiders are commonly called dwarf spiders in the United States and money spiders in England. The subfamily contains over 2,000 described species, making it the most numerous group within the sheet-web weavers. Many species inhabit leaf litter and construct small sheet webs, while others occupy diverse terrestrial habitats from coastal dunes to alpine timberlines.
spiders arachnids ballooning sheet-web-weavers dwarf-spiders Linyphiidae microarthropods predators leaf-litter-fauna temperate-spiders
Erythraeoidea
Long-legged Velvet Mites
Erythraeoidea is a superfamily of mites commonly known as long-legged velvet mites, characterized by extremely elongated legs relative to body size. Members exhibit a complex life cycle involving distinct morphological and behavioral phases: post-larval stages (deutonymph and adult) are active predators, while the six-legged larval stage is parasitic on arthropod and vertebrate hosts. This superfamily belongs to the infraorder Anystina within the order Trombidiformes. The group has a fossil record extending to at least the Cretaceous period, with specimens preserved in amber documenting ancient host-parasite relationships.
mites velvet-mites parasites predators amber-fossils Cretaceous complex-life-cycle heteromorphic-development
Hololeptini
clown beetles
Hololeptini is a tribe of clown beetles (family Histeridae) comprising approximately 6 genera and more than 130 described species. Members are characterized by their compact, often flattened body form and association with decomposing organic matter. The tribe includes the genus Hololepta, which contains some of the largest histerid beetles. Hololeptini was established by Hope in 1840.
Histeridae clown-beetles decomposers predators saprophagous-habitats
Leptogenys
Razorjaw Ants
Leptogenys is the most diverse genus in the ant subfamily Ponerinae, with over 260 described species distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The genus exhibits remarkable morphological and behavioral diversity, ranging from large-eyed epigaeic species that forage above ground to small-eyed cryptobiotic species inhabiting soil and leaf litter. Many species possess distinctive falcate, bowed mandibles and specialize on isopod prey. Most species have ergatoid (worker-like) queens rather than typical winged queens.
ants ponerinae predators swarm-raiders tropical rainforest isopod-specialists nomadic-colonies myrmecophily ergatoid-queens
Libellulidae
skimmers, perchers, chasers, darters, meadowhawks
Libellulidae is the largest family of dragonflies, comprising over 1000 species with nearly worldwide distribution. Members are commonly known as skimmers, perchers, chasers, or darters. The family is characterized by broad, often flattened abdomens and a tendency to perch frequently. Many species display bright colors or banded wings. The family name derives from Latin "libella," meaning a carpenter's level, referencing the insect's ability to remain level when hovering. Larvae have stout bodies with the labium developed into a mask over the lower face. The earliest fossil record dates to the Late Cretaceous (Turonian) of Kazakhstan.
dragonflies odonata anisoptera aquatic-insects predators wetland-indicators widespread-family
Micromus
brown lacewings
Micromus is a genus of small brown lacewings in the family Hemerobiidae, containing over 80 and possibly as many as 170 species. These 4–10 mm insects are distributed worldwide and are important predators of agricultural and horticultural pests. Both larvae and adults are predatory, feeding on soft-bodied insects and mites. Several species, particularly Micromus tasmaniae, have been mass-reared and deployed as biological control agents.
Neuroptera Hemerobiidae lacewings brown-lacewings biological-control predators aphid-predators agricultural-pests integrated-pest-management
Micropezidae
stilt-legged flies
Micropezidae is a family of acalyptrate muscoid flies comprising approximately 500 species in 50 genera and five subfamilies. Commonly called stilt-legged flies, they are distinguished by extraordinarily elongated middle and hind legs, with markedly smaller fore legs. Adults range from 3–16 mm and exhibit remarkable mimicry of ants, wasps, and ichneumonid wasps. The family is most diverse in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly the Neotropics, and is absent from New Zealand and Macquarie Island. Larval biology remains poorly known, with development occurring in decaying vegetation, manure, fungi, and in some species, living plant roots.
stilt-legged-flies mimicry ant-mimicry wasp-mimicry ichneumonid-mimicry acalyptrate Diptera decomposers predators ginger-pest wing-reduction foreleg-waving Neotropical tropical-diversity Baltic-amber-fossils conservation Kerguelen-Islands Albany-pitcher-plant Badisis Mimegralla Micropeza Taeniaptera Grallipeza
Ocypus
Ocypus is a genus of rove beetles in the subfamily Staphylininae, containing approximately 176 described species distributed across the Palearctic, Nearctic, and Oriental regions. The genus includes the well-known Ocypus olens (devil's coach-horse beetle), a large, predatory species with documented potential for biological control of pest snails. Several species have been introduced outside their native ranges, including O. nitens, which has established in North America and shown rapid range expansion. The genus exhibits considerable diversity in China, with numerous species described from Sichuan, Gansu, Yunnan, and other provinces.
rove-beetles Staphylinidae predators biological-control adventive-species soil-fauna litter-fauna China-biodiversity North-America-introduced-species
Pardosa
Thin-legged Wolf Spiders
Pardosa is a large genus of wolf spiders comprising over 500 described species with worldwide distribution except Australia. These spiders are generally small to medium-sized (3–12 mm body length), characterized by long, thin legs with prominent perpendicular spines. They occupy diverse habitats including wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, and high-elevation environments. Many species exhibit sexual dimorphism in coloration, with mature males often displaying distinct patterns from females. Species identification requires microscopic examination of genitalia.
spiders wolf-spiders Lycosidae ground-dwelling predators worldwide-distribution sexual-dimorphism egg-sac-carrying active-hunters riparian generalist-predators cold-hardy high-elevation
Perlodidae
perlodid stoneflies, stripetails, springflies, Stripetail and Springfly Stoneflies
Perlodidae is a family of stoneflies comprising at least 50 genera and over 350 species, with fossil records extending to the Triassic. Adults are commonly known as stripetails or springflies and typically emerge from April to June. The family is characterized by larvae with flattened bodies, patterned heads and thoraces, long tails, and divergent hind wing pads that lack the branching thoracic gills found in similar stonefly families.
stoneflies aquatic-insects stream-insects bioindicators predators spring-emergence egg-diapause drumming-communication
Philonthus
Philonthus is a large genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing over 380 described species. These beetles are generally robust predators found in diverse habitats including decomposing organic matter, carrion, dung, and fungal substrates. The genus has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution with particular diversity in the Palaearctic region. Several species have been documented as rapidly colonizing new habitats and competing with native species.
rove-beetles Staphylinidae predators decomposition carrion fungi dung-beetles forensic-entomology invasive-species genome-sequenced
Polistes
Umbrella Paper Wasps, Umbrella Wasps, Paper Wasps
Polistes is a cosmopolitan genus of social paper wasps and the sole genus in the tribe Polistini. With over 200 recognized species, it is the largest genus in the family Vespidae. These wasps construct distinctive open, single-layered umbrella-shaped nests from wood fibers mixed with saliva, typically suspended by a narrow stalk from protected surfaces. They exhibit complex social behavior including dominance hierarchies, kin recognition through learned chemical cues, and cooperative colony founding. While generally less aggressive than yellowjackets, they will defend nests when provoked.
social-wasps paper-wasps predators pollinators urban-wildlife biocontrol invasive-species eusocial-insects
Pompilinae
spider wasps
Pompilinae is a subfamily of spider wasps (family Pompilidae) comprising approximately 107 genera. Species are solitary wasps that hunt spiders, paralyzing them with venom to serve as food for their larvae. Females excavate burrows or use pre-existing cavities, deposit a single egg on the paralyzed prey, and conceal the nest entrance. The subfamily exhibits considerable diversity in host associations and nesting behaviors across its constituent tribes.
spider-wasps solitary-wasps parasitoids predators Hymenoptera Pompilidae spider-hunters burrowing-wasps
Prostigmata
Prostigs
Prostigmata is a suborder of mites in the order Trombidiformes, comprising the majority of 'sucking' mites within the Acariformes. The group exhibits extraordinary ecological diversity, including plant-feeding pests, vertebrate and invertebrate parasites, predators, and free-living forms in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Notable members include spider mites (Tetranychidae), gall mites (Eriophyidae), harvest mites (Trombiculidae), and Demodex mites. The suborder is taxonomically complex, currently divided into four infraorders: Anystina, Eleutherengona, Eupodina, and Labidostommatina.
mites Acari Trombidiformes agricultural-pests parasites predators aquatic-mites medical-entomology
Rhadalidae
Rhadalidae is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Cleroidea, elevated from subfamily status within Melyridae. Adults are predators or pollen-feeders, while larvae are likely carnivorous. The family has a worldwide distribution excluding Australasia, with documented diversity in Mediterranean regions including Cyprus and Romania.
beetles Coleoptera Cleroidea Melyridae-former-subfamily predators pollen-feeders Mediterranean marine-dunes
Saprinus
clown beetles
Saprinus is a genus of clown beetles in the family Histeridae, containing more than 200 described species. Members are found on every continent except Antarctica. The genus includes species associated with carrion, dung, and other decaying organic matter, where they function as predators of other small insects. Some species have specialized associations with ants or termites.
Histeridae Saprininae clown-beetles carrion-beetles predators decomposition forensic-entomology myrmecophilous termitophilous
Staphylinidae
Rove beetles
Staphylinidae, the rove beetles, is the largest extant family of beetles with approximately 63,000 described species across thousands of genera. Members are distinguished by abbreviated elytra that expose most of the abdomen, giving them a characteristic elongated, flexible appearance. The family is ancient, with fossil records dating to the Triassic period approximately 200 million years ago. Ecological roles within the family are diverse, encompassing predation, fungivory, myrmecophily, and saprophagy.
Coleoptera rove-beetles predators decomposers myrmecophiles forensic-entomology biological-control ancient-lineage diverse-ecology
Stenus
rove beetles, water-gliding rove beetles
Stenus is a genus of semiaquatic rove beetles comprising approximately 3100 described species, making it one of the largest genera in the animal kingdom. These beetles are specialist predators of small arthropods, particularly Collembola. They possess distinctive adaptations including a protrusible adhesive labium for prey capture and pygidial gland secretions that enable rapid water surface locomotion via the Marangoni effect. The genus occurs worldwide across diverse habitats from aquatic margins to terrestrial leaf litter.
rove-beetles semiaquatic predators Collembola water-gliding Marangoni-effect protrusible-labium Staphylinidae
Stigmaeidae
Stigmaeidae is the largest family in the superfamily Raphignathoidea, comprising over 600 species of prostigmatan mites with worldwide distribution. The family exhibits diverse ecological strategies, with over a third of species being free-living predators on plant foliage, while others inhabit soil, leaf litter, freshwater surfaces, or act as parasites. Members possess distinctive morphological features including a prodorsum lacking transversal grooves or sacs, separate suranal and aggenital shields, and stout palps with prominent tibial claws. Several species have been investigated for biological control of agricultural pest mites.
mites predators biological-control prostigmata raphignathoidea
Trombidioidea
velvet mites
Trombidioidea is a superfamily of mites in the order Trombidiformes, commonly known as velvet mites. It comprises approximately 8 families and at least 430 described species, including the familiar true velvet mites (Trombidiidae) and chiggers (Trombiculidae). Members exhibit complex life cycles with dramatic morphological and ecological shifts between instars. The superfamily is characterized by large, often brightly colored adults and minute, parasitic larvae.
mites velvet-mites chiggers parasites predators soil-fauna biological-control medical-importance
Uropodina
Uropodina is an infraorder of mites in the order Mesostigmata, characterized by morphologically variable forms with fused sternal and ventral shields, short legs with reduced setae, and stigmata positioned between the second and third leg pairs. Most species inhabit soil, forest litter, and decaying organic matter, where they function primarily as predators of small invertebrates. Many species exhibit phoresy during the deutonymph stage, attaching to insects and other arthropods for dispersal using a secreted elastic pedicel. Reproduction is predominantly sexual, though parthenogenesis occurs in some species with males rare or absent.
mites Mesostigmata soil-fauna phoresy predators parthenogenesis dead-wood ant-associates