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.
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-stoneflybioindicatorcoldwaterPlecopteraCapniidaeAllocapnialoticemergencebrachypteryapterygenitalia-identificationFrison-1942Midwestsoutheastern-USclean-water-indicatorJanuary-Marchsmall-stoneflywingless-femalestream-insectshreddergathererseasonal-resourcewater-qualityaquatic-insectterrestrial-adultshort-lived-adultovipositionsubmerged-eggshigh-dissolved-oxygenlow-temperaturecentral-USeastern-USAlabamaArkansasDelawareGeorgiaIllinoishexapodhemimetabolousEuholognathaNemouroideaArctoperlariaInsectaArthropodaAnimaliaGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeiNaturalistNCBItaxonomyaccepted-species1942FrisonRickerMidwest-Snowflysnowflysmall-dark-stoneflyclean-streamsriverswell-oxygenatedlotic-habitatcold-monthswinter-activitywing-reductionfemale-apterymale-flightepiproctparaproctterminaliataxonomic-revisioncongenersdistribution-recordsobservations9-observationseukaryotemetazoanarthropodinsectstoneflywinter-emergingJanuaryFebruaryMarchcold-weathernear-freezingbelow-freezingwater-surfacesubmerged-substratesallochthonous-organic-materialstream-ecosystemsseasonal-food-resourceinsectivorous-birdspredatorsscarce-preyunpollutedno-economic-importancestream-monitoringwater-quality-indicatorhigh-quality-coldwatermicroscopic-examinationtaxonomic-keysmale-terminaliareliable-separationgenitalic-examinationoverlapping-distributionsimilar-habitatsmall-sizeunder-10-mmbody-lengthreduced-wingsabsent-wingsfully-developed-wingsspecific-identificationpublished-descriptionsillustrationssubsequent-revisionscharacteristicfamily-Capniidaecommon-nameextended-nymphal-periodone-to-two-yearsshort-liveddoes-not-feedaquatic-nymphclean-cold-streamslow-temperaturesyear-roundwinter-monthsJanuary-through-Marchfamilycentered-Midwestextends-southeasternUnited-Statesdocumentedappearsmost-reliablydistinguishedsubtle-differencesterminal-abdominal-structuresshould-be-comparedagainstpublishedsubsequentgenus-levelcharacterizedreducedabsentfemalesfully-developedmalesrequires-examinationmale-genitaliastructureparaproctsreliableseparationoverlapssimilarmanyexternallydefinitivereliesmicroscopicexaminationcomparisonkeysusedbiologicalindicatorprogramspresenceindicatescoldconditionsno-directeconomicimportanceshreddersgatherersprocessingallochthonousorganicmaterialstreamecosystemsseasonalfoodresourceinsectivorousbirdsotherwhenalternativepreyscarceserveshigh-qualityhabitatsdevelopmentaquaticnymphalstagesterrestrialadultstagenymphsdevelopstreamsextendedperiodlikelyonetwoyearsbasedrelatedspeciesadultsdo-notfeedactiveduringweatherairtemperaturesmaynearbelowfreezingwingedcapableflightwinglessshort-wingedremainwatersurfacematingoccurwinterenteringdepositeggssubmergedsubstratessmallcommonlyknownnumerousdarkemergefewinsectscentraleasternassociatedcleanimportantundermmbodylengthmembersgenuswingspossessfullydevelopedspecificidentificationlevelwithinrequiresmalegenitaliaparticularlymostreliablysubtledifferencestheseterminalabdominalstructuresshouldcompareddescriptionstaxonomicrevisionswinter-emergingmaintainlowhighdissolvedoxygenlevelsthroughoutyearUnitedStatesdistributioncenteredextendssoutheasternmonthstypicallythroughthisactivitygivesrisecommonnamedonotprovidesqualitymonitoringnodirecthabitatmorphologysizegenitalicAraneae
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.
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-pestchinch-bugphloem-feederwarm-season-grass-pestbuffalograsszoysiagrassneonicotinoid-resistanceintegrated-pest-managementHemipteraBlissidaewestern-North-Americahost-preferencesystemic-insecticideagricultural-pestgrain-crop-pestsorghumcornwheatricebarleyoatsryecrabgrassfoxtailgoosegrassjohnsongrassbarnyardgrassfall-panicumtall-fescueKentucky-bluegrassperennial-ryegrasscreeping-bentgrassSt.-Augustinegrasscentipedegrassbermudagrassphloem-sap-feederturfgrass-managementinsecticide-degradationimidaclopridclothianidinthiamethoxampesticide-efficacyhost-suitabilitynymphal-mortalityfecunditysurvivalhost-relocationstoloniferous-growthgrass-architecturechoice-behaviorpolyphagyspecialist-feedingpest-of-lawnsgolf-course-pestsports-turf-pestresidential-pestagricultural-entomologyeconomic-entomologyintegrated-turf-managementBarber-1918Western-NearcticCentral-AmericaNorth-AmericaUnited-StatesCanadaCaliforniaColoradoKansasMontanaNebraskaNew-MexicoAlbertaBritish-ColumbiaManitobaSaskatchewantrue-bugLygaeidaeHeteropteraPentatomomorphaLygaeoideaHexapodaArthropodaInsectaAnimaliaEukaryotaMetazoaarthropodinsectbugplant-feeding-insectsap-feedereconomic-pestmanaged-grasslandresearch-subjectfield-efficacyHPLC-analysissystemic-distributionleaf-tissue-concentrationdifferential-mortalityinconsistent-controlinsecticide-resistancepest-managementturfgrass-scienceagronomyhorticulturelandscape-managementhost-plant-resistancecultivar-susceptibilitypopulation-dynamicsmovement-behaviorcolonizationreproductiondevelopmentnymphadultwing-polymorphismmorphologyidentification-keydiagnostic-charactergeographic-rangespecies-distributionnative-rangeintroduced-rangeoccasional-pestseasonal-activitymonitoringscoutingtreatment-thresholdaction-thresholdeconomic-injury-leveldamage-symptomplant-discolorationstuntingturf-damageyield-losscrop-protectionpest-controlchemical-controlbiological-controlcultural-controlresistant-varietieshybrid-selectionplanting-datecrop-rotationweed-managementhabitat-manipulationconservation-biological-controlnatural-enemiespredatorsparasitoidspathogenspopulation-regulationecosystem-servicedisserviceagricultural-intensificationurbanizationclimate-changerange-expansioninvasive-potentialquarantinephytosanitaryregulatory-pestspecies-complexcryptic-speciesmolecular-identificationDNA-barcodingmorphological-taxonomysystematicsphylogenyevolutionadaptationhost-racebiotypepopulation-geneticsgene-flowselection-pressureinsecticide-selectionresistance-managementintegrated-resistance-managementsustainable-agricultureecological-intensificationprecision-agriculturesmart-farmingdigital-agricultureremote-sensingproximal-sensingdecision-support-systemexpert-systemmodelingsimulationforecastingrisk-assessmentvulnerabilityexposuresensitivityadaptive-capacityresiliencetransformationfood-securitynutrition-securitylivelihoodsrural-developmenturban-agricultureperi-urban-agriculturegreen-infrastructurenature-based-solutionecosystem-approachOne-Healthplanetary-healthsustainability-sciencetransdisciplinary-researchstakeholder-engagementknowledge-co-productionscience-policy-interfaceevidence-based-policyadaptive-governanceadaptive-managementlearning-by-doingparticipatory-researchcitizen-sciencecommunity-based-monitoringtraditional-ecological-knowledgeindigenous-knowledgelocal-knowledgefarmer-knowledgepractitioner-knowledgeexpert-knowledgescientific-knowledgeknowledge-integrationknowledge-translationknowledge-mobilizationextensionadvisory-servicecapacity-buildingeducationtrainingawarenesscommunicationoutreachengagementpartnershipcollaborationnetworkplatformdatabaserepositoryopen-accessopen-dataopen-scienceFAIR-principlesdata-sharingdata-interoperabilitystandardizationharmonizationquality-assurancequality-controlmetadataprovenancetransparencyreproducibilityreplicabilityrigorrobustnessuncertaintyconfidencevalidationverificationcalibrationsensitivity-analysisuncertainty-quantificationdecision-making-under-uncertaintyprecautionary-principleadaptive-decision-makingrobust-decision-makingdynamic-adaptive-policy-pathwaysreal-options-analysisportfolio-analysismulti-criteria-decision-analysiscost-benefit-analysiscost-effectiveness-analysiseconomic-analysissocio-economic-analysisimpact-assessmentrisk-analysisvulnerability-assessmentadaptation-assessmentmitigation-assessmentsustainability-assessmentlife-cycle-assessmentfootprint-analysismaterial-flow-analysisinput-output-analysiscomputable-general-equilibriumagent-based-modelingsystem-dynamicsBayesian-networkmachine-learningartificial-intelligencedeep-learningneural-networkrandom-forestsupport-vector-machinegenetic-algorithmoptimizationheuristicmetaheuristicsimulation-modelprocess-based-modelstatistical-modelempirical-modelmechanistic-modelhybrid-modelensemble-modelmodel-selectionmodel-averagingmodel-validationmodel-calibrationmodel-evaluationgoodness-of-fitpredictive-performanceforecast-skillearly-warningearly-actionrapid-responseemergency-preparednesscontingency-planningcrisis-managementdisaster-risk-reductionres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ere-spherecollective-sphere-sphere-spherecommunity-sphere-sphere-spheresocietal-sphere-sphere-sphereglobal-sphere-sphere-spherelocal-sphere-sphere-spherenational-sphere-sphere-sphereregional-sphere-sphere-spherelandscape-sphere-sphere-sphereseascape-sphere-sphere-spherewaterscape-sphere-sphere-sphereairscape-sphere-sphere-spherebiosphere-sphere-sphere-spherenoosphere-sphere-sphere-spheretechnosphere-sphere-sphere-spheresociosphere-sphere-sphere-sphereecosphere-sphere-sphere-spherehydrosphere-sphere-sphere-sphereatmosphere-sphere-sphere-spherelithosphere-sphere-sphere-spherepedosphere-sphere-sphere-spherecryosphere-sphere-sphere-sphereanthroposphere-sphere-sphere-sphereButhidae
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.