Predatory-beetle
Guides
Ellipsoptera nevadica nevadica
Nevada Tiger Beetle
The Nevada Tiger Beetle is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae (subfamily Cicindelinae). It is distributed across western North America including Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Adults are active predators that hunt in open, sandy habitats. The nominate subspecies is closely related to the endangered Salt Creek Tiger Beetle (E. n. lincolniana), which has been studied extensively for conservation purposes.
Ellipsoptera nevadica playa
Ellipsoptera nevadica playa is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Cicindelidae. The species E. nevadica, known as the Nevada tiger beetle, comprises several subspecies distributed across western and central North America. The subspecies epithet 'playa' refers to its association with playa lake habitats—ephemeral alkaline wetlands in arid regions. Tiger beetles in this genus are fast-running, visually oriented predators.
Elytroleptus
Elytroleptus is a genus of longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae) comprising 15 species distributed across the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America, with one species (E. floridanus) extending into the eastern United States. The genus is notable for containing lycid beetle mimics, with three species—E. apicalis, E. ignitus, and E. limpianus—documented as predaceous on their own lycid models, representing a rare case of aggressive mimicry in beetles. A taxonomic revision in 2013 clarified species boundaries and described one new species while synonymizing three others.
Enoclerus lunatus
Enoclerus lunatus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. The species is distributed across North America. As a member of the genus Enoclerus—the largest genus of Cleridae in North America north of Mexico with 32 species—E. lunatus shares the family characteristic of being a predator of woodboring beetles rather than a woodborer itself. Specific details regarding its appearance, habitat preferences, and prey associations remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Enoclerus muttkowskii
Enoclerus muttkowskii is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, found in North America. The genus Enoclerus is the largest in the family Cleridae in North America north of Mexico, with 32 species. Species in this genus are generally brightly colored and boldly patterned, with many exhibiting coloration that may serve aposematic or mimetic functions. Checkered beetles in the family Cleridae are predators of woodboring beetles, particularly bark beetles in the weevil subfamily Scolytinae.
Enoclerus nigripes rufiventris
Redbellied clerid
Enoclerus nigripes rufiventris is a subspecies of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, commonly known as the redbellied clerid. It belongs to a genus of predatory beetles that feed on other insects. The subspecific epithet 'rufiventris' refers to the reddish coloration of the abdomen or ventral surface. It occurs in parts of North America and Middle America.
Enoclerus ocreatus
Enoclerus ocreatus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It occurs in North America. The genus Enoclerus is the largest in the family Cleridae in North America north of Mexico, with 32 species.
Enoclerus viduus
Enoclerus viduus is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, distributed across Central America and North America. The genus Enoclerus is the largest genus within Cleridae, comprising predatory beetles often associated with wood-boring insects. This species was described by Klug in 1842. Available records are limited, with 26 observations documented on iNaturalist.
Eunota circumpicta johnsonii
Johnson's Tiger Beetle
Eunota circumpicta johnsonii, commonly known as Johnson's Tiger Beetle, is a subspecies of tiger beetle in the family Carabidae (subfamily Cicindelinae). It is a saline habitat specialist found in the central and southern Great Plains of North America. The species is active during summer months and exhibits habitat partitioning with co-occurring tiger beetle species through temporal and microhabitat segregation. It has been observed in alkaline lake margins, saline flats, and salt-encrusted soils, often alongside other saline-adapted tiger beetles.
Eunota praetextata
Riparian Tiger Beetle
Eunota praetextata is a tiger beetle species in the family Cicindelidae, originally described by LeConte in 1854. It is known by the common name Riparian Tiger Beetle, reflecting its association with riparian habitats. The genus Eunota was established to accommodate several tiger beetle species formerly placed in Cicindela, distinguished by morphological and ecological characteristics. This species represents part of the diverse tiger beetle fauna of North American riparian systems.
Gabrius brevipennis
Gabrius brevipennis is a rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Horn in 1884. Originally placed in the genus Philonthus, it was later transferred to Gabrius. The species is broadly distributed across northern North America, occurring in Canada from British Columbia to Newfoundland and in the northern United States from Washington to New England. Like other members of the tribe Philonthina, it is likely a predatory beetle associated with decaying organic matter and soil habitats. The specific epithet "brevipennis" refers to its relatively short elytra, a characteristic feature of many rove beetles.
Gabrius micropthalmus
Gabrius micropthalmus is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, tribe Staphylinini. The species epithet 'micropthalmus' refers to its characteristically reduced eyes. It belongs to a genus of predatory rove beetles found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. The species is known from limited records and is not well studied.
Gabrius vindex
Gabrius vindex is a species of rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) described by Smetana in 1995. It belongs to the subfamily Staphylininae, tribe Staphylinini, and subtribe Philonthina. The species is known from parts of North America including Canada and the northern United States. As a member of the large and diverse Staphylinidae family, it likely shares the general characteristics of predatory rove beetles, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Gnathoweisea texana
Gnathoweisea texana is a species of lady beetle (Coccinellidae) described by Gordon in 1985. It is native to North America, with the specific epithet suggesting a connection to Texas. Like other members of its family, it is likely a small, predatory beetle, though detailed ecological studies appear limited.
Gyrohypnus
Gyrohypnus is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, described by William Elford Leach in 1819. The genus contains approximately 35 recognized species with a cosmopolitan distribution. Members belong to the tribe Xantholinini within the subfamily Staphylininae. These beetles are small to medium-sized predatory insects commonly found in soil and leaf litter habitats.
Habroscelimorpha dorsalis saulcyi
Saulcy's Beach Tiger Beetle
Habroscelimorpha dorsalis saulcyi is a subspecies of beach tiger beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Saulcy's Beach Tiger Beetle. It is part of a species complex associated with coastal sandy habitats. The subspecies is distributed across parts of the southern United States, Mexico, and Cuba. Like other members of the genus Habroscelimorpha, it is adapted to open, sandy environments where it hunts small invertebrate prey.
Harpalus fuscipalpis
Harpalus fuscipalpis is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Harpalinae, described by Sturm in 1818. It belongs to the genus Harpalus, one of the largest genera of ground beetles. The species has a Holarctic distribution, with records from Alaska, Armenia, Austria, and Azerbaijan. As a member of the Carabidae family, it is likely a predatory beetle, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Hesperus stehri
Hesperus stehri is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Moore in 1958. It belongs to the subtribe Philonthina within the tribe Staphylinini. The species has been documented across multiple states in the eastern and central United States. Like other members of the genus Hesperus, it is a predatory beetle, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in the available literature.
Hippodamia quinquesignata quinquesignata
Five-spot lady beetle, Five-spotted lady beetle
Hippodamia quinquesignata quinquesignata is a subspecies of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is native to North America, with records from Vermont and Hawaii. As a member of the genus Hippodamia, it shares characteristics with other species in this group, including predatory habits. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader species H. quinquesignata.
Hister indistinctus
clown beetle
Hister indistinctus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Thomas Say in 1825. It is found in North America, with distribution records spanning much of the eastern and central United States. As a member of the Histeridae, it likely exhibits the family's characteristic predatory behavior, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species name 'indistinctus' suggests it may be challenging to distinguish from related species.
Hister sarcinatus
clown beetle
Hister sarcinatus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Lewis in 1898. The species belongs to the genus Hister, one of the most diverse genera within this family of predatory beetles. It is distributed across parts of North America and Central America. Like other hister beetles, it is likely predatory, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Homaeotarsus badius
Homaeotarsus badius is a rove beetle (family Staphylinidae) described by Gravenhorst in 1802. It is recorded from eastern North America, with distribution records spanning Canada (Ontario, Quebec) and the eastern and central United States. As a member of the subfamily Paederinae, it belongs to a diverse group of predatory beetles commonly found in soil and leaf litter habitats.
Hydrocolus
Hydrocolus is a genus of small predaceous diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae, subfamily Hydroporinae. The genus was erected in 2000 to accommodate several species previously placed in related genera, particularly Hydroporus. It contains approximately twelve described species distributed primarily in North America, with some species known from northern Europe. Species are associated with lentic and lotic freshwater habitats.
Hygrotus dissimilis
Hygrotus dissimilis is a species of diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae, subfamily Hydroporinae. It was described by Gemminger and Harold in 1868. The species is placed in the genus Hygrotus, a group of small to medium-sized predatory beetles associated with aquatic habitats. As with many diving beetles, specific ecological and behavioral details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Hygrotus falli
Hygrotus falli is a diving beetle species in the family Dytiscidae, originally described by Wallis in 1924 under the basionym Coelambus falli. The species belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized predatory diving beetles commonly found in freshwater habitats. As with other members of Dytiscidae, it is likely adapted to aquatic life with modified hind legs for swimming, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Hyperaspis gemina
twin-spotted lady beetle
Hyperaspis gemina is a small lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae, commonly known as the twin-spotted lady beetle. The species is native to eastern North America, with confirmed records from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Adults are characterized by their small size, yellow head, and distinctive elytral pattern featuring two yellow spots. Like other members of the genus Hyperaspis, this species is predatory and associated with scale insects.
Hyperaspis troglodytes
troglodyte lady beetle
Hyperaspis troglodytes, known as the troglodyte lady beetle, is a small North American species in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure 2.0-2.75 mm in length. The species is distinguished from similar Hyperaspis by the widely separated basal spots on the elytra. It has been recorded from six U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.
Hyperaspis undulata
undulate lady beetle, Undulate Sigil Lady Beetle
Hyperaspis undulata is a small North American lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. Adults measure 1.80–2.75 mm in length. The elytra are black with a distinctive lateral vitta (stripe). The species is distributed across much of North America, with records from Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba) and numerous U.S. states including Connecticut, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Hypocaccus nr-bigener
Hypocaccus nr-bigener is a hister beetle (family Histeridae) identified as near 'bigener' but not formally described or confirmed as matching the original species description. The 'nr' designation indicates morphological similarity to H. bigener without taxonomic certainty. Hister beetles in this genus are generally small, compact predators associated with decaying organic matter. This taxon is known from limited specimen records and lacks formal species-level documentation.
Isohydnocera pusilla
Isohydnocera pusilla is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It is a small-bodied member of the genus Isohydnocera, which belongs to the tribe Hydnocerini. The species was described by Schaeffer in 1909 and is known from North America. Members of this genus are predatory beetles associated with wood-boring insects.
Isohydnocera tabida
checkered beetle
Isohydnocera tabida is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Canada (Manitoba, Ontario, Québec) and the United States. As a member of the Cleridae, it likely functions as a predator of other insects, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species was first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1849.
Lathrobium hardeni
Lathrobium hardeni is a species of rove beetle (Staphylinidae) described in 2024 by Haberski and Caterino. The species belongs to the genus Lathrobium, a diverse group of small to medium-sized rove beetles. As a recently described species, detailed ecological and biological information remains limited. Rove beetles in this genus are generally ground-dwelling predators found in various terrestrial habitats.
Lathrobium sparsellum
Lathrobium sparsellum is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, described by Casey in 1905. It belongs to the large genus Lathrobium, which contains numerous small to medium-sized predatory beetles. The species is known from northeastern North America, with records from Canada and the northern United States. Like other members of its genus, it likely inhabits moist ground-level habitats where it preys on small invertebrates.
Lebia cf-scapula
Lebia cf-scapula is a small ground beetle in the family Carabidae, subfamily Lebiinae. The genus Lebia comprises colorful foliage ground beetles, many of which exhibit bright metallic coloration on their elytra. These beetles are relatively small in stature but visually conspicuous due to their reflective wing covers. They are nocturnal and frequently attracted to artificial light sources.
Lebia moesta
Lebia moesta is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1850. It is found in North America, with records from both the United States and Canada. Like other members of the genus Lebia, this species is part of a diverse group of small to medium-sized predatory beetles commonly known as colorful foliage ground beetles. The genus Lebia is characterized by often bright metallic coloration on the elytra, though specific details for L. moesta remain limited in the available literature.
Lebia subdola
Lebia subdola is a small, colorful foliage ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Madge in 1967. Like other members of the genus Lebia, it exhibits bright metallic coloration on its wing covers. The species is recorded from the United States and is part of the diverse North American fauna of this predatory beetle genus. Specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in available literature.
Lionepha casta
Lionepha casta is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It was described by Casey in 1918 and is found in North America, with records from Alaska, Canada, and the contiguous United States. The species belongs to the tribe Bembidiini within the subfamily Trechinae. As a ground beetle, it is likely predatory, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Madoniella dislocata
checkered beetle
Madoniella dislocata is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by Thomas Say in 1825. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Canada including Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Like other members of Cleridae, it is predatory. The species has been documented through 137 iNaturalist observations.
Margarinotus egregius
clown beetle
Margarinotus egregius is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Casey in 1916. It is a small predatory beetle found in northeastern North America. Like other histerid beetles, it likely inhabits decaying organic matter where it preys on insect larvae. The species appears to be relatively uncommon, with limited observational records.
Medon rufipenne
Medon rufipenne is a species of rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. It belongs to the tribe Medonini, a group of small to medium-sized predatory beetles. The species epithet 'rufipenne' refers to the reddish coloration of the elytra. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with moist ground-level habitats where it preys on small invertebrates.
Megacephalini
Big-headed Tiger Beetles
Megacephalini is a tribe of tiger beetles (family Cicindelidae) characterized by notably enlarged heads relative to body size. The tribe includes approximately seven described species across at least two genera, with Megacephala and Tetracha being the most prominent. Members are distributed across the Americas, with some species showing strong habitat specialization for saline or alkaline environments. The taxonomy of this group has undergone recent revision, with former subgenera of Tetracha elevated to generic status.
Merohister arboricavi
clown beetle
Merohister arboricavi is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Wenzel in 1992. It belongs to the genus Merohister, a group of small predatory beetles. The species is known from limited collection records in the southeastern and midwestern United States.
Mochtherus tetraspilotus
Mochtherus tetraspilotus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, first described by W.S. MacLeay in 1825. The species has a broad distribution spanning multiple continents including Australia, Asia, and North America. It belongs to the subfamily Lebiinae, a group often associated with arboreal or ground-dwelling predatory habits. The specific epithet "tetraspilotus" refers to four spots or markings.
Monophylla pallipes
Monophylla pallipes is a species of checkered beetle in the family Cleridae, first described by Schaeffer in 1908. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. As a member of the Cleridae family, it belongs to a group commonly known as checkered beetles, which are typically predatory. Specific ecological details about this species remain limited in available sources.
Myzia pullata
Streaked Lady Beetle
Myzia pullata, commonly known as the streaked lady beetle, is a species of lady beetle in the family Coccinellidae. It is native to North America with a broad geographic range extending from Labrador to South Carolina and westward to Alberta and Colorado. Adults are relatively large for the family, measuring 6.5–8 mm in length, and display distinctive pale brownish-yellow coloration with dark brown markings on the pronotum.
Nectoboreus
Nectoboreus is a genus of diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae, subfamily Hydroporinae. The genus was described in 2018 by Fery and Ribera based on species previously assigned to other genera, particularly within the Deronectina subtribe. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized predatory aquatic beetles. As a recently established genus, its species-level taxonomy and biology remain under investigation.
Nephus atramentarius
dusky lady beetle
Nephus atramentarius is a small lady beetle species in the family Coccinellidae. It was originally described as Scymnobius atramentarius by Boheman in 1859. The species is found in North America. It belongs to the genus Nephus, which contains minute lady beetles often associated with scale insects.
Nudobius cephalus
Kephalos Rove-hunter Beetle
A rove beetle in the tribe Xantholinini, distributed across much of North America. The species has been recorded from 23 iNaturalist observations. Members of genus Nudobius are predatory rove beetles associated with decaying wood and fungal habitats.
Onthophilus alternatus
clown beetle
Onthophilus alternatus is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, described by Thomas Say in 1825. It is one of approximately 4,000 extant species in a family with a fossil record extending back at least 99 million years. The genus Onthophilus has a close Cretaceous relative, Cretonthophilus tuberculatus, preserved in Burmese amber, providing evidence of long-term morphological stability in this lineage.
Onthophilus kirni
clown beetle
Onthophilus kirni is a species of clown beetle in the family Histeridae, first described by Ross in 1944. It belongs to the genus Onthophilus, a group of small histerid beetles. The species is documented from several states in the southern and central United States. Like other members of its family, it is likely predatory, though specific ecological details remain limited.