Predatory-bug
Guides
Macrolophus brevicornis
Macrolophus brevicornis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1926. The genus Macrolophus contains predatory plant bugs that have been studied for their potential in biological control of agricultural pests. This species is part of a genus whose members are known to feed on various arthropod prey including whiteflies, spider mites, and other small insects.
Macrolophus pygmaeus
Macrolophus pygmaeus is a zoophytophagous plant bug in the family Miridae, widely distributed across Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia. It functions as a generalist predator of agricultural pests including whiteflies, aphids, thrips, and spider mites, while also feeding on plant sap and extrafloral nectar. The species has been extensively studied for its potential as a biological control agent in greenhouse vegetable crops, particularly for controlling whiteflies and the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta. Males produce distinctive vibrational signals during courtship and male-male interactions.
Macrotracheliella
Macrotracheliella is a genus of minute pirate bugs in the family Anthocoridae, established by Champion in 1900. The genus is currently considered taxonomically doubtful, with limited available information regarding its constituent species and biology. It belongs to the subfamily Anthocorinae, a group of predatory true bugs commonly found in diverse terrestrial habitats.
Melanocoris nigricornis
minute pirate bug
Melanocoris nigricornis is a minute pirate bug in the family Anthocoridae, described by Van Duzee in 1921. The species is documented from North America. As a member of Anthocoridae, it belongs to a family of predatory true bugs commonly employed in biological control.
Metatropiphorus
Metatropiphorus is a genus of damsel bugs in the family Nabidae, established by Reuter in 1872. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across North America. Members of this genus are predatory true bugs that inhabit vegetation.
Metatropiphorus belfragii
Metatropiphorus belfragii is a species of damsel bug in the family Nabidae. It is found in the Caribbean and North America, with confirmed records from the United States including Vermont. Damsel bugs in this family are predatory true bugs. The species has been documented in citizen science observations.
Micracanthia quadrimaculata
Micracanthia quadrimaculata is a species of shore bug in the family Saldidae, first described by Champion in 1900. It belongs to the genus Micracanthia, a group of small predatory true bugs typically found in moist shoreline habitats. The species epithet "quadrimaculata" (meaning "four-spotted") likely refers to distinctive markings on the body or wings.
Nabis inscriptus
damsel bug
Nabis inscriptus is a species of damsel bug in the family Nabidae. It occurs across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. As a member of the genus Nabis, it shares the characteristic predatory habits of damsel bugs, though species-specific behavioral details are not well documented. The species was first described by William Kirby in 1837.
Narvesus
Narvesus is a Neotropical genus of assassin bugs (Reduviidae: Stenopodainae) established by Stål in 1859. The genus contains two described species: Narvesus carolinensis and Narvesus minor. These predatory true bugs are characterized by morphological features typical of the subfamily Stenopodainae, including raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision with updated descriptions, illustrations, and male genitalia data.
Oncocephalus nubilus
Oncocephalus nubilus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1914. It belongs to the subfamily Stenopodainae, a group of reduviids commonly known as thread-legged or spiny assassin bugs. The species has been documented in Central America and North America, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Pagasa nigripes
Pagasa nigripes is a small, dark damsel bug in the family Nabidae. Like other members of its genus, it is ground-dwelling and has a compact, beetle-like appearance. The species exhibits wing dimorphism, with individuals either fully winged or having reduced, non-functional wing pads. As a nabid, it is a predatory true bug with raptorial front legs adapted for capturing prey.
Phorticus collaris
collared nabid, yellow-collared nabid
Phorticus collaris is a species of damsel bug in the family Nabidae, commonly known as the collared nabid or yellow-collared nabid. It was first described by Stål in 1873. The species has been documented across Central America and North America, with recent first records from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama extending its known distribution range. Like other nabid bugs, it is a predatory true bug.
Phymata fasciata
ambush bug
Phymata fasciata is a species of ambush bug in the family Reduviidae, characterized by its raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The species occurs across Central America and North America, with four recognized subspecies showing geographic variation. As a member of the Phymatinae, it employs sit-and-wait predation tactics typical of ambush bugs, though specific behavioral and ecological studies for this species remain limited.
Phymata pacifica
Pacific ambush bug
Phymata pacifica is a species of ambush bug in the family Reduviidae, first described by Evans in 1931. The species is found in North America and includes three recognized subspecies: P. p. pacifica, P. p. hainesi, and P. p. stanfordi. As an ambush bug, it belongs to the subfamily Phymatinae, a group of predatory true bugs known for their distinctive raptorial forelegs used to capture prey.
Ploiaria aptera
Ploiaria aptera is a thread-legged bug species described by McAtee and Malloch in 1925. It belongs to the subfamily Emesinae within the assassin bug family Reduviidae. The species is known from North America and is characterized by its wingless condition, as indicated by its specific epithet 'aptera'. Thread-legged bugs in this genus are typically slender predators with elongated legs adapted for capturing prey on vegetation.
Ploiaria pilicornis
Ploiaria pilicornis is a thread-legged assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, described by McAtee and Malloch in 1925. The species belongs to the subfamily Emesinae, characterized by their elongated, slender legs and raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. Like other emesines, it is presumed to be predatory, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented.
Ploiaria reticulata
Ploiaria reticulata is a thread-legged assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Emesinae. The species was described by Baker in 1910 and is distributed across Middle and North America. Like other emesine reduviids, it possesses elongated, thread-like legs adapted for capturing prey on vegetation.
Ploiaria setulifera
Ploiaria setulifera is a thread-legged assassin bug described in 1925. It belongs to the subfamily Emesinae, a group characterized by extremely slender bodies and raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The species has been documented in the Caribbean and North America. Like other reduviids, it is presumed predatory, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Pnirontis languida
Pnirontis languida is a species of assassin bug described by Stål in 1859. It belongs to the subfamily Stenopodainae within the family Reduviidae. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, with records from North America, Central America, South America, and Caribbean islands. As a member of Reduviidae, it is presumed to be predatory, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Pygolampis sericea
Pygolampis sericea is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, described by Stål in 1859. It belongs to the subfamily Stenopodainae, a group of predatory true bugs characterized by their raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. The species is known from North America, though detailed natural history information remains limited in available sources.
Rasahus hamatus
corsair
Rasahus hamatus is a species of corsair, a group of predatory assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae. It occurs widely across the Western Hemisphere, from North America through Central America and the Caribbean to South America, including the Galápagos Islands. As a member of the subfamily Peiratinae, it belongs to a lineage known for ground-dwelling habits and active predation on other arthropods.
Reduvius vanduzeei
Reduvius vanduzeei is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, described by Wygodzinsky & Usinger in 1964. It belongs to the genus Reduvius, which includes several species known for their predatory habits. Unlike the well-studied congener Reduvius personatus (the Masked Hunter), detailed information about R. vanduzeei's biology and ecology appears limited in available sources. The species is recorded from North America.
Rhynocoris leucospilus
Rhynocoris leucospilus is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. The species has been documented across a broad geographic range spanning Europe, northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Five subspecies have been recognized, reflecting regional variation across this wide distribution. As a member of the Harpactorinae subfamily, it possesses the raptorial forelegs characteristic of predatory assassin bugs.
Rhynocoris ventralis ventralis
Rhynocoris ventralis ventralis is a subspecies of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, originally described by Thomas Say in 1832. The taxon is currently recognized as a synonym within the genus Rhynocoris, which comprises predatory true bugs. The species Rhynocoris ventralis belongs to the subfamily Harpactorinae, a diverse group of reduviids characterized by raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. This subspecies designation represents one of the infraspecific forms described within the broader R. ventralis complex.
Saldula andrei
Saldula andrei is a species of shore bug in the family Saldidae, described by Drake in 1949. It belongs to the genus Saldula, a diverse group of predatory true bugs commonly found in moist shoreline habitats. The species is recorded from Middle America and North America. Like other saldid bugs, it is likely adapted to semi-aquatic environments where it preys on small invertebrates.
Saldula opacula
shore bug
Saldula opacula is a species of shore bug in the family Saldidae, first described by Zetterstedt in 1838. It belongs to the genus Saldula, which comprises small predatory true bugs commonly found in moist habitats near water bodies. The species has a broad distribution spanning multiple continents, with confirmed records from Europe, Northern Asia, and North America. Like other members of the family Saldidae, it is adapted to shoreline environments where it hunts small invertebrate prey.
Scoloposcelis basilica
Scoloposcelis basilica is a minute predatory bug in the family Anthocoridae (minute pirate bugs). First described by Drake and Harris in 1926, this species belongs to a genus of small insects that prey on other arthropods, particularly mites and small insects. The species name 'basilica' likely refers to its original collection site or structural habitat association. Like other anthocorids, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts adapted for predation.
Scoloposcelis flavicornis
Scoloposcelis flavicornis is a species of minute pirate bug in the family Anthocoridae, first described by Reuter in 1871. It belongs to the genus Scoloposcelis, which comprises small predatory bugs found in various habitats. The species is documented from Central America and North America. Like other anthocorids, it is likely predatory, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Sinea rileyi
Sinea rileyi is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae. It has been documented in Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China) and North America. Like other members of the genus Sinea, it is a predatory true bug. Beyond its geographic distribution, specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in available literature.
Stenopoda spinulosa
Stenopoda spinulosa is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Stenopodainae. It was described by Giacchi in 1969. The species belongs to the genus Stenopoda, a group of predatory true bugs characterized by their raptorial forelegs adapted for capturing prey. Like other reduviids, it possesses a curved rostrum used to inject venom into prey.
Tagalis inornata
Tagalis inornata is a species of assassin bug in the family Reduviidae, subfamily Saicinae. It occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the Caribbean, Middle America, North America, and South America. The species was first described by Stål in 1860. Like other reduviids, it is a predatory true bug, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Tetraphleps canadensis
Canadian minute pirate bug
Tetraphleps canadensis is a species of minute pirate bug in the family Anthocoridae. It occurs in North America, including Canada and the United States. Like other members of its family, it is a predatory true bug that feeds on small arthropods and their eggs. The species was described by Provancher in 1886.
Tetraphleps latipennis
minute pirate bug
Tetraphleps latipennis is a species of minute pirate bug in the family Anthocoridae, described by Van Duzee in 1921. It is one of five Tetraphleps species documented from North America. Minute pirate bugs in this family are generally predatory, though species-specific ecological details for T. latipennis remain limited in published literature.
Tytthus fuscicornis
Tytthus fuscicornis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Thomas J. Henry in 2012. It is known from California and New Mexico in the southwestern United States. As a member of the genus Tytthus, it belongs to a group of minute pirate bugs that are generally recognized as predators of other small arthropods.
Xylocoris californicus
Xylocoris californicus is a small predatory bug in the family Anthocoridae (minute pirate bugs). The species is native to western North America and is found in California and surrounding regions. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a generalist predator of small arthropods, though specific ecological studies on this species are limited.
Xylocoris hirtus
Xylocoris hirtus is a minute predatory bug in the family Anthocoridae, described by Kelton in 1976. The species is known from North America, with distribution records indicating presence across the Nearctic region excluding the Western Cordillera and Beringia. Like other members of the genus Xylocoris, it is likely a predator of small arthropods, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.