Predatory
Guides
Synthesiomyia
Synthesiomyia is a small genus of muscid flies in the family Muscidae. The genus contains at least one well-documented species, Synthesiomyia nudiseta, which has gained forensic importance as a carrion-associated fly in tropical, subtropical, and recently colonized Palearctic regions. Species in this genus exhibit facultative predatory behavior and are used in postmortem interval estimation.
Tachytrechus
Tachytrechus is a genus of long-legged flies in the family Dolichopodidae, containing approximately 152 species. Members of this genus are small predatory flies, with at least one species (Tachytrechus angustipennis) documented in thermal effluent systems. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with several species reassigned to related genera including Aphalacrosoma, Paraclius, and Aphrosylus.
Tachytrechus moechus
Tachytrechus moechus is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae, described by Loew in 1861. Members of this genus are part of a diverse family of small to medium predatory flies known for their metallic coloration and agile flight. Like other dolichopodids, they are predatory on small insects. The genus Tachytrechus is distinguished from related genera by specific morphological features of the male genitalia and leg ornamentation.
Teneriffiidae
Teneriffiidae is a family of prostigmatic mites in the order Trombidiformes, first described by Thor in 1911. These are moderate-sized, fast-walking predatory mites with a life cycle consisting of egg, prelarva, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, tritonymph, and adult stages. Taxonomic revision has reduced the number of valid genera to two: Teneriffia (palpgenu oncophysis absent) and Parateneriffia (palpgenu oncophysis present), with seven other genera synonymized. The family occupies diverse terrestrial habitats including trees, rocks, caves, and mountains, with some species adapted to subterranean environments.
Tetraphleps
minute pirate bugs
Tetraphleps is a genus of minute pirate bugs in the family Anthocoridae, containing approximately 10 described species. Five species occur in North America: T. canadensis, T. pilosipes, T. feratis, T. latipennis, and T. uniformis. The genus was established by Fieber in 1860. Species in this genus are small predatory true bugs.
Thermonectus nigrofasciatus nigrofasciatus
Thermonectus nigrofasciatus nigrofasciatus is a subspecies of predatory diving beetle in the family Dytiscidae. The nominate subspecies occurs in North and Middle America. Members of the genus Thermonectus are recognized for their distinctive color patterns and aquatic lifestyle.
Thesprotia graminis
American grass mantis, grass-like mantis
Thesprotia graminis is a small, cryptic mantid native to the southeastern United States. It exhibits remarkable camouflage resembling pine needles or grass blades, achieved through both coloration and posture. The species is notable as the only member of its genus occurring outside South America. It can reproduce both sexually and parthenogenetically.
cryptic-colorationparthenogenesissexual-dimorphismwing-dimorphismgrass-mimicrypine-needle-mimicrysoutheastern-US-endemichemimetabolousoothecabeneficial-insectThespidaemantodeapredatorycamouflage-behaviorpronotum-elongatesingle-dorsal-spine-forelegnon-feeding-first-instarpseudo-iteroparous-reproductionsemelparous-with-multiple-oothecaetympana-present-(unstudied)sexual-cannibalism-unknownTyrannocoris
Tyrannocoris is a genus of stink bugs (Pentatomidae) established in 1992. The genus is characterized by predatory habits, distinguishing it from the primarily herbivorous majority of stink bugs. It is one of several predatory genera within the family. The genus has been documented in the Americas with limited but growing observational records.
Tytthus uniformis
Tytthus uniformis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Henry in 2012. It belongs to the genus Tytthus, a group of small predatory mirids known for their association with leafhopper prey. The species is documented from the southwestern United States.
Veigaiidae
Veigaiidae is a family of free-living predatory mites in the order Mesostigmata. They inhabit soil and decaying organic matter, with some species specialized for rocky shorelines. The genus Veigaia is particularly widespread in the Holarctic Region.
Veliidae
riffle bugs, small water striders, broad-shouldered water striders, ripple bugs
Veliidae is a large family of predatory true bugs in the suborder Heteroptera, comprising approximately 1173 species across 66 genera. Members are small (1.5–6 mm), surface-dwelling insects that walk on water using surface tension and hydrophobic leg adaptations. They are distinguished from the related family Gerridae by their broader pronotum, smaller size, and internal genitalia differences. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution excluding Antarctica, with centers of origin in the Indo-Malayan region and the Caribbean.
Vespula vidua
widow yellowjacket, long yellowjacket
Vespula vidua is a species of social wasp in the family Vespidae, commonly known as the widow yellowjacket or long yellowjacket. It is native to North America and exhibits typical yellowjacket biology with annual colonies founded by overwintering queens. Unlike some urban-adapted yellowjacket species, V. vidua is strictly predatory and does not scavenge at human food sources. The species is known to be a host for the facultative social parasite Vespula squamosa (Southern Yellowjacket), which can usurp its nests.
Vicelva
Vicelva is an extant genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Phloeocharinae) described in 1973. A fossil species, V. rasilis, from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber provides the earliest known record of the genus. Extant species occur in western North America, the Russian Far East, and Kazakhstan. The biology of living species remains poorly documented.
Willistonina
Willistonina is a genus of robber flies (family Asilidae) established by Back in 1908. As members of the Asilidae, these predatory flies are characterized by their robust build and aerial hunting behavior. The genus contains relatively few described species and is poorly represented in collections and observations. Limited information exists regarding its species-level diversity and biology.
Xantholinini
Xantholinini is a tribe of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae) comprising approximately 141 genera with a cosmopolitan distribution across all zoogeographical regions. Members are small to medium-sized (2–20 mm), slender, short-winged beetles with elongated bodies and relatively short legs adapted for moving through narrow spaces. The tribe has been the subject of extensive taxonomic revision, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey, China, and the Neotropics, with numerous new species described in recent decades.
Xylomya terminalis
Xylomya terminalis is a species of wood soldier fly in the family Xylomyidae, described by Vasey in 1977. The species is known from the eastern United States, with records from Vermont and other states. Xylomyidae are predatory flies whose larvae develop in decaying wood and under bark. Adults are typically found in woodland habitats.
Zeluroides
Zeluroides is a genus of assassin bugs in the family Reduviidae, established by Lent & Wygodzinsky in 1948. The genus contains at least two described species: Z. americanus and Z. mexicanus. As members of the Reduviinae subfamily, these predatory true bugs possess the raptorial forelegs and piercing-sucking mouthparts characteristic of assassin bugs.