Snail-predator
Guides
Atrichomelina pubera
Atrichomelina pubera is a sciomyzid fly whose larvae are aquatic or semi-aquatic predators of freshwater snails. The species has been successfully reared in laboratory conditions, enabling documentation of its complete immature stages and feeding behavior. Its biology was formally described in a 1960 study focusing on life history and developmental morphology.
Cychrini
snail-eating ground beetles
Cychrini is a tribe of ground beetles (Carabidae) comprising approximately 6 genera and over 300 described species. Members are specialized snail predators (malacophagous), with morphological adaptations including enlarged, sculptured mandibles for crushing shells. The tribe exhibits a disjunct global distribution, with genera occurring in the Holarctic region, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia. Cychrini are among the largest carabid beetles, with many species exceeding 15 mm in length.
Cychrus tuberculatus
tuberculate rare snail-eating beetle
Cychrus tuberculatus is a species of ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, commonly known as the tuberculate rare snail-eating beetle. First described by T.W. Harris in 1839, this species is notable for its specialized diet of snails and its brachypterous (short-winged), nocturnal adults. It inhabits coniferous forests, forest clearings, and moraines in western North America, with documented populations in British Columbia, Quebec, California, Oregon, and Washington. The species is considered rare and has specific habitat requirements tied to forested environments.
Ocypus olens
Devil's Coach-horse Beetle, Devil's Coach-horse, Devil's Footman, Devil's Steed
Ocypus olens, commonly known as the Devil's Coach-horse Beetle, is a large rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae. Originally described as Staphylinus olens in 1764, this species has a long history of association with folklore and superstition across Europe, particularly in Ireland where it was known as 'Dar Daol' (the Devil's beetle). The beetle is a formidable predator with an intimidating defensive posture—raising its curled abdomen like a scorpion when threatened. In North America, it has been introduced to California where field studies suggest it may serve as a biological control agent for the brown garden snail (Helix aspersa), an agricultural pest.
Phosphuga atrata
Black snail beetle
Phosphuga atrata is a European carrion beetle in the family Silphidae, commonly known as the black snail beetle. Adults are notable predators of live snails, using an elongated neck to reach into shells and spray digestive fluid to subdue prey. The species also feeds on insects, earthworms, and carrion. Larvae are similarly predatory on snails and pupate in soil. Coloration changes with age: young beetles are brownish, while mature adults become black.
Scaphinotus
Snail-eating Beetles
Scaphinotus is a genus of flightless ground beetles in the family Carabidae, comprising approximately 55-60 species native exclusively to North America. These beetles are specialized snail predators, with their distribution and habitat use tightly linked to moist environments where their gastropod prey occur. The genus is notable for its large body size among carabids (typically 15-25 mm), elongated mandibles adapted for extracting snails from shells, and complete absence of flight capability due to reduced hindwings. Research on Scaphinotus angusticollis in managed forests of British Columbia indicates that 30-meter riparian reserves effectively maintain population sizes and movement patterns comparable to unharvested forests.
Scaphinotus andrewsii
Andrew's Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus andrewsii is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Andrew's Snail-eating Beetle. It is found in North America, where it inhabits moist areas and preys primarily on snails. The species exhibits a dark, black exoskeleton with a somewhat elongated head and thorax. Seven subspecies are recognized, distributed across the Appalachian region from Pennsylvania south to Georgia.
Scaphinotus angulatus
Angular Snail-eating Beetle, Angulate Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus angulatus is a large ground beetle in the subfamily Carabinae, commonly known as the angular snail-eating beetle. It is a specialist predator of snails, possessing elongated mandibles adapted for extracting prey from shells. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal. The species is restricted to temperate coniferous rainforests of the Pacific Northwest.
Scaphinotus behrensi
Behrens' Snail-eating Beetle, Behren's snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus behrensi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Behrens' Snail-eating Beetle. It is endemic to the Pacific Northwest of the United States, occurring in California and Oregon. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, inhabiting temperate coniferous rainforests. The species belongs to the tribe Cychrini, a group of large carabid beetles known as 'snail hunters' due to their specialized diet.
Scaphinotus bilobus
Bilobed Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus bilobus, commonly known as the bilobed snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is a brachypterous (short-winged), nocturnal predator specialized in feeding on snails. The species occurs across a broad swath of North America, ranging from eastern Canada through the Great Lakes region and into the north-central United States.
Scaphinotus cavicollis
Concave-collared Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus cavicollis is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the concave-collared snail-eating beetle. It is a member of the Cychrini tribe, a group of large, nocturnal carabids specialized for snail predation. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and flightless, and have been observed to be nocturnally active. The species occurs in coniferous forest habitats in the south-central United States.
Scaphinotus crenatus
Notched Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus crenatus, commonly known as the notched snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is a member of the subfamily Carabinae, which includes the so-called "caterpillar hunters" and "snail hunters." This species is endemic to California, where it inhabits forested environments. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal in their activity patterns.
Scaphinotus cristatus
ridged thorax snail-eating beetle, ridged snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus cristatus is a flightless ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the ridged thorax snail-eating beetle. It is restricted to western North America, occurring in California and Oregon. The species inhabits mixed and coniferous forests and is specialized for feeding on snails. Adults possess brachypterous (shortened) wings that render them incapable of flight.
Scaphinotus debilis
weakly thorax snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus debilis is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, placed in the tribe Cychrini. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States, with records from Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate S. d. debilis and S. d. alpinus, the latter restricted to high-elevation areas of North Carolina. Like other members of its genus, it is a specialized predator of land snails.
Scaphinotus elevatus
eastern snail eater, Large-thoraxed Snail-eating Beetle, elevated thorax snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus elevatus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the eastern snail eater. It is one of the larger carabid beetles in North America, with most individuals measuring at least 15 mm in length. The species belongs to the Carabinae subfamily, which includes the so-called 'caterpillar hunters' and 'snail hunters'—giant ground beetles closely related to tiger beetles. Six subspecies are recognized, distributed across eastern, central, and southwestern North America.
Scaphinotus fissicollis
Cleft-collared Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus fissicollis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the cleft-collared snail-eating beetle. It belongs to the tribe Cychrini, a group of large, specialized ground beetles often referred to as "snail hunters" due to their elongated head and mandibles adapted for extracting snails from their shells. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), a trait common in this genus that reflects their ground-dwelling, non-flying lifestyle. The species occurs in the central United States.
Scaphinotus guyotii
Guyot's Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus guyotii is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Guyot's Snail-eating Beetle. It is a specialized snail predator found in the Appalachian region of eastern North America, inhabiting montane coniferous and mixed deciduous forests. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, reflecting adaptations to their forest floor habitat and predatory lifestyle. The species is named in honor of Arnold Henry Guyot, a 19th-century geographer and geologist.
Scaphinotus imperfectus
Imperfect Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus imperfectus, commonly known as the imperfect snail-eating beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae and suborder Adephaga. It is a member of the Cychrini tribe, which includes specialized snail-feeding beetles. The species is found in North America, specifically in the eastern United States including Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, inhabiting deciduous and coniferous forests and thickets along streams.
Scaphinotus incompletus
incomplete snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus incompletus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the incomplete snail-eating beetle. It is one of the "snail-eating beetles" in the genus Scaphinotus, characterized by adaptations for predation on terrestrial mollusks. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged), a trait common in this genus that reflects their ground-dwelling lifestyle and reduced need for flight. The species is known from a restricted range in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States.
Scaphinotus interruptus
Ménétriés' snail-eating beetle, Menetries' Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus interruptus is a species of ground beetle in the tribe Cychrini, commonly known as Ménétriés' snail-eating beetle. Adults are flightless due to reduced wings (brachyptery) and are specialized predators of terrestrial snails. The species is endemic to mountainous regions of the western United States, specifically California and Oregon.
Scaphinotus longiceps
Long-headed Snail-eating Beetle, Humboldt ground beetle
Scaphinotus longiceps is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Long-headed Snail-eating Beetle or Humboldt ground beetle. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal. The species inhabits coastal temperate coniferous rainforests and mixed forests in California.
Scaphinotus marginatus
Margined Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus marginatus is a large, flightless ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the margined snail-eating beetle. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, preying exclusively on snails and slugs. The species inhabits coniferous, mixed, and deciduous forests across western North America, typically near streams and lakes. It is distinguished from similar Scaphinotus species by subtle elytral margin characteristics and geographic distribution.
Scaphinotus parisiana
Ozark Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus parisiana, commonly known as the Ozark Snail-eating Beetle, is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is endemic to the Ozark region, specifically found in Arkansas within the Ouachita Mountains. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal, inhabiting deciduous forest habitats. The species is one of the snail-eating beetles in the genus Scaphinotus, which are specialized predators of terrestrial mollusks.
Scaphinotus punctatus
Punctate Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus punctatus is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the punctate snail-eating beetle. It is found in forests of Central America and western North America, including California and Baja California. Adults are nocturnal and brachypterous (short-winged). The species has been documented feeding on snails, caterpillars, berries, and other beetles.
Scaphinotus regularis
Measured Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus regularis, commonly known as the measured snail-eating beetle, is a large ground beetle in the family Carabidae. The species belongs to the nominate subfamily Carabinae, a group of "snail hunters" and "caterpillar hunters" characterized by their large size and powerful mandibles. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal. The species inhabits forest environments in the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
Scaphinotus ridingsii monongahelae
Scaphinotus ridingsii monongahelae is a subspecies of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, described by Leng in 1917. It belongs to the genus Scaphinotus, commonly known as snail-eating beetles or snail hunters, which are specialized predators of terrestrial snails. The subspecies epithet "monongahelae" suggests an association with the Monongahela River region of the eastern United States. Like other members of the tribe Cychrini, this beetle possesses enlarged, asymmetrical mandibles adapted for extracting snails from their shells.
Scaphinotus schwarzi
Schwarz's snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus schwarzi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Schwarz's snail-eating beetle. It is one of the "snail hunter" beetles in the nominate subfamily Carabinae, characterized by large size and specialized mandibular morphology adapted for predation on snails. The species is known from forest habitats in North Carolina. Adults are brachypterous (short-winged) and nocturnal.
Scaphinotus snowi
Snow's Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus snowi is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as Snow's Snail-eating Beetle. It is endemic to North America with a documented range in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. The species comprises two recognized subspecies: the nominate S. snowi snowi and S. snowi roeschkei (Roeschke's Snail-eating Beetle), which is restricted to Arizona. Like other members of the genus Scaphinotus, it is specialized for predation on snails.
Scaphinotus unistriatus
One-lined Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus unistriatus is a large, flightless ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the one-lined snail-eating beetle. It is endemic to a restricted range in North Carolina, where it inhabits mixed forest habitats on slopes. Adults are nocturnal and brachypterous (short-winged), rendering them incapable of flight. Like other members of the genus Scaphinotus, it is specialized for predation on land snails, using its elongated head and jaws to extract prey from shells.
Scaphinotus velutinus
Velvet Snail-eating Beetle
Scaphinotus velutinus, commonly known as the velvet snail-eating beetle, is a flightless ground beetle species in the family Carabidae. It is endemic to western North America, with confirmed records from California and Oregon. The species inhabits coniferous forest ecosystems and is characterized by reduced wings (brachyptery). As a member of the genus Scaphinotus, it is specialized for predation on terrestrial snails.
Scaphinotus ventricosus
potbellied snail-eating beetle, pot-bellied snail-eating beetle
Scaphinotus ventricosus is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the potbellied snail-eating beetle. It is native to western North America, with documented occurrence in California and Oregon. Adults are distinctive among ground beetles for their brachypterous (short-winged) condition, which renders them flightless. The species exhibits gregarious and nocturnal behavior. It inhabits deciduous forests and poison-oak thickets, where it presumably feeds on snails as suggested by its common name and the feeding habits of related species in the genus.
Sepedomerus
marsh flies
Sepedomerus is a genus of marsh flies in the family Sciomyzidae, established by Steyskal in 1973. The genus contains at least four described species distributed across multiple continents. One species, S. macropus, has been documented as a predator of liver fluke snails, indicating a role in biological control of trematode parasites. Members of this genus are part of the diverse Tetanocerini tribe within the marsh fly family.
Sepedon americana
American snail-killing fly
Sepedon americana is a species of marsh fly in the family Sciomyzidae, commonly known as snail-killing flies. The species was described by Steyskal in 1951. Like all members of the genus Sepedon, its larvae are obligate predators of aquatic pulmonate snails. The species occurs in North America and has been documented in regions including Colorado. Adults are active early in the year, with observations in February recorded.
Sphaeroderus nitidicollis
Polished Snail-eating Beetle, polished-collar false snail-eating beetle
Sphaeroderus nitidicollis is a species of ground beetle in the family Carabidae, commonly known as the Polished Snail-eating Beetle. It occurs in North America, with subspecies distributed across eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. The species belongs to the tribe Cychrini, a group known for their specialized predation on snails.
Tetanocera ferruginea
common buff snailkiller
Tetanocera ferruginea is a medium to large sciomyzid fly with light brown coloration and no obvious wing markings. It is an obligate malacophage, with larvae preying on non-operculate snails in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats. The species has a Holarctic distribution and is multivoltine, overwintering in the puparial stage. Despite forming large populations, individuals exhibit very limited movement within habitats.
Trogulidae
Trogulid Harvestmen
Trogulidae is a family of harvestmen (order Opiliones) comprising approximately 65 extant species across five genera: Anarthrotarsus, Anelasmocephalus, Calathocratus, Kofiniotis, and Trogulus. Members are characterized by short legs, flattened leathery bodies, and a distinctive habit of adhering soil particles to their bodies for camouflage. The family is primarily distributed in western and southern Europe, extending to western North Africa, the Levant, the Caucasus, and northern Iran. One species, Trogulus tricarinatus, has been introduced to eastern North America. The family includes the only Trogulidae species in Ireland, Anelasmocephalus cambridgei, which has a specialized life history involving egg-laying in empty snail shells.
Trogulus
harvestmen
Trogulus is a genus of harvestmen (Opiliones) in the family Trogulidae, characterized by large, elongated and flattened bodies with relatively short legs. The genus contains the largest known harvestman by body length, Trogulus torosus. Species-level identification is difficult due to highly uniform external morphology across the genus, necessitating molecular and morphometric approaches for taxonomy. The genus exhibits unexpectedly high cryptic diversity, with molecular estimates suggesting three times more species than currently described.