Aedini is the largest tribe of mosquitoes in the subfamily Culicinae, comprising approximately 1,256 species across 81 genera. Members include many medically important vectors such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which transmit dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses. The tribe exhibits considerable diversity in ecology, ranging from container-breeding species to floodwater mosquitoes, with many species adapted to temperate climates through embryonic diapause.
Blattella is a genus of small cockroaches in the family Ectobiidae, distributed worldwide. The genus includes both domestic pest species, notably the German cockroach (Blattella germanica), and wild species such as the Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai) and Japanese field roach (Blattella nipponica). Species within this genus exhibit diverse ecological preferences, ranging from human dwellings to outdoor habitats including mountainous regions and field environments.
biting midges, no-see-ums, sand flies, punkies, midgies
Ceratopogonidae is a family of minute flies in the order Diptera, commonly known as biting midges, no-see-ums, or punkies. Adults range from 1–6 mm in length, with most species between 1–3 mm. The family contains over 5,000 described species distributed worldwide except Antarctica and the Arctic. While many species feed on the blood of vertebrates including humans and livestock, the majority feed on the hemolymph of other insects. Several species serve as important pollinators of tropical crops, notably cacao.
sharpshooters
Cicadellini is a large tribe of leafhoppers (sharpshooters) within the family Cicadellidae, comprising approximately 1,886 described species across 266 genera—four times more diverse than the related tribe Proconiini. These insects are characterized by their distinctive suctorial-piercing mouthparts adapted for xylem-feeding. The tribe exhibits highest diversity in the Neotropical region, with significant economic importance as vectors of plant pathogens, particularly Xylella fastidiosa, which causes Citrus Variegated Chlorosis and other diseases affecting commercial crops.
Culiseta is a genus of mosquitoes in the family Culicidae. Most species are cold-adapted and occur in warmer climates primarily during colder seasons or at higher elevations. The genus is distributed worldwide except South America. Several species are significant disease vectors, including C. melanura, the primary vector of eastern equine encephalitis virus in North America. Species exhibit diverse larval habitats ranging from bogs and marshes to tree holes, rock pools, and underground sites.
Dermanyssoidea is a superfamily of parasitiform mites (Mesostigmata) comprising 21 families, most of which are parasites of vertebrates. The superfamily exhibits exceptional morphological diversity reflecting varied parasitic strategies, from permanent ectoparasites to facultative nest-dwelling forms. Host associations span birds, rodents, bats, snakes, marine mammals, and honey bees. Parasitism has evolved independently at least eight times within the group. Some species are significant vectors of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protozoans, and nematodes.
Gall and Rust Mites, Gall Mites, Four-legged Mites
Eriophyidae is a family of microscopic plant-parasitic mites comprising over 200 genera and approximately 3,600 described species, though estimates suggest the actual diversity may exceed 100,000 species. Members are commonly known as gall mites or rust mites due to their propensity to induce gall formation or cause rust-like discoloration on host plants. These mites possess worm-like bodies with only two pairs of legs, distinguishing them from most other mites. They are obligate parasites of vascular plants with high host specificity, typically specializing on single plant species or genera. The family includes significant agricultural pests such as the coconut mite (Aceria guerreronis), garlic mite (Aceria tulipae), and bermudagrass mite (Aceria cynodoniensis), as well as species used for biological control of weeds.
hard ticks, hard-backed ticks, scale ticks
Ixodidae is the family of hard ticks, one of two major tick families, distinguished from soft ticks (Argasidae) by the presence of a scutum—a hard dorsal shield. As of 2025, the family comprises approximately 769 species in 18 extant genera. Members are obligate ectoparasites of vertebrates and are significant vectors of pathogens causing diseases in humans, livestock, and wildlife.
Macronyssidae is a family of parasitic mites in the order Mesostigmata, established by Oudemans in 1936. Members are obligate ectoparasites of vertebrates, primarily infesting reptiles, birds, and mammals. The family includes economically significant pests such as the northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) and the tropical rat mite (Ornithonyssus bacoti), as well as the snake mite (Ophionyssus natricis). Macronyssids are hematophagous and have been documented as vectors of pathogens including Rickettsia and Bartonella species.
House Flies and Allies, House Flies, Stable Flies
Muscidae is a family of flies in the superfamily Muscoidea containing nearly 4,000 described species across over 100 genera. The family exhibits diverse feeding strategies: adults may be predatory, hematophagous, saprophagous, or feed on plant and animal exudates including sugar, sweat, tears, and blood. Larvae develop in varied habitats including decaying vegetation, soil, carrion, and freshwater. While some species are synanthropic and of medical importance, most species are not associated with human habitation.
brown ticks, pepper ticks
Rhipicephalus is a genus of hard ticks (Ixodidae) comprising approximately 90 species, commonly known as brown ticks. The genus is cosmopolitan but most diverse in tropical Africa. Several species are significant vectors of human and animal pathogens, including agents causing East Coast fever, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and rickettsial diseases. The subgenus Boophilus, formerly treated as a separate genus, contains economically important cattle fever ticks. Identification is often difficult due to morphological similarity among species and intraspecific variation, particularly in females and immature stages.
black flies, buffalo gnats, turkey gnats
Simulium is a large genus of black flies in the family Simuliidae, containing nearly 2,000 described species across 38 subgenera. Adult females are obligate blood-feeders that use blade-like mandibles to slice skin and lap pooled blood, while males feed on nectar. The genus includes significant disease vectors, most notably species that transmit Onchocerca volvulus, the nematode causing human onchocerciasis (river blindness). Larval stages are strictly aquatic, inhabiting fast-flowing streams and rivers where they filter-feed using specialized cephalic fans.
chiggers, harvest mites, berry bugs, red bugs, scrub-itch mites, aoutas
Trombiculidae is a family of mites commonly known as chiggers (North America) or harvest mites (Britain). The family includes species whose larvae are parasitic on vertebrates, including humans, causing skin irritation through a unique feeding mechanism. Only the larval stage is parasitic; nymphs and adults are free-living predators. Several species serve as vectors for scrub typhus in East Asia and the South Pacific. The family was formally established by Henry Ellsworth Ewing in 1944, though references to chiggers date back to sixth-century China.