Wetland-insects
Guides
Anticheta
Anticheta is a genus of marsh flies in the family Sciomyzidae, commonly known as snail-killing flies. The genus comprises 15 described species divided into two subgenera: Anticheta (14 species) and Paranticheta (1 species). Species within this genus are associated with moist habitats and share the family-wide trait of predation on gastropods. The genus was established by Haliday in 1839 and has a primarily Holarctic distribution.
Atheas
lace bugs
Atheas is a genus of lace bugs (Hemiptera: Tingidae) comprising approximately 15 described species. These insects are characterized by their distinctive reticulated, lace-like forewings typical of the family. The genus is primarily associated with wetland and swamp habitats in North America, with Atheas austroriparius being the best-studied species. Members feed on phloem sap from a diverse range of woody host plants using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Athyroglossa
Athyroglossa is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, established by Loew in 1860. The genus contains at least 30 described species distributed primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, with records from Norway and Sweden. Shore flies in this family are typically associated with moist or aquatic environments.
Calamoncosis
frit flies
Calamoncosis is a genus of small flies in the family Chloropidae (frit flies), established by Enderlein in 1911. The genus contains species distributed across both Palearctic and Nearctic regions. Nearctic fauna includes at least five described species, with most specimens collected from peatlands and marshes in eastern North America. Some species have documented associations with wetland grasses including common reed (Phragmites australis).
Chrysendeton
Chrysendeton is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Acentropinae. The genus was established by Grote in 1881. Species in this genus are associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats, reflecting the broader ecological pattern of the Acentropinae subfamily. The genus contains multiple described species distributed primarily in North America.
Contacyphon nebulosus
Contacyphon nebulosus is a species of marsh beetle in the family Scirtidae. Marsh beetles are small, often overlooked beetles associated with moist habitats. The genus Contacyphon is part of a group formerly classified under Cyphon, with species distinguished by subtle morphological features. Adults are typically found in vegetation near water or in persistently damp environments.
Dimecoenia
shore flies
Dimecoenia is a genus of shore flies established by Cresson in 1916, comprising approximately 18 described species. Members of this genus belong to the family Ephydridae, a diverse group of small flies commonly associated with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. The genus is characterized by morphological features typical of ephydrid flies, though specific diagnostic traits distinguishing Dimecoenia from related genera require detailed examination.
Discomyza
Discomyza is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae, first described by Meigen in 1830. The genus includes at least nine described species distributed across multiple continents. Shore flies in this family are typically associated with moist or aquatic habitats. Discomyza species have been recorded from Europe, Africa, and other regions.
Elodes
marsh beetles
Elodes is a genus of marsh beetles in the family Scirtidae, containing more than 60 described species. These beetles inhabit aquatic and semi-aquatic environments where they are associated with marshy vegetation and slow-moving water bodies. The genus has been subject to ecological study regarding population dynamics and seasonal abundance patterns in wetland habitats.
Gymnusa
Gymnusa is a genus of small rove beetles in the tribe Gymnusini, characterized by uniformly dark coloration and semi-aquatic to aquatic habits. Species range from 4.2 to 6.5 mm in length and inhabit detritus-rich wetlands across the Nearctic and Palearctic regions.
Haliplus
crawling water beetles
Haliplus is a genus of small crawling water beetles comprising at least 180 described species. Members range from 1.75 to 5 mm in length and inhabit freshwater margins worldwide except Antarctica. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, including synonymization of H. wehnckei with H. sibiricus based on morphometric and genetic evidence.
Heterocerus sandersoni
Heterocerus sandersoni is a species of variegated mud-loving beetle in the family Heteroceridae, described by Pacheco in 1964. Members of this genus are associated with riparian and wetland habitats. This species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited published information on its biology and ecology. Observations on iNaturalist suggest it occurs in North America.
Hexatomini
Hexatomini is a tribe of limoniid crane flies (family Limoniidae) comprising approximately 16 genera and at least 250 described species. The tribe includes several well-known genera such as Hexatoma, Limnophila, and Elephantomyia. Members are generally small to medium-sized crane flies distinguished from related tribes by specific wing venation patterns and genitalia structures. The group has a cosmopolitan distribution with species documented across multiple continents.
Hoplodictya
marsh flies
Hoplodictya is a genus of marsh flies (family Sciomyzidae) established by Cresson in 1920. The genus contains five described species distributed across North and South America. As members of Sciomyzidae, these flies are associated with wetland and marsh habitats. The genus is placed in the tribe Tetanocerini, a group characterized by predatory or parasitoid larvae that develop in mollusk hosts.
Ilytheinae
shore flies
Ilytheinae is a subfamily of shore flies within the family Ephydridae (order Diptera). The subfamily comprises two tribes: Ilytheini and Hyadinini, containing approximately 12 genera including Donaceus, Ilythea, Hyadina, and Nostima. Members of this subfamily are associated with moist or aquatic habitats, consistent with the broader ecology of Ephydridae.
Microcara
Microcara is a genus of marsh beetles in the family Scirtidae, established by C.G. Thomson in 1859. The genus comprises approximately 10 described extant species, with four additional fossil species described from Eocene deposits. Species in this genus are found in the Holarctic region, with records from Scandinavia and other northern European localities.
Nemotelinae
Nemotelinae is a subfamily of soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) comprising four recognized genera: Brachycara, Lasiopa, Nemotelus, and Pselaphomyia. These flies are characterized by their distinctive wing venation and are primarily found in temperate regions. The genus Nemotelus is the most species-rich and well-known within the subfamily. Members are generally small to medium-sized flies often associated with wetland and grassland habitats.
Nemotelus
soldier flies
Nemotelus is a genus of small soldier flies (family Stratiomyidae) containing approximately 30 described species distributed across the Nearctic, Afrotropical, and Palaearctic regions. Adults range from 4.0 to 8.0 mm in body length and are among the smallest members of the family. The genus is characterized by distinctive facial morphology with a pointed snout bearing antennae on the dorsal side, and pronounced sexual dimorphism in coloration. Most species display black bodies with variable white markings, with males typically showing more extensive pale patterning than females.
Ora
flea marsh beetles
Ora is a genus of flea marsh beetles in the family Scirtidae, containing approximately 17 described species. These small beetles inhabit wetland environments and are characterized by their association with marshy habitats. The genus was established by Clark in 1865 and represents one of several genera within the Scirtidae family, which are commonly known as marsh beetles.
Patrobina
Patrobina is a subtribe of ground beetles (Carabidae) within the tribe Patrobini, established by Kirby in 1837. Members of this subtribe are small to medium-sized beetles associated with moist, often riparian or wetland habitats. The subtribe includes genera such as Patrobus and others, though the precise generic composition has been subject to taxonomic revision. Patrobina beetles are part of the diverse carabid fauna that contributes to predatory control of invertebrate populations in temperate ecosystems.
Physemus
minute marsh beetles
Physemus is a genus of minute marsh beetles in the family Limnichidae, first described by LeConte in 1854. The genus contains six described species of small beetles associated with wetland and riparian habitats. These beetles are part of the diverse assemblage of insects inhabiting moist, marginal environments.
Sciomyzidae
Marsh Flies, Snail-killing Flies
Sciomyzidae is a family of acalyptrate flies in the order Diptera, commonly known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies. The family contains 543 extant species in 63 genera with worldwide distribution, though poorly represented in the Australasian and Oceanian realms. Adults are small to medium-sized flies (2–14 mm) typically found in wet habitats. The larvae are predominantly predators or parasites of freshwater and terrestrial mollusks, particularly snails and slugs, making this family notable for its specialized feeding biology.
Scirtidae
Marsh Beetles
Scirtidae is a family of small beetles commonly known as marsh beetles. Larvae are typically associated with stagnant water but can also occur in flowing water, while adults are found near water's edge in decomposing plant material. The family comprises more than 600 described species distributed among approximately 30-60 genera worldwide. Members are primarily aquatic or semi-aquatic in their larval stages, with adults showing strong affinity for moist riparian habitats.
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.
Taphrocerus
Taphrocerus is a genus of metallic wood-boring beetles (family Buprestidae) comprising over 190 described species, predominantly distributed across North, Central, and South America. One anomalous species has been described from South Africa. Members are commonly referred to as "sedgie wedgies" among coleopterists due to their frequent association with sedges and related wetland plants. The genus exhibits leaf-mining larval biology, with larvae developing within the leaf tissue of host plants.
Teratocoris
Teratocoris is a genus of plant bugs (family Miridae) first described by Fieber in 1858. Species occur in the Palaearctic and Nearctic biogeographic realms. The genus includes at least eleven described species, with Teratocoris antennatus designated as the type species. These mirid bugs are associated with wetland and grassland habitats.
Trypetoptera
marsh flies
Trypetoptera is a genus of marsh flies within the family Sciomyzidae, established by Hendel in 1900. The genus contains at least two described species: T. punctulata and T. canadensis. Members of this genus are part of the diverse assemblage of snail-killing flies, a group characterized by their ecological association with molluscan hosts. The genus is distributed across parts of Europe and North America.