Predatory Flies : Hover flies categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Flies revision date: 2022-10-25 05:01 Adult hover fly (Sphaerophoria sp.) (Syrphidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Superficially, hover flies do not look like ‘flies’, instead they resemble wasps by having a yellow or orange and black-banded abdomen. They range in size from ¼ to ½ inch and […]
Predatory Flies : Long legged flies categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Flies revision date: 2022-10-25 04:55 Adult long legged fly (Condylostylus sp.) (Dolichopodidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Long legged flies, as their name suggests, are graced with long legs. These flies are ¼ to ½ inch long, metallic-green to blue and common in most gardens, favoring […]
Predatory Flies : Predatory midges categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Flies revision date: 2022-10-25 04:53 Larva of the predatory gall midge (Feltiella acarisuga) (Cecidomyiidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Predatory midges are tiny (< 1/8 inch) mosquito-like flies with a couple of species preying as larvae on aphids and mites. The predatory gall midge (Feltiella acarisuga) specializes […]
Predatory Flies : Robber flies categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Flies revision date: 2022-10-25 04:47 Adult robber fly (Asilidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Robber flies are large (1/2 to 1 inch), aggressive predators that capture prey while in flight! They have prominent eyes, long legs and a tapered slender abdomen. They catch and consume many kinds […]
Predatory Beetles : Convergent lady beetles categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Beetles revision date: 2022-10-25 10:48 Overwintering aggregation of convergent lady beetles (Hippodamia convergens) (Coccinellidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology The convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens) adult is approximately 1/4 inch in length and more oval-shaped than round. The wing covers are orange to red, typically with […]
Predatory Beetles : Ground beetles categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Beetles revision date: 2022-10-25 10:46 Ground beetle (Carabidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Carabids or ground beetles, as their name suggests, are ground-dwelling, living in soil and detritus, with some species preying on cutworms, ants, maggots, earthworms, slugs and other beetles. Largely nocturnal, they are rarely seen […]
Predatory Beetles : Lady beetles categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Beetles revision date: 2022-10-25 10:35 Adult transverse lady beetle (Coccinella transversoguttata) (Coccinellidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Lady beetles are industrious predators of not only aphids but also many other soft bodied arthropods like mites, thrips, insect eggs, scale insects and mealybugs. There are about 90 species […]
Predatory Beetles : Mite-eating lady and Scymnus beetles categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Beetles revision date: 2022-10-25 10:00 Adult mite-eating lady beetle (Stethorus picipes) (Coccinellidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology The mite-eating lady beetles (Stethorus picipes, Stethorus punctillum) are pin head-sized (1/25 to 1/16 inch), black, oval, convex, and shiny, covered with sparse, fine, yellowish-to-white hairs. Stethorus […]
Predatory Beetles : Rove beetles categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Beetles revision date: 2022-10-25 09:45 Adult rove beetle (Staphylinidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Rove beetles are odd-looking shiny brown or black beetles, ¼- 1 inch in length, elongate and short-winged. Turn over a rock or log especially near a compost pile and you will frequently find […]
Predatory Beetles : Seven-spot lady beetles categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Beetles revision date: 2022-10-25 09:35 Adult seven-spot lady beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) (Coccinellidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology The seven-spot lady beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) species is comparatively large (approximately 3/8 inch), with a white or pale spot on either side of the first section between the head […]
Predatory Beetles : Transverse lady beetles categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Beetles revision date: 2022-10-25 09:30 Adult transverse lady beetle (Coccinella transversoguttata) (Coccinellidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology The transverse lady beetle (Coccinella transversoguttata) adult is approximately ¼ inch long and rounded. The wing covers (elytra) are orange-red with distinct, narrow transverse black markings. The body and […]
Predatory Bugs : Ambush bugs categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Bugs revision date: 2022-10-23 01:51 Adult ambush bug (Phymata sp.) (Phymatidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Ambush bugs are closely related to assassin bugs but are smaller (1/2 inch) and specialize in preying on insects visiting flowers. Hiding within the flowers they kill unsuspecting wasps, flies, bees […]
Predatory Bugs : Assassin bug categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Bugs revision date: 2022-10-23 12:55 Adult assassin bug (Rhynocoris ventralis) (Reduviidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Assassin bugs are blackish, brown, or reddish with a long, narrow head; round, beady eyes; and an extended, three-segmented, needle-like beak. The front legs are enlarged for grasping prey. They are […]
Predatory Bugs : Big-eyed bugs categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Bugs revision date: 2022-10-22 02:06 Adult big-eyed bug (Geocoris sp.) (Miridae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Big-eyed bugs are oval, somewhat flattened, and 1/10 to 1/5 inch in length. They are usually gray-brown to blackish and have a wide head with prominent, bulging eyes. Antennae are short […]
Predatory Bugs : Damsel bugs categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Bugs revision date: 2022-10-21 02:09 Adult damsel bug (Nabis sp.) (Nabidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Damsel bugs are mostly yellowish, gray or dull brown, slender insects up to ½ inch long with an elongated head and long antennae. The front legs are enlarged for grasping prey. […]
Predatory Bugs : Minute pirate bugs categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Bugs revision date: 2022-10-20 08:04 Adult minute pirate bug (Orius tristicolor) (Anthocoridae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Minute pirate bugs are 1/12 to 1/5 inch long, oval, black or purplish with white markings on the forewings. The wings extend beyond the tip of the body. The […]
Predatory Bugs : Mirids categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Bugs revision date: 2022-10-20 12:59 Adult predatory mirid (Deraeocoris brevis) (Miridae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Plant bugs or mirids are small (1/4 inch) and black or brown, similar to big-eyed bugs (without the bulging eyes). Some species are omnivorous feeding on plants as well as insect prey […]
Predatory Bugs : Stink bugs categories: Natural Enemies Predatory Bugs revision date: 2022-10-20 12:15 Adult rough stink bug (Brochymena affinis) (Pentatomidae)Photo by: D.G. James Biology Stink bugs are shield-shaped and range from ¼ to 1 inch in size and usually discharge a disagreeable odor when handled. Although plant-feeding stink bugs are more common, a number […]