Predatory Groups

In this section, an overview of the major groups of predaceous insects is provided; some groups are discussed at the family level, others are presented at higher categories. For all groups, we will rely on "sight-id" and "key character identification". As with the parasitoids, the student should remember that a deeper understanding of a group comes through directed study of its taxonomy, phylogeny and biology, and requires intensive collecting over a broad range of habitats. For more information and dichotomous keys for each predatory group see Borror et al. (1989), Clausen (1940), and Sweetman (1958). Here we provide an introduction, an overview of the diversity of form and biology of predaceous insects.

For each predatory group a general description of its habits, identifying characteristics and some of the important genera, are given. Information and illustration are given for the following groups.

• Coleoptera
  
  
• Dermaptera
  
  
• Diptera
  
  
• Hemiptera
  
  
• Hymenoptera
  
  
• Mantodea
  
  
• Neuroptera
  
  
• Orthoptera
  
  
• Thysanoptera