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Key to
Major Families of Adult
Entomophagous
Insects
Developed at The University of California Riverside and Berkeley
during 1970-2020 by E. F. Legner & students in Entomology 129
& 229)
(Email Contacts)
[Please also refer to <Guide> and <Taxnames> for illustrations]
Family Access: Diptera, Coleoptera,
Hemiptera, Neuroptera
Chalcidoidea, Lepidoptera,
Strepsiptera
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DIPTERA
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1b. Forewing membranous or leathery; hind
wing always membranous; body generally somewhat heavily sclerotized
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2a. Antennae moniliform, 6-39 segments, longer than
thorax
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2b. Antennae with 3-4 segments, ring-like
segments may be present; shorter than thorax
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3a. Costa extends
completely around wing, occasionally weakened behind
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3b. Costa does not reach to or extend only
slightly beyond wing tip
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4a. Mesonotal suture
transverse, not V-shaped
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4b. Mesonotum with an entire V-shaped suture
(larvae predators of aquatic or semiaquatic arthropods .... (Diptera) ...Tipulidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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5b. Ocelli absent; wing venation strong;
wing covered with scales (larvae predators of aquatic arthropods)
.............. (Diptera) ... Culicidae <Habits>; <Adults> &
<Juveniles>
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6b. Ocelli present; tibiae with apical
spurs; discal cell in wing absent (larvae spin webs & feed on entrapped
arthropods) ........... (Diptera) ... Mycetophilidae <Habits>; <Adults>
& <Juveniles>
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7b. Metanotum long, with a median
longitudinal groove (most are predators, one species parasitizes mayflies)
.............. (Diptera) ... Chironomidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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8a. Empodium developed
pulvilliform, the 3 pads almost equal
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8b. Empodium hair-like or absent
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9a. Third antennal
segment compound, composed of ring-like segments
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9b. Third antennal segment simple,
frequently bearing an elongated style or arista
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10a. Squama (calypter)
large and conspicuous (adults are blood-suckers; larvae are predators of
aquatic arthropods) ........ (Diptera) ... Tabanidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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11a. Squama small or
vestigal
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11b. Squama large, covering halter; head very
small, composed almost entirely of compound eyes (parasitoids of spiders)
....... (Diptera) ... Acroceridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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12b. At least middle tibia with apical spurs;
wing venation normal, not complex (both adults and larvae are predators of
other arthropods) ........ (Diptera) ... Rhagionidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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13a. Wing with 2 or more submarginal cells
(vein R-4+5 forked); 3-4 posterior cells
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13b. Wing with only one submarginal cell or
none at all (vein R-4+5 not forked)
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14a. Front strongly
concave at vertex
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14b. Front not concave between eyes, vertex
flat or convex
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15a. Three ocelli present;
palpi normally prominent; proboscis adapted for piercing (both larvae and
adults are predators) ........... (Diptera) ... Asilidae
<Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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15b. One ocellus present; palpi vestigal;
proboscis with fleshy labellae (both larvae and adults are predators)
...... (Diptera) ... Mydaidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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16a. Costa continuing
around wing
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16b. Costa reaching only to wing apex; 4th vein (M-1) ends before wing tip
(larvae predators of larvae of Coleoptera) .......... (Diptera) ... Scenopinidae
<Habits>; Adults> & <Juveniles>
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17a. Wing has 5 posterior cells
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17b. Wing has at most 4 posterior cells
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18a. Fourth vein (M-1) ends beyond apex of wing
(larvae and adults are predators of other arthropods) ........... (Diptera)
... Therevidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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18b. Fourth vein (M-1) ends before apex of wing
(both adults & larvae are predators of other arthropods) ..........
(Diptera) ... Apioceridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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19a. Anal cell open or
closed near wing margin; antennal style short, never longer than 3rd antennal segment; body
usually hairy (parasitize a variety of immature arthropods) ..........
(Diptera) ... Bombyliidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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19b. Anal cell closed far from wing margin;
anal vein does not reach wing margin; antennal style usually longer than 3rd antennal segment; body
usually bare (predators of small arthropods) ............. (Diptera) ... Empididae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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20a. Wing normal, not
obviously rounded apically; venation normal
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20b. Wing rounded apically; veins very well
developed anteriorly (parasitoids of ant pupae, larvae & pupae of
Lepidoptera & Hymenoptera; some species are predators) (Diptera) ... Phoridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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21a. Spurious vein in wing
absent; anal cell usually short
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21b. Spurious vein in wing present; anal cell
long, closed near wing margin (predators of Homoptera) ....... (Diptera)
... Syrphidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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22a. Frontal lunule
completely absent
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22b. Frontal lunule present as a
crescent-shaped suture above antennae
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23a. Head normal, not
exceptionally large; front & face usually wide
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24a. Crossvein r-m located
beyond basal 1/4th of wing; anal cell pointed apically; proboscis usually
rigid; body not metallic; male genitalia terminal, not folded under abdomen
(refer to couplet 19) .......... (Diptera) ...
Empididae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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24b. Crossvein r-m located in basal 1/4th of wing; 2nd basal and discal cells
united; anal cell when present rounded apically; body usually metallic;
male genitalia frequently folded under abdomen (predators of small
arthropods) ........ (Diptera) ... Dolichopodidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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25a. Second antennal
segment with a lateral subdorsal longitudinal seam; thorax with a complete
transverse suture; calypter large
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25b. Second antennal segment without a
longitudinal seam; thorax without a complete transverse suture; calypter
small or rudimentary
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26a. Hypopleural bristles
present
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26b. Hypopleural bristles absent; 3rd (R-5) and 4th (M-1) veins almost parallel at
wing tip or 4th vein bends forward (predators of dipterous larvae)
............ (Diptera) ... Anthomyiidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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27a. Postscutellum
developed; hypopleura with strong bristles; body variously colored, but
usually blackish (parasitoids of many types of insects) ..... (Diptera) ...
Tachinidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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27b. Postscutellum not developed; hypopleura
with a row of bristles
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28a. Body usually gray
with three black stripes on mesonotum, not metallic; usually 4 notopleural bristles
(Parasitoids of grasshoppers and other arthropods) ....... (Diptera) ... Sarcophagidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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29a. Proboscis shorter
than head; head never broader than thorax; first posterior cell not quite
narrowed apically
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29b. Proboscis longer than head; head wider
than thorax; first posterior cell narrowed or closely apically (parasitoids
of wild bees) (Diptera) ... Conopidae
<Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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30a. Costa broken at
humeral crossvein; postocellar bristles divergent, if absent, arista is
absent (parasitoids of Homoptera) .... (Diptera) ... Agromyzidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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30b. Costa not broken;
postocellar bristles converge or are absent, if absent, arista present
(predators of mties and Homoptera) . (Diptera) ... Chamaemyidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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COLEOPTERA
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31a. Fore wing entirely
leathery, forming a protective covering for the hind wing (Coleoptera) [Please See <Coleoptera> for greater detail]
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31b. Fore wing membranous or basally
thickened (leathery)
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32a. Head not prolonged
into a beak; gular sutures double, at least anteriorly and posteriorly
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32b. Head usually prolonged into a beak;
gular sutures fused or lacking (predators of Coccidae) ....... (Coleoptera)
... Anthribidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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33a. First abdominal
sternite divided by the hind coxal cavities (Adephaga)
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33b. First abdominal sternite not interrupted
by hind coxal cavities (Polyphaga)
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34a. Abdomen with 6 or more visible
sternites; antennae filiform
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34b. Abdomen with only 4 visible sternites;
antennae very much thickened apically, clavate or laminate (predators of
ants) ........... (Coleoptera) ... Paussidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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35a. Eyes entire, not
divided; antennae elongated, slender (Caraboidea)
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35b. Eyes divided, appear as 2 pairs; antennae short
(predators of aquatic arthropods) (Gyrinoidea) . (Coleoptera) ... Gyrinidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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36a. Metasternum with a
distinct transverse suture demarking a triangular antecoxas suture
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36b. Metasternum without a transverse suture
or antecoxal sclerite (predators of aquatic arthropods(Coleoptera) ... Dytiscidae
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37a. Antennae inserted on
front above base of mandibles; clypeus extends laterally beyond the base of
antennae (general predators) ......... (Coleoptera) ... Cicindelidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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37b. Antennae inserted on side of head
between base of mandible and eye; clypeus does not extend laterally beyond
base of antennae (general predators) ...... (Coleoptera) ... Carabidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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38a. Antennae usually not
clubbed, but if so, segments are not lamellate
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38b. Antennae with the last 3-7 segments enlarged,
club-like (considered predators of grasshopper egg pods) ......
(Coleoptera) ... Scarabaeidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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39a. Hind tarsi with 4 segments, front and
middle tarsi with 5 segments
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39b. Hind tarsi with at least as many
segments as the fore and middle tarsi
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40a. Front coxal cavities closed behind
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40b. Front coxal cavities open behind
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42a. Head very much and
abruptly constricted behind eyes
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43a. Prothorax usually
rounded on sides, without a sharp lateral margin
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44a. Base of prothorax
narrower than elytra
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46a. Maxillary palpi much
shorter than antennae
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47a. Elytra cover most of
abdomen, not short
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48a. Tarsi with 5 segments on at least one
pair of legs, usually on all legs
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48b. All tarsi with less than 5 segments
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49a. Abdomen with at least
6 sternites
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49b. Abdomen with 5 or less sternites
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50a. Front coxae conical,
large and prominent
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51a. Abdomen with 6 sternites visible
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51b. Abdomen with 7-8 sternites visible
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52a. Hind coxae not
grooved
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52b. Hind coxae grooved for reception of
femora (also see copulet 69) (parasitoids of cicadas)
........ (Coleoptera) ... Rhipiceridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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53a. Hind coxae prominent,
at least internally
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53b. Hind coxae flat, not prominent (also see
couplet 68) (general predators)
......... (Coleoptera) ... Cleridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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55a. Middle coxae touching
each other
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55b. Middle coxae separated, not touching
each other (general predators) ............. (Coleoptera) ......... Lycidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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56a. Antennae inserted on
the upper part of the front or at the base of its anterior lobe
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58a. Front coxae globular
or transverse
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58b. Front coxae somewhat conical and
prominent
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59a. Front coxae
transverse, somewhat cylindrical
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59b. Front coxae globular
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60a. Hind coxae grooved to
receive femora
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60b. Hind coxae flat, not grooved
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62a. Tarsi somewhat
dilated, 1st segment not shortened.
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64a. Prosternum without a
median process
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64b. Prosternum prolonged behind into a
median process that is received into the mesosternum (general predators)
....... (Coleoptera) ........ Elateridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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65a. Hind coxae not in
contact with each other, although they may be close together in some
species
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66a. Elytra entire,
covering the pygidium
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67a. Antennae with 10-11 segments
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68a. Maxillae covered by
corneous plates (general predators) ... (Coleoptera) ... Passandridae
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69a. Hind coxae dilated
into plates which are grooved to receive femora
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71a. Tarsi with 3 segments
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71b. Tarsi with 4 segments
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72b. Second segment of tarsi not dilated
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73b. Abdominal sternites #1-4 firmly united (general
predators) ... (Coleoptera) ... Colydiidae
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HEMIPTERA
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74b. Entire forewing membranous
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75a. Antennae short,
usually concealed (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: suborder Cryptocerata)
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75b. Antennae longer than previous (75a), at least as long as head, not concealed
(Hemiptera/Heteroptera: suborder Gymnocerata)
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76a. Hind tarsi with
claws.
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76b. Hind tarsi without claws, hind tarsi
only flattened (general predators) ........... (Hemiptera/Heteroptera)
........ Notonectidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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77a. Membrane of hemelytra
without veins
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78b. Eyes flattened to form one smooth
surface with head (general predators) .......(Hemiptera/Heteroptera) ......
Naucoridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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79a. Fore legs relatively
short and slender compared to other legs; tarsal claws anteapical
(especially clear on fore legs)
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79b. Fore legs not noticeably shorter than
other legs; if so, then fore legs thick and modified for grasping; tarsal
claws apical
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80a. Hind femora extend
well beyond apex of abdomen; middle legs arise closer to hind than to fore
legs (general predators) ........... (Hemiptera/Heteroptera) ........ Gerridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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80b. Hind femora extend little if any beyond
apex of abdomen; if middle legs arise close to hind legs than fore legs,
then fore tarsi have only 1 segment (general predators) .......... (Hemiptera/Heteroptera)
........ Vellidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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81a. Antennae with 4 segments
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81b. Antennae with 5 segments (mostly
phytophagous, but some species are general predators) .....
(Hemiptera/Heteroptera) ...... Pentatomidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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82a. Absence of pad-like
arolium at base of each tarsal claw, or if present, fore legs are modified
for grasping prey (raptorial)
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82b. Pad-like arolium present; membrane of
hemielytron with only 4-5 veins (predatory and phytophagous) .............
(Hemiptera/Heteroptera) ........ Lygaeidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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83a. Fore legs not
raptorial; without a presternal groove
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83b. Fore legs not raptorial
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84a. Proboscis with 3 segments; cuneus absent;
ocelli present
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84b. Proboscis with 4 segments; cuneus present;
ocelli absent (a few general predatory species) ......
(Hemiptera/Heteroptera) ...... Miridae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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85b. Hemelytra without a cuneus; length
variable; membrane of hemelytra with 4-5 closed cells (general predators) ...........
(Hemiptera/Heteroptera) ........ Saldidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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86a. Prosternum with a
groove to receive probosis; proboscis with 3 segments (general
predators) .... (Hemiptera/Heteroptera) ..... Reduviidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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86b. Prosternum without a groove; proboscis
usually with 4 segments (general predators) (Hemiptera/Heteroptera) ..... Nabidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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= = = = = = =
NEUROPTERA
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87b. Fore and hind wings not similar, or
clypeus enlarged (Hymenoptera & Mecoptera)
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88b. Prothorax of normal length
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89a. Fore legs raptorial
and arise from anterior end of prothorax
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90a. Cerci well developed;
wings folded over abdomen at rest (general predators) ..(Neuroptera) Mantispidae [Older
Classification = Mantidae <Juveniles>]
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90b. Cerci absent; wings held roof-like over
abdomen at rest (adults are general predators, larvae are parasitoids in
spider egg sacs) ........... (Neuroptera) ........ Mantispidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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91a. Veins and crossveins
numerous; wings without powder
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92a. Antennae not clubbed
or knobbed; abdomen shorter than wings
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93b. Forewing with all branches of R-s
arising from a single sector; costal veins not forked (general predators)
....(Neuroptera) .... Chrysopidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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= = = = = = = = = =
HYMENOPTERA
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94a. Clypeus not
elongated; wings variable, but when present, forewing distinctly larger than
hind wing; first abdominal segment is fused to thorax (Hymenoptera)
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95a. Last sternite of
female abdomen divided longitudinally; ovipositor issues from anterior to
tip of abdomen and hs a pair of exserted sheathes capable of covering
ovipositor tip; hind wing usually without lobes
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95b. Last sternite of female abdomen not
divided longitudinally; ovipositor (or sting) issues from the tip of
abdomen and without a pair of exserted sheaths; hind wing often with an
anal lobe.
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96b. Wing venation reduced; stigma absent or
not well developed; trochanter with 1 segment
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97b. Costal cell present; antennae with fewer
than 16 segments; abdomen short
with long petiole arising on propodeum, far above bases of hind coxae
(parasitoids of cockroach egg capsules) ...... (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea) ...... Evaniidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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98a. Wing with one or no recurrent
veins; propodeum not prolonged beyond hind coxae
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100a. Pronotum extends to
tegula; antennae not geniculate; prepectus absent; body often compressed (Cynipoidea) [Please see <Cynipoidea-2> for greater
detail] <Overview>
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101a. Largest segment of
abdomen (side view) tergites 2 or 3 and never more than one short tergite in front of the largest
tergite
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101b. Largest segment of abdomen (side view)
tergites 4, 5, or 6, with at least 2, 3, or 4 short tergites behind petiole and preceding the largest
tergite; abdomen very compressed laterally; ovipositor curved under
"membranous flap" (parasitoids of sawflies in family Siricidae)
......... (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea) .,,,,,.. Ibaliidae
<Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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102a. Tergite 2 longest and usually forming
at least 1/2 the abdomen; radial cell open (except in Charips) and
petiole without enlarged ring bearing longitudinal striations (gall-formers
and hyperprasitoids in aphids) . If
radial cell is closed and petiole has striated ring, then tergites 2 & 3 are fused into a single
saddle-shaped tergite that covers entire abdomen (Synergus
inquilines in oak galls) ....... (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea) ........ Cynipidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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102b. Tergite 2 clearly forming less than
1/2 of abdomen; radial cell closed;
petiole with slightly enlarged ring structure bearing longitudinal
striations; mesopleura without aciculations (parasitoids of Diptera) ......
(Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea) ........ Figitidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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103a. Pronotum almost
reaches or does reach tegula, but lacks a rounded lobe on lateral margin
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104a. Venation of fore wing
well developed; hind wing with veins or a basal lobe
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105b. Venation of hind wing not reduced, with
at least one closed cell
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106a. Antennae with 12-13 segments; tarsi normal
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107a. Gaster with 3 or less visible tergites
(4 in male Parnopes);
gastral sternites concave; body metallic green or blue (parasitoids on
wasps) .............. (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) ..... Chrysididae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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107b. Gaster with 6 (female) or 7 (male) tergites;
sternites convex; body not metallic (parasitoids of Coleoptera &
Lepidoptera) ........... (Hymenoptera: Chrysidoidea) ........ Bethylidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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108a. Petiole without nodes
or node-like swellings
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109a. First discoidal cell
shorter than submedian cell; fore wings rarely folded
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109b. First discoidal cell much longer than
submedian cell; forewings when at rest folded longitudinally (general
predators) .... (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea) ........ Vespidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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110a. Mesopleuron not
divided by an oblique suture; hind femur does not extend to tip of gaster
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110b. Mesopleuron divided by an oblique
suture; hind femur extends to tip of gaster; mid tibia with 2 apical spurs (parasitoids
of spiders) ......... (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea) ........ Pompilidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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111a. Mesosternum &
metasternum separate, not forming a single large plate; wings without wrinkles
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111b. Mesosternum & metasternum form a
flat plat divided by a sinuous transverse suture; forewing with find
longitudinal wrinkles beyond the closed cells (parasitoids of Scarabaeidae)
..... (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea) ..... Scoliidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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112a. Mesosternum simple, without
appendages
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112b. Mesosternum with 2 laminae which overlay or
project between the bases of the middle coxae, extending to midline; spur
on tip of abdomen (parasitoids of Scarabaeidae) ... (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea) ........ Tiphiidae <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>
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113b. Body almost always obviously hairy; hind
wing of male without a lobe at the anal angle; 2 spurs on tip of abdomen (parasitoids
of Hymenoptera) ............. (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea) ........ Mutillidae (May be placed with
Sapygidae) <Habits>; <Adults> & <Juveniles>]
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114a. Antennae inserted
near clypeus
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115a. Gaster sharply
margined at sides
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= = = = = = = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = = = =
CHALCIDOIDEA, LEPIDOPTERA,
STREPSIPTERA
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117b. Please
see <Lepidoptera>
for details on predatory moths and butterflies
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