Insects

It contains several of the most common household cockroaches. Members in this Blattidae family are usually large in size. Adults are over 20 mm in body length. Their cerci are relatively long and obvious. They are usually dark brown to reddish-brown in colors. They are usually found on ground under plant materials or under barks.

(Coleoptera) The biggest order of insects of all, it includes about 400,000 species. The head of these insects can move freely, their compound eyes are well-developed and the simple eyes are usually missing. Their forewings are chitinous, hard and thick called “sheath”, and rear wings are membranous and transparent folded under the forewing when not in use. Their legs are strong and often mutate for various specialized uses. The metamorphosis of this insect is complete (egg - larva - cocoon – complete insect). Larvae are often terrestrial but sometimes aquatic and they can be flat, curved or round, having thoracic legs and no abdominal legs. However, thoracic legs can also be missing. Coleoptera insects exist everywhere. They feed on plant and animal products and exist frequently on plant parts and under barks, whereas many of them exist in soil, decaying wood, fungi and dung, as well as on corpses. Some species are aquatic; others live on wool, fur and furniture. While many species cause considerable economic damage to agriculture and stored materials, some are predators gobbling large numbers of harmful insects, so they are vey important in biological control programs.

(Cleridae) This family is not widely spread. It includes slightly less than 3,500 species, most of which live in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Larvae and adults are predators living on the same species of host. There are some species that live on trees, shrubs, trunks, branches or in tunnels inside their preys. Some species feed on flowers and pollen while others feed on fodder.

(Elateridae) This is one of the most important families. It includes more than 10,000 species distributed all over the world on all plants. They exist on plant cover and many of them are herbivorous. Some species live in rotten wood while others form groups under stones. Larvae live in various environments such as soil, garbage, rotten wood and termite nests. Some species are considered pests of multiple families for cultivated plants.

(Tenebrionidae) This family is very important and it includes about 19,000 species distributed into more than 2,000 genera. The species exist mainly in tropical and temperate regions of the world. They exist in various groups of families: in rotten wood, fungi, caves, burrows, nests of vertebrates, colonies of ants and termites. Some species cause damages to stored foodstuff such as grains and crop. Many species live in very specialized environments in the most arid regions of the world. In Qatar, this family is one of the best of what the family represents. Five new species have been registered, classified and added for the first time to the encyclopedia of world insects.

(Carabidae) This family has more than 40,000 species and it is one of the most important families of the Coleoptera order. It is found all over the world and includes various families. As adult, it lives most of its life on the ground surface whereas larvae can usually be found under the ground. However, some of its species can be found on trees or living on tree branches. Larvae and adults are mainly predators but they can also eat seeds and sometimes cause damage to crops and stored food materials.

(Buprestidae) This family includes more than 10,000 species type spread all over the world. Jewel beetles live in most tropical forests. The adult insects are usually so colourful with beautiful metallic glitter. Larvae are saproxylophages or, sometimes, xylophages and can be found on different species of trees. Due to the damage they cause, they can be harmful to fruit trees. Larvae of some species are leaf-miners and they are completely herbivorous. Adult insects live on flowers and they are heliophilous and thermophilous.

(Coccinellidae) This family includes about 6,000 species living mainly in tropical and sub-tropical regions. The family is economically important as larvae and adults are generally predators feeding often on aphids, chrysomphalus, moths and thrips, and on larvae of butterflies, Hymenoptera and Diptera orders in their first stages. Some beetles feed on weeds and attack crops and some are used for biological control.

(Chrysomelidae) This family includes slightly more than 35,000 species existing worldwide. Larvae and adults are mainly herbivorous, and some, depending on the species, are more or less connected to a group of plant families. The species of this family often exist in groups on tree leaves and weeds. Some species of this family, such as Bruchids, exist on seeds of fodder plants, inside which they complete their cycle and their larvae grow. Some species are very harmful to agricultural plants and stored foodstuff. Many of these species are toxic as they have developed a system of chemical defense.

(Cerambycidae) This family includes more than 20,000 species existing worldwide. Adults exist mainly on trunks and branches of dead trees. Some species can also be seen on tree trunks, flowers, wild weeds, and on the ground. Larvae are mainly saproxylophages or, in some species, xylophages, rhizophages or stem-eaters.

(Scarabaeidae) This family of Coleoptera order includes more than 30,000 species globally distributed. They live in incredibly various environments and larvae and adults may exist in the same or different environments. They can be found in compost, carrion and mushrooms and on plants. They can feed on pollen, fruits, decaying organic materials or roots depending on species. Some species of this family live in nests of ants, termites, rodents or birds. Other species live and reproduce in dung of various mammals. Some species are of importance economically, either due to their role in fertilizing or helping with the recycling of leaves and roots of agricultural crops damaged by other herbivorous insects.

(Hybosoridae) This family includes slightly more than 200 species divided into 30 genera. Its species are mainly tropical and their biology is not completely understood. It seems that larvae live in decaying plant materials. Some species have been found on the remains of invertebrates and vertebrates during their decomposition, whereas other species can be found in droppings or in layers of cut grass. Adults are usually attracted by light.

(Dryophthoridae) This family has been separated from the Curculionidae family and it is not diversified. Larvae and adults are and related with different groups of plants such as palm, orchid, bromelias and lilies. Some species cause damages to stored grain, corn crops and bananas. Larvae generally dig tunnels and develop inside stems of plants.

(Curculionidae) Along with Carabidae and Staphylinidae families, this family is one of the most important families of the Coleoptera order. It includes slightly more than 50,000 species spread throughout the world, and more than 400 genera. The classification in this family still needs some clarification in terms of subclasses and tribes as some specialists have disagreement about that. Weevils (snout beetles) (Curculionidae) family is close to Apionidae and Nanophigedae families. Larvae and adults are herbivorous and can attack all parts of plants according to species. They can cause considerable damage to crops and stored crops.

(Hemiptera) These are widespread insects with a flat body. This order has species that are different in term of colours and shapes. Some of them have a metallic luster with colours ranging from silver, brown and green, to red, blue, purple and black. In this order, while the base part of the forewing is thick and leathery, its side part is membranous. However, the entire rear wing is membranous and shorter than the front wing. There are also non-winged species, whereas some are with short wings and others with long ones. Species of this order live in different environments. Some live in the water or on the surface of the water, but the majority of them feed on absorbing sap of plants and live on fruits and roots. Some of them live on wood, and there are species living on certain plants. Some species feed on dead animals, and some attack the living insects. There are species of bugs that are predators and others that feed by absorbing blood. Their mouth parts are snout-shaped and they puncture and absorb. Many insects of this order emit from special glands found in their thoraxes a distinctive scent unpalatable to humans.

(Aphididae) This family includes about 600 genera having slightly less than 5,000 species spread all over the world. However, most are to be found in the temperate areas of the world. The The adults are small – their length is only a few millimeters. They can be with or without wings. They puncture and suck sap from plants. It is known that Aphids play an important role in transmitting viral diseases when feeding on plants. They cause heavy economic losses when feeding on agricultural crops. When they feed on plants, they excrete a liquid called honeydew honey used by ants as food.

(Reduviidae) It is a global family of bugs that includes slightly less than 6,900 species distributed into more than 980 genera. Almost all species of this family are predators. They usually seize their prey using their forelegs. Adults and young stages of this family are found in the various environments provided their prey is available. For example, in garbage, in dead or living plants, under stones or in trees. Some species live in caves. Species of this family hide and pounce on their prey in a sudden move. Prey are diversified. Some species suck blood of vertebrates, including rodents and birds.

(Alydidae) This family includes about 250 species distributed in 40 genera globally. Most of those species are tropical and sub-tropical living on leguminous plants, whereas others are restricted to herbal plants. The insects of this family are mainly herbivorous. However, they sometimes appear on carrion. Some species mimic some species of the Hymenoptera order such as ants. Some tropical members gather together during the summer.

(Cicadidae) This family includes more than 3,000 species and the adults are sometimes big. They exist all over the world including tropical wetlands. This family is of the Hemiptera order and it is still not exactly understood. It is recognized by the noise produced by the males. Since the advent of acoustics studies, the number of new species of this family has been increasing. Undoubtedly, there are still 2,000 to 3,000 new species all over the world that need to be described. Depending on the species, larvae spend from 2 to 17 years inside the soil before changing into adults that live no more than a few weeks for reproduction. Larvae and adults feed on sap and sometimes cause damage to plants.

(Pyrrhocoridae) This family includes 340 species distributed into more than 30 genera found in all main regions of the world. However, it is more commonly found in tropical and semi- tropical regions. The adults and developing stages of this family are found in the same environments. They are herbivorous species feeding mostly on seeds and fruits. Cases of predation in this family seem to be rare but they have been observed at least once in each species.

(Psyllidae) This family has less than 150 genera including around 1,500 species found throughout the world. Small in size, no more than a fraction of millimeter, this family feeds on sap of plants using a special stylet. Members of this family are usually associated to one species of a plant or a few related plants. Their feeding can lead to the death of the plant. Due to the growing importance of psyllid-spread diseases, “International Psyllid Genome Consortium”, Texas, USA, has been established to combat this epidemic. In Qatar, a new species of psyllids was classified in Mesaieed City. It was found on Usnea that is common on the small sand dunes in Sealine area. However, this new species, called Calliardia Ummsaidensis, doesn’t cause noticeable damage to plants.

(Lygaeidae) This family was important when it included several thousands of species. It has been recently divided into several distinct families. Now it includes slightly more than 100 genera having about 1,000 species spread all over the world. They are more diverse in tropical areas. Most species suck plant or seed sap by means of a stylet and some species are agricultural pests having great economic impact. Other species are predators of smaller Arthropoda species and they feed on the blood of vertebrates. Some adults look like ants whereas others have bright colours to warn predatory animals about their toxicity.

(Miridae) This family is the most important family of the Bug order as it includes about 10,400 species distributed into 1300 genera existing in all regions. Some species are predatory whereas some are herbivorous. The herbivorous species are often connected with plant genera or families. They mainly eat young leaves, flowers and fruits and sometimes pollen of some species. The predatory species can be associated with some specific species of prey that are sometimes pest for crops such as mealybug. In this case, these predators are a valuable aid to agriculture.

(Rhopalidae) This family has slightly less than 210 species distributed into more than 20 genera. Adults and young stages exist in the same environments and they are herbivorous. Depending on the species, this family sucks sap of trees or various plants in the herbaceous layer. Other species feed on grains and fruits. While the adults of some species sometimes gather in large numbers, they are not really known to be harmful to agriculture.

(Mantodea) This order includes 15 families worldwide having more than 2,400 species distributed into more than 440 genera spread all over the world. The insects are large predators. Their body is elongated with a cylindrical triangle head that moves in all directions. The prothorax is long, making it the longest part of their body. Forelegs are mutated for hunting. The coxa and tarsus contain thorns that help in hunting. The metamorphosis type of this insect is incomplete (egg - nymph - complete insect). Females deposit eggs in a frothy mass that is produced by glands in the abdomen. This froth then hardens, creating a protective capsule around the eggs. These insects move around by walking. They are predators in the stages of nymphs and adults.

(Empusidae) This family includes 30 species distributed into slightly less than 10 genera. Mantis phylogeny is not clear as majority of mantis families or subfamilies are not homogenous groups. Species of this family can be so diversified and they are characterized by a very wonderful appearance mimicking, for example, the shape and colour of a lizard. However, they are also variable in size. Nymphs and adults are predators existing in the same environment and they are big consumers of other Arthropoda species. Mantis species colonized all plant families, from arid deserts to rainforests on the equator.

(Lepidoptera) This order includes about 174,250 species distributed into 126 families of insects ranging in size from very small to large with a cylindrical and smooth body. Their boy and wings are covered with colourful scales giving them a distinctive behavior in terms of taxonomy. Their head is relatively small and can move freely using a thin neck. They have big compound eyes with or without two simple eyes. While antennae are clavate in rhopalocera , they are pectinate, bipectinate, filiform or plumose in butterflies. Larvae of insects of the Lepidoptera order are usually cylindrical having three pairs of thoracic legs and usually five pairs of abdominal false legs. While most of the larvae feed on plants (leaves, fruits or dig tunnels in the stems and leaves), a few species are predators of other insects. Their metamorphosis type is complete (egg - larva – cocoon - complete insect).

(Nymphalidae) Spread throughout the world, this family includes about 7,080 described species. Its presence in the world is estimated at more than 8000 species. Adults are medium to big in size and they are mainly diurnal. However, some species are crepuscular. Larvae are herbivorous feeding mainly on foliage and they gather together in some species. There are many plants that can be targeted by their attacks including toxic plants. Adults of some species contain fluorides, making them unsuitable for consumption, including predatory animals such as birds and amphibians. In addition to that, those species of butterflies have bright colours, external signs of toxicity that discourage predators from attacking them.

(Geometridae) This family is the second largest family of the Lepidoptera order after the Noctuidae family. It exists in all main areas of the world and includes more than 21,150 described species. The number of its species is estimated at more than 26,500 globally. In the new tropical areas, India and Australia, this family is more diversified, having more than 6,500 and 6,670 described species respectively. Adults can be small or big. In many genera, females have short preliminary wings (Brachypterous) or can be without wings. Adults mainly fly during in the night but many species are crepuscular or diurnal. Larvae are herbivorous and feed mainly on foliage. Their diet is so diversified and includes most plant families. Many species are known to cause great damages to agriculture.

(Lycaenidae) This family is spread all over the world and includes about 6,000 described species. The tropical region alone has 2,125 described species. Specialists estimate the number of species of this family in the world at more than 7,000. Adults are of small to medium size. They are mainly diurnal but some species are crepuscular, whereas others fly only in the dark forests. Larvae don’t resemble caterpillar as they can draw back their heads inside their thoraces. Many species are herbivorous attacking foliage, whereas some feed on other parts of leaves. Many species live in ant nests (Myrmecophilous) and they develop inside the nests as parasites. Some larvae of this family are carnivores feeding on ant larvae or the Hemiptera order. Species that feed on plants attack many plant families. However, Fagaceae and Leguminuceae families are affected the most. Some species are known to cause damage to agriculture.

(Crambidae) This is a large family of the Lepidoptera order including about 11,630 species spread throughout world. Recently it has been separated from the Pyralidae family. Adults vary in appearance, depending on the subfamilies. They can be pale and distinct or having colourful patterns on wings. Adults are mainly active in the night. They can be seen on weeds but larvae of some species feed on grape leaves and different water plants such as water lilies. Many species are parasitical and consume a large number of plants essential for human food and animal resources, such as corn, sugar cane, rice and various herbs and pastoral plants.

(Sphingidae) This family includes about 1,450 species spread all over the world. Butterflies are medium to big in size (25 - 125 mm), and their body is big and fusiform. Their forewings are long and narrow and antennae are usually filiform but thick at the top. Butterflies can fly fast. While some species fly during the day, most of them are active at sunset or dusk. The fully grown insects feed on flower nectar. Larvae of most species have a clear horn or an appendage like a thorn on the upper surface of their eighth abdominal segment. Larvae attack crops and trees. Most species of this family are not important economically.

(Gracillariidae) This family of the Lepidoptera order includes most leaf-mining species. Spread all over the world, this family is estimated to have more than 6,000 species. More than 1,740 species have been described. Adult are small and diurnal. Larvae are generally leaf-miners and infect foliage. During their growth, larvae have well-developed legs in the final stages of their metamorphosis. They feed on foliage sap in their first stages. Sometimes their diet changes in their last stages of their growth to consume the meaty parts of leaves and attack many plant species. It is known that some species of this family cause damages to agriculture, especially citrus.

(Noctuidae) Including more than 26,300 described species available all over the world; it is the biggest family of the Lepidoptera order. It is estimated to have more than 30,000 species worldwide. In the new tropical areas and between India and Australia, this family is more diversified as it includes 8,600 and 6,500 described species respectively. Adults can be small or very big depending on the species and they are mainly nocturnal. While some are crepuscular, a few are diurnal. Larvae are herbivorous feeding mostly on foliage. Most of the species are leaf-miners. Host plants are so diversified but the diet of many of those butterflies is still unknown. Some species of this family are agricultural pests.

(Pyralidae) This family includes currently about 6,150 described species. Until recently, the Crambidae family had been listed in this family. It is found all over the world and many of its species were introduced in different areas of the world through international grain, fruit and vegetable trade. Depending on the species, adults can be small or big. While they are nocturnal, some are crepuscular and rarely diurnal. Most species are butterflies (moths). Larvae attack foliage or puncture different parts of plants, whereas other species target roots. There are also many leaf-mining species affecting many different species of plants. Some larvae live on garbage and attack stored materials. In rare cases, some species live in colonies of Myrmecophilous ants and they are seen even in water. It is known that many of the species of this family them are pests of agricultural crops.

(Papilionidae) This global family of small butterflies includes slightly less than 600 described species. The Indo-Australian region alone includes 250 described species. They are big butterflies. This family contains the biggest species of the Lepidoptera order, including Ornithopter from the Indo-Australian region. Adults can be seen flying. Larvae are herbivorous feeding mainly on foliage. They have a gland behind their head producing defensive aromatic materials whose flow in this part of the body can cause the appearance of an erecting organ. Those species gather on a wide spectrum of plants such as Nymphalidae. Some eat toxic plants whereas other species are known to cause damages to agriculture, especially crops and citrus.

(Arctiidae) This large family of butterflies is spread throughout the world and includes about 11,160 species, a large number of which (about 6,000 species) exist in tropical regions. Depending on the species, adults can be small or big. For many adult groups, the rear wings are small. Adults fly mainly during the night but many species are crepuscular or diurnal. Larvae are herbivorous and feed on many types of foliage.

(Nolidae) This family includes about 1,400 described species spread all over the world. Most of them are small and pale in colour, characterized by the existence of tufts of scales on the front wings. Larvae are pale having tufts of short hair.

(Pieridae) Found in all major regions of the world, this family includes slightly less than 1,300 described species. Most species, that is about 515 species, live in the Indo-Australian region. Adults are small or big in size and their colour is white mixed with yellow or orange, usually with black spots on their wings. They can be seen flying during the day. Like most larvae families of the Lepidoptera order, larvae are herbivorous consuming mainly foliage and attacking different groups from plants. Many known species cause damage to agriculture, especially the crops of the Cruciferae family such as cabbage.

(Odonata) This order includes about 5,900 species spread in all regions of the world. Its insects are somewhat medium to large in size. Their bodies are thin and cylindrical having a metallic luster. Their head moves freely, and they have large compound eyes with three simple eyes and simple filiform antennae, each of which is composed of 3 to 7 segments. Their relatively short thorax carries a pair of transparent, membranous, long and narrow wings. Their abdomen is elongated consisting of ten segments, whereas males have an added plate resulting from an eleventh segment. The metamorphosis type of this insect is incomplete (egg - nymph- complete insect). The nymphs are aquatic and they breathe by caudal gills. The complete insects fly fast and they are predators seizing their prey while flying. They normally live near bodies of water. Nymphs live in water feeding on mosquito larvae and small aquatic insects.

(Aeshnidae) Including 50 genera and slightly less than 450 species, it is a small family spread in all major parts of the world. Species of this family have big compound helmet-shaped eyes that help them significantly in communication. Those dragonflies are big. Adults can fly fast for long distances and can also fly backward or in circles. Larvae live in water where they complete their life cycle. Adults patrol above the water or open environments that are protected from the wind. Larvae and adult are very active predators feeding on different preys. Adults consume insects, while larvae sometimes attack small vertebrates.

(Libellulidae) Spread all over the world, this family includes more than 140 genera having slightly less than 990 species. Adults are medium in size with a strong appearance and relatively big abdomen and wings. Many species have abdomens decorated with bright colours with more-or-less developed spots on their wings. Adults fly fast but they often perch on stems of river plants. Males of many species of this family are aggressive and have strong regional behavior. They take off in fast trips to chase other males. Larvae complete their metamorphosis in water environments. Species of this family like mainly stagnant water. Larvae and adults are predators consuming a lot of insects.

(Diptera) This order includes about 240,000 species spread all over the world. The insects of this order are usually small, with a soft body and metallic luster, covered with hair and sometimes with some scales. Their head is supported by a delicate neck. They have big compound eyes with three simple eyes that can be missing. Their mouth parts are mutated to form proboscis in order to absorb or puncture and absorb. While their forewings are triangle-shaped, membranous and elongated, the rear wings are reduced and replaced by two small chitinous pin-shaped parts called “balance pins”. The function of the balance pins is to adjust the balance of the insect while flying. The insect metamorphosis type is complete (egg - larva - cocoon – complete insect). Larvae usually look like worms without legs. A large number those species are of agricultural, health and veterinary importance. While most species of flies feed on organic materials or flower nectar; others live as parasites on blood of vertebrate. Some species are predators that are very important for biological control. However, larvae feed on different food. Some larvae live in water like mosquitoes; others live in the soil, and some in decomposing materials. Some also live in dung and stool like larvae of domestic flies, whereas others live on plant materials or as parasites on insects and vertebrate animals.

(Tephritidae) This family is large and includes about 4,625 species spread in all regions of the world. Some species have been moved by international trade, especially fruits. All larvae are herbivorous. Depending on species, larvae develop in fruits, flowers, seeds, leaves, stems and roots of the host plants, causing tumors. Many species are harmful to agriculture. However, some species are useful in biological control for combating the spread of harmful weeds.

(Muscidae) This large family includes more than 5,150 species spread in all parts of the world. The known life patterns of larvae are diversified. They are mostly carnivores feeding on decaying organic material. Larvae have been found in offal and decaying plant and animal material. Carnivorous larvae can be aquatic or semi-aquatic. For example, larvae feed on some types of mosquitoes. Most adults can feed on flower nectar but adults of some species feed on blood (hematophagous) or suck liquid oozing from sores. Consequently, they can transmit diseases. Therefore this family is very important medically and veterinarily in most hot areas of the world.

(Orthoptera) This order consists of about 20,000 species distributed into 28 families spread in all regions of the world. This order includes the insects known as locusts, hoppers and field crickets. They have big compound eyes in addition to two or three simple eyes that can be missing altogether. Their antennae are moniliform, filiform or pilose. They have a wide head and two pairs of wings, the front pair of which is usually long, narrow and thick, while the rear pair is transparent, membranous and semi-circular. The coxa of the third pair of legs is swollen and long to be used for jumping. The metamorphosis of this insect is gradual (egg - nymph - complete insect). The complete insect squeaks by rubbing the edges of their leathery wings. Generally, males have a device for producing sounds. Insects of this order are sometimes called hoppers .

(Gryllidae) This family includes about 900 species. Insects of this family are of medium size and their colours are predominantly brown and black. Their anal cerci are long and not segmented, and antennae are long and pilose. Males of these insects make sounds to attract female by rubbing their forewings with each other forward and backward. Members of this family feed on cultivated plants.

(Gryllotalpidae) Insects of this family live in tunnels under the soil surface feeding on any plant parts they encounter while they roam. Therefore, they often cause serious damage to the roots of cultivated crops whether by feeding or by agitating the soil around them and causing the plants to wilt. Their colours are brownish or light brownish. They are characterized by their forelegs that are mutated to drill and their back legs that are suitable for jumping. Their forewing is short and thick and the rear wing is membranous and long.

(Acrididae) This is a very big family of the Orthoptera order spread all over the world and having 8,000 species. Nymphs look like adults. They are medium to big in size depending on the species. Adults are generally brownish or greenish, but for some species the colour varies according to the colour of the environment where they develop. Their antennae are short and their back legs are mutated to jump. For most species, females have a small borer which they use to deposit eggs in the soil, but some deposit eggs in stems of plants. Their wings are generally very developed. However, there are also species that are non-winged. Many species squeak. Young individuals and adults are exclusively herbivorous and many species feed mainly on weeds. Many species migrate and they belong to multiple families. This family can cause heavy damages to agriculture.

(Neuroptera) This order includes about 6,010 species spread all over the world. Insects of this order are of length ranging from 2 mm to 6.5 cm and their bodies are slim, smooth and covered with dander. Their heads move freely and they have big compound eyes. There are also three simple eyes or they may not exist entirely. The mouth parts are of the chewing type. The insects of this order have four membranous wings with a big number of veins. Many species have special glands that secrete waxy materials, a smell or adhesive materials to stick their eggs on plants. The metamorphosis type of this insect is complete (egg - larva - cocoon - complete insect). The species of this insect are very important in biological control programs because they are predators of many important agricultural pests. Generally, larvae feed on insects, but sometimes complete insects feed on honeydew honey secreted by aphids.

(Chrysopidae) This family is spread in all major regions of the world and includes more than 1,300 crepuscular or nocturnal species. Adults are of medium size, and their wings are often transparent and glitteringly colourful. The colour of their bodies is usually greenish to brownish. Many species have eyes that shine with gold colours, a characteristic that is considered the main reason for the name of this family. In many species, communication is performed by vibrations, especially during the mating period. While this family is mainly predatory, several groups of species feed only on aphids. Many species of this family like the tree environments. Larvae are predators and actively look for their moving preys. For their camouflage, larvae cover themselves with the leftover of their preys using long bristles on their body. Some species of this family are bred for using them in the biological control of mite pests in agriculture.

(Myrmeleontidae) This global family includes about 2,000 described species living mostly in warm and dry environments. Its global distribution in large areas of the world is attributed to its success in colonizing sandy environments. Adults are medium or big in size and they look somewhat like dragonfly. They fly slowly and for short distances. Adults are nocturnal or crepuscular. While they are usually predators of other smaller insects, some species feed on pollen. Larvae in the whole family feed on insects (Entomophagous) and are recognized by the entrances they build in the sand to hunt the passing-by insects, especially ants. However, many species do not build such traps but remain buried for observation or buried in garbage.