Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
treated as a separate family (Ploiariidae) in
(2)
Explanation of Names
Emesinae Amyot & Serville 1843
Numbers
>60 spp. in 14 genera in our area
(3), >900 spp. in ~90 genera total
Tribe Emesini: Emesa (1) · Gardena (2) · Stenolemoides (1) · Stenolemus (4)
Tribe Leistarchini: Ploiaria (14)
Tribe Metapterini: Barce (6) · Metapterus (6) · Pseudometapterus (3) · Emesaya (5) · Ghilianella (1) · Pseudometyapterus (3) · Ischnonyctes (1)
Tribe Ploiariolini: Emesopsis (1) · Empicoris (14)
Size
3-40 mm, usually under 10mm
(4)(5)Identification
Unlike walking-sticks and some dipterans they mimic, the Emesinae walk on the rear four legs: the front legs are modified for grasping prey
(1)
McAtee & Malloch 1925 revision
(6) has retained its importance;
Habitat
Barns, cellars and old buildings; beneath loose bark, in tufts of grass or brush piles; largely nocturnal, some live in spider webs
(2)(7)(4)(5)Food
other insects or spiders; some steal prey from spider webs
(4)(7)(1)