Name the Insect or Spider

Have some fun answering Quizzes of a wild nature and learn at the same time
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Lisbeth
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Re: Name the Insect or Spider

Post by Lisbeth »

I cannot find one that has flowers as friends :-?


Bee Assassin Bug? (I don't know if it is the right subspecies -O- )


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ExFmem
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Re: Name the Insect or Spider

Post by ExFmem »

It's in the same Family as assassin bugs, but in a different Subfamily (like your Vampire Bug) - hint: Phymatinae O** O**

But your answers are all very very good! ^Q^


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Re: Name the Insect or Spider

Post by Klipspringer »

They love flowers because they wait in ambush for flower-visiting prey lol


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Re: Name the Insect or Spider

Post by ExFmem »

Klipspringer wrote: Sun Sep 20, 2020 7:12 pm They love flowers because they wait in ambush for flower-visiting prey lol
:yes: :yes: :yes: \O Great job, all of you ^Q^ ^Q^


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Re: Name the Insect or Spider

Post by ExFmem »

My common name comes from my behavior.
Flowers are my friends.
Patience is one of my virtues.
Once you get to know me better, I might seem rather ghoulish.


Answer: Ambush Bugs


Image

Ambush bugs are placed in the assassin bug family, Reduviidae, because they are predatory and have three-segmented beaks, but belong in the subfamily Phymatinae. They share many traits with assassin bugs, but can be separated by their hooked forelegs with greatly widened femur sections; clubbed antennae; and widened back portion of the abdomen (so wide that it usually extends outward beyond what the folded wings cover). Most species have jagged body contours, disrupting the outlines of their bodies against the textured background of flowerheads.

Ambush Bugs truly live up to their name, waiting patiently for unsuspecting insects to get just close enough to become lunch. They can sit still for hours while waiting for a meal to approach. When prey approaches closely enough, the ambush bug grasps it with its front legs. The upper section (tibia) of each foreleg has teethlike structures that mesh into similar structures on the lower, greatly thickened leg section (femur). A sharp beak is jabbed into the victim and its insides are sucked out.


Image


Even though the ambush bug is small (usually less than 12 mm, or 0.5 inch), its prey may be as large as a bumblebee, wasp, or butterfly.

Image

Males are physically smaller than females and can often be seen riding on their mate's back. Females will lay bunches of fertilized eggs on plant stems and cover them in a frothy coating, which may offer protection from desiccation as well as predation.


Image


Look for Ambush Bugs in the center or perimeter of yellow flowers like Black-Eyed Susans and sunflowers. White daisies and colorful asters are also popular blossoms for this insect.

(The pics are from Florida, but here’s one from South Africa):

Image


(RedeiJindra2013Doesburgellagennov.pdf)


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Re: Name the Insect or Spider

Post by Richprins »

:shock: :shock: :shock:

What disgusting ghouls, as you say! :no:

Good one, Ex! ^Q^


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Lisbeth
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Re: Name the Insect or Spider

Post by Lisbeth »

Every time I get " close" to an insect or a spider the wonder of evolution/nature overwhelms me :shock: :shock: ^Q^ ^Q^


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Re: Name the Insect or Spider

Post by Klipspringer »

^Q^ ^Q^ They look very cool with their raptorial legs.


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Re: Name the Insect or Spider

Post by Richprins »

Ok I'll do one!

I'm a great inventor, copied by humans! :shock:
My fresh habitat of choice is REALLY not what one would expect in my family, very specialised.
My sometime menu neither!
Parachutes play a role again... ^0^


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Lisbeth
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Re: Name the Insect or Spider

Post by Lisbeth »

Living in water? -O-


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