If you look closely on your flowering plants in full sun you'll most likely find an Ambush Bug lying in wait. These amazing predators look harmless at first with their lacy appearance and beautiful coloring.
On closer inspection though, you'll notice their enlarged forelegs with a "sickle-like tibiae, greatly reduced tarsi and huge swollen femora." (Insects Their Natural History and Diversity)
"The Jagged Ambush Bug overwinters as an adult and lays eggs in the spring. Adults mature during summer." (Insects of the North Woods)
Have you seen Ambush Bugs in your landscape?
If you can find eggs of Phymata it would be great. As far as I know there is only one image of them in a natural surrounding in the Internet (they were found on a goldenrod leaf). I have seen one image of eggs raised in the lab; but I can't find it anymore.
ReplyDeleteSee: http://bugguide.net/node/view/301478
http://bugguide.net/node/view/322327/bgpage
Hi Mizz Bee,
ReplyDeleteI would look for them, thanks for your comment and link.
Heather
This is a new one for me - the camouflage must be working really well in my area!
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping us learn.
Ellen: Most of the time they hide on flowers. So look for them there. They feed on my poor pollinators. The megachilid bee in this video escaped because the ambush bug had just finished a meal. http://www.youtube.com/user/insectpollinator#p/u/13/DAMIL4dEnak
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