Ambush Bugs (Phymata sp.)

[Precarious]

The predatory ambush bug, a relative of the assassin bug, is so named for it's method of hunting. It uses camouflage to hide near flowers to feed on pollinators or any other insect unlucky enough to wander into reach of its raptoral claws. These mini-Kaijus invaders lurk closer than you think but their small size and strategic colors keep them hidden from view.



Soundtrack by Precarious

 

[Precarious]

 

[agent A]

i find these on my shastas in the fall

 

[ismart]

Awesome pics, and video. I breed this species for a few years. The L1 nymphs are crazy small. D. melanogaster is almost double in size. I kept 10 of them communal without any cannibalism. A whole lot of mating took place tho. These guys are forever mating. :lol: Very powerful for there size. I watched one even take out a hornet.

 

[aNisip]

Always wanted to keep this insect, awesome stuff Henry! (As usual )

 

[ismart]

i find these on my shastas in the fall

They also have a liking to goldenrod.

 

[Precarious]

They also have a liking to goldenrod.

Yup! And a few species of purple flowers like those in the video. Cool to know you've bred them. That's what I'm experimenting with right now. I just collected another mating pair and 2 subadults on a hike yesterday. The subs look like a pair and they are very light colored, almost white. Maybe I'll get a chance to observe a molt!

 

[ismart]

Cool! You should keep some sticks in there enclosure. They like to lay there egg masses on the very ends. The L1 nymphs have no problems taking D. melanogaster.

 

[Precarious]

Cool! You should keep some sticks in there enclosure. They like to lay there egg masses on the very ends. The L1 nymphs have no problems taking D. melanogaster.

Thanks for the info. I do have sticks for them and they spend a lot of time on them. Are the egg masses orangish?

 

[ismart]

Actually mine were more of a white color. Hard to explain what it looks like. I might i have a pic? Let me check my photo bucket account.

 

[aNisip]

Do they just mash up their prey like in the vid and suck it dry? Or eat it like a mantis?

 

[Precarious]

Do they just mash up their prey like in the vid and suck it dry? Or eat it like a mantis?

They drink prey like an assassin bug. I was unable to get that on video yet. The male in the video was having a hard time holding onto the hydei. He eventually just released it.

 

[Mime454]

Did you ever get it to eat something huge? That was my favorite part of keeping one.

 

[Precarious]

Did you ever get it to eat something huge? That was my favorite part of keeping one.

Haven't tried yet. Just fruit flies. When I saw he couldn't hold the hydei I figured it would be a wast of time. I'll try a BB.

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

They're kind of cute in a weird bug way.

 

[ismart]

Darn! I only have a couple of crappy pics of the adults.

 

[Precarious]

Darn! I only have a couple of crappy pics of the adults.

That's ok. As long as i know to look for something light colored.

 

[sally]

That video is amazing!

 

[kunturman]

Once more, BRAVO! What a great educational performance! That little fellow looks like one of Godzilla's enemies. Sorry, but he does. If they were any bigger mantids would be in the endanger list.