Chiniensis
Well-known member
I obtained six of these beauties in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia yesterday. Initially, I was worried as they were covered in a sticky goo. I assumed it was some residue from sticky sweets as they were kept in a small plastic bag (not by me!). They were so sticky that they were stuck to the bag and I had to be very careful to prize them off the sides.
Careful spraying removed the goo.
Then I searched the Internet and, to my horror, found they were resin assassin bugs and meant to have sticky arms! Apparently, they live on trees and cover their front legs with the resin and wait. Bees are attracted to the resin and sooner or later one gets too close to an assassin bug and gets stuck on its front legs. Next stop - lunch!
Whether their recent clean up will stop them eating remains to be seen. As far as I can guess, when they change skin they simply revert back to grabbing their prey but without claws on their front legs, that is not always easy.
It's a bug's life!
David
(more photos on Facebook - Exotic Insects )
Careful spraying removed the goo.
Then I searched the Internet and, to my horror, found they were resin assassin bugs and meant to have sticky arms! Apparently, they live on trees and cover their front legs with the resin and wait. Bees are attracted to the resin and sooner or later one gets too close to an assassin bug and gets stuck on its front legs. Next stop - lunch!
Whether their recent clean up will stop them eating remains to be seen. As far as I can guess, when they change skin they simply revert back to grabbing their prey but without claws on their front legs, that is not always easy.
It's a bug's life!
David
(more photos on Facebook - Exotic Insects )
