While gathering basil from the garden for a hot sauce I was making today, I found this little guy. He was hiding on a flowering stem. I don't see any wings so think this is a nymph. The rounded projections just above the abdomen (section called the mesothorax) on either side look like they might be what develops into the wings or may even be tiny little wing-lets. The prothorax seems a bit spiked to me suggesting he may be a Phymata erosa or jagged ambush bug, but I really don't know for sure.
He (or should I say 'she'?) was quite willing to pose for my camera. These bugs stay very still awaiting their prey. Because of this hunting strategy I was able to get very close, getting some nice details of its little face. The yellow eyes are very striking. The front legs are thickened (like Popeye's arms!) and held in a similar manner to a praying mantis. I think this is referred to as raptorial. You can see the segments in the antennae really well in the shot above.
The shape of the head is kind of reptilian. He's an odd mix of familiar features - like a mad scientist stuck crab legs on a fat lizard. Look at all the little bumps scattered across the body. The yellow and green coloration is beautiful - as well as practical, providing excellent camouflage. Entomologists refer to this as cryptic coloration
I'm sad to learn these guys eat bees. We're in the process of learning to become beekeepers - which is very exciting! Hopefully when he grows up he won't off too many of my colony.
For any interested - the hot sauce I made of roasted jalapenos and a mix of three different basils is beyond delicious! And best of all, like Paris would say: It's HOT!
Here are good shots of the back, displaying the color pattern and shape. The sections of the thorax and the abdomen are easy to see here and below.
No comments:
Post a Comment