myrmecos.net

Zelus sp. Assassin Bug, with Odontomachus prey
Reduviidae
Arizona, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2007

Bugs have highly specialized mouthparts used like a straw for sucking juices.  This Zelus assassin bug probes for weak spots in the armor of an ant prior to feeding.

 
USA AZ Pima Co.: Tucson
32º14'N 110º58'W 730m. 16.vii.2007.
At blacklight, 2200hr.


This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS 20D, using a Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x macro lens.