Hemiptera, “true bugs” of summer 2008
Reduviidae, Phymata sp. I most often see this very common Ambush bug sitting motionless on flowers like goldenrod and tansy. The well developed musculature of the raptorial forelegs creates enlarged femora with which it is able to quickly seize its prey. It is capable of catching insects larger than itself, and favorites are bumble and honey bees, solitary bees, wasps and flies.
Cercopidae: Spittlebug on pine. There are many species of Spittlebugs, which produce the frothy substance from abdominal and anal secretions. One or more nymphs are concealed beneath the spittle while they feed on plant juices. It protects them from predators while they mature, and after the last nymphal molt, adults emerge from the spittle and actively crawl & fly about.
Spittlebug nymph on pine exposed
Cercopidae adult, froghopper
Spittlebug mass on leaves
Spittlebug nymph partially exposed
Spittlebug nymph exposed
Margot Monson
St. Paul, MN
April 6th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Information for each photo in the order they appear:
1. Reduviidae, Phymata sp. I most often see this very common Ambush bug sitting motionless on flowers like goldenrod and tansy. The well developed musculature of the raptorial forelegs creates enlarged femora with which it is able to quickly seize its prey. It is capable of catching insects larger than itself, and favorites are bumble and honey bees, solitary bees, wasps and flies.
2. Cercopidae: Spittlebug on pine. There are many species of Spittlebugs, which produce the frothy substance from abdominal and anal secretions. One or more nymphs are concealed beneath the spittle while they feed on plant juices. It protects them from predators while they mature, and after the last nymphal molt, adults emerge from the spittle and actively crawl & fly about.
3. Spittlebug nymph on pine exposed
4. Cercopidae adult, froghopper
5. Spittlebug mass on leaves
6. Spittlebug nymph partially exposed
7. Spittlebug nymph exposed
Margot Monson