Genus Nabis

Classification · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Life Cycle · See Also · Internet References

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Family Nabidae (Damsel Bugs)

Genus Nabis

Numbers

9 species in North America (nearctica.com)

Size

6-9 mm

Identification

head and body slender, light to dark brown; front femora slightly enlarged

Range

mostly northern US and adjacent parts of Canada

Habitat

low vegetation in fields and gardens

Season

most common during the warmer months but may be found at any time of year

Food

nymphs and adults predaceous on soft-bodied insects

Life Cycle

usually overwinter as adults; one to five generations per year, depending on location

See Also

Assassin Bugs (Reduviidae), especially slender ones such as Zelus

Internet References

live adult image of Nabis americoferus (Jim Kalisch, U. of Nebraska)

live adult image of Nabis americoferus (Kansas State U.)

adult image of Nabis americoferus (Rice U., Texas)

pinned adult images of Nabis species (Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota)

biology and other info (U. of Wisconsin)

Contributed by Robin McLeod on 6 March, 2005 - 12:05am
Additional contributions by Ron M.
Last updated 8 January, 2009 - 7:11pm

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