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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » True Bugs (Heteroptera) » Ambush Bugs (Phymatidae)

Family Phymatidae - Ambush Bugs

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Numbers · Identification · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited
Jagged Ambush Bug - Phymata Ambush bug - Phymata fasciata Ambush Bug - Macrocephalus sp. - Macrocephalus Ambush Bug - Macrocephalus What are these - Phymata Interesting? - Phymata Ambush Bug Macros - Phymata which Ambush bug? - Phymata
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
Suborder Heteroptera (True Bugs)
Family Phymatidae (Ambush Bugs)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Often listed as part of the Assassin Bugs (Reduviidae).
Numbers
Nearctica.com lists 26 species in 3 genera (Lophoscutus, Macrocephalus, and Phymata). At least the one species of Lophoscutis is now in Macrocephalus.
Identification
Small predatory bugs with swollen, raptorial forelegs. Rear (distal) half of abdomen is expanded, wider than wings. Typically wait on vegetation, especially flowers, for prey. Antennae are 4-segmented, beak 3-segmented, tarsi 3-segmented. Two ocelli (simple eyes) are present. Resemble Assassin Bugs (Reduviidae) but have clubbed antennae; forelegs usually more modified.

Most commonly seen is genus Phymata.
See Also
Assasin Bugs (Reduviidae) do not have clubbed antennae, and forelegs are usually not as swollen or not as modified for grasping prey.
Print References
Slater & Baranowski, pp. 118-119 (1)
Internet References
Univ. Florida, ENY 3005
Works Cited
1.How to Know the True Bugs
By Slater, James A., and Baranowski, Richard M.
Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by Mike Boone, cotinis, Robin McLeod, Boris Bueche
Last updated 28 August, 2007 - 1:27pm

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