Yellow-Bellied Bee Assassin Bug (Apiomerus Flaviventris) - Apiomerus flaviventris

I wonder

if its bright colors lure bees thinking it's a flower. The colors could be imitative of what I've heard called Bird of Paradise blooms. Next time I'm in the desert and see one blooming I think I'll do some beating and see if I shake out any of these bee assassins.

… Jim McClarin, 14 February, 2008 - 5:56am

Mexican Bird of Paradise

That would be the perfect flower to camouflage this assassin. I've seen at least two varieties of Mexican Bird of Paradise- the flowers on both are bright red and yellow. One variety is more red while the other is more yellow. I'll have to keep an eye out when they start blooming.

… AnthonyGould, 14 February, 2008 - 11:44am

Welcome, plus comment.

Welcome, Anthony! Thanks so much for sharing your work here....Ironically, I found one of these assassins on an ornamental Bird of Paradise in my Tucson neighborhood a couple years ago. If it had not taken flight I never would have seen it...

… Eric R. Eaton, 14 February, 2008 - 2:45pm

Thanks for the invitation

Thanks Eric, that's very ironic.

… AnthonyGould, 15 February, 2008 - 12:30pm