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Photo#343681
Master of Disguise - Phymata

Master of Disguise - Phymata
Webb Canyon, ~2000 ft. elevation, Los Angeles County, California, USA
June 13, 2009
Can you see the second insect in this image?

I was browsing through last summer's images when I found myself staring at this unidentified fly. Although I doubt that I noticed anything odd while taking the photos, it now seemed to be a very unnatural resting position and looked sort of lifeless. Even at full magnification, it honestly took me several moments of scrutinizing before I could recognize the outline of an ambush bug (Phymata sp., I assume). Sure enough, I could now see its white proboscis inserted into the abdomen of the doomed fly. I find it astounding how perfectly its coloration matches that of the surrounding Eriogonum fasciculatum (California Buckwheat). So cool!

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Thanks, everyone, for the comments! I mostly just wanted to share with others of like-interest -- mission accomplished! As I do think this is a pretty wonderful exhibition of masterful camouflage, I'm moving it to Phymata. However, I readily confess that there are many vastly superior images for the purposes of ID, so if anyone thinks this one would be better sent to Frass, you'll get no argument from me.

nice
I knew I was looking for some kind of predator before reading your post. The fly was at an odd angle as you mention. Before reading, I was thinking maybe a white crab spider was hiding in there. Read the note, with reference to 2nd "insect", and tah dah.. saw the white Phymata with probocis stuck in fly butt. Have yet to find one of these white ones myself. Thanks for sharing the Where's Waldo shot. :)

Took me three close looks to find the bug.
Even the trim matches. Nice find, Harsi.

great scene! Phymata eating a Phasia
*

 
Phantastic! Thanks for the fly ID.
I was going to post some better images of the fly species from that same day (presumably a different specimen), but I get the impression that the Phasia aren't really identifiable to species. Worth posting anyway or waste of time?

 
wouldn't hurt, i think
what is unIDable today may turn IDable tomorrow or toaftermorrow

 
Amen!
I first saw this take place with bee flies and most recently with wasps. A big thanks to =v= for making things happen.

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