Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Pselliopus Bergroth, 1905
Explanation of Names
Pselliopus appears to be a combination of two Greek words: "psellion" (anklet or bracelet) + "pus; pous" (foot) (
this comment by Chuck Entz)
(1). This is clearly a reference to the legs of
Pselliopus species, which are banded black and white as though adorned with bracelets.
Numbers
Arnett
(2) and Nearctica
(3) list six species in genus.
Identification
Adults of this genus are orange and boldly striped, as are some other juvenile assassin bugs. Distinctive as an adult: brown or orange with banded legs, head, and front of thorax. Edges of abdomen also banded.
In the southeastern United States, there are two widespread species: P. cinctus and P. barberi. Photographs identified as P. barberi are very orange, without much marking on the scutellum. Others from the same area are very brown, with some markings on the scutellum. It is possible the orange individuals are P. barberi and the more brown ones are P. cinctus. This needs investigation.
Compare, for instance, very orange individuals, likely barberi:
with more brownish specimens, likely cinctus:
Some of these images have been provisionally assigned to species here.
Range
P. cinctus is found in eastern North America.
(2)
P. zebra is known from
Arizona.
P. barberi, cinctus, and
latiofasciatus are on a list for
Oklahoma.
Habitat
Meadows, fields, typically on flowers, presumably waiting in ambush.
Season
Early summer through fall. Brimley, p. 73
(4) lists
P. barberi from Raleigh in May and September-December. He lists
P. cinctus from Raleigh west into Appalachians for "whole season". It looks as though, in the southeastern United States, adults are seen in spring (April?, May, June), presumably having overwintered. Nymphs are seen, apparently, in July and August. Adults are seen again in September, and presumably these overwinter.
Food
Predatory on other insects, especially those visiting flowers.
Life Cycle
Adults hibernate under rocks, bark, sometimes in groups. See "Season" for interpretation of life cycle.
Print References
Arnett, pp. 265-6, fig. 20.40
(2)
Arnett and Jacques, account #53
(5)
Borror, entries for
psellio,
pus (1)
Slater, pp. 124-5, fig. 227
(6)
Salsbury,
Insects in Kansas, p. 110--color photo
(7)Internet References
Clemson University publication on
Assassin Bugs has a photograph of
Pselliopus barberi, which is very orange.
NCSU Entomology collection lists
P. barberi and
P. cinctus as the most common species from that state, with over 100 specimens pinned for each.
Amazing Assassins states adults overwinter.
