Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Pselliopus Bergroth, 1905
Explanation of Names
apparently, from Greek
psellion 'anklet, bracelet' +
pus/pous 'foot'
(1) (a reference to the banded legs)
Numbers
6 spp. in our area
(2); selected local faunas: OK 3 spp.
(3), NC 3 spp. (2 common + the rare
P. latifasciatus)
(4), ...
Identification
Adults 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.
Blatchley (1926)
(5) gives a description of the genus:
Rather stout species of medium size having the front lobe of the head about as long as hind one exclusive of the neck, hind lobe subglobose, abruptly constricted about its middle; antennae inserted above and in front of eyes, joints 1 and 3 subequal, each one-half longer than 2, 4 shortest, about one-half the length of 3; pronotum constricted in front of middle, its disk convex, front angles tuberculate, humeral angles armed with a short spine, hind margin in front of scutellum with a very wide notch or indentation; scutellum with apex more or less flattened and obtusely rounded; elytra reaching or slightly surpassing tip of abdomen; connexivum widely exposed, strongly reflexed. Male with last dorsal and ventral united to enclose the convex suborbicular genital plate, the apex of which is armed with an erect or oblique spine. About a dozen species are known, mostly from tropical America, three occurring in our territory.
Blatchley (1926)
(5) gives a key for Eastern species:
a. Disks of both front and hind lobes of pronotum smooth, unarmed; tibiae annulate throughout their length.
b. Basal margin of pronotum within the wide notch in front of scutellum bisinuate; short black spine of humeral angles of pronotum projected slightly beyond the angle and directed backwards; general color dull orange-yellow, more or less tinged with fuscous. -->
cinctus.
bb. Basal margin of pronotum in front of scutellum truncate or straight across ; short black spine of humeral angles not projected beyond the angle and directed outwards; general color a bright orange-yellow. -->
barberi.
aa. Front lobe of pronotum setose and beset with 10 — 12 distinct obtuse tubercles; hind lobe with numerous small setose tubercles or granules ; tibiae annulate only toward base. -->latifasciatus.
Range
P. cinctus and P. barberi are widespread spp. that occur in the se. US
P. zebra is known from AZ
Habitat
Meadows, fields; typically on flowers, presumably waiting in ambush
Season
Early summer through fall. Brimley
(6) lists
P. barberi from Raleigh, NC in May and September-December, and
P. cinctus from Raleigh west into Appalachians for "whole season". It looks as though in se. US the (?overwintered) adults are seen in spring (April-June). Nymphs are seen, apparently, in July and August. Adults reappear in September and presumably overwinter.
Food
Predatory on other insects, especially flower visitors
Life Cycle
Adults hibernate under rocks, bark, sometimes in groups
(7)
