Assassin Bug - Apiomerus floridensis

Moved

Moved from Bee Assassin in response to this request.
See this forum topic for details.

… Chuck Entz, 28 June, 2009 - 9:37pm

Apiomerus spissipes, I believe (beautiful)

A. spissipes is quite distinctively colored--several images on the Internet. Yellow around the edges instead fo red, and brighter red hightlights. I think that is what you've got here, and it is in Key to Reduviidae of Florida, I think. I added a guide for this species.
See UIUC (a couple of photos on that page--nice comparisons with other species). Also see RKD Peterson's photos, Bob Jensen photography.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina

… Cotinis, 28 June, 2004 - 7:44am

A. spissipes

Hey Patrick,

Thanks for the detailed info. I was so happy to find these in the same location as I had last year (especially with the new lens:)

So, is the Apiomerus family the "Bee Assassins" or is it just one species?

… Tony DiTerlizzi, 28 June, 2004 - 4:17pm

Apiomerus name... (Bee Assassin)

Milne's "Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders" uses that name for the genus Apiomerus as a whole. (Others use it as well, if you do a google search on Apiomerus it will crop up.) I don't see any common names for particular species, though we could certainly coin some, if we can think of any appropriate ones. I don't really see the need, since the species are fairly similar.

The American Ent. Society doesn't have listing for Apiomerus in their common names database.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina

… Cotinis, 28 June, 2004 - 4:26pm

A. spissipes

I agree with Pat. There are several species in Apiomerus, and all can be somewhat variable in their coloration.

… Eric R. Eaton, 28 June, 2004 - 11:33am