Numbers
34 species in 11 genera in North America (
nearctica.com)
Identification
slender, light to dark brown or black with 4-segmented beak; resemble assassin bugs due to the slightly enlarged (raptorial) front femora; a series of elongated cells around the front wing membrane; some species have reduced wings
Range
most of North America; also occurs in Eurasia
Habitat
low vegetation in fields and gardens
Season
most common in warmer months but may be found at any time of year
Food
nymphs and adults are predaceous, feeding on many species of soft-bodied insects
Life Cycle
adults overwinter under leaf litter; generations vary from one to five per year, depending on location
Internet References
live adult image of Nabicula subcoleoptrata (Phil Myers, U. of Michigan)
live adult image of Nabis americoferus (Jim Kalisch, U. of Nebraska)
adult image of Nabis americoferus (Rice U., Texas)
biology and other info (U. of Wisconsin)
taxonomy (museums.org.za)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 25 September, 2004 - 9:50am
Last updated 5 March, 2005 - 12:55pm
