Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
several taxa traditionally treated as separate genera (e.g. in
(1)(2)(3)) have been recently demoted back to subgenera of
Nabis(4)Numbers
40 spp. in 9 genera of 2 subfamilies in our area
(4), ca. 400 spp. in >30 genera worldwide
(5)
Overview of our fauna:
Family NABIDAE
Taxa not yet in the guide are marked (*)
Tribe *Carthasini *Carthasis
Tribe Nabini Himacerus (subgenera
*Anaptus,
Himacerus),
Hoplistoscelis,
Lasiomerus,
Metatropiphorus,
Nabis (subgenera
Dolichonabis,
*Limnonabis,
Nabicula,
Nabis,
*Omanonabis,
Reduviolus,
Tropiconabis)
Tribe Phorticini Phorticus
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
throughout NA and worldwide
Habitat
low vegetation in fields and gardens
Season
most common in warmer months but may be found at any time of year
Food
predacious, feeding on soft-bodied insects
Life Cycle
adults overwinter in leaf litter; 1-5 generations per year, depending on location
