Assassin Bug - Pselliopus cinctus Durham County, North Carolina, USA May 14, 2004
On Marshallia obovata, a subtly beautiful wildflower that is uncommon on roadsides in this area during May. Marshallia is popular with lots of other insects, no doubt why these little assassins like it as well. I found Euphoria sepulcralis in this same patch of flowers.
I keep wondering about the two colors of Pselliopus in this area, and that they perhaps correspond to the two species: P. cinctus (brown adults?), and P. barberi (orange adults?). A good question for somebody's next visit to a museum.
These photos are provisionally assigned to represent Pselliopus cinctus, a widespread eastern species that is described as having this coloration. See guide page.
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Contributed by Cotinis on 6 December, 2004 - 11:46pm Last updated 10 October, 2006 - 9:13pm |