Assassin Bug Nymph, Odd-shaped head - Rasahus biguttatus

Moved

Moved from Rasahus.

… Boris Büche, 2 May, 2007 - 7:02am

Sirthenea carinatus, most likely

Looks very much like Sirthenea carinatus, i.e.:

The proportions of the head, thorax, and front legs look just right. Very cool, I've just seen this once, an adult. They are supposed to prey on mole crickets, underground.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina

… Cotinis, 24 December, 2004 - 7:05am

OR, better, Rasahus!

OK, I'm putting my own orthopedic shoes on. Another similar genus of assassin bugs is Rasahus. The widespread eastern species appears to be biguttatus. The shape of the abdomen, and the markings around the edge, plus the light marking on the dorsal surface of the abdomen are reminiscent of adult Rasahus in the illustration I've seen. That is Slater, p. 130, fig. 241--R. biguttatus. (1) "It is a ground-living species, frequently taken under stones and it often comes to light."

Here's a nifty page on the Western Corsair, R. thoracicus.

Patrick Coin
Durham, North Carolina

… Cotinis, 27 December, 2004 - 8:43am

Looks good!

Patrick, Thanks for tracking down the likely genus and species on this one. I agree that Rasahus biguttatus looks right. The characteristics you mention, and also the shape of the head, look like a nice match with the drawing in How to Know the True Bugs.

--Stephen

Stephen Cresswell
Buckhannon, WV
www.stephencresswell.com

… Stephen Cresswell, 27 December, 2004 - 10:11am