Two ambush bugs , a dead fly , an ant and a theft in progress. - Phymata pennsylvanica

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » True Bugs (Heteroptera) » Cimicomorpha » Assassin Bugs (Reduviidae) » Ambush Bugs (Phymatinae) » Jagged Ambush Bugs (Phymata) » Pennsylvania Ambush Bug (Phymata pennsylvanica)

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Copyright © 2008 andrewbateman

Two ambush bugs , a dead fly , an ant and a theft in progress. - Phymata pennsylvanica

Brossard, Quebec, Canada
August 23, 2008

Two ambush bugs (the male on top of the female), a dead fly and an ant.
The female ambush bug has presumably caught and killed a fly, but the ant (lower half of picture) has grabbed the dead fly by the leg and is in the process of hauling it away. The image is shaky, it was very windy and there was a lot of action, especially from the ant. Would anyone know what kind of ant this might be (probably a lot to ask)? I have not seen this before, but is it common for ants to steal prey from other species in this way? The ant struggled for several minutes to get the fly away, but once it was off the flower and onto the stem it moved very quickly considering that the fly is a few times its size.Thanks.

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Contributed by andrewbateman on 26 August, 2008 - 11:52pm
Last updated 4 February, 2010 - 8:50pm

The ant is

Probably Formica subsericea. Where and in what sort of habitat was this image taken?

… James C. Trager, 4 February, 2010 - 8:42pm

habitat

Thanks, I appreciate the help on this; the picture was taken in Southern Quebec, just outside of Montreal. The plant is golden rod, flowering on the side of a drainage ditch. On one bank is an empty plot awaiting construction (mostly goldenrod, long grasses, willow and various shrubs)- fairly stony ground. On the other side there is an area of cultivated grass and an power transmission substation (concrete and gravel). The area is mixed suburban, with on one side long established housing with trees and gardens, a new development still under construction, a paved car-park, and a large area of untouched woods at each of the corners respectively.
I am not sure why the location wasn't recorded in the original submission, an oversight I guess.

… andrewbateman, 5 February, 2010 - 10:59am

Quebec, Canada

For some reason, that info wasn't filled in on this post. I just added it, based on data from other posts that Andrew has submitted to the guide. He will have to fill you in himself regarding your question about habitat. :-)

… Harsi S. Parker, 4 February, 2010 - 8:53pm

thanks,

Hi thanks,
I don't know why the location was missing in the original submission, I guess I was 'asleep at the wheel' when I posted! Thanks for the help. Appreciated.

… andrewbateman, 5 February, 2010 - 11:02am

Moved

Moved from Jagged Ambush Bugs.

If you would like to read more on the interesting issues regarding species identification with these bugs, please see this forum topic.

… Harsi S. Parker, 1 November, 2009 - 10:17pm

P. pennsylvanica

Male fourth connexivum angulate.

… drswanny, 1 November, 2009 - 6:51pm

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