Leaf-footed Bug Nymph - Acanthocephala

Moved

… Ken Wolgemuth, 10 September, 2014 - 5:03pm

Moved

… v belov, 6 July, 2009 - 5:41pm

Why Red Bull?

Robert, what makes you think that this is a Red Bull Assassin nymph? I can't find any images of nymphs for this species to compare to... Not any kind of expert here, but either way I don't think that a reduviid would have hatched from the egg that you previously submitted. For a general idea of what assassin bug eggs look like check this page.

I think J&J's comment (here) that this is a coreid egg is most likely correct. I thought your suspicion initially was that it might be Leptoglossus zonatus... What changed? There's a lot of variability in nymphs, but here's a couple of leaffooted bug nymphs already in the guide to compare to:

Just curious, did you actually find evidence that the egg you photographed had indeed hatched? [EDIT: Never mind, I just re-read your post, and I see that you are speculating about it hatching from a different, but similar egg.]

… Harsi S. Parker, 2 June, 2009 - 2:50pm

The Egg Has Not Hatched

Why did I think it was a Red Bull?

Because I didn't think. it was red with black spikes. I figured someone would set the record straight if otherwise.

What changed?

Nothing changed. Leptoglossus zonatus is the only leaf-foot I have seen in my yard. The is the sole basis for that suspicion. I certainly do not profess any profound knowledge of Heteroptera. The majority of the insects I photograph, I didn't even know existed a year ago.

I was just wondering where the nymph came from, since the plant is covered.

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 2 June, 2009 - 3:56pm

No profound knowledge here either!

I would have to say that I am right there with you, Robert... The majority of insects that I photograph were unknown to me a couple years ago. My guess -- and it is only a guess -- is that this nymph may very well be a leaffooted bug that has hatched from a similar egg somewhere else on the same plant. I find all of this very fascinating and am eager to hear future updates. BTW, I didn't know this myself, but Hannah Nendick-Mason made a comment here that you can tell the plant feeders from the assassins by the length of the beak... Maybe you should be trying to get images of that feature on future nymphs you find?

… Harsi S. Parker, 2 June, 2009 - 4:10pm