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Assassin bug


Assassin bug
Photo Information
Copyright: Felipe Mateo and Cristina (extramundi) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1875 W: 339 N: 4174] (12818)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-06-02
Categories: Insects
Camera: Sony DSC-F717, Sony VCL-M3358 Close
Exposure: f/8, 1/160 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-06-05 15:31
Viewed: 1480
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Rhinocoris iracundus - Assassin bug.

This is a small bug. You can compare with the plant on the background, which is a fennel or anisete plant, very common where I live. This is a very light and "feather-like" plant, so you can notice the magnification.

Phylum: Arthropoda - Arthropods
Superclass: Hexapoda - Hexapods
Class Insecta: - Insects
Subclass: Pterygota
Order: Hemiptera - True Bugs
Family: Reduviidae - Assassin Bugs
Genus & specie: Rhinocoris iracundus
Some wait for victims in daylight, while others hunt a midnight snack. Some may even be stalking YOU! Most prey on other insects, but some species feed on blood.

You can rightly call assassins "true bugs," members of the order Hemiptera. True bugs resemble beetles or roaches at first glance, but a closer look reveals important differences. The front pair of wings is leathery at the base, but membraneous in the outer half. At rest, they cross over the insect's back in an X pattern. These bugs have piercing-sucking mouth parts, too.

Assassin bugs are further segregated into the family Reduviidae (Reh-deu VIE-i-day), with roughly 5,000 species worldwide. Their distinguishing feature is a groove on the insect's "chest," into which the short, stout beak folds when not in use. Tiny ridges run across this channel, and the bug can make a squeaking noise by rasping its beak across those ridges.

Other Common Names: This distinctive genus needs a common name. Perhaps it should be called "Demon Assassin" in honor of Psellus.
Size: 12-13 mm.
Identification: Adults of this genus are orange and boldly striped, as are some other juvenile assassin bugs. Distinctive as an adult: brown or orange with banded legs, head, and front of thorax. Edges of abdomen also banded.
Habitat: Meadows, fields, typically on flowers.
Season: Early summer through fall.
Food: Predatory on other insects, especially those coming to flowers.
Life Cycle: Adults hibernate under rocks, bark, sometimes in groups. Commonly seen on flowers, where presumably waiting in ambush.

Complete info with some links to some more shots HERE.

Hope you like!

F8 - 1/160 - Handheld - Aperture priority.
novaman, pgmoni, PDP, Alan_Kolnik, Janice, AndyB, TAZ, naki, Signal-Womb, sAner, red45, marhowie, Phoki, Kaszek, phlr has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To novaman: Thanks very much.extramundi 2 06-05 17:45
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • pgmoni Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 342 W: 95 N: 610] (2556)
  • [2005-06-05 16:29]
  • [2]

Very nice picture, and the inset is a good idea.
Thanks for sharing.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2005-06-05 16:33]
  • [2]

Hi Felipe, very good document. I like the main view alot and the inset adds interest. Lovely colours and composition, very well done.

Great shot my friend.The net its little soft.
About the ID i am sure that is Rhinocoris iracundus.I have the same bug here
http://www.treknature.com/gallery/Europe/Greece/photo17445.htm

  • Great 
  • puciu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 519 W: 0 N: 16] (2603)
  • [2005-06-05 17:06]

Fantastczny strza³ Felipe.
¦wietne makro, dobry opis.
Robert.

  • Great 
  • Ina Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 111 W: 6 N: 101] (767)
  • [2005-06-05 22:16]

Lovely clear picture with very fine details... Composition, color and light is very fine too... TFS... Ina...

Great macro, Felipe.
Interesting pictures and note. Good details, well composed and nice colours.
Very good work.

Very sharp, clear picture. The inset image illustrates some critical features very well. Well done!

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-06-06 1:41]

Pretty bug Felipe with the attractive colours. Good macro especially the insert. Well done.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350] (3982)
  • [2005-06-06 4:01]

An excellent and very sharp capture Felipe,
Very good composition and pose,great colours and DOF.
The inset photo is a good idea and fits nicely within the frame without being a distraction.
Great work,well done.

  • Great 
  • naki Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 382 W: 27 N: 5] (40)
  • [2005-06-06 4:24]

Hi Pelipe, very nice capture. I had some shots of this critter but I could not know how to show the mouth part in a good way. You made it in a very smart way. I loved it. Great details, colours and composition here.
Very well done.

Good capture Felipe showing fine details. I think I seen this bug while in Turkey but failed to capture it. Very good post.

Regards Steve.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-06-06 6:35]

Hello Felipe,

Razorsharp details, perfect composition and superb colors. I love the BG very much. This is a good photo. Great POV & DOF. I like the insetphoto on itself but it distracts a little. It would have been better to post it as a workshop imo. Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-06-06 7:27]

Yes, it is real killer indeed. Great presentation, I like green BG with well seen bug. Small window with close up of its weapon is brilliant idea. Overall - very interesting post my friend.

Excellent macro Felipe! Very good sharpness, details and colors..Great notes, Well done!

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2005-06-07 3:33]

Waouh ! Superbe assassin bien présenté dans cette composition macro-photographique. Jolies couleurs, bon point de vue et bonne netteté. L'insert est une bonnne idée...
Wow ! incredible insect in an interesting & very well done shot ! Congratulations Felipe !

Hola Felipe,
Sigo sorprendiendome con tus fotos, esta foto compuesta muestra muy bien la anatomía del insecto, en especial esa temible "trompa" succionadora y aguijón al mismo tiempo.
Hermoso trabajo
Hernán

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