reduviidae

Sexing is easy in this family, as males lack the ventral setae entirely

Note the golden ventral patch of setae- this is used to store plant resins for later use and for oviposition. Without a resin coating, the survival rate of the eggs plummets sharply- with most dehydrating and dying inside the egg, or being predated upon by ants.

Penultimate instar, can now tackle prey larger than itself

I had jumbled my nymphs up on accident. I cant tell if this is flaviventris or spissipes until it grows up

Mature female Apiomerus flaviventris collecting plant resin for oviposition. A common host is encelia farinosa, but any kind of aromatic resins should work.

Dorsal shot

Actual size- 2.1mm

Just hatched. Nymphs require access to plant resins at all stages and will not make it to i2 without them.

Concealed inside the already-formidible beak is a long needle-sharp proboscis that penetrates deeply, enabling them to inject their enzyme and liquify their prey's innards. Getting bit by any assassin bug will be extremely painful and the pain lingers for DAYS. No touchy!

The apiomerini are an unusual tribe of assassins that utilize plant resins in their predation, ecclosion and oviposition.