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Bug ID. Some kind of mantid?

DrWurm

DrWurm

Californian in DC
Went out to check on my sarracenia a few minutes ago when I saw a bug on my S. purpurea x rubra. Upon closer inspection, I had no idea what it was, so I rushed inside to grab my camera. Luckily for me, this bug was not easily spooked. It moved verrrry slowly, almost stalking around the developing pitcher. I could see it had some sort of appendage out front, but I couldn't tell if it was some sort of lancing mouthpart or what. Upon closer inspection through my macro lens I began to suspect I was looking at the front legs of a mantid.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drwurm/3740555099/" title="Unidentified Mantid On Sarracenia Purpurea x Rubra by DrWurm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3740555099_8369fed6e4.jpg" width="500" height="397" alt="Unidentified Mantid On Sarracenia Purpurea x Rubra" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drwurm/3741348196/" title="Unidentified Mantid On Sarracenia Purpurea x Rubra by DrWurm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3741348196_5cd3cd3f08.jpg" width="500" height="438" alt="Unidentified Mantid On Sarracenia Purpurea x Rubra" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drwurm/3740556377/" title="Unidentified Mantid On Sarracenia Purpurea x Rubra by DrWurm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/3740556377_86c36c309e.jpg" width="500" height="473" alt="Unidentified Mantid On Sarracenia Purpurea x Rubra" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drwurm/3741349542/" title="Unidentified Mantid On Sarracenia Purpurea x Rubra by DrWurm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3741349542_2cd1e7bf58.jpg" width="500" height="485" alt="Unidentified Mantid On Sarracenia Purpurea x Rubra" /></a>

Here is what I consider the money shot. Who knows what would have happened had these 2 insects been on the same side of the developing pitcher lid? This photo is definitely in my top 10 favorite shots.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drwurm/3740557611/" title="This Fly May Have Come Very Close To Death.... by DrWurm, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2639/3740557611_c2a24a78a5.jpg" width="704" height="800" alt="This Fly May Have Come Very Close To Death...." /></a>

Jason
 
i think thats an assasin bug
 
That's no mantis. The appendage looks like fuzzy antennae to me. Also its legs are way too out of proportion with the rest of the body....but that's just how i see it
 
petmantis said:
That's no mantis. The appendage looks like fuzzy antennae to me. Also its legs are way too out of proportion with the rest of the body....but that's just how i see it
Click to expand...

Actually, I believe the long apendages that look like front legs are the antenna, seeing as how they're connected to the front of the head.

Jason
 
Ah, with the assassin bug suggestion I was able to make more headway. I actually had initially thought assassin bug, but the front legs really threw me off. I found the exact species with a little digging: Empicoris rubromaculatus. It's in a subset of assassin bugs called thread-legged bugs.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/9418

It's incredible how the thread-legged bugs seem to mirror the mantis' praying legs. Check this one out! http://bugguide.net/node/view/233032

Jason
 
Cool, didn't look much like a mantis. Don't think mantis are that small.
 
OMG, great link Joel. Cutest bug ever!
http://bugguide.net/node/view/118817
I want to keep it in a Pokéball!
~Joe

PS - Nice pics, Jason. That last one is some really outstanding composition.
 
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