What is this insect??

[WyrmSwarm]

I found this guy outside.. he looks like a stick insect but those two front legs kinda resemble mantis raptorial arms. Any ideas?

 

[Schledog]

Where was he found? Looks like a water scorpion in the genus Ranatara to me.

 

[chanda]

That appears to be one of the Thread-legged Bugs (Emesinae) - a type of assassin bug.

Compare to this one: https://bugguide.net/node/view/790326/bgpage or this one: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1570856/bgimage or this one: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1517623/bgimage

Where was he found? Looks like a water scorpion in the genus Ranatara to me.

It is not one of the Water Scorpions - it doesn't have the siphons ("butt snorkels" or breathing tubes), the head shape is different, and this bug has very long, delicate, slender antennae - which you would not find on an aquatic bug like a Ranatra species.

 

[WyrmSwarm]

That appears to be one of the Thread-legged Bugs (Emesinae) - a type of assassin bug.

Compare to this one: https://bugguide.net/node/view/790326/bgpage or this one: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1570856/bgimage or this one: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1517623/bgimage



It is not one of the Water Scorpions - it doesn't have the siphons ("butt snorkels" or breathing tubes), the head shape is different, and this bug has very long, delicate, slender antennae - which you would not find on an aquatic bug like a Ranatra species.

Yeah it definitely looks that way. I’ve never seen one of these guys before, so cool! I was a bit hesitant to get too close, we have stick bugs here in Florida that can shoot acid. Wanted to see what this guy was before I got a closer look at him xD thanks!

 

[MetalMan2004]

Looks nothing like the assassin bug species I’ve seen. That’s new to me!

 

[PidderPeets]

Maybe it's just me, but these seem to be getting more prevalent. I only found these for the first time last autumn, but then found another, and then a friend posted a picture of one asking for an ID. All in different locations. Interestingly, I also discovered another smaller species of assassin bug (pale green assassin bug) last year that I found in large numbers, but I'm seeing less of the larger assassins.

Edit: Also, be warned! They fly! I was not expecting that when I was first sticking my face up close to them to get a good look

 

[WyrmSwarm]

Maybe it's just me, but these seem to be getting more prevalent. I only found these for the first time last autumn, but then found another, and then a friend posted a picture of one asking for an ID. All in different locations. Interestingly, I also discovered another smaller species of assassin bug (pale green assassin bug) last year that I found in large numbers, but I'm seeing less of the larger assassins.

Edit: Also, be warned! They fly! I was not expecting that when I was first sticking my face up close to them to get a good look

What?? Do they really? The one I have is so small and I don’t even seen any wings... but I’ll definitely keep that in mind! Can they hurt humans at all? I’ve held the one I caught and they seem pretty docile for the most part

 

[PidderPeets]

What?? Do they really? The one I have is so small and I don’t even seen any wings... but I’ll definitely keep that in mind! Can they hurt humans at all? I’ve held the one I caught and they seem pretty docile for the most part

I didn't see any wings on mine either, but all of a sudden it came flying at my face!

I'd think they could peirce the skin and hurt a bit, but not like a larger assassin like a wheel bug would. I don't trust any assassins to not hurt a bit though. I was unwilling to hold the ones I found, so I don't have any first hand experience

 

[Snakewoman]

The photos are kind of blurry but I would say it definitely looks like some sort of walking stick. I found one on my front door last summer. Not often I get to see these creatures.

 

[pannaking22]

It's Emesinae, nice find! They can indeed fly, I was trying to catch one on the side of my work and it flew off before I could scoop it into a cup. Too bad they can't really be kept in captivity, they're so cool looking.

 

[dragonfire1577]

It's Emesinae, nice find! They can indeed fly, I was trying to catch one on the side of my work and it flew off before I could scoop it into a cup. Too bad they can't really be kept in captivity, they're so cool looking.

Aren't some spider specialists? It could be feasible to feed them abundant spider species unless diet isn't the issue.

 

[pannaking22]

Aren't some spider specialists? It could be feasible to feed them abundant spider species unless diet isn't the issue.

Yep, I think most of them are, but they prefer feeding on orb weavers and other web builders, so in order to keep the emesines you'd have to be good at keeping their prey.

 

[dragonfire1577]

Yep, I think most of them are, but they prefer feeding on orb weavers and other web builders, so in order to keep the emesines you'd have to be good at keeping their prey.

Yeah probably impractical in captivity, if a species was willing to eat steatoda or something it might be possible though since lots of people have ready access to those.