Ambush Bug (Phymata erosa)

[Brian S]

These are neat little "True Bugs". They are just now starting to be seen here in Missouri. They are capable of killing prey much larger than they are such as flies,moths,butterflies and even Bumble Bees. When I was a kid I would keep them from time to time and they would readily feed on flying insects. I have often wondered if they would be easy to culture. They probably would if they would readily take crickets.
They seem to prefer to wait on flowers (especially white and/or yellow) for all types of flying insects. They must have a potent bite as they can handle such large prey for their size.

These little Skipper Butterflies are a favorite prey I have noticed

Here is a couple doing the wild thing lol

1 more pic

 

[Techuser]

I found one of these in my clotches once, but they´re to small =P

 

[Brian S]

They are small but dont let that small size fool you. They can handle much larger prey