Jan 22
My jungle yard this summer got a BUNCH of ambush bugs and I love them so much they are such cool little dudes.
Heck yeah! That second guy is camouflaged so well, I actually thought there wasn't a bug at all there for a hot minute!
seen from France
seen from Malaysia
seen from Finland
seen from Spain
seen from Brazil
seen from China
seen from Lebanon
seen from United States
seen from Brazil
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from Australia
seen from Spain
seen from Brazil
seen from United States
seen from Singapore
seen from Malaysia
seen from Singapore
seen from China
seen from United States
My jungle yard this summer got a BUNCH of ambush bugs and I love them so much they are such cool little dudes.
Heck yeah! That second guy is camouflaged so well, I actually thought there wasn't a bug at all there for a hot minute!
as adults, ambush bugs are tiny, sneaky, and in my case, rare enough to make photographing them a pain in the ass (although that doesn't stop me since they're some of my favorites). when they're nymphs like this Phymata monstrosa, all of those nightmarish qualities intensify and i only originally spotted it because it was having a feast in an area mysteriously full of diapriid wasps - the perfect pint-sized snack for this child
(August 8th, 2025)
Phymatinae
Insects in the subfamily Phymatinae are commonly called ambush bugs after their habit of lying in wait for prey, relying on their superb camouflage. Armed with raptorial forelegs, ambush bugs routinely capture prey ten or more times their own size. They form a subgroup within the assassin bugs. Phymatinae are 5–12 mm long.
photo credits (IronChris)
despite being mostly known for their flower mimicry, some species of ambush bug like this Phymata monstrosa look like something you forgot in the oven or shadow the hedgehog. i can only imagine the goal here is mimicking bird poop but at that size it doesn't really work in a place without native hummingbirds
(April 12th, 2025)
The Phymata Genus: Geniuses
You lurk in the midst Of Goldenrod flowersSeeking the right momentTo earn your given name. Mixing the color palateWith greenish-yellow, White and brown hues,You are well camouflaged. Small, yet bulbous eyesWatch with intensityWaiting for preyTo approach. Raptorial claws on muscular legsGrab, and then impaleThe victim’s bodyWith your short beak. Meal sizeIs of no importanceAs you’ll…
View On WordPress
Jagged ambush bug (Phymata sp.) sitting in a little field of wild carrot flowers. These little guys are some of my favorite insects I love them and their little raptorial claws
Thinking about this ambush bug (Phymata fasciata) I found in fall of last year. Hoping to get better pictures of these tiny hunters this year!
ABCs of the Garden
ABCs of the Garden
View On WordPress