Jagged Ambush Bug - Phymata pennsylvanica - mating pair
There's one more insect which was posted earlier in the year to revisit: the Jagged Ambush Bug. For a quick refresher, these mottled hunters come to flowers and remain motionless, but ready to strike. Their irregular forms and ability to keep still gives these small Bugs superb camouflage. This allows them to seize unsuspecting prey insects - who were drawn to the flower - with their raptorial forelegs and then pierce them with their rostrum throughout their lifecycle. Despite their relatively small size, Ambush Bugs are able to take down prey much larger than themselves, and they do this by themselves. However, today's pictures paint an entirely different story! While Phymata Bugs are solitary creatures, there are instances where individuals come together. It's just speculation on my part, but if the Ambush Bugs would be rivals rather than mates, there is a good chance that one of them would become the other's dinner, depending on ferocity and who makes the first move. Unless they're moving to a new location via locomotion or flight, rivals may not even acknowledge each other on the same flower if there is enough distance between them/room to hunt. In today's showcase, however, the individuals here are not only an insect mating pair, but also a power couple!
When adult Ambush Bugs like these meet each other and form mating pairs, the smaller male stands atop (and hold onto) the larger female and is still able to capture prey. This can also occur with multiple males atop one female. While in this form of "coupling", these Bugs have been observed catching individual meals and also taking down much larger prey than normal in tandem! This is surprisingly cooperative behavior between the more solitary-oriented Assassin Bugs. As well, this behavior doesn't seem to be connected to offering nuptial gifts to a potential mate, however. Instead, this may be connected to determining fitness of a mate, and also opportunism to a degree. While I don't expect the mating behavior to be as gruesome or cannibalistic as Praying Mantis mating (another branch of insect carnivores with gripping forelegs), one can never be too careful. Especially when the males so willingly come to her... it's the perfect opportunity for a puncture! In any case, when a male (or males) Ambush Bug climbs onto a female, he will imply tactile measures upon the female in attempt to court. Do note that while one or more males are on top of the female (or each other), no mating actually occurs. It is the lucky male who approaches from the female's side who is able to succeed in mating. Finally, while multiple couplings are common, some individual males which find a female first may also take on the role of a guard, and deter other rival males from climbing aboard.
Pictures were taken August 10, 2018 with a Samsung Galaxy S4.
