Although Assassin Bugs (106 NA spp) constitute a fairly large family of
predators, only two of the 9 species collected at CCNHA are at all common.
Sinea
diadema is the common brown Assassin Bug found on weedy
Asteraceae
in a variety of fields in late summer. A common woodland species
is Zelus exanguis.
Nymphs and adults can be found on woodland foliage in early summer.
Rhynocoris
ventralis is an uncommon black and red species collected sparingly
in prairie. Fitchia aptera
is another uncommon species collected primarily in xeric fields. Acholla
multispinosa has also been collected from woodland. Pygolampis
sericea has also been collected. The large black
Reduvius
personatus has been collected around households. Two rare?
species of Ploiarids (stick-like assassin bugs) are
Barce
uhleri and Empicoris
sp.
