Apiomerus is a genus of conspicuous, brightly colored assassin bugs belonging to the family Reduviidae. The species can be found in the United States ranging into tropical America.[1] The common name bee assassins derives from their frequent habit of sitting and waiting upon flowers and taking bees as prey. The bright colors are aposematic, likely a warning to larger predators that a painful bite can be delivered.

Apiomerus
Apiomerus spissipes
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Reduviidae
Tribe: Apiomerini
Genus: Apiomerus
Hahn, 1831

Many species of this genus have a sticky resin pad located on their dorsal abdomen. The resin is thought to be derived from plant material and may play a role in defending eggs from predation, especially by ants.

The genus consists of about 110 described species.[2]

Apiomerus species

Species in the genus include:

References

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  1. ^ Berniker L., Szerlip, S.L., Forero, D., Weirauch, C. (2011) Revision of the crassipes and pictipes species groups of Apiomerus Hahn (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae). Zootaxa 2949:1-113. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2949.1.1
  2. ^ Schuh and Slater 1995
  • Schuh, R.T. & Slater, J. A. 1995. True bugs of the world (Hemiptera: Heteroptera): classification and natural history. New York, Cornell University Press, 336p.
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