sinobug:Assassin Bug Nymph (Acanthaspis sp., Reduviidae)The nymphal stages of the ant-feeding Acanth
sinobug:Assassin Bug Nymph (Acanthaspis sp., Reduviidae)The nymphal stages of the ant-feeding Acanthaspis genus of assassin bugs adorn themselves with the desiccated carcasses of their prey. The sticky coating they use to adhere their victims can also accumulate dust, dirt, sawdust and vegetable debris depending on the environment.Studies have been performed to determine why they do it, and it appears to be a defensive strategy against predation. Individuals carrying a “backpack” were less likely to be taken by another predator, and if they were targeted, the baggage breaks away much like a gecko throwing its tail, granting the nymph an opportunity to escape.Alternatively, these assassin bugs are just egotistical bad-asses inflicting terror on the resident arthropod community, and using their “belt notches” as bragging rights.by Sinobug (itchydogimages) on Flickr.Pu’er, Yunnan, ChinaSee more Chinese true bugs and hoppers on my Flickr site HERE….. -- source link