The final splurge
Sunset over Elkwater Lake, SE Alberta
Lichens at Red Rock Coulee
Pronghorn
Greeting the sun
One of my favourite Lichens
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Uniqueness
cf Megaspora verrucosa lichen
Kinnikinnick / Bearberry sp.
Enjoying the sunshine
White Pigeon
Just for fun
Splendour
A bird walk treat
Ominous clouds after the harvest
Replica of a Chinese warrior
Seven-spotted Ladybug on Yucca seedpod
Strawberry and Rhubarb tart
Erosion at Red Rock Coulee
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Wall decoration
A joy to see
Oh, what a treat!
Surprise visitor
Pinedrops / Pterospora andromedea
Bow Lake with a difference
Green stripes
Hungry litttle Muskrat
Bad hair day
Lower Falls, Johnston Canyon
Daintiness
Massive
White Camas / Anticlea elegans, formerly Zigadenus…
Beauty in stone
Little alien at Lake Louise
Silene sp
A splash of colour in the forest
The beginning of fall
Blue - still life
Orange Peel Fungus / Aleuria aurantia
An oldie from my archives
A gathering of Cladonia sp
Tranquility
Lean on me
See also...
Keywords
Authorizations, license
-
Visible by: Everyone -
All rights reserved
-
422 visits
Ambush Bug / Phymata americana americana


Discovered that this bug is an Ambush Bug - a new species for me. I had heard the name a few times before, but had no idea what such a bug looked like. I was trying to photograph some sort of Thistle - maybe Wavy-leaved Thistle - when I thought I saw "something" very small on it : ) Taken on Saturday, 21 September 2013, when we joined a group of people from Medicine Hat College to drive a long way across the prairie to an area called the Pinhorn Grazing Lease. Yucca plants, which are not found in Alberta, had been discovered there and were being closely monitored. They spent a few hours counting every single plant and clone, how many new clones, how many old ones, how many seedpods and how many tiny exit holes from a certain insect were in each pod. Most of the plants were in enclosed "cages", the largest of which could be entered. The GPS location was recorded for every plant, and careful notes were made. Very tedious work, and I commend everyone for doing this. Have to admit that I wandered the area with my camera, photographing the plants in various stages and the surrounding scenery. We were so lucky because two of the plants were in a second bloom, whereas all the other plants had seedpods. It was a treat to be able to see Yucca flowers, and a surprise for the folks from the College. We aren't sure how these plants got where they are, but it's possible that they were brought north by Native Americans. We were very close to the border with the US and could see the beautiful Sweetgrass Hills rising from the flat prairie in the distance. A very interesting day for us and one that we were so lucky to experience.
"Phymata americana americana is one of only two species of Ambush Bug in Alberta. Typically the bug will use it's yellow and brown coloration to camouflage itself on a yellow flower (such as goldenrod) and then wait to ambush an unsuspecting pollinating insect. The front legs of the Ambush Bug are very strong and it can capture insects as large as Bumblebees and Butterflies. After the victim is pinned, the Ambush Bug injects digestive juices into it and sucks the soup out. (J. Acorn, 2000). Taken from www.insectsofalberta.com/ambushbug.htm.
"Phymata americana americana is one of only two species of Ambush Bug in Alberta. Typically the bug will use it's yellow and brown coloration to camouflage itself on a yellow flower (such as goldenrod) and then wait to ambush an unsuspecting pollinating insect. The front legs of the Ambush Bug are very strong and it can capture insects as large as Bumblebees and Butterflies. After the victim is pinned, the Ambush Bug injects digestive juices into it and sucks the soup out. (J. Acorn, 2000). Taken from www.insectsofalberta.com/ambushbug.htm.
, , LeapFrog have particularly liked this photo
- Keyboard shortcuts:
Jump to top
RSS feed- Latest comments - Subscribe to the comment feeds of this photo
- ipernity © 2007-2025
- Help & Contact
|
Club news
|
About ipernity
|
History |
ipernity Club & Prices |
Guide of good conduct
Donate | Group guidelines | Privacy policy | Terms of use | Statutes | In memoria -
Facebook
Twitter
Sign-in to write a comment.