Pseudometapterus umbrosus
(Blatchley, 1926)
Pseudometapterus umbrosus is a of thread-legged assassin bug (Reduviidae: Emesinae) native to North America. It exhibits wing dimorphism, with most individuals being (short-winged) and rare (fully winged) forms documented. The species has been studied for its and laboratory rearing potential.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Pseudometapterus umbrosus: /sjuːdoʊmɛtæptərəs ʌmbroʊsəs/
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Identification
Distinguished from similar thread-legged assassin bugs by wing dimorphism: vast majority of individuals are with reduced wings, though individuals occur rarely. Specific diagnostic morphological features for separating from are not documented in available sources.
Habitat
Found on sandstone and limestone bluffs. Associated with spider webs and vegetation including Heuchera parviflora.
Distribution
North America. Documented from Illinois, specifically Little Grand Canyon in Jackson County, Southern Illinois.
Seasonality
in Illinois, with .
Life Cycle
(one per year). Overwinters as . stages have been described and the has been successfully reared in laboratory conditions.
Behavior
Observed in spider webs, suggesting possible association with or exploitation of spider webs for prey capture or .
More Details
Wing dimorphism
The shows pronounced wing dimorphism. In 2000, a (full-size winged) female was observed in Little Grand Canyon, Jackson County, Southern Illinois, representing a rare occurrence of the fully winged form in a otherwise dominated by individuals.
Laboratory rearing
A 2002 study in Annals of the Entomological Society of America described methods for laboratory rearing and provided descriptions of stages, facilitating further study of this .