California Bee Assassin

Apiomerus californicus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Cimicomorpha
Family: Reduviidae
Subfamily: Harpactorinae
Genus: Apiomerus
Species: californicus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Apiomerus californicus: /ˌæpɪoʊˈmɛrəs kælɪˈfɔrnɪkəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Apiomerus californicus by Ingo Renner. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Apiomerus californicus, also known as the California Bee Assassin, is a species of assassin bug described in 1980 and named for its distribution throughout California and the Baja California peninsula. This species is recognized for its distinctive coloration and predatory habits, particularly targeting bees. They are part of a larger genus known for their brightly colored appearance, which serves as aposematic warning to potential predators.

Physical Characteristics

Male: 14.2-15.2 mm; Female: 15.3-16.6 mm. Generally black with the corium reddish near the costal margin and fading caudad or uniformly bright red. Posterior pronotal margin and lateral connexival margin usually pale.

Identification Tips

Easily distinguished from A. cazieri and A. flaviventris in southern California by color pattern.

Habitat

Coastal regions and coastal mountain ranges, collected from sea level up to 1997 meters.

Distribution

California and Baja California, Mexico; an indeterminate locality in Oregon is mentioned but the northern extent remains to be determined.

Diet

Preys on bees, often sitting and waiting on flowers to capture them.

Reproduction

Eggs may be defended with a sticky resin, potentially deterring predators, especially ants.

Ecosystem Role

Predatory species that helps control bee populations.