Florida Bee Assassin

Apiomerus floridensis

Classification

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Apiomerus floridensis: /ˌæp.i.oʊˈmɛr.əs ˌflɔːr.ɪˈdɛn.sɪs/

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

Images

Bee Assassin - Apiomerus floridensis, Highland Hammocks State Park, Sebring, Florida by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Apiomerus floridensis is a species of bee assassin endemic to Florida, described in 1980 but officially recognized in 2011. Males and females vary in size and can be differentiated by coloration.

Physical Characteristics

Males typically are 12.5 to 14.2 mm (0.49 to 0.56 in) in length while females are 13.9 to 16.2 mm (0.55 to 0.64 in). Distinguished by reddish corium and legs. Variation in the amount of red on the pronotum and corium.

Identification Tips

Resembles Apiomerus spissipes, but can be distinguished by its reddish corium and legs. Not typically found in the same sympatric areas as A. spissipes.

Distribution

Restricted to Florida, particularly Duval County south to the keys.