Pselliopus

orange assassin bug

Pselliopus sp-near-barberi is an assassin bug in the Reduviidae, closely related to or with Pselliopus barberi. It is a predatory true characterized by orange and black coloration, serving as aposematic warning coloration. This is an active of small insects including leafhoppers and aphids, and has been documented as a natural enemy of crapemyrtle aphids in urban landscapes.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pselliopus: //ˈsɛl.i.oʊˌpʊs spɪˈnɪər ˈbɑr.bɛr.i//

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

Identification

Orange body with black longitudinal stripes creating a 'jailhouse stripe' pattern. Long, slender body with elongated legs typical of Harpactorinae assassin bugs. Beak () folded beneath when not in use. Distinguished from Zelus longipes (milkweed assassin bug) by lack of sticky forelegs and different color pattern. Distinguished from Arilus cristatus (wheel bug) by smaller size, lack of wheel-like crest, and more vivid orange coloration.

Distribution

Eastern North America; documented in association with crapemyrtle trees in the southeastern United States and observed on goldenrod and other meadow plants in the mid-Atlantic region.

Seasonality

Active during warmer months; observed in autumn. Specific not well documented for this undescribed or near- .

Diet

of small insects; has been observed feeding on leafhoppers and aphids. Documented as predator of crapemyrtle aphid (Sarucallis kahawaluokalani).

Host Associations

Life Cycle

(hemimetabolous): , nymph, and stages. Specific details of egg deposition and nymphal development not documented for this .

Behavior

Stealthy that moves slowly while stalking prey. Uses forelegs to capture and hold prey while impaling with beak. Injects proteolytic through beak to predigest prey tissues, then sucks liquefied contents.

Ecological Role

agent in urban and agricultural . Contributes to natural enemy that suppress on ornamental plants.

Human Relevance

Beneficial that helps manage pest aphids on crapemyrtle and other ornamental plants without chemical intervention.

Similar Taxa

  • Zelus longipesBoth orange and black assassin bugs, but Z. longipes has sticky forelegs for prey capture and milkweed associations
  • Arilus cristatusBoth eastern North American reduviid , but A. cristatus is larger with distinctive wheel-like crest
  • Pselliopus barberiClosely related or ; P. barberi is the described this resembles

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Sources and further reading