Phymata borica

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Infraorder: Cimicomorpha
Family: Reduviidae
Subfamily: Phymatinae
Genus: Phymata
Species: borica

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phymata borica: /fɪˈmaːtə bɔˈriːka/

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Images

Phymata borica - inat 56900091 by {{{name}}}. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Phymata borica is a species of ambush bug in the family Reduviidae, notable for its predatory behavior and presence in the Colorado Plateau region.

Physical Characteristics

Males measure 7-7.7 mm, females measure 8.2-8.6 mm in body length.

Identification Tips

Ambush bugs can be identified by their robust bodies and unique hunting behavior. Phymata borica can be distinguished from other species in the genus by size and distribution specifics.

Habitat

Typically found in the Colorado Plateau region, including Arizona, New Mexico, southwestern Colorado, and southern Utah.

Distribution

Phymata borica is distributed across the Colorado Plateau in the southwestern United States.

Diet

These bugs are predatory, feeding primarily on other insects, making them beneficial for controlling pest populations.

Life Cycle

Details on the specific life cycle stages of Phymata borica are limited, but like other hemipterans, they likely undergo incomplete metamorphosis with egg, nymph, and adult stages.

Reproduction

Reproductive specifics are not detailed, but larvae are likely similar to other Reduviidae, developing through several nymphal instars before emerging as adults.

Predators

Specific predators of Phymata borica have not been documented, but being predatory themselves, they may face competition from other insectivorous species.

Ecosystem Role

As a predatory insect, Phymata borica plays a role in controlling populations of other insects.