Phenetic-variation
Guides
Phymata americana americana
jagged ambush bug
Phymata americana americana is a subspecies of jagged ambush bug in the family Reduviidae. As an ambush predator, it waits motionless on flowers to capture visiting insects. The subspecies exhibits phenetic variation in color pattern correlated with climate and season. Studies indicate it shows weak initial discrimination when choosing hunting sites from the ground, but improves patch choice by switching positions once atop vegetation. It is capable of hybridizing with the related Phymata pennsylvanica, with no evidence of prezygotic reproductive barriers.