Diet

• Adults: Predatory, feeding primarily on bees, wasps, flies and other insects. They use their stout, piercing beak to inject saliva and suck the liquefied contents of their prey.

• Nymphs: Also predatory, capturing smaller insects and other arthropods.

• Some Apiomerus species have an unusual association with resin-producing plants. They collect plant resin and smear it over their bodies, which can help them capture prey and may provide protection from predators.

Range

• Apiomerus is a genus of assassin bugs (Reduviidae) in the subfamily Harpactorinae, tribe Apiomerini.

• The genus is primarily Neotropical, with species occurring from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America and South America.

• It is occasionally sighted in Zihua, where the warm climate and abundance of flowering plants and insect prey provide suitable habitat.

Habitat

• Found in tropical dry forest, tropical deciduous forest, woodland, scrub, forest edges, gardens and agricultural areas.

• Adults are often found on flowers and vegetation, where they wait in ambush for visiting insects.

• Around Zihua, look carefully around flowering shrubs and trees, particularly plants attracting bees and other flying insects.

• Some species may also be encountered on tree trunks, fences and other exposed surfaces.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 12–25 mm (0.5–1.0 in), depending on species.

• Body generally robust, with a relatively broad abdomen and strong, raptorial forelegs.

• Colouration varies considerably among species and can include black, brown, red, orange and yellow, often in striking combinations.

• The head is narrow and elongated, with the characteristic piercing-sucking beak of assassin bugs.