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Peirates sp.
This bug was found under a damp log turned over in the local national park. Maybe the shock of daylight caused it to remain very still. A type of ground assassin bug, it has specialised 'pads' on it's front 4 tibia which enable it to capture and hold onto some slippery customers. I wonder if this one can prey on those vicious flatworms?
Damp, eucalyptus based short forest in a local national park.
Reduviidae
Peiratinae
According to Graeme Cocks "The fossula spongiosa is a pad on the fore tibia of Peiratinae - Reduviidae, which is used for capturing prey. The relatively short length of this pad (less than half the length of the tibia) identifies this bug as being in the genus Peirates."
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:b...
Spotted on Sep 6, 2014
Submitted on Sep 6, 2014
13 Comments
Could this critter take on the geoplanidae?
Thanks Luis, James, Antonio. Sorry it was such a creepy one. :)
Congrats mark on your 2,000th!
I also send belated congrats on the 2K. Great job Mark, on to the next 2000!
Mark very nice series, i missed your 2000th one :-( :-)
Congrats on the huge milestone and thanks for sharing your awesome spotting page and for your allways interesting and cool comments
Thanks Albert... Spring is here so spottings might get prettier.
No, not wrong at all because it is very interesting information.
Yet, I guess a cute koala would get more clicks
Congrats on your 2000th spottings with this interesting critter!
Thanks Martin. Do you think it is a bit wrong to put up something 'ugly' or unappealing for a milestone? :)
Professor Mark! That is 2000 spottings for you.
You have shared some incredible sightings and made a terrific contribution to our education and enjoyment.
Thank you, and well done.
I suppose sticky would make sense Ernst especially if these need to work in the dark. Martin the whole animal seemed to have a finely tubercular texture on upper surfaces... I think it was actually quite dry in spite of the damp location. Pic 2 shows the surface best. I noticed in my searches that other ground assassins are smooth.
That is not a feature I had noticed on mine.
I can see them now you've pointed it out.
Does yours have water droplets on its back or is it a warty texture?
Thanks Ernst. I have never seen those tarsal pads before. It would be interesting to see them in action.