A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Ptilocnemis femoralis
about 7mm in size - back legs highly dense in fur/hair - appearing like leg warmers , very sticky ,looking insect , antannae very stick and coarse looking.
Found on a fence rail , rural countryside area
The feather legged assassins prey on ants. They waggle their back legs to attract the attention of the inquisitive ants. The bug then exudes an irresistible chemical attractant under its thorax which the ants go to investigate. This lines the ant's body up perfectly for the assassins to strike with their beak. Great video of them in action - http://www.arkive.org/feather-legged-ass...
Spotted on Dec 27, 2014
Submitted on Dec 28, 2014
6 Comments
Just going through my photos and found one of this same species taken in 2006. Haven't seen one since.
Thanks Lori ...seen quiet by accident , i was actually scoping a view for hay bales and a sunset , just happened to notice small movement on the fence :)
Great photo. I haven't seen one in years, but then again, they are tiny.
UuaU. esse cara é incrível.
The leg warmers are most fascinating , and what caught my eye , i have never seen one before ...and this one was obviously very hungry as it was banging those legs all over and quickly ...heavy metal drum playing action .
Great spotting Charlie. I love the leg-warmers and the stylish antennae.