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Project Noah Nature School
Phymata pennsylvanica
Phymata is derived from the Greek "Phyma", which means tumor or swelling--and one can see why this strange, armored, lumpy-looking insect got its name. Length is about 3/8". Front legs are configured for grasping, much like the mantids. There are 17 species in North America.
These aggressive predators are tiny, but they will lay in wait on flowers for pollinators as large as bumblebees. I found this one in a goldenrod patch in a grassy field.
Spotted on Aug 26, 2012
Submitted on Aug 28, 2012
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