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Pennsylvania Ambush Bug

Phymata pennsylvanica

Description:

A true bug, these insects hide among flowers and sit-and-wait for their prey. They use their powerful front legs to capture other insects. There is only one generation per year.

Habitat:

open prairie

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16 Comments

Stephanie R.
Stephanie R. 10 years ago

Thank you so much, Fyn! I am so honored to be considered for Spotting of the Week!

Fyn Kynd
Fyn Kynd 10 years ago

Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!

Stephanie R.
Stephanie R. 10 years ago

Thanks, Logan. I had never seen these before and yesterday when I went out they were all over the place!

LuckyLogan
LuckyLogan 10 years ago

Excellent detail in the shots Stephanie! I saw a few of them last week but never got around to finding out what they were. My pictures definitely didn't come out this good :)

Stephanie R.
Stephanie R. 10 years ago

Thank you, Mark! I was so excited when I found him:)

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 10 years ago

What an amazing beastie. I think I would like to see it in action. Good find Stephanie.

Stephanie R.
Stephanie R. 10 years ago

I agree, Marta!

The MnMs
The MnMs 10 years ago

very interesting animal!

Stephanie R.
Stephanie R. 10 years ago

Thank you, Bhagya!

Bhagya Herath
Bhagya Herath 10 years ago

wow!!!! awesome.....

Stephanie R.
Stephanie R. 10 years ago

Thank you, Armadeus.4! He is kind of wicked looking:) This is the first spotting of this bug for me. I had no idea that we had these in our area!

armadeus.4
armadeus.4 10 years ago

Wicked bug! Way cool pics Stephanie! Thank you for sharing :)

Stephanie R.
Stephanie R. 10 years ago

Yes, Karen, these guys are pretty weird looking:)

Stephanie R.
Stephanie R. 10 years ago

Thank you, Bill. That means a lot coming from you!

MrsPbio
MrsPbio 10 years ago

That first pic looks like something out of a Doctor Who show...!

beaker98
beaker98 10 years ago

Awesome photos Stephanie! Super sharp! These are awesome bugs:)

Stephanie R.
Spotted by
Stephanie R.

Illinois, USA

Spotted on Aug 9, 2014
Submitted on Aug 12, 2014

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