Family: Phymatidae, Ambush Bugs view all from this family

Description 3/8-1/2" (8-12 mm). Greenish to bright yellow with a wide dark band across abdomen. Antennae slightly clubbed. Fore legs adapted for seizing and holding prey. Fore tibiae when folded fit into grooves in underside of femora. Flaring sides of abdomen extend beyond closed fore wings.

Food Flies, bees, butterflies, day-flying moths, and other true bugs.

Life Cycle Black oval eggs are coated with adhesive secretion and glued to plant. Nymphs emerge through uncoated cap at tip of egg. They attack small insects, but the adults often size prey much larger than themselves.

Habitat Gardens and meadows on flowers.

Range Throughout the United States and southern Canada.

Discussion This bug is almost invisibly camouflaged on greenish-yellow flower clusters, such as goldenrod. Because Honey Bees are killed so frequently beekeepers regard ambush bugs as pests rather than as beneficial insects. The common name refers to the jagged spines at the rear side corners of the prothorax.