Bee Assassin Bug vs Scarlet Skimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bee Assassin Bug | Scarlet Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apiomerus flaviventris | Crocothemis erythraea |
| Order | Hemiptera | Odonata |
| Family | Reduviidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 52-60 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | South America (Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru) | Europe, Africa, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Bee Assassin Bug
A brightly colored assassin bug with a red and black body and a yellow underside. It specializes in ambushing bees and other flower-visiting insects by coating its forelegs with sticky plant resin. It is commonly found perched on flowers waiting for prey.
Did You Know?
It applies sticky plant resin to its forelegs as a natural glue trap, an extremely rare example of tool use in insects.
Scarlet Skimmer
A medium-sized dragonfly where males are entirely vivid scarlet red, including the veins of the wings. It is one of the most recognizable dragonflies in the Old World.
Did You Know?
The scarlet skimmer has been expanding rapidly into northern Europe, establishing breeding populations in countries where it was previously unknown.