Neotropical Bee Assassin vs South American Spittlebug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Neotropical Bee Assassin | South American Spittlebug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apiomerus pictipes | Deois flavopicta |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Reduviidae | Cercopidae |
| Size | 14-20 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | South America (Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela) | Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Neotropical Bee Assassin
A stout, colorful assassin bug that specializes in capturing bees and wasps visiting flowers. Its bright red, orange, and black coloring may serve as aposematic warning. It coats its forelegs with plant resins to improve grip when seizing fast-moving prey.
Did You Know?
It has been observed applying resin from specific plant species to its legs in a deliberate, repeated behavior that qualifies as tool use.
South American Spittlebug
A dark brown and yellow spittlebug that is a major pest of tropical pasture grasses in Brazil. Nymphs produce protective frothy spittle masses on grass stems.
Did You Know?
Outbreaks can damage millions of hectares of Brazilian pasture, causing estimated annual losses of over $2 billion.