Orange-bellied Skimmer vs Bee Assassin Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Orange-bellied Skimmer Bee Assassin Bug
Scientific Name Libellula jesseana Apiomerus flaviventris
Order Odonata Hemiptera
Family Libellulidae Reduviidae
Size 4-5 cm 12-18 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Underground
Diet Predators Predators
Regions United States, Canada South America (Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru)
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Orange-bellied Skimmer

A rare North American dragonfly found in acidic bog ponds and fens. It is extremely localized across scattered populations in northeastern states.

💡

Did You Know?

It breeds only in very specific acidic water conditions that are becoming increasingly rare.

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.