| Damsel Ant Bug (Himacerus mirmicoides (O. Costa, 1834)) |
|
|
Scientific name: Himacerus mirmicoides (O. Costa, 1834) Common name: Damsel Ant Bug French name: Nabide-fourmi Order: Heteroptera Family: Nabidae Wingspan : 7 to 8 mm. Biotope: Various habitats, dry and open with short and sparse grasses or damp and shady under trees. Geographic area: Europe, missing in northern regions, east to the Caucasus. North Africa. Observation period : All year round. Mating and egg-laying occur in spring starting in April. Adults of the new generation appear late July early August. |
The bugs of the Nabidae family are characterized by a head being thinner than the pronotum, by long and thin antennae and by strong femorae on the fore legs. Himacerus mirmicoides has antennae which are shorter than or the same length as the body (thorax and abdomen). The hind tibiae show rather short hairs. The brown abdomen is wider at the rear. The connexivum (lateral edges of the abdomen) is black with reddish orange spots. The hemelytra are short but longer than those of Himacerus apterus. Damsel Ant Bugs feed on small insects and other small arthropods. The common name comes from the similarity of the first instars with ants. The white spots on each side of the anterior part of the abdomen give the illusion of a thin waist. The similar species, Himacerus apterus, which is a slightly larger size, has antennae which are longer than the body (thorax and abdomen). The hind tibiae show long hairs (about twice as long as the width of the tibia itself). |
| [To know more about the Damsel Ant Bug] [Top] |
|
Here is one Damsel Ant Bug which is not yet at the adult stage. The length of the antennae (rather short) and the short hairs on the hind tibiae are enough to identify the Himacerus mirmicoides species. The white edges at the front of the abdomen, giving the illusion of the thin ant waist, are clearly visible on this picture. |
André Bon October 2019
Home
Home