This Jagged Ambush Bug practically disappeared in the rabbitbrush flowers. Glenn removed it for a quick photo. You’ll notice the forelegs are thick and shaped like those of a praying mantis — perfect for grabbing and holding prey. In the same family as assassin bugs (Reduviidae), they have a beak-like proboscis used to stab prey, inject venom, and inject enzymes to break down the prey into “bug soup” that they can then drink up.
Photos by: Glenn Marangelo on 7/26/21 in Florence, MT
