July 20th, 2007
take the great phymata challenge
We’re still putzing around home in the final few days of Don’s very abbreviated single-week holiday, so my posts will continue to be rather abbreviated as well. Today’s post leaves the “work” up to you. Let’s see how everyone does (now, don’t disappoint me by not giving this a try, okay?).
A couple of nights ago, I stopped to examine a very healthy looking Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) plant growing in one of our fields (see above photo). Of course, I was expecting to see something that the average person probably wouldn’t notice, and I was greatly rewarded. The plant — and I’m just showing you about a quarter of the flowertops — hosted a great number of Phymata (Ambush bugs) – a predacious insect that hides in flowers waiting to capture unwary bees, moths, wasps, flies or any other small creature that makes the mistake of stopping for a visit. The ones in the above photo are just young whipper-snappers like the one seen in this older photo (see below). I often see them working in groups to capture and hold down larger prey. If you want to see some nice close-ups of these insects, visit a couple of my posts about them from last summer here and here.
In summer, the blooms of yarrow and daisies are the favourite hangout for Phymata. As the insects mature, they will become white rather than green. However, later in the summer, I’ll see them mainly atop goldenrod, and they will be yellow. You can read all about this stuff in the above-linked posts from last summer.
However, for today, all I’m asking is that you look at the above photo to get some idea of what Phymata look like when you stop to examine a Yarrow plant. Then, click on the above photo and see a closer view of the flower and see if you can find a few of the Phymata hidden among the flowers. You’ll have to scroll around the page as I’ve left it quite large — larger than the screen on most computers. Let’s see how you do. Post your guess in the comments below. I’ve made up a version of the photo with all of the Phymata that I can see circled in pink. I was going to post a link to it today, but maybe I’ll wait to see how everyone does with this puzzle. I’ll post the photo later this weekend. So, c’mon. Give it a try. Then go out and give it a try in a meadow near you. If you’ve never seen a Phymata before, you’ll be amazed at how you could have missed seeing these little fellows when they’re all over the place — at least in many areas of North America.
Tags: Phymata, Ambush Bug