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Thread-Legged Bug

Empicoris rubromaculatus

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-35.7539, 174.37

Field Notes

Description:

This particular insect spotting has been seen with a clutch of eggs. It is a lot smaller than other ones I have seen. I have set aside the eggs to see them hatch.

Eggs are small and fluffy. They are about 4mm long.

http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/animals/bug-…

The bug is striped and had light colour down the abdomen.

It is very cryptic in colouration and behaviour.

Habitat:

Notes:

Previous: Stenolemus fraterculus Wygodzinsky
Old Info:
Although scarcely seen by most people this species is surprisingly common in the city and comes into the house at night on occasions though usually lives outdoors on dead twigs and vegetation.
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Reduviidae
Size range
Small size 8–10 mm.
Distribution
Self introduced from Australia
Life History
Predacious. Eats small insects
Sometimes mistaken for a small mantid

Species ID Suggestions

Thread-Legged Bug

Empicoris rubromaculatus

Comments (4)

Looks somewhat more likely to be Empicoris rubromaculatus (nymph?), but impossible to be certain from photos
I have never actually witnessed an attack, though it would be very interesting to see. The slow movement of the A.B. would throw off other bugs as well. The actual bug was about 6-7mm long including the legs out in front, roughly. Not a lot is known about them, They aren't even on Wikipedia.
Great spotting Nicholas. What size are these? Do they specialise in spider assassinations like the ones over the ditch? http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/15898123 I'll look them up..

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