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Pennsylvania Ambush Bug

Phymata pennsylvanica

Photo by Stephanie R.
Published on Project Noah
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41.478, -90.1556

Field Notes

Description:

A true bug, these insects hide among flowers and sit-and-wait for their prey. They use their powerful front legs to capture other insects. There is only one generation per year.

Habitat:

open prairie

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (16)
Stephanie R.
Thank you so much, Fyn! I am so honored to be considered for Spotting of the Week!
Fyn Kynd
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!
Stephanie R.
Thanks, Logan. I had never seen these before and yesterday when I went out they were all over the place!
LuckyLogan
Excellent detail in the shots Stephanie! I saw a few of them last week but never got around to finding out what they were. My pictures definitely didn't come out this good :)
Stephanie R.
Thank you, Mark! I was so excited when I found him:)
Mark Ridgway
What an amazing beastie. I think I would like to see it in action. Good find Stephanie.
Stephanie R.
Thank you, Armadeus.4! He is kind of wicked looking:) This is the first spotting of this bug for me. I had no idea that we had these in our area!
Liana
Wicked bug! Way cool pics Stephanie! Thank you for sharing :)
Stephanie R.
Yes, Karen, these guys are pretty weird looking:)
Stephanie R.
Thank you, Bill. That means a lot coming from you!
MrsPbio
That first pic looks like something out of a Doctor Who show...!
beaker98
Awesome photos Stephanie! Super sharp! These are awesome bugs:)

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Critters of the Midwest
Mission
Illinois Prairies
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project

Tags

Photographed
PublishedAugust 12, 2014

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