As a preparation for the BugGuide gathering 2013 in Arizona, I pulled BugGuide's data for Assassin Bugs in Arizona. I found that my own photos are the basis for many of the existing species pages. I also found that I had taken white background photos of all but one of the AZ species that are represented on BugGuide. The one missing was Pseudozelurus arizonicus photographed by D.R. Swanny from a museum (UMMC) specimen. D.R. Swanny also did most of the identifications and I gave him many of my specimens, so I'm sure that he doesn't mind that I included his photo in the tableaux below.
There is a lot of work in these tableaux. Since I composed similar collages of other Arizona insect families, I have learned several things: to always store my work as png files so I can go back and move the elements around. To keep the species names in the legend instead as part of the image file - it's easier to correct mistakes and to follow changes in taxonomy that are inevitable. Last, but not least, to post only a small watermarked version on the internet. My ladybug plate showed all intentions to go viral after it was posted on pintrest, turned up in an African language blog, and on several gardening web sites, but by then it had lost all connections to my name and copyright.
Prints of these and other insect plates are available. Please contact me at mbrummermann@comcast.net
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2 days ago
Wonderful work!
ReplyDeleteMust have taken so many hours Margarethe. So impressive. Some of them are utterly beautiful and look like Aztec or African tribal designs.
ReplyDeleteFantastic job! I can't even begin to comprehend the hours of field work and identification all this would require. I'm also surprised at the number and variety of these similar bugs in the one state - they must all have niche-adaptations that stop them from competing with each other too much?
ReplyDeleteyour work is really wonderful, I love these insects. I want to invite you to see my blog on Chagas' disease:
ReplyDeletehttp://elmundodelosartropodos.blogspot.com/
Sorry it is in Spanish!!! I hope you can enjoy it.
Jose Ayala
My fiancé has being bitten by no. 9 Apiomerus longispinis.(look alike) And he felt dizziness,sweating forehead & painful. Frm malaysia 20/01/2016
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DeleteI have seen similar symptoms in a friend who was bitten by an Apiomerus in Costa Rica. But as you say: in Malaysia you have look-a-likes but not the same species as in the US, probably not even the same genera. I would love to study the insect fauna of Malaysia, It must be amazing!
DeleteYou're missing one that frequents my home. Its black and very slender. Me and my daughter call them creepy bugs because they have necks and turn their heads. If you get close to them they will look up and look at your face. Its creepy but if you're a bug person, you might appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure you are describing an Assassin Bug here. I think your description fits several insects and I am thinking of a web-spinner when I read it. You give no location, though, so any kind of speculation is pretty mute
DeleteThank you! I was able to identify an assassin bug today. (Apiomerus flaviventris)
ReplyDeleteIs this all of them? I found one today that isn't in the picture (in Tucson).
ReplyDeleteI just moved to AZ as a wildlife photographer (who enjoys macro, among many other genres), and found your page. Astounding and dedicated work, so helpful in IDs. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWow,that's alot! I had no idea! Thank you very much for your work.
ReplyDeleteI seem to see 'zelus tetracanthus' more than any other. Is that the most common species in Arizona? My wife was bitten by one on a ride at the State Fair after it got into the back of her shirt somehow.
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