AMBUSH BUG

any member of the insect family Phymatidae (order Heteroptera), which contains about 200 species, generally in the tropical Americas and Asia. As its common name indicates, the ambush bug hides on a flower or plant; when prey approaches closely enough, the ambush bug grasps it with its front legs. The upper section (tibia) of each foreleg has teethlike structures that mesh into similar structures on the lower, greatly thickened leg section (femur). Holding its victim in these pincers, the ambush bug inserts its short beak and sucks out the body fluids. Even though the ambush bug is small (usually less than 12 millimetres, or 0.5 inch), its prey may be as large, comparatively, as a bumblebee, wasp, or butterfly. The ambush bug has an odd shape, with lateral extensions and rounded projections. The Asian genus Carcinocoris is covered with spines. Phymata erosa, one of the most common North American representatives, is yellowish green and is usually found on goldenrod plants.