An assassin bug waiting patiently for prey to wander by on the shady side of a wooden post! When prey wanders too close, this insect will lash out and grab it with its front legs, the large limbs seen folded up in this image. The front legs are covered in small spikes used to increase grip on whatever insect is in its grasp, raising its chances of a successful capture. If this individual times its lunge right, it will hook the prey insect in its legs and bring it within striking distance of its deadly proboscis, seen folded beneath the head. The proboscis will then inject a paralytic and liquefying toxin, similar to that of a spider, quickly rendering the prey helpless, dead, and then drinkable. This hunting style is a strange yet efficient combination of a praying mantis and a spider, using ambush tactics and venom to hunt a wide variety of tasty invertebrates—even ones much larger than them!

Spiny, indeed! Look at those legs! The nymphs of this species are mostly black with a yellow abdomen, quite different from the brown camouflage of adults. If you're not looking closely, adults can be overlooked at a brown spot on leaves or part of tree bark. They're quite good at what they do! I usually only find nymphs, so finding this adult hiding in the leaves was a nice treat!

Close up of a Spiny Assassin Bug (Sinea spinipes). So...spiny. :-)

spiny assassin bug, found in the sack of boxwood we were using today! observe: buff bug arms, for catching prey (like a mantis does). also observe: straw-like mouthparts folded under head, for slurp.

Locality: Abbeville County, South Carolina, US