'Assassin Bug' Serangga Penyedut Jus Mangsa & Rangka Di Bawa Untuk Menakutka

abgsedapmalam · Post time 24-5-2012 10:34 AM

Post Last Edit by abgsedapmalam at 24-5-2012 15:48

'Assassin Bug' Serangga Penyedut Jus Mangsa & Rangka Di Bawa Untuk Menakutkan Musuh (3 pics +1 video)

The most disgusting insect on Earth: Vile assassin bug that carries the ants it has killed to ward off enemies

[size=1.2em]This bug looks like it's made a killing carrying a remarkable number of dead bodies on its back to stop it becoming lunch.
[size=1.2em]As this gruesome picture shows this insect has at least 20 ants on its back which according to scientists confuse potential predators like jumping spiders.
[size=1.2em]The aptly named assassin bug uses the dead bodies, as a defence mechanism to fend off enemies.

Putting your back into it: The assassin bug is caught carrying at least 20 dead ants to fend off potential predators

Heavy lifting: Scientists believe that the bugs use the defence mechanism to enhance their reputation

[size=1.2em]Photographer Hock Ping Guek, from Malaysia, decided to document the amazing camouflage strategy using macro photography.
[size=1.2em]He said: 'These assassin bugs are quite small, less than 1 cm, so the camera I used really comes in handy here as it allows me to go beyond the 1:1 maximum limit of the usual macro lenses without the need for any add-on tubes.

[size=1.2em]'The behaviour is indeed absolutely fascinating. They prey on ants, inject enzyme into the ant preys and suck the ants dry, then put the dead bodies on their back for camouflage, most likely as a form of defence against other predator like jumping spiders.

On the edge: Assassin bugs kill by injecting their prey with an enzyme and then sucking out their insides

[size=1.2em]'I spent about 30 minutes photographing these assassin bugs every time I find one.
[size=1.2em]'Itry to shoot as many shots as I could from many different angles, and pick only a few that I like best in terms of angle, moment, composition etc.'
[size=1.2em]Assassin bugs kill in a rather gruesome way by injecting them with an enzyme and then sucking out their insides.

[size=1.2em]Despite their fearsome reputation the insects are actually quite small measuring just 1cm in length.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2138325/Assassin-bug-carries-dead-ants-ward-enemies.html

Ant-killing assassin bugs (Acanthaspis petax), Bukidnon, Phililppines

The nymphs cover themselves with their victims' bodies. Three nymphs and one adult are in the video, but there were eight nymphs hanging around. This is one of my favourite bugs.