Ambush Bug
Ambush Bugs are tiny Assassin Bugs that lie in wait on flowers. When their prey lands on the flower, they use their raptorial forelegs to snatch them. Then they stab them with their beak, paralyze them, liquify their insides, and basically drink their meal.
So after about 15 minutes of following this colourful bug around the sunflower leaf he had alighted on, he decided that he and I were friends and flew directly at my camera. Not knowing what it was at this point, I backed away only to have him now aim for my arm as a landing spot. I swatted him away -- but immediately felt badly about my reaction since I believe he was just trying to make friends with me. Now, after reading what this assassin does to his friends , I'm rather glad I laid down those ground rules about contact from the get go. First time I've ever encountered this bug - he's about the size of a bee. By the looks of those biceps he definitely works out at the gym every day.
Ambush Bug
Ambush Bugs are tiny Assassin Bugs that lie in wait on flowers. When their prey lands on the flower, they use their raptorial forelegs to snatch them. Then they stab them with their beak, paralyze them, liquify their insides, and basically drink their meal.
So after about 15 minutes of following this colourful bug around the sunflower leaf he had alighted on, he decided that he and I were friends and flew directly at my camera. Not knowing what it was at this point, I backed away only to have him now aim for my arm as a landing spot. I swatted him away -- but immediately felt badly about my reaction since I believe he was just trying to make friends with me. Now, after reading what this assassin does to his friends , I'm rather glad I laid down those ground rules about contact from the get go. First time I've ever encountered this bug - he's about the size of a bee. By the looks of those biceps he definitely works out at the gym every day.