Shooting the Assassin !
Pristhesancus plagipennis - Common or beekiller assassin bug. Whilst pruning the Duranta bush next to the front patio this weird looking bug dropped out. I thought it resembled a bug I had seen on the net and checking .... it was. This nasty bug attacks other insects and spiders by impaling them with its large beak (clearly visible in this image ) and filling them with digestive fluids. It then sucks the contents of the insect of spider out through it's beak. Fortunately the Australian varieties of Assassin bugs don't attack people and mammals, but I believe there are species which do, injecting a poison which attacks vital organs.
The Australian types do bite - mainly when provoked and cause a moderate stinging.
Shooting the Assassin !
Pristhesancus plagipennis - Common or beekiller assassin bug. Whilst pruning the Duranta bush next to the front patio this weird looking bug dropped out. I thought it resembled a bug I had seen on the net and checking .... it was. This nasty bug attacks other insects and spiders by impaling them with its large beak (clearly visible in this image ) and filling them with digestive fluids. It then sucks the contents of the insect of spider out through it's beak. Fortunately the Australian varieties of Assassin bugs don't attack people and mammals, but I believe there are species which do, injecting a poison which attacks vital organs.
The Australian types do bite - mainly when provoked and cause a moderate stinging.