Ant-mimic nymph of Closterocoris amoenus (Miridae, Heteroptera, Hemiptera) on Bush Monkey Flower
This is the remarkable ant-mimic nymph of a "true bug" in the family Miridae of the order Heteroptera, Hemiptera, probably Closterocoris amoenus. See my [Next] photo for the less ant-like adult. If you look close, you can see its proboscis stuck into the flower petal - also its faux nodal spine, and that green patch below its abdomen that helps create the illusion that it is wasp-waited like a real ant. This one is perched on the petal of a flower of Southern Bush Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus var. pubescens aka Diplacus longiflorus, Phrymaceae). It's not the best photo, but good enough! (San Marcos Pass, 21 April 2015)
Ant-mimic nymph of Closterocoris amoenus (Miridae, Heteroptera, Hemiptera) on Bush Monkey Flower
This is the remarkable ant-mimic nymph of a "true bug" in the family Miridae of the order Heteroptera, Hemiptera, probably Closterocoris amoenus. See my [Next] photo for the less ant-like adult. If you look close, you can see its proboscis stuck into the flower petal - also its faux nodal spine, and that green patch below its abdomen that helps create the illusion that it is wasp-waited like a real ant. This one is perched on the petal of a flower of Southern Bush Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus var. pubescens aka Diplacus longiflorus, Phrymaceae). It's not the best photo, but good enough! (San Marcos Pass, 21 April 2015)