California Bee Assassin
Apiomerus californicus
This record describes Apiomerus californicus (species). Recorded family: Reduviidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Generally black with the corium reddish near the costal margin and fading caudad or uniformly bright red. Posterior pronotal margin and lateral connexival margin usually pale. Easily distinguished from A. cazieri and A. flaviventris in southern California by color pattern. The more similarly colored A. crassipes and A. montanus are not sympatric with A. californicus . This species exhibits a lower degree of polychromatism than other species of Apiomerus found in the United States.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Heteroptera
- Superfamily
- Miroidea
- Family
- Reduviidae (Assassin Bugs)
- Subfamily
- Harpactorinae
- Genus
- Apiomerus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Seems to occur in coastal regions and coastal mountain ranges. Collected from sea level up to 1997 meters .
Geographic Range
California and Baja California, Mexico. An indeterminate locality in Oregon is mentioned though the northern extent of the range remains to be seen .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: "Named for its distribution throughout California and the Baja California peninsula" .
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Apiomerus californicus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of California Bee Assassin (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , drswanny , Aaron Schusteff
Frequently Asked Questions About California Bee Assassin
What is California Bee Assassin?
California Bee Assassin (Apiomerus californicus) is a species in the family Reduviidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is California Bee Assassin?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 14.2-15.2 mm. |
| Female | 15.3-16.6 mm. |
How do you identify California Bee Assassin?
Generally black with the corium reddish near the costal margin and fading caudad or uniformly bright red. Posterior pronotal margin and lateral connexival margin usually pale. Easily distinguished from A. cazieri and A. flaviventris in southern California by color pattern. The more similarly colored A. crassipes and A. montanus are not sympatric with A. californicus .
Where is California Bee Assassin found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Seems to occur in coastal regions and coastal mountain ranges. Collected from sea level up to 1997 meters . |
| Range | California and Baja California, Mexico. An indeterminate locality in Oregon is mentioned though the northern extent of the range remains to be seen . |