Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin
Apiomerus flaviventris
This record describes Apiomerus flaviventris (species). Recorded family: Reduviidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Sympatric with the following members of the crassipes group (separated by genitalia): A. californicus , A. cazieri , A. montanus , and A. spissipes . Easily separated from A. californicus and A. montanus by their black coloration. Separated from A. cazieri and A. spissipes by its bright coloration and bright yellow abdominal venter. A. flaviventris is also much larger than A. cazieri . This species exhibits a high level of polychromatism although in the United States the color pattern is fairly uniform ( 3 ) . The female collects resin from plants and applies it to freshly laid eggs as a defensive substance.
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
Geographic Range
sw US (s.CA-w.TX, CO, s.NV) / Mex. - Map , mostly s.CA-AZ-s.NV
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Apiomerus flaviventris Herrich-Schaeffer, 1848
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Apiomerus flaviventris. 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 Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , drswanny , Ron M. , Arturo Santos
Frequently Asked Questions About Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin
What is Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin?
Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin (Apiomerus flaviventris) is a species in the family Reduviidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Males | 15.2-18.0 mm. |
| Females | 17.0-19.9 mm. |
How do you identify Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin?
Sympatric with the following members of the crassipes group (separated by genitalia): A. californicus , A. cazieri , A. montanus , and A. spissipes . Easily separated from A. californicus and A. montanus by their black coloration. Separated from A. cazieri and A. spissipes by its bright coloration and bright yellow abdominal venter. A. flaviventris is also much larger than A. cazieri .
Where is Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin found?
Range: sw US (s.CA-w.TX, CO, s.NV) / Mex. - Map , mostly s.CA-AZ-s.NV