Apiomerus

Apiomerus
Apiomerus spissipes
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Reduviidae
Tribe: Apiomerini
Genus: Apiomerus
Hahn, 1831

Apiomerus is a genus of conspicuous, brightly colored assassin bugs belonging to the family Reduviidae. The species can be found in the United States ranging into tropical America. The common name bee assassins derives from their frequent habit of sitting and waiting upon flowers and taking bees as prey. The bright colors are aposematic, likely a warning to larger predators that a painful bite can be delivered.

Many species of this genus have a sticky resin pad located on their dorsal abdomen. The resin is thought to be derived from plant material and may play a role in defending eggs from predation, especially by ants.

The genus consists of about 110 described species.

Species in the genus include:

  • Apiomerus californicus Berniker & Szerlip, 2011
  • Apiomerus cazieri Berniker & Szerlip, 2011
  • Apiomerus cooremani Costa Lima, Campos Seabra & Hathaway, 1951
  • Apiomerus crassipes (Fabricius, 1803)
  • Apiomerus flaviventris Herrich-Schaeffer, 1846
  • Apiomerus floridensis Berniker & Szerlip, 2011
  • Apiomerus geniculatus Erichson, 1848
  • Apiomerus hirtipes (Fabricius, 1787)
  • Apiomerus immundus Bergroth, 1898
  • Apiomerus longispinis Champion, 1899
  • Apiomerus moestus Stål, 1862
  • Apiomerus montanus Berniker & Szerlip, 2011
  • Apiomerus peninsularis Berniker & Szerlip, 2011
  • Apiomerus pictipes Herrich-Schaeffer, 1846
  • Apiomerus pilipes Fabricius, 1787
  • Apiomerus repletus Uhler, 1876
  • Apiomerus rufipennis (Fallou, 1889)
  • Apiomerus spissipes (Say, 1825)
  • Apiomerus subpiceus Stål, 1862
  • Apiomerus wygodzinskyi Berniker & Szerlip, 2011
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