Insects and Spiders

Irony

This is the nymph of the Leafhopper Assassin Bug. Even the babies are fierce predators. What is ironic, is that on this occasion, the prey is itself a parasite that feeds on others. The prey is a eucharitid, which is a kind of chalcid wasp which feed on the bodies of immature ants. Who knew there would be so much going on under milkweed leaves. There is a war going on under there. You never know what you are going to find when you lay on the ground and look up.
Chalcid Wasp (Orasema occidentalis)
Leafhopper Assassin Bug Nymph (Zelus renardii)

Zelus renardiiAssassin Bugbuginsecthunterpredatorgood for gardensgarland texasmilkweed leafpreyeatingfeedingChalcid WaspOrasema occidentalisparasitewaspclose up