Insects and Spiders

Up Close & Personal With A Spined Soldier Bug

While it was being cooperative, I got a face shot. I got a good look at the long pointed "beak" which it uses to stab it's prey. It is sharp and hollow for sucking up prey juices after the stabbing. Supposedly they keep the beak folded under their bodies when not feeding. Not sure why this one had beak out but I had aphids on the milkweed so it might have been getting ready to feed when I found it.
Spined Soldier Bug (Podisus maculiventris)

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