PREDATION
Many species of the Hemiptera order, specifically that of Heteropteran families are predaceous (Dolling 1991):
Predaceous insects capture their prey and feed on it whilst alive (Davies 1988) and have become very successful with their specialization.
Many predatory feeding mechanisms have been modified into a "Lacerate-and-flush" mouthpart, with the (Schuh & Slater 1995). The form of the mouthpart has evolved for pockets of cells to be liquified by the stylets being pushed one way then another (fast, alternating puncturing motions). The pockets are then flushed with saliva and sucked up by the bug (Schuh & Slater 1995).
An example of a predatory 'Lacerate-and-flush' insect is the Assassin bug (Reduviidae), seen in Figure 4. Assassin bugs are considered as one of the most morphologically diverse families of Hemiptera. They have the ability to locally paralyze their prey (which consists of general insects or arthropods) by injecting a salivary enzyme with their long rostrum (Schuh & Slater 1995). The most distinguishable feature of the Assassin bugs are the short, strongly curving, inflexible labium (Schuh & Slater 1995) seen in Figure 5.
Many species of the Hemiptera order, specifically that of Heteropteran families are predaceous (Dolling 1991):
- Nabidae
- Anthocoridae
- Reduviidae
- Phymatidae
- Gerridae *
- Veliidae *
- Naucoridae *
- Nepidae *
- Notonectidae * (* aquatic familes)
Predaceous insects capture their prey and feed on it whilst alive (Davies 1988) and have become very successful with their specialization.
Many predatory feeding mechanisms have been modified into a "Lacerate-and-flush" mouthpart, with the (Schuh & Slater 1995). The form of the mouthpart has evolved for pockets of cells to be liquified by the stylets being pushed one way then another (fast, alternating puncturing motions). The pockets are then flushed with saliva and sucked up by the bug (Schuh & Slater 1995).
An example of a predatory 'Lacerate-and-flush' insect is the Assassin bug (Reduviidae), seen in Figure 4. Assassin bugs are considered as one of the most morphologically diverse families of Hemiptera. They have the ability to locally paralyze their prey (which consists of general insects or arthropods) by injecting a salivary enzyme with their long rostrum (Schuh & Slater 1995). The most distinguishable feature of the Assassin bugs are the short, strongly curving, inflexible labium (Schuh & Slater 1995) seen in Figure 5.