Biology of Stenolemus giraffa (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), a web invading, araneophagic assassin bug from Australia

F. G. Soleya*, R. R. Jackson, P. W. Taylor

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    33 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This is the first description of the natural history and behaviour of Stenolemus giraffa Wygodzinsky, an emesine assassin bug (Reduviidae; Emesinae) from Australia. Field data from sites in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, complemented by observations from staged predatory interactions in the laboratory, show that this species is a web-invading araneophage. In the field, S. giraffa was found on rock escarpments, associated with 10 spider species. Spiders of the genus Trichocyclus (Pholcidae) dominated this species' natural diet at all field locations. Predatory sequences appear to emphasise stealth and were characterised by S. giraffa slowly stalking the resident spider until within striking range. Stenolemus giraffa approached the spiders by breaking silk threads in its path while walking across the rock substrate beneath the web or hanging directly from the web. Observations of S. giraffa being attacked, and sometimes killed, by spiders illustrate that araneophagy is a dangerous strategy for these insects. Natural history and behaviour of most emesine species is currently unknown and so the present study provides an important landmark. Findings from this study add to growing evidence that araneophagy is prevalent in the emesine genus Stenolemus and that considerable variation in predatory tactics occur within this genus.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)297-316
    Number of pages20
    JournalNew Zealand Journal of Zoology
    Volume38
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2011

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