Lying in wait, the bee assassin bug is a killer that rarely misses its favorite target-bees. Even though the assassin is brightly colored, bees seem to be fatally attracted to the bug. As the assassin silently sits on a flower, a bee comes to collect some sweet nectar. It's then that the killer strikes!
Widescreen: Bulbous, complex eyes give the bee assassin bug a wide view of the world. It can see 360° around and spot bees coming in from all directions.
Know When to Hold 'em: The assassin subdues its victims' struggles by pinning the prey down with its two front legs, which are thicker and more powerful than its other four legs.
A Bull's Eye on Bees[]
The assassin bug's beak is driven like a sharp stake into the helpless bee.
A long, curved beak is the bee assassin bug's weapon of choice. As soon as a bee lands, the assassin pounces and stabs the victim. It fills the bee's body with toxins and enzymes that quickly kill the bee and liquefy its insides, leaving a mush for the assassin to suck up through its beak. When stabbing, the assassin targets the bee's head so its poison will reach the insect's brain more quickly.
No Cover: This bug doesn't even go to the trouble of hiding itself from potential prey. Even though bees could spot the assassin before landing, they are attracted by fragrances the bug secretes. These type of scents, which many insects use, are known as pheromones.
Mr. Sensitive: The assassin feels movement of nearby prey with sensitive hairs on its legs and gathers scent information through its antenna.
Bee Ambush[]
- Drawn like a mosquito to a bug-zapper, a bee is attracted by the assassin bug's special scents, even though it means doom.
- Landing on the flower, the bee is instantly seized by the assassin. As the bug holds the bee down, it probes with its snout for a good spot to stab.
- The bee's life is soon over, as the assassin's enzymes begin to dissolve its internal organs. Using its beak like a straw, the assassin eagerly drinks up its dinner.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The knowledge card says Bee Assassin Bugs. The trading card says Bee Assassin Bug.
- "A Bull's Eye on Bees" calls the bug's toxins poison, when it should say venom.
- The bee assassin bug's trading card is featured on Monster Mania 21.
- It is the only trading card to be featured twice on the same Monster Mania card.