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True Bugs of Zihuatanejo

SUBORDER HETEROPTERA

Toad Bug

Genus Nerthra

Despite their small size these bugs are ferocious predators, by ambushing, running down, then pouncing on their invertebrate prey. They grasp their captives in their modified claw-like front legs and then immediately begin to siphon their soft inner tissues. I have seen them hunting ants in this manner where the bug has been surprisingly fast and agile, with capture happening only a second or two from when the ant was first spotted.

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