Found this little critter in my yard this summer, and have yet to be able to identify it. It's small, about 3/8", with yellow underparts and black on top. I don't recognize it as any particular species - thought maybe it was some kind of nymph. Thanks for any help.
This is a particular type of assassin bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae) known as an ambush bug. These bugs formerly were placed in a family of their own, the Phymatidae. Unlike most other assassin bugs that actively roam about hunting their prey, ambush bugs, as befits their name. usually lay in wait on vegetation, especially flowers, for something to come within striking range. See http://tinyurl.com/ybgodwp and http://tinyurl.com/m3sepv for images and more detailed information.
