Did a warm up night shoot with the gang before we head to Kuching next week for a buggathon, and found an Assassin Bug (Reduviidae) nymph that covered itself with debris, making it almost impossible for us to spot it if it stood on soil.

Also known as the Masked Hunter (Reduvius sp.), this assassin bug secretes a sticky substance that covers its entire body (even the antennae and legs) which attracts dust and small particles to stick to it. The result, is a well camouflaged little bugger!

#1 Who would’ve thought that this patch of dirt… is an assassin bug?

#2 Side view, and the eyes are revealed! If you need help… it is facing the right in this picture.

#3 View from the front. Paints a rather majestic picture especially when its shape is more defined.

#4 Close up on its eye for those who struggle to see that it is a bug

#4b A cousin! Ant-snatching Assassin Bug that collects ant carcasses on their body.

#5 Longhorn Beetle (Cerambycidae), quite a common species in our local parks but yet to identify it.

#6 What looks like a Sac Spider capturing a cricket

#7 Found this dude running about on the ground

#8 Wider view. Huntsman?

#9 It had a distinct yellowed eye on the left. Wonder if it got blinded?

#10 White-Striped Wandering Spider (Anahita sp.)

#11 Had a closer look, really glassy eyes!

#12 Bluish palps with outward claws

#13 Closer view of the palps

#14 Some water on its face that led to the glassy look.

#15 Harvestman (Opiliones), ran away after this single shot

#16 Lacewing found under a leaf, looks quite similar to the Mantidfly without the mantid arms. Also flew away after 1 shot before I could adjust the lighting… not my night!!

#17 Lots of scorpions spotted, and just as we were talking about baby scorpions, this mama appeared with some rather big babies.

#18 Melvyn had a UV torch with him and helped me to light up the subject in this pic. Adult scorpions glow in this manner under UV light, while the kids take a while before it adopts this iridescence.

#19 Victor found this Sac Spider and shared with everyone. Unfortunately, it too ran off after 2 shots.

#20 Last shot before it ran off

#21 A “gummy bear” Harvestman playing dead.

#22 Looks authentically dead right??

#23 Stuck to its acting even when I flipped it over. Usually takes quite a while before it willingly starts to move again.

#24 Found this pair of leafhopper nymphs while searching for the harvestman that dropped to the leaf litter eventually

#25 Since it was National Day eve and the little duo sported colours of the national flag, did a picture to wish Singapore a happy birthday!

The complete album can be viewed here.

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