I have been collecting pictures of these bugs for many months now, and maybe because I see so many of them, I hesitated to start reading about them. But bug research can be so fruitful. For the longest time, I didn’t pay too much attention to their behavior. You can see these bugs in all stages of their life just sitting on plants, often around flowers. They are not shy, they don’t walk a lot, they are just there. Having a closer look, you might see them feeding on another insect. That was a surprise, knowing only the much larger assassin bugs from Africa (Platymeris spp.) from the hobby, I didn’t really expect to see other assassin bugs for some strange reason. Wait a bit and you might see them reaching out for a bee approaching the flower!
Obviously, they also enjoy a sip of nectar, like the jumping spiders! Another predator with a sweet tooth!
Another plus point for this post was the (hopefully correct) easy ID, google Yellow Assassin Bug and there it is. I’m not sure yet if I’m going to open pandora’s box and check for similar species. Edit: No, I didn’t.
And one more easy target: finding a story related to this bug. They also occur in Malaysia. And Malaysia is together with Indonesia one of the largest palm oil producers. So why would you need assassin bugs for oil? Because there is no way to keep your palm trees safe from oil-palm-eaters. Some insects even develop a resistance to pesticides. But not the useful bug. This study makes it clear: A clean plantation with regular showers of pesticides is not a place for predatory bugs. Bagworms appear to be the worst palm eaters, and our bug feeds on them. More bugs, fewer worms. Even without pesticides. The rhino beetle though is too big for this assassin.
The bugs need a place to sleep, lay eggs, and, that they also mention, some flowers (to sip their nectar?!), so it is very beneficial to have palm trees, plus some flowers and shrubs around.
I’m sure the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil RSPO welcomes the idea of having more natural plantages that offer habitats for the local fauna and flora. We are all at the same table here! Palm oil plantages are controversial, but also still the best alternative. Natural palm-tree-eater-control with e.g. the Yellow assassin bug is a great idea!
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