Assassin Bug - from Costa Rica

[Steve Maxson]

This large Assassin Bug (Family Reduviidae) is grooming its antenna and has to rear its head up and backwards (thus showing us its beak) so that the long antenna can be completely drawn between the front legs. I found this insect in Costa Rica on a lighted "bug sheet" at night and photographed it in my portable light tent setup. 5D II, 100 mm macro, 1/200, f/16, ISO 100, MT24-EX (fired downward through the light tent), hand held. There are a few jagged edges due to the low resolution of this image. All comments are welcome and appreciated.

[jack williamson]

Mighty fine image. Your usual high quality, colors are excellent. Woe to those that meet the end of that beak!

Jack

[Jim Bridges]

Just beautiful work on a really neat bug!!

[Jerry van Dijk]

Nice one again, Steve! I like how the creatures we know from home are just a tad bigger and more colorful in the tropics.

[Ken Childs]

Another winner, Steve! You couldn't have asked for a better pose.....not only some action but it's also displaying that menacing beak! Your portable setup comes through again. :5

[Steve Maxson]

Thanks for your comments folks!