Assassin Bugs Use Tools and Tricks to Hunt Like Tiny Hitmen

casualSTEM delivers brief and informative summaries of the latest science news every Saturday. Full of jokes, silly polls, and a cartoon!

Spineless Assassin

Assassins don’t need backbones. Scientists observed preparation from assassin bugs (Pahabengkakia piliceps) beyond what invertebrates were assumed capable of.

• Assassin bugs tailor their hunting to specific prey

• One species coats legs in sticky resin to catch ants

• Another intentionally trips hive security to lure out bees

Further research into assassin bug variations will identify other killing schemes and could offer a simpler path to studying the evolution of tool-use without the ethical complications of vertebrate studies. Can’t wait for the John Wick spinoff!

monotone chitters while click clacking a reload

Catch-up on science in sweatpants