Platymeris sp (Mombo Assassin Bug)

[BrianS]

These are incredible insects!!!! If anyone has ever thought they might like these, I can assure that you will. I'll be glad when these start reproducing

[Arietans]

For a small bug, they pack quite a wallop when it comes to biting.

Very nice Brian

[BrianS]

Martin, Do you ever see these where you live?

[Arietans]

No, they are from further north. More toward the Usumbara mountains in Kenya (which is an incredible place to visit).

Here we find Platymeris biguttata(white Spotted Assassin bugs) and sometimes Platymeris rhadamanthus (Red spotted Assassin bugs).

[Patrick]

Good looking critter. Anyone know a place for some good info on these? I think I might give'em a try. Thanks

Pat

[Silverfreak]

Those are great pix! They look like cool insects to watch.

[BrianS]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Good looking critter. Anyone know a place for some good info on these? I think I might give'em a try. Thanks

Pat

Golden Phoenix Exotica did have some. Maybe Darrin can hook you up.

[Patrick]

Thank you very much. I will do that shortly.

Pat

[Patrick]

I talked with Darrin about them but no go. Seems the USDA has started following some ancient rules and regs and the assassin's are now kaput. I'd like to know their reasoning. Gonna have to do some researching on this one.
Thanks for the advice.

Pat

[Darrin Vernier]

Basically speaking, all non-native insects are now forbidden. For some reason millipedes are included in this despite being myriapods yet centipedes aren't.

Basically, non-native millipedes, mantids, assassins, and any insect not in those groups can no longer be imported.

I was advised by a private source that the USDA has impounded even captive bred assassins.

A primary reason given for the recent changes is the mites that have impacted honeybees. The USDA is apparently most concerned that imported insects could harbor varieties of mites that could be problematic for honeybees and other 'native' species despite the fact that honeybees themselves are non-native and compete with our native bee species.