September 2024 Photo-observation of the Month

Ringed Assassin Bug and Eastern Yellowjacket interacting. Photo by Craig Hunt

Congratulations to Craig Hunt for winning the September 2024 Photo-observation of the Month for the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNaturalist! His photo of a Ringed Assassin Bug (Pselliopus cinctus) approached by an Eastern Yellowjacket received the most faves of any iNaturalist observation in Vermont during the past month.

Assassin Bugs are ambush predators that attack their prey with a sharp proboscis, injecting them with venom and/or digestive enzymes. “Sensing opportunity, the Ringed Assassin Bug responded to the presence of an Eastern Yellowjacket by stalking it, but, as that Yellowjacket became aware of the threat and became defensive, the Assassin Bug, realizing that it was over-matched, backed off to defend itself,” wrote Craig.

Ringed Assassin Bug takes a defensive stance. Craig Hunt

With over 20,000 photo-observations submitted by nearly 2,000 observers in September, it was very competitive. Click on the image below to see and explore all of the amazing observations.

September 2024 top Vermont iNaturalist observations. Click to explore more.

Visit the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNaturalist where you can vote for the winner this month by clicking the ‘fave’ star on your favorite photo-observation. Make sure you get outdoors and record the biodiversity around you, then submit your discoveries and you could be a winner!