I found this little tragedy playing out today. I hope the photos are clear enough for ID's and what is the cricket intending?

I don't think that's a cricket Evan. I've seen that somewhere before but am drawing a blank at the moment. I bet Janet will know instantly.

Ann, In the second pic at the far right the "cricket" showed up and was approaching the other two. I had to run otherwise I would have stayed to see how the 3 of them would interact.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, I see what you're talking about. Yep, interesting situation there.

Good capture! I saw a similar tiny green critter (a spider of some kind? Ididn't count legs) eating a small fly -- very similar scene -- earlier today but had too many things going on to grab the camera.

*watches thread*

It resembles a bug in the family Miridae, they usually have some sort of wings covering the abdomen but some have short wings or nymphs develop wings at a later stage.

This one reminds me of a Dicyphus sp. but I can't find one like it, and I can't see any evidence of wings. The head is similar, and it had a long feeding proboscis which it's stuck the bee with (metallic green bee).

http://bugguide.net/node/view/...

http://bugguide.net/node/view/...

http://bugguide.net/node/view/...

There are a few obscure families of insects which it doesn't seem to fit. There is a pattern on the abdomen which doesn't help unless someone is familiar with it.

Thanks for the info and links Janet. The predator is something I've not noticed before although the Metallic Green Bees are more frequent visitors over the last few years.

Coming in a little late, I know, but the predator insect looks like maybe a leafhopper assassin bug nymph.

Thanks Carter.