The Assassin Bug

 

 Nadia Drake:  Assassin bugs (Acanthaspis sp.) decorate themselves with the corpses of their consumed prey. There are several reasons for this behavior, none of which really measure up to the totality of this monstrosity. First, the corpses form a protective "meat shield." Second, the corpses provide olfactory camouflage -- they mask the assassin bug's scent. Third...and most vile...they allow the assassin bug to infiltrate ant colonies while posing as one of the ants' own. Photo: Nicky Bay