The Euthyrhynchus floridanus beetle, also known as the Florida predatory stink bug, is one BIG bug. I was enjoying my pond apple caterpillars when this beetle flew in seeking prey. I ducked.

The beetle kept scooting to the opposite side of the branch to avoid me, so I didn't get usable pictures until it got food. Once it had its proboscis deep in a caterpillar, it was much easier to photograph, although it did keep backing away, dragging the caterpillar along with it, until finally it got stuck with the caterpillar hanging on the opposite side of a V in the branches:

The beetle's proboscis appears jointed, with each segment smaller as it nears the tip. I'd like to catch one to see if it folds up underneath, as opposed to rolling up like those of butterflies and moths do. Despite numerous trips back out to the pond apple tree, I haven't seen the beetle again, which surprised me, since there are still caterpillars on it.

The unfortunate caterpillar that this Florida predatory stink bug is eating is a gonodonta nutrix, or citrus fruit-piercer moth caterpillar. See the chewed leaf edge that the caterpiller was eating?